What would you do?...

[drew83]

So, you have bought your starter set & have been playing for a year or so. You are seeing improvement in your scores & striking capabilities.

You knew the day you bought the starter set that it would get upgraded over time, so there is no love lost on that point.

1)How would you go through the bag upgrading? Irons 1st? Driver? Putter?
2)Would you go and get fitted now you are upgrading?
3)Would you give your starter a bit longer to get your scores down more?
4)Or for a recreational golfer playing once a week(ish) would you stick with the current set up until it "wears out"?

I have a nice pay rise this year so can save up for a couple of months & change bits each time, or save & do a complete overhaul ready for next season.

(I blame you lot for always talking of new shiny sticks :thup

 

[gazr99]

So, you have bought your starter set & have been playing for a year or so. You are seeing improvement in your scores & striking capabilities.

You knew the day you bought the starter set that it would get upgraded over time, so there is no love lost on that point.

1)How would you go through the bag upgrading? Irons 1st? Driver? Putter?
2)Would you go and get fitted now you are upgrading?
3)Would you give your starter a bit longer to get your scores down more?
4)Or for a recreational golfer playing once a week(ish) would you stick with the current set up until it "wears out"?

I have a nice pay rise this year so can save up for a couple of months & change bits each time, or save & do a complete overhaul ready for next season.

(I blame you lot for always talking of new shiny sticks :thup

I would probably say putter last.

If scores are still going down, why fix something that isn't broken?

When you do feel like getting new clubs, I tend to replace the ones that I feel are my weakest/least forgiving

 

[garyinderry]

those starter sets you get these days are perfect for your first few years of learning the game. a lot of people start of using any old ramshackle collection of clubs they can find or are given. having a full set like that is perfect, designed with beginners in mind and will have good gapping between them.

If you have only been playing a year I doubt you have outgrown them ability wise. I could be wrong.

Just upgrade whatever you like. There are no right and wrong answers here.

If it was me I would maybe upgrade the driver. But get some lessons on it too so you can maximise your new toy. Or if you really dont like your putter change that.

 

[drew83]

I would probably say putter last.

If scores are still going down, why fix something that isn't broken?

When you do feel like getting new clubs, I tend to replace the ones that I feel are my weakest/least forgiving

This is my thinking...

On the one hand, I can use all of my clubs to a reasonable standard (just not consistent yet). On the other hand, I realise that as a starter set they may not have the longevity of a higher standard set.

 

[Doh]

I think the time to change is when you feel you have reached your peak with your currant set. As long as you are still seeing some improvement stay with what you have got. In the meantime start saving so you have the cash when you do change. I think custom fit will be the way to go, gives you the best chance of getting the right gear for you.

 

[drew83]

those starter sets you get these days are perfect for your first few years of learning the game. a lot of people start of using any old ramshackle collection of clubs they can find or are given. having a full set like that is perfect, designed with beginners in mind and will have good gapping between them.

If you have only been playing a year I doubt you have outgrown them ability wise. I could be wrong.

Just upgrade whatever you like. There are no right and wrong answers here.

If it was me I would maybe upgrade the driver. But get some lessons on it too so you can maximise your new toy. Or if you really dont like your putter change that.

Definitely not, but there is part of me (and I guess the whole point of the thread) that wonders if I should get a "better" set now to get used to them & develop with them....or would I need to "relearn" so to speak?

If I went from cavity back to blades for example....

The other issue is, boredom. I tend to get bored of the look of things quickly. Phones last 10-12 months then get changed. Cars about 18months...

There is never anything wrong with the phones/cars etc. I just fancy a change because I can.

 

[Rooter]

Ignore the sensible suggestions, go get your credit card and go to Ping in Gainsborough, Titleist fitting center or Taylormade at wentworth. Hand over your credit card and just say "FIT ME" dont worry about the cost. You know thats the best thing to do!

 

[jamielaing]

It really just depends on the standard you are playing to and where you are in your progress. Absoultely no point in paying a fortune for new clubs that work well for you now but won't do in 2 years. I would hang it out a bit longer. If you are inconsistent then probably improve that first so you know you are fitted to what you need.

At the same token, I know the appeal of new toys far too well so I would probably make a wee purchase. Look at either what's missing from your bag (wedge or hybrid maybe) or replace the part I think could improve, for instance the driver.

When it comes to replacing be careful- this time last year I bought a 4 wood and ordered new irons saying 'this is all I need'. 12 months and 2 hybrids, 2 wedges on I have replaced the 4 wood and am still planing a new driver and 3 wood. Maybe even a putter. Every new toy leads to another for me!

 

[Dan2501]

Ignore the sensible suggestions, go get your credit card and go to Ping in Gainsborough, Titleist fitting center or Taylormade at wentworth. Hand over your credit card and just say "FIT ME" dont worry about the cost. You know thats the best thing to do!

This. Or Archerfield Links and get fitted for some shiny Volt bats. If it works for Rory!

 

[drew83]

In the bag I have:
12* driver
3 & 5 wood
hybrid/rescue
5-SW
Blade putter.

