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NFT: Golf club

mitch300 : 6/24/2022 5:38 pm
So, I’m looking to buy new clubs. I am a high handicap and am 64y/o. I had this sway in my swing that I finally have conquered. I wa shooting 110-115 and now shooting 100-103. Anyway I plan on getting fitted as I did last time about 10 years ago. I hear good things about PXG, however, they are very expensive. Is there a clubs that are comparable to PXG that are cheaper?
TIA
Yes, literally everything by the major manufacturers is comparable  
GiantGolfer : 6/24/2022 6:05 pm : link
and less expensive.
PXG has been selling  
section125 : 6/24/2022 7:42 pm : link
clubs for dirt cheap. Look at their site. They have about 3 different levels.
All of the major brands are very good.  
BillT : 6/24/2022 7:49 pm : link
The issue isn’t finding good stuff it’s trying to decide between a dozen equally good brands. There is just so much good stuff it’s hard to choose.
I just got Cleveland halo launcher XL  
State Your Name : 6/24/2022 7:56 pm : link
Irons and I could not be happier. They are classified as super game improvement irons. I didn’t even know such a category existed. But they have been a super improvement to my game. They’re incredibly jumpy and easy to hit.
I’m dying to try a stealth driver. But the Sim 2 Driver, fairway wood, and rescue are still the best I’ve ever had.
PXG are great and they have price points up and down the line  
glowrider : 6/24/2022 8:13 pm : link
They also sell used on eBay. $50 for a 90 minute full bag fitting and the opportunity to try the different shaft/head combos for yourself is a tough deal to pass up. They’ve got great clubs from like $80 per stick - better even with the Heroes deal. They have lots of combo deals as well, unadvertised wedge set deals, etc. Pricing right now is as low as I’ve seen since last summer with the Gen5 being out. Talk to your fitter and maybe get more credits.

Other DTC don’t really have the all around polish that the PXG folks are providing to the consumer, with basically no wait times. For top value, get the fitting and then wait a little bit for their used store to populate and find your clubs. Either way, PXG may price some of their range really high, but they will be reduced very quickly one way or the other, and they do have “cheap” clubs as well that play great like the 0211 line.
You were fitted for your clubs  
Snablats : 6/24/2022 8:38 pm : link
And still shooting 110-115?
RE: You were fitted for your clubs  
section125 : 6/24/2022 8:40 pm : link
In comment 15740877 Snablats said:
Quote:
And still shooting 110-115?


Not everyone is a pro like you.
I never said I was a pro  
Snablats : 6/24/2022 8:43 pm : link
But you can shoot 110 without spending money on fittings and expensive clubs
I watched a tribute progam on Annika Sorenstam and  
gtt350 : 6/24/2022 8:45 pm : link
copied her very simple relaxed swing and it changed my game completely.
I went from struggling to break 100 to shooting in the 80's
The clubs don't make a 15 stroke difference the swing does
RE: I never said I was a pro  
section125 : 6/24/2022 8:47 pm : link
In comment 15740885 Snablats said:
Quote:
But you can shoot 110 without spending money on fittings and expensive clubs


What is the point of belittling someone?
I'm not belittling his playing  
Snablats : 6/24/2022 8:54 pm : link
I'm belittling spending all that money when you don't have to
.  
mitch300 : 6/24/2022 8:57 pm : link
It’s been 10 years since they were fitted. I admit I suck. However, I enjoy getting some time on the course with my buddies.
BTW  
mitch300 : 6/24/2022 8:58 pm : link
Thanks to all for the info.
As gtt said  
Snablats : 6/24/2022 9:06 pm : link
It's not the clubs or getting fitted, it's your swing. And you can fix that. Focus on fixing your swing to get better
No clubs will make much of a difference, good or bad,  
CT Charlie : 6/24/2022 9:12 pm : link
unless they're fitted by a specialist. Even then, the differences will be fairly slight (5-7 strokes) unless your current clubs are really badly fitted.

I shoot around 90, and for me it was worth it to pay for a professional fitting, knowing I'd keep the clubs for about 10 years. I could probably use a new set, as my swing is slowing down, but in retirement it's too much of a luxury on my very limited income.
RE: No clubs will make much of a difference, good or bad,  
Snablats : 6/24/2022 10:17 pm : link
In comment 15740908 CT Charlie said:
Quote:
unless they're fitted by a specialist. Even then, the differences will be fairly slight (5-7 strokes) unless your current clubs are really badly fitted.

