New to golf, got new clubs, game got worse. Advice?

[Cossackred]

Hello, I have played golf (sort of) off and on for a few years, but I know very little about the game itself. Never took a lesson. Stopped for about a year and a half. Came back and got some used clubs that were much longer than my old ones. My golf game greatly improved, at least for me. High number irons were going straight and I was starting to hang with my golf buddies that actually knew what they were doing. So, I got my state tax return and bought some clubs last night. Take it I know NOTHING about clubs at all.  I got a set of Nike Victory Red Forged Irons and a couple of Nike Dymo Drivers. So here's where I am. With my old clubs, I was hitting greens consistently. At the range I could bang the 6-9 irons within 5 feet of the pin. Old graphite shafts. I take out these steel shaft nike irons and every shot I hit is the same distance as with my old clubs, but about 15-20 feet off to the right. Same swing as before. Clubs are about an inch shorter than my old ones. I'm 6'2". So I'm looking for some advice. Go back to the old clubs, that as far as reviews and stuff, aren't as good of clubs, but I was playing better with them. Or, stick with these and figure out what I'm doing wrong. My drive with the Nike Driver is hooking to the right twice to 3x as much as the old dunlop my friend gave me. I ordered a Dymo2 as it's said to be very forgiving.  Again, I know nothing about golf or clubs. Everything is self taught out there, but for me, I was doing well. I'm sure most people around here are vets, but I'm a new guy who's kinda irritated at the consistent 20 feet to the right of the pin on his irons that wasn't there with the old graphite shaft Zevo clubs I got for $50 on Craigslist.  If anyone could take a second and break things down for the new guy here and basically give me some advice, I would really appreciate it. I know this isn't a technical question or something that will bring real discussion for you experts on here, but I'm no expert and a second of your time could help me out...or at least get rid of this pounding headache I came home from the range this morning with.

Thanks

[EverythingGolf]

It sounds like the new clubs are too short and/or the lie anlge is not right for you and the toe of the club is hitting the ground first and causing the shots to go right. You should also look at the clubs flex, stiff, regular etc. What flex was the old clubs?  What flex are the new ones? The best thing for you to do is get fitted for the new clubs.

[Gioguy21]

going to a forged iron could cause you to lose yards as well as they are not as forgiving as a set of cavity backs. being 6'3" myself, i could never use a set of off the shelf clubs b/c they are just too short for me. this is probably one of your problems. another problem could be the flex of the shaft, as noted by everythinggolf. i'm only assuming that you were not fitted for the clubs you bought. that being said, we'll have to work to get either these clubs to work for you and your swing, or sadly, they may not be the clubs for you. get yourself on a launch monitor at a local golf shop and find out if the clubs are too flat for you, ask the rep if they have the ability to put extenders in your shafts and regripping services if you don't know how to grip a club yourself (there are plenty of threads started on this site that can help you fix that as well). the clubs are forged so, that's probably the best thing going in that you can get them adjusted for lie when you get the shafts extended. i wish you the best of luck...you may have went the expensive route for getting new clubs in that you should've been fitted first, then buy.

[Cossackred]

Sounds possible. I'm not sure of the flex on the old clubs. The new clubs are stiff. I'll take them to a shop and get fitted for them asap! Thanks! I couldn't take the bad outing, so I watched some research and  on offsets and it seems the offset on my old clubs was a lot more than that of the new clubs. I went back out to the range and started my swing with my hands forward a bit. It corrected it for the most part, although it's not comfortable at all and my right wrist is in a bit of pain right now.  I do think there's something in the club size too. I really appreciate the reply. Thank you!

[Cossackred]

Originally Posted by Gioguy21

going to a forged iron could cause you to lose yards as well as they are not as forgiving as a set of cavity backs.

These are forged, but are the "Split Cavity" backs. Does that make any difference towards being forgiving?

[Tifosinumerouno]

Yes, it means they are less forgiving than a full cavity back. You pretty much got clubs that are way above your skill level. It takes a pretty experienced/consistent player to be able to get the most out of those clubs.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Cossackred

. . . With my old clubs, I was hitting greens consistently. At the range I could bang the 6-9 irons within 5 feet of the pin.

You should stick with those irons. PGA Tour players don't have stats like that!!

[Cossackred]

Originally Posted by Tifosinumerouno

Yes, it means they are less forgiving than a full cavity back. You pretty much got clubs that are way above your skill level. It takes a pretty experienced/consistent player to be able to get the most out of those clubs.

ok, thank you!

So here's where I stand then. A local shop said I could trade them in and most likely lose some money. Then get fitted and pay more for clubs that aren't as good as these, but will be easier for beginners like me with a good offset.

or

I pay $4 per club and get them lengthened an inch at the same shop and I just keep practicing until I'm actually good enough to use the clubs I bought.

Opinion?

I'm leaning towards the second one and then possibly getting some real lessons. Those fun little trips to the "not so good players" side of the local course is going to be a bit more frustrating for a while though.

[Gioguy21]

Originally Posted by Cossackred

ok, thank you!

