First set of clubs - Tall player

[JoeMal]

How critical is it to match the dot color?  I measured myself earlier and came out with maroon...tonight I put on tennis shoes and had my wife measure me and am coming up with white dots now instead of maroon.

[Duff McGee]

I would definitely go with longer on the side of caution.

[JoeMal]

I would definitely go with longer on the side of caution.

Well they both are +1, but maroon is 4.5* where white is 3*

I'm guessing the white may be more accurate since I measured myself at lunch and may not have done a very good job..

[Duff McGee]

I don't think you would notice that big of a difference between those.

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

Well they both are +1, but maroon is 4.5* where white is 3* I'm guessing the white may be more accurate since I measured myself at lunch and may not have done a very good job..

Are you sure you don't mean silver, not white? I had a set of G2 irons that were maroon dot. My current set of G25 are silver dot. I think white dot is flat, not upright. **Edit** I am wrong. Silver is between maroon and white. Maroon is 5* up Silver is 4* up White is 3* up (Approx).

[Duff McGee]

I don't think you would notice that big of a difference between those.

[JoeMal]

Well I had a very underwhelming experience at a PGA Superstore today.

I went around 6:45pm; they were pretty slow.  Walked up to the practice area and there were 2 guys behind the counter.  Told them I was new to golf, a beginner, and wanted to try out some clubs to see what I hit well.  A younger guy walked me over to the Ping booth and handed me a standard length, blue dot, G30 club.  Keep in mind I'm 6'6".  He also brought me a Callaway club...X something maybe...He activated my session and walked away.

My first 5 or 10 swings honestly weren't bad with the Ping.  The Callaway I didn't hit very well.  Then I started going downhill from there...a lot of slicing and a lot of topping.  My session ended and I had to go find the youngster to reset my session.  I also asked if I could get a longer club.  He put the blue dot head on a +1" shaft, reset my session, and walked away.  I honestly didn't do any better with the +1 than I did with the standard length shaft.  I know I need lessons...I'm just inconsistent.  I would hit about 1 decent shot out of 10.  The 9 bad ones were topped or a 50 yard slice using a 7 iron.  My good shots were 120-50 yard, nice and straight.

An older gentleman walked by and I asked that he change my clubhead to a white dot as this is what Ping 'fitted' me as on their website.  He told me it wouldn't make any difference in my results, but he'd be happy to swap the head out (you could tell he hated his life).  But you know what?  He was mostly right.

I noticed that I did much better when I swung SLOW.  Slow backswing, slow downswing got me the best result.  So slow that it almost felt awkward to swing that slow.  But when I would look at my club speed on the "slow" swings where I hit nice 120+ shots, I still had a 70-80MPH swing.  Unsure if that's fast or not, but it seemed fast to me considering I felt like I was swinging slow.  When I would swing what felt like noticeably faster, it still wasn't much faster according to the machine.  It was weird.

All the experienced customers (the guys hitting 300 yard line drives) had a PGA rep in their booth the entire time they were there.  And these were just walk up customers.  I did see one 15ish year old kid getting lessons, but the other guys came in after I did and got personal attention.  I was "the new guy" and everyone seriously acted like I wasn't even there.  I had to inconvenience the staff to reset my machine and change my club head at my request.  Nobody asked me if I wanted help or if I wanted to try any other clubs.

So I hit balls for about an hour by myself and left.  They did have 2 sets of Ping Eyes and 1 set of Eye 2s on the used shelf for under $100 (at least I assume the $79 price tag was for the whole set...) but I didn't feel like going through the hassle to ask someone about them or if I could try them on the machine.

There are a few other golf stores around me that I'm going to try.  Feeling somewhat dejected, both by my performance and by how I was treated.  I really just need to get some lessons but feel I need my own clubs for that...is that the right way to think?  Or lessons first then clubs?  My only fear is what will I use in my lessons?  Standard length stuff?

Anyway...it's a start I guess

[Duff McGee]