I shoot around 90, and for me it was worth it to pay for a professional fitting, knowing I'd keep the clubs for about 10 years. I could probably use a new set, as my swing is slowing down, but in retirement it's too much of a luxury on my very limited income.

This just isnt true for everyone. You dont have to get fitted
RE: I watched a tribute progam on Annika Sorenstam and  
mitch300 : 6/25/2022 12:58 am : link
In comment 15740887 gtt350 said:
Quote:
copied her very simple relaxed swing and it changed my game completely.
I went from struggling to break 100 to shooting in the 80's
The clubs don't make a 15 stroke difference the swing does

I agree. That’s why I mentioned that I have finally got rid of my sway which of course caused me to hit the ground before I hit the ball. That’s why I’m thinking since it’s been like 10 years since my last clubs the technology has improved. The wife is also incouraging me to get new clubs( yeah I picked a winner) yes, I plan on getting fitted.
Zero offense intended  
Giantophile : 6/25/2022 6:14 am : link
But there is no reason for a high handicapper/senior golfer to buy PXG clubs.

Go get fitted by all means, but you should be considering clubs from the major manufacturers -- plenty of quality and variety to be found to suit your needs.
RE: Zero offense intended  
section125 : 6/25/2022 7:14 am : link
In comment 15740985 Giantophile said:
Quote:
But there is no reason for a high handicapper/senior golfer to buy PXG clubs.

Go get fitted by all means, but you should be considering clubs from the major manufacturers -- plenty of quality and variety to be found to suit your needs.


You are thinking the original PXG plan which had extremely expensive clubs as they chased he high end players. Now the 0211s are about $79 per club. You can get one of the drivers for $279 and that is cheap and it is a very good driver. Gen 3s are about $129 per club - which is actually inexpensive compared with major manufacturers.

BTW, we have a load of "senior" players(60s to 80s) with PXGs with handicaps from 4 to 15. I am using a set of 0211 after having had Callaway XR2s and Taylor Made M4s. I am an 8/9.

There is nothing wrong with getting fitted. Yes mitch probably needs lessons more than anything. But the two can go hand and hand.

There are lots of decent forgiving clubs out there. Srixon irons, Callaway Big Bertha fairway wood/hybrids. Ping 425 driver and woods/hybrids.

You can also go the the Callaway used club website. Very good 2nd hand clubs there in all price ranges.

I will add one thing about PXG  
Skully88 : 6/25/2022 7:26 am : link
Their delivery on custom fit is a LOT quicker than most other OEMs. I waited about 11 weeks for custom Mizunos last summer and finally got attention when I tweeted at them and a random rep asked me to DM him.

Whatever you get, enjoy the time outside and play well!
Higher handicap golfers should get fitted for clubs simply  
Jimmy Googs : 6/25/2022 9:01 am : link
because it is one of several factors that can help improve your game. A decent fitting professional should be able to suggest some customizations that speed up that improvement, or at least don't hinder you like your current sticks may be doing to some degree.

Besides, it's easy to get done, you will actually learn a few things about your swing and probably get a few free tips along the way while you're getting fitted.

Doesn't mean you have to break the bank when buying golf clubs or forego a lesson here and there.

Good luck...
RE: You were fitted for your clubs  
Jimmy Googs : 6/25/2022 9:07 am : link
In comment 15740877 Snablats said:
Quote:
And still shooting 110-115?


You must be a popular guy to hang out with at the country club...
If they’re still around, I know Adams makes very good  
The_Boss : 6/25/2022 9:45 am : link
Senior level clubs..they’re more like hybrids than irons, which should help almost anyone get the ball in the air.
RE: RE: You were fitted for your clubs  
The_Boss : 6/25/2022 9:48 am : link
In comment 15741036 Jimmy Googs said:
Quote:
In comment 15740877 Snablats said:


Quote:


And still shooting 110-115?



You must be a popular guy to hang out with at the country club...


He’s the guy who shows up at 6 and gets out as a single..miraculously his card is filled with birdies and eagles…

😆
PXG have clubs for every skill level from blades to hybrid irons  
glowrider : 6/25/2022 9:58 am : link
And everything in between. Lots of folks blend sets, too. But, be careful on the lofts as their lines don’t all match up loft wise. The XPs and Ps are different lofts at the same # for example.

