Anyone still playing their older clubs vs new technology

[cooke119]

Years ago I purchased the Cobra S3 driver and woods (3 & 5). I hit them great, long and straight. However, after reading about all the new technology over the years I have purchased God knows how many woods and drivers, (Cobra's, Cleveland's, and Ping's). A little while ago I purchased a new Ping G driver. Hit it great during the fitting but once on the course I was all over the place! I've since gone back to my S3s and I'm straight and just as long if not longer. This doesn't make much sense to me but I've put all my S3s back in the bag. The rest are sitting in my garage gathering dust and taking up space.

Now I'll admit that my swing speed is slower now that I am 66 and I've had 3 back surgeries. Maybe that has something to do with it. But I wish I had never spent all that money on the new and improved and just stayed with my S3s.

Anybody else found this to be the case?

[Patch]

My normal gamers are probably 10+/- years old. I don't remember when I purchased them. 

That said, after deciding to change things up, I am now playing a set of irons I think I purchased in the.mid 1990s. 

Both of those sets were fitted to my swing. Standard length, regular flex, 2.5 degrees up right. Also a few.minor adjustments in my mid irons. My swing requires basically the same today, except maybe  for the flex. I have a slower swing these days. Both sets seem to play the same for me. 

My putter is at least 20 years old. 

I am going to assume that newer  technology, with in the last 5 years,  has helped golfers more than when my two sets were made. Do I think I might play better with a properly fitted set with current technology? Yeah, probably, maybe a by a stroke or two. If I was younger, I would get a new set. I'm just very comfortable  with my older sets. 

[WUTiger]

59 minutes ago, Patch said:

Do I think I might play better with a properly fitted set with current technology? Yeah, probably, maybe a by a stroke or two. If I was younger, I would get a new set.

If you haven't been fitted in 15 years or so, it's not just technology that's an issue. Has your swing physically in the that time?

Also, tech changes in irons have improved what the proper set (right heads and shaft) can do for you. The polymer inserts and face flexing and cup face technology have made the iron faces hotter, meaning you can pick up distance. Also, shaft variety has increased, with graphite iron shafts more well balanced than when they first appeared.

You just have to do a side-by-side with your current irons and some of the newer models. I got a full bag fitting five years ago. Verdict: Driver and irons OK, but FWs, hybrids (added for first time) and wedges could be improved.

If you can, get a full bag fitting. If changes are needed, you don't have to buy all at once. You can redo piece by piece as $$ become available.

[Patch]

10 hours ago, WUTiger said:

If you haven't been fitted in 15 years or so, it's not just technology that's an issue. Has your swing physically in the that time?

Also, tech changes in irons have improved what the proper set (right heads and shaft) can do for you. The polymer inserts and face flexing and cup face technology have made the iron faces hotter, meaning you can pick up distance. Also, shaft variety has increased, with graphite iron shafts more well balanced than when they first appeared.

You just have to do a side-by-side with your current irons and some of the newer models. I got a full bag fitting five years ago. Verdict: Driver and irons OK, but FWs, hybrids (added for first time) and wedges could be improved.

If you can, get a full bag fitting. If changes are needed, you don't have to buy all at once. You can redo piece by piece as $$ become available.

You are most likely correct about newer technology, and distance. As for buying a new set, I am fortunate enough to be able to afford a complete set of newer, 100% fitted clubs if I wanted. But, like I posted earlier, I am totally comfortable with what I have now. The fact that I might not be able to still be playing golf in 3-5 years due to physical/medical/age related reasons is another factor for my not needing new clubs. 

[RussUK]

Im using 2008 "vintage" irons and love them. At my level new tech isn't that important. Plus the additional cost of buying new always comes into the equation. I'd much rather spend the money on my kids then new golf clubs. I do however allow myself the odd treat if finances permit but thats rare these days.

[Lihu]

15 hours ago, cooke119 said:

Years ago I purchased the Cobra S3 driver and woods (3 & 5). I hit them great, long and straight. However, after reading about all the new technology over the years I have purchased God knows how many woods and drivers, (Cobra's, Cleveland's, and Ping's). A little while ago I purchased a new Ping G driver. Hit it great during the fitting but once on the course I was all over the place! I've since gone back to my S3s and I'm straight and just as long if not longer. This doesn't make much sense to me but I've put all my S3s back in the bag. The rest are sitting in my garage gathering dust and taking up space.

I hear this all the time from many of my partners. You're just lucky that you kept all your old stuff.

 

15 hours ago, cooke119 said:

Now I'll admit that my swing speed is slower now that I am 66 and I've had 3 back surgeries. Maybe that has something to do with it. But I wish I had never spent all that money on the new and improved and just stayed with my S3s.

Anybody else found this to be the case?

I'd guess, that there will be more people who will find this to be the case, I know a lot of them.

 

12 hours ago, Patch said:

I am going to assume that newer  technology, with in the last 5 years,  has helped golfers more than when my two sets were made. Do I think I might play better with a properly fitted set with current technology? Yeah, probably, maybe a by a stroke or two. If I was younger, I would get a new set. I'm just very comfortable  with my older sets. 

Is this a good assumption? Are you sure they will improve things? I got new XR16 which are really good compared to the stuff I used in the past, but I think the main reason they work better is that they were fitted for me. Of course, they were fitted for me when I choked up 3.5 inches on the grip, but they were optimized for that configuration nonetheless.

I'd think even with anything from 15 years ago, all you'd need to do it make sure you are fitted.

