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Bargain Challenge: Putting together a set of clubs for $500

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You have a golf trip planned in two weeks. One day after work, you head to your car to hit the range and get some grinding in for the trip. As you walk to your car you notice your car has been broken into and your clubs are gone. Not good. You need new clubs for the trip but aren’t in a position to shell out the $2,000-$3,000 for a brand new set. What are your options? I recommend hitting the used market.

Every year, thousands of used golf clubs go on the market. Some of the clubs had a rough life and some have barely been hit. As an exercise to see what you can get for your dollar, I browsed one of the web’s largest used golf equipment sites (3balls.com) with a budget of $500 for a full set of clubs in my specs. What I found was really interesting.

Rules: 14 clubs for under $500 shipped. As close to my specs as possible.

Driver

Since I play a low loft driver with a low launch, low spin shaft, I knew I was in for a challenge with finding a driver. Once I took a minute to search, I found this beauty of a driver. I remember hitting the Ping G10 back in the day, and it was one of the most forgiving drivers at the time. Plus, it was very close to my specs at standard length, 7.5 degrees, and a mid-launch Grafalloy shaft.

Wood

While searching for a 3-wood, I had two things in mind, I needed a X-stiff shaft, and I needed it to be heavy. After about five minutes, I found this great Titleist 913 with a heavier X-stiff shaft. Normally I play a 13-degree 3-wood, and this 3-wood would allow me to loft it down to get the desired flight. Really a solid deal for $50.

Hybrid

In an ideal world, I’d be hitting a 2-iron or a driving iron here. The problem is that driving irons can sell for $100-plus fairly easily, so that was out of budget. After searching, I found a nice 17-degree hybrid from Ping with an X-stiff shaft. The shaft is a little lighter than I would like, but it is not a bad pick up for 80 bucks.

Irons

I knew I would want to spend the majority of my money on some solid irons. After searching, with the parameters being a 3-PW set with X100 shafts, I found this great Titleist combo set. I current play a MB/CB combo from another company, so this set fits well with what I am looking for if I was to replace my current set. All of this for $200.

Wedges

Wedge shopping was hard because I needed a lob wedge with good grooves and a gap wedge that wasn’t trash. I got really lucky with the Ping lob wedge. It is in very good condition which is really what matters for the grooves since I will be using it greenside. Since it is blue dot, I can get it sent to ping to be adjusted for my specs. For the gap wedge, I picked up a heavily used 52-degree. Ideally, I would have more money for a slightly better grooved GW.

Putter

Can’t go wrong with a White Hot in my preferred length. Not much more to say.

Total

 

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Trey is a former D1 golf recruit and the owner of College Golf Mentors, a consulting business helping kids achieve their dreams of playing golf in college. When not golfing, Trey is either paying the bills with his advertising job or powerlifting.

60 Comments

60 Comments

  1. Duncan Cheslett

    Dec 27, 2018 at 1:12 pm

    This guy went one better.

    A set of clubs for £25 ($30)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrmZ1v_N0ns

  2. Big White Eggplant

    Dec 20, 2018 at 11:03 pm

    The guy talking about the Wal Mart set is trolling. Don’t take the bait. It would have been a better experiment if the clubs had to be made in the 1999s.

  3. ChipNRun

    Dec 20, 2018 at 12:27 am

     It’s hard to play this game with the limited graphics of this Comment box. I assembled a set for $632 – including a bag which is a handy way to carry clubs. The specs were for someone who wanted basically S-flex, right-handed clubs.

    I can’t paste the JPEG summary grid for the set with Comment box limitations. Here is line-item report:
    * Titleist 909D3 Driver 10.5°/ $49
    * Tour Edge Exotics EX9 4W 16.5° / $51.99
    * Tour Edge Exotics EX9 3H Hybrid 19° / $51.99
    * Titleist CB 714 Forged Irons 4-PW / $244.99
    * Edel TRP Trapper 50* & 55* & 60* Wedges / $99
    * Ping ANSER 2 Putter / $49.00
    * GoPlus Blue 4-Divider Stand Bag / $45.99

    (Shipping costs, when not free, totaled $41.00

  4. Rick

    Dec 17, 2018 at 1:03 am

    I can afford a better driver if I spend less on those Hybrid and fairway 3 wood. Maybe enough for a Golf balls, tees and shoes… don’t forget lunch!