The 0211 z hybrids are similar to Cleveland’s hybrid launcher series and are perfect for beginners or people who just want to play, and you can go up in skill level from there.

PXG is a very different beast today than a couple years ago.
Actually I never play in the early morning  
Snablats : 6/25/2022 10:11 am : link
hate it. Grass is soaking wet, its super expensive, and who wants to get up that early when you dont have to. I much rather play late in the day when the green fee is half price and you still get 18 in

And my point always was not to waste money of fancy clubs and fittings when he needs either lessons or listen to his buddies if they are decent golfers and take those tips to the range and practice
Lessons are the best investment you can make if you have swing issues  
glowrider : 6/25/2022 10:16 am : link
As your training may change your swing altogether, and your fitting may change. I don’t know many pros who advocate getting fit before/while making a swing change, but that wasn’t the topic here, and there are clubs out there, including from PXG, that don’t require much tinkering with the swing to launch (ie. Hybrid irons).
Posted this on the last golf club  
mako J : 6/25/2022 11:07 am : link
Thread. There is no reason to spend $1-3k on golf clubs from the major OEMs. Their prices are inflated to cover their marketing and player contracts. Yes, there have been some minor advancements in club design in the last 10 years that you’ll benefit from but you don’t have to pay for the Titleist, Taylormade, Calloway, Mizuno, PXG, Ping, etc etc name to get those benefits.

Most of the advancements are in the players distance category anyway and that doesn’t align with your current handicap. You should be focused on super and ultra game improvement designs that appeal to your eye. The dimensional characteristics of these designs (lower vertical center of gravity, further from the heel horizontal center of gravity, higher MOI, more forgiving sole/camber/bounce which leads to better turf interaction, etc) will most help your game.

From there, based on your swing speed and total club weight preferences, you can focus on what type of shaft you need. This is a rabbit hole and where a fitting becomes very beneficial.

I’d recommend researching DTC club designers (Maltby, Wishon, Sub70, New Level, Haywood, etc) Educate yourself. Doesn’t take long. Find an iron design you like the look of and is suitable for your skill level. Then go spend $100-300 on a fitting.

As someone said before, it’ll not only help isolate a shaft, total weight, swing weight and flight characteristics, it’ll help you learn more about what helps dial in your strike patterns. You can then take your “specs” from the fitting and have a fitter or one of the DTC companies build your set to your specs.

In the end, you’ll likely still be under the cost of an off the rack OEM set. You’ll have brand new, high quality and high performing clubs fit to your swing. With the additional money you saved, go and get a lesson(s). I also recommend going to Adam Young’s website and checking out his different lesson packages. For $60, you can get his Strike Plan course for life and he’s currently including a 30 day free trial of his Next Level Golf material. It’s awesome eye opening stuff that is very easy to follow and implement.

Tldr: Don’t go blow multiple grand on name brand equipment. Do some research and invest in the total package for the same cost.
Thanks  
mitch300 : 6/25/2022 11:13 am : link
To those with positive advice. I thought I made myself clear. I USED to shoot 110-115. I have figured out my swing with lessons. I now shoot 99-104. Now that I have figured out my swing( I agree, why get new clubs if I can’t swing the club correctly) I am looking to get new clubs.
.  
Danny Kanell : 6/26/2022 6:00 am : link
Everyone’s swing and taste is different but I bought a new iron set in the spring that I absolutely love. Cobra F-Max Superlite. Cost about $500 for the set. They are by far the most forgiving irons I’ve owned and I gained about a club worth of distance on each one.
I love golf and I suck at it but I don't care  
oghwga : 6/26/2022 7:26 am : link
I still use my $179 starter set of clubs. I'm uncoachable so lessons won't help but where do you go to get fitted? Golf Galaxy? Dicks?

Might be something I look into. What's involved in the process?
RE: I love golf and I suck at it but I don't care  
section125 : 6/26/2022 8:15 am : link
In comment 15741376 oghwga said:
Quote:
I still use my $179 starter set of clubs. I'm uncoachable so lessons won't help but where do you go to get fitted? Golf Galaxy? Dicks?

Might be something I look into. What's involved in the process?


Golf Galaxy is a place. PGA Store is another. There are local fitters depending on where you live, also.

