New Club? Need some advice on what I have already.

[pelissarim]

Hello All,

The last month I have been getting back into golfing.  I was on the golf team in High School for a season, but that was 7 years ago.

Presently I have some pretty old clubs.

These are my Clubs,

Mcgregor MT2 set , which all the Woods are actually wood, but I thought the irons are alright. So this set is Cirrca the late 50's/ early 60's

Sounder Club set .  Which I believe is from the 80's.

I also have a 8 year old oversized driver that is pretty good, a  random wedge and 2 old school putters (nice version of what you would find at a put put course)

So my question to you guys is,

What do you think I should do?  Should I try to get good with a combo of these sets depending what I like or just look for a nice new full bundle set?

[Club Rat]

Welcome to the TST.

A. You need better clubs.

B. Demo test equipment to help you make choices.

C. Most people have "mixed bags" (various manufacturers of equipment)

D. Take your time, start with selecting and buying a set of irons.

E. Many good used sets out there, less expensive than buying new.

Club Rat

[pelissarim]

Welcome to the TST.

A. You need better clubs.

B. Demo test equipment to help you make choices.

C. Most people have "mixed bags" (various manufacturers of equipment)

D. Take your time, start with selecting and buying a set of irons.

E. Many good used sets out there, less expensive than buying new.

Club Rat

Hello Club Rat,

Thank you very much for the response.

I figured as much that i needed new clubs.

I have an idea of what I need to get just not sure what to get.  Just so many different price points and brands and such.

In terms of used sets, I think I know what to look for in terms of age, but what would a good price point be for something used? and is there a certain again limit for how old to buy? Like nothing older than 5 years?

[dbuck]

It depends on what you want from golf, and how and who you play with.

The clubs in my sig are not very different from those old Macs of yours. I play about 90% of my golf with vintage clubs, because that is what I enjoy. I use a softer ball like a Titleist SoLo or Wilson Duo. I use this regardless of what my buddies are doing; I am the only one in my usual groups that play vintage. For me,it is kinda like someone who hunts with archery or muzzleloaders or fly fishes with their own handmade flys--nostalgia, enjoyment, or just the feel of the ball off real wood.

On the rare occasion when I play in a team event or scramble, I break out the more modern gear, to include 45" titanium headed graphite shafted drivers and hybrids, and higher performance balls like the ProV or Bridgestone 330 series. I usually switch irons as well, including some more forgiving types. Hey, I like to bust one as much as the next guy.

It is not to say that older clubs don't perform, but they perform in a different way. A modern 4 iron is the equivalent of probably the 2 iron in your old Macgregor set. A 3 hybrid (usually around 20 degrees) gives me the close to the same distance with more height and less fuss, than my old 2 iron, in some cases even a 1 iron. The modern drivers generally hit it farther when spec'd to your swing, although that can be farther in the woods.

The more forgiving iron designs don't make your great shots better, but they make those that are a little off less bad. A top will still be a top, but a shot hit a fraction toward the toe or heel will lose 3-5 yards instead of 7-10, and be closer to the intended line of flight.

While the newer clubs can make it easier to get closer to the green, you still have to chip and put. If you discount the long putters and occasional odd ball miracle wedges, those designs haven't changed much in 35 years, but grinds, weights, and customization similar to what the best use are available to all.

Putters are personal and whatever works is the right one for you.

If I wanted to be as competitive as my abilities allow and intended to play and practice regularly, I would probably make up my bag like this:

One of the newer but smaller higher lofted drivers such as the Taylor SLDR mini in around 12-13 degrees and 44" shaft

A fairway club with loft around 16-18 degrees and a 42" +/-  graphite shaft

A couple of graphite shaft hybrids around 20 and 23

A set of irons probably 4-PW, with the 4-5-6 being more forgiving and the 7-PW more "players cavity" or blade

Wedges that fit my style of play and the courses I frequent

A putter

You can spend whatever you want. Buying the above outfit new from top brands could easily cost $1800-$2500. At the other extreme, my "scramble bag"  scrounged from different sources is probably less than $300.

If you do play with your old clubs a while, be sure to invest in some new grips. That is some of the best money you can spend on equipment.

And take those old Macs out for a spin once a month, regardless of whatever else you do.

[Club Rat]

@pelissarim

You should be able to buy clubs (iron sets) 2-3 years old, under $200

Driver - $50 to $100

Wedges - $40

Check out the "equipment" tab on this site.

I believe TST has members selling used items. The Pro Shop / Market Place

EBay is a decent place to look as well.

Good luck, Club Rat

[pelissarim]

You can spend whatever you want. Buying the above outfit new from top brands could easily cost $1800-$2500. At the other extreme, my "scramble bag"  scrounged from different sources is probably less than $300.

If you do play with your old clubs a while, be sure to invest in some new grips. That is some of the best money you can spend on equipment.

