How do I buy new golf clubs?

[Old Yeller]

No this isn't a "first you give the clerk a credit card and then sign your name" type question, I need golfers who are up on the latest equipment to educate me.

I've been golfing for 20 years now and I've been using the same set of clubs for the past 15 years. They've done me good but I have a feeling technology may have somewhat evolved and it might be time to move on up and get rid of my antiques.

The problem is I have no idea what to look for as I have no idea what all these new buzzwords are that describe the materials and technology that go into making new clubs.

Currently I have Wilson Prostaffs (3-pw and 3/5 fairway woods) and I'd like to get an entire new set. I'm thiking 4-pw, and possibly a combination of fairway woods/hybrids as well as a new driver.

I'm a lefty and I'm happy shooting under 100, and estatic when I shoot under 90. I have a slice sometimes but mostly I'm always fading off to the left even when trying to hit straight... I know that's a lot of form/technique (that I"m currently trying to rectify with lessons) but I'd like some clubs that are more forgiving than what I've got now.

So what do I do? I don't know whether I want graphite or steel for my irons. I don't know whether I want hybrids or regular fairway woods, but most importantly I don't know what brands to look at for my driver and my irons.

Do I go to Golf Town or Nevada Bobs and get them to check my swing? Is it that simple? Am I stupid for buying brand new? There looks to be some decent deals on a Preowned site run by Callaway and locally through Kijiji and Usedcalgary, but I'm just baffled by all the choices.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I just picked up a new set of Ping Rapture Irons (about $800 for 4-W). They're supposed to be pretty forgiving clubs, and I'll be playing my first round with them tomorrow evening.

I got them custom made at Willow Park G&CC, but I'm sure any good store that sells them will do the fitting exactly the same. They should be able to help you out with what you're looking for and possibly do something about that hook (could be the clubs afterall).

[mykalberta]

Timely thread.

I am looking at replacing (garbaging) my irons and 1 driver as well. Planning on making a stop at Golf Town next week.

Personally I dont even consider used clubs an option, thats just my jaded viewpoint though.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

No this isn't a "first you give the clerk a credit card and then sign your name" type question

DAmn, I was just warming up for that one. I'd say if your clubs are 15 yrs old, you will certainly benefit from new technology, especially with oversized sweet spots and such. I'll bet any new ones will weigh about half of your current ones. Not much else to add but would say graphite shafts aren't really necessary if you are of average strength/health.

[brownie]

Well you are right about lots of good clubs for good prices on Usedcalgary and such.But its all about personal preference,and how deep your pockets are. I would go to golftown myself just due to the selection. I'd stay away from graphite shafts for your irons as they can be inconsistent. New drivers can be pretty pricey.But if you get one of last years model it can bring the price down quite a bit. Golftown will let you hit any club you want and will fit them for you as well.You can pick up a good set of irons for 400 to 500 but like you said you have lots and lots of choices.If you have any buddies with newer clubs ask them to borrow them and go to the range which may give you a better idea.I just ordered a new set of Titleist AP1's which I am picking up Friday.I'll let you know how they are.Good luck.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

What would you suggest for a total golf newbie?

[Sample00]

well I just bought a whole new set.

I went to demo days at the local club here and tried out a bunch of different ones.
I found I liked the Nike Sumo series.
I, like you, had a 15 year old set of clubs and needed an upgrade.
I golf once or twice a year, but this year I joined a mens night. therefore I am golfing once a week now. technology has really changed and you should try a few different ones to get the feel.
anyhow, after getting a quote on clubs from the local shop. ie) $2000.00. I bought everything off ebay. the nike sumo squared driver at the pro shop was $459.00. I got it brand new on ebay for 159.00.
I also bought a set of custom made knock off nike irons with graphite shafts.
the set at the pro shop was $900.00. I got them. custom made for $219.00. granted they are knock offs..but with my golf game, it just didnt matter.
good luck!

[Vansmack]

from what you've descrbed, you should go to golf town or NBs and check out the adams idea iron/hybrid set as well as the callaway x20s w/ hybrids. They are both incredible sets that are great for your skill level. The adams set is also fairly reasonably priced for the quality. When looking for a new driver/fairway woods, i would suggest demoing a whole bunch and just figure out what works for you.

Also, if you live in the SW, or don't mind driving, GolfPlus on southport is actually a really good golf store in terms of the expertise of the full time staff. Go talk to Darcy there and he will work with you to get you demo clubs and will take care of anything. Mention to him that you've been to NBs or Golftown and their price is better and he will beat it.

[Old Yeller]

Thanks for the advice so far guys, for some reason I never considered the ebay route.

I'll check golfplus too as I'm not too far away from southport.

Are knock off clubs essentially the same material/technology as the brand names, but cheaper just because they don't have the brand stamped on them?

Edit: I've been curious about the x-18's and x-20's from Callaway, I'll check them out tonight.

[Shawnski]

I have a very good friend that will take the time to set you up with a set of irons and woods that fit your swing.

http://www.foreyourgame.ca/

He is one of the only SMT authorized dealers in Canada, and man o man, do those heads rock! I have hit Callaways, Nike, Clevelands and most of the big ones... nothing compares at all.

He broke his arm playing slopitch two weeks ago..... I jested that now he has the chance to beat me "with one arm tied behind his back"... joke is backfiring... we are going out tomorrow, and I think he actually can beat me with one arm!

