What clubs should I look seriously at?

[SpoiledRotten]

My wife and I decided that we would each get a new set of clubs for our 10th anniversary. I'm not on the pro tour, so I'm not looking to spend a couple of thousand on one set. I'm planning on a budgeting under $1000.00 for a set? What could I look at in the price range? What would you recommend? I'm also thinking about 5 - PW, SW, Driver, 2 W and 3 W. Thanks, in advanced.

[canes113]

Taylormade has their 2008 Burner clubs on sale (driver, fairway woods, hybrid & irons). Check out this link below from TGW.com.

http://www.tgw.com/customer/category...adepricebreaks

[motteler621]

depends on what you like. Do you like blade style, blade style with a little forgiveness like perimeter weighting, or just Game improvement irons that are pretty forgiving with a bigger topline, sole and cavity back.

[motteler621]

If your looking for straight blade style I would go for either some mizuno blade or a titleist blade, for a blade style with a little forgiveness I would go with the same brand, mizuno and titleist, the titleist ap2 iron is a great example of this but might be out of your price range. Also look at the ping i15 irons, they arent forged but are a great iron.

[Shindig]

My wife and I decided that we would each get a new set of clubs for our 10th anniversary. I'm not on the pro tour, so I'm not looking to spend a couple of thousand on one set. I'm planning on a budgeting under $1000.00 for a set? What could I look at in the price range? What would you recommend? I'm also thinking about 5 - PW, SW, Driver, 2 W and 3 W. Thanks, in advanced.

What level of player's clubs are you looking for? How good is your iron striking, how often do you practice, and what sort of scores do you shoot?

I was thinking earlier today, trying to figure out how I would assemble a set cheaply if I were inclined to do so. All I could come up with is that the wedges would match my current LW, since GolfSmith has 'em at $30 each. There are plenty of GI sets at $600 or so for 8, so it's probably pretty darn good for 5-P (which you describe). Driver and woods: last year's models tend to be sharply discounted. If you know what type of shaft you need, these are easy.

[microcrayfish]

The best thing to do is find out which clubs fall within your budget and go hit as many as possible to find the ones you like. You can ask on here for what people think you'll like but until you hit them you'll never know and you also risk overlooking the set that might be right for you because nobody suggested it. Plus it's always fun trying out new clubs so hit as many as possible!

[zeg]

I'd just say: strongly consider used clubs, at least the irons. Either from a local shop if you've got a good one, or from somewhere online. My personal preference is to stick with retail-style (e.g., callawaygolfpreowned.com) as opposed to auction sites, but there are many ways to do it. You can get some very gently used clubs for far less than new, even last year's model.

Of course, for a gift situation this may not be a viable option since some people feel odd about used gifts....

[SpoiledRotten]

What level of player's clubs are you looking for?

I'm strictly a novice player. I have a decent long game, but the putting is really pathetic. I have a fairly good day then the next day I go out thinking I'm going to beat my previous day's score and choke to high heavens.

How good is your iron striking,

I'm a little intimidated by my irons. I go from one extreme to the other. By that, I mean that I either try to slice the ball in half by cutting through it, or I get such a deep divot that the clubs almost stops in mid swing. I tend to use the fairway woods as much as possible and when I get close enough to the green, I use the PW. I've got lots of work to do, but still would like to have set of clubs that someone would recognize when I tell them what they are.

how often do you practice,

I practice every Saturday and Sunday (while on the course) I will go to a D/R maybe once a month, at least that how I used to do it. Got to get back into going some more.

and what sort of scores do you shoot?

This is the embarrassing answer. I can shoot a 48 on a par 36 - 9 hole course. I know, with that answer, you might want to tell me that I need to go pick up a plastic set at Toys R Us.

Thanks to all that have offered advice so far. Will keep reading for more. Much appreciated.

The best thing to do is find out which clubs fall within your budget and go hit as many as possible to find the ones you like. You can ask on here for what people think you'll like but until you hit them you'll never know and you also risk overlooking the set that might be right for you because nobody suggested it. Plus it's always fun trying out new clubs so hit as many as possible!

