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Equipment upgrades for newbie?

Tue, Jul 31 2012 12:07 PM (21 replies)
  • alosso
    21,070 Posts
    Sun, Jul 29 2012 3:23 AM

    Firenzo:

    What upgrades do you experienced players recommend first? I have already  bought the Taylor Made Spider Putter and after 1 round (St. George's) I'm loving it. I'm limited to what I can buy, as I'm just a pensioner and have to get all my equipment from taking surveys.

    The first tipp won't cost you a penny:

    Exchange all the SWING clubs in your bag by the respective Starters.

     

    The budget way would be to stick with the Starter putter - IMO the best club of this set. O.k. you changed - that's fine, too.

    Next proposal would be one (64°) or two (60+64°) of the Ping wedges - the Starter wedges are crap against these.

    Budget proposal #4 is the best 3WD you can get as a driver replacement. I fully agree to the former proposal of that double use bargain.

    If meter speed is no prob for you, consider the R11 (lvl 30+), the first one with high trajectory. The Raptures are an alternative with slower meter, e.g. lvl 47 @46,000 XPs.

    If you pile up enough credits, you may also consider a full set of R11 or Raptures. Good irons will be a pleasure at some point.

    Custom balls add to the fun, but they wear and get lost, creating a steady cash flow towards WGT. Consider them once you have settled your needs above.

    Though ev1 proposes the expensive ones, also the cheapos will better your game with slower meter speed, a wee bit more spin and higher consistency. I use the WGT-SDs @65 crs per sleeve, though the WGT-S aren't too bad either. Of course Callies and whatnots are better but they quadruple the costs!

  • mantis0014
    8,946 Posts
    Sun, Jul 29 2012 3:45 AM

    There's another good point Alosso,

    For people who are still learning the game, getting the Nikes or Callaways can be more trouble for them than it's really worth.

    As you said the Cheaper Balls can be better.   I used the GI-Sd's, in my younger years which is a bit more dearer, but still cheap and a very good overall Ball.

    Saying all of this, if your comftable with something then stick to it and try and get better using any equipment you have.....   except for the Ezi-Swing clubs....lol

    -Roger

     

     

  • alosso
    21,070 Posts
    Sun, Jul 29 2012 5:29 AM

    I say, any custom ball is better than the Starter. They all add to consistency in ball flight at the cost of some steady expenses.

    I prefer the Tour-SDs, giving good spin and an extra in length that won't make the clubs' nominal length worthless but frequently makes a difference in close situations, e.g. uphill.

    The GIs slow down the meter nicely but they wear a tad bit too quickly.

    I also tried the Tour-S which combine some spin with the lower meter speed. No distance added but a good price.

    Looking around in the balls department of the Pro Shop, The B-ES (10 cr/sleeve) might be a good deal for a beginner. A tad bit of extra spin, no extra distance but good durability! They should cost less than 1 credit per 9 hole strokeplay round (SDs at 6 cr/round, my estimation).

  • Milfshake
    1,260 Posts
    Mon, Jul 30 2012 9:37 AM

    How about spend a bunch of money and see what works best for you.  Worked for me.

  • alosso
    21,070 Posts
    Mon, Jul 30 2012 3:24 PM

    Milfshake:

    How about spend a bunch of money and see what works best for you.  Worked for me.

    Nice idea if you can afford it.

    I seem to remember that the OP is limited to surveys etc - not much room for money-wasting.

  • Choppography
    2,166 Posts
    Mon, Jul 30 2012 4:08 PM

    If people are recommending driver/wedges before putters, I hope it's because OP said he already grabbed the Spider.

    For those that haven't upgraded anything yet, and may be reading this while trying to make a decision.....get a putter first.

    More than half your strokes are putts.  With the starter, inside 5ft is difficult to make.  With a decent upgraded putter, 5ft and in becomes nearly automatic unless there is some nasty break in the putt.  This takes pressure off your first putts allowing you to start working on your distance control on the greens....then your lines/reading of the putt.....which also bleeds into chipping, flopping, and pitching.  This rapidly improves your average score.

    Putter first.....then, where you feel your game needs most work.  The 3wood doubling as a driver is a phenomenal tip and worth it's weight in gold.

  • Hewsey
    1,957 Posts
    Mon, Jul 30 2012 6:35 PM

    Personally I would wait until level 48 then buy Rapture driver  3 wood  & the irons  add to that 3 wedges  $2.00 pings are just fine. Total $38.55  make your wedges say 60 yard 80 yard 100 yard or around there. You have time to add to your credits and IMO  this set up will take you to Tour Master with no trouble.

  • WGTadmin2
    1,152 Posts
    Mon, Jul 30 2012 7:47 PM

    This is all very helpful, thanks for the constructive posts

  • alosso
    21,070 Posts
    Mon, Jul 30 2012 9:17 PM

    Choppography:

    If people are recommending driver/wedges before putters, I hope it's because OP said he already grabbed the Spider.

    For those that haven't upgraded anything yet, and may be reading this while trying to make a decision.....get a putter first.

    More than half your strokes are putts.  With the starter, inside 5ft is difficult to make.  With a decent upgraded putter, 5ft and in becomes nearly automatic unless there is some nasty break in the putt.  This takes pressure off your first putts allowing you to start working on your distance control on the greens....then your lines/reading of the putt.....which also bleeds into chipping, flopping, and pitching.  This rapidly improves your average score.

    Putter first.....then, where you feel your game needs most work.  The 3wood doubling as a driver is a phenomenal tip and worth it's weight in gold.

    I beg to differ: The Starter putter ain't that bad, otherwise there'd be no legend playing with it. It's the Starter wedges producing headaches, being far away from any degree in reliability, especially when it comes to choked shots from bunkers and around the green.

    Wedges first (from Pings up), putter last (also to allow time for levelling up to about 35), that's my proposal.

  • row2seat2
    1,441 Posts
    Tue, Jul 31 2012 6:55 AM

    Lets see after buying 6 sets of irons, 5 putters, 5 drivers and about 8 or so different wedges I would say look at what the weakest part of your game is and build from there then just enjoy the ride.

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