Reflecting on the season.... My bag... Feedback...?

[sfbayareagolfer]

First off, this is my first post of any substance, so, hello!

As I'm wrapping up what was a very productive golf season, I have been reflecting on my progress and wondering what I can do to make next season even more productive--i.e. how can I improve my game the most. I've decided that I will start next season with a series of lessons. Other than that, I'm wondering if there's any obvious changes I should  make to my bag to see even better results...

FYI, I am 25 with a swing speed of 95-100. I play about twice a week and have been shooting in the high 80's - low 90's. My goal for next season is to shoot in the low-to-mid 80's regularly and break 80.

Here's what I'm playing:

60 - unknown - used very rarely. I tend to flop my 56 as a replacement.

56 - 10 year old+ Cleveland Tour Action 900

52 - Vokey

50 - Vokey SM

PW - 3i - Callaway X22 (Uniflex steel)

2h - Adams A7 (UST Mamiya ProForce AXIVCore Black 85gm)

D - Adams Speedline 9064LS (Aldila RIP Gamma Stiff)

[Putter - Ping Anser 2]

Here are some possible issues I've thought of related to my set (they may be totally off, irrelevant, uneducated, etc.):

1. Clubs with varying degrees of offset? My X22's have quite a bit of offset - my other clubs, IMO, not so much. My miss tends to be a hook so I'm wondering if I should be playing clubs with much if any offset at all? (to reiterate, I will be getting lessons at the start of next season. I have not had lessons since I started playing golf at age 13)

2. Roided irons. I feel my X22's are far too strong.You may have noticed I carry a 52 and 50 degree... This is because I was struggling for much of this year with a huge gap between my PW (150 yards) and my 52 (~115 yards). I picked up a 50 degree Vokey to replace the 52 and fill the gap between my 56 (~100 yards) and my PW. The gap isn't so much of an issue now with the 50 in my bag (~130 yards) but I still think my strong X22's force me to carry too many wedges. I also carry a 60 degree that I don't like and rarely use. I may ultimately pick up a 60 degree Vokey pending any changes to my iron make-up...

I am floating the idea of swapping my X22's for something along the lines of the Adams Pro A12 irons. I am not sure if these are a good fit for me but I struggle to find a non-roided semi-game improvement iron with minimal offset. I feel like this is what I should be playing but I may be way off. FYI, I think the a12 is probably still pretty roidy...

3. No fairway woods . I would like to add a 3W to my bag. Determining what I do with my irons is a priority over a 3W at this time.

I have thoroughly rambled... If you made it this far, thank you! This is the first time I've tried to organize my thoughts related to golf and it was difficult! I realize there may not be enough information here to really analyze my issues. I will try to get a video of my swing up sometime soon. Any comments, questions, and feedback you have is appreciated. Thank you!

John

[Grumpter]

I would suggest starting the lessons now (or whenever your offseason begins). It take some time for adjustments to become natural so I would suggest working on them before the season rather at the start of the season.

[sfbayareagolfer]

Thanks for the input, Grumpter. I figured I would get the most of my lessons starting in the Spring when the days are getting longer and I can get more golf in. I'll probably only play once every two weeks or so through the winter.

[RFetters]

Reading your post, I am not sure you are focused on the right problem.

You dont exactly complain about wide misses, ie deep rough, ob, type misses,,so that leads me to believe your focus might be better towards your short game and putting.

You might get better advice by detailing where you are actually losing strokes to par.  High 80's to low 90's is essentially bogey golf.

[sfbayareagolfer]

Fair point.... I'd say my short game is actually the strongest part of my game. My biggest issue is a nasty hook that tends to rear its head a handful of times per round. At the peak of this season it was very rare but as my playing frequency reduced over the last few months it has come back. I also have an occasional pull/yank shot that comes up from time to time even if my hook doesn't.

I plan to address these issues with lessons but I'm wondering if there's anything else equipment-wise I should be considering.

[TaylorMade24]

I would just wait until you have a few lessons with the Pro.  If you like him and feel that he is pretty knowledgeable I would get his opinion on which irons to get.  Also many times they can get you a discount after taking a few lessons with them.  Good luck.

[mvmac]

Welcome to the site John!  Good to have another West Coast member.

In terms of lessons I would recommend Dan Schwabe at Presidio, Paul Gorman at Meadow Club or Matt Coe at Burlingame Golf Center.

For club fitting I'd go see Matt or Brian Becker at Golf Mart South SF.  Tell him Michael Mac sent you

And I don't think you need as those wedges, I like 5-6* gaps.  So that pitching wedge is 45*, the gapping could go 50*, 55* and 60*.  You can bend the 56.  So to get to 14 clubs, and add a 3 wood, you could take out the 3 iron and 2H and go to a 19 or 20* hybrid

[WUTiger]

If you're going to have just one FW, try both a 3W and a 4W. Some people find the 4W much easier to hit than a 3W, without much falloff in distance.