Beginner with a New Addiction - Need Some Club Guidance?

[pipeline]

Hey Everyone,

First off, thanks for having me!  I look forward to contributing when I have some ka-nowledge to drop.  Although, that will be in many years when I have some experience to speak of. ;-)

I have been reading and reading threads here, thp and wrx on the subject of SGIs for high handicappers.  From my understanding, the static stats below are what I need to make choices other than swing speed.

Age (for color) = 28

Rounds Played (for color) = 17 over the past 2 months

Longest Finger = 3.25"

Hand Length = 8"

Wrist to Floor = 36.75"

Height = 6' 0.75"

Club Extra Length = +0.25"

Ping Lie Angle = Upright 3 Degrees

Taylormade Lie Angle = Upright 1 Degree

Swing Speed = Unknown (Guessing Regular Flex - I take a smooth controlled stroke - not power hitting yet until I get extremely comfortable in my own skin/swing)

What I have gathered so far is that there are an assortment of clubs that would be fitting.  Some that I have in mind are as follows:

- Ping G5 (white)

- Ping G15 (white)

- Ping G20 (white)

- Ping G25 (white)

- Mizuno JPX 800

- Taylormade Rocketballz

- Callaway RAZR

- Callaway X-Hot

- Adams Super S

- Titleist AP1

PING makes it pretty clear which one "fits" the player by utilizing color codes (white for example is where I fall).  Others dont seem to have a "pre-fit".  Am I right to think you would need to take each club and have it fitted after purchase?

Lend me your comments and suggestions on all fronts.  I would GREATLY appreciate it!

(Note: lessons are being taken ;-)

[Mr. Desmond]

Welcome.

A static fitting is a start, but I'd prefer if you hit the iron and were dynamically fit for length and lie.

From your list, as a beginner with $$$, I'd be interested first in the Ping and Mizuno. When I began again at middle age, that's where I started -- so it's personal bias. I think Ping Stainless Steel is indestructible and therefore, great for beginners. They also have sufficient bounce to assist the beginner.

I'd probably start with Ping, and graduate to Mizuno. Looking at the specs, the Mizuno 825 is low on bounce and that has me scratching my head. I typically find Mizuno Introductory Irons fairly easy to use (but it's been a few years since I used them).

Back to Ping -- typically you will receive a higher resale value, Mizuno and Titleist are next, and the others? You might as well donate them to the First Tee and get a tax deduction after 3-4 years. Yes, I am being somewhat sarcastic and realistic to make the point that most golf clubs have little value after that time frame (I'm offering an experienced guess).

I'd recommend you keep what you have while the first series of lessons are taken and then ask your instructor if you have a sufficiently repeatable swing so you can get reasonably fit (it helps if you have a somewhat repeating swing), or if he recommend you wait. Lessons should increase your competency level,  consistency and speed.

Good luck.

[dbuck]

Welcome.

A static fitting is a start, but I'd prefer if you hit the iron and were dynamically fit for length and lie.

From your list, as a beginner with $$$, I'd be interested first in the Ping and Mizuno. When I began again at middle age, that's where I started -- so it's personal bias. I think Ping Stainless Steel is indestructible and therefore, great for beginners. They also have sufficient bounce to assist the beginner.

I'd probably start with Ping, and graduate to Mizuno. Looking at the specs, the Mizuno 825 is low on bounce and that has me scratching my head. I typically find Mizuno Introductory Irons fairly easy to use (but it's been a few years since I used them).

Back to Ping -- typically you will receive a higher resale value, Mizuno and Titleist are next, and the others? You might as well donate them to the First Tee and get a tax deduction after 3-4 years. Yes, I am being somewhat sarcastic and realistic to make the point that most golf clubs have little value after that time frame (I'm offering an experienced guess).

I'd recommend you keep what you have while the first series of lessons are taken and then ask your instructor if you have a sufficiently repeatable swing so you can get reasonably fit (it helps if you have a somewhat repeating swing), or if he recommend you wait. Lessons should increase your competency level,  consistency and speed.

Good luck.

Can't agree more

[PirateJim]

I too agree with Mr. Desmond. When you have had some lessons and have your swing somewhat set you will be in a better position to select clubs. You can't go far wrong with the Ping G series irons. The color coding on Pings is nice, but really only indicates lie angle. If you find a set used with the right flex shaft (steel or graphite as you prefer), you can get the lie adjusted at least a couple of degrees pretty easily. You can probably find G20s pretty reasonable by now as they have been out of production a year or so.

[pipeline]

Hey Everyone,

First off, thanks for having me!  I look forward to contributing when I have some ka-nowledge to drop.  Although, that will be in many years when I have some experience to speak of. ;-)

I have been reading and reading threads here, thp and wrx on the subject of SGIs for high handicappers.  From my understanding, the static stats below are what I need to make choices other than swing speed.

Age (for color) = 28

Rounds Played (for color) = 17 over the past 2 months

Longest Finger = 3.25"

Hand Length = 8"

Wrist to Floor = 36.75"

Height = 6' 0.75"

Club Extra Length = +0.25"

Ping Lie Angle = Upright 3 Degrees

Taylormade Lie Angle = Upright 1 Degree

Swing Speed = Unknown (Guessing Regular Flex - I take a smooth controlled stroke - not power hitting yet until I get extremely comfortable in my own skin/swing)

What I have gathered so far is that there are an assortment of clubs that would be fitting.  Some that I have in mind are as follows:

- Ping G5 (white)

- Ping G15 (white)

- Ping G20 (white)

- Ping G25 (white)

- Mizuno JPX 800

- Taylormade Rocketballz

- Callaway RAZR

- Callaway X-Hot

- Adams Super S

- Titleist AP1

PING makes it pretty clear which one "fits" the player by utilizing color codes (white for example is where I fall).  Others dont seem to have a "pre-fit".  Am I right to think you would need to take each club and have it fitted after purchase?

Lend me your comments and suggestions on all fronts.  I would GREATLY appreciate it!

(Note: lessons are being taken ;-)

My Update:

Got a static and dynamic fitting today and hit 20 or so sets today.  I kept going back to the G20s and JPX825s.  They weren't to happy when I ended up not buying anything from them but the prices on used were out of whack compared to what I was seeing all over and online.  But then again... they are the only shop in the area with an indoor and outdoor area to get fitted properly.

After a bit or research and shopping around all afternoon and evening, 2nd Swing posted two sets of G20 White Dots @ 9:00PM EDT.  I almost fell out of my seat.  With the promo code and price on the used set of G20 White Dots, I got a screaming deal for $260 (4-PW). Also, I picked up 2 Adams a12os (4 hybrid and 5 hybrid) @ inthehole with the british open promo for 130.

Still havent hit many woods but it will be awhile before I really need one.  Focus will be on playing short and working my way up to woods and drivers (in due time).  For now, its irons and lessons. :-)