Alex1

I'm still learning my grip and think I basically have it correct. At the driving range, my grip starts off ok but degrades after a couple dozen balls. Would it be a good idea to buy a training grip and use it on a club I play with? Or is it better to avoid them?

Yes, this has been a really good thread. Although there are different opinions, I don't think they're necessarily at odds with one another. I think a lot depends on how consistent your swing is, your level of sensitivity and feel, how seriously you play, etc.

The golf section of About.com claims that forged are not really softer than cast irons: http://golf.about.com/od/faqs/f/cast_forged.htm How long do typical clubs last with, say, once a week use?

My worry about Ebay is counterfeit equipment.

Zeph: I'd be happy to buy European clubs too. I have some very well-crafted Norwegian knives and was willing to pay a little extra for them. I'm just trying to avoid Chinese-made goods when I can afford to. Surefire: there's an American phrase: "Champagne taste and beer pocket money." It means you wish for Pings, but can only afford Wal-Mart in the meantime. That's me until I get a raise.

I got the idea for a half-set from Peter Ballingall , but it seems like no one does half-sets anymore. I'm just going to have to spring for a full set.

Is there anything wrong with wanting to own American-made clubs? I buy US-made goods whenever I can afford to.

I think only Ping irons and putters are still made in the US. No one else that I've heard of.

I'll second this question - I want some Pings.

So how exactly do you choose a ball that fits your swing?

I wonder if the difference in opinions is correlated to age. Many older players didn't grow up with material affluence we have today and used whatever they could get their hands on. I think I recall reading that Ben Hogan had to use left-handed clubs when he was young b/c that's all he could get cheap. Pele, soccer champion, had to use a sock stuffed with leaves as a soccer ball. There are lots of stories like this, and many older guys just might not be impressed by expensive gear.

It depends where. I would be happy to buy quality European or Australian clubs if they existed. But I won't buy from China if I can avoid it. It looks as if one day the only thing still made in the Anglosphere will be hamburgers.

When I buy my first set of decent clubs, they will be Ping. The reason why? They're made in America by skilled workers making good wages. Not coincidentally, they are top quality.

Shredfit: I can see why that would be a problem for advanced players who need consistency. Resolved: better players need quality equipment for consistency, durability and such. For beginners, a 5-iron and 7-iron aren't much different because of their inconsistent swinging habits. So for beginners, I don't see the need for expensive clubs. But for advanced players, perhaps such as yourself, they are justified.

I'm considering* buying a set of graphite Pings. When I mishit with steel I immediately feel it my elbows, but with graphite this isn't a problem. However, the vast majority of golfers I've seen use steel shafts, so I wonder if there are any drawbacks with graphite? * more like dreaming

Halcon, my question was: if you hit the ball dead on , is there any difference? I was playing with a variety of clubs at the local range and noticed that when I made a clean, center of mass hit, they all felt great. I don't think it was possible to tell the difference between the $800 set of irons I was using and the $100 set. I suspect the design of the club is the most important factor for beginners, eg, a cheap cavity back is better than an expensive blade. Furthermore, with two clubs of the same design, eg, two graphite cavity backs, I still wonder how much real, measurable benefit an expensive clubs provided over a cheap one.

I hear so many good things about the Titleist Pro V1 and want to know if you think they're worth the $45 or so they cost. I'm a beginner, but I don't lose many balls because I hit fairly softly and straight. Also, am I safe buying V1's from Ebay, or are there counterfeit V1's?

What brand of club is the best investment value, ie, commands the best resale price? Would it be Ping? Or Callaway? Or are they all approximately the same?

I wish I could tell the differences between golf balls like you guys! Around what handicap does one begin to require a ball that matches their game?

This is an informative thread. While all agree on the necessity of expensive equipment for good golfers, it's interesting to see the variety of opinions for beginners. Lots of good input here from all.

That's a great idea Glebert. Hope someone from the Golf Channel reads your post.

Not too far away in Little Rock.

Doesn't the placebic effect only work when the subject is unaware of it? If you or I were to buy a $1000 set expecting our performance to improve due to this effect, I don't think it would work.

From what I gather: If you're a regular golfer, the benefit of expensive clubs is mostly pyschological. If you're a low-handicapper, you can tell the subtle differences. If this is the case, then most people are using equipment that's far better than their ability. These people would do just as well with cheap clubs.

I suspect that in a blind side-by-side test, few could tell the difference between low and high end equipment. And as I earlier pointed out, I think that when you hit the sweetspot, even a crappy club feels great.