Gear

[Thustwest]

Hi Guys,

I've been playing for a few months now and play off 22. My bag was scrabbled together from ebay for a total of around £100. I'm happy with what I have (Especially my Mizuno MX200's for £50).

My problem is inconsistency, both in distance and direction) and wondered at what point (if ever) will buying modern fitted clubs help my game?

Will improving my gear help me at this level, or should I wait until my swing settles down, and does getting fitted have that much of an effect?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I think at this stage your best bet is to spend your cash on lessons. If you are down to 22 already you clearly have potential. MX200's are perfectly decent for now, what else have you got in your bag?

 

[Jon321]

As said lessons to start are key. When you have all the basics then look to get all the clubs that suit your game. Your swing will change abit as your handicap comes down so what you get fitted for now might not work in 12-18 months time if you've knocked a few shots off.

 

[Thustwest]

My driver is an old Srixon W403AD 8.5. I have a very old Big Berta 3 and 5 wood (I love my 5 wood). They're all dented and scratched but seem to work ok.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I remember turning up to start my first proper adult membership with a putter that had a dodgy insert face, a set of 10+ year old cheap irons inc SW and PW (powerbilt???) a driver which had a wet noodle for shaft. I even had a driving iron instead of a hybrid or 3 wood!

I got it around for a little bit until my pro said something about the driver shaft! I replaced the driver and putter pretty quick as there was something fundamentally wrong with the clubs themselves. You could only putt off the left side off the putter face as the right side was coming out.

I then added a 5 wood over the driving iron, the new putter I still have today and is my second wife.

Short story here is only ditch something if it is fundamentally wrong, it someone has adjusted the loft and lies to a crazy setting or the driver shaft has properties in common with cooked spaghetti.

Ask you pro to check your gear over if you are really worried, I did and mine pointed out things that I was just "Tolerating". After that I drove all my spare cash into lessons.

My game really took off when I got a V-Easy, some new irons and some new wedges (1st ones diff to the iron set) the next summer. This was more fine tuning and just got me from 15 to 12. I had taken a lot of lessons by then so I could take advantage of new gear.

 

[Ethan]

I think in the initial stages, a bag of anything will be fine. Many of us, in the old days, had hand me down bags of antiques. My first set had no two clubs of the same make, and my 5 iron had punch holes rather than grooves, but if you swing it at the ball, the ball still flew off somewhere. Once you decide you like the game and are able to make a half decent pass at it, then I would consider buying a second hand set of something from a season or two ago. They will be less than half the price of a new set and pretty much just as good. Get fitted to the extent that a professional looks at your swing and helps you decide what is suitable.

After you start playing golf, the first 10 years are the worst. Then it doesn't get any better. Enjoy!

 

[freddielong]

I think in the initial stages, a bag of anything will be fine. Many of us, in the old days, had hand me down bags of antiques. My first set had no two clubs of the same make, and my 5 iron had punch holes rather than grooves, but if you swing it at the ball, the ball still flew off somewhere. Once you decide you like the game and are able to make a half decent pass at it, then I would consider buying a second hand set of something from a season or two ago. They will be less than half the price of a new set and pretty much just as good. Get fitted to the extent that a professional looks at your swing and helps you decide what is suitable.

After you start playing golf, the first 10 years are the worst. Then it doesn't get any better. Enjoy!

Agree pretty much just ensure that the grips are fine and you will be ok

 

[MGL]

I think the only thing I would look to change at this stage would be the driver - 8.5* is very low loft and (obviously without knowing anything about how you swing etc) that could be making life a bit hard. Look for something like a Ping G10 which could be had for around the £50 mark.

 

[G1BB0]

a bag of decent clubs a golfer does not always make as I well know

I would take lessons and practice over a new club any day of the week.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would always advocate lessons first. Much better long term investment. Also, if you go for a fitting amid swing changes or learning the swing, what you get fitted for may not be the same when you finish and so things like lie angle may change. Perhaps if you want the lure of new shinies and who doesn't, off the shelf may be a good start initially, perhaps trying a few shaft options if available