The process can be short or much more complicated. You cannot likely complete a full bag fitting in one seesion as driver, fairway woods/hybrids and irons are their own entity, including wedges. Yes it can be done, but will not be as comprehensive. Places like Golf Galaxy will have you swing a club(if an iron fitting), mostly likely a 7 or maybe 6 iron. Collect data from about 10 swings. They will probably ask what your budget is. Note your club speed and ball speed. Assess which general level of shaft fits your swing speed(senior, regular, stiff, etc). Then once the shaft flex is determined, they will try various heads(and perhaps shafts) to gauge what looks good to you and what delivers the best performance for your ability, swing speed and ball flight. This is likely also to include swing weight and actual weight of the clubs and it can get much more complicated from there. The fitter is looking for the best combination of distance, accuracy, ball flight that is likely to improve your game. And do not let anybody tell you a proper fitting doesn't make a difference. If you have the wrong shafts it can cause the ball to balloon or conversely be worm burners. Same thing with the actual club head. The wrong weight can cause you to swing incorrectly. If you played baseball think of the weight of the bat you used. Did you use a 30 or 31 oz bat or a 35 oz bat. Was it 32 inches or 36 inches. Was the handle thick or thin(more weight in the head or handle?) A decent fitter will be able to determine the best combination of shaft and head to complement your game so that you are not over-swinging or under-swinging.

As noted it is about $100(+) for a fitting and many times that cost will be deducted from the set you buy if you buy through that store.
As I said, it can get much more complicated if you go through specific club groups in your bag. Each additional session(should you chose to do so) is its own cost(as to driver, wood/hybrid and iron fittings).

IMHO, if you have the time and play enough, it is worth getting fitted. If you play very few rounds per year, it likely isn't worth it.
Perhaps this video  
section125 : 6/26/2022 8:26 am : link
will help explain a fitting.

I have watch these guys for a couple years. I am fascinated by the physics and mechanics involved.
TXG - ( New Window )
TXG is a really good resource. Good outfit that got bought up  
glowrider : 6/26/2022 9:51 am : link
By Club Champion, prob the most notorious of club fitters in terms of the upselling they do. But, their videos are great, even after Matt Blois dropped off to do his own thing.

Depending on your location, you may decide a particular fitter is better than another. And a strong preference for grass over indoor. When picking the fitter, see what they’ve got on offer. A TXG/Club Champion will have every head and shaft possible, and a PXG will have many shafts and only PXG heads.

Back to pxg specifically 90 min for the full bag is short but it’s $50 and if you don’t spend much time on the putter, that’s 30/30/30 (or whatever breakdown) for driver/FW-hy/irons-wedges, plus the most important data, your generic attributes.
Good stuff section125. The fitting process doesn't need to  
NYGgolfer : 6/26/2022 9:52 am : link
be overly complicated although some make it out to be. I am a single digit and still filter out some of what I think is overdone. Do recommend it though if getting back into game after a while or turning over a set of irons or woods. Just common sense for any type of golfer these days.

mitch300, I have a set of PXG irons and really like them. As mentioned above their price points can vary a good amount so do your research there.

RE: Good stuff section125. The fitting process doesn't need to  
section125 : 6/26/2022 10:01 am : link
In comment 15741412 NYGgolfer said:
Quote:
be overly complicated although some make it out to be. I am a single digit and still filter out some of what I think is overdone. Do recommend it though if getting back into game after a while or turning over a set of irons or woods. Just common sense for any type of golfer these days.

mitch300, I have a set of PXG irons and really like them. As mentioned above their price points can vary a good amount so do your research there.


Yes, it can get overly complicated and I was trying not to go there. I think the standard fitting at a major company will be enough to help the weekender and high handicapper.

Simply getting the proper shaft flex can help their game. Most people couldn't tell what their swing speed is and which shaft fits that speed.
RE: RE: Good stuff section125. The fitting process doesn't need to  
NYGgolfer : 6/26/2022 10:06 am : link
In comment 15741413 section125 said:
Quote:
In comment 15741412 NYGgolfer said:


Quote:


be overly complicated although some make it out to be. I am a single digit and still filter out some of what I think is overdone. Do recommend it though if getting back into game after a while or turning over a set of irons or woods. Just common sense for any type of golfer these days.

mitch300, I have a set of PXG irons and really like them. As mentioned above their price points can vary a good amount so do your research there.




