StacktActor

First off, I haven't hit the AP2's so I can't be for sure as to what they feel like, but your best bet is simply to match the specs of the AP2's as best you can with a set from Gigagolf. So basically find the set the matches the lofts, look, shafts, and grips....at least as closely as possible. I would say total weight of the clubs is likely important also. Not sure if you have heard of Pinemeadow Golf but I believe their most recent set is suppose to be clones of the AP2's. The ZR 3.0 set if I remember correctly.... My irons are from Pinemeadow and my hybrid, wood, driver, and wedges are from Giga. Both companies make good clubs, just in case you needed a reference.

I don't think anyone should go as far as to say clones are "better" than OEM clubs but certain brands can make a good case for being just a good. I mean, I'm seeing some people on here saying "you don't see pros using Giga clubs and don't give the endorsements for big OEM's excuse....." and so on. Well, seriously, the main reason they're not used by pros is because the market space for "top end gear" is already full and controlled by capitalist giants that small companies like Gigagolf and Pinemeadow can't compete against financially. So, these companies take a different approach to the market. They HAVE to offer some kind of quality, at a good value, in order to find their place in the market. Gigagolf even has an article about this on their website if you want to read it. So, the inexpensive clubs are a result of a market strategy. No R&D;, no marketing, no endorsement fees, no middle man. Same materials used in the clubs. Exactly the same. Do your research folks. So, to say what I just said in reverse for a little clarity, pros use OEM's because OEM's reach out to them as a business strategy. They need pros endorsements to help justify the high price of the clubs they sell, but at the same time, the endorsement fees paid to the player contribute to the increased price of the clubs. They have the capital to taylor every pro to they're specific specs, at no charge of course. Do they do this for you? Nope. They just show you the brand, the player, and the clubs sell themselves. Obviously, there's profit in the strategy. It works. But you need the capital, which these companies have. Gigagolf and it's counterparts don't. But the actual off the shelf specs are the exact same, material, angles, flex, grips. All the same. So in conclusion, are these clones just as good as the OEMs clubs? For the non-professional, which is pretty much all of is here, they sure are.

Now that I've played for a bit and tried some different things, I have a more over the top style and have cut my putter down to 31". Feels really nice. I have been at Golf Town a lot trying all sort of putters and I have come to really like the feel of the Odyssey White Hot Pro #9. I'll be purchasing this in a 33" since that's the shortest length they're sold in. I don't think I'll modify it though considering you can just choke up if need be and in all reality I'm still learning. I may as well leave a little leeway to work on a more upright stance if required. [quote name="StacktActor" url="/t/11346/your-height-and-your-putter-length/60#post_935527"]I'm barely 5'7 and I ordered a 35" putter. Pings website recommended it as I tend to have an upright stance. However, I'm so new to the game I'm just not sure yet. At least I can cut the shaft if I need to. [/quote]

Sou[quote name="LowRound" url="/t/51627/gigagolf-is-cheap/60#post_993646"] Lol, you prefer Pine Meadow? Sounds like an assisted living facility. Agree, Giga Golf is cheeky and, I'll bet, meant to be. It's for guys who don't care about brand, just performance. I have their pursuit irons and a pursuit 3 wood. When someone asks me about my clubs (rarely) I say "custom" and that is the end of the conversation. I found out about Giga from a buddy that loves to talk about their stuff. He kicks the crap out of 95% our club members with a big blue bag that says Giga on it, and a bag full of their clubs. It's a good small brand that works on the course. If you need a big brand to compensate for something there are plenty around to choose from. [/quote] Pinemeadow sounded more "golfish" to me. In a meadow with pine trees... kinda seems like a more appropriate name for a golf company lol. I must say I was looking at the TRX ion control irons and the white TRX bag and was thinking they'd probablly look pretty sweet regardless of the name. I almost wish I bought those instead.

Canucks fan here. It's funny to see some of these old posts about how "Winnipeg might get a team again" and "if they'd just put the Wings in the East where they belong". Both end up happening! Too funny

There is competition. It's called golf "clone" companies. Look them up. Many people hate these companies but if you're looking for value then that's where you should look.

I'm barely 5'7 and I ordered a 35" putter. Pings website recommended it as I tend to have an upright stance. However, I'm so new to the game I'm just not sure yet. At least I can cut the shaft if I need to.

Vancouver, BC here. I was in Edmonton over the holidays however. Lots of family in Alberta.

My title is Inside Sales at Wesco Distribution. Were an electrical wholesaler....sound fun doesn't it?

I considered buying Gigagolf. I know it sounds terrible but I can't stand their name. Sound so........lame. I give them creidt, their reviews are spectacular but I couldn't pull myself to buy a set from them. I chose Pinemeadow instead...

