Need advice for my next move + current setup

[DerockNC]

Hey guys,

This is my first post on this forum, though I've done a good bit of lurking recently.  I'm not terribly new to golf but I am new to taking it seriously and wanting to get better.  As a young adult I have just recently secured a job that will afford me the means as well as free time to hone my game and I'm really excited to get out there and get better.  I know the fundamentals and general information about clubs but I know there are a lot of people on here with some more in depth expertise.  In my bag are as follows:

Callaway Hawkeye irons (graphite shafts): L, S, P, 4-9

Recently purchased Callaway FT-5 (neutral + stiff shaft)  -- I like this new driver A LOT, forgiving IMO

My Next Step

A couple things.. the reason for my lack of woods is that I previously was able to use my fathers KZG Gemini II driver (which I love), and Cobra 3 and 5 woods.  Since I'm taking golf more seriously, I'd like to go ahead and buy some woods for myself.  I've got the driver taken care of but I'm not sure what the next step is.. I was thinking possibly a hybrid would be the next logical step but I'm not sure how much that will help me.  I can hit my 4-iron around 200-215 and am not sure I could hit a hybrid much further.  I'm thinking 3-wood will be the next step but will await any advice from you all.

Another concern

It seems to me that 100% of professionals and good golfers that I know use steel shafts for their irons.  Obviously theres a a reason for that, but I have graphite because they are hand-me-downs from my dad, who ius around 60 and says graphite is better for his joints.  A. Is the graphite hindering me a whole lot? B.  How much will it cost me to re-shaft them with steel?  C.  What is the general consensus on the Hawkeye irons inb the first place?

Any help is appreciated in advance, guys.  I look forward to posting on this forum!

[delav]

First off, welcome to the forum.

As far as woods and hybrids go, you'd likely be best to pick up a fairway wood and hybrid to cover the gap between your driver and longest iron.  Many guys play an iron set that is either 4-W or 5-W, so depending on your eventual setup the selection may change.  For starters, a 15-degree 3 wood and 19-21 hybrid would be a place to start testing clubs.  You can't go too wrong with what most companies have produced in the last few years.

The graphite shafts in your irons aren't ideal, and if their your fathers hand-me-downs they are likely a bit too soft.  Graphite is lighter than steel, and provides players will slower swing speed better distance.  Steel shafts tend to be heavier and more accurate, while providing more feedback.  Most players would be best fit with a steel shaft in their irons.

If you have the means, I'd really suggest shopping for a new (or used) set of irons instead of reshafting the Hawkeye irons.  These aren't necessarily bad irons to play, but reshafting isn't cheap and unless you love the look and feel of them you might find a better value in a used set of game-improvement clubs.

Because you're just starting, I'd save a good portion of your golf budget for range balls and lessons.  With a bit of smart shopping, a great bag of clubs can be put together on eBay for a fraction of what you'd spend at the golf shop.

[BigAl5150]

If you now have the $$$, I would go get fitted to find out what exactly you need for loft, lie, shaft flex, etc. Once you know that, then I would start picking up new clubs. It will make golf more enjoyable having properly fitted clubs.

Welcome to The Sand Trap, btw!

Alan

[drglew]

Originally Posted by delav

First off, welcome to the forum.

As far as woods and hybrids go, you'd likely be best to pick up a fairway wood and hybrid to cover the gap between your driver and longest iron.  Many guys play an iron set that is either 4-W or 5-W, so depending on your eventual setup the selection may change.  For starters, a 15-degree 3 wood and 19-21 hybrid would be a place to start testing clubs.  You can't go too wrong with what most companies have produced in the last few years.

The graphite shafts in your irons aren't ideal, and if their your fathers hand-me-downs they are likely a bit too soft.  Graphite is lighter than steel, and provides players will slower swing speed better distance.  Steel shafts tend to be heavier and more accurate, while providing more feedback.  Most players would be best fit with a steel shaft in their irons.

If you have the means, I'd really suggest shopping for a new (or used) set of irons instead of reshafting the Hawkeye irons.  These aren't necessarily bad irons to play, but reshafting isn't cheap and unless you love the look and feel of them you might find a better value in a used set of game-improvement clubs.

Because you're just starting, I'd save a good portion of your golf budget for range balls and lessons.  With a bit of smart shopping, a great bag of clubs can be put together on eBay for a fraction of what you'd spend at the golf shop.

+1.

A 3 or 4-wood and a 2 or 3-hybrid would probably fill in your gaps well.  And agree 100% with not reshafting those irons--the same money could be spent on high-quality used irons or brand-new closeouts from a year or two ago, and even more importantly for a few lessons.  Plus, if you're just starting to get serious and play more, and possibly get some lessons, your swing may (hopefully) improve quite a bit over the next few years, so whatever shafts that might suit you now might not be so good for you later.  Welcome to the forum!

[wmiller]

In addition to the above, I would like to suggest you pick up a used 7 or 8 iron. Blade.

The usual suggestions are, IMO, great if you're just trying to score better with the swing you have. Super game improvement clubs allow many to score better and have a more enjoyable time with a less than ideal swing. But the whole purpose of these types of clubs is to mask/adapt swing faults. Not force you to make a better swing.

Take a traditional blade to the range, and learn how to hit it well. These types of clubs provide generous (sometimes too much) feedback, telling you that you're doing something wrong. Watch your divots, if you take one, look at where you're hitting it on the face of the club. High, low, towards the toe, too close to the hosel? These are things that can help you learn how to become more consistent. And watch the flight of the ball. This will tell you A LOT about your swing and how you're hitting the ball.

Of course, the iron should be fitted, or close to, what your physical makeup dictates. Otherwise you will just try to adapt to an ill-fitting club and that can cause all kinds of problems. I also am assuming that you have fairly good hand-eye coordination and are physically able to learn a repeatable swing.

If my suggestion is out of line, I apologize profusely!  :)

[DerockNC]

Thanks for all the advice guys.  I was afraid that the general consensus would be that I need new irons, which is fine.  I'd really like to have no excuses while I'm out there.  As far as lessons are concerned, I do plan to take a few here in the near future but I actually do have a pretty fundamental swing/grip.  I may have oversold the being new to golf thing.  I grew up around it and played quite a bit, just didn't care about being any good.  My swing is alright, I'm just lacking a bit of consistency.

That is an interesting idea about the bladed club.  I may try that and see what happens.  Part of why I chose now to become better at golf is that I switched jobs and my new job didn't wish to have me fulfill my 2 weeks (the company I'm switching to is a competitor) so I have a free week and a half to get better.  I've played everyday for the past 9 days and have seens tremendous improvements.  I'm from Charlotte, NC and played yesterday at Stone Bridge (basically out in Waxhaw, NC) and it was the best public course I've ever played, for 23 bucks, it was a ridiculous deal.  Anyway, I shot 86 which is the best score I've ever had, and it wasn't a teribly easy course.  I believe it played 6,400 from the middle tees which is where we played from.  I put my handicap index at 16 because I don't really have one.. I probably score between 92-100 most of the time but for the past week I've been 86-91.  My goal is to break 80 by August.  I realize thats pretty lofty but thats kind of the point.