New clubs advice

whatawaster

I'm on the lookout for a new driver.

A bit of background:
Started playing when i was about 13, and messed around with Golf for most of my teens, but stopped playing at around 18 completely.
last year i started playing again (at 22) - just the odd round, but i'm now looking to join a club, get a handicap, and get serious.
I played off 15 when i was younger, and when i came back to playing the odd round last year i was playing better than ever straight off the bat. Most of my improvements have come with irons - i always previously used blades, but have now switched to cavities and i have been hitting them very consistently. I use a set of Wilson fat shaft irons and i'm happy enough to keep them for a while anyway. It's with the rest of my bag i need help.

Putter - i have a crappy 20 euro putter i picked up in Elvery's at the moment. It sounds and feels like i'm hitting with a coke can at the end of a stick. It's horrible. I always used to steal my dad's old ping anser anytime i could, i loved it. So i think i'd like to get my hands on something similar.
I have heard good things about the Karsten series. They look reasonably priced and a reasonable quality. I'm just a little overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of types and models. I just want something classic and simple if possible.

Wedge - I want something with plenty of loft (At least 60) that will give me plenty of control and spin. I'm hearing great things about titleist, are they generally considered the best? I probably won't use it out of bunkers, i want something for tight lies and rough.

Driver - Driving has always been the weakest part of my game, but it's something i really want to work on. For iron shots i tend to favour a 3/4 swing with stunted follow through. I find, although it gives me a very low ball-flight, i strike the ball very consistently and can shape it nicely from right to left. I have a much more complete, but less consistent swing with my driver. So, although i use irons off plenty of tees, i'm looking for a new driver.
- i currently have a cheap-ass model i picked up in Elvery sports, so anything will probably be an improvement.
- i don't want to spend too much. Less than 150, but as little as possible
- I seen several Ping G5's on ebay for circa 100 euro. I know these are an older model, but would anyone recommend them? How dated are they, bearing mind i've never in my life owned an even half decent driver.
- any other similarly priced drivers people recommend?

3 Wood

- not an immediate priority as i like hitting 4 irons off tees, but i'd eventually like to get something in a similar bracket to the driver above

Hybrid

- I don't know where to begin, but i know i want one. I'll carry a driver and 3 wood, and as far as irons go, i feel comfortable hitting a 4 off the tee and 5 and above off the deck. So i guess something to replace my 3 iron perhaps?


Any recommendations would be great lads. I'm very confused.

PhilipMarlowe

Putter:
I'm not sure what the market is like for 2nd hand putters but you should be able to pick up something classical for very small money I'd think. Even try the "stuff for sale" sticky here.

Wedge:
If you are looking to play off a tight lie, then get a wedge with a low bounce angle but be aware that these will cut a nice little slice of turf under the ball and the ball goes nowhere if you don't strike them properly, particularly on softer ground.
Look for the thread here on Vokey Spin Milled (by titleist), there is a UK website that are clearing last years (perfectly good) models for good value... euro/sterling is 93p today so excellent value.

Driver:
The G5 was a great club and it still is. It didn't become bad since the newer version came out. For all intents and purposes, you should think that all clubheads will be more or less the same and the thing that will affect you most is the shaft. Obviously the clubhead has to suit your eye and there are heads that are turned in more than others (draw drivers) but pick one you like the look of and see if you can try it out before you buy.
If you go to a local proshop, you may be able to try a couple before you buy. Or ask if you buy 1 and it doesn't suit if you can swap it for something else. Ask the advice of the pro to see what he'd recommend.
Go for a higher loft like 11 degrees and don't be afraid to grip down on the shaft and use your same 3/4 backswing.. but do follow through fully. I often grip down the shaft on the driver a little if I need to get the ball in play more-so than getting the full distance.

Hybrid:
You could pick up 2 hybrids, 1 to replace your 3 iron and a lower lofted one instead of a 3 wood. They will be much easier to hit than a long iron and though you won't get one to go quite as far as a 3 wood, I'd say it would be plenty far enough while being easier to hit.
I'm not sure on lofts but maybe 19 degrees and 22 degrees and then your 4 iron.