So here's where I stand then. A local shop said I could trade them in and most likely lose some money. Then get fitted and pay more for clubs that aren't as good as these, but will be easier for beginners like me with a good offset.

or

I pay $4 per club and get them lengthened an inch at the same shop and I just keep practicing until I'm actually good enough to use the clubs I bought.

Opinion?

I'm leaning towards the second one and then possibly getting some real lessons. Those fun little trips to the "not so good players" side of the local course is going to be a bit more frustrating for a while though.

I vote choice a...on the odd chance you may not get the full performance out of those clubs in the long run. better to be playing tomorrow with clubs that will help you than keep them collecting dust in your closet. might as well take a little bit of a loss now instead of later when those clubs aren't worth jack shiesse. GET FITTED PRIOR TO BUYING. lol felt i should reiterate/emphasize that.

[Cossackred]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

You should stick with those irons. PGA Tour players don't have stats like that!!

Maybe "consistently" was misleading. 7i on 150 8i on 125 and 9i on 100 would be at 7 of 10 (which for me is better than I've ever been), but that's with a shank, roller, slice in the trees, or a pop up mixed in there.  I'm no pro. Course is a whole different story as I have a tough time with drivers, hybrids, and low number irons. But I can say, it was easy to hit the ball straight and at a consistent distance with each of the higher number clubs at the range and course.  I guess I figured the better clubs would make it even easier. Guess not.

[Cossackred]

Originally Posted by Gioguy21

I vote choice a...on the odd chance you may not get the full performance out of those clubs in the long run. better to be playing tomorrow with clubs that will help you than keep them collecting dust in your closet. might as well take a little bit of a loss now instead of later when those clubs aren't worth jack shiesse. GET FITTED PRIOR TO BUYING. lol felt i should reiterate/emphasize that.

Yeah, I don't even know what "getting fitted" entails. This is all new to me. Just enjoy golf and thought this would help. Next time I will make sure to do that first :)  Choice a: Getting clubs that would let me stick with the comfortable swing I've been using does really sound nice.

So what would they do/check to adjust the clubs besides length and getting clubs with an offset?

[max power]

I vote choice "give these clubs a little time" or "see if these clubs can be adjusted for your swing" before trading them right back in.  You've had them for one day?  You're going to lose money on a trade in now or later, so give them a little time.  I don't agree with the idea that these are way above your skill level-you're just not used to them.  I learned to play with clubs similar to these, and for decades before I started swinging a golf club the only thing available was blades-and tons of people still learned to play/played golf.

They're nice clubs, you haven't given them much of a chance, you may only need the lie angle adjusted, and lengthening would only run you $32.

[Cossackred]

Originally Posted by max power

I vote choice "give these clubs a little time" or "see if these clubs can be adjusted for your swing" before trading them right back in.  You've had them for one day?  You're going to lose money on a trade in now or later, so give them a little time.  I don't agree with the idea that these are way above your skill level-you're just not used to them.  I learned to play with clubs similar to these, and for decades before I started swinging a golf club the only thing available was blades-and tons of people still learned to play/played golf.

They're nice clubs, you haven't given them much of a chance, you may only need the lie angle adjusted, and lengthening would only run you $32.

I would say I was hitting a bit better on my 3rd 80 ball bucket of the day than the first.

What adjustment on these clubs could they do besides lengthen them?

[jmanbooyaa]

Originally Posted by max power

I vote choice "give these clubs a little time" or "see if these clubs can be adjusted for your swing" before trading them right back in.  You've had them for one day?  You're going to lose money on a trade in now or later, so give them a little time.  I don't agree with the idea that these are way above your skill level-you're just not used to them.  I learned to play with clubs similar to these, and for decades before I started swinging a golf club the only thing available was blades-and tons of people still learned to play/played golf.

They're nice clubs, you haven't given them much of a chance, you may only need the lie angle adjusted, and lengthening would only run you $32.

I agree do not trade these in after 1 time use.

[max power]

Originally Posted by Cossackred

I would say I was hitting a bit better on my 3rd 80 ball bucket of the day than the first.

What adjustment on these clubs could they do besides lengthen them?

Originally Posted by max power

I vote choice "give these clubs a little time" or "see if these clubs can be adjusted for your swing" before trading them right back in.  You've had them for one day?  You're going to lose money on a trade in now or later, so give them a little time.  I don't agree with the idea that these are way above your skill level-you're just not used to them.  I learned to play with clubs similar to these, and for decades before I started swinging a golf club the only thing available was blades-and tons of people still learned to play/played golf.

They're nice clubs, you haven't given them much of a chance, you may only need the lie angle adjusted, and lengthening would only run you $32.

[Cossackred]

Ok, so just those two things. Thanks.

[EverythingGolf]

Originally Posted by Cossackred

I would say I was hitting a bit better on my 3rd 80 ball bucket of the day than the first.

What adjustment on these clubs could they do besides lengthen them?

If the lie angle is incorrect for your height you will have problems pushing or pulling the ball. You dont have to trade them in you should be able to get them adjusted to fit you.