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Driver, Irons and Wedges, help??!

• phred952 2,714 Posts

  Wed, Dec 21 2016 7:10 AM

  Everything Robbo said is correct.  But there will be no way you can stay within your budget based on his suggestions.   

  The Ping G25's are the first Irons available with High Trajectory.  That makes a hugh difference.  That;s why they are "almost universally recommended" as even he noted.  

  The L50+ Max wedges are going to be much better than the ATV's, but they cost almost double @ 895 credits each.  Learning to control the spin on them would take some time.  They will spin back just like the Top Level Cleveland wedges do.   

  Putter "feel" is very subjective.  Most putters below 800 credits don't seem to perform very well, the Daytona being the exception.   But it's not for everyone.  The same way that the L70 Versa is universally recommended, but it's not for everyone either.

  Bottom line is find what "feels good" and works for you.  If you can go over your budget more options open up.

  GL

• Robert1893 7,722 Posts

  Wed, Dec 21 2016 7:13 AM

  TStrong2:

  I wait until level 59, but the full set of Ping G25 for 4495 and I get the added bonus of a decent 3 wood & Hybrid included, and I'll still have enough to purchase the 3 ATV wedges as above?? 

  You've received a lot of great advice already, but I thought I would chime in.
  
  When I first started thinking about upgrading, I thought a lot about whether to buy a full set of clubs or buy the driver, 3 wood, and irons separately. After searching the boards, I became convinced that buying them separately was the way to go. That decision was based on a number of factors.
  
  First, purchasing them separately makes it easier to upgrade that one item down the road. Second, most people will say that you should ultimately get rid of the hybrid in favor of an extra wedge. And third, you can get a bit better setup by purchasing everything separately.
  
  The downside is that it's likely to be a bit more expensive. But I was able to earn a bunch of free credits, so that helped the process.
  
  By the way, I also think the R1 (Level 48+) driver and the Ping (L59+) irons are the way to go. I also really liked the R15 3-wood (Level 41+). But for the wedges, I went with the Cleveland wedges (around Level 30). Admittedly, they are a lot more expensive and will cost about 3,000 credits by themselves. Still, I thought they were worth it. But I realize that they're not in the budget you have. 
  

• alosso 21,073 Posts

  Wed, Dec 21 2016 10:29 AM

  Robbo81303:

  As for wedges, I believe the L50-52 Max Spin wedges are miles better than the recommended ATV's and, depending on how you play, may darn well be the best wedges in the game.

  These are almost double price of the ATVs (895 vs. 495) and have a narrow spacing of 60 - 75 - 90 which might result in suboptimal spacing adding the punches. ATVs are (41) 50 - (62) 77 - (81) 98 (approx punch values) which fills the gaps well. Furthermore and due to the long PWs of 115+ yds, I'd rather recommend a 105 wedge than a 90.

  Robbo81303:

  alosso:

  Good putters start at L66

  This from someone who, at least at the time of this writing, has a L55 Daytona in his bag.  Priceless!

  Have a drink on me!

  I love this putter - my one and only! - but I know there are better ones. Thought of the Versa a while ago but don't want to pay the price (nor adjust to the scales).

• Robbo81303 417 Posts

  Wed, Dec 21 2016 11:33 AM

  alosso:

  Robbo81303:

  As for wedges, I believe the L50-52 Max Spin wedges are miles better than the recommended ATV's and, depending on how you play, may darn well be the best wedges in the game.

  These are almost double price of the ATVs (895 vs. 495) and have a narrow spacing of 60 - 75 - 90 which might result in suboptimal spacing adding the punches. ATVs are (41) 50 - (62) 77 - (81) 98 (approx punch values) which fills the gaps well. Furthermore and due to the long PWs of 115+ yds, I'd rather recommend a 105 wedge than a 90.

  For high-level players, I don't disagree on the spacing at all.....still yearning for a 52 degree Max Spin wedge at 100 yards that would be more useful for us.

  But for a L51 player, most PW's are more like 105-110 yds so the spacing of the L50ish Max Spin's isn't exactly inappropriate.

  That said, regarding the ATV's.....any ATV's......I really wanna like 'em, I really do.  Better meter, spacing, more manageable spin.....but they don't perform for me nearly as well as the Max Spins or upper-level Cleves, especially close in where it really can matter.  It's likely a function of my low-spin golf balls but it is what it is.

  And I, too, love the Daytona putter.  Not sure about 'better' ones.....I've tried 'em all, many many times (excepting the new Saber Tooth).  For me, the Daytona is the best, hands down.  But, like everything WGT, your results may vary.

