OT: - Golf Clubs | Page 2 | The Boneyard

OT: Golf Clubs

This is the right answer. Getting fitting is a basic step nowadays.

Realistically first thing you can do to get lower scores is get better at putting. Every hole bases par off of two putts. Learning speed and distance gets you a "par" on every green. Find a putter that fits your eye and you feel comfortable using.

But...........you probably want some advice on woods and irons.

Getting a driver or 3-wood which fits your swing is crucial to good scoring. Just getting a ball in play 175-200 yards off the tee will dramatically improve your score and your in-game experience. If you can hit it further all the more power to you. Maybe even a hybrid.

Next work on your short irons and wedges. Find clubs which you can hit and manipulate from 125 and in to the hole.
Then work on mid irons. Many golfers will tell you a 7-iron or 8-iron is their favorite club. Many teachers have beginner golfers learn how to swing using those clubs.

Last thing is your long irons. Truth be told, if you are above a 15 handicapper you shouldn't ever be taking a 200 yard swing from the fairway. Shot dispersion is massive and probability of topped shots or wide left and right is high. Just take a 130-150 swing and then get on the green with next swing.

Long story short, your swing speed, your height, swing length and a bunch of other factors will determine the right club and shaft combination.

Also, use the same ball you use on the course when you do a fitting. Balls have a larger variance in spin and trajectory.
There's an intermediate step between the starter set and getting a full fitting. Fitted clubs work best if you have a repeatable swing and consistent ball striking. The fitter will adjust everything from the length of the shaft to the swingweight to the lie of the clubface. If you're still erratic, you might be best off going to a fitter (maybe a Dick's Golf Galaxy or similar) to try different irons/hybrids/woods finding one that feels good with your swing, but sticking with the standard lengths/lofts/lies - unless you're unusually tall, short, etc. The game-improvement irons are going to get the ball up and keep it straighter with the perimeter weighting, and are probably the way to go...

Unless you're already a single digit handicap. Looking at your most recent post, sounds like the longer shots are your concern. Long irons take a lot of precision. Lots of pros hit 5 woods - consider a good 3 wood and 5 wood you can control and direct.
 
Got in 9 this afternoon. 65 and a nice cool breeze. Barely a cloud in the sky.

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The shaft is the most important part of the club. Which shaft you should use is directly related to how fast you swing the club. You can go to almost anyplace that sells clubs (even someplace like Dicks) and they can measure your swing. Once that is figured out, you can apply it to how much you want to pay and swing a few clubs until one seems comfortable.

Your irons need to be a set. Your woods can be a different set but need to be a set. Your hybrid or rescue club can be any brand and not match any of the other clubs. Your putter can be any brand and not match any of the other clubs.
Nothing needs to be a set, unless you’re incredibly anal. Some of the best ball strikers I’ve ever played with had clubs that looked like they picked them up along the road on the way to the course at tag sales. The best pro I’ve taken lessons from carried 2 5-irons, different brands. The most important part of your set is knowing what each club will do, and that includes proper gapping to cover most yardages with full swings.
 
Concentrate on working with the shorter length shots which can help keep your scoring down with recovery from poor shots.
Get fitting feedback but don’t necessarily buy on the spot as you may find something that works better for you.
If you go to the Callaway used club site there are some great deals , I’ve purchased clubs there that say very good or like new that are still in the original wrapper. Also highly recommend PXG irons as they are a great value and perform very well.
And a 5 second rule for bad shots helps, don’t get mad for longer than that and move on to the next shot!
 
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Timely thread. I just retired but have not played golf in 20 years, even then it was sporadic, so I never developed any consistency. I still have my clubs, from 20-25 years ago. Based on the above posts, it seems I should just use these until (IF) I improve. I am going to buy a putter Though. Any different ideas? Could definitely use lessons, I am in southern fairfield county. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
 
Timely thread. I just retired but have not played golf in 20 years, even then it was sporadic, so I never developed any consistency. I still have my clubs, from 20-25 years ago. Based on the above posts, it seems I should just use these until (IF) I improve. I am going to buy a putter Though. Any different ideas? Could definitely use lessons, I am in southern fairfield county. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
They have putter fittings now too. Try it. You might be surprised at the results. Everyone has a particular stroke and some putters help and others don't.
 
At 6'5" you definitely want a monitor to evaluate your swing. Off the shelf clubs aren't designed for someone that height. And simply putting a plug in to lengthen the club an inch or two is no longer the only or best solution. They also aren't built for someone 5'7" who used to take a hacksaw to the shaft. The thing with shafts which has changed so much over the past decade, is it is not only the weight and overall flex but the kick point or flex point. With a taller body the point you want a club to flex is different than someone who is several inches shorter. And that whipping motion is where you are transferring all the power from your body to the club head.

As for your clubs, if you like the 3 and 5 hybrids, I'd ditch your 4 and 5 iron. Long irons are the hardest clubs to master. Put 4 or 5 wedges in your bag so you can really hit any shot inside of 150 with a full swing.
Chin he has a starter set, why are you setting him up as a low handicapper or pro? Love your enthusiasm BTW, always.
 
For fast results
Get a 12.5 degree driver hit the range. Or a 2 wood that doesn't overlap your 3.
Practice distance control in the short game. use multiple irons for chipping with weight on forward foot at the range or course practice greens. Always locate the bottom of the sand in the traps when you are setting your feet.
Read up on course management techniques for the middle game. That is something to try on the course.
 

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