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Golf Club Advice

JVAR

JVAR

Well-Known Member
Mar 27, 2006
936
742
93
Eagle Grove, IA
Hello fellow fanatics,

I know there are some pretty good golfers on this site and need your advice. I am in my early 40's and just started playing golf again. I played a little in my 20's and then didn't golf for nearly 20 years as I was busy with life, work, kids, and I was really into hunting. Now that my kids are older and I am hunting less, I am starting to play golf again and really enjoy it. I play just for fun and do not have any delusions about setting course records, etc. I am competitive, however, and have a little bit of an addictive personality. I have a really old set of Pings that were given to me and I like them, but don't think the fitting is for my swing and size. I have already invested in some lessons, which has helped a great deal. My question is do you think that custom fitting is that important, such as with Ping and Mizuno, or do you think a close out set of Callaways or TaylorMades would do for someone of my skill level? There are some pretty deals right now that I have found on closeout sets. Any advice would be appreciated!
 
Getting fit correctly will improve your game more than spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars on lessons. Lessons only help if you are going to spend countless hours on the range working on the swing changes. Don't get me wrong, improving your swing will obviously help but having your clubs fit your current swing will give you instant results.
 
My guess is almost everyone is going to tell you to get fitted. I never have done that, I'm a casual player and just read reviews of how the clubs play. If I wanted to become a more serious and routine player (currently play about 10 times each summer) I might do that. But the cost is usually expensive and probably unnecessary for the casual player. I think you can just as easily get by playing forgiving clubs like a Ping G series driver and then some cavity backed irons instead of blades. I personally can't hit a hybrid to save my life so I've dropped any of those from my bag and switched to 22 degree driving iron when necessary.
 
Getting fitted is not a bad idea, but you can fit yourself pretty well with some online research and a tape measure.

I get my clubs on callaway's pre-owned website. I don't mind them being used a bit and I also am building a mixed set. My PW and 9I are Razr X Forged and the rest Diablo forged which are more game improvement. The Game improvement irons have larger heads and soles so that they are less effective in the rough and have less fell. So if you are going to practice and want to be better I would not get full game improvement because in my opinion they do the opposite. Also, my Razr X Forged clubs are a joy to hit.

The best book I have read on golf is Dave Stockton's unconscious putting. Second, is Hank Haney's Essentials of the golf swing. Third, is a short game book by Tom Watson.

That said, equipment is fun, but the time you spend on the practice greens and at the short game areas will drop your score faster.
 
If you make it Des Moines, go to Golf Headquarters and ask for Mike. If you buy from them they will fit them no charge. especially if you went with a set of pings. The ping fitting system is pretty cool. They have older sets like you speak off too.
 
Are your current clubs cavity backs? If they are not make the change and haggle while purchasing them to have the place fit them for free.

If you are currently using cavity backs and are between 5'7" and 6'1" in height, ask the person giving you lessons if they think it is worth it to get fitted.
 
ISUME said:
Are your current clubs cavity backs? If they are not make the change and haggle while purchasing them to have the place fit them for free.

If you are currently using cavity backs and are between 5'7" and 6'1" in height, ask the person giving you lessons if they think it is worth it to get fitted.
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Yes, they are cavity backs as they are Ping Eye 2s. I think they were made in the 80's and are in excellent condition. I am 6'1' and did the online fitting and think I am a blue or black. They are red dots. I thought about getting them fitted but they are very old clubs. Not sure how much that would cost.
 
JVAR said:
Yes, they are cavity backs as they are Ping Eye 2s. I think they were made in the 80's and are in excellent condition. I am 6'1' and did the online fitting and think I am a blue or black. They are red dots. I thought about getting them fitted but they are very old clubs. Not sure how much that would cost.
Click to expand...

Get newer clubs. It will make a big difference.
 
WhatMeWorry said:
If you make it Des Moines, go to Golf Headquarters and ask for Mike. If you buy from them they will fit them no charge. especially if you went with a set of pings. The ping fitting system is pretty cool. They have older sets like you speak off too.
Click to expand...

Sure they will fit you for "free" because you are paying full retail mark up buying the clubs from them then. ;)
 
This year I replaced my 1995 Big Bertha knock-offs with a set of Callaway Razr X irons at a great price. I am seeing a 1.5 club difference. So if you can buy one of today's sets with today's distance and forgiveness I bet you will see a real difference.

I didn't get them fitted because my swing is so erratic I didn't think it would really matter. Maybe I should???
 
bpmdu said:
My guess is almost everyone is going to tell you to get fitted. I never have done that, I'm a casual player and just read reviews of how the clubs play. If I wanted to become a more serious and routine player (currently play about 10 times each summer) I might do that. But the cost is usually expensive and probably unnecessary for the casual player. I think you can just as easily get by playing forgiving clubs like a Ping G series driver and then some cavity backed irons instead of blades. I personally can't hit a hybrid to save my life so I've dropped any of those from my bag and switched to 22 degree driving iron when necessary.
Click to expand...
Maybe you need fitted hybrids also.
 
erikbj said:
Go get last years pings fitted for a good deal.
Click to expand...

Any place theat sells Pings offers free fitting, go to Golf USA in Ames and tell them you're a Cyclone Fanatic and get another 10% off.

I bought G20's this last spring over a set of 10+ yr old clubs and added 15-20 yards per club. Mike at Golf USA said no big difference with G20's vs. 25's, next spring the G25's will be on special vs. new.

Also, if you're getting into golf and want a refresher to get kinks out or just play a little better, check with Jon at Golf USA, $20/per 30 min is well worth it.
 
Get fitted. As others have said, most places are free fittings if you buy clubs. I have always bought Tour Edge irons, and they made them to my fitting at no extra cost. Just have to wait the 1-2 weeks for them to be made and shipped (same for the other big companies). If your fitting includes shaft length adjustment, that would be the way to go. If it is just a lie angle adjustment, you may get lucky and the fitter will bend them for free. Most places probably would not take new clubs and do a shaft length adjustment for free (you would end up paying for new grips).

EDIT: Seeing Eagle Grove, I would echo Golf USA Ames to save a few dollars. Another possibility for you would be Golf Central/Hanson's Custom Golf in Fort Dodge. I will be trying Ted's services for the first time Friday; I will try to remember to give a report on Friday (Driver and wood fitting - have a feeling a shaft change will be in order).
 
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I will do that. I am leaning towards Ping, but am also going to look at Taylormades and Mizunos at Hanson Custom golf. I don't want to spend a fortune but I don't mind spending a decent amount as I am the type of person to buy something nice and use it for years. Thanks everyone for your advice and I will definitely get fitted clubs.
 
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