Return2Golf

Thanks Grumpter for your advice and you are quite right, waiting a few years usually pays off because feedback has had a chance to circulate. Then it's only a question of working out the validity of such feedback. I actually like waiting a few years after any major purchase, after all the teething problems, chances of product reviews and sometimes recalls. Relatively speaking, a set of golf clubs isn't all that major. Still, they cost money and there's nothing worse than having to resell an item for a lot less that just doesn't work for you. It was interesting to see that the improvements to your game were due to your own customization and new product loft characteristics over old. There is some merit to newer technology if it suits the individual. Meanwhile I am still trying to fathom if my young daughter is a true lefty, which means buying her left handed clubs. The instructor said straight away, she's left. Now she tells me that she has a stronger right arm, writes okay with her right hand and is unsure what side she wants to play golf on. I am completely confused and we have only a few weeks to go before Christmas :D. I took her out to play with a tennis racked attached to one of those pole spring set-ups and she hits quite strong with either hand. The dexterity is not giving up its secrets, but she's only 7 so we have time and I hope I don't choose the wrong side. I'm holding off on a decent set until I can be sure. She loves golf, so this is a bonus in any case. Cheerio.

Sage advice. The problem is I live in a rural area with probably no examples of these irons being played. I've read some very strong reviews on an equipment review site that seem to far outweigh any negatives I have read about them (mainly trivial things that have no impact on actual performance). I'm very happy with Cobra. I accidentally hit a toy rubber golf ball for my daughter high over our back fence in front of the neighbour's dog kennel just with an old Lady Cobra driver in my little demonstration. I didn't expect the tap to get that airborne! She now has a story to tell for show and tell this morning. :/ I told her, "This is why people should never hit real golf balls in the back yard with anything except a putter."

Very good point. I have never visited the 19th hole section here before. Maybe there needs to be an 'Agony Aunt' section.

I am about to buy a set of AMP Cell Irons. I mentioned this to a fellow Tweeter and he just said, 'save your money'. Gosh the technology is only two years old in this set. They have a lot of the features that are in the Cobra Fly-Z so I really can't fathom the bias. My Cobra woods are fantastic. The bias towards the names 'Taylor Made' among others is absurd. I get no explanation, just 'save your money'. Heck I am saving money for a set that was originally over $1100 down to $350. I've read their pros and cons. I'm just an occasional player, not some poser wanting to be the next Queen of the Green. The local golf shop here is not going out their way to source a useful set so I guess they lose a sale. I'll buy a bag from them instead...perhaps!

I think we need a forum to discuss why some golf players are so damn arrogant. They turn people off the sport more than anything. No wonder there are companies bringing out garish costumes just to upset this uptight establishment. There is no need to insinuate that someone doesn't know what they are doing because of their nationality. Australian and proud of it.

It really has nothing to do with golf. He may be a tortured soul in need of help though.

Oh dear! Maybe they think they are living on borrowed time and can only behave for one hour per week. I just attended a funeral and some woman decided to go out into the open doorway and talk at the top of her voice on her mobile phone for about five minutes before she was ushered away. She piped up with her attention-seeking banter the minute the minister was starting his main sermon. I just turned to an older lady next to me and said, 'Can you believe it'? We were all mortified.

Maybe it's a children's library. They can't reach that high up. ;) Yes it looks like an expensive set-up. Sustainability makes people feel good as they are 'seen to be doing something' to save the planet (from what I'm still trying to work out). Having contributed to conference papers on the subject of sustainable development, I still find it amazing that more effort is not channeled into critical areas of need, compared to money thrown at 'cute' projects where everyone enjoys the word 'sustainability' thrown around more than the merits of the project itself. BHP really needs to have a look at their idea of sustainability given what has occurred in Brazil recently. The mining industry should be very concerned over this incident.

I reckon you have a PhD subject right there! It's all too complicated. Honestly some people used to think my friend was gay, even though he got married and used to tell me of women he liked, including myself which was awkward. I never thought he was gay as such and have no idea why people come to such conclusions unless it's completely obvious. More importantly, I have found some of the biggest droppers of the F... word tend to be Catholic. It never ceases to amaze me that some choose to behave on only one day of the week, a Sunday. I guess they aren't perfect, just forgiven...

