Changing Clubs

[Golf_Gal]

How often do you get new clubs? Is it easier/cheaper to buy the full set rather than individual clubs? Do you really need a lob or a gap wedge? I've been considering both. I currently have a pw and a sw and sometimes I'll use my 9-iron for short chips.

TIA :)

[bsettle]

It depends on the player. A good set of irons can last for years, but with some maintenance (new grips, etc...) and buying a set is always cheaper.

No, it is not necessary to have a gap or lob wedge. The key, though, is to have a solid gap of lofts between your clubs to cover as much yardage as possible with the full shot.

For example, if your PW is 47 degrees and your sand wedge is 56, that is a large yardage difference. You usually get 3 yards per degree, so 9 degrees is 27 yards....TO BIG. So, the smart thing would be to get a 52 or 50 degree the split the difference. The same thing after the SW without a lob wedge, which most do without because of their difficulty to hit, you will have to hit alot of half wedge shots. Which is not a bad thing, but it all depends on what you can be more consistent with....a 60% SW or a full 58 or 60 degree wedge. I went without a lob for a long time and perfected the half wedge and I still RARELY use my LW for full shots. I only use it around the green to keep the ball close on slick greens or to set it down over a bunker or spine in the green.

[jaragon126]

Just got a set of new irons a couple of years ago (Callaway X18). Before that, I had a set of Tour Edge Comp 950 that my dad bought me when I first picked up the game. I must have had those Tour Edge irons for maybe 5-6 years?

I've had my Taylor Made driver for probably as long as the old irons ... 5-6 years, I love it & have no desire to change. I've also had my Taylor Made 3 wood for several years that I might consider replacing at some point (maybe next year).

I have switched out Wedges every couple of years because I tend to wear them out much quicker. Just got a Vokey 60*, and a Cleveland 50* & 56* last year to replace some old Taylor Made wedges that were worn smooth.

To answer your question about buying an entire set rather than one at a time ... I would much rather buy the whole set at once (I'm assuming we're talking about irons here) than to try to get them one by one. Obviously I will wear out my shorter irons faster than the longer irons, but if I had to keep track of which irons I had recently replaced and which irons were next up to be replaced, I would go crazy.

When my current set gets worn smooth (which again, will probably happen with my shorter irons much quicker than the long irons), I'll buy another set. I do get all my clubs regripped once or twice each year, and I also wash them with soapy water in the sink from time to time ... I practice alot

As far as the lob or gap wedge, for ME I hit my PW about 110yds and my sand wedge (56*) goes probably 70yds with a full swing. So I have some big gaps to fill between 110yds & 70yds. That's why I got a 50* which goes about 90yds. I use the 60* for very short sided green or bunker shots ... so it's probably not a necessity but definitely something fun to play with

I too will use a 9i or PW or 8i for some chip shots where I need a "bump & run" situation. So there's definitely not a RULE for what clubs you need or how you need to play a shot. It probably comes down to preference.

[Golf_Gal]

  jaragon126 said:

Just got a set of new irons a couple of years ago (Callaway X18). Before that, I had a set of Tour Edge Comp 950 that my dad bought me when I first picked up the game. I must have had those Tour Edge irons for maybe 5-6 years?

My BF just bought Callaway X18s irons a few months ago. He absolutely loves them. He tried to get me to play with them, but I can't even hit with his clubs...I'm particular to my own He doesn't have a driver yet, but he uses his 4-iron, or if he wants, he uses my 1-wood haa haa, he can kill the ball with it!! LOL

[GaijinGolfer]

You usually will need to replace a driver every few years if you play a lot. Over time the clubface fatigues and will eventually crack. Driver clubfaces are meant to be springy to get more distance, but over time they will fail.
A set of irons could last a person their entire lifetime.
How long wedges last depend upon how much you use them and how much you hit out of the sand with them. Over time you will notice a reduction in spin.
Putters pretty much last forever.
Most people buy new clubs when they like a change moreso than because their clubs are worn out.

[WUTiger]

If you play a couple of times a month, your Hope set could last you for several years. If you play twice a week, you would likely wear them out quickly.

As for switching clubs, many players switch as their skill level increases. Once your swing improves, more precise clubs could help you score better.

Also, check out this Wall Street Journal article on design ofwomen's clubs:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121372702050581575.html

Among other things, this article will give you hints on whether you want a gap wedge. I guess maybe you'll decide you don't need one.

[Golf_Gal]

Great!! Thanks for the info all :) I think my set is good for now, I still need to get better and these have been fine for me so far :)

[pingman]

i change clubs like i change under wear!!!!!! it's not they are worn out or anything is wrong with them, i just don't mind change, and plus i get tired of using the same clubs. every now and then i pull old sets back out and use em. putters i hardly change though! every putter i have has a distinct feel that i like. my bag, as you can see in my sig, goes from a pw to a sw and lw. i can hit half shots and my distance control is great so, i have no problem, and really no need for a gw cause even though the full shot distance gap is pretty big, i can hit the distance i need because of my feel more over than the full shot the club is capable of.

[ks8829]

I change clubs to improve my game and not so much that the clubs are wearing out.

Your clubs will help you reach a certain level in your golf game and you will know when its time to buy another set.

I like my lob wedge but you can learn to use your PW and open the club face slightly to add more loft and or use a partial swing to reach a certain distance.

[Fourputt]

  Golf_Gal said:

How often do you get new clubs? Is it easier/cheaper to buy the full set rather than individual clubs? Do you really need a lob or a gap wedge? I've been considering both. I currently have a pw and a sw and sometimes I'll use my 9-iron for short chips. TIA :)

Buying clubs individually may or may not be a better deal. It depends on the make up of your bag. If you buy a full set, then leave the 4 and 5 irons out in favor of hybrids or lofted woods, then only use down to the PW and have a set of different brand or model wedges, then you may have paid for 3 or more clubs that you'll never use. A typical set is 8 or 9 irons, but if you only need 5 from the set.... well you can do the math.

It's best to price the set then find what the individual clubs will cost and make your decision based on actual need. My last couple of iron purchases were made just buying the individual clubs that I needed.

[RocketSauce]

i RARELY change clubs. i like to get used to a set so i know exactly what i can and cant do with them, how far i can hit them, how they feel, etc. ive played these same irons (2nd set now) for 6 straight years. before that i played Titleist DCI 962's for 11 straight years. the only club i dont have a problem changing is the driver, however, i've been playing my FT-i for 3 straight years now because frankly i cant hit anything better, and ive tried them all (major oems). ive also played my current fw woods for 3 years now, and although my putter is fairly new, it will be staying in my bag forever now. i finally found a putter that i love. i dont see how some people can change iron sets multiple times per year. wedges, driver, hyrbids, sure...but irons? that would be difficult for me to get used to changing so often

[GaijinGolfer]

  RocketSauce said:

i RARELY change clubs. i like to get used to a set so i know exactly what i can and cant do with them, how far i can hit them, how they feel, etc. ive played these same irons (2nd set now) for 6 straight years. before that i played Titleist DCI 962's for 11 straight years. the only club i dont have a problem changing is the driver, however, i've been playing my FT-i for 3 straight years now because frankly i cant hit anything better, and ive tried them all (major oems). ive also played my current fw woods for 3 years now, and although my putter is fairly new, it will be staying in my bag forever now. i finally found a putter that i love. i dont see how some people can change iron sets multiple times per year. wedges, driver, hyrbids, sure...but irons? that would be difficult for me to get used to changing so often

Agreed. Changing clubs all the time is only going to make you worse because you will never develop a feel for what the clubs will do.