Need help making purchase decision..

[EasyJ86]

Hi! I have to say this place is awesome for the wealth of information on here. I have been lurking for sometime before joining. 

So here is my situation. I have been golfing since the spring. Averaging 1-2 times per week. Reallocategot the golf bug bad. I love it, and wish I had not waited so long to get into it.

My first set of clubs i got from a buddy buddy who was upgrading from his first set of clubs. They're off brand, not a full set. I have a driver, a 3 hybrid, and 5,7, and 9 iron from him. I had to buy my own bag. My own putter, and my own wedge. Now I am at a point where I really have outgrown the set I have. I dropped 25 strokes off my game since April. I still have a lot of room for improvement but noticed the other day while playing with my buddy. I played 9 using his new JPX's and I played better. Like 8 strokes on a course I play very often.

I need more wedges, and irons, and would like some woods, new driver, and hybrids. Would I better off just supplementing the clubs I don't have or buying all new clubs and giving these to someone who needs a starter set?

[boogielicious]

14 minutes ago, EasyJ86 said:

Hi! I have to say this place is awesome for the wealth of information on here. I have been lurking for sometime before joining. 

So here is my situation. I have been golfing since the spring. Averaging 1-2 times per week. Reallocategot the golf bug bad. I love it, and wish I had not waited so long to get into it.

My first set of clubs i got from a buddy buddy who was upgrading from his first set of clubs. They're off brand, not a full set. I have a driver, a 3 hybrid, and 5,7, and 9 iron from him. I had to buy my own bag. My own putter, and my own wedge. Now I am at a point where I really have outgrown the set I have. I dropped 25 strokes off my game since April. I still have a lot of room for improvement but noticed the other day while playing with my buddy. I played 9 using his new JPX's and I played better. Like 8 strokes on a course I play very often.

I need more wedges, and irons, and would like some woods, new driver, and hybrids. Would I better off just supplementing the clubs I don't have or buying all new clubs and giving these to someone who needs a starter set?

Welcome to The Sand Trap. There are a lot of factors including how much money you want to spend. That being said, I would go to a shop and try out different irons and woods and see if there is something that you like better. If you can afford new clubs, then get fitted. If you are still not sure, then consider a full used set of irons either 4 - Gap Wedge or 5 - GW. Many shops will have used sets too. That helps keep the costs down Same applies to woods and driver.

[Joeyvee]

I would say to start out by getting fit. You will save time by not trying, or buying, clubs that are wrong. Be 100% honest with the fitter, and tell them you may have to buy last years clubs, if you can find them, with the shaft he recommends. 

[dennyjones]

Welcome from Davison, MI.   How far are you from Carl's?   They have used clubs and you can hit balls on the range.     There are two, one in Plymouth and the big one in Bloomfield Hills.  There are two Golf Galaxy stores north of Detroit.   One is on Big Beaver in Troy and the other is on Hall Rd in Clinton Twp.   Both have used clubs and you can use their indoor range and launch monitors to help you choose.   

Your budget will determine the clubs but if you are all in, get fit at either Carl's Golfland or Miles of Golf in Ypsilanti.

Edited July 12, 2017 by dennyjones

[dennyjones]

I don't know how far you are from Miles of Golf in Ypsilanti but they have a 5 class clinic starting August 17th for $100.  They also are offering 

Summer Club Swap & Garage Sale

August 9-13

Edited July 12, 2017 by dennyjones

[Hategolf]

I do not find value on getting a brand new set of clubs when you are just getting g started. 

I would look for used, or older models. Save the money in equipment and spend it in lessons, before is too late and you develop the bad habits most of us battle with.

After several lessons, get fit, then still buy used. By the time you have an idea what a decent swing for you is and you start playing better there will be newer models. 

Good luck.

[EasyJ86]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I am pretty close to Golf Galaxy in Clinton TWP. Just going to get fitted. 

[EasyJ86]

5 hours ago, dennyjones said:

I don't know how far you are from Miles of Golf in Ypsilanti but they have a 5 class clinic starting August 17th for $100.  They also are offering 

Summer Club Swap & Garage Sale

August 9-13

My mother lives down there it's too far for me to commute from my home in Romeo or my girlfriend's in Lapeer. 

I will take lessons the old fashioned way. But after much thought, I am still going to get fitted. 

I cant rationally think of another reason why my game would improve on two separate occasions using different clubs. They have to be part of my issue. 

[pgone]

We had a buyer get a set from us on eBay - you don't always have to be fitted - just got the following from him a few days ago about a set of I-Win single length clubs we built him...

[WUTiger]

17 hours ago, boogielicious said:

Welcome to The Sand Trap. There are a lot of factors including how much money you want to spend. That being said, I would go to a shop and try out different irons and woods...  Many shops will have used sets too. That helps keep the costs down Same applies to woods and driver.

