JimMurphy99

But you still seem to go with the main brands and so how do you select between them? I mean do you even consider some of the lesser known brands?

Makes it a bit of a lottery then upgrading to a new club unless there is a way for you to swap around clubs and try out a whole range of clubs before choosing the one that best suits you?

I would tend to agree - I have rented clubs before when on vacation but where golf was just an extra activity. If I am going specifically for a golf vacation I nearly always bring my own set. For me it is a bit like sleeping in your own bed! I am comfortable with my own clubs but as soon as I use someone else's I think the mental side lets me down as I know I am using clubs which I am not familiar with

Interested to know what experience people have when they demo clubs in the store using a launch monitor vs. the real thing. Do the distances match up? What about slice, draw etc? Seems like a lot of people are putting faith in Launch Monitor etc. when they get fitted etc. and while clearly a great piece of technology just interested to know whether distance etc. is replicated in the real world...

Hi Just a quick question to the forum about insurance for golf clubs etc. Does anyone know the best insurance companies to deal with for an all encompassing policy for golf clubs/equipment? a policy that covers breakage, travel, stealing etc. Thanks

Guess that makes it all the more difficult to really select the club that will work for you....reminds me of a time 10 years ago when I rented snowboard boots last minute at the resort after I forgot mine! Wore them for the weekend, and they clearly had already been used that season. BUT they were comfortable as anything so when I got back to the shop I offered $50 for them then and there and walked away with used, but perfectly fitting, snowboard boots... Now if only there was a way to somehow demo clubs in the same manner...the search continues!

So how is the r11s working out? Still as happy as before

Just had an interesting experience where I took to TM R11s same spec and set up and hit a few balls using launch monitor....and they felt slightly different...checked that all the "moveable" parts were in the same position etc. and still not quite the same feel...

So I was asked not so long ago by a friend of my who wants to set up a retail golf store whether there are any financing companies out there who specialize in equipment financing. Basically he wants to be able to purchase clubs from the top manufacturers etc. but as a startup apparently he cannot get "credit" from the manufacturers/distributors so he is looking to finance them. I told him I thought that getting into the golf retail business was probably not a good idea but of course my advice not quite listened to. Anyway I am still going to help of course so just putting this out there to see if anyone has any ideas. Thanks

Thanks - looking through the site now...

I use Titleist NXT tour...and find them the best for all round play... Maybe a bit over your price range though I am sure if you look around...

That is some testing...can I ask if have you a particular relationship with the golf shop or how much did you spend (in rough terms) to take up someone's time for that long and to get to try out so many clubs etc. Part of my issue before buying a club is that I want to try and demo it but not in a contrived environment...and what you seem to have done is a massive amount more than I have heard anyone (other than pro's) doing. So is this an "extra" service in terms of cost at your local store? Thanks

very interesting...but have you noticed any difference between the "artificial" shots you were taking as part of the fitting to your subsequent rounds of golf?? and how many of the dome clubs did you try before settling on the one?

interesting and agree with the sentiment about not focusing on brand or looks but before you can get a real detailed fitting you need to actually choose a club and I think that is where I have my issues...forever swamped with the latest and greatest and hard to get to that choice BEFORE getting a fitting and be able to try it out over a few "live" rounds. How often do you change your drivers by the way?

interested to know why you'd have liked to purchase your old club though? I mean you got the upgrade so what would you have done with the R11?

So you in effect got your clubs upgraded? from the r11 to r11s? Talk about great customer service! Did you demo it before purchasing?

I don't know if I necessarily agree with this. I think it serves its purpose but the only way to really improve is to do it in a "live" environment. While hitting into a net maybe able to help with working on certain techniques the reality is that most of us at one time or another do hit that perfect shot. It is about trying to replicate that shot over and over again. But almost more importantly it is imperative to be able to hit it consistently and while actually on the course...otherwise in my view it doesn't help all that much. Why is so much of practice in other sports actually a real game? Thoughts?

I have done that to some extent already - predominantly in the Myrtle Beach area. And have managed to get some clubs for a test drive...But often the range of clubs is not particularly good. And in reality few ranges/pro shops let you really test a model for any length of time

Absoultely the tape would make a huge difference... Just think of the impact of a few millimeters of water on a road when you are driving. You'd think there would be no effect but try braking hard... I really think the tape thing is a waste of time and I don't ever bother trying when I see that... But as always very keen to see where the best option for demo'ing clubs is. I hate having to buy a new driver on reviews alone and demos are often so contrived. If only there was an option to really try out a range of clubs... Have any of you figured out the best way to choose yet?

A pretty common problem I feel that occurs throughout sport and in the everyday world. Production, Quality Control etc. all have an impact. Same reason that some ski boots fit you better even though they are all supposed to be the same size etc. Have a similar frustration that the latest drivers all promise so much but it is difficult to make the choice and even when I have demo'd several versions of the same model they are never all quite the same...

Agree but I just find that you need to be a member of that particular club and then it really comes down to whether they have enough of a range to actually get to try out a number of models.

I've found that demo days are probably the best way to try and select a driver. Hitting into a net no matter what the technology is so contrived and I just think that having the flexibility to try out a club in a real environment is the way to go... Interested that some ranges allow you to take away the club for a few rounds - definitely the best way to go about it BUT I have never come across that opportunity before. Interested to get your views on how you select? I have a post in one of the forums asking how best to select and demo the drivers given the vast choices and most of the top models all get 4 or 5 stars etc.

Every year we get inundated with multiple driver models from the top manufacturers and selecting/upgrading is becoming more of a challenge. I've tried the demo days but often find it difficult to compare due to the "contrived" environment...maybe it is just me but interested to hear from others. I mean go to any of the reviews and most of the top drivers and manufacturers have 4/5 star reviews and the "reviews" are often "generic" so how to really make a decision. How do you all select the driver for you?