How much distance could I be losing with cheap irons?

[janmolby]

I bought my golf clubs about 5 years ago & they were just a complete set on sale in Dunnes Stores as I wasn't sure whether or not I'd keep up the game. After a few years of only playing once or twice a month I have recently joined a golf club & am now playing a few times a week.

My handicap is 25 though I think I'm starting to hit the ball better. My brother is just taking up golf and he was given a set of Lynx irons (not new ones but they seemed a lot more expensive than the ones I have) by someone from his work to get him started. I went to the driving range with him over the weekend & I think I was hitting his clubs 20 yards further than I can hit my own so what I was wondering is would cheap clubs lose me that type of distance? I know I'm always hitting longer clubs than those I play with at the par 3's so this could explain why that is.

If yes considering I'm a high handicapper would I be better off buying a decent secondhand set or look for a new set? Money would obviously be an issue as lets be honest it's not exactly overflowing from my pockets

 

[EchtLoon]

I know I'm always hitting longer clubs than those I play with at the par 3's so this could explain why that is.

I don't understand this sentence?

Regarding the Lynx's, could be your clubs have bigger lofts club for club, so you hit them shorter?

Are your 'cheap' clubs blades? If so, off your handicap you are using the wrong weapons, and will be losing a lot overall in terms of distance and accuracy from your less than perfect strikes.

 

[janmolby]

Sorry I see how that statement could cause confusion, what I meant was I might be hitting a 4 iron whereas the people I'm playing with are hitting 6 - 7 irons. My clubs aren't blades.

 

[USER1999]

I would guess the shafts are rubbish. Are they branded? This would make the biggest difference.

 

[EchtLoon]

Sorry I see how that statement could cause confusion, what I meant was I might be hitting a 4 iron whereas the people I'm playing with are hitting 6 - 7 irons. My clubs aren't blades.

Have you tried hitting their clubs from the same spot? Are they of a similar standard, you are off 25, quite possible for you to be two or three clubs shorter than better players.

 

[janmolby]

The clubs makers are regal, no other markings that I know off. As for the others I'm playing with, they are a 17, 18 & 24 handicappers. I understand they'd be hitting it further but it's the fact i tried my brothers clubs & they seemed to go further is what got me wondering.

 

[Espada]

There are so many factors which affect how far you are hitting the ball and I have learned very quickly that it is not as simple as better quality = better play, I played worse with a Ping club than with my old Slazengers because they were too good.

It could be that your present clubs just don't suit your style and yes from personal experience, you could get that much difference from using different clubs.

It is best to go to your local club and ask for a fitting, they usually do this for free and they will guide you to the best clubs for your style.

 

[viscount17]

the fact that they are lower handicaps will not automatically give them greater distance. quality and consistency of strike will though not definitely.
(I out hit quite a few lower handicap players and I'm not long.)

simplest test, go to your local AG, DG, pro etc. tell them up front that you are looking for clubs but will not be buying on first try, then test everything they'll let you.

 

[RGDave]

All sounds possible to me. Cheap clubs, poor quality shafts and heads, maybe more/less loft, all sorts.

No two sets hit the ball the same way or the same distance.

I wouldn't read much into it, especially if the lofts are not the same.

I wouldn't buy a set just on distance, since that's not really the point of irons. If you prefer the "better" irons you tried and am convinced yours are just ok, no better...then try a few more sets.

With the greatest respect to some cheap models, it's not as if much R & D goes into making a set. If I went down the range with my two sets (my current and my ancient set) and compared them against some cheap makes, I'd expect the cheap ones to probably not go as far or as sweetly.

 

[Herbie]

Well it depends what you mean by cheap clubs? If they are made by an unknown maker there may be some mileage in arguments regarding the quality being the problem, but as a 25 h/c player dont go down the road of buying stuff on the say so of others, or the misguided belief that X-club is better than Y simply because you think you hit it better.

I know a 10 h/c player who uses a 5 or 4 iron where I use a 7 iron, is an example of the differences in golfers. He uses PING, I currently use a cheapish set of wilson, or my cheap set of slazenger or my reasonably priced hippo set.

The best thing for you is to go and see a pro and stop comparing your clubs and your game to others, or before you know it you will be splashing the cash left right and centre for no reason. The people best placed to help your game and your kit are those who can see you, and recomend something that wont cost you , but will work, then as your game and knowledge improves you can make informed judgements yourself.....see a pro.

 

[Doh]

The clubs makers are regal, no other markings that I know off. As for the others I'm playing with, they are a 17, 18 & 24 handicappers. I understand they'd be hitting it further but it's the fact i tried my brothers clubs & they seemed to go further is what got me wondering.

I havn't heard of regal for years, not sure they make anything golf related now?. I had a regal putter once cost me a tenner best putter i ever had till someone nicked it.

Yes your equipment can make a differnce go see your pro he will advise you about what you should be looking for.

 

[janmolby]

Thanks for the replies, I guess it's a case of my swing is loosing me some distance but probably so are my clubs. I'll keep my clubs for now & in a few months I'll have to think about upgrading, if I have the money.

In the meantime one day I'll borrow the clubs one of the other lads play with to see how far I can hit them at the driving range compared to my own.

 

[Herbie]

Thanks for the replies, I guess it's a case of my swing is loosing me some distance but probably so are my clubs. I'll keep my clubs for now & in a few months I'll have to think about upgrading, if I have the money.

In the meantime one day I'll borrow the clubs one of the other lads play with to see how far I can hit them at the driving range compared to my own.

But are you just concerned about distance per club compared to mates, rather than playing your game?

 

[janmolby]

Thanks for the replies, I guess it's a case of my swing is loosing me some distance but probably so are my clubs. I'll keep my clubs for now & in a few months I'll have to think about upgrading, if I have the money.

In the meantime one day I'll borrow the clubs one of the other lads play with to see how far I can hit them at the driving range compared to my own.

But are you just concerned about distance per club compared to mates, rather than playing your game?

No but if I'm loosing yards due to poor equipment then I'm always going to be hitting longer irons into greens compared to people who have better equipment therefore it will be more difficult for me to be close to the hole compared to them, assuming we both are hitting the ball fairly well. I know you could say that if I hit the ball well it shouldn't matter about the clubs but for a high handicapper having poor clubs & having decent clubs could make a huge difference score wise.