Most versatile set of Taylor Made RBZ's.

[Marshredder]

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a good easter monday!

I've been playing for a while but always hire clubs, now im looking to buy a decent set. I've pretty much decided on a set of Taylor Made RBZ's. I'm a decent improver level player who drives and pitch's very well but can be unpredictable putting, and these clubs seem to be forgiving whilst being a decent enough set to carry on using as I get better.

My dilemma is which clubs to buy? At the moment im thinking 9.5 driver, 4-SW steel irons and a putter, as well as a 3 wood next time I get paid. Is that a good start of should I be looking at a hybrid instead of a wood etc?

Any opinions appreciated!

Cheers.

 

[GreiginFife]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
I'm sure that you will get a range of opinions on this subject. As I'm assuming you don't have any clubs at all (hence hiring them) then buying a decent set to get you off the ground, for me, is a sound investment (other opinions are available )
I think though that you missed a decent putter off that list, especially if you see this as a week spot, for me a good putter that works for you is more important than the latest and greatest driver that will give you an extra 20 yards. Getting to the green in regulation is one thing, finishing it off once there is another.
Best advice I can give is to get yourself to an AG or similar that you can try different irons, drivers and putters, you will know your budget, and get a set that fits that budget but also feels right for you.
The guys in the AG stores generally know their stuff.

Other than that, lessons and getting out there are the other primary improvement factors.

 

[kid2]

Welcome to the forum pal

If the putter is a weak area try a mallet style if you dont mind the bulky look....They are alot more forgiving on slightly miss hit putts than a blade style....

Also getting a decent set now will stand to you down the line....If you are not too bothered about buying the latest and still want to stay with Taylormade then look at the Burner range......They will be just as good as the RBZ's and a fair bit cheaper.

 

[Ethan]

The guys in the AG stores generally know their stuff.

Many threads here would suggest otherwise, unless the "their stuff" that they know means flogging in-stock Nicklaus and Wilson stuff regardless of suitability.

I would advise a golf club with a proper pro-shop attached, and opening one's options beyond the RBZ option. There are many other, and likely better, options.

 

[Rooter]

what he said!! (Greiginfife)

dont buy on brand and thoughts alone, go into a shop and actually try them! you may find you need stiff shafts, lie checked and adjusted etc, any decent pro shop or AG etc will be able to do this and usually any upfront cost is deducted when you buy. key is keep your budget set, rbz iron money will pretty much get you any of the "game improver" irons, but there are bargains out there, last years models for example, TM Burner 2.0, Ping G15 etc etc..

key is again, TRY before you buy!! you may find them £30 cheaper online, but this WILL cost you in the long run if you dont get fitted..

 

[Neddy]

Some good advice here.

Re the make up of your bag, i would invest in a good 3 wood and hybrid before you buy a driver. But that's just me!

 

[GreiginFife]

Many threads here would suggest otherwise, unless the "their stuff" that they know means flogging in-stock Nicklaus and Wilson stuff regardless of suitability.

I would advise a golf club with a proper pro-shop attached, and opening one's options beyond the RBZ option. There are many other, and likely better, options.

Never had an issue of them trying to flog me stuff that I didn't want or need.

 

[imran_ali]

the latest gear is not your answer to new clubs. Go for last seasons stock and INVEST the remainder of the budget on golf lessons.

 

[Ethan]

Never had an issue of them trying to flog me stuff that I didn't want or need.

Perhaps that is an example of the exception proving the rule, or perhaps you know more about golf equipment than the average former, AG customer or the OP.

There are ample examples recorded here of hideously bad advice having been dispensed by AG.

I played with a former branch manager once, and he told me a few things about the way they conducted fittings, and how they were encouraged to push certain brands.

 

[GreiginFife]

Perhaps that is an example of the exception proving the rule, or perhaps you know more about golf equipment than the average former, AG customer or the OP.

There are ample examples recorded here of hideously bad advice having been dispensed by AG.

I played with a former branch manager once, and he told me a few things about the way they conducted fittings, and how they were encouraged to push certain brands.

I quite believe it Ethan, ethos in business is often the bottom line (well more often than not). I wouldn't say I know much more than most about gear, but I do know what feel, right. I have MP52's but could have easily been persuaded to spend £100 more on MP63's, they didn't feel right for me though so I politely declined.

But I agree Ethan that in any business, not restrictive just to AG, there will always be an element that revere the bottom line above all else.

 

[Mungoscorner]

AG know there stuff
I know of at least one store where none of the staff actually play golf !!!!
I've also seen one of there sales staff training manuals.

 

[Marshredder]

Sorry, I didnt want to give the impression that I had just picked the clubs out of the air, I did go to Direct Golf recently and try them out, I just wanted to get a few opinions as to what the best makeup of clubs to get first were.

But yes, the RBZ's felt the nicest out of all the sets I tried (some titelist, Nike etc sets).

 

[Neddy]

Never been into an AG store myself so not really qualified to comment

BUT

the bloke i played with yesterday got all his clubs fitted there and tips from their instore pro and he beat me by a mere 22 shots

 

[GreiginFife]

In fairness I did say "generally" which I think is fair considering that there will be many people that have had great experiences such as myself.
Oh what a world we would live in if tarring with the one brush was universally acceptable.

