Technospaz

I think the Tour irons (or mostly anything with the word "tour" in them) are meant for low-mid handicappers. I've not tried the X-20 Tour irons but enjoy the "basic" (read: newbie) version lots :)

Buy a putter which suits your game style and stroke. The putter should give you confidence. You should feel comfortable with the putter, regardless of brand or slant.

Congrats on your new purchases. I've been eyeing the Newport 2 myself. It's pricey but I'm inching closer to just splurging. Thing is, I just changed the grip and shaft of my driver yesterday and that wasn't cheap (though I love it to bits).

Cool. I'll give them a shot when I next get a chance... where are those demo days, already?

New technology promotes improvements in your game. I read somewhere that golfers are hitting their clubs by 10+% further now than they were 10 years ago. So, I believe that new equipment will help give you distance and accuracy. HOWEVER, if you have a bad swing, it's not going to change too much. Often, it's the golfer who needs the "upgrade" not the equipment. If you have a good and stable swing, then picking up new clubs will help. If your swing is flawed, then you may not do the new clubs much justice.

The MX-700 woods are supposed to be incredible. I've not tried them myself but reports coming back from the 'field' are good :)

I don't see any reason why it shouldn't :)

I've got 3. Callaway PW, 46˚ Cleveland CG12, 52˚ Callaway SW, 56˚ Thinking of ditching the SW and going for a Cleveland CG12/14 58˚ or 60˚

Budgetgolf.com has the Callaway X-20s (new) 4-SW for $399.95 :) See http://www.budgetgolf.net/xcart/prod...cat=289&page;=1

I tried out my Burner 2009 3W (15˚) today and love it to bits. It's easy to get off the ground and distance-wise, it's decent. I managed to get about 220 yards with headwind. I'd recommend it :)

I just picked this club up today :) Going to the range to test it out.

What's your budget?

I appreciate that you haven't really started golfing yet so may not be able to fully appreciate the sport BUT I would recommend that you give it a go first (w/o buying your own clubs just yet) to see how much you like it. If possible, see if you can rent a set for your coaching classes. This is because I think it makes more sense to pick up one good set rather than to buy a newbie set now and shortly after, buy a better set. I'm not saying that you should spend heaps on a new set right away but definitely spend on something which will allow you to enjoy the sport. Newbie sets are great but may not have what it takes once you find your groove in the game :) For decent sets, you don't even need a brand new set. You can get 2nd hand Callaway X-18s or X-20s for a good price these days. In short, try the game first with a set which is rented (see if any of your friends can lend you a club or two or the whole set) :) Once you find that you like the game, spend on a good set. Again, I'm not saying fork out thousands... rather, spend a couple of hundred bucks for a good 2nd hand quality set or if you feel lavish, a bit more for a brand new set of clubs :)

I used to have the old Callaway Big Bertha 3W (yes, from years ago but it's still a great club). My Dad liked it so much, he kept it for himself. But I've always found that club and other Callaway 3Ws easy to get off the ground. (Note, I used it then cause I couldn't use a driver to save my life.) For the moment, I've stopped using a 3W. I've opted instead to play a Taylormade Burner 5W which is pretty awesome. Easy to use and to get off the ground. I'm eyeing the Taylormade Burner 3W too... but I don't know if I really need it.

You don't like Callaway because there are a lot of fake Callaways? That's like saying you don't like DVDs or Rolexes because there are a lot of pirated DVDs and fake Rolexes.

Good luck to him.

True. Better safe than sorry :)

I use the X-20s and love them. I think the X-22s have better technology so $350 for a 2nd hand set ain't bad. However, check out their condition first. Make sure you're not buying overly abused clubs though given that they're quite new, that's pretty much unlikely.

I'm using the standard uniflex steel shafts on my X-20s now. I thought that steel shafts were better for me (no, I didn't get myself customized clubs/shafts etc). Upon reflection, I realize that they are pretty heavy and while it gives me greater control for the shorter clubs (love 'em on my 7i-9is), they can be a little tough on my 3i-5is. I'm considering a change in shafts but will wait and see how my game pans out.

Go for a putter which you feel comfortable and confident with. You need to gauge your own stroke. Getting a Scotty may give you the added confidence but remember, if you can't putt with it, you're going to look silly especially when you have an expensive putter. Putts are sunk and missed on stroke and feel, not on the brand of the putter. I will say, however, that Scottys have a nice feel but that's my personal opinion. I use an Odyssey which I like but am considering a move to Scotty. Oh... you should also expect to change your putter a couple of times in your golfing "career." As you progress in the game, your stroke and feel may change and along with such changes come a change in your clubs too :)

I tried the Sumo2 10.5˚ and somehow, never got the hang of it. I've seen and heard of people who love it to bits, but not me. It wasn't as forgiving as I was told it would be. I recently moved to the Burner 2009 and that's going stay in my bag - love it!

Hey there! I'm Malaysian and now living in Singapore :) Thanks for the welcome'lah :)

I got one over the weekend and tried it out yesterday. It's pretty decent. Launches high but is pretty straight. It takes some getting used to... but it's pretty darn good. The one thing which puts me off is the sharp "thwang" noise it makes which can scare your co-golfers, birds and wild animals away :)

Given that she's not played golf before, why don't you pick up a 2nd hand golf set from eBay or other local stores? It may be better for her to see if she likes the game or not first. If she does and really enjoys it, then it makes sense to invest in a good set. The alternative is to see if she would undergo coaching at your local driving range and some of these do have spare sets which you can use to play. Well, that's the approach I'm taking with my wife who, like yours, is also going to start playing pretty soon :)

I tried the X-22s and found them pretty good. However, I also enjoyed the X-20s. Given the difference in price (and that the X-20s were on offer), I opted for the latter.