Like any advice I'd give here, got get a lesson or two of a qualified PGA pro who will be best placed to advise you on equipment too. You could waste the cost of a couple of lessons buying something that doesn't suit.
Down the line, I'd recommend getting custom fit but I'd leave that until you have played for another season or two.

Kimbot

Driver:
If you are looking, the G5 is only €129 on the Mcguirks website mate, I would also recomment the Taylormade Burner 07 Model. The golf Creche in Dundrum were selling them off for around 150 there after Christmas.

Wedge:
If your on a budget then why not look at the MD Superstrong Wedges, in most of last years magazines they got great reviews and are under the €40 mark.

Putter:
I went out and got a TM Rossa Daytona putter last year and I was delighted with it, expect to pay around 100-130 for one though.

Hybrid/Rescue:
Again the TM Burner 07 range are pretty good (I haven't tried any of the newer models yet) and I believe they are cheap enough at the moment. Also I seen a few Pro Shops doing specials on Pings/Nikes.

conno16

i reckon every golf bag should have a 3 hybrid in it
good for launching it around 200 yards when sittin nice on the fairway
will lessen your reliance on catching a five-iron on the money every time

i've hit that wilson fybrid a few times and like the feel of it
you can pick them for around 70/80 euros now - exceptional value for money

whatawaster

thanks for all the suggestions lads:

A couple of things:

Wedge: this site seems to have a couple of good deals:

http://www.golfwarehouseuk.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_94_244&products_id=998

MD Superstrong wedge for £30

http://www.golfwarehouseuk.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_94_100&products_id=1612

Titleist Vokey Tour Chrome Spin Milled for £40

Is the titleist worth the extra £10 or will the MD do just as good a job?



Hybrid
I see a couple of you suggest a 3 hybrid as well. What lofts should i go for. I'm probably going to go for a 10.5 degree driver.

I'm probably not going to try any of these clubs before i buy, i'll probably get them online if possible. I don't drive and there aren't any great golf shops near me and i'm working on the presumption that anything i buy is going to be better than what i have at the minute.

jonas7

I've got a 60 degree MD Superstrong wedge and i'm quite happy with it.When I bought it(about a year ago)I was gonna go for a Vokey but they were 130 euro compared to 50 euro for the MD so the price swayed me.Its a nice club with plenty of spin but having said that Titleist Vokeys are well known to be the best wedges on the market and for 40 quid i think you cant go wrong.

Kimbot

I picked up the MD for €40 in a shop in Mullingar last week.
The reviews are up on the todays golfer website and when I reread last years mags they said they were close enought to the Volkey wedge.

Either of the wedges you get will be good so its up to you now.

Driver, go for a 10.5 with regular shaft unless you have a really fast swing speed. As I said the TM Burner is fantastic, online they are around £100 if even.

I believe alot of last years MD Putters are suppose to be very good aswell.

Hybrid/Rescue: I got a 22 degree to replace my 3 iron and its fantastic.

PhilipMarlowe

I have the 07 version of the taylormade burner hybrid in a 22 degree loft which (for me) is a fraction longer than my 3 iron but the flight of the hybrid is much higher. In summer on a calm day, the 3 iron will carry 200 yards and the hybrid will carry 210 yards.

I have ordered a 19 degree one but haven't collected it yet.

BillyBoy

whatawaster wrote: »

thanks for all the suggestions lads:

A couple of things:

Wedge: this site seems to have a couple of good deals:

http://www.golfwarehouseuk.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_94_244&products_id=998

MD Superstrong wedge for £30

http://www.golfwarehouseuk.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_94_100&products_id=1612

Titleist Vokey Tour Chrome Spin Milled for £40

Is the titleist worth the extra £10 or will the MD do just as good a job?

If the Titleist is only £10 extra I would go with that, good price for a great club. As for the MD wedges I carry 2 in my bag - one Superstrong and the other is the Norman Drew. Love them both especially the Norman Drew, have so much confidence with it. Just saw on their website that they have a Seve Ballesteros range as well which might be worth a look.

