Advice on irons required by a newbie

[Canary_Yellow]

Hi everyone,

Newbie here - I apologise in advance for the fact that I'm sure the questions below have all been answered 101 times previously.

I have relatively recently (about a year ago) taken up golf again having had a lay off of about 10 years. I had quite a few lessons on the driving range and practice ground between the age of about 12 and 15, but never really played too much golf. I stopped altogether when I went to university back in 2003.

I've just joined a club and am starting to play regularly (once a week near enough). It looks like my handicap will be around 22, I've submitted two cards with one left to go. Needless to say I'm loving it, even if I'm not reaching the standards I'd like to!

At the moment I'm playing with the irons I bought when I was 15 (R-flex graphite shafted Macgregor Masters). I'm thinking of getting some new irons, obviously I know they won't provide the magic solution to my rusty game, but I can't help but feel that some game improvement irons might be just the job for the next two or three years.

My questions are really as follows:

1. Should I be looking to get the clubs custom fitted? I'm about 5'8" so imagine the standard clubs would be a little too long. If so, is the kind of custom fitting done at American Golf sufficient? I know very little about the process. Any recommendations for the West Kent / East Sussex area would be gratefully received!

2. I'm not looking to spend too much, (c.£300-ish). Are their any gems out there in this price bracket that I should definitely be testing? Any I should definitely avoid? I'm not too bothered about getting this years technology, I don't think I would notice any difference given my limited ability between a 2012 set and a 2010!

3. I don't currently have any hybrids - would people recommend a set such as the Nike Slingshot that comes with a 3H and 4H over the likes of the Taylormade Burners which have a standard 4 iron? Or is a better approach to get a set of irons I like and then seperately shop for a couple of hybrids and a set of wedges?

4. Would I be better off having a few lessons (I've got some coming up over the next month or so) and then getting clubs custom fitted for me in say, 6 months time when my swing has developed a little more.

Thanks in advance, all comments, tips, advice welcomed. I realise there's likely not a magic answer out there, but I must say I find going into my local American Golf a little overwhelming with the vast numbers of different clubs and special offers etc.

Cheers!

 

[bobmac]

Get your lessons sorted first. And while you're at it ask your pro the same questions.
He'll be able to advise you better after seeing your swing.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Thanks Bob, sensible advice - my enthusiasm for the sport makes me like a kid in a sweet shop when I see all the new clubs on offer. You're right of course though, that rushing in wouldn't be a great move.

 

[Fader]

Firstly where abouts you playing canary, i've only been playing for a year and am in kent so could arrange a game. But to your points at hand.

1. Custom Fit will give you the exact best fit for you, however don't be fooled by the length of them as i'm only 5foot 7 and my clubs are of standard length but do have a different lie angle.

2. Price wise maybe worth looking at some 2nd hand offerings as you could pick up some seriously cheap quality game improvement irons especially as this time of year manufacturers are gong into overdrive and releasing their latest offerings. I saw some Ping G15's the other day going for £330 as now ping launched the G20 they are now going at reduced prices as people upgrade.

3. I would highly recommend Hybrids I have a 3 Hybrid but certainly would consider a 4 as they are so much easier to hit.

4. Lessons all the way, as I say onlyt started last year but had a series of them before I ever took to the course and glad I did as am playing golf so often now and enjoying as a result it's definitely money well spent.

 

[bobmac]

Thanks Bob, sensible advice - my enthusiasm for the sport makes me like a kid in a sweet shop when I see all the new clubs on offer. You're right of course though, that rushing in wouldn't be a great move.

You will do no harm getting yourself a second hand set of mid range clubs and as long as you stick with the main manufacturers like Ping, Mizuno, Cobra, Callaway etc you won't go far wrong.
Your pro will be able to help with choosing which shaft/lie/grips you need

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Thanks guys - presumably the trade off between second hand clubs and new clubs is better quality for a lower price if second hand, but not customised to my swing?

 

[bobmac]

Thanks guys - presumably the trade off between second hand clubs and new clubs is better quality for a lower price if second hand, but not customised to my swing?

As I said, take the advice from your pro before you buy.
But being 5'8" I cant see there being much problems with you using standard lie clubs.

 

[dave]

pretty much yeah, i would say at 5"8" the length of the whatever clubs you get shouldn't be a problem, potentially it might be of benefit to get them slightly flatter and then there is the variations in shafts.
There are however complete bargains about if you look second handwise, the ping g15s listed above, burner 2.0s for under 300 and 1.0s for about 200 good game improvement clubs.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Another question - what's the deal with wholesale golf vendors, such as this:

http://www.golfwholesaleuk.com/Buy-Burner-20-Irons-Get-Scotty-Cameron-Putter-Free-16591.html

I'm a firm believer in the idea that if something looks too good to be true, it probably is....

 

[Fader]

Cannot for the life of me see how that can be a realistic offer! The irons alone are more than that and the putter is only about 60quid less than the offer itself. Seems something a little or should I say more than a little off about it

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I'm fairly sure they must be counterfeiters being run out of Hong Kong or somewhere like that.

Edit: It would seem that this is correct - http://www.ripoffreport.com/sportin...olesa/on-line-golf-wholesale-com-on-d44e3.htm

 

[MadAdey]

Always remmeber mate if it looks too good to be true I would say it is. You can always check with people on this forum if it is going to be a genuine site or someone trying to rip you off from Asia or Africa. On another note if you are going to get some clubs depending on your budget American Golf did have the Taylormade Burner Superlaunch irons at £279, Nike SQ Machspeed £279, Wilson Di7 £229, Nike Slingshot combo £299. So if you did want ot get some new irons rather than used there are some bargains out there at the minute. Or Ebay is always a good place to look as you can get some good bargains for between £100 - £150. With your height like has been said you would not need much in hte way of fitting on clubs unlike a lanky 6'3 bloke like me.....

 

[DaveM]

Standard clubs should be ok. I'm 5'6" I was custom fit once. Turned out I needed quarter inch shorter, half degree flat. So I just buy standard now. Just make sure you have the right shafts. Your pro is your friend.

 

[garyinderry]

I'm fairly sure they must be counterfeiters being run out of Hong Kong or somewhere like that.

Edit: It would seem that this is correct - http://www.ripoffreport.com/sportin...olesa/on-line-golf-wholesale-com-on-d44e3.htm

is this really the case. sure the bruner irons and scotty is very cheap but some of the other prices are not all that cheap.

 

[Essex_Stu]

£238 for a scotty cameron and Taylormade Burner 2.0 irons=no chance!. Stay well clear mate.

 

[Foxholer]

If you go to their site and select one of the items down the bottom, such as Returns Policy, you are passed through a site hsz13.cnnzz.com. A google of this site produces an entry ...robtex.com and a load of Chinese chatacter ones. Selecting the robtex entry, then the google safe browsing shows this is a Chinese site.

So, absolutely certain this is a Chinese site, therefore thoroughly untrustworthy!

 

[Wolfman]

How about Wilson Staff Di11 £280 approx ,you will do well with them, superb clubs

I have the Ci9 clubs whcih you could try but they are better if you strike the ball consistently they are also approx £270 at AG

Good luck and try before you buy