EMC2144

I could, but it was one of those cheap ones from Gigagolf because I didn't want to spend a lot of money on them, since I was both a poor college student and still needed to learn to hit woods. It cost me $50 with a Grafalloy ProLaunch Red shaft free upgrade (which I think makes the club head worth pretty much nothing) so it wasn't worth much, and the shafts splintered so far up that it's unusable. Have been eyeing the F6 woods, since I hit the 3 about 270 off the tee and 240-250 off the deck at a pro day.

Well, one club I now have to replace is my 3 wood. Striped one off the tee 250 yards down the fairway on its final strike. The clubbed managed to go about 75 yards, which was crazier to me than the perfect tee shot. RIP my friend.

I'm dealing with a similar dilemma in terms of having new clubs but feeling that I should change. I started 2 years ago and after playing some of my dad's old old irons (with regular flex shafts) I went and got Cobra Bafflers. They were very difficult to hit poorly, but I'm looking into new clubs that'll help me get better. The pro I go to let me try out some of his Cobra King F6 demos, which I loved. Distance wise I gained about 15 yards (~170 with my current 7i to 185ish with the F6). I just don't know if I can justify spending more money already. I also want to add hybrids in, since my long iron game had regressed, but I'm not sure if I'm better off buying separate to supplement my current bag or buy a combo set. Any suggestions? Or ideas on other irons that people like in the game improvement category that can serve me as I continue to develop without holding me back, as mine seem to now? Why must I enjoy such an expensive sport?

For me I doubt it saves anything honestly. Most courses near me don't have a distinct difference between white and blue or red and gold. There may be a few that it adds like 25 or 30 yards, and maybe one where it may make you pull a different club. Only one where I play a lot that's a huge difference takes it from 370 with a relatively easy shot to cut the dogleg over tall trees to 450 and no chance, where I'm likely playing 3 wood, 5 iron. I play back there against my dad cause I out drive him 40-50 yards easy and it keeps it competitive. He still smokes me around the green though. But if it will take someone 5 shots to reach a par 4 green, it'll be roughly the same (maybe 1 shot here and there) when they move up.

My blow up holes are normally par 3s. I'm no longer in this club but I shot an 8 on a par 3 once (bunker hopped back and forth over the green) and still played bogey golf on the front 9.

I found that I can allow myself a blow up hole once or twice a round by being smarter everywhere. For instance, tried a new couse on the shorter side (5500) but I played well because I was smart. Only hit my driver twice, and once was a super downhill 300 yarder because I was bored. Chipped and putt for birdie. But played a 3wood on most holes over 350ish and an iron. First hole is 260ish, and I striped a 7i right to the dogleg about 75 out. Then proceeded to forget how to play and shot a 7, but sometimes playing a course dif fervently than normal is helpful for your game. Who cares if you can cut the dogleg with your driver, try setting yourself up differently, maybe it'll help.

Honestly, for now get something cheap in price, but not quality, so probably 6. However, that being said, try the putter if it comes for the same price, but don't be afraid to go to GolfGalaxy/Dicks/Golfsmith/whatever you have in order to try putters. I tried a few before I just bought a cheap one in a style and color I was comfortable with. Don't screw with your head trying to make yourself comfortable with a putter if there's something that feels right. A putter is probably the only club that is all on yourself and the feel you get (and results), and less about having the proper length/lie/etc according to science, at least in my opinion. Don't get a Top Flite or some of those "starter" sets, as I would assume you will have a relatively strong swing and will only struggle with the floppy shafts and low quality clubheads. I know some people that have tried them and had heads snap off, or the like. I got my girlfriend a set because it was on sale and she's small so the sizing they had available was useful, and it got me to see if she was interested, but long term it's not a good option. That being said, also look into all your options in terms of what shafts they have. Are you male or female? Have you been playing other sports? What age group? Without having a background on your actual swing, it's hard to be accurate, but if you're an athlete that played baseball or at least already has a swing (whether it's good or bad, that can be fixed), you may want stiff shafts. I learned on an old set of regular flex and once I upgraded to stiff shafts I saw a marked improvement. The most important investment you can make early on is lessons. Once you decide that you really like the game, it's worth spending money to get fitted, and get a set of clubs that are meant for you.

