Using cheap equipment

[saturnnights]

I saw a long thread in another subforum entitled: "Equipment Obsession"

I read through it and found it interesting - mostly because I'm one of those who suffer from equipment obsession with everything I do. In the case of golf however, I opted for an inexpensive start. It's probably because of my other obsessions (musical gear, astronomy gear, home workshop gear) that I decided to go the inexpensive route with golf until I've proven that I'm worthy of more expensive equipment.

My wife and I decided to do this golf thing together, so we talked with some local pros and decided on both a primary golf course (nice driving range, inexpensive fees, friendly old-timer employees) and an instructor. Our instructor also fits clubs and since we're tall (I'm 6'5" and my wife 5'11"), he made us a set with longer shafts, appropriate for our reaches. He used Trident club heads and an assortment of other parts for shafts and grips. The whole shebang wasn't super cheap, but I'm happy overall with what we have in our bags. He also guaranteed them for life and all adjustments are free.

Anyway, for us, not knowing the difference between an expensive set of golf clubs and a baseball bat, this is working out very well. Someday in the future, if we seem to be getting better at this, we can look at upgrading (or not - depends).

How many of you play with relatively inexpensive clubs? I see signature lines with clubs listed, but it seems that there's a tendency to list clubs if they're better-known brands, but not otherwise.

Cheers,
Mark

[allin]

I played with component clubs from reputable compamies for years. I believe in avoiding direct copies of name brand clubs on principle,. If you are fit properly and use decent shafts I don't feel the difference is great. On better clubs the shaft is often the most expensive part anyway. Gas Can amd Everado seem to really know this type of club. Maybe when you are to the point where you can really feel the difference in shaft and clubhead combinations or you are playing at least once a week.

[iacas]

Note "cheap" and "inexpensive" have different connotations. Nobody wants to use "cheap" equipment, but bargain hunters often prefer "inexpensive" equipment.

We'll be reviewing some equipment from Pine Meadows golf soon on The Sand Trap, FYI.

[CusePhil]

  iacas said:

Note "cheap" and "inexpensive" have different connotations. Nobody wants to use "cheap" equipment, but bargain hunters often prefer "inexpensive" equipment.

That is false. There are two distinct definitions of thw word "cheap". One would be low in cost, or inexpensive. The other would be poor quality. Using the word "cheap" to express "inexpensive" is in no way wrong.

[iacas]

  CusePhil said:

That is false. There are two distinct definitions of thw word "cheap". One would be low in cost, or inexpensive. The other would be poor quality. Using the word "cheap" to express "inexpensive" is in no way wrong.

I said

connotation . I did not say definition. If you're going to correct someone, at least be right. I write for a living (or at least part of it) - I typically choose my words carefully. This case was no exception.

[CusePhil]

  iacas said:

I said

Yeah.....well.....My dad can beat up your dad!

[prutkows]

  CusePhil said:

Yeah.....well.....My dad can beat up your dad!

ok first of all, thats the dumbest thing ive ever seen on this forum.

stupidity aside, to the original poster of this thread: im not sure what the quality is of the clubs your pro made for you, but you can definitely find inexpensive high quality name brand clubs. a lot of stores sell older new/used clubs for greatly reduced prices. and a lot of the time used clubs are still in great condition. personally i started with a set of ladies x-14's so ive never really played with "cheap equipment" but like you say, when you start you dont really know the difference. even now that ive been playing for a few years, i tend to use whatever feels best, not whats popular or new or most expensive or has the "best technology". the only thing i really know about golf are the types of clubheads you can use. i know nothing of shafts and grips.. most everything for me is feel.