Will new clubs help me? (or, when do new clubs make a difference)

[Artimas]

I was wondering if new clubs would help me.

I am playing Callaway Diablo Edge irons, a Ping G10 driver (and old Adams 3 and 5 woods). I bought the driver and irons about 3-4 years ago after a pro analyzed my swing at a golf clinic. I didn't try any other brands, and they are stock clubs, not specifically fitted to me. I like them, and they seem to be forgiving. Since I was a rank beginner, he felt off the shelf clubs would be fine, and for whatever reason he thought these would be good for me to learn with.

I now am a little bit better than a rank beginner. I play about once per week, and have a handicap of around 28, where I've been stuck for the past year. My main issue is my short game and lack of consistency, primarily with iron shots. I am getting frustrated by my lack of progress.

At what point do the clubs start making a big enough difference to matter? I previously decided I wouldn't look at new clubs until my handicap was a 20 or better thinking the archer is much more important than the arrows, but lately I've been wondering if properly fitted clubs with newer technology would help get me too the next (albeit poor) level.

What do you think? Would new clubs with a proper fitting be worth it for me, or is it too soon and should I keep playing these till I improve?

Thanks.

[SCfanatic35]

I am playing Diablo Edge Irons & hybrids and I am an 18.3 index trending down to a 17.5.  I have still a lot of room for improvement.  New clubs for me won't change my swing or consistency.

[butt3r3dt0ast]

I have been playing golf for about 15 years, and up until earlier this year, I had been playing pretty old clubs for a long time. I had a Titleist driver from early 2000's (not terribly old), but was playing 767 irons (A tommy armour knock-off brand manufactured in 1988). I played golf on the high school team and a lot in college with them and was always able to compete. I played them down to about a 7 handicap.

This year, I decided to revamp my entire set as I now have a full-time career and make a little money to do so. While I'll admit that my new clubs are muchhhh better, I don't think that there is as much value as one might think. When you are building your game in the earlier stages, it is much more important to develop solid swing mechanics. Now that I am a pretty low handicap and my swing is pretty good, I see more of a benefit from newer clubs. For you, I don't think I'd place too much concern on getting top of the line gear. Unless, that is, you have discretionary money that you're looking to drop... then, by all means, these new-age clubs are a blast to play!

Good luck!

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by SCfanatic35

I am playing Diablo Edge Irons & hybrids and I am an 18.3 index trending down to a 17.5.  I have still a lot of room for improvement.  New clubs for me won't change my swing or consistency.

This.  Inconsistency is a swing issue and new clubs aren't really going to do anything for you.  I got new, fitted clubs last August and I absolutely love them.  Because of my height and my swing, the new clubs are extra long and are also adjusted for lie angle.  So they are very different than my old, standard, off the rack clubs.

That said, I've played one round this year with the old clubs and it is the best round I've played all year.  Go figure.  Over time, the clubs might make a difference of 1/2 to 1 stroke on my handicap, but to make big jumps, it's all about your swing and your consistency.  (As well as your putting and short game ... but mostly just your swing)

I'd suggest investing the money you were saving towards new clubs into good instruction instead.  I use evolvr - online instruction through www.thegolfevolution.com - and I will be a client of theirs for over 4 years before I spend the same amount of money as I did on my new irons and wedges.  And if the handicap continues dropping at the same pace it has been dropping (doubtful, surely) I will be scratch long before that. The point being that they are good instructors and it's very reasonably priced.

[BostonBrew]

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

I'd suggest investing the money you were saving towards new clubs into good instruction instead.

This without a doubt.

You could look into getting your current clubs adjusted for you if you think the standard lie and loft don't fit. But I wouldn't spend money on new clubs at your skill level. Better off spending the money on lessons.

[TourSpoon]

If these were your sticks, I would say new clubs would be beneficial. Since they are modern like this model

I would say not.