Replace driver/clubs - when

[steadyon]

So, I’ve joined a club again and started playing regularly again after a gap of about 10 years.

I’m thoroughly enjoying it!?? Generally shooting between 85 and 90 but my short game needs lots of work. Hey new handicap is 17.4.

The question I have though is about how much better if at all new clubs are.

I have a ping G25 driver, Nicklaus claw 3 wood, Wilson 3 hybrid, mizuno flihi 4 and 5 hybrid and yonex fms irons. I’m hitting them all okay on my good shots.

for me though it’s all about forgiveness, and extra 20 yards off the tee would be useful as well.

so I guess my clubs are all around 8-10 years old. In terms of achieving a bit more distance off tee and more forgiveness with the others. Would more modern clubs make a sufficient difference to make it worthwhile?

 

[Ethan]

Well, the G25 is not a bad driver, the mizunos likewise, the Yonex VMS (I presume), meh. The Nicklaus was never a great club, I doubt it has got better with the passage of time.

If you weren't fitted for them, or if your swing has changed after 10 years, added to the passage of time, you almost certainly could find stuff that would give better results. Depends how serious you are and how much dosh you want to shell out. Probably good start would be to get a pro at a friendly driving range to give your swing a quick once-over, maybe do some basic measurements on a launch monitor and give you an idea of how well the current kit suits you. I wouldn't go all out with a full scare the bank manager fitting until your game finds its level again.

 

[Bassfisher]

Hi I can’t help you but I’m interested to read replies, as I’m in a similar position, joined a club recently as a hacker but now keen to improve, I’m building my game, 23 handicap at moment, using ping g20’s , Question is when to get fitted?

 

[fundy]

So you say that your short game needs lots of work, then question whether new clubs would help your game, and dont list which wedges you have (just using the set PW and SW?)

If it was me I would have a short game lesson with the pro and ask his opinion on whether a specialist wedge or two would be a good addition, but more so to get him to look at your chipping and pitching techniques and choices etc

Or buy a shiny new driver

 

[steadyon]

Thanks for the replies folks. My driver is older than I though - Ping G20.

I hit all the clubs ok. Perhaps 6 & 7 iron a bit weaker.

I just use the wedges that came with the iron set. So I’ve a 45, 50 & 56. I’m having a lesson a month for the next year. First one was going to be pitching but the weather was bad so we went on the indoor studio and did full swing. I was swaying a bit and dipping so pro gave me a few drills. That has helped with consistency and I’m driving a good 30 yards further??

in terms of scoring, it really is all about the short game. From 50 yards I never get down in 2 and 3 can be a struggle! I will ask the pro about wedges. He seems really good. My gut instinct is that he’s not obsessed with selling clubs or manufacturers hype. he thinks you could play off scratch with my clubs if you used them well! Of course he is exactly right. I do think though that perhaps my best spend at the minute (apart from lessons) would probably be a hybrid with 28-30 degree to replace my 6 iron. Though I’m very confident that within a couple of months I’ll be hitting that very well too. I have the swing speed I’m sure, could just be a bit more consistent with the strike. I haven’t measured my swing speed with the driver on his launch monitor but my good drives now are getting to between 250 - 270 yards so I’m assuming that must be a reasonable swing speed.