[cooke119]

I've purchased new irons as well, (fortunately I am able to afford being a club hound), I have four sets of irons and the best for me are the Ping G25s. I also have a set of Cobra which I find to be just as good. Not so much with the Callaway XRs, find them hard to be accurate with on the course. I play my Ping Eye 2s for fun sometimes but my G25s are my main clubs. I have been fitted for all my clubs, irons, woods and drivers. I looked at the new Ping G400 but what am I going to get, maybe a few more yards at best. I think I'll stick with my G25s until I really get the bug.

[WUTiger]

To answer the original question:

I have new driver and wedges, and fairly new hybrids. Putter and irons are old-new (??)

I have a new "old" putter - made about 2007 but on shelf until last winter when I bought it. Putters go in cycles, the old being reinvented. The only new putter items from past 5 years are face inserts to improve roll, and the Cleveland 2135 with the sweet spot higher on the face.

My irons heads are old - X20 Tours circa 2008 that I got new in 2011 - but I had them reshafted with lighter NS Pro 8950GHs in 2014.

[altos]

I was fitted for Ping G400's (not yet purchased) and the fitter decided to check the swing weight of my current irons.   They are Titleist DCI irons that are o-l-d, made during the ice age.  And they are D9's.  That shocked everyone at the PGASuperstore.   Multiple measurements confirmed.  But I had just regripped the irons and decided not to trade them in for what amounted to peanuts, about $6 a club.   I continue for now with my ice age wonders.  I am sure the $1275 G400's ($125 per club) are great but I still score in the 70's with the DCI's at 70 years old.   Tough to flush the DCI's.

[cooke119]

On ‎12‎/‎14‎/‎2017 at 1:59 PM, altos said:

I was fitted for Ping G400's (not yet purchased) and the fitter decided to check the swing weight of my current irons.   They are Titleist DCI irons that are o-l-d, made during the ice age.  And they are D9's.  That shocked everyone at the PGASuperstore.   Multiple measurements confirmed.  But I had just regripped the irons and decided not to trade them in for what amounted to peanuts, about $6 a club.   I continue for now with my ice age wonders.  I am sure the $1275 G400's ($125 per club) are great but I still score in the 70's with the DCI's at 70 years old.   Tough to flush the DCI's.

If I shot in the 70s I wouldn't change a thing! Congrats on being such a good golfer. I'm 66 years old, three back surgeries and can't break 85 anymore even on a great day.

[Jackal1966]

I like to look at newer stuff and test hit .

My irons are Ping S59. I keep trying to find something better, but haven't  yet.

My putter is an Odyssey that I bought  1 year ago.

It is a '12 model. Comparing it to every putter in the store, it won.

Before that, I was using an Odyssey  putter from around '96. I bought it in '97.

A club has to earn a place in my bag.

New or used.

[b101]

Not that old, per se, but I still love my 2014 Apex Pro irons and don't see them switching out any time soon. Everything else is pretty new, but I'm getting to the stage where I'm quite happy with my bag and (bar something breaking), won't need anything for a while now.

[Foot Wedge]

I've been hoping to find irons to replace my Mizuno MX-23's (2005?) with Dynamic Gold Lite R300 shafts.  The thought was to try a few models that I liked the looks of and had heads/stock shafts I thought would be appropriate for me without having to drop the coin of getting fitted.  Compared Srixon Z565, Apex, JPX 900 Forged directly to the MX23 and nothing was significantly longer, more forgiving, or more accurate than my Mizunos. 

The one thing I noticed was that the Apex I was originally handed was unbelievable...10 yards more carry, several yards higher (I'm a low ball hitter) and stupid tight dispersion.  Then I noticed the shaft was a non-stock project X LZ 105.  Asked for the stock offering and was spraying balls with the XP95 shafts.  It looks like I won't be replacing the Mizunos until I am ready to get fitted.

[MGN]

On 12/10/2017 at 7:06 PM, cooke119 said:

Years ago I purchased the Cobra S3 driver and woods (3 & 5). I hit them great, long and straight. However, after reading about all the new technology over the years I have purchased God knows how many woods and drivers, (Cobra's, Cleveland's, and Ping's). A little while ago I purchased a new Ping G driver. Hit it great during the fitting but once on the course I was all over the place! I've since gone back to my S3s and I'm straight and just as long if not longer. This doesn't make much sense to me but I've put all my S3s back in the bag. The rest are sitting in my garage gathering dust and taking up space.

Now I'll admit that my swing speed is slower now that I am 66 and I've had 3 back surgeries. Maybe that has something to do with it. But I wish I had never spent all that money on the new and improved and just stayed with my S3s.

Anybody else found this to be the case?

I am a fan of sticking with clubs that work for me.  So, my irons are Titleist 981s from 2000/01 time frame; work well but only thing I'm looking for a change is to have this exact spec on forged irons (same offset, loft etc.).  My driver is a Ping G10 with a UST proforce Stiff shaft from 8 years ago (or older); works well for my baby draw.  My sand wedge is a Cleveland 588 RTG (56 deg) from over 15 years ago; got rust and all!

I can't recall having any clubs that are less than 5 years old at least.  I am trying to focus on my swing and mental aspect and have found improvements in my score.  Chasing new technology seldom brings sustained results IMHO.  Hope you find peace with your clubs.

[Penleyguy]

Being in the shaft business, I get to be involved in a lot of testing, etc and i’m always asked, “what’s the best shaft, what’s the best driver head, what’s the best irons”, my answer is always that the best equipment is what works best for you. If you have a Driver that is 10 years old and you hit hit as well or better than anything new, it’s the best fit for you. Same will all clubs, the only thing that matters is result. I play irons that are now 20 years old. Of course they have the best shafts made in them but the heads are 20 years old and until I find something that works/feels better, i’m sticking with them! Results matter not age of equipment...just my opinion.