How big of a difference will new clubs make for a high handicapper that has been playing the same clubs since about 2000?

[tdawgsblog]

I'm a high handicapper that has been playing the same clubs for the last 10+ years. In the late 90's, I was golfing 2 or sometimes 3 times per week and that dwindled to 2 or 3 times per month and eventually 2 or 3 times per year recently. I'm wanting to get back into the swing of things and see if I can break 90 and get to a point of regularly shooting in the 80's (my best score previously has been a 92).

Here's what I've been playing forever:

Taylor Made R7 Driver* (10.5°, Adjusted for Draw) *Since 2006

Dunlop Hybrid (approximately 23° - cheap club purchased from a discount sporting goods store in late '90's)

Ping i3 irons (3-LW, Blue Dot, SW and LW are blades) purchased used, circa 2000

Ping Pal 2 Putter (late 80's, but I bought in the late '90's).

I just recently finished combing through a number of forums (TheSandTrap, ******************, and GolfWRX) as well as equipment reviews, generated a list of prospective clubs and then went to both GolfSmith and PGA Tour Superstore to hit the clubs and get fitted. I did fittings at both stores for added confidence. Fortunately, the fittings at both were the same. After hitting a number of clubs including the absolute newest models, here's what I thought felt the best in the stores and ordered within the last week:

Driver : R11S 12° adjusted down to 10.5° / 3° Closed / Draw Bias, Aldila RIP Phenom 60, Regular Flex
Hybrid : Idea Tech V4 19° 3H, Bassara Graphite - Regular Flex
Irons : Yellow Dot (1.5° upright), G20s 5-SW, Graphite - Regular Flex
Putter : Pal 2 (Still debating whether to replace this putter with a 3-Ball model - I've always really liked it though.)

I look forward to hearing the various viewpoints and putting these clubs to the test on a course. I just received the R11S and the Hybrid and Irons should arrive in the next 3 to 5 days.

Cheers everyone!

[inthecup]

Originally Posted by tdawgsblog

I'm a high handicapper that has been playing the same clubs for the last 10+ years. In the late 90's, I was golfing 2 or sometimes 3 times per week and that dwindled to 2 or 3 times per month and eventually 2 or 3 times per year recently. I'm wanting to get back into the swing of things and see if I can break 90 and get to a point of regularly shooting in the 80's (my best score previously has been a 92).

Here's what I've been playing forever:

Taylor Made R7 Driver* (10.5°, Adjusted for Draw) *Since 2006

Dunlop Hybrid (approximately 23° - cheap club purchased from a discount sporting goods store in late '90's)

Ping i3 irons (3-LW, Blue Dot, SW and LW are blades) purchased used, circa 2000

Ping Pal 2 Putter (late 80's, but I bought in the late '90's).

I just recently finished combing through a number of forums (TheSandTrap, ******************, and GolfWRX) as well as equipment reviews, generated a list of prospective clubs and then went to both GolfSmith and PGA Tour Superstore to hit the clubs and get fitted. I did fittings at both stores for added confidence. Fortunately, the fittings at both were the same. After hitting a number of clubs including the absolute newest models, here's what I thought felt the best in the stores and ordered within the last week:

Driver :  R11S 12° adjusted down to 10.5° / 3° Closed / Draw Bias, Aldila RIP Phenom 60, Regular Flex

Hybrid :  Idea Tech V4 19° 3H, Bassara Graphite - Regular Flex

Irons :  Yellow Dot (1.5° upright), G20s 5-SW, Graphite - Regular Flex

Putter :  Pal 2 (Still debating whether to replace this putter with a 3-Ball model - I've always really liked it though.)

I look forward to hearing the various viewpoints and putting these clubs to the test on a course. I just received the R11S and the Hybrid and Irons should arrive in the next 3 to 5 days.

Cheers everyone!

I followed a similar path.  I waited until I had a few lessons and grooved my swing before I got fit for clubs.  The i3's are still good clubs, you probably will get something from a driver because of the improvement in technology.

Enjoy the journey.

[clearwaterms]

just out of curiosity, which store did you end up buying them from?  If you got fit at both, how did you choose?  I imagine both stores have similar pricing.