Horrible Accident With My Irons

[GernGolfs]

I baby my clubs. I see them as an investment and as such I try to take really good care of them. After every round or practice session I clean them up thoroughly and basically try to make sure that they "hold their value". But this past Sunday the unspeakable happened. The cart strap failed and my bag fell off of the back of the cart as I accelerated towards the next hole. My entire set fell hard onto the concrete cart path and many of my irons ended up getting damaged. The purpose of this post is to (hopefully) get some solid advice regarding how I might go about getting rid of the obvious damage.

The damage is only to some of the irons. On the tip of the sole, the point that would be exposed as they were falling onto the concrete, they apparently slid a bit and there are scratches (some sort of deep) at the point of contact. The 5 iron, 4 iron, and 9 iron got it the worst. The other irons that have been damaged (barely noticeable) probably aren't worth worrying about.

I already read some other forums about how you can use car polish, sandpaper, an emory board, and a number of other ideas/options but not one of the post really addressed the main question.

So long as the shafts are not bent and the damage is only on the tip of the sole (the so-called toe of the club) which should not effect play, is it going to help maintain their value any more if I did attempt to repair them or had them professionally restored?

I don't want to seem anal about this whole thing but as I said they are an investment for me. I purchased these irons in March and thus they are still essentially new and now they are banged up. I know that Callaway offers the "trade-in - trade-up" deal and I could not help but wonder just how bad of a financial hit I will end up taking when I finally do trade them in with this kind of damage.

It is really funny how things work sometimes. I purchased my previous set of Cobra irons way back in 2003 brand new and they never fell even once. The only damage they had when I sold them was routine damage from bag chatter and play. I finally pull the trigger and buy new sticks and within a few months gravity and a failing cart strap take their toll. (no, I did not tell the course - in the first place it was probably my fault because I had just readjusted them on the cart one hole back before it happened and in the second place the pro shop was closed by the time I finished my late afternoon round)

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated. These irons were actually a birthday present from my wife by the way for my 50th which makes them even more special. I know that everyone reading this can appreciate the fact that it isn't every day that you buy a new set of irons. I just want to make the right decision while the damage is still fresh and if I have to pay a little in order to get them back into (almost) original shape, I am willing to do so.

I also cannot help but wonder if anyone uses some back-up plan for the cart strap to prevent this sort of thing from ever happening. I never saw it coming but as they say there is a first time for everything. I would like to make sure that this is the "one and only".

Thanks in advance,

Jim W.

[hero12]

As far as the financial part of this, it really won't make a big difference if it doesn't effect playability.  If you wait another 8 years before you trade them in, you'll get like 1/12 what you originally paid, and you'll lose like 5$ a club for the damaged ones.  As far as the sentimental value, well that is up to you if it is worth it.  If the imperfections are what's annoying you the most, then you must have a heck of a time when its muddy.

[The Road Dog]

Sorry to hear of your mishap. I suppose a safety cord could be made from some really thin SS cable a couple clamps and a spring hook. But that is up to you. I use plastic head covers on my Mizuno MP68s. And despite the flack received from the purists here who think bag chatter is part of golf I like my chrome irons to be free of nicks and scratches except on the face. The cover is replaced after every use and before the cart is moved so I guess my clubs would be protected from the kind of damage you experienced.

So there you have two differing approaches to your issue.

[shades9323]

Golf clubs aren't a wise investment vehicle.

[WUTiger]

Quote:

... But this past Sunday the unspeakable happened. The cart strap failed and my bag fell off of the back of the cart as I accelerated towards the next hole. My entire set fell hard onto the concrete cart path and many of my irons ended up getting damaged. ...

GG, sorry to hear this happened.

This should serve as a warning to all posters - make sure the cart you ride in has a decent tie-down strap for your bag. I notice worn-out straps a lot at low-end golf courses. Along the lines of what Road Dog said, I keep a bungee cord in my bag in case the cart straps are shot.

[jamo]

Sorry to hear that. For next time, if you bring some bungie cords, you might be able to strap your bag down a bit more securely.

[shades9323]

Originally Posted by WUTiger

Quote:

GG, sorry to hear this happened.

This should serve as a warning to all posters - make sure the cart you ride in has a decent tie-down strap for your bag. I notice worn-out straps a lot at low-end golf courses. Along the lines of what Road Dog said, I keep a bungee cord in my bag in case the cart straps are shot.

Your warning should read:
This should serve as a warning to all posters - get a lightweight bag and walk instead of riding on a cart!!

[Double Bogey]

Another reason I love my OGIO Grom bag.  It has a rubber strap that is part of the bag itself that hooks onto the cart itself, just in case something like this happens.  I also like the rubber strap because it keeps my bag straight.  None of this "spinning" on way or the other.

See the EXTRAS part in this review. http://thesandtrap.com/b/accessories/ogio_grom_stand_bag_review

[cody west]

you can have them refinished for a little bit of money. it costs a bit of money but if they have sentimental value i would say it would be worth it to at least look into it

http://www.golfclubhospital.com/2-GOLF%20CLUB%20REFINISHING.htm

[boogielicious]

The Iron Factory refinished an old putter head that belonged to my late father in-law.  It went from rusty and nasty to pristine. $30.  I highly recommend them.

http://www.theironfactory.com/index.html

[saevel25]

Next time walk ;b

[GernGolfs]

Sincere thanks to all for the info. I have added a bungie cord to my bag. Never in a million would I have seen this one coming and believe me I will never trust another cart strap. For the record the course is actually a pretty nice one with fairly new carts and the straps didn't seem worn. At this point I am planning on just dealing with it, playing a few rounds to make sure that there wasn't any effect I cannot see.

I just cannot believe the irony of it. I wait 8 years to pull the trigger and buy a new set and within a couple of months they are already more marked up than my old irons were when I sold them. But as the saying goes "it is what it is" and the damage is done. This is now marked down as a live and learn sort of a situation. As many years as I have played I never had this sort of thing happen. (have had club head come off of driver, putter break beneath grip because of rust, and all sorts of bag chatter)

And one thing is certain; the next time I pull the trigger on some new sticks they will have those covers that the purist don't like. No, my irons aren't an investment in the realm of financing. But golf is my hobby and I know they are worth more at trade-in time if they are maintained. Add this to the fact that I often gamble with the people I play with, and it sure helps to have sticks you feel comfortable and confident in. In my measure they are worth protecting and that is what my original post was all about. Most of the replies here were really, REALLY helpful.

Take care all and keep them in the short grass...

Jim W.