Older clubs vs new

[Paul77]

When I bought my clubs 2nd hand, I did so in American Golf using the data from CG2. I tested what they had in the used pile and picked out the Cleveland TA2's, and the Classic Driver 290 with 9.5 degree loft and Reg shaft. The irons were in ok nick, a bit dented from them being forged (debatable) and the grips were sound, also with Reg shafts.

After an up and down time at the range at World of Golf, I went downstairs into the AG store and had a wee look at the irons they had. Picked up a few, and the overwhelming feeling I got was that they were lighter than my current set (Tried RSi1, XR and G30's). More balanced weight from grip to head and nicer to handle. My irons feel a wee bit head heavy, but hit them ok in the shop. If I do take too much of a divot on course, I do tend to jarr my right hand a tad.

The Driver head tends to wobble a tad when anything out off centre is struck. I kind of feel the shaft is too wobbly for me. It's just a feeling I get.

My point being is that, did I buy clubs that were maybe above my ability? Would a newer, more technically advanced set of irons, like the Taylormade Rsi1 or Callaway XR irons be more suited to my ability?

Should I be using Higher Handicap clubs, and are the clubs I'm using not very 'Game Improving' or is that all just smoke and mirror marketing bumpf?

Again thanks for the help.


Paul

 

[Canary_Yellow]

When I bought my clubs 2nd hand, I did so in American Golf using the data from CG2. I tested what they had in the used pile and picked out the Cleveland TA2's, and the Classic Driver 290 with 9.5 degree loft and Reg shaft. The irons were in ok nick, a bit dented from them being forged (debatable) and the grips were sound, also with Reg shafts.

After an up and down time at the range at World of Golf, I went downstairs into the AG store and had a wee look at the irons they had. Picked up a few, and the overwhelming feeling I got was that they were lighter than my current set (Tried RSi1, XR and G30's). More balanced weight from grip to head and nicer to handle. My irons feel a wee bit head heavy, but hit them ok in the shop. If I do take too much of a divot on course, I do tend to jarr my right hand a tad.

The Driver head tends to wobble a tad when anything out off centre is struck. I kind of feel the shaft is too wobbly for me. It's just a feeling I get.

My point being is that, did I buy clubs that were maybe above my ability? Would a newer, more technically advanced set of irons, like the Taylormade Rsi1 or Callaway XR irons be more suited to my ability?

Should I be using Higher Handicap clubs, and are the clubs I'm using not very 'Game Improving' or is that all just smoke and mirror marketing bumpf?

Again thanks for the help.


Paul

I say use whatever feels comfortable and you're happy with.

There was a debate a while ago around whether blades are appropriate for a higher handicapper to use and the general consensus seemed to be it's matter of personal preference (a lot of people favoured GI style clubs simply because they offer a bit of help others were of the view that using clubs that provide more feedback help you learn quicker).

Realistically, changing irons is unlikely to drastically change your game in my opinion. So if you're happy with yours stick with them, if you would prefer to have a new set, get a new set, but I wouldn't go for a new set based on the expectation of miracles.

 

[Foliage Finder]

I've inherited a set of old irons that are almost as old, if not older, than I am. So I can see where you're coming from! Although they do have a cavity back, when comparing to newer clubs, I do get the same feeling as you described (there's an AG next to Sainsburys so you can guess where I occasionally wander to when the OH is shopping). This is obviously to be expected given advances in tech etc.

I do occasionally wonder when I feel it come out of the toe or the bottom groove how much better the ball flight would have been with a modern club. Getting round to your question, I think you should stick with what you have for now. My opinion is that by using the older, more difficult to hit clubs, my technique and swing improves quicker. The downside is that I have to be very patient because I hit less good shots. I must say that not being able to afford a new set just yet is also a big contributing factor, but when I am able to do so, I'm hoping the hard work put in with these hand-me-downs will reap greater rewards.

However, I think I remember you posting a while back saying that you were returning to the game after a break, so your case is different to mine as I'm brand new fresh to the game. In your case perhaps after a short re-acclimatisation, the answer would be to go for the newer clubs as you wouldn't have had to go through such a long learning curve as I have.