I guess this is more of a question than an answer to the thread, but I'm having a hard time getting matched up with a golf ball. Most of the quizzes or "fittings" correlate swing speed to handicap. So they offer a ball that is meant for swing speeds around 90 or so for my handicap. My driver swing speed is around 115-120 generally, depending on how loose I feel. It's hard for me to find a ball meant for high swing speeds that doesn't have a ton of spin. A lot of spin means my occasional slice may turn into a jet to the right. I was using Nike SuperFars, but can't find them nearby, and I felt that the "Far" part wasn't really doing much. However, they felt decent around the greens. I bought Nike PD Longs today before my round thinking they'd be similar, but I hated them. Felt the same off the driver (but much shorter), and my sand wedge, which was stopping within a few feet if not coming back with the old balls, was rolling out a ton. I guess my question is, what is a good ball to balance the spin off the driver with spin around the greens, while still getting good distance? I realize I just asked for the perfect ball, but I guess I need a literally balanced ball, not one that markets towards one of those goal.

Gotta love the "power fade". Got ride of any semblance of a fade today, at a course with 3 dogleg rights on the front nine alone. That didn't help my game, especially trying to cut a very ambitious dogleg. And I still can't hit irons off a tee with any consistency. Generally push them or hook them. Ah, the good ole trees. As if golf wasn't hard enough (let's put this tiny ball in that tiny cup ~400 yards away), they just had to go and add trees and sand and water, lovely. I had that problem today too, with just clipping a branch enough to ruin the shot. But hey, at least you were on the fairway right?

I don't really like going out on my own and being placed with people who know each other (just awkward). I'm fine with 3 random people or something, but whenever I get paired with two or three people that all know each other and I'm the only odd man out it just is uncomfortable all round generally, no matter how much I try to change that. I love getting paired with better players, because I tend to play to the level of my "competition" (even if it's just casual, I'm competitive like that), and I feel I can learn by watching them. However, playing with players that are significantly worse tends to hurt my game. Whether it's watching them screw up, or waiting, I don't know, but I just don't play well. Especially when one shanks the ball into my wrist at an impossible angle. But hey, at least they were nice. Too bad no golf for a bit. Honestly, I've had a mixed bag. Might be because I played up at a college course so much, and all those dang kids, but I'm young too and I just feel like some people don't learn proper course etiquette, which just annoys me all round.

Sounds like punching is something you could improve on (assuming the trees are not deep woods, but just trees on the course (or even off of pine needles, etc.). When I started about 2 years ago, every drive was a slice. I got real good at punching the ball. What I did was get buckets at the range and instead of hitting the ball normally, I'd punch every single club about 5-8 times. I'd do this every third day or so. Now, if I'm in a bad situation, I can shape my punches (something I still can't do with a normal shot). Saves me so many shots on the course not having to just punch 90* to the fairway, especially considering the distance lost with a slice. The other day I actually had a punch in for eagle (I should have just quit golf while I was on top there) from like 130. Freak incident, but it's a useful skill to have no matter what. Heck, if it gets too windy sometimes I'll just punch all day. Think that instead of two-three strokes per hole, it may be under 1 wasted each time. At least you could put yourself where your short game seems to work (mine falls apart). As for the ball debate, I've wondered how much it really affects it until today. I've been using Nike Superfars (found a great deal, $16 for 24), but can't get them anymore. So today I bought some Nike PD Longs before my round, but found that I actually lost distance off the tee, and spin around the greens. Instead of my shorter shots stopping in a few feet, it ended up being like a 10-15 foot roll out. That being said, does anybody have any good suggestions for buying cheapish (I Tin Cup it sometimes) balls that are good off the tee for distance but also around the green? I've thought about buying mint-condition shag balls using like Pro V1s or something, but I'm just not sure if I really should. If there's a cheaper ball I can get in a store new, I think I'd prefer that.