Well I had a very underwhelming experience at a PGA Superstore today. I went around 6:45pm; they were pretty slow.  Walked up to the practice area and there were 2 guys behind the counter.  Told them I was new to golf, a beginner, and wanted to try out some clubs to see what I hit well.  A younger guy walked me over to the Ping booth and handed me a standard length, blue dot, G30 club.  Keep in mind I'm 6'6".  He also brought me a Callaway club...X something maybe...He activated my session and walked away. My first 5 or 10 swings honestly weren't bad with the Ping.  The Callaway I didn't hit very well.  Then I started going downhill from there...a lot of slicing and a lot of topping.  My session ended and I had to go find the youngster to reset my session.  I also asked if I could get a longer club.  He put the blue dot head on a +1" shaft, reset my session, and walked away.  I honestly didn't do any better with the +1 than I did with the standard length shaft.  I know I need lessons...I'm just inconsistent.  I would hit about 1 decent shot out of 10.  The 9 bad ones were topped or a 50 yard slice using a 7 iron.  My good shots were 120-50 yard, nice and straight. An older gentleman walked by and I asked that he change my clubhead to a white dot as this is what Ping 'fitted' me as on their website.  He told me it wouldn't make any difference in my results, but he'd be happy to swap the head out (you could tell he hated his life).  But you know what?  He was mostly right. I noticed that I did much better when I swung SLOW.  Slow backswing, slow downswing got me the best result.  So slow that it almost felt awkward to swing that slow.  But when I would look at my club speed on the "slow" swings where I hit nice 120+ shots, I still had a 70-80MPH swing.  Unsure if that's fast or not, but it seemed fast to me considering I felt like I was swinging slow.  When I would swing what felt like noticeably faster, it still wasn't much faster according to the machine.  It was weird.   All the experienced customers (the guys hitting 300 yard line drives) had a PGA rep in their booth the entire time they were there.  And these were just walk up customers.  I did see one 15ish year old kid getting lessons, but the other guys came in after I did and got personal attention.  I was "the new guy" and everyone seriously acted like I wasn't even there.  I had to inconvenience the staff to reset my machine and change my club head at my request.  Nobody asked me if I wanted help or if I wanted to try any other clubs. So I hit balls for about an hour by myself and left.  They did have 2 sets of Ping Eyes and 1 set of Eye 2s on the used shelf for under $100 (at least I assume the $79 price tag was for the whole set...) but I didn't feel like going through the hassle to ask someone about them or if I could try them on the machine. There are a few other golf stores around me that I'm going to try.  Feeling somewhat dejected, both by my performance and by how I was treated.  I really just need to get some lessons but feel I need my own clubs for that...is that the right way to think?  Or lessons first then clubs?  My only fear is what will I use in my lessons?  Standard length stuff? Anyway...it's a start I guess

Sorry, that sucks. Go to a place where they want to make money. Preferably a place where they work on commission and not a place like Dicks.

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

It's strange they didn't have you hit irons on a lie board. That's the easiest way to see what degree lie you need based on not only your height, but your individual swing as well. Obviously no one there did a true fitting with you.

[JoeMal]

It's strange they didn't have you hit irons on a lie board. That's the easiest way to see what degree lie you need based on not only your height, but your individual swing as well. Obviously no one there did a true fitting with you.

I didn't specifically ask for a fitting so maybe that's what I need to do next time

[Mac62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyrtleBeachGolf

It's strange they didn't have you hit irons on a lie board. That's the easiest way to see what degree lie you need based on not only your height, but your individual swing as well. Obviously no one there did a true fitting with you.

I didn't specifically ask for a fitting so maybe that's what I need to do next time

My local golf shop owner is a certified Ping fitter.  He measured me (height, arm length/distance to ground, etc.), had me hit on a lie board, then had me hit a bunch of shots in the simulator.  He didn't charge anything for the fitting, as he said it's part of the process when purchasing Ping clubs.  I'm also 6'6" and was fitted for maroon dots, +1 1/2".

If I was going to buy clubs from a big box golf store, I'd first make sure they had a fitter and schedule an appointment with him.  Otherwise you run the risk of being "fitted" by a salesman who knows less about golf than you and put into whatever set of clubs is most popular at the moment (or whichever set gets them the biggest commission).

[JoeMal]

I've got a line on Ping ISI-K irons 3-SW that are +1" for $175. It's about an hour drive for me though. Would these be a good deal? Price seems a little high to me

[DrvFrShow]

That's what I'm seeing them go for on e-bay. If they're in good shape, they're good clubs. But just so you know they're late 1980s and 1990s tech. There's kind of a cult following of the old Ping stuff.

Thing is that the lie might not fit you. I use a +1" shaft @ 6' and my neighbor uses a +1" shaft at 6'4" but his are 5 degree upright whereas mine are 2 degree upright.

You're spending money and you should get a professional fitting done. Find a store that is an authorized Ping dealer if you want to go Ping. Let them fit you.

[JoeMal]

Well I had a moment of weakness today on eBay

Got a set of Ping G10 +1" yellow dot for ~$150 shipped (4-PW).  The price seemed pretty good so I went for it.  Ping will adjust the lie angle if yellow doesn't work for me for $30 total which is very fair IMO.

