Why Spend Loads

[WWG]

Having only played the game 5 months, I am a little confused about golf clubs. I can understand the difference between balls, as they are designed to do different things, and I know that better golf shoes feel more comfortable, but golfing bats?

By this stage you may think I am a complete idiot, but the bloke who sold me my complete set (including bag) played worse when he bought himself an expensive set of Callaways, which would indicate to me that it's what suits you, and NOT how much they cost. My irons, 3 wood, and 5 wood are Dunlop's with graphite shafts, I have two cheap hybrids, and a £4.50 Great Big Bertha I bought on ebay. Having had two pro's look at them, they both told me they are reasonable clubs. I make plenty of bad shots, but I am pretty dam sure that this is my fault, and not the fault of the clubs. When I get things right I can hit a pretty good drive. I can hit 3/5 wood off of the fairway in a straight line, and a long way for someone of my maturing years and inexperience. I can chip a ball accurately with my higher numbered clubs, and my £7.50 1.5 ball mallet putter, I can also be pretty awesome with.

I am expecting you all to come back to me informing me that what I have at the moment is fine for a beginner, but if I ever get any better I will need more expensive clubs. Can someone actually tell me what these clubs will do that my present one's don't ?

 

[Siren]

Its never a case of needing better clubs.

My best ever round of golf around my track is 75 +6, the first time I achieved that score I was using Titleist AP1 "game improvement" irons. Now I have been custom fitted, while I have not beaten that score as of yet I have matched it several times but I am far more consistent with my newer clubs. The dispersion of my shots are a lot tighter, the distances are more consistent.

I believe and many on here will tell you the same its down to custom fitting ensuring the clubs you have are suited to your swing. Its not a case of them being better it is a case of what suits you, these companies dont make bad clubs.

Just remember that the clubs you have now were expensive at some point, well maybe not the dunlops

 

[Vardon11LDN]

You certainly won't need expensive clubs but you may want them. I absolutely love buying new gear. Since being fitted for my irons and having the proper shaft on my driver I have dropped four shots off my H/C. But it different for everyone. New clubs take time to get used to. With regards to what they do that yours doesn't it varies from person to person and swing to swing.

 

[Capella]

Why do people buy new cars when a used one would get them from a to b just as easily and for a fraction of the price? Why do they buy new furniture, clothing, smartphones etc.? Same thing. If it weren't for all the marketing, the bought reviews and the artificial hype, golf club sales would drop to maybe a tenth of what they are. People like to be screwed that way. Golfers are no exception.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

The build quality should be better on 'premium' clubs with better materials being used, not always the case before someone else says so, however I suspect most people would be able to feel the difference between a Dunlop iron and a premium brand.

 

[rksquire]

........, but the bloke who sold me my complete set (including bag) played worse when he bought himself an expensive set of Callaways, which would indicate to me that it's what suits you, and NOT how much they cost........ Can someone actually tell me what these clubs will do that my present one's don't ?

If they suit you, they suit you. I had a Dunlop starter set for the first 2 years or so, they were fine and I was learning, I had doubts about whether 'better' clubs would make much difference. I was wrong. Same with the putter. Same with the driver. Same with the 3 wood. But they don't need to be expensive, but sometimes I like something shiny and new.

From reading on here, from people with more ability than me, sometimes they change and it doesn't work out. But eventually (sooner) they'll change again and it'll improve. I've been more stubborn and resisted change. But I was wrong.

 

[WWG]

I am retired now, but most of my working life I worked at a fairly senior level in the retail business. The product my business sold was outdoor clothing pursuits. That said, I suppose it could have been anything. There is a common perception amongst the public that you get what you pay for, whereas in reality this is not always the case. Many products were made to the same spec in the same factory, but one had a top brand name and sold for twice the price. Waterproof jackets are a great example. Goretex is a country mile ahead of everything else, and if you want a breathable fabric, nothing else compares. Other than that everything else is much of a muchness, but the price varies incredibly. At one time we sold trainers. At the time everyone wanted reeboks, but thought HiTec were naff. As it happens they were made in the same factory, and some of the styles were almost identical. The main difference was price. Much the same can be said for cars, with people paying twice as much for an Audi, when it is only really a Skoda.

Now, I'm not pretending that the steel used for a Callaway head isn't better than a Dunlop head, or the graphite shaft on a Ping club isn't better than Slazenger club, but I would argue that the price difference can't be justified. Ultimately, a golf club has an angled head, with a shaft, and it is used to strike a ball. The slight difference in quality may knock a single shot off of a round for a very competent golfer, but for most mortals the thing is that the clubs one owns are suited to that person, and NOT the branding on the package.

