Clubs_ What if you can’t try before you buy?

[Slab]

Need a little help please

Warning this thread is not about high end blades or expensive low handicap CB clubs

I’m looking at three combo Iron/Hybrid sets of clubs but can’t try any of them as no stockists here

They are all last year’s models with replacement sets for 2014 so prices have dropped about as low as they’ll get before stocks dry up and all three sets are within £30 price difference

Given that I can’t try any out which would you go for & more importantly why?

A. Adams Golf V3 Combo 6-SW with 4 & 5 Hybrids
B. Nicklaus Golf Polarity HP Combo Steel 5 Hy & 6-SW
C. Cobra Golf Baffler Hybrid Iron Steel Combo Set 6-SW with 4 & 5 Hybrids
D. Not buy at all without trying​

All viewable through the AG website

Aesthetically I like the Adams Hybrids best of the three but prefer the Nicklaus Irons and the Cobra set is the compromise as I would have the Irons & Hybrids each as my 2nd choice, (so schoolboy logic says together it becomes No1 choice)

I do not use my 3,4 or 5 iron currently and have no plans to, so I would resent paying for other sets with these clubs included

I know you cant choose for me but interested in your thoughts. Current clubs in sig

Thanks in advance

 

[tsped83]

From those choices, Adams all day long. The Nicklaus stuff feels a bit cheap maybe, and I've never got on with Cobra gear, having owned a Baffler DWS in the past. Adams are renowned for their hybrids so for me it's a no brainer.

 

[Coatsy79]

From that list and your requirements I'd probably agree with tsped83 and go with the adams

Great hybrids and forvinging irons

Honorable mention to the cobras as a 2nd option, never heard anything good about the Nicklaus gear so I'd avoid that

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

No try = no buy!

I would look around for something that you can try out beforehand. I've picked up some lovely looking clubs before that have felt like blocks of concrete. You just can't tell if they will be right for you until you've hit them.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

If you can't try them then don't buy them - you need to know what they feel like :thup:

 

[shewy]

Out of that lot, Adams

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would never buy a club(s) without trying them first. How do you know they will suit?

 

[mab]

This probably isn't the most helpful of posts and will go against what many on this board think, but the majority of my gear was not tested before purchase.

Heading to American Golf and hitting a handful of balls with five different irons does not a custom fit make in my opinion. Equally, I am constantly changing my swing (I realise this is not a good thing) so the results only reflect my swing on the day plus a few hits with each club is not sufficiently extensive imo to prove that one club is a better fit than another.

On that basis, given the excellent prices it is possible to pick clubs up for without having hit them and given that I know from experience which setups tend to suit me better, I have purchased and tend to purchase gear without trying it.

Note that my opinion of the above changes if you propose to go through a proper custom fitting session, as opposed to hitting a few different 'off the AG rack' clubs on a launch monitor.

To answer your specific question, my immediate reaction was to go with the Adams (I have used Adams gear for some time and think it is excellent), but the AG version of the clubs you mention do not appear to be the original V3s but rather a set that is potentially made specifically for AG. You may want to look into that in a little more detail before parting with your cash as the two clubs look quite different...

Adams site:

http://www.adamsgolf.com/products/irons/tech_v3.php

AG site:

http://www.americangolf.co.uk/golf-...ombo-6-sw-with-free-4-&-5-hybrids-248331.html

 

[Slab]

Thanks for the replies so far

Good point about the build quality on the lesser known Nicklaus clubs and agree with mab re possible AG specials for the Adams irons as I haven't been able to find the same ones elsewhere either (actually really like the V3's I see for sale elsewhere)

I'm not consistent enough to make a CF work for me so not likely I'll go down that route anytime soon and there isn't really a large selection of clubs to choose from once I'd decided not to pay for a 4/5 iron.

The Cobras do look to be the safest bet in terms of the type of golfer they are aimed at...

 

[BoadieBroadus]

i'd go for the adams out of that choice, though i'd have no problems with the cobra either.

i wouldn't worry too much about trying them, manufacturers standard settings a much of a muchness and build quality for the major makes pretty reasonable. unless you are at either end of the scale height wise, a standard off the shelf set will probably do you for now. though personally i wouldn't buy new without hitting, i'll buy used clubs routinely without giving them a test and never had anything that i think didn't suit.

total heresy on here of course, but everyone's got one....

 

[pendodave]

I wouldn't worry over much about try before buy unless you are a very odd shape/size/swing shape.

Especially if you are looking at clubs designed by major oems in a GI category.

I have used cobra in the past, and they are pretty reliable. Have only seen good things about adams from US sites (not so common here). I'm sure you'll be fine with either. You may even get a bit of cash back on the bay if you need to move them on, whereas the nicklaus kit is unlikely to generate much interest.

There are a number of recently documented episodes on here (some by people posting above) of guys going through a very thorough pre-purchase process or custom fit and still finding a few months later that the clubs don't work out the way they thought. The simple fact is that there is no way to guarantee success with club buying, so don't lose too much sleep if you can't do it the 'right' way