Give him a call. It will be worth your (or anyones time) to get a set matched to your game. Hell, he put together some clubs for me that cost less than any of the big names, and they work way better for me.

Tell him Shawn sent you.

[Vansmack]

there is a real differnece in the quality of brand names versus knock offs. The chinese production is typically much lower quality. That being said, a set of brand new knockoffs would still likely be considerably better than the old stuff you have.

If you have any other questions you can PM. I worked in golf retail for four years, so i have a pretty decent idea of what each technology offers.

Just make sure when you go to golf plus you don't get stuck dealing with one of the kids. No offense to them, but they really don't have the same knowledge as the older guys.

[Old Yeller]

Shawnski reminds me of another question.

Why wouldn't everyone get custom clubs made instead of going with a more expensive brand name that may not be fitted entirely to your liking?

Also the significance of an SMT dealer is lost on me as I don't really know what that is.

[Shawnski]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

Shawnski reminds me of another question.

Why wouldn't everyone get custom clubs made instead of going with a more expensive brand name that may not be fitted entirely to your liking?

Also the significance of an SMT dealer is lost on me as I don't really know what that is.

First of all, I called Rod and asked him to register and drop by this thread. When he gets a chance he will, and can answer your questions better than I.

I won't step on his toes and give you the answers you need, but as for the question about custom clubs, it is pretty much like the difference in off the rack suits (even big name brands) versus someone tailoring them for you. Heads, shafts, grips... all meld together to make a club that is suited to your game.

As for the SMT dealership, they have a line of driver heads that really are a step above others that I have hit. Rod has one of the few authorized locations to make a club for you with one of their heads. THAT said, they may not meet YOUR needs. I will let Rod advise you on that one. But hot damn, do they work well for me.

[Vansmack]

Just for the record, you can get your brand name clubs fit for no extra charge as well. You simply just have to wait for the special order to come in as opposed to walking out of the store with your brand new clubs the same day.

My titleist blades are bent 2 degrees from 2 iron to 5 iron and bent 1 degree 6 +. They also put two extra wraps on all my grips. Fully custom shops have some other options as well. For an advanced golfer, whose swing is gernally fairly consistent, it makes some sense. For a beginner/intermediate who is trying to improve, taking lessons or changing your swing. You often won't see benefits from modifying your clubs.

[Shawnski]

I did that Vansmack. And I was going to include that aspect in my post above. Have a set of "fitted" clubs from Golftown. Ping I3's.

I am in the process of replacing them now. Just too inconsistant with distances for me.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Vansmack

there is a real differnece in the quality of brand names versus knock offs. The chinese production is typically much lower quality. That being said, a set of brand new knockoffs would still likely be considerably better than the old stuff you have.

If you have any other questions you can PM. I worked in golf retail for four years, so i have a pretty decent idea of what each technology offers.

Just make sure when you go to golf plus you don't get stuck dealing with one of the kids. No offense to them, but they really don't have the same knowledge as the older guys.

umm, i just wanted to point out that my knock off clubs were actually made in the US. I told them what I wanted. Hybrid 3,4,5,6 with Graphite regular flex shafts and then 7,8,9,PW,SW regular club with graphite regular flex shaft. They contacted me, asked me some particulars about my height etc. and presto, custom made knock off golf clubs for $219.00 from the US.
and they work just like the Nike's I tried at Demo days.

here's the link to what I bought at ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:X:RTQ:US:1123

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by Sample00

umm, i just wanted to point out that my knock off clubs were actually made in the US. I told them what I wanted. Hybrid 3,4,5,6 with Graphite regular flex shafts and then 7,8,9,PW,SW regular club with graphite regular flex shaft. They contacted me, asked me some particulars about my height etc. and presto, custom made knock off golf clubs for $219.00 from the US.
and they work just like the Nike's I tried at Demo days.

here's the link to what I bought at ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:X:RTQ:US:1123

A Hybrid 5 and 6 eh? I don't hit my 3 and 4 irons so I think I'll try a hybrid in those, but not sure about the higher irons.

How many rounds have you played with them? You don't notice any differences?

The price is right but I'm always skeptical.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

A Hybrid 5 and 6 eh? I don't hit my 3 and 4 irons so I think I'll try a hybrid in those, but not sure about the higher irons.

How many rounds have you played with them? You don't notice any differences?

The price is right but I'm always skeptical.

I have played about 4 rounds with them now. LOVE THEM !!!!
but then again, I am getting to be an ole fart.
I went from an ole set with stainless steel stiff shafts, ole style clubs. etc
the Pro said to me that I WAS using the same style of head that Tiger Woods was using. He asked me if I played like Tiger Woods. I said ya right. He advised me to go to the 3,4,5,6 hybrid and the rest in irons.
so thats why I did it. and I am sure glad I did..more forgiving of a club those hybrids...

[JohnnyNipshank]

I would be careful about buying any clubs off of ebay because there are a ton of fakes out there. I had a friend who bought a set of Taylormade R7's and ended up breaking a club and sending it into Taylormade to get it repaired only to have it sent back unrepaired because it was counterfeit. I guess he would have noticed anyways since there are now dents on the club faces.

[Vansmack]

I'm not going to argue that people have found success using cheaper clubs. I've given my oppinion about the matter and just pointed out some of the problems i have seen from working in golf retail for 4 years.

To the same extent some of you will stand behind built-for-you golf clubs, i will stand behind the quality, consistency and support provided by the high end companies.