New Clubs - How much is too much

[disco111]

Ah, demo day. The multi colored banners and flags, the tray's of bright yellow range balls, the logo canopies of the name brands and the throng of golf fanatics, pacing up and down from manufacture to manufacture, with that deer in the headlights stare and listening for that elusive sound, of a driver hit pure and folks watching go "he got all of that one". But I digress, we're here to ask the question, what's too much to spend on the newest and greatest implements of turf warfare.

Two of the guys I normally play with, both whipped out their check books and without hesitation, spent $1,275.00 on a brand new set of Hogan blades. Granted, both can easily afford it and I realize that it's an individuals choice, but in general, what's too much?............Just interested to see where the general population is coming from.

[Fourputt]

Ah, demo day. The multi colored banners and flags, the tray's of bright yellow range balls, the logo canopies of the name brands and the throng of golf fanatics, pacing up and down from manufacture to manufacture, with that deer in the headlights stare and listening for that elusive sound, of a driver hit pure and folks watching go "he got all of that one". But I digress, we're here to ask the question, what's too much to spend on the newest and greatest implements of turf warfare.

Two of the guys I normally play with, both whipped out their check books and without hesitation, spent $1,275.00 on a brand new set of Hogan blades. Granted, both can easily afford it and I realize that it's an individuals choice, but in general, what's too much?............Just interested to see where the general population is coming from.

I've never spent that much, even on my AP-2's, but my brother bought a set of Taylor irons 4 or 5 years ago for that much.  He didn't even bat an eyelash, but his wife batted him with a frying pan when he got home a week later.

[mvmac]

Two of the guys I normally play with, both whipped out their check books and without hesitation, spent $1,275.00 on a brand new set of Hogan blades. Granted, both can easily afford it and I realize that it's an individuals choice, but in general, what's too much?............Just interested to see where the general population is coming from.

Yes, "too much" depends on the individual but I will say $1,300 is a lot to pay for a set of irons that aren't that much different than the competition. It's not like the irons have a lot of technology "under the hood" or use different type of materials.

[saevel25]

Yes, "too much" depends on the individual but I will say $1,300 is a lot to pay for a set of irons that aren't that much different than the competition. It's not like the irons have a lot of technology "under the hood" or use different type of materials.

I agree. If I just start out I would look for a set of used clubs. If you have a golfsmith near you then go there, they typically have 10-15 used sets. Most irons over the past 5-10 years have not have that much technology improvement like drivers. With drivers you got the low spinning aspect now. I think that brought in the importance of getting fitted.

A person can get a set of irons for $500-$800 dollars. Probably find a used driver for $150-$250 dollars and I would use the rest to get fitted for an Edel Putter

[joekelly]

I bought 6 new, year old, close-out Titleist irons, forged cavity backs each $100 delivered.  Well worth it compared to old irons. Look nice and play swell. I'm pretty frugal but am led to temptation in some of life's alleys.  Some guys i play with have much more retirement income than i do and they do spend more on golf sticks , IMO, sometimes wastefully.

[newtogolf]

Too much is relative to ones disposable income but regardless of how much money someone has they shouldn't want to get ripped off.  Your buddies paid full retail for irons that don't have any history in the industry.  They might be great irons but those prices are closer to Miura than they are to Mizuno.

[danL]

Too much is relative to ones disposable income but regardless of how much money someone has they shouldn't want to get ripped off.  Your buddies paid full retail for irons that don't have any history in the industry.  They might be great irons but those prices are closer to Miura than they are to Mizuno.

I never see new Mizuno forged irons in a retail setting for less than $1k?

[saevel25]

I never see new Mizuno forged irons in a retail setting for less than $1k?

I bought my MP-59 irons for $800 on sale. There are also some MP-54 at the golfsmith near me that are marked down to $800 now.

The only thing you get though is you can not custom the shafts in these irons because they are on sale off the rack. Besides that you can find Mizuno forged for under $1000.

[David in FL]

"Too much" is nothing more than personal financial perspective. One man's too much may be another man's pocket change.....

[bubble]

I buy used stuff. my irons cost 200 euros and got a set of AP2 for 250 for when I will play good enough.

For me 6-8 hundred is way too much for a set of irons. but thats the price of new/fit material.

[SavvySwede]

My whole set cost me <$500 and I think its a pretty darn good set. You really pay a premium for the brand new and current model year gear but to some people it worth it.

[gt6974a]

I'm another used club guy.  The guy that drops $1200 on a new set, at a whim, is also the same guy that sales those clubs and I pick them up at a discount.  Now, I'm not discounting the guys who spend that cash and really like the clubs, I just don't play enough to justify new irons every couple years when I usually hit them straight and screw up on my woods and wedges.

[Archie Bunker]

Love to try the new stuff, but see no reason to buy at new stuff prices. Wait a year or two, then buy used or new at a fraction of the cost. I've played irons from a number of the top companies, and never paid more than $150 for a set. Mizuno, Ping, Callaway, etc.  Some amazing deals at garage sales too, when the wife sells the husband's clubs when he's not around. :0

[CaptHook]

Another used golf gear guy. I'm admittedly always searching for the next best thing. BUT i dont spend out of our budget and i am def an ebay frequent flier. Never spent more than $300 for a set of irons (1 to 2 yrs old) -drivers are another story lol

[Jeremie Boop]

This will be the year I actually get fitted for irons I think, and the question of how much is too much comes to my mind a lot. As others have said, it's definitely subjective to what you can comfortably spend while keeping in mind value for dollars spent. Unfortunately for me there aren't any close places where I would be able to test out used clubs and new clubs in order to take advantage of the savings of buying used.

[dbuck]

"Too much" is nothing more than personal financial perspective. One man's too much may be another man's pocket change.....

This. It is all relative, and even if one can't afford it, it his judgement to make. I have been both places. I bought a new set of irons when I was making much less than now, and now I seldom buy anything new.

[b101]

I see no real reason to buy new rather than used for irons once you know your specs. In terms of woods/driver, I'm less sure due to the different specs and shafts that you can get fitted for, but I can see the same argument as well - wait six months/a year and buy pre-owned.

[Divotmaker77]

Like others have said, it depends on the person.  If you have the money to spend then get what you want.  Personally, I had never been fitted for irons until last year.  Decided that my mechanics had gotten solid and consistent enough to go ahead and get fitted.  I bought a set of Mizuno's for around $900.  I will have them for at least 5 years.  So, to me, it was a good purchase.  I am blessed enough to have the finances to afford it, but someone else with less finances would think I was crazy.

When I think folks get overboard (no matter how much money they have) is when they buy the newest set of clubs every year yet have suspect mechanics.  They think the next set will turn them into a great golfer.  Probably the most common club is a new Driver.  Sorry, but that new driver is not going to give you 50 more yards and in the fairway like the driver 3 years ago could.  If you have that kind of money you have to be smart enough to realize its just marketing BS coming out of these equipment companies.

Personally, I have to grow into a set of clubs and hitting others becomes foreign to me.  I like to put my money into lesson packages.  I do know some good golfers who buy used.  Its just their preference.  However, the time they put into looking and testing those sets is just too time consuming and work for me to handle, but they love it.

By the way, Demo days are the Devil.  I avoid at all costs just like I avoid Boat Shows (HaHa).