You're certainly right about the greens. I was originally looking at some of the really close ones (like Cobb's Creek) but I've only heard trouble. My understanding is it would be better if more care was put into it, since apparently the layout is nice but it's not in good condition.

Look into Cobra Tour Trusty wedges. Tons of wedge and bounce options, and they feel so nice. Got a 60 for my birthday and loved it so much I got a 56 for sand. I feel I get so much control, and I tried some of my friends vokeys and some of the other big names but honestly I finally understood "feel" when it comes to club, and they use an interesting loophole to have extra surface roughness over other manufacturers but still be legal. Gives you so much spin if you want it. If you do get them, the matte black looks awesome, just don't use metal brushes (just the plastic) on it or you'll rub the finish. They're also not too expensive. Got mine at Golf Galaxy for $60 on sale, but you can find them on ebay for around $60- $80 last I checked.

I actually just switched. Granted I've only been playing two years (this'll be three) but my pro never asked me to change. Was using 10 finger (baseball mentality) until one day at the range I started screwing around. Tried interlocking but my fingers are too large I think, but overlapping works well for me. Helped me release some of the pressure on the grip, which has gotten me more power. Also, even though I'm holding with less security, mishits actually come off better, even if I feel the club switch. Only issue was a blister that formed one day on my right ring finger, because of the way the cut on the glove is on my left index finger. But I also hit about 120 balls every day for 2 weeks so I took a few days off, went back and now it hasn't come back. Hopefully it's not just because it's been cooler and therefore less sweat. But if it is I might switch to a different glove. Inconvenient but I'll take the extra yards. Got 5 or so on irons, probably 10-15 on my woods, and 15+ on my driver. In the end though, it's about comfort and results. If it works, who is going to argue? And if they do, just beat them. That'll shut them up.

If you're in the greater Philadelphia area, and are learning/teaching someone how to play, look into Blackwood. I mostly learned to play there. Fair and easy for beginners, but has some fun little quirks. Also, very cheap, but in the best condition of the courses in that price range (I believe under $40 to ride on the weekend). I have been eager to try Turtle Creek, but as someone who has been a college graduate for one day, I can't really afford it. Does anybody know any other cheap-ish courses nearby (I'm moving to Bala Cynwyd, just outside the city) that are nice, as well as challenging? I want courses that really make me think about how I choose clubs, like clearing bunkers and hazards, or having to lay up. I played some nice courses in central PA while I was going to school, but I need something new.

Okay. I liked the way the King F6 hit, and I was looking at the Fly-Z (which I believe is the predecessor from what I read), and apparently the hybrids barely changed, so I looked around and some discount places have the Fly-Z for as little as $100 new, which is a decent price. Might have to wait till I've been working for a few weeks to afford it. Anybody have any idea about the Fly-Z?

While I see the point, and it makes sense sometimes, I don't think this is a case of one size fits all (or rather one rule fits every course). I know my limits, as a newer golfer, so I don't play from the 7300 yard tees at the course at school. But back home there's a course where the regular men's tees are at 5400, and the back tees are at 5800. It's a short course, and allows me to use my length. I have no issues getting the distance and accuracy, and it helps even up playing against my dad (who I outdrive by 40-60 yards most of the time). My issues is around the greens, and that's going to exist whether I tee it up at the ladies tees or the tournament tees. Luckily, in the last month I've found a way to avoid my issues around the green, which is to just hit the damn green in regulation (amazing how that works). If it's a pace of play issue, have marshals. I know I play quickly. Looking for a ball? 3 minutes max, then drop 50-ish yards back of where you wish you were (so if you drive the ball 250, drop at 200). Obviously, this works when you're playing for enjoyment, not so much for competition but it keeps the course moving. I also take 2 practices swings maximum. The worst people on the course are the people that take 10 practice swings, and then put it down the fairway (or slice it 2 fairways over with a lob wedge). While high-handicappers are generally the slower players, I've seen some good players be way too slow too. Like on a busy day, playing with 4 people, and they each have to walk the whole green to line up their 8 foot putt, one at a time. Golf is a game about honesty and self-policing. Maybe we should just hope that if someone shouldn't play from the back tees, that they won't. And if you have a friend that tries but shouldn't, go ahead and tell him to quit being a doofus and move up.

