Clubs: 2020 vs 2008

[rogerm]

Hi.

I am returning to the game after a decade long break having found myself with a bit more time than usual. I’m taking lessons and the Pro thinks new clubs would help. I'm an improving beginner and seeing gains this summer given the extra practice and play.

I was sold the following set, back in 2008:-
- TourEdge Bazooka Geomax 12.0 driver with graphite shaft
- TourEdge Bazooka Geomax 4 Hybrid 22deg
- Wilson Staff Di6 4-SW (8 clubs)
- TourEdge Bazooka Geomax 05 putter

Given that was 12 years ago, I’m interested in views as to whether it’d be worth making any changes at this stage. It make sense that new tech is always introduced to the game so in having older clubs, I might not be giving myself the best opportunity. That said, every part of my game needs work and I don’t specifically need to change for the sake of it. I'm looking for benefits in my play not a better looking set.

- What differences will I see by playing a 2020 iron set vs. a set from 2008?
- As putters are used so much, would it make a serious investment here now?
- I hit my hybrid consistently well. It is worth investing for a better manufactured club here?
- Do you think it’s worth making any other swaps or additions at this stage?
- Has anyone used the 3rd party fitting service from American Golf for clubs not purchased there? I'm short and even though they were a custom fit, the irons feel too long.

Thanks for your help

 

[incatrekker]

There were a number of comments on a recent thread ref AG fitting and the conclusion seemed to be it depends on which branch you go to, so variable results. My preference would be to ask around to find a local pro with a fitting service and book a session. You won’t know how other clubs feel until you try them and see the numbers etc. You shouldn’t be put under pressure to buy anything, so try it. Woods and putters are very much personal choices.

 

[BubbaP]

Suspect you may hear a lot of different views, and they may all be correct! It isn't an exact science and we are human.

Numbers made up, but example it might be that 95% of your performance will be from what you do with your body and the rest the equipment. Will vary for different people at different times and it is a personal decision on spending the cash.

You mention hitting the hybrid well, so probably put that at bottom of the list. How do you feel you drive & putt?
As above, putting is quite personal - usually easy to try some out though to compare.
If changing irons with the loft & tech changes you may end up having to change items around them.

AG can be good or bad depending on stores & individuals from feedbacks I've seen.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

From personal experience I would avoid AG for any sort of fitting irrespective of whether I was buying there or not. I would seek advice from your teaching pro.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

From personal experience I would avoid AG for any sort of fitting irrespective of whether I was buying there or not. I would seek advice from your teaching pro.

Not all teaching pros are club fitting specialists, most are not in fact. Like you I would avoid AG, but i would seek the advice of a specialist club fitter.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not all teaching pros are club fitting specialists, most are not in fact. Like you I would avoid AG, but i would seek the advice of a specialist club fitter.

I agree but most should have an impact board for example and be able to tell if regular length would suit the OP if he is a little short and based on his swing.

As regards putters they are so personal and there are so many different styles so it is really a case of trying as many as possible until you find "the one". If the hybrid is going well I see no reason to change it

 

[Shooter McPowick]

Where in the UK are you? If you could get to somewhere like Silvermere for a full bag fitting it’s definitely worth it

 

[Junior]

I don't get all the hate for AG on here. I think over the past few years they have really upped their game with the fitting equipment they have available in stores . The facilities near me in Warrington and at the Trafford Centre are great, the staff are friendly and the launch monitors are not jacked as some on here have suggested before.

The guys who do the fittings are knowledgeable and helpful and I've never been pushed into buying anything.

To the OP, seriously, if its convenient, give them a try.

 

[need_my_wedge]

I don't get all the hate for AG on here. I think over the past few years they have really upped their game with the fitting equipment they have available in stores . The facilities near me in Warrington and at the Trafford Centre are great, the staff are friendly and the launch monitors are not jacked as some on here have suggested before.

The guys who do the fittings are knowledgeable and helpful and I've never been pushed into buying anything.

To the OP, seriously, if its convenient, give them a try.

Some people on here knock them immediately from experiences years ago. I'm with Junior, never had a bad experience with them at the MK store. They've been even better since Endless took them over, give then a try. Of course not all fitters are great, that goes for independent ones too. The independents will charge you for the fitting, likely deduct from the cost if you buy from them. AG will do the fitting for free, you don't have to buy to get your free refunded either

 

[rksquire]

- What differences will I see by playing a 2020 iron set vs. a set from 2008?
- As putters are used so much, would it make a serious investment here now?
- I hit my hybrid consistently well. It is worth investing for a better manufactured club here?
- Do you think it’s worth making any other swaps or additions at this stage?
- Has anyone used the 3rd party fitting service from American Golf for clubs not purchased there? I'm short and even though they were a custom fit, the irons feel too long.