Edit: I didn't put that link to that well-known orange supermarket in, it seems to have happened automatically and I'm not sure why...

 

[Paul77]

Of course not no, I wouldn't be buying for the sake of looking good on a course or thinking that they were going to make me play better. Feeling confident over the ball yes of course. The TA2 heads are a bit smaller than the current line of irons. I cannot argue that the Classic driver head isn't the size of Jupiter but it's having a strange effect in that I feel it's too shallow a loft but I do get a high launch angle from it. Most of the newer drivers sit so nicely behine the ball. My Classic just feels very square and you can hardly see the face.

The one thing I guess coming out of this is feeling a lack of confidence over the ball with my current tools.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Of course not no, I wouldn't be buying for the sake of looking good on a course or thinking that they were going to make me play better. Feeling confident over the ball yes of course. The TA2 heads are a bit smaller than the current line of irons. I cannot argue that the Classic driver head isn't the size of Jupiter but it's having a strange effect in that I feel it's too shallow a loft but I do get a high launch angle from it. Most of the newer drivers sit so nicely behine the ball. My Classic just feels very square and you can hardly see the face.

The one thing I guess coming out of this is feeling a lack of confidence over the ball with my current tools.

In that case, you already know the answer.

 

[Dan2501]

You should give the Nike Covert 2.0's, Callaway Big Bertha's and Ping G30's a go. All super forgiving and would be a good comparison for you, and help you decide whether purchasing them is going to make a difference. Give them a hit and see what you think.

 

[Paul77]

However, I think I remember you posting a while back saying that you were returning to the game after a break, so your case is different to mine as I'm brand new fresh to the game. In your case perhaps after a short re-acclimatisation, the answer would be to go for the newer clubs as you wouldn't have had to go through such a long learning curve as I have.

Yes I played golf for about 10 years then gave it up when I was 28. I'm 38 now so it's been a big break. I wish I didn't give it up but that's life.

Much better mental state to play than I was before. I'm fearful of going in to try stuff out and it feels way better than what I'm using. Sometimes it's better the devil you know lol.

My last bag in 2005 was Titliest 983K driver, Maxfli Revolution black dot, and the original white hot putter from Oddesey. I hit it then much like I do now, and it does feel like there was no 10 year gap. Only thing that's really changed is that I'm now thinking more about where to put the ball rather than just stepping up and hitting it. Probably why I broke 100 so quickly.

It's really all about feel for me, and it's not really 'feeling' very nice despite what the stats say on Game Golf.

 

[ruff-driver]

Paul, similar to you i had a long time away, my original irons ( pro combo ) were practically new when i packed up.
I started playing again late last year and probably took 6 + months to find a swing and some sort of game.

As much i as liked my old irons i decided to change recently to a set of blades ( h/cap 17 ! )
Suprisingly i feel pretty confident over the ball with them, ok the bad shots are bad but for me i'm trying to find more control in my swing rather than brute power. I'm around a club shorter than before but scores are coming down.

Find a set that fills you with confidence and gives consistance results,
if it feels right in the swing then the brain will agree,that's half the battle in this game ( mental)
Good luck with the search for the holy grail in irons, Only you can decide .

 

[farfaeforfar]

Why not have quick lesson of fitting on a launch monitor somewhere?

It will show what you're irons and driver are doing in a numerical sense against newer hardware. That's how I done my return, I new my TA3's were ballooning, my 3 wood likewise and driver now illegal. However what I did do was set aside enough money to have a decent run of lessons and practice hard with my new kit. Three months in I'm only starting to reap the benefits in small patches.

Its all about time, money and patience going forward

 

[Jimaroid]

I'd wait until you've had your lesson. Have the pro check your grip, alignment, posture etc. are all setup nicely before worrying about the clubs too much.

 

[Paul77]

You should give the Nike Covert 2.0's, Callaway Big Bertha's and Ping G30's a go. All super forgiving and would be a good comparison for you, and help you decide whether purchasing them is going to make a difference. Give them a hit and see what you think.