   

• TStrong2 15 Posts

  Wed, Dec 21 2016 1:24 PM

  Thank you everyone for some great advice, keep it coming if you have more to add. 

  I have decided 100% to buy the R1 driver which I'm about to do. Have decided 100% on the G25 clubs at level 59, this will give me some time to save up a few more credits if I go for the most expensive wedges & possibly putter! 

  I was hoping to stick to around 6300 but if I can do free surveys and videos, by the time I hit level 59 I should have a bit more piled up.

  The only thing I'm not sure on now is the wedges. Caught in two minds, I did think of going with the ATV's as they were within budget and looked good, though having read reviews on the Max Spin long term they might be the better option, but the spacing it a downside. 

   

   

   

   

• alosso 21,073 Posts

  Thu, Dec 22 2016 7:57 AM

  @Robbo: Good thoughts!

  I see it as a sad fact that there aren't too many functional wedge sets, even less if a budget must be observed. New players must steer around the pits carefully. The only low-cost alternative to the ATVs - the Gorge - has been butchered (Ping don't sell 64°s any more), and I'm in doubt of the low Cleves.

  Putters - I have to love your praise of the Daytona since it excuses all my hesitation concerning the other putters!

• phred952 2,714 Posts

  Thu, Dec 22 2016 9:37 AM

  TStrong2:

  Thank you everyone for some great advice, keep it coming if you have more to add. 

  The only thing I'm not sure on now is the wedges. Caught in two minds, I did think of going with the ATV's as they were within budget and looked good, though having read reviews on the Max Spin long term they might be the better option, but the spacing it a downside. 

   

  One thing to ask yourself, is do you think you will move up to the top level Cleveland wedges when they are available to you?  That could make a difference in what you do now.

  The other thing is to consider renting 1 wedge for 1 day.  ATV should cost about 75 credits and a Max Spin wedge should cost around 135 credits for 24 hour rental.  You will get 10% discount if you buy within a day after the rental.  

  I would rent a 64* wedge and spend a lot of time trying different shots around the green with it.   Flop, punch, pitch and full shots with the ball you plan to use.  See what works best for your game.

  Hope that helps a bit.

  phred952

• TStrong2 15 Posts

  Thu, Dec 22 2016 1:11 PM

  I very much doubt I'll buy anymore wedges once I've purchased this set. So now I want to purchase the best available to me and stick with them, so it's either ATV (495 each), Max Spin (895 each) or Cleveland 588 (995 each). Budget is going right out of the window at the moment, so not deciding on price going to decide from the above on performance.

   

   

• Robbo81303 417 Posts

  Thu, Dec 22 2016 5:01 PM

  TStrong2:

  I very much doubt I'll buy anymore wedges once I've purchased this set. So now I want to purchase the best available to me and stick with them, so it's either ATV (495 each), Max Spin (895 each) or Cleveland 588 (995 each). Budget is going right out of the window at the moment, so not deciding on price going to decide from the above on performance.

   

   

  Honestly, I think the ATV's are better than the L26-30 Cleves regardless of price.   Since you seem set on the G25 irons (a good choice), what I'd recommend would be the L38 ATV 54 degree wedge along with the 60- & 64 degree Max Spin wedges.  That way you get decent spacing with the G25's 115 yard PW as well as the spin you'll want close in.

  If at all possible though, try renting the ATV & Max 64 degree wedges to see how they perform.  But I believe this will be a set that you won't have to update for a good while.  Good luck!

   

• kavvz 2,195 Posts

  Thu, Dec 22 2016 7:30 PM

  TStrong2:

  I very much doubt I'll buy anymore wedges once I've purchased this set. So now I want to purchase the best available to me and stick with them, so it's either ATV (495 each), Max Spin (895 each) or Cleveland 588 (995 each). Budget is going right out of the window at the moment, so not deciding on price going to decide from the above on performance.

  I've had the L31 64 Cleve wedge forever.  I like it, but now that I just turned Legend, and the greens are much quicker I'm finding that I'm in need of higher level wedges -- i.e ones that stop better and have higher precision.  The only thing stopping me from upgrading them is I'm not at the required level to rent and try out the highest level ATV's, so as to compare the 2 and make a decision.  

  I only mention this b/c you said you'll buy now and stick with them.  I think you'll find that once you reach the higher levels and tiers you'll need to upgrade them again.  Assuming you plan on playing long enough to get there --- considering you're buying new clubs.  :) 

  I think for now you could get away with spending less on wedges given the greens conditions you'll be facing now while knowing you'll probably want to upgrade them later on .