  5. Loc

    Dec 15, 2018 at 1:26 am

    Don’t you need a bag to carry these, lol!

  6. Kirk

    Dec 15, 2018 at 1:12 am

    Very easy to build a great bag for cheap, golf clubs drop off quickly once you move away from current year….after owning all current stuff last 5 or yrs now my gamer bag is all 3 yr or older clubs…(do have new stuff but not played consistently) and there is no loss anywhere in performance….can buy brand new set of Hopkins cb irons for $199, new gear is nice to have but extremely highly over rated usually by those who have inconsistent games….anything within last 10 yrs is sufficient if you have anything that resembles a decent swing….

  7. bj

    Dec 14, 2018 at 7:31 pm

    905R 8.5
    Vsteel 16.5
    Adams boxer 20*
    R9TP irons 4-pw
    TM Y Cutter wedges 50,54,58
    cameron futura or odyssey 2ball 33″

  8. Maxflier

    Dec 14, 2018 at 5:29 pm

    “Bargain” condition clubs can be pretty rough sometimes…

    • shawn

      Dec 14, 2018 at 6:59 pm

      … particularly the chipped and scarred graphite shafts on the driver and fairways. Be prepared for a clubhead flying off the shaft or snapping the shaft at the hosel. Never a s s ume the graphite shafts are secure and solid. Caveat emptor…

    • Shallowface

      Jan 14, 2019 at 9:55 am

      Agree completely. $500 is a lot of money if one ends up with a bag full of junk. When I read something like this I come to the conclusion that it’s no wonder so many people are broke if this is any example of the decision making process they use in making purchases.

  9. Jagbor

    Dec 14, 2018 at 3:58 pm

    OR you could just go to a reputable custom clubmaker,like me, and I can build a set that is actually fitted to your game/swing etc. All the shafts would be the same instead of a mixed bag of…… Anyways…a bit ridiculous in my opinion…sorry

  10. Dave r

    Dec 14, 2018 at 3:47 pm

    Hey Ogo are you the Smiz in cogneto . Relax buddy

    • ogo

      Dec 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm

      Who is “Smiz”? … in congeto[sic] …. lol

      • Dave r

        Dec 14, 2018 at 7:35 pm

        Sorry ment to say incognito the Smiz sometimes went postal on here (lol) also

  11. Scott

    Dec 14, 2018 at 11:31 am

    You need better car / home insurance. You should be able to get your set replaced with a $250 or $500 deductible instead of sorting though a rummage bin.

    • SkiBum

      Dec 14, 2018 at 1:55 pm

      It’s a hypothetical, it’s not about car insurance. And the clubs he acquired are hardly “rummage bin” quality. Hey, it’s everyone’s choice. If people want to open your wallet and overpay for new release, they’ll add 10 yards, overhyped clubs, have at it. The club makers are hoping people will fall for the hype. But as Trey showed, with a little searching on the internet, you can put together a whole set for about the same as that new driver.

      Hell, if that Web.com Q school guy could shoot 63 and qualify for the tour using a made up set after his clubs were stolen, it helps to prove the old saying, “it ain’t the wand-it’s the wizard wielding it”

      • James

        Dec 15, 2018 at 8:04 pm

        If your insurance covered replacement clubs would you buy the same clubs you already have?

    • Speedy

      Dec 14, 2018 at 1:59 pm

      Bingo!

      • Gerald Teigrob

        Dec 14, 2018 at 4:54 pm

        I would stay away from Ping myself and I was able to get some demo Cobra irons from my golf course as an employee for trading in my own clubs – Adams Redlines and Adams A7 irons. So I ended up with better clubs (Bio Cells and Baffler XLs) than I came in with.