Like the reviews the Coverts are getting. It's open ended really

Paul, similar to you i had a long time away, my original irons ( pro combo ) were practically new when i packed up.
I started playing again late last year and probably took 6 + months to find a swing and some sort of game.

As much i as liked my old irons i decided to change recently to a set of blades ( h/cap 17 ! )
Suprisingly i feel pretty confident over the ball with them, ok the bad shots are bad but for me i'm trying to find more control in my swing rather than brute power. I'm around a club shorter than before but scores are coming down.

Find a set that fills you with confidence and gives consistance results,
if it feels right in the swing then the brain will agree,that's half the battle in this game ( mental)
Good luck with the search for the holy grail in irons, Only you can decide .

I'll try loads of course.

Why not have quick lesson of fitting on a launch monitor somewhere?

It will show what you're irons and driver are doing in a numerical sense against newer hardware. That's how I done my return, I new my TA3's were ballooning, my 3 wood likewise and driver now illegal. However what I did do was set aside enough money to have a decent run of lessons and practice hard with my new kit. Three months in I'm only starting to reap the benefits in small patches.

Its all about time, money and patience going forward

I only had GC2 at the time of buying my stuff. The other face measuring system wasn't in the shop at the time.
I'm getting my first lesson next Thursday with a 9 hole round with the pro in the afternoon so we'll see what happens after that. I'm sure there will be advice on what's what after that.

 

[Dan2501]

Like the reviews the Coverts are getting. It's open ended really

They're awesome mate, and if you shop around you can pick them up really cheap. I got my set 5-SW for £300 brand new, which is ridiculous. I had old Callaway X-12's before, and they're so much easier to hit, and feel so much better off the face. I love them.

 

[Paul77]

They're awesome mate, and if you shop around you can pick them up really cheap. I got my set 5-SW for £300 brand new, which is ridiculous. I had old Callaway X-12's before, and they're so much easier to hit, and feel so much better off the face. I love them.

I'll certainly look into it. Your numbers are coming down all the time so it's testament to how you feel about the gear you're using I guess. I do use my 3 and 4 irons a lot more than I used to so I don't know.

More than likely that todays 5 iron is more like the loft of my 3-4 iron anyway as they seem to get stronger and stronger in the game improvement area.

 

[Dan2501]

I personally wouldn't attribute my improvements to my gear TBH. It's my lessons. They've been a massive help. Money spent on lessons is much better spent than money spent on gear.

 

[Paul77]

I already have the lessons sorted out hopefully. Just looking at this as a sideline to feeling more confident over the ball. Emailed my local club pro a few times for lessons and he just never replies. It's actually hard to find anyone who'll answer emails in Glasgow. It's like everyone's out playing lol

 

[Paul77]

I personally wouldn't attribute my improvements to my gear TBH. It's my lessons. They've been a massive help. Money spent on lessons is much better spent than money spent on gear.

Booked 6 lessons with the local pro of the club I'm lookingto join. 6 lessons for the price of 5. Looking forward to it.

 

[Dan2501]

Nice one. Good work mate. It'll make the world of difference to your game. Be worth talking to your pro about your gear once you've had a few lessons, he'll know whether your irons are suited to you, or if you'd be better off trying out some GI irons.

 

[Paul77]

Those Covert Irons are hard to get a hold of. Usually a measure of something good. Yes I'm going to see what he thinks. Exciting times. Got a lesson with Martin Goldie next thursday too but that was something my good lady organised for my birthday.

 

[Dan2501]

Got them here mate:

https://www.foremostgolf.com/nike-vrs-covert-2-0-irons

Nice one. Lessons are the way forward for everyone. I've only been playing 2 years, but only started lessons this year, and really wish I'd started sooner. Amazing how much difference it's made to my game!

 

[Paul77]

I think that site might need some SEO tips Cheers for the link.

Good price too. Ohhh tempting but I'll wait to see how I get on in the lessons. Thanks Dan.