How expensive/cheap before shop will fit?

[Lord Tyrion]

My son, aged 15, is in need of some new irons. He had a ladies set as an intermediate set but he hits them so hard now that some of the heads are starting to break from the shaft. I play with him regularly and he does not abuse his clubs, they are just old and he is too strong now. Anyway, we need to get him some new clubs and as everyone on here is so very keen about it I would like to get an element of fitting into it.

The issue is we have a budget to work to so the element of fitting is limited. We can go to £350 which by my reckoning at the moment can get some Ping G25's or Callaway X2's, frankly far better than my clubs. Bear in mind he is 15 so whilst Benross or Adams may be very good he wants a brand he can relate to and not feel embarrassed about when playing with other juniors. I am okay about going to this value as he is a decent player who is looking to improve, his irons are his strongest suit and I don't want to hold him back by getting a cheap set of clubs that just don't suit him.

Based on this what should I hope and expect regarding any element of fitting. Will it just be a case of getting either a regular or stiff shaft or can I hope for more?

 

[Doh]

I would look at getting him to try some different shafts before I would even consider buying anything. If he is hitting as you say hard, it really is important that he at least gets this right. once he has found the shaft take a look at the second hand market and for that amount of money he will get a decent set.
Do you know a pro that has a trackman might be worth getting him a session on one then at least you know his currant swing speed. Personally I would be speaking to a pro at a club he just might have what your looking for. And professional advice is always the best way to go IMHO.

 

[duncan mackie]

I would look at getting him to try some different shafts before I would even consider buying anything. If he is hitting as you say hard, it really is important that he at least gets this right. once he has found the shaft take a look at the second hand market and for that amount of money he will get a decent set.
Do you know a pro that has a trackman might be worth getting him a session on one then at least you know his currant swing speed. Personally I would be speaking to a pro at a club he just might have what your looking for. And professional advice is always the best way to go IMHO.

Exactly

 

[jamielaing]

American Golf spent a lot of time trying to get me second hand clubs that it my needs. I don't know if it was necessarily AG or just the guy was helpful but they can fit you for second hand stuff and se what they have or comes in. Also they can source second hand stuff from other stores.

In my experience you can get fit for anything at AG etc. The only problem is whether they have the stock for you to try. For example I am sure they can order you G25 irons new and in the set up you want however you would have to take a leap of faith with certain aspects.

If you know what you want then ebay may be worth a try. Alternatively there is always the finance option if you find that you want to spend the extra. Or pay the £350 but he has to make up the rest?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't want to go into places and have higher expectations than is real. There are two decent pro shops nearby and an AG within 20 minutes. I will pop in to them all and see what they have to say and offer. I would not bother for myself, ebay is fine for me, but he shows some promise and I don't want to get him some expensive clubs that are ultimately not right for him.

 

[jamielaing]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't want to go into places and have higher expectations than is real. There are two decent pro shops nearby and an AG within 20 minutes. I will pop in to them all and see what they have to say and offer. I would not bother for myself, ebay is fine for me, but he shows some promise and I don't want to get him some expensive clubs that are ultimately not right for him.

I would say to research it a bit if you go the second hand route. Some places may just say anything if they have a second hand set lying in the back. Take down the specs of the shaft etc and see what sort of swing speed it suits.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

One of the pro's, linked to the Snainton group, has replied saying he will fit him using a launch monitor etc. He can then get a set via Snainton to suit what he needs. He has had lessons from this pro before so it sounds a good match. I appreciate the purists will do the whole spiel about subtlely different shafts and getting a true, full fitting but unfortunately we are not in that position. I will reply back afterwards to advise how much of a fitting he got and how he found it. Thanks for the advice.

 

[jamielaing]

One of the pro's, linked to the Snainton group, has replied saying he will fit him using a launch monitor etc. He can then get a set via Snainton to suit what he needs. He has had lessons from this pro before so it sounds a good match. I appreciate the purists will do the whole spiel about subtlely different shafts and getting a true, full fitting but unfortunately we are not in that position. I will reply back afterwards to advise how much of a fitting he got and how he found it. Thanks for the advice.

Just had a look on Snainton's website and there are a load of options for under/around the £350 mark. What sort of player is he (h/cap, swing speed etc)? You will definitely find something to suit.