Double Question: Playing without driver? & Stiff or Regular?

[clamber]

Hey guys.

I'm getting back into golf soon, and the budget I'm on is giving me a problem. I would like to get some Titleist clubs the most, but to do that I wouldn't be able to afford the driver right at first. I'd just be able to get 3-wood, hybrid, 3-pw irons, wedge and putter. I haven't golfed in 3 years, but I think my swing will come back to me fairly quickly. I was always good with irons, they were my strong point. Even the 3-iron. I took 4th in a long drive contest at golf camp with a 3-iron.

I'm trying to think if there are any disadvantages to not having a driver other than distance. I can't really think of any.

So I'm just curious what you guys think about playing without a driver?

Also, I'm not sure if I need stiff or regular shafts. When I got my Mizuno irons 5 years ago when I was a sophomore, they worked well with their regular shafts. But the few years after that my swing speed increased a decent amount. I've never really known much about shafts, so I don't really have a clue.

At what point is it best to get stiff shafts?

Thanks

[tanktwo2]

If you are young(which I assume you are), stiff shafts are probably what you need.  Only way to know for sure is to go to a golf store and get fit which does cost money.  But honestly, unless you have an unusually slow swing speed for your age stiff is the way to go.

You don't need a driver in your bag (Mickelson takes it out of his bag sometimes) but if you are playing longer courses it is important.

Look into getting a used driver.  You could find anything in good shape in the range between 50-100$ that is only a couple years old.

[JoeC36]

IMO, you'll be fine without a driver. A bunch of guys i know have one, but it never comes out of their bag.

[zeg]

If money is tight, skip the driver.  As far as I know, distance is the only reason you'd ever use one at all, so if you aren't robbing yourself of opportunities to hit greens without that distance, you're not going to miss it.  Put the moeny into playing instead.

I'd either get fit, or see if you can find a shop that will tell you your swing speed.  Most of the shops around here will do that much of a "fitting" even if you're just shopping around for clubs.  If the same is not true near you, and money were tight, I'd be inclined to make an educated guess.