Second hand v brand new

[lewi73]

Hello everyone,

Thought I would use my first post on here to get a bit of advice. I'm playing off about 18 at the moment having stopped playing for about 3 years. I'm using a old set of Lynx Paralax (must be about 10 years old) but recently had the 4 and 7 nicked by some little bugger.
I'm thinking of upgrading this christmas, I've seen some 'like new' Callaway X18s for sale online for about £250 delivered standard lie and length. Is it worth me getting those or something aimed at mid-handicappers like the Mizuno MX19s which are about the same price brand new?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[RGuk]

I've bought nearly all my stuff 2nd hand, discounting my two new woods. I remember these Lynx clubs.....good at the time, but things have moved on. If you can get a good set, you could potentially get much more club for your cash.
There are 4 sets of 2nd hand Callaways at my range, there's no shortage, so don't pay over the odds.
I had 2 sets of "lower end" Mizuno at one time or another (Astron and Domino), neither were as good as the other 3 sets I've used.
MX19s are great clubs, lovely to look at and "do exactly what they say on the tin". Are they as good (for a mid-high h'cap player) as Callaway X series?....possibly but perhaps not as friendly.....
The only reason I don't play Callaway irons is the ball flight... I prefer a more regular flight, nearer to an old-fashioned blade (like TP series).

Dave

 

[medwayjon]

At my range there is a set of Taylor Made RAC LT's for £170 and a set of Cobra 3100's for £120. These are both very good sets of irons, particularly the Cobras which at £120 are such a steal!

Brand new you can get Cobra FP's custom fitted for £299.

I don't work for cobra by the way, I just really happen to like their products after using them for a fair time. I think they are excellent products at a fair price. I think the price is a little bit lower than some because they dont have the poseur factor of Callaways - some people have to be seen with the right gear!

Beware callaway gear online, a friend bought a set of x20's and they were counterfeit.

Personally I wouldn't buy online. I believe in try before you buy and would rather pay an extra £20 and give the business to a decent pro. Trust me, with a good pro loyalty is reciprocated in many ways!

 

[clubchamp07]

It's wonderfull what I've learnt on this forum.
I never really thought that there where clubs out there for different handicapers. I'm of the old school and I always think along the lines of, if I like a set of clubs (looks & feel) I would use them. I have never heard any pro saying to me that these clubs arent for low or high handicapers.
Its always been afordability with me and of course looks and feel. If it was me looking to change my clubs I'd go for whatever feels right in my hand.

A couple of years ago I was changing my irons and went to a pro, I had a choice of Ping S59 of Titlests. I took them to the range and hit about 20 balls each with them, There was no difference between the club's, I ended up tossing a coin and I bought the Pings, and I'm so glad I did.
Recommendation's are great but it's you that's paying for them and it's you that has to use them.

 

[BunkerMentality123]

Just to add my two penneth.

I used to have a set of Cobra 3100 (steel not graphite), and they were fantastic, had them for about 2yrs. They produce a nice high ball flight, so give confidence to the higher handicapper and generally had a really nice feel about them.

I then moved on to a set of Srixon i-506's which I feel I was mis-sold. 5 iron downwards were fantastic producing a good penetrating ball flight and producing extra distance. However I was very hit and miss with the 3 and 4 irons. (These are now under lock and key for when I have grown into them so to speak!)

I now have a set of Mizuno MX-25's and for me they have been a revelation, my handicap has come down from 14.2 to 12.1 this yr, I have confidence throughout the bag, and they are just right for me!

The point I am trying to make is there are definitely clubs to suit different levels of ability and there is a wide range of game improvement kit now available, but you have to try it and see, but whatever gives you confidence get it.

Personally I always spend some time getting the "FEEL" before parting with any cash, therefore being able to try before you buy is essential as far as I am concerned.

The Cobra 3100's are excellent clubs and for an 18 handicapper they would be ideal.

 

[brendy]

Second hand clubs are grand when it comes to buying a set, my RAC LTs were spot on and as long as they dont physcally show any signs of taking a battering they should be grand.
Callaway irons are for people who have difficulty getting height on a ball or like to play target golf where they dont need much roll out, because lets face it , a high ball is never going to skip through a green unless its heavily sloped. But the thing to remember with callaways is that because they do come straight down, getting the distance right every time is harder to achieve.

 

[madandra]

I have a set 5-pw of Cobra 2300 you can have for £100. Great condition and will take them back if you disagree.

 

[lewi73]

Thanks for the advice guys, there's a great pro shop at the range I go to so will have a good try of a few clubs first.

In terms of the offer of the Cobras mate, think I am going to go for a full 3-sw set. I pretty much need to upgrade my entire bag so don't want to worry about having to find a 3 and 4 but thanks for the offer.

Do pros mind if you take in a second-hand set of clubs to get them custom fitted? The 'like new' Callaways from an officially Callaway dealer online would save me over £100 on the new price, and couldn't see my pro knocking off that sort of discount.

 

[medwayjon]

Lewi,

You mention going 3-SW, have you thought about going 5-SW and using a 3 & 4 replacement hybrid.

I recently bought new irons and did exactly this. I hit my cobra bafflers much better than I ever hit long irons.

 

[GB72]

I went the same way, my irons were actually 4-SW so bought a 3 iron hybird and as I found myself nervous about using the 4 iron anywhere other than off the tee, I have just ordered a replacement hybrid.

 

[happyhacker]

I'm the same as GB72, my new set I ordered 4-SW.

I never hit the 3, was never comfortable so I got a cobra baffler. Best thing I ever did. Can hit it from rough, fairway, tee and goes a mile!