New Clubs

Hi All

This is my first posting on the forum so hello to everyone, and im after a bit of advice regarding new clubs.

Ive been playing for a month now and have been making reasonable progress (handicap now 26), but my playing partner is convinced that my clubs are too small for me (im 6ft 3). The clubs ive been playing with are about 10 years old wilson clubs but are about half inch shorter than the callaway clubs my playing partner uses even though they are only 5ft 7 ! I can hit a nice shot but do tend to hit everything very very high and hence lose distance because of this, and like most high handicap players do suffer due to inconsistency. I phoned a local pro shop today to enquire about having the clubs lengthened but to get the whole set lengthened looks like costing £150 and wilson do a brand new set for less than that with 1" longer shafts. I looked at the ping web site and according to that i should be playing with clubs 0.5" longer and with a white  or silver dot for the correct angle. Ive noticed on ebay a set of ping raptures with the correct fitting for my height and distance from wrist to floor second hand for £300. The proshop does do a customer fitting service but im guessing that will cost even more.

So ramble over my question is do i

a) carry on with the clubs ive got until i cant improve any further with them

b) buy the similar set but 1" longer (cheaper than getting mine lengthened)

c) buy the second hand pings that seem to be the right measurement for me

d) bite the bullet and shell out god knows how muhc for custom fitting when ive only been playing for a month and cant really say at this stage that i wont give it all up when it gets boring (thats assuming it ever does)

any perspectives would be appreciated as i know the minute i walk in the golf shop im going to be coming out a lot lighter in the pocket if i get suckered into things

Also why is it that i cannot seem to find any longer drivers available on any golf sites does the length of the driver not make as much difference as the irons? i played 2 drives with a longer driver i borrowed off my playign partner towards the end of our last round and hit them far straighter and longer (i hit mine about 200-220 and hit their's about 250 or so)

cheers

Rod

Welcome Rod.

I can only give you my experience.

I had a set of 'beginers' club from american golf when I first started playing (around £90 with bag, Driver, 3Wood, 4 Hybrid 5-SW and Putter). I didnt want to spends loads, I was in the same position as you were, not too sure if this was going to be a fase or if i'd stick with it. This was 18 months ago.

I was adamant that my clubs were too short for me (6ft 1) as my friends clubs all seemed to be longer than mine (not by much mind)

When, at the start of Feb, I decided the time was right to get some new clubs, I didnt want to spend £500 on a new set of irons. I felt my game had come on and was looking at a set that wouldnt break the budget, would improve my game, and maybe last a few years.

I went into the large outlets with ranges and tried as many clubs as the salesguy could possibly carry (im a salesman myself and I have to graft for my wages so they should too!! ;-)

I told him what I wanted and my budget and finally settled on a set of clubs. I said I would need them extended and he looked at my address and swing measured me up and they were a perfect fit (had the lie of the club head adjusted slightly)

Each manufacture, Each model, each set is different and you have to find something that fits you.

So my advice would be to see a pro, fitter and see where that takes you. I wouldnt recomend buying second hand clubs off ebay as you dont know how the last person looked after them. Mine are my babies and I know that only me tucks them in at night.

If all else fails have them lengthend with Sanders and see what that does for a couple of months. Its a fairly big investment for most of us so you have to be right.

Hope this helps.

Rod,

Firstly, welcome to the site. 

The lad I play from work is 6' 6" and has been custom fit for +1" clubs in Ping G15's so +0.5" sounds about right for you (rule of thumb only mind).  Do not underestimate the improvement a custom fit will give your game if done properly.  And any reputable golf store selling you new clubs will do a custom fit for free.

If you are looking for a driver with a longer shaft that is 'off the shelf', the TaylorMade Burner has a shaft that is 1" longer than standard. 

Could I postulate that the reason you play your 3 iron so well is that it is the longest club in your bag and therefore best suited to your height?

Hi Rod and welcome to the site.

You have only been playing this game for a month. 

Also, you are not sure if you will keep playing this game or give it up.

If you are not sure about playing golf then I would suggest anything that doesn't cost you money!

You are not a member of a golf club, but there must be one near to you (or a driving range).

What I would suggest is that you go to a golf club or driving range. 

Explain your problem/dilemma and see if they golf club can loan you a set of golf club with a longer shaft, even if it's for one round.

The driving range should have some demo clubs that you could try.

Another thing you could try is to borrow your playing partners Callaways and play a round of golf with them, just to see how you get on.

I'm very big on getting your golf clubs custom fitted but seeing as you have just started playing, and your handicap is 26, then I don't think you have a golf swing that will be repetitive enough for custom fitting to be of benefit to you.

Once you are swinging your golf clubs consistently, then is the time to go and get a new/used set of custom fitted golf clubs.

Hope this helps.

Russ