Some advice please!

[GaZ8]

Hi all,

Before i start let me introduce myself. I'm 23, from Hertfordshire and have been playing golf since the start of the summer. Oh, and I'm rubbish at it.

Having really enjoyed playing golf (even in some appalling weather) and I have joined Redbourn Golf Club and I am taking lessons in January.

Here is my problem...

The clubs that i have at the minute are a set of graphite shafted Swilken clubs which my friends all say look too small for me at address. I understand that custom fitting is the best way to ensure that golf clubs suit the person and so I started to consider getting some Mizuno MX-19's custom fitted in the new year.

As my swing is still so raw and will probably remain that way for a time after I take my first set of lessons (the basics of hitting a ball)I don't want to waste my money because I'm not swing consistently if you know what I mean.

This got me thinking...Would I be better off spending my money on a package set with "limited" custom fitting such as a set of Ben Sayers M7's where they ask your height, glove size and finger to floor measurement and using these until my swing is consistent enough to benefit from full custom fitting.

I'm really struggling with my current clubs and no matter what I try I can't seems to get a consistent connection, especially with the longer irons. Originally I put this down to being a novice but after my friend's comments it has got me thinking.

Sorry to make my first post such an arduous one but any advice would be greatfully received.

Thanks

GaZ

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Hi, welcome GaZ.

I would get a few lessons under your belt first before splashing some serious cash.
Your teaching pro will be able to advise you accordingly on new clubs once he's seen you in action so to speak.

Oh and Redbourn's a great course.....if it hasn't been too wet!!!!
18th is an absolute brute into the wind!!!!!!

 

[USER1999]

Also, if your pro thinks your clubs are too short, he can lengthen them quite cheaply and quickly. I would have a few lessons first, before lashing out on new kit. Long irons are not the easiest thing to hit as a novice (or more experienced golfer either).

 

[Fyldewhite]

Hi Gaz, I think you are right to question the clubs you have. I'd suggest having a good try with several decent second hand clubs.... shops will usually allow you to have a go on the range with these without taping them up etc. If cost is an issue then you will get better value out of "good" second hand set rather than a lower quality new set.

 

[Tiger]

Hi GaZ,

I also started playing the summer but didn't look into custom fitting until I had had three lessons. I'm 6' 4" and the changes that made the most difference to me were shaft length, lie angle and shaft.

I have my shafts 1" longer, a 4 degree upright lie angle and a stiffer shaft. Up until my own irons arrived I have been using a friends which were off the shelf MX900s. I'm getting a much more consistent connection now and feel more relaxed in my set up, which translates to a better swing.

Personally, I didn't want to spend £200 on a set that I'd 'grow out of'. I'd say my irons are probably a little too 'good' for me but my swing is improving dramatically week on week with lessons and practice and I think by Spring I should be striking the ball consistently well.

I'd echo Faldo-Fans comment. Have a few lessons and then speak to your pro about custom fitting.

 

[Tiger]

Hi Gaz, I think you are right to question the clubs you have. I'd suggest having a good try with several decent second hand clubs.... shops will usually allow you to have a go on the range with these without taping them up etc. If cost is an issue then you will get better value out of "good" second hand set rather than a lower quality new set.

Or take this advice and look for a second hand set that is more suited to your swing!!!!

 

[Macster]

A quality set of 2nd hand Clubs is the way to go, without a doubt.

ie. A set of Pings, and a trip to gainsborough, Free of Charge, and you've got yourself Custom Fitted in no time.

In fact, here you go http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PING-ZING-2-IRONS-...5#ht_4189wt_941

Zing2's took me down to 12 H/C, and were Custom fitted at Ping, and checked once or twice too, all FOC.

thats where you should start, and forget the 'Set' rubbish you'll see littering AG or the likes.

 

[Faldo_Fan]

In fact, here you go http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PING-ZING-2-IRONS-...5#ht_4189wt_941

Man, that is one ugly set of irons!!!!!

 

[GaZ8]

Cheers for the advice guys.

Waiting for the lessons and some serious range time seem like the sensible idea. It's just frustrating being so bad at a sport, i think that's why i like golf so much if you know what I mean?

One of my mates thought it would be a good idea to have our first lads golf weekend away (they only started in the summer too) 2 weeks ago and decided to book in for 2 days at Hellidon Lakes near Daventry. That was an eye opener! My friend was told when he booked it that it would be challenging but manageable for newbies. Challenging isn't a strong enough word but I wouldn't change a single minute of it!

Loved the 18th up there, a par 3 over a lake to the green situated in front of the club house. I almost felt like a proper golfer haha!

GaZ

 

[mono217]

Welcome

 

[Sneds]

Hi Gaz, there are a few of us on here from Herts, let us know if you fancy a knock x

 

[SandyBalls]

Hi Gaz

Spend the money you would be spending on custom fitting on more lessons first.

The Pros would probably hit a par round of golf with the clubs you have now - so if you are new to the game a different set of bats isn't going to make that much difference.

Would you go out and buy a Ferrari having just passed your driving test?

That said I played for my first two years with some crap McGregors and came down to 13. The I got custom fitted for some Pings in February and dropped another 4 shots this year so it was a sound investment.

 

[RichE]

Agree with comments so far - get some lessons booked and speak to a Pro about your existing clubs and options. I expect there will be a driving range somehwere near you (perhaps others on the forum from your area can advise if you don't know) that is good for people wanting to try a clubs and has plenty of demo clubs available to try. Just remember you don't have to buy because you have tried them!

At least this way, you could pick some clubs that you think might be suitable and try them out. If you find a set you like over the next few months and the pro advises on suitability then 2nd hand may be the way to go. Keep an eye out on major supplier web sites like Direct Golf as they tend to have offers on last seasons models which maybe a better option than 2nd hand and you can still get them custom fitted. Would not recommend buying a packaged set though.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Welcome along. Lessons are the way to go before you become like a lot of us on here with bad habits ingrained. Once you have a repeatable (ish) swing then you can look into the C/F option. It sounds like your pro would be able to make the clubs longer relatively cheaply anyway.

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Redbourn GC has it's own covered driving range, i'm not sure who the pro there is now but it's quite a reputable club in the area so i guess they'll have someone that knows what they're talking about?