I took my first lesson tonight and learned a lot.  My trainer recommends hitting on a lie board once I get a solid swing down as my swing will change a lot through training.  At that point I can look into getting the lie angle adjusted.  But for now I've got some decent clubs to hit.

Now onto a driver, wood, and putter...thanks everyone for your help

[boogielicious]

Well I had a moment of weakness today on eBay

Got a set of Ping G10 +1" yellow dot for ~$150 shipped (4-PW).  The price seemed pretty good so I went for it.  Ping will adjust the lie angle if yellow doesn't work for me for $30 total which is very fair IMO.

I took my first lesson tonight and learned a lot.  My trainer recommends hitting on a lie board once I get a solid swing down as my swing will change a lot through training.  At that point I can look into getting the lie angle adjusted.  But for now I've got some decent clubs to hit.

Now onto a driver, wood, and putter...thanks everyone for your help

The G-10 are good irons. I got a set for my godson for his birthday last year. They are easy to hit, forgiving and have a good sound/feel at impact.  I think you will really like them.

[JoeMal]

[QUOTE name="JoeMal" url="/t/83467/first-set-of-clubs-tall-player/18#post_1182763"]   Well I had a moment of weakness today on eBay :bugout: Got a set of Ping G10 +1" yellow dot for ~$150 shipped (4-PW).  The price seemed pretty good so I went for it.  Ping will adjust the lie angle if yellow doesn't work for me for $30 total which is very fair IMO.   I took my first lesson tonight and learned a lot.  My trainer recommends hitting on a lie board once I get a solid swing down as my swing will change a lot through training.  At that point I can look into getting the lie angle adjusted.  But for now I've got some decent clubs to hit. Now onto a driver, wood, and putter...thanks everyone for your help [/QUOTE] The G-10 are good irons. I got a set for my godson for his birthday last year. They are easy to hit, forgiving and have a good sound/feel at impact.  I think you will really like them.

My dad plays G5s and really likes them. I went to 3 separate stores looking at clubs and Ping "G" clubs were recommended at all. I think they will be a good forgiving beginner club and also allow me to grow into them. Looking forward to hitting with them

[Mac62]

Well I had a moment of weakness today on eBay

Got a set of Ping G10 +1" yellow dot for ~$150 shipped (4-PW).  The price seemed pretty good so I went for it.  Ping will adjust the lie angle if yellow doesn't work for me for $30 total which is very fair IMO.

I took my first lesson tonight and learned a lot.  My trainer recommends hitting on a lie board once I get a solid swing down as my swing will change a lot through training.  At that point I can look into getting the lie angle adjusted.  But for now I've got some decent clubs to hit.

Now onto a driver, wood, and putter...thanks everyone for your help

Congrats and good purchase.  The G10s should serve you well, they're very "friendly" irons.  If you can find a used Ping K15 driver, it would be worth considering - a very forgiving driver.  I also like the K15 fairway woods.  Putter is a very personal choice and recommendations won't do anywhere near as much good as going to stores and hitting them yourself, finding one that looks good to you at address and feels comfortable.  There aren't a lot of long putters out there for us tall guys - I bought a Ping belly putter and had it cut down a bit so I could use it as a normal putter without having to bend over like Michelle Wie!

[JoeMal]

[QUOTE name="JoeMal" url="/t/83467/first-set-of-clubs-tall-player/18#post_1182763"]   Well I had a moment of weakness today on eBay :bugout: Got a set of Ping G10 +1" yellow dot for ~$150 shipped (4-PW).  The price seemed pretty good so I went for it.  Ping will adjust the lie angle if yellow doesn't work for me for $30 total which is very fair IMO.   I took my first lesson tonight and learned a lot.  My trainer recommends hitting on a lie board once I get a solid swing down as my swing will change a lot through training.  At that point I can look into getting the lie angle adjusted.  But for now I've got some decent clubs to hit. Now onto a driver, wood, and putter...thanks everyone for your help [/QUOTE] Congrats and good purchase.  The G10s should serve you well, they're very "friendly" irons.  If you can find a used Ping K15 driver, it would be worth considering - a very forgiving driver.  I also like the K15 fairway woods.  Putter is a very personal choice and recommendations won't do anywhere near as much good as going to stores and hitting them yourself, finding one that looks good to you at address and feels comfortable.  There aren't a lot of long putters out there for us tall guys - I bought a Ping belly putter and had it cut down a bit so I could use it as a normal putter without having to bend over like Michelle Wie! :-)

Thank you for the tips on equipment to look at. I am planning on spending some quality time with putters to see what I like. The driver choices are massive so it's nice to hear Ping has a good model.