Golfers out there?

[ERCougar]

I may need to take this to CB, but I'm guessing that with the preponderance of attorneys around, there must be some golfers.

I need advice on buying new clubs.

I used to be a pretty good golfer. I played for our HS team (West High--imagine how competitive that is), mostly for the free golf. By the time I graduated, I was about a 5-handicap. As soon as I started having to pay, my frequency dropped off considerably and right now, on my current once-a-year schedule I'm about an 18. We're moving over to the golf course in town and so I'm thinking that I could get out every night for a few holes if I really wanted (at least a few times a week) and then play 18 somewhere during the week. I doubt I'll ever play much more than this (at least until I retire), as it's increasingly hard to carve out the time to play. I also refuse to ever go to the driving range to get better at a game that will never pay me money. I think that with that schedule, I could get back to about a 10-handicap and I'd be happy with that.

My problem is, I haven't been up on the golfing equipment world since high school and even then I played with a crappy set of hand-me-down clubs. I have no idea where technology is these days, other than people seem to pour all their money into enormous drivers and suck at putting. My current set of clubs is around 15 yrs of old and I'm finally going to spring to upgrade. How much money do I need to spend? Is it unrealistic to keep it under $1000? Is there a consumerreports of golf club sets? Can I buy these off ksl.com? I'm about 6'3-6'4 with an average torso and legs. Do you think I need to get them customized at all?

[PaloAltoCougar]

The biggest advance in golf technology over the past decade or so has been, at least in my view, what they've done with drivers. I was on the HS golf team as well, but I really couldn't hit a driver consistently, and thus I stayed with a three wood off the tee until just a few years ago. Now, with the huge, titanium clubheads, the drivers are so forgiving they're easy for me to hit well (BYU'71 and Goatnapper will question this, but IT WAS AN OFF DAY, SIRS). Hybrid clubs have also taken the place of long irons for all but the low handicappers as well.

Brand doesn't matter nearly as much as fit; after that it's purely a matter of personal preference. I had a good experience getting custom fitted clubs from a local pro who sells Henry Griffits (from the Gem State!). They cost around $90/iron, and more for woods/hybrids, though, so you may want get back into the game a bit with a less expensive set. But with a good golf shop, you should be fitted well with a decent set of clubs for less than a grand. Just make sure you try a variety of clubs first before making a decision.

[il Padrino Ute]

ER - golf technology, as PAC noted has been mostly on the side of the drivers, but there are so many choices out there for irons and wedges as well that it's almost impossible to not find a great set of clubs. Good advice from PAC as well to get fitted at a good shop.

The biggest advance in golf technology over the past decade or so has been, at least in my view, what they've done with drivers. I was on the HS golf team as well, but I really couldn't hit a driver consistently, and thus I stayed with a three wood off the tee until just a few years ago. Now, with the huge, titanium clubheads, the drivers are so forgiving they're easy for me to hit well (BYU'71 and Goatnapper will question this, but IT WAS AN OFF DAY, SIRS). Hybrid clubs have also taken the place of long irons for all but the low handicappers as well.

Brand doesn't matter nearly as much as fit; after that it's purely a matter of personal preference. I had a good experience getting custom fitted clubs from a local pro who sells Henry Griffits (from the Gem State!). They cost around $90/iron, and more for woods/hybrids, though, so you may want get back into the game a bit with a less expensive set. But with a good golf shop, you should be fitted well with a decent set of clubs for less than a grand. Just make sure you try a variety of clubs first before making a decision.

I am seriously considering treating myself to a set of these come spring:

CG7 Tour Irons

I'm happy with my driver right now, but will get another someday.

[landpoke]

I bought a set of Cleveland irons (TA 6's) a couple years ago and have been more than happy with them.

Do it. Do it now.

[il Padrino Ute]

I bought a set of Cleveland irons (TA 6's) a couple years ago and have been more than happy with them.

Do it. Do it now.

Right now? Even if the shop is closed?

[RC Vikings]

Be a stud and go buy some Mizuno blades. With a sweet spot the size of a pin they are harder then hell to hit but I sure think they look cool.

[Donuthole]

I golf with a set of Taylor-Made T-Rac knock-off irons that cost me $175. When I was shopping, I hit both them and the real thing, and couldn't really tell the difference. As for the driver, I wouldn't go cheap there. You can probably pick up a nice stiff shaft (love that word) Taylor Made r5 or r7 for under $250 if you get last year's model. I made the mistake of paying full price for an r7 when they were first released 4 years ago, and the very next year they upped it from 420cc to 460cc. That said, I've never hit a driver better in my life, and absent a case of the shanks, and consistently 280ish off the tee. With my old Big Bertha I would rarely crack 250. If you shop around, $1000 is very doable, even if you buy name brand stuff. $500 is doable if you go for the knock-offs.

[landpoke]

Right now? Even if the shop is closed?

Yes

[landpoke]

I golf with a set of Taylor-Made T-Rac knock-off irons that cost me $175. When I was shopping, I hit both them and the real thing, and couldn't really tell the difference. As for the driver, I wouldn't go cheap there. You can probably pick up a nice stiff shaft (love that word) Taylor Made r5 or r7 for under $250 if you get last year's model. I made the mistake of paying full price for an r7 when they were first released 4 years ago, and the very next year they upped it from 420cc to 460cc. That said, I've never hit a driver better in my life, and absent a case of the shanks, and consistently 280ish off the tee. With my old Big Bertha I would rarely crack 250. If you shop around, $1000 is very doable, even if you buy name brand stuff. $500 is doable if you go for the knock-offs.

