Stereotyping and Brand choice

[Thinker]

Hi

My wife and I are relative beginners.  Never broke 100.  Most shots are topped and bobble along the ground but are interspersed with some semi-decent tee shots and fairway shots.

My wife wants to get a new set of clubs and is considering which way to go.  She has the opportunity to buy a very discounted set of brand new Titleist clubs AP1 or AP2s due to business affiliation with the company.  If she doesn't follow that route we would be looking at a good quality set of custom built clones to save money.

Would appreciate views on the 2 main issues that arise from this situation which are:

1.  Are AP1/2s meant for pros/low Hcappers and if so would she find it relatively difficult to play with them as a beginner?  Are there better Titleist clubs to start out with?

2.  How would she be perceived if she turned up at the course with great clubs but couldn't really play well with them?  Would that be rather stereotypical?

Thanks

[johnclayton1982]

Lots of good info on the AP1s:

http://thesandtrap.com/b/clubs/titleist_ap1_irons_review

Don't worry about others perceptions.  I get crap on the first tee from people (usually confusion, sometimes disdain) for playing hybrids up through 7 iron.  However, I shoot low scores (for me) this way and who cares what others think about your clubs.  Play the clubs that give you the best chance to go low.

[Mordan]

The AP1s may well be suitable for her as long as she gets them the right length and most importantly with the right shaft for her. The right shaft will help her get a bit more distance and get the ball in the air a little easier. She's probably going to be best off with a "L" or ladies flex but if you can I'd suggest getting the Pro at the course you normally play to take a quick look at her swing and give you some advice.

[GJBenn85]

The AP1 is the best choice for a beginner within the Titleist line but you might want to consider more of a game improvement set.  Considering you're new and have yet to break 100, perhaps look into a set with 3-5 hybrids.  Cobra S3 Max is a good choice but there are many others as well.

Use what allows you to play the game to the best of your abilities.  Do not worry about what others think.  Most people couldn't care less what clubs you use but there will always be a handful that look down on people that use hybrids or FWs off the tee box--ignore them.

[Tomboys]

I'd say have her contacts within Titleist recommend a Fitting Center that's local to you.  At this point, as Mordan suggested, go with the AP1s and just get the proper length, grip size and shaft flex for her.  Don't worry too much about lie angle because she can get that adjusted later once she develops a more consistent and technically "correct" swing.  Forward the specs to her Titleist contact and have her clubs built.

Once she gets her new clubs, take some lessons from a good instructor, practice and play.  In addition, learn the proper etiquette rules and pace of play rules for the times you two go to the course.  From there, enjoy yourselves.

As far as the perception of other's, f*ck 'em.

[The Tin Man]

Whats important is not how your wife plays now but what she is capable of with the right clubs and lessons. I don't know if she's a 29 year old triathlete, or 69 with arthritis.  Body size, strength and physical condition matter more then sex. (Good "ladies" clubs are hard to find.)

Forget the AP2. AP1's are easier to play. I haven't found an easier club to use and that includes some of those "Ultra Super Game Improvement" models  which look like hot dog rolls.

AP1's are rated Super Game Improvement on the Maltby scale.

AP1's are available with a "A" shaft and the AP2 starts with a "regular" mens.  (2011 model - a 2012 has been announced and I don't know what you can get with those.)

An AP1 '"A"  shaft is a  senior men's measures closer to a Ladies then a "normal"  A.  (I had mine checked out. Titlist doesn't advertise this.)

Shafts are important and it's  based on swing speed, and for that number you need a fitting. (When swing speed falls below a certain point all clubs go the same distance.)

LL  = Old People?  Senior ladies?  Hard to find shafts for the slowest swing speeds  (If she needs LL don't waste money on a driver, woods, hybrids or any iron with a number lower then 8. Don't even bother with the AP1's)

L = Ladies

A = Senior mens. (or what Titlist calls a mens ladies shaft.)

R = Regular (or possibly an "A")

S = Stiff

The shaft makers will often "fudge" these letters to massage egos.  There's no universal standard.

============

""""How would she be perceived if she turned up at the course with great clubs but couldn't really play well with them?  Would that be rather stereotypical?""""

No body cares. It's amazing how many $300 putters and $350 drivers are in the hands of horrible players.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Hi

My wife and I are relative beginners.  Never broke 100.  Most shots are topped and bobble along the ground but are interspersed with some semi-decent tee shots and fairway shots.

My wife wants to get a new set of clubs and is considering which way to go.  She has the opportunity to buy a very discounted set of brand new Titleist clubs AP1 or AP2s due to business affiliation with the company.  If she doesn't follow that route we would be looking at a good quality set of custom built clones to save money.

Would appreciate views on the 2 main issues that arise from this situation which are:

1.  Are AP1/2s meant for pros/low Hcappers and if so would she find it relatively difficult to play with them as a beginner?  Are there better Titleist clubs to start out with?

2.  How would she be perceived if she turned up at the course with great clubs but couldn't really play well with them?  Would that be rather stereotypical?

Thanks

Those clubs wouldnt be the best for a beginner.  They arent the most forgiving clubs in the world.  Titleist doesnt really make clubs for beginners.

For the most part I think people wouldnt care.  Now, if she showed up with a leather staff bag with her name on it and a set of blades and was hacking it around she might get a few weird looks but theres a lot of hacks out there who have all Titleist gear.  Heck, I used to be one of them!

When I first started playing golf in the late '90s I went out and bought all Titleist gear because thats what most of the players on TV were using.  I couldnt hit them very well but no one ever really hassled me about it.  It wasnt until I got down to about a 15 handicap that I was able to hit Titleist clubs well.  They design their clubs for serious players and simply dont design a whole lot of forgivness into them.

[newtogolf]

If you get Titleist clubs at a discounted price, go with the 710-AP1 and don't worry about what others will think or say.  As others have stated make sure you at least get a static fitting but if her swing is consistent enough a dynamic fitting would be best.  Enjoy playing the clubs.