Callaway X-14s?

[AODfan]

Hi all, new here and new to the world of golf. I have been looking around for ways to get into it on the cheaper end and have been researching irons. I have seen that the X-18s and X-20/22, and a sleuth of others out there are usually good sets to start off with, but also read that the X-14s used to be good in the past as well. I found some locally here that are 3-PW, graphite, and comes with a bag for $100. Just wondering if this is even worth pursuing or not?

[Vinny Cap]

I have a set of X20's that are pretty easy to hit, never swung the 14's so I can't say much about them.  For a $100 that's a pretty good deal and will get you irons and a bag to start with.

Any chance you can swing them before buying to see if you like them?

[AODfan]

So, I went and picked them up, the guy even through in a driver, 5 wood, putters. And for $25 more for new grips and balls. Which it was originally $100 for just the irons and bag. Below is what I ended with, for a total of $125:

Callaway X-14 3-pw (very good condition, regular flex, standard length, graphite shafts)
Big Bertha Steelhead Plus 9° driver
Big Bertha Steelhead 5 wood 
Slotline Tungsten Sugar putter
Unmarked anser-ish clone putter
Callaway cart bag
Winn Dri tac grips ×8(new in wrap)
30 or so assorted balls

[Vinny Cap]

19 minutes ago, AODfan said:

Callaway X-14 3-pw (very good condition, regular flex, standard length, graphite shafts)
Big Bertha Steelhead Plus 9° driver
Big Bertha Steelhead 5 wood 
Slotline Tungsten Sugar putter
Unmarked anser-ish clone putter
Callaway cart bag
Winn Dri tac grips ×8(new in wrap)
30 or so assorted balls

Great deal to get you into golf and if you don't end up liking golf, you can play them forward to someone else looking to try it.

Now go find a driving range and hit some balls!

Good luck to you this season with your new toys!  Hope you have some fun.

[1badbadger]

I used to buy and sell used clubs for a living, and in my opinion you did really well.  When the X-14s came out in 2000 they were a top-shelf model in Callaway's club line and retailed for almost $900 at the time.  Since then they have introduced other models that are "new and improved", but the X-14s are still a solid performing club that I think you will enjoy.  The Steelhead 5 wood is a great club, even though it is an older model.  I still play the Steelhead Plus 3 wood, which has been in my bag since around '99.

Since you are new to the game, let me mention something you need to be aware of regarding graphite shafts.  I don't know if your driver and 5 wood have graphite shafts as well, but if they do, this applies to them too.  When your clubs are in your bag, whether you are going to be walking when you play and carrying your clubs, or if you use a cart, the clubs are going to be rubbing along the dividers that are at the top of your golf bag.  Most new bags have padded dividers, but a lot of the older ones did not...they were hard plastic or something similar.  After a while of the clubs constantly rubbing back and forth against the dividers, eventually the paint on the shaft will wear off, then the actual graphite will be in contact with the dividers and it will damage the graphite fibers and create a weak spot.  It will look like this:

If your bag has padded dividers, you should be ok, but check your shafts occasionally to make sure they aren't being damaged.  For your woods, the "long neck" head covers help prevent this exact issue, so they are a good investment.  Just something I wasn't sure if you were aware of or not.  Have fun with them!

[AODfan]

3 minutes ago, 1badbadger said:

I used to buy and sell used clubs for a living, and in my opinion you did really well.  When the X-14s came out in 2000 they were a top-shelf model in Callaway's club line and retailed for almost $900 at the time.  Since then they have introduced other models that are "new and improved", but the X-14s are still a solid performing club that I think you will enjoy.  The Steelhead 5 wood is a great club, even though it is an older model.  I still play the Steelhead Plus 3 wood, which has been in my bag since around '99.

Since you are new to the game, let me mention something you need to be aware of regarding graphite shafts.  I don't know if your driver and 5 wood have graphite shafts as well, but if they do, this applies to them too.  When your clubs are in your bag, whether you are going to be walking when you play and carrying your clubs, or if you use a cart, the clubs are going to be rubbing along the dividers that are at the top of your golf bag.  Most new bags have padded dividers, but a lot of the older ones did not...they were hard plastic or something similar.  After a while of the clubs constantly rubbing back and forth against the dividers, eventually the paint on the shaft will wear off, then the actual graphite will be in contact with the dividers and it will damage the graphite fibers and create a weak spot.  It will look like this:

If your bag has padded dividers, you should be ok, but check your shafts occasionally to make sure they aren't being damaged.  For your woods, the "long neck" head covers help prevent this exact issue, so they are a good investment.  Just something I wasn't sure if you were aware of or not.  Have fun with them!

Yes, the bag is padded well.  I do plan on getting covers eventually.