What Golf Equipment Helped You the Most?

[NJpatbee]

As I got older I lost some swing speed. Thus I also don't hit the ball as high as I need with my mid to long irons. The thing that helped me the most in the last 10 or so years is the hybrids. The ones that allow you to hit the ball high and land it softly on the greens. Most of the places I play have firm greens and it is imperative to hit it high or spin it into the greens. Hybrids are so much easier to hit and most are more forgiving that an iron. The other great club to come into golf in the last twenty years is the big titanium drivers. The driver was always my weak point through the years. Now the driver is one of the stronger clubs in the bag.

I made the switch from the 2 through 6 irons to 2 through 6 hybrids and pushing 64 I am as long as I was 15 years ago.  The 460cc driver and low compression balls would be next in order as far as improving my game using equipment.

[billchao]

Come on guys, obviously good instruction is more effective than new equipment, but that's not what @stealthhwk was asking.

Put me in with the rangefinder guys.

[Golfingdad]

I feel like every new toy I've got in the last few years has helped some ... Fitted driver, fitted irons, fitted putter, rangefinder, wedges ... But I agree with Phil that if I had to pick one, I'd go with the the fitted driver. :) P.S. ... Instruction is not equipment, people. ;)

[newtogolf]

I feel like every new toy I've got in the last few years has helped some ... Fitted driver, fitted irons, fitted putter, rangefinder, wedges ... But I agree with Phil that if I had to pick one, I'd go with the the fitted driver.

:)

Same for me, all the new toys help a bit.  I'd say a rangefinder and 38" counter balanced putter would be tied for what has helped me most.

[vangator]

Saw something about single length irons a while back. At first, i thought it was some kind of joke. But the more i thought about it it seemed like a brilliant idea to me. Those really helped your game?

Without a doubt the SL irons are the best thing I've ever done. Shot 69 last time out and missed 5 putts. Eight approach shots within 10 feet. The course was only 6300 yards but soaked so it was playing longer. There a several threads on Single Length irons, especially since Dechambeau won the NCAA and US Am. I like my Garmin S1. That has helped a lot. Before the Garmin, I would judge my approach shots based on the 150 marker (or 100) and add or subtract a few yards based on the color of the pin (or pin position). Now I frequently pull a different club than I would in the past based on what the GPS says. I'm sure a range finder would be even better but I don't think I'd like to pull that out on every shot. When they build one into a watch, then I might buy one.

[stealthhwk]

Without a doubt the SL irons are the best thing I've ever done. Shot 69 last time out and missed 5 putts. Eight approach shots within 10 feet. The course was only 6300 yards but soaked so it was playing longer. There a several threads on Single Length irons, especially since Dechambeau won the NCAA and US Am. I like my Garmin S1. That has helped a lot. Before the Garmin, I would judge my approach shots based on the 150 marker (or 100) and add or subtract a few yards based on the color of the pin (or pin position). Now I frequently pull a different club than I would in the past based on what the GPS says. I'm sure a range finder would be even better but I don't think I'd like to pull that out on every shot. When they build one into a watch, then I might buy one.

Wow!!! Thats great! If i shot a 69, im not even sure what would happen. I shot 82 and 83 on a 4600 yard course with a par of 66 and i still dont believe that and i was there lol.

[Johnny1790]

+1 with Vangator on the SL irons.

The biggest impact, even if not he quickest transition but well worth the time.

The rangefinder next...it's already in my hand as I get to my ball (it sits in the top of my trolley), and other than for longer shots when I can't reach anyway I rarely hit a shot without it.

[vangator]

Your ball sits in the top of your trolley? :-) I assume a trolley a push or pull cart? A buggy is what you ride in? Over here a trolley is a street car (as in "Clang, Clang , Clang went the Trolley"). A buggy is what you put a baby in (often called a stroller).

[vangator]

Wow!!! Thats great! If i shot a 69, im not even sure what would happen. I shot 82 and 83 on a 4600 yard course with a par of 66 and i still dont believe that and i was there lol.

Once you hit a certain score, you change your expectations always looking for Nirvana (which you rarely ever achieve). My next goal is a plus handicap. Hard to achieve with my limited practice time. When I retire, which should be a few years from now, I probably won't have the ability to achieve it.

[dave s]

A Bushnell laser range-finder to dial in the distance on scoring clubs from 150 yards and closer.  The range finder also opened my eyes to a need for wedges to cover distances 110 and closer.

For me, the Bushnell range-finder has been the most important golf implement I've purchased in the past 2 seasons.  Having EXACT yardages and knowing how far you hit clubs is so important.  The Bushnell helped me understand yardages for each club.  Now, I shoot a pin distance, choose the correct club and hit with confidence.  My distance control from 150 and closer has never been anywhere near as good as it is today.

dave

[nevets88]

That SAM Puttlab analysis machine/device really opened my eyes to my cr@p putting stroke. Wish I had one of those at home.

[rehmwa]

laser rangefinder

[BubblesUSMC]

Bulls eye putter (the old old kind)

My dad took away my favorite putter because he said my putting stroke was getting lazy.  Yes I recently started missing putts I normally wouldn't have but couldn't figure out where it was.

So he forced me to putt for 2 weeks straight with this old bulls eye.

It was / is the most unforgiving, god forsaken block of metal, that helps me maintain my hands and putter swing.  Its a love / hate relationship but it works well for me.

[RH31]

Dropped the 5W and 4i.....added 3H and 4H.....big difference

[stealthhwk]

Dropped the 5W and 4i.....added 3H and 4H.....big difference

Interesting. Ive been contemplating the same kind of move. I normally play with just hybrids and irons. With no time for practice i can only maintain one swing at a time so ive chosen the steeper iron swing cus probably 85% of golf shots are hit with an iron. Been thinking of adding a 3 hybrid and dumping drivers and woods. And after birdie on a 523 yard par 5 with nothing longer than a 4 hybrid who needs longer clubs that can lead to blowup holes?

[mcanadiens]

I must be weird. A year ago, a buddy gave me a 19-degree hybrid and I've tried to hit it a number of times. It has failed to subplant the 5W in my bag. Too many tops or slices with it.

[Donny Smithern]

A Bushnell laser range-finder to dial in the distance on scoring clubs from 150 yards and closer.  The range finder also opened my eyes to a need for wedges to cover distances 110 and closer.

For me, the Bushnell range-finder has been the most important golf implement I've purchased in the past 2 seasons.  Having EXACT yardages and knowing how far you hit clubs is so important.  The Bushnell helped me understand yardages for each club.  Now, I shoot a pin distance, choose the correct club and hit with confidence.  My distance control from 150 and closer has never been anywhere near as good as it is today.

dave

I think another greatly under rated benefit of the range finder for a mid to high handicapper is the ability to see the green and approach area through the scope.  It was like having the ability to walk up and check out the green and approach areas, and let you truly see what you are trying to avoid and where you want to be.

[RH31]

Interesting. Ive been contemplating the same kind of move. I normally play with just hybrids and irons. With no time for practice i can only maintain one swing at a time so ive chosen the steeper iron swing cus probably 85% of golf shots are hit with an iron. Been thinking of adding a 3 hybrid and dumping drivers and woods. And after birdie on a 523 yard par 5 with nothing longer than a 4 hybrid who needs longer clubs that can lead to blowup holes?

The hybrids are much easier for me to hit, especially out of the rough.  3H is 19* and 4H is 22*....same club head....same shaft.