Should I buy new irons?

[ITgolfHack]

Ok, I keep going back and forth on this, and I just can't decide. Money isn't really the issue, I can afford new clubs and a fitting, I just don't want to make that kind of investment now and then a year or two later feel like I should have bought something else or need to get them refitted. I’m definitely not the kind of person that goes out every other week and thinks that a new club is going to magically turn me into a world beater, I know that practice and good instruction are the primary ways to improve.

I just took up the game again 2 years ago after a 15 year layoff and I’ve had a couple sets of lessons from different instructors. I play on one league a week and play with friends and outings 2 to 3 more times per week. I practice 3 to 6 hours per weekend. I'm about a 29 handicap right now, but I expect that to drop quite a bit this year as I've finally got a solid mental image of what I'm trying to do in a proper golf swing. For some reason over the winter a lot of what those pros were trying to teach me just clicked and I'm starting to be able to execute a much better swing. My second shot, which used to the bane of my game, is becoming a lot more consistent and I haven’t shot a single 8 in my first 5 rounds this year. I don't hit the ball very far, 214 total distance with a good swing of my driver, so my swing speed is probably below average.

I'm currently using my dad’s old set of Wilson GE 4000's that he bought new in 1984 with steel shafts, I don't know what their stiffness is. My dad and I are nearly identical in height and his 1984 weight, 5' 9" 155 pounds. He doesn’t think he had them fitted when he bought them. I did buy a new TM driver, 3 wood, 3 and 4 hybrid since that seems to have been the area of greatest technical advancement over what came with the 1984 set, but I didn't know anything about shaft flex, lie, etc.... at the time so I probably didn't get what I should have.

The way I've been hitting them so far this year, assuming my putting stays the same and my chipping improves a little, I don't see any reason I couldn't start consistently getting to the mid 80’s with the set I currently have over the next couple years, but if I can expect a decent amount of improvement in consistency and a little distance right away with new irons and a fitting, I might as well pull the trigger this year.

I just don’t know, it’s a lot of money to spend with no guarantee of the results. I’m so short off the tee that it needs to be a very short par 4 before I even find myself reaching for my 5 to 7 iron, I mostly use my 3 wood and hybrids and only use the longer and mid irons if that second shot is badly struck. So far this year, I’ve been able to reach most par 5’s in 3 shots with driver > 3 wood > 6 or higher iron and most par 4’s with driver > 3 wood or hybrid > and usually a chip or short pitch. Maybe I should just get the TM stuff fitted this year.

I appreciate any advice.

[Par Fore]

Go demo some used clubs.....I saw a set of used Mizuno MP60's this weekend for $240.....that is a steal IMHO.....you can find last year's drivers for only $100 brand new, a used 3wd for about $50, and a bag for $50 on sale.....if you like the putter and wedge, just keep those....

That, or just keep what you have.....there are an endless amount of options.....buying new clubs is great, but if money is an issue, keep an open mind......I used to buy everything new, but now that I am poor , I am getting used to used clubs.....

[ITgolfHack]

Hmmm, I didn't really think about used. I was considering new because there is a club maker in town that will do the clubs and the fitting for $750+ depending on what options I choose. I don't know how in depth the fitting is, but he said it generally takes about 3 to 4 hours. I'll have to find out what he would charge to fit a used set.

[TigerWoodz]

If money isn't an issue,go try a few sets out and see which ones you hit the best...

[dbuck]

I believe that better clubs help you get better faster, but at your stage you probably don't want to invest in fitted clubs because as you improve, your needs may change.

Definitely look into used clubs, and since you can afford it, look at one of the larger places like Golfsmith or even online at Callaway for a used set one or two models old, or you might score a deal on a lightly used current model. I think since you already have hybrids, you should look for a set with 4 or 5 iron through gap/approach or sand wedge. Be sure to get fresh grips in the deal. These will help you improve and when your handicap is about half what it is now, look into fitted clubs.

[Par Fore]

Just to be clear, not saying used is the way to go......getting fitted by a clubmaker for a new set is sweeeeeeeeet, especially if you have the coin.....

You might wait, get some lessons first, and get your swing the way you want it to be.......your stance and swing can make a difference in your fitting, and if you plan to improve and make changes, waiting might be your best bet.....do a lot of research, there are 100 ways to skin a golfing cat, and all of them are right....

My two cents...

[ITgolfHack]

After doing a bunch of checking and thinking and taking the advice offered here into consideration, I believe a decent upgrade is probably worth the $200 to $300 that I'm likely to spend. I just don't think my current game is worth a $700+ investment. I'll play with the new used clubs for the next few years and dial in my swing and when I get to around a 15 handicap, then I'll consider a serious investment.