Looking to add something to my golf bag, care to help?

[jmanbooyaa]

Okay here we go. I have been playing for a few months now and am actively looking to improving for start of next season. I live in NY and still play, even now in mid December. I have actually made some solid improvements. Went out today and par's on 8 holes and went 1 over on another 8 and had 2 disastrous ones. I currently use Callaway X-20's with the uniflex steel shafts and upgraded grips to midsize(not sure I needed mids but the Golfsmith salesman measured me and said I was) Crossline Lamkins on my 5-SW and on my 3 wood and 3 rescue club. I use a Odyssey White Hot XG9, Taylormade 09 Burner which I have not used yet since I just got it as a replacement from TM for a cracked 07 Burner, I also use a TM 08 Rescue club with 3 head(which I hate), I also use an old but still in really good shape Cleveland 3 wood 15 degree(really have been enjoying this club while my driver is being replaced, and to round it out I have 2 Callaway X-Forged vintage wedges in 58/10(current favorite club) and 54/15. I am looking to add either a 5 wood or another wedge perhaps a 64. What do you guys think I should add to my bag? I want a 64 since I seem to always find myself right off the green lately, but after searching and posting my own on the forums it seems it might not be a good fit for me. After this lengthy post I hope some of you stick around to give me your feedback. I am new to this site and am really enjoying it.

[leo3]

I would consider adding a gap wedge, around 50 degree, as your X20 PW is 45 degrees, and your X Forged is 54. Thats a large gap, and a 50 would fit in nicely. I prefer my gap wedge to match my irons, as I use it for full swing shots a lot, and the X20 GW is 50 degrees. A 64 is a pretty useless club, IMO, and as a 35.6 handicap, it will likely cost you more strokes than help you.

[Danattherock]

Find the best pro in your area. Research that person like folks often research what driver to buy. Spend some money on lessons rather than equipment. That will have far greater impact on your golf scores.

-Dan

[jmanbooyaa]

Hey Danattherock I plan on taking a lesson or 2. Maybe sometime next year. The reasoning is I do not want to take a lesson in say January and not be able to practice what I was shown for a few months. Yes I continue to golf in December in NY but realistically time is running out for enjoyable golf here in NY. But thanks for the advice I am going to be spending a majority of the off season researching a pro in the area that may be a good fit for me and my golf game improvement.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by jmanbooyaa

Hey Danattherock I plan on taking a lesson or 2. Maybe sometime next year. The reasoning is I do not want to take a lesson in say January and not be able to practice what I was shown for a few months. Yes I continue to golf in December in NY but realistically time is running out for enjoyable golf here in NY. But thanks for the advice I am going to be spending a majority of the off season researching a pro in the area that may be a good fit for me and my golf game improvement.

If you get the right lesson package (with video that you can keep) a club/setup evaluation will be a part of it. Personally, I found it reassuring when my instructor said my irons could be a 1/2 degree more upright, but other than that everything in the bag was a good fit for me - including head design and shaft flex. Good to know it's all on you when things don't work out as planned.

As a beginner, I'd suggest a lot of repetition to groove a swing before summer, without overdoing it of course (think of the Bryan Adams song, "The Summer of '69" where he played his new guitar "until my fingers bled" - don't do that). A lesson or two could make sure you're not grooving some bad swing mechanics which you'll probably have to fight 10x as hard to get rid of.

[ajschn06]

A 64 degree wedge is INSANE!  Especially for a 35.1 handicap.  A 58 or 60 has plenty of loft for whatever shot you may encounter.  Everyone around here is always trying to "fill" their bag and I just think you guys are giving yourself to much $hit to think about.  I have an empty spot in my bag if I ever need to add a club, but I'd probably be more likely to take one out than add one...

[Camo]

if you want to add 1 club that is going to improve your game the most.

Matzie Assist Weighted Golf Swing Trainer

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Camo

if you want to add 1 club that is going to improve your game the most.

Matzie Assist Weighted Golf Swing Trainer

Gotta hone those slow twitch muscles!!

If he uses a training aid during his round he might get DQ'd.

[Aquaguru]

I wouldn't worry about the equipment you have.  Try to focus on what you have and perfect your swing.  A 64 is out of the question IMO, the highest lofted club I have is a 56 and I'm a 7 HC.  I just open the face when i need to.  Use creativity in your clubs, I think alot of guys forget about this factor and expect that there is one club for each different shot.  There are times in a round where I will only use 6 clubs throughout the whole round.

[jmanbooyaa]

Thank you all for the good points. Know that I think about it I only use a few select clubs on any given round. Driver, 5 iron, 7 iron, 58* and putter. So that is only 5 clubs less than half of the clubs in my bag. The course I frequent is perfect for a beginner like me and I can rotate the driver for a 3 wood if I want to practice using my PW or 54*. I did make a move of sorts today, I got rid of my rescue club, traded it in for a 5 wood since I usually only use my woods of the tee for now until I get a better more consistent swing. Again thank you all.