"Beginner" Clubs?

[drPheta]

I'm new to the game, very new, and my friends advised me to get a good, solid set of beginner clubs. It's very sound advice. I have no idea what good clubs are like vs bad clubs. So, I got game improvement clubs from a reputable company with the approval of my friends (Callaway X12 irons).

My question is this, and correct me if I'm wrong. Doesn't it make more sense for someone new to be "forced" to learn great technique using blades or players clubs without the false confidence of gamer improvement clubs? I don't want this to turn into, "look at the new guy with $100000 worth of clubs who can't hit for diddly."

This is a legitimate attempt at making me the best golfer I can be with the best tools. For instance, my first mountain bike was not a beginner bike. The shifters, crank, fork, and all the components were high end (but not race quality). I learned how to ride a mountain bike the way it should be ridden, and I grew into it. The same thing with skis and snowboards. I started out with the high end stuff and forced myself good technique. The equipment lasted me years before I justifiably upgraded to race/pro quality stuff.

I'm told irons last a long time, and that I could potentially use the X12s for years before I'd feel the need to upgrade. However, I don't want to hinder my athletic ability/potential to learn proper form if a less forgiving club will force me to do so.

I've searched extensively through the forum about technique and equipment. I understand it's about what's between the ear and what my hands are capable of doing. I just don't want to be fooled that my game is decent, when it's the cavity back/perimeter weight/etc that is making me hit "better." I want to hit consistently as a result of my form.

[cdauks07]

If I were in your position I would hit each type of iron (beginner, players clubs, blades, etc.) and just find what feels comfortable. Obviously you don't want a set you can't hit whatsoever, but you don't need to get a graphite shafts. It's all preference and whatever feels best for you is probably the best way to start out.

[nuck81]

If you can't swing well you won't hit a ball no matter what club you have. Cavity backs will help ball flights on hits that aren't on center, but they won't fix a bad swing, and off center hits will still give you feedback by flight, feel, and sound. I can tell exactly where I make contact with my cavity backs by the sound of the contact, particularly off the tee. A toed shot with a cavity back will have better flight than a toed blade, but the flight won't be as good as a pure shot with the cavity back either.

But play whatever clubs make you enjoy the game better. If you understand it's a process and you have to learn to swing before you can play great golf then blades, cavity backs, what have you won't really matter.

[MMouse]

Ditto to everything being said.

Callaway Big Bertha's ( any year ) can be found in various places for great deals and are a great super game improvement iron.
The Adams sets being made now are great for the category too though.

I personally would buy a set of game improvement irons and work on getting consistent contact. You get to practice while still enjoying the game because of the forgiveness.
As you get better you can apply the swing you've built to different irons and make an easier transition.

You could learn how to drive by buying a race car and having to learn quickly how to control all that power. Or you could go the conventional route and learn in a car that is much easier to control. Either way will work, but one way might be a lot more frustrating than the other.

[goblue107501]

Your ski and bike comparisons don't really work in golf. I understand the reasoning, but golf is just too difficult of a sport to start with the added hardness of a pro level club. Although the good thing about golf is that it basically comes down to hitting a little white ball in the center of the clubface. You can learn to do that on any clubs out there. The smaller the club, the harder it will be to hit in the center. The good technique doesn't matter what clubs you are using. If you swing properly, the ball will go where it is supposed to with anything. Plus, until you get better, it will make the game a little more enjoyable becuase the clubs will help the bad shots be a little better. And as mmouse mentioned, it will be less frustrating.

[drPheta]

Awesome advice. As long as I can acknowledge a bad swing when it comes with a cavity back, I'm fine. I'm just afraid of depending on technology and falling into bad habits.

[tws1098]

[QUOTE=drPheta;472231]Awesome advice. As long as I can acknowledge a bad swing when it comes with a cavity back, I'm fine. I'm just afraid of depending on technology and falling into bad habits.[/ QUOTE]

Well then, you need to get fitted first (basically to understand what length, lie, loft, and shaft stiffness you need) and then buy a used set of decent clubs on ebay (can be had for under $200 easy...it is where my current set came from) and use the rest of the money to take lessons, this will get you off to the right start.

[drPheta]

How much does a fitting traditionally run? Any place to stay away from for fittings?

[tws1098]

  drPheta said:

How much does a fitting traditionally run? Any place to stay away from for fittings?