Of course, your opinions may differ, and I respect that

 

[Deleted member 15344]

When it comes to golf equipment as with most things in life - the better quality products are always a bit more expensive

The better wedges , putters , drivers and irons are more expensive than the "Masters and John Letters and Dunlop" equipment -they are a better build using more research and development as well as using better materials. But always go with what suits your game and gives you the most confidence - that doesn't have to be the more expensive clubs or manufacturers etc.

 

[Birchy]

You can helicopter premium clubs further as the metals are more aero dynamic and lighter

 

[WWG]

When it comes to golf equipment as with most things in life - the better quality products are always a bit more expensive

The better wedges , putters , drivers and irons are more expensive than the "Masters and John Letters and Dunlop" equipment -they are a better build using more research and development as well as using better materials. But always go with what suits your game and gives you the most confidence - that doesn't have to be the more expensive clubs or manufacturers etc.

Absolutely true. Was it not Steven Hendry that used a £3 snooker cue his whole career ?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Because I can, I've not borrowed the money, not put myself in debt, believe I've worked for it and because I want them.

 

[delc]

To quote Lee Trevino, "It's not the bow and arrow, it's the Indian'. I once went to a demo day hosted by Darren Clarke. He was able to take clubs out of anybody's bag, men or women, and hit good shots with them. I suspect that the main difference between expensive and cheap clubs is the quality of the shafts and a load of advertising hype!

 

[Robster59]

There is such a wide selection of golf clubs now that there is a large selection at decent prices. Also if you are willing to buy last years models there are also some great deals. My last set of irons (Mizuno MX-900) I bought at half list as the MX-950 had just come out. I'm still using them 8 years later. I am looking to change now but will be using money in the club Pro shop to give them business but will still be expecting a decent deal.

At the end of the day, if you want the latest clubs, you will pay the money for them. Otherwise, shop around and pick up clubs at bargain prices.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

To quote Lee Trevino, "It's not the bow and arrow, it's the Indian'. I once went to a demo day hosted by Darren Clarke. He was able to take clubs out of anybody's bag, men or women, and hit good shots with them. I suspect that the main difference between expensive and cheap clubs is the quality of the shafts and a load of advertising hype!

The difference in price can often be attributed in part to R&D costs.

However, one of the largest reasons is the cost of marketing including sponsorship.

In many cases the component parts like shafts and grips are common to both low and high cost brands.

For example I have a set of Snake Eyes irons in the garage which would have cost £299 new.

They have DG R300 shafts, Lamkin 3 GEN REL grips and forged heads, comparable spec (and performance) to many far more expensive sets from higher profile brands.

The same can often be said of offerings from companies such as MD, Benross and John Letters.

Unfortunately too many of we golfers are guilty of brand snobbery.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

...though as a non-believer - why spend money or time getting a set custom-fitted to your swing when you are learning the game and your swing is all over the place and most likely to change quite significantly in the short term?

 

[WWG]

The difference in price can often be attributed in part to R&D costs.

However, one of the largest reasons is the cost of marketing including sponsorship.

In many cases the component parts like shafts and grips are common to both low and high cost brands.

For example I have a set of Snake Eyes irons in the garage which would have cost £299 new.

They have DG R300 shafts, Lamkin 3 GEN REL grips and forged heads, comparable spec (and performance) to many far more expensive sets from higher profile brands.

The same can often be said of offerings from companies such as MD, Benross and John Letters.

Unfortunately too many of we golfers are guilty of brand snobbery.

Absolutely, and this was the point I was making

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Because I can, I've not borrowed the money, not put myself in debt, believe I've worked for it and because I want them.

Exactly right, spend your money as you see fit.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Exactly right, spend your money as you see fit.

Completely agree.

It is a question of individual choice but that choice does not need to be justified by spurious claims of greater quality being almost guaranteed by the more expensive brands.

 

[Bazz]

I dont come to work to not be able to treat myself now and then. If you're earning it spend it as you wish.

And it's great taking the wrapper of something new as I've said before.

 

[UlyssesSky]

I once went to a demo day hosted by Darren Clarke. He was able to take clubs out of anybody's bag, men or women, and hit good shots with them. I suspect that the main difference between expensive and cheap clubs is the quality of the shafts and a load of advertising hype!

Darren Clarke (like any other top player) could probably attach a raw piece of metal to a stick he found in the woods and hit a nice, high draw. The rest of us will be better of with clubs that properly suit them and their game.
Doesn't have to mean that they need to be new, expensive clubs, but chances are that overall built quality and consistency will be better if you stay away from cheap clubs/sets.