The set (in +1 inch) is here: http://www.bensayers.co.uk/products...kage-set/m15-mens-package-set-blue-stand-bag/
I have started to learn to use my PW & SW for around the green. The putter started to behave Sunday & the driver & woods have there really good shots, then some silly duffs (this is were the inconsistency comes into it).

As for the irons, I favour the 5,7,9. I don't tend to use the 6 or 8 much but I couldn't tell you why.

Cheers all so far for the input.

 

[ruff-driver]

Spend it, you can't take it with you

If you fancy a set of vega blades, i know someone who has a set for sale ( cough cough )

 

[jamielaing]

Ignore the sensible suggestions, go get your credit card and go to Ping in Gainsborough, Titleist fitting center or Taylormade at wentworth. Hand over your credit card and just say "FIT ME" dont worry about the cost. You know thats the best thing to do!

This has inspired me! Oh what a day I would have!

 

[TheDiablo]

Would you really benefit from a custom fitting? Sure, you feel like a pro for an hour but would you see any tangible benefit on the course? I'd suggest than unless you are consistently shooting in the 80's then probably not.

Take a look at the new Adams Blue range. BAll of the technology needed for launch and straight shooting, no need for fitting. When I tested them, they were so so easy to hit - perfect strikes were amazing and off centre strikes still really got out there. They do a full range from Driver to PW - hit the irons, hybrids, FW and driver and see what you think! IMHO they would be an ideal gap from a starter set to a custom fitting when you are ready. I'm sure there's loads of others out there that are similar.

 

[garyinderry]

Definitely not, but there is part of me (and I guess the whole point of the thread) that wonders if I should get a "better" set now to get used to them & develop with them....or would I need to "relearn" so to speak?

If I went from cavity back to blades for example....

The other issue is, boredom. I tend to get bored of the look of things quickly. Phones last 10-12 months then get changed. Cars about 18months...

There is never anything wrong with the phones/cars etc. I just fancy a change because I can.

If you have the d'oh burning your pocket then go for it. New kit is great no doubt. be under no illusions though, there is a good chance you will hit the some shots with the new sticks.

Again I would recommend a new driver. Apparently the forgiveness on offer by new drivers is great these days. I imagine there is a lot more tech in the head of a new ping driver than there is in your starter driver.

No fitter is going to be recommending you get some blades for a few years yet. when the time is right, you wont be forced to relearn how to hit them. Stick with those irons. They look pretty sweet btw. much nicer than the fugly irons I learnt with.

Try out some putter and different grips. You might just find one you really really like and get the feeling that 'i can't miss with this'. This can bread confidence which is no bad thing to have when trying to hole putts.

 

[Dan2501]

Definitely not, but there is part of me (and I guess the whole point of the thread) that wonders if I should get a "better" set now to get used to them & develop with them....or would I need to "relearn" so to speak?

If I went from cavity back to blades for example....

The other issue is, boredom. I tend to get bored of the look of things quickly. Phones last 10-12 months then get changed. Cars about 18months...

There is never anything wrong with the phones/cars etc. I just fancy a change because I can.

Don't get blades. You're only starting, and there are tour pros that don't use blades. If the money is burning a hole in your pocket though, then going for a fitting at one of the big brand fitting centres would be a great experience, and you'd get some great gear. I'm going to be doing that for my next set of bats, would love to head down to Archerfield and get a full Nike fitting, love the new volt stuff.

 

[drew83]

Ok cheers all. The Adams blue do look sweet!!

I try talking to HID about this, & she can go from "oh no we need a new xxxxxxxx for the house" to "if you want to, go get new clubs".

 

[garyinderry]

These were the fugly irons I used till I could play off 18. your don't look so bad now do they?

 

[drew83]

These were the fugly irons I used till I could play off 18. your don't look so bad now do they?

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I think mine are ugly, or look bad. Just fancy a change up. Maybe I will look into getting the set "tarted up" at over winter.....new paint job etc....

 

[rksquire]

It’s a similar position to me to be honest with the starter start. I changed my driver after a year to a ‘forgiving’ type, off the shelf, and still use this. Distance and accuracy improved immediately, bad shots remained bad shots but instead of being a fairway over with a slice it was in the rough hole boundaries - technique has improved other short comings but this is the case no matter what kit you have.

I resisted holding of on changing my irons as I was still improving and wasn’t sure of the benefit I’d get. Changed them last year, wish I’d changed them sooner. Good shots are far superior – distance, height, trajectory, feel, sound... bad shots have forgiveness, awful shots are still awful.

I kept my 3H in play, but only for long par 3s where I tee it up and hit ‘up’ slightly. I bought a fairway wood last here and it’s sort of love-hate but it, in times of love, is a game changer. In times of hate I regress dramatically!

My putter is still the same, only just started investing practive time in it and that is paying of. It’s badly balanced though and I can’t plumb it so I’m thinking of changing it although I’m liking how my ball is rolling now so might wait to the end of the year.

 

[drew83]

I do wish I had kept my old Wilson putter from my old old set. Sold the lot to mate last year. They were from when I was younger & after growing a bit & talking to my BIL, I decided to get a new set inch longer hence my Ben's.

I may ask him for the putter back as I do miss it, but I am getting to grips with the new one. Maybe I will wait till the end of the season & see if I am lacking in an area & swap that out....