After spending hours over a period of weeks scouring the internet for an iron set that is reasonably priced, I have found the now-superceded Cobra AMP Cell ladies set. I really probably should get a - 1 set (am 5'1") but the price is excellent compared to at least double the price for later models. I'm not into the absolute latest in anything if it means paying a whole lot more for marginal difference in performance. I have read in some reviews that the technology is very similar to the Fly-Z apart from one tweak. I am returning to the game and am reasonably confident hitting irons. I don't find them difficult at all, although I'm not physically powerful in stature. This set would be ideal matched with my existing Lady Cobra II driver and 3 wood. Would like to hear of any significant reasons not to purchase. I have no idea how much it costs for an iron set to be cut down in shaft length.

It's not bad at all! They are adorable. In this household Hello Kitty trumps everything.

You have to wonder when some students get to PhD level and still have to be coached on how to write a paragraph correctly.

This is essential in my view (the ability to laugh at yourself). I don't get how frustration gets tied into the game of golf. Being upset about putting and just missing the hole should really only last a second if the game is not to get the better of you. It's a bit like fishing for trout. The enjoyment is the decision to get off one's butt and getting out there to take in the surroundings: catching a fish is a bonus. My advice from a rather ordinary golfer but pretty good putter is to get a few private lessons from the outset.

Maybe if humans evolve, their backs will be new and improved versions :)

Well done John. As previously mentioned, back injuries are so unpredictable that one never really knows how it will respond to a new-found return to golf. The switch to newer technology seems to have really worked for you. I read that Seve Ballesteros used to hang upside down to help with his notorious back problems. I'm wondering if he used an inversion machine. I'm not even sure if these devices are proven to alleviate back problems but people I know think I should part with the $$$ to test it so they can decide if they want to part with the $$$ for one. Honestly. Easy does it. I will no longer be hitting ball after ball at the range, trying to hit as far as I can and will just try and get by with basic tee offs and concentrate on short games and putting. Backs are too important as we know.

Thank you all for the kind responses to my query. Boogielicious - Your comment about resale had completely slipped my mind. I was not aware that the better brands can offer a reasonable return for investment upon resale. This makes sense, dependent on condition of course. The Ping website is something I have not visited before but it sounds definitive and I will check it out tomorrow with a fresh pair of eyes. Thank you for the sage advice. JBailey (John) - Yes I enjoy visiting the Hireko website and today read some very good reviews of the Acer XS club heads (I think those were the ones). It seems they have everything possible for the golf club maker. If only I had the problem of a handicap of 5. I've never worked mine out. I will be buying the Hello Kitty red and white golf club bag from Hireko. You can laugh now...It's cute and our family have a thing for Hello Kitty. RussUK - Thanks for the hands up with used clubs. Good used sets seem to only trickle through slowly at the local golf club. I'm just waiting for a woman who hates golf to give up within a few games and then want to sell her clubs. Will check out the used sites but there's something about brand new. Could get by with a couple of oldies while I fence sit and window shop. A store called me yesterday and recommended a brand new set of Cleveland Blooms without ever seeing me for $700. It's a jungle out there. rkim - You are absolutely right! I looked into just how short Palm Springs sets are and they are way too short to be of much use. People think, great a petite set, but I'd feel hamstrung with such a small set. I probably learned on full sized irons and didn't even know it. Again thanks to all for setting me straight. I will check out Ping but it's hard to run past the incredible reviews of these Acers.

Yes, I've played with two Cobra woods and slashed my way around a golf course pretty well. There comes a time though when it would be nice to contemplate the existence of a full set in a golf bag. It's fun though!

Hello, Nice to find a golf forum here where I don't have to deal with the awkwardness of stepping into a store and not buying anything out of sheer bewilderment. In Australia the markups on U.S. equipment is quite ridiculous so I want to buy direct from the United States if I can. I am 5'1" and am considering a women's iron set. I already have two excellent Lady Cobra II clubs (1 and 3). I am returning to golf after several years out of the sport due to a questionable lower back. I'm fairly accurate with putting but tend to mix my form on fairways. For me, I have seen -1 iron sets by Palm Springs. They get good customer reviews but that is where emotion and subjectivity can cloud peoples' judgement. My biggest problem is I have no idea what all this technological jargon is about and wonder if most of the claims are just 'blanket terms' used in marketing. Every iron set starts to look like the one viewed before. I just like to hit the ball and hope for the best. Perhaps I should get a complete set including a bag at least and ditch the driver and other wood that are included. I'm not sure if Cobra make a - 1 range of irons in any case. Any advice would be appreciated, S.B.