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Do Clubs Matter?

Crazyface

Crazyface

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A bloke in our group plays with some well used older clubs, not sure which, I didn't look that close, bit does have a Sports Direct copper? Donnay 54 deg wedge and, I kid you not, a Dunlop putter from out of next doors bin when the bloke threw it out years ago when they moved. Never cleans them. Plays with Slazender rocks, or whatever he has found. Walks up to his ball, club out and whacks it. This year he has won a medal and by a mile got cut from 15 to 13, which he wasn't happy about, still isnt actually after listening to him for four hours yesterday. On Saturday he shot 37 for the front nine, I was with him. Smack, walk, smack, putt. No thought. Just his the ball. Blew up on the back nine mind you. So, I have shelved all thoughts of upgrading my clubs as a treat to myself, big birthday just gone. What's the point? And I'll tell you what, that wedge and putter, in his hands, were great. If the ball didn't go in it was bloomin' close.
 
Equipment matters far less than playing ability, see the many You tube videos of assorted pros taking apart courses with assorted elderly pieces of kit.
However forgive me for not getting too excited about someone able to play to 13.
 
Crazyface said:
A bloke in our group plays with some well used older clubs, not sure which, I didn't look that close, bit does have a Sports Direct copper? Donnay 54 deg wedge and, I kid you not, a Dunlop putter from out of next doors bin when the bloke threw it out years ago when they moved. Never cleans them. Plays with Slazender rocks, or whatever he has found. Walks up to his ball, club out and whacks it. This year he has won a medal and by a mile got cut from 15 to 13, which he wasn't happy about, still isnt actually after listening to him for four hours yesterday. On Saturday he shot 37 for the front nine, I was with him. Smack, walk, smack, putt. No thought. Just his the ball. Blew up on the back nine mind you. So, I have shelved all thoughts of upgrading my clubs as a treat to myself, big birthday just gone. What's the point? And I'll tell you what, that wedge and putter, in his hands, were great. If the ball didn't go in it was bloomin' close.
Click to expand...
What’s a sports direct copper?
Is it like them PCSO you see walking about who look the business with no actual power?
I might start calling my driver that 😂
 
A good photographer will take first-class pictures even with a point-and-shoot camera. The right equipment simply improves the quality of the prints (resolution!).

The same applies to sports equipment.

Accordingly, if a beginner plays with cheap clubs, he will hardly notice the difference. On the other hand, if the same beginner plays with top-notch equipment, he can at least be sure that it's not the equipment that's to blame if he plays poorly...! ;)

At least that‘s my excuse … ! 😄
 
We hear a lot of our game is mental, so if your clubs provide confidence over the ball, then yes, they do matter.
 
Short game: I don't think equipment makes much difference. I seem to putt ok at adventure golf, not sure it would make any diffference if I brought my own putter.

Long game: if you're swinging a driver at 100mph, there must be a difference if the shaft and head are not right?
 
I have owned around 30 different sets of irons in all the years I have played golf . Most bought second hand , many sets only got played with for one round and resold, many sets were no better than the ones I was already playing with.

My first set was a cheap set that lasted me for 8 years and got me from beginner to mid teens handicap in a very short space of time.

If you find something that works it is only 'vanity' that makes you change , or 'friends' egging you on.
 
Interesting question! I would argue the brand of clubs you use is completely irrelevant the only factor that matters is are they right for you.

Over the years I’ve had custom fit Callaway, Titelist and Ping. All excellent clubs but made no difference to my game whatsoever, then I’ve had Mizuno irons 2nd hand and a set of Wilson staffs both of which saw my game massively improve. I put it down to they just felt better !

Best Drivers I’ve ever owned was either Nike SQ Sumo, hideous looking bought on a whim and sounded like hitting a ball with a frying pan but felt like I couldn’t miss with it!!! The other was Titleist DCi Starship, again weird looking but every time I hit it I was confident of finishing in the fairway.

So to answer your question I’d say the clubs only matter if they’re the ones you have confidence in!

Balls on the other hand! I think to many people play the wrong ball just because they want to look a certain way or because someone else plays it!
 
I've used the same 14 clubs for my last two rounds and made my lowest 2.6 and equal 8th best 5.3 score differentials.
Going to try again tomorrow with the same ones.

2004/5 Cobra F Speed driver and 3-wood.
2005/6 Cobra baffler hybrids 20° and 23°
2007/8 Ping G10 4-iron
1986 Ping Eye2 BeCu 5-PW (I have whole set 3-SW)
Ram Tom Watson Sand Wedges 55° and 60° (not certain of date but 1990s I think, possibly just into 2000s.)
Ben Sayers Opel Line 3 putter. (Not the Opel Line One that I bought brand new in 1989, but a newer version from the 1990s bought for £2 a few years ago)

Only the Ping G10 was bought brand new - whole set G10 3&4 and i10 5-PW in 2008 mostly with pro-shop credit from winnings.

Estimate of all 14 clubs - about £100 spent on 13 clubs and can't remember about the 4-iron.

My iron lofts for the above mix are 24°, 28°, 32°, 36°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60° - a very pleasing setup that I'm happy with.

But I'm a crazy mixed-up old git and only similarly inclined folk should follow my example otherwise the whole golfing market will collapse and I will struggle to find these gems on Ebay.

TW wedges.jpg
 
Last edited:
They do matter. It just sounds like this guy has found a set of tools that work for him. My view is that the clubs are just a bag of tools - that each needs to do one, two or three things well. Even among the pros there is a growing trend to see every club in the bag as an individual tool, mixing brands and vintages etc. So, get what works for you: old, new, cheap, expensive - doesn't come into it.
 
irip said:
What’s a sports direct copper?
Is it like them PCSO you see walking about who look the business with no actual power?
I might start calling my driver that 😂
Click to expand...
SD sold them years ago for a fiver. Donnay and copper coloured. I thought everyone would know them. Although, I have never seen one in anyones golf bag until last Saturday. LOL.
Further is equipment debate, another good mate, plays off 7, and changes his clubs about every two years, with putters a bit of a thing for him. Latest one, he grabbed off a member who'd bought it for, well I forget exactly, and couldn't get along with it, for £100.
 
I suspect that I could score just about as well with my retired Wilson Staff Fluid Feels as I do with my Ping 210s. I've not tried.

The only area where I'd struggle would be 100yds in as I'm quite 'dialled-in' for shots within that range with my wedges, and all I have in my Staffs is a sand wedge and a pitching wedge,
 
SD sold them years ago for a fiver. Donnay and copper coloured. I thought everyone would know them. Although, I have never seen one in anyones golf bag until last Saturday. LOL.
Further is equipment debate, another good mate, plays off 7, and changes his clubs about every two years, with putters a bit of a thing for him. Latest one, he grabbed off a member who'd bought it for, well I forget exactly, and couldn't get along with it, for £100.
[/QUOTE]
Whoosh 💨 😀
 
I was using my half set of Mizuno impacts the other week. The distances were down but the flight and feel was perfect. I think we have gone a bit too far with irons.
Or I haven’t found what I like ☹️
 
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