Regular or Stiff Shafts in This Situation?

[Lukester1980]

My 22 year old son is just starting the game of golf and looking to get clubs.  He is 6'3", 180lbs and in great physical shape. He just got fitted at the local golf shop and was told he should get clubs + 1/2 in length, + 3 in lie with a Regular shaft. I have an old set of Ping irons standard length and lie with Stiff shafts.  Can he simply take my older Pings and adjust the length and lie and go with the Stiff shafts, or should he buy a different set of clubs with Regular shafts and have them adjusted for length and lie? Thanks.

[Gapwedge]

I don't know how much a cavity back club can be adjusted for lie, but going from regular lie to 3* upright is asking a lot for a non- forged iron. I am also making a guess that Ping stiff is really a firm which is somewhere between a stiff and regular. Adding a 1/2" will change the swing weight some. What swing weight did the fitter recommend? Ping irons are typically around D0. Just some things to think about. Just as important as a proper fitting is getting lessons from a teaching pro. You did not say how serious he was about learning the game. There are other more qualified to comment here than me, but congrats on having a golfing "buddy" in the family.

[Lukester1980]

Thanks for the quick reply Gapwedge. He is currently in graduate school taking a "Golf for Business" class using a Grant supplied by the PGA tour to encourage Business Majors to get into the game of golf. It is taught by several pros from the local area in a group/class lesson setting. One lesson per week.  He is enjoying the game and my wife and I thought we get him a set of clubs as a graduation gift. We are trying not to break the bank and no one is sure how serious he will go with this. We just don't want to get him any department store quality clubs. We'd like to get him a reasonable set of starter clubs that he can use for good number of years. I was surprised that the fitter recommended Regular for his shafts. I just assumed he would go with Stiff. I know it is all about swing speed, but would hate to get him Regular shafts just to have him grow out of them in no time. We are looking at a cast cavity back iron of some sort. He has tried Ping, Callaway, Taylor Made and Mizuno. He likes the Pings the best. The fitter did not recommend any swing weights.  Any other suggestions?

[newtogolf]

He'll likely grow into the stiff shafts once he gets his swing consistent, but I agree 3* is a bit much to bend cast irons.  You likely will have difficulty finding someone that will even attempt to bend them that much.

You could check out Taylor Made and Callaway pre-owned sites where you can purchase used clubs in varying conditions for much less than new.  Callaway will customize the forged heads to your specifications.