Conversely though, a few speak about pro's being impartial... How many pro shops out there are heavily laden with one particular manufacturers gear? The pro at my old club was a TM stockist as had incentive to promote that gear, guess what he would recommend if you asked? So it works both ways I'm afraid.

 

[Ethan]

I quite believe it Ethan, ethos in business is often the bottom line (well more often than not). I wouldn't say I know much more than most about gear, but I do know what feel, right. I have MP52's but could have easily been persuaded to spend £100 more on MP63's, they didn't feel right for me though so I politely declined.

But I agree Ethan that in any business, not restrictive just to AG, there will always be an element that revere the bottom line above all else.

I played with a guy in a comp once. He had a set of irons with Rifle 6.5 shafts (between S and X) and was built, and swung the club, like a rugby back. He pulled out his hybrid and hit the biggest hook I had ever seen. Then he did the same on the next hole. I asked to take a look at it, and discovered it was a Nicklaus hybrid fitted with a cheap crappy shaft. In an A flex (softer than R, just above L). I asked him where the hell he got that and he told me he had been fitted for it at ..... go on, have a guess.

I asked him if he had hit his own clubs on the LM. He said he had, and the fitter had remarked his club head speed of over 90mph with his 6 iron (which would put him in the S or X range). I asked him how he ended up with a A flex, and he said that the guy had said that flexes vary between brands (true) and that this one played very firm (complete bare faced lie, it played like a piece of wet spaghetti). I advised him to take the club back and fit it into the guy who sold it to him.

I have seen a few other not quite so egregious but still pretty bad examples from several stores. There may be an AG somewhere where the staff are knowledgeable and dedicated to really getting you the best equipment regardless of the varying commissions they get, but how can you really depend on finding such an oasis among the desert of other branches? Best to avoid and see a pro at a club instead, in my opinion.

 

[GreiginFife]

And I play with a MP630, two MX700's and a MP-CLK all fitted at an AG store that are bang on for me.
As I say, I agree that there are horror stories out there, but there are also good to be found as well.
My point above about pro's is also valid in the same space, some will be driven by their bottom line on selling gear by whichever manufacturer gives the best incentive to sell.
There are no guarantees in life, or in golf, and as many say on here a lot is trial and error sadly.

 

[HickoryShaft]

I have the burner irons and was lucky enough to try the RBZ irons at the TM fitting last year.

If I was buying right now I would seriously consider the extra investment in the RBZ set - they felt fantastic. The long irons move toward a hybrid type shape on the head and were very easy to hit - the shorter irons move through the cavity back forgiveness style gradually towards a thinner head for the shortest ones.

The driver choice you have put down, however, I would re-consider and take the 10.5 degree loft option. You can adjust the face between 9 and 13 degrees and at the mid point will be easier to hit consistently.

 

[Foxholer]

Really depends on where you are in your progress, what your budget is and the avilability of any sort of fitting process.

Personally wouldn't recommend the RBZs as these are really only cosmetic upgrades from earlier models (that can be had for significantly less). Also the 9.5 might be a bit low loft. More loft very often gets further distance and is normally easier to hit. The apparent height of drives is actually quite deceiving. Again, there hasn't been much real improvement from previous years - mainly increased adjustment - so previous models should be available at much more reasonable cost. Once you do find one you like, that exact club is the one you should buy - rather than a 'same spec' one - as every one is slightly different.

3-woods and hybrids are really personal, so try as many as you can and apply the same logic as for Drivers. There is a lot of hype over the RBZ 3-wood, but much of the 'gain' would be down to a longer shaft and a slightly lower loft, neither of which might be a help to you. A 16* (4 wood) might be worth considering instead. If you go with the 4-SW, then a 19 or 20* hybrid would probably fit that gap. 5-SW might be better, in which case a 22/23* and maybe another somewhere in the 17-19* range.

Remember you actually use the putter more than any other club, so find one that feels good for you. These can be the easiest to try as most large stores will have a range of them and a putting area. 35" is the standard, but is almost always too long imo.

And you forgot wedges! These are actually your scoring clubs. The RBZs (and Burners before them) have lofts that have been made seriously stronger - that's how they get improvement! - so probably a 48 or 50* is required. Whether you use a lob wedge (and you would have to sacrifice a club at the other end to do so) is down to how you get on with them. Certainly, worth a try, but they can be 'interesting' to say the least! Don't expect to be hitting shots like Mickelson with them right away though.

Having said all the above, the amount you are considering spending (over £1000) would actually warrant a trip to an independent fitter. The marginal cost (perhaps £100) would be 'saved' by knowing that the clubs specified are right for you - and by the cost of any 'error' where one of your selections turns out to be not right. You might not end up with RBZs, but will almost certainly have clubs that will service you for several years and be 'right' for you. What area are you in? There may be some on the forum that can recommend one in your area - as opposed to the AG fitters, who I could not recommend!

Welcome to the forum and Good Luck in your search!

 

[Marshredder]

Cheers for the reply foxholer.

I'm in the south-east of England, new Lewes/Crowborough and within easy reach of Brighton and Tunbridge Wells if you had any recommendations? I live close to the East Sussex National course which has a pro-shop, but from what I hear they're very overpriced.

 

[SAPCOR1]

Welcome aboard.

I bought the RBZ driver and 3 wood last Thursday and played with them on Friday and today.

Really work well for me and I am especially pleased with the 3 wood, great club!

Will probably add the 4 rescue soon