Great advice, microcrayfish! That would be a great way to shop. I tend to ask for the best advice on forums. You guys don't make your living from posting advice like the sales reps in the sporting goods store do. Most sales people tend to sway you toward the higher commission items rather than what fits your needs the best. I know... not all sales reps, but probably the majority.

[Shindig]

I'm strictly a novice player. I have a decent long game, but the putting is really pathetic. I have a fairly good day then the next day I go out thinking I'm going to beat my previous day's score and choke to high heavens.

Maybe the putter is the club that should take some size of the investment. That is, if you don't love your current putter.

I'm a little intimidated by my irons. I go from one extreme to the other. By that, I mean that I either try to slice the ball in half by cutting through it, or I get such a deep divot that the clubs almost stops in mid swing. I tend to use the fairway woods as much as possible and when I get close enough to the green, I use the PW. I've got lots of work to do, but still would like to have set of clubs that someone would recognize when I tell them what they are.

Okay, a graduated hybrid-SGI-GI set sounds like a good realm for you. Assuming you have a shop nearby that you can check out, look at sets like the Adams A7. You could also do a mix-and-match with Ping Rapture and G15. Nike VR Full Cavity and Mizuno MX-* are also worth considering, among current club sets.

I practice every Saturday and Sunday (while on the course) I will go to a D/R maybe once a month, at least that how I used to do it. Got to get back into going some more.

Alright. If you're getting back into it more, you might want to consider spending some of the budget for a lesson, and afterwards, ask about club types and improvement times. And once you have an idea what your swing is doing (you might know this already), you can get fitted -- most companies will do this for free, as part of the club purchase. After all, they want the clubs to perform well for you, just as you do.

This is the embarrassing answer. I can shoot a 48 on a par 36 - 9 hole course. I know, with that answer, you might want to tell me that I need to go pick up a plastic set at Toys R Us.

48 for par-36 is a very respectable score. I was telling someone just this weekend about how excited I was the first time I broke 100 for a par-54 course (all par-3s). I remember one 49 on a par-27 that excited me to no end.

Thanks to all that have offered advice so far. Will keep reading for more. Much appreciated.

We're happy to help. After all, we're here because we love talking golf in all forms. Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.

[SpoiledRotten]

Maybe the putter is the club that should take some size of the investment. That is, if you don't love your current putter.

My current putter is 24 carat gold plated, but I wouldn't say that I "love" it. Just shows that "pretty" doesn't always get the job done.

I have been tempted to replace it with something a little more technologically advanced. That is the first piece of advice that I'll investigate first. That is the worse part of my game. Got to start somewhere, right? Right! Shindig, Thank you for taking the time to address all comments. You have offered some really good advice. I'll take all of the advice I've received and put it to use. Also want to thank you for the encouragement regarding the score. I really missed the lay off period when the little wife and I spent most weekends RVing, rather than playing golf. But now, we have our 5er set up in on our property in the country and it just happens to be within 12 miles of the country club we recently joined, so now we have the best of both worlds. I've been looking into the hi bred section. Those things sound like they are just what would improve my game. I think I mentioned before that I have used my 7 W rather than an iron simply because it feels better. I seem to do better with that, controlling my swing, rather than pulling out the appropriate iron and working through it. The hi bred seems to be the right tool for the job. Going to check those out in the pro shop.

[Shindig]

I have been tempted to replace it with something a little more technologically advanced. That is the first piece of advice that I'll investigate first. That is the worse part of my game. Got to start somewhere, right? Right!

Well, there are some technological advancements in putters, but the most important thing is that it looks good to you at address, is comfortable to use, and that it sets up correctly when you address the ball.

Shindig, Thank you for taking the time to address all comments. You have offered some really good advice. I'll take all of the advice I've received and put it to use.

I'm always happy to help. It sounds like you've got a pretty good life going for you.

I've been looking into the hi bred section. Those things sound like they are just what would improve my game. I think I mentioned before that I have used my 7 W rather than an iron simply because it feels better. I seem to do better with that, controlling my swing, rather than pulling out the appropriate iron and working through it. The hi bred seems to be the right tool for the job. Going to check those out in the pro shop.

Hybrids are fantastic, especially for those who prefer woods to irons. You'd be amazed at how many long irons are absent from bags on the PGA Tour.