Thanks for your help

I think if your pro says you would benefit from a fresher set, it must be for a very good reason - forgiveness? getting the ball in the air? shaft? accuracy? In any event, I've a 2011 set that sees me fine, am still able to eek a bit more out of them as my own skills improve. I'm close to the point of change though. I have a more recent putter, driver and fairway wood, and 2019 wedges.

Re: putter - I started with a Dunlop putter from the set and assumed it couldn't make that big a difference. Changed to a Taylormade and the difference shocked me - not necessarily in the shop, but after a few rounds it was clear the number of bad clunky putts had diminished. But you're putter might work well for you and give you confidence - pros go back to their old putters all the time so I'd probably focus on other things for now if I was you.

Re: Hybrid - if you're hitting it well, I'd keep it. In fact, at this stage, I'd keep the putter and the hybrid and maybe change the irons.

 

[shun_naka]

I think if your pro says you would benefit from a fresher set, it must be for a very good reason - forgiveness? getting the ball in the air? shaft? accuracy? In any event, I've a 2011 set that sees me fine, am still able to eek a bit more out of them as my own skills improve. I'm close to the point of change though. I have a more recent putter, driver and fairway wood, and 2019 wedges.

Re: putter - I started with a Dunlop putter from the set and assumed it couldn't make that big a difference. Changed to a Taylormade and the difference shocked me - not necessarily in the shop, but after a few rounds it was clear the number of bad clunky putts had diminished. But you're putter might work well for you and give you confidence - pros go back to their old putters all the time so I'd probably focus on other things for now if I was you.

Re: Hybrid - if you're hitting it well, I'd keep it. In fact, at this stage, I'd keep the putter and the hybrid and maybe change the irons.

Agreed.

I have a set of ping G20 irons that were released in 2011 that i bought in 2017 and I cant see me changing them anytime soon. Great forgiveness and exactly what I need at the minute. Bought a razr x black driver 2nd hand shortly after the irons with the v-series fairway woods...all now "old" equipment but will more than do for the next few years atleast

I invested in a good putter (odyssey white hot pro, bought new in 2017) and a 4 hybrid that i bought new a few weeks ago...the putter was 100% worth the money

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I agree but most should have an impact board for example and be able to tell if regular length would suit the OP if he is a little short and based on his swing.

As regards putters they are so personal and there are so many different styles so it is really a case of trying as many as possible until you find "the one". If the hybrid is going well I see no reason to change it

Indeed they should, but so should AG. You can't rule out every AG and then recommend any old pro, that's daft advice in my opinion.

 

[Grant85]

My guess is there will be most to gained from having the correct Driver (updated tech and potentially a very good modern fitting, if you get the correct fitter).

I'd suggest that short of having the correct shaft flex for your other clubs, any gains in changing these clubs will be more marginal.

But a new driver post fitting with a 2019 or 2020 model is going to cost you... £350 to £500 probably.

 

[HampshireHog]

You should certainly see improvements on distance and dispersion with Driver, Woods, and Hybrid I reckon on keeping mine for about 5 years before I can notice enough of a change to justify the outlay.

Irons I think you’d see an improvement but less than with the woods. I was tempted last year to replace my 2013 set but the difference was negligible.

If you putt well leave the putter well alone.

As all the advice says get a some advice from a pro or fitter, but on the face of it I’d look at the top end of the bag as you have no fairway woods so a big gap from your driver and the a 4H and 4i.

 

[jim8flog]

Hi.

I am returning to the game after a decade long break having found myself with a bit more time than usual. I’m taking lessons and the Pro thinks new clubs would help. I'm an improving beginner and seeing gains this summer given the extra practice and play.

