Golf Club reviews - Do you buy because of them?

[Petercool]

I recently saw an youtube review by a guy and whilst I was interested in the club he was showing, it wasnt enough for me to buy.

But I will admit I did buy my first set of Irons due to an online review.

I wouldnt do that now. Id go for whats fitted and suits me the best.

 

[Mandofred]

I take golf reviews like any other reviews....maybe they are true, maybe they aren't. I don't think you need to be fitted for everything.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Reviews to me are like when someone gives you their opinion on another person you haven’t met yet! They’re to be taken with a pinch of salt and judgement reserved until you’ve personally interacted with them/with the club.

I would try to never buy something just based on a review alone unless I have to. The only caveat would be balls as it’s hard to try them before you buy. But even then the last dozen I bought I asked to have a go with on the indoor putting green first to see if I like the feel.

 

[Imurg]

Largely they're a waste of time..
Some are better than others though.
If the reviewer is comparing 2 or 3 different clubs then differences can be seen as long as the swing data is the same.
It's no good swinging one at 85mph with a 3° down AoA, square face and path and delivering X° loft when you swing with different characteristics with the others.
Any data is meaningless as a comparison
Cool Clubs have been using a robot to compare clubs so swing dynamics can be maintained.
That sort of review is worthy.
Hitting one club out of the heel and one out of the toe and deciding that the toe striker is the better club shows nothing but a bad review.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I've used online reviews once I've narrowed down a selection. Then I'm looking for key phrases in the review that either will suit me or are a red flag. They are a useful tool in the decision process.

I've never been fitted for a club, neither have most of the people I play with. That isn't a boast, just reality. All bar one club in my bag is second hand.

 

[Slab]

I tend to look at more reviews after I’ve bought something rather than before, just to see if my opinion/decision to buy happens to be shared by others/pros etc (after all they might be directly/indirectly sponsored to be nice in their review) or more importantly if they mention something in the review that I hadn't noticed (whether that's a pro or con)

So while at most I might see one or two before buying I’ll watch several after buying

 

[Backache]

Personally I rarely read them and probably replace clubs very infrequently.

 

[Slab]

What’s fun to do sometimes.. when you’re planning to get rid of the current club/s for new shiney’s… go back and look at the reviews that were done when your old gear was brand new. It might make you wonder if you actually need new clubs

 

[Bazz]

I get fitted anyway. Seeing a pro who is going to swing the club very very differently to how I do, is irrelevant.

 

[Burnsey]

Many scorn at those who get fitted, but essentially, I pay twenty five quid and get an hour with a full set of irons, alongside a profressional golfer and fitter. Not just the heads, but shafts etc. Same with other clubs.

If you buy, usually the fitting cost comes off.

To the OP, no, for golf clubs, there is too much of a human aspect to rely on a review by another.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

My irons had good reviews when I look back, however on the course I struggle to hit anything longer than a 7i. Is it the club…of course it isn’t, it’s me - my head…not the club and not my swing - I know this as I can hit them fine off a mat on the range.

 

[IanM]

No.. I don’t read reviews, I go and try.

 

[Orikoru]

I don't think I pay a huge amount of attention to reviews. I do sometimes watch/read them, but usually the person reviewing will be a scratch or very good golfer so it doesn't necessarily relate to my level the same way. If there was a channel using mid-handicappers to review clubs that might be worth watching, but even though it would only be one person's opinion. Generally I would get a fitting for driver and irons, and for anything else just stick to the brands I know I normally like, such as Ping, Callaway, Cleveland (wedges).

 

[jim8flog]

I tend to look at what I might buy then look at the reviews.

As per Orikoru I also take in to account who is doing the review.

 

[Burnsey]

My irons had good reviews when I look back, however on the course I struggle to hit anything longer than a 7i. Is it the club…of course it isn’t, it’s me - my head…not the club and not my swing - I know this as I can hit them fine off a mat on the range.

At my lesson last night, my pro said, I’m going to say something you don’t want to hear…

I’d like you to consider swapping your 6 iron for a more game improvement focused one. Maybe even go back to a 5 iron too.

This was based on distance.

I challenged him, as I love my irons, if I hit three shots and they carry x yards, can I keep it.

I did, so it’s safe for now

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

At my lesson last night, my pro said, I’m going to say something you don’t want to hear…

I’d like you to consider swapping your 6 iron for a more game improvement focused one. Maybe even go back to a 5 iron too.

This was based on distance.

I challenged him, as I love my irons, if I hit three shots and they carry x yards, can I keep it.

I did, so it’s safe for now

I had the same conversation with my pro about my inability to hit my 5i for the 165-180yd range - his words and advice were pretty much just as you received. However unlike yourgoodself I now own a nice 5H and though I still carry my 5i it is almost solely used for low punch out shots from under trees.

Why did I take the advice? I came to realize that my hanging on to playing a 5i was just my ego wanting me to be able to do so.

 

[Burnsey]

I had the same conversation with my pro about my inability to hit my 5i for the 165-180yd range - his words and advice were pretty much just as you received. However unlike yourgoodself I now own a nice 5H and though I still carry my 5i it is almost solely used for low punch out shots from under trees.

Why did I take the advice? I came to realize that my hanging on to playing a 5i was just my ego wanting me to be able to do so.

To be fair, I dropped the 5i for a hybrid. I just wasn’t carrying my 6 iron well enough. A bit of concentration was all required. I can be good or bad with the hybrid.

His point is I play well with my irons and could likely get better consistency adding back in a 5i and swapping the 6i with a more helpful version.

It’s a work in progress.

 

[Oops!]

I only use reviews for information purposes, and when it comes to online reviews, I view them with even more skepticism than usual. On the one hand, they are inevitably very subjective impressions. On the other hand, aspects that are important to the reviewer may be very low on my list of priorities.

I therefore try to extract as many objective facts as possible from as many sources as possible, from which I then try to form my own opinion. This also includes seeking advice from professionals and, if possible, testing the club or, if necessary, buying a cheap used one for testing purposes.

Nevertheless, in the end, you always have to decide for yourself.

 

[Hobbit]

I bought my Titliest AP3’s based on reading a lot of reviews. I was after a set in which the long irons came out well. And to be fair, the reviews were spot on for that. Equally, the reviews said that, occasionally, the ball would come off all of them a bit hot. Also that the short irons were a bit clunky dead. Sadly, I should have taken onboard the last two points too.

Loved them but found the occasional flyer frustrating - there’s more trouble 10 yards through than there is 10 yards short.

 

[Voyager EMH]

I have been greatly influenced by youtube reviews in recent years with regard to buying clubs.

There is one particular reviewer who I believe many of you have met.

Classic Golf Clubs

Hello there! Classic Golf Clubs is a channel for golfers who appreciate vintage/classic golf clubs and the history of the game. We'll take a look at some classic golf clubs and then go out and play a few holes with them. We'll discuss how to find clubs, how easy or hard they are to use, and...

www.youtube.com

I'm off to Melton Mowbray today to pick up an ebay purchase.
More about that later perhaps on another thread.