Just bought a whole set of Pinemeadow clubs. See my other posts to see which ones. I'll post pictures once I get them and eventually feeback on them.

[quote name="newtogolf" url="/t/10454/your-opinion-of-clone-clubs/150#post_934346"]If your budget was limited and you were fit for the clubs (something that isn't typically an option with used clubs) it makes more sense to go with clones. I wouldn't put too much stock into comparing them head to head against your brothers and friends clubs unless they are set up with the same shaft as your clubs. There are a few guys on here that own / owned clone clubs so I'm sure you'll get some more feedback on them. BTW, welcome to the Sand Trap! [/quote] I wasn't really on a budget, but the whole fitting aspect of Pinemeadow was a huge seller for me as well. I didn't get fit in person but I used online charts based on height and wrist to floor measurements as well as a session at Golf Town using the TaylorMade Rocketbladez at different lengths they already had there. It was funny because my results ended up being what I expected before I had known anything about golf fitting. I use to tell my brother who I golfed with a lot that "I swear these clubs are too long". Who would have guessed every result I got from different fitting wizards (including Pings) had me at a -1/2 length & standard lie. Now I understand the whole "it's a game of inches!" But as I said before the truth will be in the results and how they feel. PS: The reason I went clones is because I love a good deal. If I can get the same components at a lower price, it just makes me feel good. I can't really explain it. It my belief that many people by OEMs for image just as much as quality (if not more for image) and that has never been a concern for me. The value of a good deal is more important to me. Once again, just my opinion (for now at least). As for the comparisons, I have used true temper shafts as well as apollos and I don't see a difference. That though, is likely due to my skill level. Once I get better, I'm sure I'll upgrade. Thanks for the welcome anyhow I appreciate it! Hope to see you around!

No sir not a spammer here. When I pick up my clubs in a week or so I'll post some pictures. My posts are only referencing Pinemeadow because those are the clubs I actually bought. I also respect the whole Research and Development argument from the OEM's. That's one of the main reasons why clones are cheaper, they don't do R&D.; However, that doesn't mean they're lesser quality clubs. Truth is, I will find out sooner than later and I'll have a first hand opinion on them. But also, until I play with my brothers Nike VRS's and my buddies Callaway's, I won't have anything to compare them too on the OEM side. I do plan on doing this to see what kind of value I got.

I just bought a whole set plus more of some Pinemeadow clubs (clones) since I'm new to the game. I've played about 10 rounds over a 1 1/2 years span and I'm what you would expect from a new golfer skill wise. I haven't calculated my handicap but I'm sure it's way up there. Over the 1 1/2 year span I've been using a mix of hand me down Top-Flites from my brother and randoms that felt good from the local Value VIllage. I went with Pinemeadow for a few reasons. - They have pretty good reviews for an off brand/ clone clubmaker. - I personally think their clubs look good. - I'm not all that skilled yet. - Prices are ridiculousy low (espeacially around Christmas when I bought my clubs and bag). - Not sure if I'll stick with game as much as I think I love it. The way I see it is if you haven't tried it, then you shouldn't knock it. The problem with someone knocking "clone clubs" is that he/she is knocking a whole category of different clubs with out trying them all. One wouldn't ever say "OEM clubs are crap, I don't like them" but one might say, "TaylorMades are crap, I don't like them." Get the picture here? So, Pinemeadows may very well be a good club maker, but the person who tried another clone brand that he/she found to be crap and now says "clone clubs are crap" and automatically puts Pinemeadow or any other clone club maker in the same category. Just because one didn't like the TaylorMade's he/she tried, would he/she say "OEM clubs are crap?" No way. My 2 cents.

In the last 2 weeks I have picked up my first full golf set! I bought it from Pinemeadow Golf out of Oregon....really good prices and have good reviews so we'll see on the quality when I get them. I have a good feeling about them. Here's my list! Command Q Ti Driver 460cc 10.5 Command Q Ti 3 Wood Command W7 3 & 4 Hybrids Command Q (Not Ti's) Irons 3-PW + AW (No SW) Pre Wedges 52 (Chrome Finish) 56 (Bronze Finish) & 60 (Broanze Finish) Xeon 9 Putter Courier Golf Bag (Navy Blue, White, Yellow) Driver, 3 Wood, and Hybrids made with Pinemeadow Graphite Shafts. Irons, Wedges, & Putter Apollo Lite Steel Shafts. I'm thinking about picking up a Pre Putter as well because I do like the mallet style a lot. For the price you really can't go wrong. Take a look at these clubs at Pinemeadowgolf.com if you want to see them. Toatal price paid (with quite a few discounts might I add) $421.26. If these turn out to be decent clubs this is a steal and a half!