And take those old Macs out for a spin once a month, regardless of whatever else you do.

Thanks Dbuck,

Glad you think re-gripping them are worth it, I was just talking to my friend who works in a golf shop to take a look at my clubs to re-grip them.

They kill my hand, so I usually play with 2 gloves cause they grips are terrible.

[inthehole]

So we've established you need (ok, maybe not need), but should have new clubs to take advantage of modern technology.  eBay is a rediculously good place to get used golf clubs - I've bought dozens and dozens of clubs on ebay - always worked out great (before others chime in ... if you stay away from Titleist, Ping and Taylormade on eBay, you pretty much eliminate the chance of buying a fake club).    Might be able to pick up an entire set of clubs, or buy an iron set, hybrid and driver for starters.    Keep an eye out on Craigslist in your area too...  more of a longshot, but can hit a deal from time to time.

You can find NEW 2-3 year old individual clubs or iron sets on budgetgolf.com or rockbottomgolf.com - for really cheap sometimes as well ...

[bste]

Welcome:

What clubs do you hit well, not so well and what are you looking for, more distance, better accuracy, higher - lower ball flight?

All your clubs are old, but if you hit them well hang on to them. Take your time, get a fitting first, see what your specs are.

Then you need to decide where you are adding strokes. Lots of good threads about clubs' forgiveness, distance and ball flight.

Glad to have you aboard.

[pelissarim]

Welcome:

What clubs do you hit well, not so well and what are you looking for, more distance, better accuracy, higher - lower ball flight?

All your clubs are old, but if you hit them well hang on to them. Take your time, get a fitting first, see what your specs are.

Then you need to decide where you are adding strokes. Lots of good threads about clubs' forgiveness, distance and ball flight.

Glad to have you aboard.

At the moment I think I hit the odd clubs the most with my 9 and 3 Irons being my best.

I really seem to like my McGregor Clubs so for a new Iron set I have been thinking about this.

http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30099525/macgregor-2014-tourney-3h-4h-5-pw-combo-iron-set-with-steel-shaft

It will come out to 254$ for that iron/hybrid set.

[pelissarim]

Hello Everyone thought I would give an Update.

So I went out to a Golfers Warehouse and Golfsmith for like 3 or 4 hours each and hit Irons to figure out what worked best for me.

So I in the end picked up a nice set of Cleveland 588 MT 4-PW, GW.

[scorpion12]

You got what you hit well I take it. According to a club test I found on Google, those clubs are game improvement irons. You didn't mention price but they were $699 new in 2013 according to the article. Hopefully you'll do well with them.

You should do the same thing for driver and woods/hybrids. Hit a lot of them and find out what suits your swing the best. Also you might want to consider finding a sand wedge. There's nothing saying you need to have one in your bag but it'll be another option for you around the green and in a sand trap.

Like was said above, some brands are more prone to be counterfeited than others... but there are several really good clubs available that are not going to cost you an arm and a leg.

When I upgraded from my 20 year old irons I bought TaylorMade Burner 2.0's. The price was right for me (and they were available) and I bought new from Golfsmith because I'd never unwrapped irons before and I wanted to do that. Driver, 3 wood, and 7 wood (couldn't find a 5 wood at the time) I went with used from Golfsmith and picked up TM RBZ. I'm happy with them but you might find that you hit Ping or Cobra or something else better.

There are plenty of choices for wedges too... I had a Cobra golf copy (when they were still King Cobra) sand wedge that I replaced with a Cleveland CG16 Black Pearl. I love that club and it does what I want it to when I swing it properly.

Good luck if you intend on looking for driver and woods... Ping just released their G30 driver, Nike's apparently close to debuting the new Vapor driver, prices are dropping on used RBZ's...

[pelissarim]

You got what you hit well I take it. According to a club test I found on Google, those clubs are game improvement irons. You didn't mention price but they were $699 new in 2013 according to the article. Hopefully you'll do well with them.

You should do the same thing for driver and woods/hybrids. Hit a lot of them and find out what suits your swing the best. Also you might want to consider finding a sand wedge. There's nothing saying you need to have one in your bag but it'll be another option for you around the green and in a sand trap.

Like was said above, some brands are more prone to be counterfeited than others... but there are several really good clubs available that are not going to cost you an arm and a leg.

When I upgraded from my 20 year old irons I bought TaylorMade Burner 2.0's. The price was right for me (and they were available) and I bought new from Golfsmith because I'd never unwrapped irons before and I wanted to do that. Driver, 3 wood, and 7 wood (couldn't find a 5 wood at the time) I went with used from Golfsmith and picked up TM RBZ. I'm happy with them but you might find that you hit Ping or Cobra or something else better.

There are plenty of choices for wedges too... I had a Cobra golf copy (when they were still King Cobra) sand wedge that I replaced with a Cleveland CG16 Black Pearl. I love that club and it does what I want it to when I swing it properly.