Edit: The MD Golf Superstrong Utility club won the best of test in this months Golf Monthly test. Green 18 in Sandyford stock MD Golf stuff so if thats close to you might be worth going in to see if they suit your eye (not affiliated with the shop if it sounds like I'm plugging it, just live in the apartments above it so know they have them in there!!)

whatawaster

thanks for everyone's suggestions. I've read several reviews of MD golf's stuff and they do seem to be very good. I work near Sandyford so ill try to pop into Green 18 at lunchtime tomorrow.

I hope i like their stuff, cos i found an ebay seller with very reasonable prices:

http://stores.ebay.ie/spsupplies

They have hybrids (i think they're last year's, but hey . . . ) for €30, putters for €30 and wedges for €37 and Drivers for around €70/€80

MiniGolf

whatawaster wrote: »

thanks for everyone's suggestions. I've read several reviews of MD golf's stuff and they do seem to be very good. I work near Sandyford so ill try to pop into Green 18 at lunchtime tomorrow.

I hope i like their stuff, cos i found an ebay seller with very reasonable prices:

http://stores.ebay.ie/spsupplies

They have hybrids (i think they're last year's, but hey . . . ) for €30, putters for €30 and wedges for €37 and Drivers for around €70/€80

This Ebay seller http://stores.ebay.ie/Golf-King-1-Golf-Shop has the same stuff from MD Golf but if I recall correctly has much lower carriage charges. I have a MD Golf Rio putter.... cant fault it... a birdie putt from 20ft... It dropped:D.... on the 3rd - Par 5 ! - and one 3 putt in 18 yesterday (from 30ft - My fault, not the putter!)... I am only playing a year and a half.... ish:)
http://www.onlinegolf.co.uk/mens/golf-clubs/putters/189scog/679pog.asp

whatawaster

So i popped into Green 18 in Sandyford at lunchtime. They had lots of MD gear. I gave one of the putters a go, also tried an Odyssey. Wasn't a huge difference in them to be honest so i'll probably get an MD.

But the prices were absolutely ridiculous. At least double, sometimes more than what i've seen online. I can probably pick up two hybrids, two wedges and a putter for just over €150.
That would just leave a driver. I had a look at the MD square headed one and i did like the look of that too.

BunkerMentality

I have one of these if you want a cheap square driver... very happy with it

http://www.golfwarehouseuk.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=15_187_262

Or you can pick up last years Nike fairly cheap now

http://www.nevadabobs.co.uk/Golf-Clubs/Drivers/2scid/3668prodid.asp

BillyBoy

whatawaster wrote: »

So i popped into Green 18 in Sandyford at lunchtime. They had lots of MD gear. I gave one of the putters a go, also tried an Odyssey. Wasn't a huge difference in them to be honest so i'll probably get an MD.

But the prices were absolutely ridiculous. At least double, sometimes more than what i've seen online. I can probably pick up two hybrids, two wedges and a putter for just over €150.
That would just leave a driver. I had a look at the MD square headed one and i did like the look of that too.

Yeah meant to say that in my post. Its expensive in there even with their '50% off' sale!! Can't see them being open much longer with McGuirks down the road who are a lot cheaper.

Just thought it would be handy for you to see the MD Golf stuff in person to see if it suited your eye, so you can then shop around for the best price.

whatawaster

So to update,

I’ve found a seller on ebay and he’s quoted me £194 sterling (about €215 I think) for the following:

- MD Superstrong EQL2 Square headed driver, 10.5 degrees, regular shaft
- MD Superstrong EQL hybrid, 18 degrees
- MD Cobalt Wedges X 3 – 52 degrees, 56 degrees and 60 degrees.
- Postage is included in the above price.

Does this sound like a good deal? The above 5 clubs are listed for about 230 on his ebay shop without postage and insurance, so obviously he’s thrown in a decent discount. All of the above, particularly the wedges have very good reviews nearly everywhere.