To that end you might look at Golfsmith for "used" drivers. I bought a TaylorMade Burner last year online that was "used" for 50% of the cost of new. As near as I could tell the club had never touched a golf ball.

[ERCougar]

I golf with a set of Taylor-Made T-Rac knock-off irons that cost me $175. When I was shopping, I hit both them and the real thing, and couldn't really tell the difference. As for the driver, I wouldn't go cheap there. You can probably pick up a nice stiff shaft (love that word) Taylor Made r5 or r7 for under $250 if you get last year's model. I made the mistake of paying full price for an r7 when they were first released 4 years ago, and the very next year they upped it from 420cc to 460cc. That said, I've never hit a driver better in my life, and absent a case of the shanks, and consistently 280ish off the tee. With my old Big Bertha I would rarely crack 250. If you shop around, $1000 is very doable, even if you buy name brand stuff. $500 is doable if you go for the knock-offs.

I'm all about knockoffs, and Taylor-Mades were the clubs I was drooling over back in high school. Where do you buy knockoffs? Can you get them fitted? Do I need to?

Sorry, dumb questions. Really out of touch.

Regarding drivers, I've always been of the opinion that long drives are really overrated. Keep it in the fairway and work on your short game (a lot more fun than the driving range anyway). You really think it's worth it, or do you just like flexing off the tee?

[ERCougar]

To that end you might look at Golfsmith for "used" drivers. I bought a TaylorMade Burner last year online that was "used" for 50% of the cost of new. As near as I could tell the club had never touched a golf ball.

This looks like a great site...thanks.

[Donuthole]

I'm all about knockoffs, and Taylor-Mades were the clubs I was drooling over back in high school. Where do you buy knockoffs? Can you get them fitted? Do I need to?

Sorry, dumb questions. Really out of touch.

Regarding drivers, I've always been of the opinion that long drives are really overrated. Keep it in the fairway and work on your short game (a lot more fun than the driving range anyway). You really think it's worth it, or do you just like flexing off the tee?

I got mine from Schneiter's Riverside Golf Course in Riverdale, UT. And mine are fitted (1/2" long). I think many little local courses sell knock-offs, but it seems most courses down your way are city-owned.

As for long drives, it totally depends on where you golf. Here in Vegas, the trend is to lengthen all the par 4s and 5s. Lots of par 4s are getting into the 450 range, and lots of par 5s are creeping up into the 550 range, and some are hitting 600. Even if you hit a 285 yard drive straight down the middle, you're not reaching the green in two. However, that extra 35 yards over a 250 yard drive will be the difference between a sand wedge and a 8 iron into the green. Which, in turn, might be the difference between a makeable birdie putt and a three putt bogey. Certainly there are holes (and courses) which reward accuracy over distance. Ideally, of course, you can be both long and accurate.

[cougjunkie]

I have demoed the taylor made racs several times they are great clubs. Currently I have the Nike CPRs which have been good for me, but I am looking to upgrade. I think the Taylor mades will probably be my next purchase.

[OhioBlue]

if you're looking used, check ebay. lots of reputable golf equipment dealers do most of their business there. you can also check 'for sale' sections of bombsquadgolf or golfwrx.com but quite honestly nowhere moves more golf gear at better prices than ebay, period.

as for the comment about mizuno clubs, mizuno now makes plenty of forged irons that are also quite forgiving. the old mizzy blades may have had a pea-sized sweet spot, but between the mx line and even the newer installments in the mp line (eg 57s), average duffers can still enjoy the feel of forged steel and that butter soft click of puring the ball. i know i do.

my opinion on drivers is to buy one that's a year or two old in terms of technology and save yourself a lot of money. there's a million good drivers out there presently. Ever since COR and clubhead size were maxed the only other thing that's had more than a negligible impact on driver quality is increasing MOI. and even that is overrated. Go swing some clubs at a local shop--for you that would mean heading down to st george?--find something that fits your swing and swing speed, and look for it on ebay. that's my advice.

[OhioBlue]

for example, the cobra l4v linked below was selling for $150 more last year at this time than it is now. This is a driver that was right up there in terms of buzz factor (check out the 60+ page post about it on golfwrx if you don't believe me) last year, everyone had to have one and throw in some crazy ozik or other exotic shaft, spending well over 500 once all was said and done.

Fast forward a mere number of months--and you can find this driver online used/new for well less than 200, some even going for 150 or less. This driver btw is looong and straight almost to a fault, the main critique is that you can't work the ball with it. Plus that's a diamana shaft in there boys, in other words not a bad piece of equipment.

if you're like me and into saving money, you'll let the curse of golf equipment junkies everywhere work to your advantage. Speaking of ej's, just watch what happens to the driver market now that tiger is playing a nike dyno head, which is considerable smaller than the typical 460 cc's.




http://cgi.ebay.com/Cobra-L4V-X-Driv...QQcmdZViewItem