Yes, it can get overly complicated and I was trying not to go there. I think the standard fitting at a major company will be enough to help the weekender and high handicapper.

Simply getting the proper shaft flex can help their game. Most people couldn't tell what their swing speed is and which shaft fits that speed.


Exactly.
What shaft?  
mako J : 6/26/2022 11:12 am : link
While not perfect (many variables to consider, tempo, release, etc) a great place to start is Maltby’s playability system.

https://ralphmaltby.com/what-is-my-mpf-rating/

4 easy questions.
What club is your 150 club?
What are you trying to gain? Distance, control, or both?
What is your preferred trajectory?
Do you have a ball flight error to correct? Hook or slice?

Once you get your rating (mine is 4.5C2M) you can then search their database to narrow down the endless options to what matches you.

https://ralphmaltby.com/golf-shaft-ratings/

After all that nerdy fun, then you can move into MPF ratings for iron heads.
Thanks all  
oghwga : 6/26/2022 12:45 pm : link
Good advice and worth looking into. If all goes well I should be playing weekly by the end of the year so probably worth checking into
One of the reasons I chose Club Champion...  
Racer : 6/27/2022 12:59 pm : link
...for fittings was the CEO's comment during an interview, that he was not a firm believer in changing the head on a club if the technology was relatively current, not hurting the customer's ball flight appreciably, and the customer preferred to keep it. Shaft fitting is very important. My trackman numbers during my driver fitting (ended up with a G410, dead heat with the Mavrik in terms of numbers) were quite different.

I am scheduled to do a fitting soon to look at my hybrids and fairways to make sure the gaps after my 5i make sense. I will probably look to keep my G25 hybrid and 5w head, and replace an old Cleveland hybrid that I'm using to bridge 5i to G25 hybrid.

I feel like the ball moves too much right to left with these clubs when I'm hitting my irons and driver well, and I'd wager the standard Ping TFC-189.S shafts are not getting it done.

All of the above to explain why I think it's really important to get fitted, and to make sure the effort is made to find the best shaft for you.
Question for the OP.  
Racer : 6/27/2022 1:45 pm : link
You cut down about 10 strokes a round. You say fixing the sway is an important element.

Many say, and I agree, that the most important thing to keep track of for mid/high handicapers is a simple list:
-Penalty strokes (including having to punch out)
-Missed greens while chipping or out of the bunkers
-Three-putts

I'd say anytime a shot is wickedly fat or thin and you're still hitting a full swing approach, its a subcategory of a penalty.

How you approach elimination of these 4 items is pretty key to gettin better. How did you do it? What do you need to do to get to bogey golf?
RE: Question for the OP.  
mitch300 : 6/27/2022 4:28 pm : link
In comment 15742044 Racer said:
Quote:
You cut down about 10 strokes a round. You say fixing the sway is an important element.

Many say, and I agree, that the most important thing to keep track of for mid/high handicapers is a simple list:
-Penalty strokes (including having to punch out)
-Missed greens while chipping or out of the bunkers
-Three-putts

I'd say anytime a shot is wickedly fat or thin and you're still hitting a full swing approach, its a subcategory of a penalty.

How you approach elimination of these 4 items is pretty key to gettin better. How did you do it? What do you need to do to get to bogey golf?

Great question. For an example, I would hit my t shot equal or better than the guys who I golf with. They shoot low 90’s mid to high 80’s. My second shot I would hit with my hybrid because of the sway I would hit behind the ball and hit the ground before the ball instead of the opposite. So, of course I could top the ball or it just didn’t have distance. Very so often I would hit correctly and the ball would go high and far. I also realize as a high handicap capper I’m not going to be consistent. My reason for starting this thread was to ask about new clubs that I have been wanting to get. However, I was not going to buy new clubs until I got rid of the sway. No point in that. Since I have finally rid of the sway and believe me I have taken numerous lessons from different teachers and it just finally clicked.
Consistency with the point @which your swing bottoms out…  
Racer : 6/27/2022 11:42 pm : link
..is one of those things that some hunt forever and some others perform with maddening consistency. Swaying definitely forces a compensation if you can’t be back to exactly the right spot at impact.

As soon as my instructor reminded me that the trail hip goes towards the target going back, I hit behind the ball way less.
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