Good luck if you intend on looking for driver and woods... Ping just released their G30 driver, Nike's apparently close to debuting the new Vapor driver, prices are dropping on used RBZ's...

Yeah, I pretty much bought what I hit best, the Cobra Bio Cell was what I wanted to get but no one had it in stock in person.  I got my Clevelands brand new from Golfers ware house for 399$. Gotta love nice and shiny things.

I do plan on getting a wedge, because I tend to chip a bit far the 60 degree loft is really what I am looking for, but same goes for just about everything.  But as winter is coming up I gotta wait a bit on the rest of my bag,  but hell I need a bag, but I just cant drop like 150 on a nice 14 slotted bag. I think thats way to much for some reason.

[pelissarim]

Another Update so I did a bunch more hitting and found a rather good deal online from Rockbottomgolf.

I returned the Clevelands to my local store, I had not taken the clubs out yet. As the 425$ even tho that is a decent price, it was more than I wanted to spend on just a set of Irons.

But here is the way my bag is looking so far, I am replacing everything.

Ogio 2014 Ozone Bag - $109

Callaway X Hot Pro Driver 10.5 degree - $129

Cobra AMP Cell Irons - Regular Fle x  - $269.99

I do not need any other wedges besides the  AW/GW that comes in the iron set, even tho I would like a wedge with a 58-60 loft angle as I chip the ball rather hard.

Also what do you guys recommend to fill the gap between the driver and say a 4 iron?  Anyone club style that will do nicely?

As for a putter I am not really sure...

[scorpion12]

To fill the gap between driver and 4 iron I'd suggest something like a 3, 4, or 5 wood or even possibly a hybrid... whatever club you hit that looks to go less distance than your driver but more than your 4 iron... but I don't have a lot of experience outside of the clubs I have (and even then, I'm not 100% certain what distance my driver goes compared to my 3 wood... )

As for bag... can't help you. I've only had experience with the Taylor Made stand bag that I got for free from a coworker and the bag it replaced which was some no name bag I picked up cheap in a golf store.

[newtogolf]

I think you'll like the Cobra irons better than the Cleveland, and the price is great.

I'd go with an adjustable wood, like Cobra AMP Cell that will allow you to switch lofts between 3W and 4W.  I'd initially set it to 4 wood as you will not lose much distance and they are easier to hit off the deck.  Once you get more comfortable with it, you can use it as a 3W or 4W depending on the course.  You can find them pretty cheap and they are pretty easy to hit.

[Mr. Desmond]

Without getting into detail,

Budget for new clubs

Patience.

Ideally, you'd get fit.

The hard part is finding people with knowledge to fit you...

But irons, driver, wedges, putter need fitting.  I've found that fairways, hybrids are the most difficult to fit.

If you want to buy something soon, I'd go to callawaygolfpreowned.com and get some of their older stuff in average/above average condition. Why? Because you will get nothing in the used market for clubs, so until you are fit properly or pay the price for real custom fit clubs (see makers like Edel Golf for irons, wedges, putter), buy clubs that are 1-2 year old models or preowned of the 2014 model.

After that, I'd find some way to use video on the range (iPhone/Phone with a holder on a stick is available out there), and get lessons. It is tough to find someone who is good. Use this site to gain knowledge - 5 Simple Keys Videos.

[pelissarim]

But irons, driver, wedges, putter need fitting.  I've found that fairways, hybrids are the most difficult to fit.

If you want to buy something soon, I'd go to callawaygolfpreowned.com and get some of their older stuff in average/above average condition. Why? Because you will get nothing in the used market for clubs, so until you are fit properly or pay the price for real custom fit clubs (see makers like Edel Golf for irons, wedges, putter), buy clubs that are 1-2 year old models or preowned of the 2014 model.

After that, I'd find some way to use video on the range (iPhone/Phone with a holder on a stick is available out there), and get lessons. It is tough to find someone who is good. Use this site to gain knowledge - 5 Simple Keys Videos.

Mr. Desmond, Thanks.

I actually looked at the Callaway Stuff a day or 2 ago, I didnt like the xhot clubs as much as the Cobra and for a new set of the Cobra Amp cells new is about the same I was finding for used CallawayClubs.

[Mr. Desmond]

Mr. Desmond, Thanks.

I actually looked at the Callaway Stuff a day or 2 ago, I didnt like the xhot clubs as much as the Cobra and for a new set of the Cobra Amp cells new is about the same I was finding for used CallawayClubs.

Good.

Oh, the Callaway Site is somewhat higher than I like to pay, so I sign up for their emails and wait for the 25% coupons. You are smart. Buy what you like. You've got to fall in love with your clubs -- it's a confidence issue.

I would also look at the bounce angle of the irons -- higher is better, even for better players -- it promotes better club/turf interaction and some forgiveness.