  12. Sydney

    Dec 14, 2018 at 10:58 am

    I think you can do better than “bargain” condition…. unless you are brand new to the game, why buy woods with sky marks and irons with worn grooves?

  13. joro

    Dec 14, 2018 at 10:56 am

    Newer is not alway better, just more expensive.

  14. golfer

    Dec 14, 2018 at 10:55 am

    Adams.

  15. fanboy

    Dec 14, 2018 at 9:46 am

    had to do this in college after a mishap with clubs. Put together a bag built around some nice used ping irons and hand me downs from teammates for less than 400$ and used it in competition.

  16. James

    Dec 14, 2018 at 9:43 am

    I’m thinking the author got a skewed deal on his clubs… usually clubs that are senior flex, EXTRA STIFF FLEX and left-handed are significantly less expensive to buy used. I’d like to see a similar set-up with Stiff shafts. Bet we’re talking around $800 now.

  17. Cyril Zupan

    Dec 14, 2018 at 8:46 am

    Good work….
    Nothing wrong with those setups!
    Lots of good shots left in those sticks!

    • shawn

      Dec 14, 2018 at 12:50 pm

      Not for a 15 y.o. boy who is just starting the game! Get him new clubs from Walmart and he will be happy.

      • Dad

        Dec 28, 2018 at 3:39 pm

        Shut the hell up Shawn. Literally no one wants to read your shit comments.

  18. Rob Ever

    Dec 14, 2018 at 12:27 am

    Everything in my bag is used. My bag is used. I don’t buy much from shops like 3balls as their trade in prices are low and their resale prices are high. Find a local shop that deals in used clubs and you’ll walk out with a full set of clubs and a bag too!

    • ogo

      Dec 14, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      Obviously you are not a WRX forum gearhead who looooves his exotic golf clubs… all made in China even though they are branded with a USA or Japanese company.

  19. Simms

    Dec 14, 2018 at 12:16 am

    Whats really sad is to take that same idea and look at the trade in value places sale used clubs offer verse what they sell them back for…that $500 comes at about $250 or less in trade in value…..if you have any time at all Ebay will save you the most…

  20. Aristotle

    Dec 13, 2018 at 9:49 pm

    “I recommend hitting the used market.”

    -Socrates

  21. Tommy

    Dec 13, 2018 at 6:31 pm

    A few months ago I took on the challenge to put together the best set I could for a friend’s 15 year old son who is taking up the game. Here is what I was able to purchase, mostly on eBay (including from some larger resale companies). All of the purchased clubs are in excellent 9/10 condition and the driver and 3 wood were virtually new. Here is what I was able to put together for $290

    TM Burner Superfast 2.0
    Cobra Bio-Cell 3-4 FW
    Adams 9031 Pro Black Hybrids- 20*, 23*
    Taylormade R7 Irons 4-9, SW
    Cleveland CG10 PW- 46*, 54*
    Cleveland 588 Black -60*
    Ping Karsten Anser 2
    New SuperStroke TX-1 Grips
    Titleist Stand Bag
    Includes all headcovers, etc

  22. Robert S. Sewell

    Dec 13, 2018 at 6:21 pm

    What about a bag?

  23. ogo

    Dec 13, 2018 at 6:07 pm

    Why is the Odyssey putter $65 while the full set of Ti tleist 3-PW irons only $200 ?!! You can buy a brand new $25 Walmart zinc die cast knockoff that will do the job equally well… unless you are ashamed and need a used status putter for your fragile ego!!!

    • ogo

      Dec 13, 2018 at 6:12 pm

      HEY.. GOLF WRX STAFF…. WHY IS THE FORUM SWEARBOT FILTER SO SENSITIVE TO A PERCEIVED SWEAR WORD BURIED IN A LONGER WORD…. LIKE “T I Tleist” ????!!!!!!
      CAN’T YOU FIX OR SHUT OFF YOUR STUPID FILTER TO ELIMINATE THIS LUDICROUS SITUATION ??!!!!!