Boogie has a solid game plan. A decent used set of  irons will give you matched clubs... if you try to fill in your 5,7, 9 with odd irons, you have no guarantee of coordinated distance gaps between irons.

16 hours ago, Joeyvee said:

I would say to start out by getting fit. You will save time by not trying, or buying, clubs that are wrong. Be 100% honest with the fitter ...

Since you have some idea of what golf involves, get a fitting if you can. You don't want to waste time with clubs that don't fit your game. And avoid eBay - you don't get to test those clubs before you buy.

[pgone]

10 minutes ago, WUTiger said:

Boogie has a solid game plan. A decent used set of  irons will give you matched clubs... if you try to fill in your 5,7, 9 with odd irons, you have no guarantee of coordinated distance gaps between irons.

Since you have some idea of what golf involves, get a fitting if you can. You don't want to waste time with clubs that don't fit your game. And avoid eBay - you don't get to test those clubs before you buy.

Let me give you an example of EBAY-- Your driver is around 300$, may be you hit it 250 -275... how about I build a 44" driver that goes 275 yds only mine cost 27$ to build. Its called access and you aint got it. You should learn to speak CHINESE then you would know the true price of golf

[EasyJ86]

I have been to Dick's and Dunham's to try irons. I have also tried some of my buddies' clubs. So far I really like the Mizuno JPX 900's and my other buddy's Nike Vapor's.. They felt comfortable and more consistent than my irons which Trend brand. (Never heard of them).. I know that I want a set of GI clubs. I guess we shall wait till I get fitted real soon.

 

after researching clubs, I raised my budget. I figured $1000 should get me a decent used set.

[WUTiger]

2 hours ago, pgone said:

We had a buyer get a set from us on eBay - you don't always have to be fitted - just got the following from him a few days ago about a set of I-Win single length clubs we built him...

One happy customer out of how many?

No, didn''t mean to be so caustic! If you build him a set of clubs, there's probably some custom aspect to it.

I have bought a few online clubs - such as to fill in a 3H to go with the 4H of the same model. I knew what I was getting, I wasn't buying hit-and-miss and hoping I got lucky.

[pgone]

2 minutes ago, WUTiger said:

One happy customer out of how many?

No, didn''t mean to be so caustic! If you build him a set of clubs, there's probably some custom aspect to it.

I have bought a few online clubs - such as to fill in a 3H to go with the 4H of the same model. I knew what I was getting, I wasn't buying hit-and-miss and hoping I got lucky.

WU ...You show Golfworks Academy in your resume-- What did you learn about clubmaking ? Why arent you playing what you learned to build ? Where are club builders supposed to buy clubheads etc. The whole system is B/S ...you wont admit it... Master club builder for 45yrs -- 7 Aces-- 2 Double Eagles--  1 ace for wife and I would be the last one to call myself a Golfer

[WUTiger]

2 hours ago, pgone said:

What did you learn about clubmaking ? Why arent you playing what you learned to build ?

Long story... I wanted to get a player's rep/repair part-time gig after I finished the school, but the market was flooded. The shop I had approached hired two retired PGA club pros full time, and this wiped out about six part-time slots.

And, two other local shops shut down about the same time.

I was willing, but economics didn't cooperate.

[pgone]

WU..I am sorry for your demise, as mine was the same-- high rents and a bad economy. We had no choice  but to go the EBAY route. In your defense, I have seen people buy 750 cc drivers and sales of Wishon irons with 4$ steel shafts and karma grips. WTF?? This young man bought a set of I-win sl irons with  Lamkin midsize tourwraps and TT (S) Dynalite Gold / sensicore . Some deal for 200$.  Its good to share with fellow club makers.

 

[WUTiger]

I'm interested in learning more about one of your earlier comments:

On 7/13/2017 at 9:04 AM, pgone said:

You should learn to speak CHINESE then you would know the true price of golf

Have you ever been able to travel to Asia and visit the foundries where the clubheads are made? Possibly you located quality open source clubheads for use in your operation. If so, what insights can you give us?

Edited July 18, 2017 by WUTiger

[pgone]

Why should I offer you insights? Asia will take care of itself. All I have to do is pick up the phone and order what I need. Unfortunately for you, most of them are leaving the business, chased by  Name Brand addicts who couldnt care less... Any way my club builder friend or friends..Todays project---  I want a small- 280 to 300 cc driver , 10 degree head coated with Titanium Carbonitride, 70 gram graphite shaft at  44", Winn ultralite grip 26 gram.. and you will do it at a cost of 17$...That's 17 dollars-- GOOD LUCK..  By the way-this driver will spit out 250yds but you got to have a really good swing.