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Golf clubs IRL

• gonfission 2,264 Posts

  Sun, May 22 2016 8:06 AM

  I am looking for some learned advice from avid golfers. Not professionals per se. I used to be quite good 25 years ago. 4 - 5 days a week. Stuff happens, technology rapidly outpaces us in every field now. Most of it is unnecessary bells and whistles and junk.

  Most likely will be doing twice a week now to start. I know very little about the hybrids available today. In my prime I would use a 2 iron very efficiently. The mechanics I have down pat. Just need to get back out there and loosen up.

  So if you don't mind, the difference between graphite vs steel shafts would be helpful information to me. Mid 50's in age, relatively fit. 

  Also is titanium a necessity in driver heads. And what the heck is up with driver heads as big as grapefruits? Six inch tees? Anyone using clones? I know Ti-Al is mostly aluminium making use of the metal titanium name in the manufacturing.

   I understand there are 3 types of iron heads now also. All this I can read about. I would like to know from some of the people in here that use updated clubs and how they feel and differ from years past. Who prefers what and why?

  I have read that some of the BARGAINS, that were $900.00 now $400.00, the heads are flying off them. That's quite a bargain. Maybe that's why they call them E-Z Fly.

  Irons set - driver - 3 - 5 woods, 2 wedges are what I had used. Yeah a putter also.

  I am a right handed hitter, however I putt lefty. Don't ask.

  Any useful information is gladly appreciated before I even go look at the new stuff.

  Thanks

  My budget for spending is about $1200.00 - $1500.00 U.S.

• SweetiePie 4,925 Posts

  Sun, May 22 2016 11:15 AM

  Well, you may be lucky. I imagine you come from a traditional past and there are quite a few MFG's that offer very small, simple looking iron sets and wedge choices that are free of the "frankenstein" looking high tech junk. The irons now go farther, higher and offer much greater spin. The "mine sweeper" looking drivers are here to stay for good reason. The one that is for you will produce unheard of distance with improved accuracy. With fitting tech advanced as it is now a "perfect fit" is possible from the right outfit dedicated to this purpose. One thing that hasn't changed is a golf swing that can fool a golf ball. Get a great fit...Mizuno is known for it.

  ~ SP ~ 

• gonfission 2,264 Posts

  Sun, May 22 2016 1:21 PM

  Thank you for that SP. Funny and true to the bone on the swing thing.

  I just got back from looking, fitting as you said. My budget is now a bit over $2000,00 

  Apparently my making fun of one on my friends list for his expenditure, was completely out of bounds on my part, with the cost of semi pro gear. Sorry Jeff.

  Anyone have good or bad to say about the 3-5 hybrids? I liked them with the graphite shafts. I still have a monster swing, I am told. Distance never was a problem.

  The big drivers you speak of? Almost broke my wrist. Several of them. I will be using a 3 wood on the tee for that reason. Distance with today's three woods shall suffice.

  How long does an approach wedge usually hit? I only swing fully, then adjust the club use. There is a wedge in between my sand wedge and the approach wedge. The type and distance on that would be good to know as well. It is not the PW

  I was very surprised to see most of the brands on this game site are represented IRL as well.

  The yellow Nike V forged steel shafts weighed an incredible amount. I can't imagine walking 18 trailing those along. Paying for a name solely on those. 

• Rosser1991 4 Posts

  Sun, May 22 2016 3:10 PM

  Glad to hear your playing again, golf is definitely fading now days.. My set in rl(and it took much tweaking) taylormade m2 driver,r11 3 wood. ping g30 hybrid(its been excellent considering im not big on hybrids and just now playin it more) nike vrs covert irons i just got not long ago and highly recommend. switch from thre taylormade r11 iron set(which is also great) with a nike method original putter.  and normally have a couple cleveland wedges 54 and 60 degree.. im at a +2 handicap atm trying to get scratch n hopefully go pro but thats wishful thinking but ive only played hard for 2 years and almost scratch so confidence up lol... lmk what you go with and how it works out. cheers.

• Whiskeybreathe 2,277 Posts

  Thu, Jun 23 2016 2:29 PM

  I'm fortunate to have a local golf shop that discounts and has a great  used / trade-ins offered. They let me take anything out for the weekend to try with no pressure to buy...HECK they give me  10 percent discount on balls or whatever else I need.... The only time I go to the big box golf shops is when I'm gifted a card.

  My kit is always a mix of used and new but most of my $2000 budget went to my  SCOTTY CUSTOM  SHOP NEWPORT JUNKYARD DOG putter with all the bells a whistles ;-) ... I still bring out my old  $5 garage sale PING KUSHIN and she does the same job. Remember to regrip every season.... It does help !

  I like the steel shafts on my blades.

• suncity28 1,266 Posts

  Sat, Jun 25 2016 1:53 AM

  gonfission:

  And what the heck is up with driver heads as big as grapefruits?

  3 wood these days are nearly as large as the 1 wood and 2 wood with the wooden head back 15 to 20 years ago. These days hitting dinner plates.

  gonfission:

  So if you don't mind, the difference between graphite vs steel shafts would be helpful information to me. Mid 50's in age, relatively fit.

  http://blog.golfsmith.com/golf-equipment/golf-club-shafts-graphite-vs-steel/#.V24-jjU2V_g

  Link gives a basic difference between the 2 shaft types. Normally driver and 3 wood + hybrids will be graphite and irons steel. Graphite shafts in irons you would haft to have a very slow swing speed to get any gain from them a lot females in there 60`s 70`s and 80`s use them and befit from them "faster swing speed" lighter etc etc.

  gonfission:

   I understand there are 3 types of iron heads now also. All this I can read about. I would like to know from some of the people in here that use updated clubs and how they feel and differ from years past. Who prefers what and why?

  I currently use Mizuno mp4 blades, blades are similar but very different to 15 years ago.  The blades of past at times were very unforgiving if you missed by a hair it went nowhere and you sure felt it in your hands. These days you have more room for error, more forgiving.

  Nuts of all your questions: In Australia we have what we call demo days. What that is a company example Ping, Taylormade, Titlist will come to a golf club and you can go try all there clubs on the range/ practice range  (not sure if you have that in the USA or called a different name) or Pro/Golf shops may do it as well there. I would go along to a few try everything they have to offer.

  Once you find a set of clubs this is very important i can`t stress how important this is (get them custom fitted for you) meaning again i refer to the demo days they also do fittings what means they will set up trackman or flightscope  you start hitting balls the fitter changes golf shafts to find the right shaft for your swing. The heads lie angles may need to be adjusted as well.

  I would never recommend someone buying something of the shelf as is, in some cases the stock shaft maybe right for them in most cases it won`t be.

  Hope this helps a little feel free to msg me if you need any more information