Fittings are pretty cheap, around $25. And often times you can put that money toward clubs if you buy where you were fitted. You will be fine anywhere as long as they have a pro at the shop. I have gone to a local pro shop and Dick's. Both did a nice job and knew what they were doing.

[JML22]

I bought used I3s awhile back - they're forgiving but notforgiving as the G series
I wish i got the G series for when i first started, it would have been easier. BUt i'm happy now
Basically, just get the most forgiving club you can find, dont try to hit anything that's beyond you cause its not gonna work well

[WUTiger]

I would stay away from eBay until you learn more about golf and the specs on different clubs.

As far as fitting goes, what you need right now is what's called a static fitting. Often a pro who gives you lessons can do this. The fitter makes sure the clubs are not too long or too short for your body build, and that the club lie is not too upright or flat. Don't worry about dynamic fittings at this time: your stance will change a lot from day to day until you start to get your swing grooved.

Hope you like the X12s. I have the X20s. May switch to something else if my swing continues to improve, but they work fine for me now. Yesterday, I had a good swing and put an 8-iron shot two feet from pin for a birdie. Hit the same club a few holes later with a bad swing, and it went nowhere. Game improvement clubs give you a little help, but you still have to swing them right.

And, welcome to golf!

[CoolBreeze20]

I think way too often "beginner" or game improvement irons are looked at in the wrong light. It isnt like they will allow a bad swing to hit the ball effectively. If your swing sucks, you wont be able to hit GI irons, blades, anything. All GI irons do is help you on off-center hits. It will be a LOOOONG time before you have a swing that allows the club to impact the ball on on the sweet spot 80% of the time. Learn on and use whatever you feel comfortable with.

[JML22]

ya but some clubs minimize your misses to some extent
Like Ping G series woudl be better than like CG1s

[drPheta]

I just got back from "trying out" some different club designs. Callaway X22 and X24-Hot, TM R9 and Burner Plus, and Nike VR split cavities. I have to say that the difference is amazingly huge between the clubs! I have to say that I'm not a fan of big cavities, compared to shallower ones. Granted, I an infant in this game, but the feel of the shallower cavity really allowed me to adjust my swing by a lot. I didn't get to try any muscle backs, so those will be next on my list to try out.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Once I figure out what head design suits me, I'll get fitted if/when I decide to upgrade.

[tws1098]

  drPheta said:

I just got back from "trying out" some different club designs. Callaway X22 and X24-Hot, TM R9 and Burner Plus, and Nike VR split cavities. I have to say that the difference is amazingly huge between the clubs! I have to say that I'm not a fan of big cavities, compared to shallower ones. Granted, I an infant in this game, but the feel of the shallower cavity really allowed me to adjust my swing by a lot. I didn't get to try any muscle backs, so those will be next on my list to try out.

Sounds like you are on the right track man. Have a favorite thus far? Which are you looking into trying?

[tfauss]

golf galaxy fits good.

[Shanks A Million]

  drPheta said:

I'm new to the game, very new, and my friends advised me to get a good, solid set of beginner clubs. It's very sound advice. I have no idea what good clubs are like vs bad clubs. So, I got game improvement clubs from a reputable company with the approval of my friends (Callaway X12 irons).

Yeah, don't make the mistake of going out and getting blades just to find that you can't hit them to save your life. A game improvement club will merely minimize mistakes, and help you get the feel for solid hits as you advance.

Here's what happens when a beginner gets blades: Day 1: "I can't hit these, but I'll learn." Day 2: "Damn, still can't hit these." Day 3: "Man, this game is so hard! Damnit!" Day 4: "Mother f#@$%r, f $%& these G%# d#$& pieces of s&%$! F#$% this stupid f#$%

[Meddle]

  CoolBreeze20 said:

I think way too often "beginner" or game improvement irons are looked at in the wrong light. It isnt like they will allow a bad swing to hit the ball effectively. If your swing sucks, you wont be able to hit GI irons, blades, anything. All GI irons do is help you on off-center hits. It will be a LOOOONG time before you have a swing that allows the club to impact the ball on on the sweet spot 80% of the time. Learn on and use whatever you feel comfortable with.

Great post. Also, make sure you try using the longer irons in each set. Huge difference in hitting a muscleback 8 iron versus a 5, IMO.