I was sold the following set, back in 2008:-
- TourEdge Bazooka Geomax 12.0 driver with graphite shaft
- TourEdge Bazooka Geomax 4 Hybrid 22deg
- Wilson Staff Di6 4-SW (8 clubs)
- TourEdge Bazooka Geomax 05 putter


Thanks for your help

The irons will be fine
The putter will be fine if it suits you.
The hybrid should be fine

There are lots of versions of the driver so would depend on which one it is
also check it is on here
https://www.randa.org/RulesEquipment/Equipment/Equipment-Explorer

From what I can see on there it is somewhere around 300- 360cc. Modern drivers are 420-460cc with more forgiveness and lighter shafts which make them easier to it

One thing to add with the irons is that a club from today with the same number on the bottom may seem to go further but that has been achieved by lowering the loft and increasing shaft length so do not be fooled. Your number 6 might have the number 7 on the bottom now.

 

[Ethan]

I would not take out my debit card just yet. See if you still enjoy golf and can swing a club. If you can, you can hit these fine for now and then see how your swing, strength and interest have changed since 2008 before committing dosh. A second hand driver, maybe a generation or two back (Callaway Epic, TM M6 or Ping G400) will be a significant upgrade.

 

[sunshine]

- What differences will I see by playing a 2020 iron set vs. a set from 2008?
Very little. Wait until you've played a bit more and have developed a better understanding of your swing and what you need.

- As putters are used so much, would it make a serious investment here now?
Putter is all about personal feel and less about technology, more expensive does not necessarily mean better (for you). Very easy for you to pick up a few and try some practice putts in any golf shop. You should instantly feel which ones you like. Your current putter may be fine.

- I hit my hybrid consistently well. It is worth investing for a better manufactured club here?
Popular wisdom suggests that if it ain't broke don't fix it. However if you get on well with the hybrid it is worth trying out a few different ones as you could see a decent improvement here with a newer and frankly better club.

- Do you think it’s worth making any other swaps or additions at this stage?
Tour Edge Bazooka. Does that sound like a good club? Can you imagine any decent player using a Bazooka? Now it's completely wrong to judge a club on its name, but I'm going to do it anyway because it sounds cheap and nasty. I suspect if you tried driver / hybrid from one of the more mainstream brands (e.g. Taylormade, Callaway, etc) you would find they perform better due to higher quality shaft and head composition, and also feel better. You don't need to break the bank - an older model will do fine.

- Has anyone used the 3rd party fitting service from American Golf for clubs not purchased there? I'm short and even though they were a custom fit, the irons feel too long.
As others have said, AG operates across the country and the quality of the facilities and staff will vary from store to store. Some are great, some are only interested in selling stuff to you.

 

[Ethan]

- What differences will I see by playing a 2020 iron set vs. a set from 2008?

Tour Edge Bazooka. Does that sound like a good club? Can you imagine any decent player using a Bazooka? Now it's completely wrong to judge a club on its name, but I'm going to do it anyway because it sounds cheap and nasty. I suspect if you tried driver / hybrid from one of the more mainstream brands (e.g. Taylormade, Callaway, etc) you would find they perform better due to higher quality shaft and head composition, and also feel better. You don't need to break the bank - an older model will do fine.

- Has anyone used the 3rd party fitting service from American Golf for clubs not purchased there? I'm short and even though they were a custom fit, the irons feel too long.
As others have said, AG operates across the country and the quality of the facilities and staff will vary from store to store. Some are great, some are only interested in selling stuff to you.

Tour Edge is not a bad brand actually. Their premium price range Exotics, is excellent, but the regular stuff is not bad and a darn sight better than one box stuff.

I wouldn't go near an AG. Find a local pro who is recommended by people you know and go there.

 

[jim8flog]

-

- Do you think it’s worth making any other swaps or additions at this stage?
Tour Edge Bazooka. Does that sound like a good club?

Tour Edge area very well respected brand . Probably not seen that much here because they concentrate on the American market

Quote

Tour Edge consistently produces clubs that rank in the top 10 for each category. The Hot Launch series is a popular and cost-effective, high-quality lineup for new players. And, the Exotics CBX hybrids and fairway woods have been gamed by numerous winners on the Champions Tour throughout the 2018 calendar year.6 Dec 2018

 

[ScienceBoy]

My irons are from 2007, of the “mid cavity” variety (Mizuno mp-57).

These versus a modern cavity back is a huge difference, almost two clubs worth plus forgiveness and higher launch.

Mine vs a modern blade to similar mid cavity is very little, maybe a clubs worth due to lofts but not much else.

My clubs do need a decent swing on them, some forgiveness but not much.

I’ve hit modern irons and felt the difference but it’s never enough to justify a purchase as it wouldn’t improvement my scores in the short term, the same the cost equivalent of lessons would do or less.