    • RJ

      Dec 14, 2018 at 8:57 am

      Hey OGO – Are you sponsored by Nitro Blasters Golf from Walmart?
      Shopping for golf clubs st Walmart is like saying a Yugo is the same as a Corvette.

      • ogo

        Dec 14, 2018 at 12:54 pm

        … and you are obviously a gearhead who has impeccable taste and solid opinions on overpriced OEM clubs…. from Japan.

      • ogo

        Dec 14, 2018 at 1:00 pm

        I bet you looove to shop for new golf clubs on a weekly basis at yer local big box golf store… and you know all the sales people with whom you can discuss all the technical stuff.

        • Funkaholic

          Jan 17, 2019 at 8:43 am

          OGO just say you are too poor to play this game even at a discount and move on.

  24. ogo

    Dec 13, 2018 at 6:06 pm

    Why is the Odyssey putter $65 while the full set of Titleist 3-PW irons only $200 ?!! You can buy a brand new $25 Walmart zinc die cast knockoff that will do the job equally well… unless you are ashamed and need a used status putter for your fragile ego!!!

  25. JP

    Dec 13, 2018 at 5:41 pm

    Best and most spot on article I’ve seen here in a while. Good job.

    Hard to debate any of those choices. All well done

  26. Chris Stallard

    Dec 13, 2018 at 5:37 pm

    Fantastic choices…. only query I have is hybrid is $80 and driver is $50…. I’d try to flip that around and perhaps get a better driver

  27. ht

    Dec 13, 2018 at 5:22 pm

    love this! I have this conversation with my buddy all the time and, in my opinion, I think it can be done cheaper

  28. Adam

    Dec 13, 2018 at 4:16 pm

    Fully endorse the Odyssey. I game an Odyssey White Hot that I bought on eBay for $22 and it’s awesome and works for me like magic. Would not give it up even if someone handed me a $500 putter right now.

    • ogo

      Dec 14, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      … but how can you flaunt your status clubs if they are not bought new?

  29. Seth Mischke

    Dec 13, 2018 at 2:40 pm

    Would totally bag that set up and feel great about it! Overrated technology CAN be.

  30. Shu

    Dec 13, 2018 at 2:19 pm

    I started this same experiment last year and my original goal was under $100. I quickly realized this would be harder than I thought so I raised it to the price most spend on a new off the rack driver ($400). Goal was to shoot around my handicap (4) with the setup. Mainly to prove to my friends that keep blowing money on new clubs that learning how to hit them is more important. Current setup is Titleist 910 driver, Adams rpm 3 wood, Adams hyrbid, Titleist 762 3-P, Cleveland 588 wedges, Oddyssey putter. Total cost was around $350. It’s actually been a pretty fun project.

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Whats in the Bag

Chesson Hadley WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 70 TX

3-wood: Titleist TSR2+ (14.5 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX

Irons: Titleist T200 (3), Titleist 620 CB (4, 5), Titleist 620 MB (6-PW)
Shafts: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 105 X (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG 2-Ball
Grip: Odyssey

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Check out more in-hand photos Chesson Hadley’s clubs here.

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Whats in the Bag

Gary Woodland WITB 2024 (March)

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Driver: Cobra Darkspeed X (8 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 70 M5

  • The white circle that appears at the top of the face a removable sticker that’s used for launch monitor tracking, and Woodland removes it for competition!

3-wood: Cobra Darkspeed X (14 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 GW100 Prototype

7-wood: Cobra LTDx LS prototype (20 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TZ5 GW100 Prototype

Irons: Wilson Staff (18 degrees), Cobra King MB (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper Limited X

Wedges: Cobra SB (48), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-08F, 56-14F), Cobra King (60)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper Limited X (48 degrees), KBS Tour V-Ten 125

Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 3.0P

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

See more in-hand photos of Gary Woodland’s WITB in the forums.

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Equipment

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

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As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

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I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

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