I know you already sorted this out, but for anybody in the future, I would give them a thumbs up. I had problems hitting any woods, but decided to get some anyways. Sometimes their specials are great. I got a 3 and 5 wood with free shaft upgrades to Grafalloy ProLaunch Reds for $80 total (and got a 56* wedge, and a 3 iron because it was like $8-10 each), which got me free shipping. I put down regular shipping, and although they said 3-5 business days to customize, and 5-7 to ship, I had them at the range the 8 days later (ordered on a Sunday, got them on a Monday). The iron and wedge feel great, and the woods hit well. They aren't amazing, I've tried others that I certainly hit a few yards (maybe 5-10, as much as 20 for extreme cases) farther, but at $40 per, you can't beat it, and worst comes to worst, I just pull the shafts and put them in a better head (I'm pretty sure I got the whole club for cheaper than the shafts normally are). And the e-fitting really works. Overall, Gigagolf is pretty much just all the major brands clubs from 3 or 4 years ago. Has technology really changed that much in those years? Not really, but the big brands would sure like you to think so. They also have some interesting products, like a full hybrid set. Yes, you can have a 9 hybrid and even a pitching wedge hybrid (whatever that means). They also have a 30 or 60 day return policy, which is nice for giving the clubs a try, and when you can put together a whole set for around $300, it's good enough for most beginners or someone on a budget.

I tried the 4/5 set to a 4. They didn't have 2/3's there, otherwise I probably would have asked to see a 2, and then asked what the point of a fairway wood anymore. Which is the other issue. I hit some F6 fairways, and the 3 went very far. So I tried a driver. And gained some yards. Then the man asked if I wanted to put an order in, and I realized I had just tried like $1100 in clubs, and then remembered I'm a college student still, and won't be making money for a few more weeks.

Hi guys, first post, so sorry if I'm breaking any rules or making a fool of myself. So I took up golf 2 years ago now, but have been improving at what I'd say is a healthy rate. I started off with some 30 year old irons with regular flex shafts, before finally deciding that I should switch to stiff flex, so I went and got some new ones. However, since I had learned to play with long irons and not hybrids, I went with that (a decision I think I'm regretting). In the last few months, my ability to hit my 3 and 4 irons went down so quickly, I was thinking of getting some. So when our range had a demo day, I tried out the offerings from Callaway, Taylormade, Cobra, and Nike. I hit my 5 iron 180-185 normally, but I tried a King F6 4 hybrid and launched it 215. Now, I know this might sound stupid, but I think that's too long, especially with the 30-ish yard gap. I guess my question is how do I fill that gap. I don't really think I can get more distance from the irons I have (and certainly can't afford new ones already as a soon-to-be-graduate), but I need to figure out something to do with my long irons, and it seems like hybrids are the future. So I guess my question is, what do I do? Should I get a 5 hybrid instead and then a 4, and treat them kind of like the distances I would expect when I hit my 3 or 4 iron well? Or should I just get the best distance I can, and eventually get new irons that I can maybe go farther with? Also, do people recommend getting hybrids from the same line (both as the irons and each other), so the shaft lengths and lofts will line up well, as well as playing similarly? Finally, does anybody have any good recommendations for hybrids that are pretty playable for someone who is still improving, but won't feel like they're holding me back when I get better? Thanks in advance.