News
Why technology changes but handicaps don’t
By Brant Brice
GolfWRX Contributor
As an avid golfer and equipment junkie, I feel I am easily persuaded by and feel profound guilt for not being the first to purchase and proudly own all of the new technology on the market today.
Let me rephrase that … ahh hummm, as an avid golfer and “former” equipment junkie, I feel I am no longer hornswaggled by the advertisers or tempted by a clubmaker’s new adjustable face, lower center of gravity, reduced spin, longer carry, lighter shaft, more penetrating flight, whiter club head for better contrast, higher MOI/COR or similar spacecraft technology on the market today nor do I feel like a loser for not having the latest and greatest! Golf balls are purposely not included in this discussion as they are replaced after just a few holes or every shot in some cases depending on your level of slice.
Let’s start with the iron. Face it, if we weren’t all searching for the magic swing bean, or “The Secret” we would still be playing those now illegal high tech square groove Ping Eye 2s from the early 80s. I constantly hear people talk about the old I2s. They were well balanced, the distances were on par with forgings, they stuck like super glue on the greens and were actually easy to hit. Do we replace the irons like we do the beloved driver that we adore so much we get a new one every year six months? No. Do we toss them out, give them away or throw them in the woods/water/trash after a bad round and chastise them like we do our collection of 10 putters that essentially are all the same? No. We tend to buy things in patterns and the club manufacturers know this, but they want us to feel inadequate or under equipped and reduce the time between purchases. They know that the average golfer will buy a new set of irons about once every four or five years, drivers about every two years, wedges every three years and putters every two years or when they throw one in the pond, whichever comes first. Those who play more often or who fall for the sales pitch will replace their equipment sooner than those who play less or are more frugal (I didn’t say cheap) and don’t fall for the hype.
So when do you replace your irons? I believe the purchase of irons is different from drivers, wedges or putters. We don’t tend to buy irons because they will help you gain distance or because they get rid of your slice. I think we break down and replace irons because we are either getting better or are getting worse and react accordingly to save or enhance our game.
An aside … many iron manufacturers are advertising longer hitting irons but they are really just lengthening the shafts and strengthening the lofts. I don’t know why we get so bent out of shape by how far we hit irons anyway. You hit them how far you hit them. Live with it.
So we intuitively know that we aren’t going to purchase a set of irons and drop 10 strokes off our handicap. The bottom line is that while they may actually allow you to pick up a few extra yards there hasn’t really been that much done to the technology of irons since the Ping I2, at least not as much as they would lead you to believe. There are different metals, dampeners, groove formations, cavity inserts, blade size and shaft optimization, but the basic cavity shape for game improvement or muscle back design for blades is the same. Look at pictures from old MacGregor or Titleist blades. Do they remind you of Mizuno blades or Nike blades? My advice, replace your irons every 250-300 rounds or so and don’t forget to regrip your clubs every six months or 30 rounds.
Wedges — are they really part of the iron set? Aside from Vokey and the 588s, there haven’t been many innovations since. Why so much iron innovation for the high handicapper yet we still ALL play blade wedges, one of the hardest clubs to hit and arguably the second most important club in the bag. The little advancements are removable face inserts, crazy offset hozels, spinner shafts and progressive bounce formation — none of which really take strokes off your game. My advice, get the removable face insert wedges so replacement is far more economical when the grooves start to fail. Note: for you high handicappers, take out the 60-degree wedge and replace your 4 iron with a hybrid. You will score lower and will send me a thank you letter for no longer sculling or chili dipping your wedges.
Driver — let’s take a poll, how many drivers do you have? Five, eight, 10 or more? How often have you found yourself saying, “If I only had that new TaylorMade R11S I could blast it past all of the fellas.” Also how much did you pay for those eight irons compared to what you pay for one driver? Drivers are the largest consumer cash crop market. For guys, we simply can’t resist hitting something farther than our competitors. They play on our ego. They claim every year to add 10 percent, or 12 yards or 30 percent tighter dispersion than previous models for which they still charge $299. The bottom line is that there is a maximum C.O.R. (coefficient of restitution). This is how far a ball will go after colliding with the driver face at a fixed speed. They can’t make them go farther. Shaft innovation can help but the driver itself can’t be made to break the rules. My advice, replace your driver every five years or until you can use it as a beer mug.
Next, I’ll quickly go over putters. As I alluded to above, we may be more unfaithful to our putters than we are to the driver, wedges, irons, soda, beer, gas stations, car manufacturers, cell phone providers and spouses combined. Do you have three different Anser style putters? Do you have an 8802 of some sort? Do you have a space ship on a stick? Are they face balanced, heel balanced, toe hangers, low MOI/High MOI, polymer insert, CNC milled, plumbers neck, swan, offset, straight, forged, cast, steel, copper, long, belly, standard or Robert Garrigus? Can you make the ball go toward the hole and stop just past it? My advice, pick up all of your putters and pick the one that looks and feels the best to you at address and then go get it fitted for loft and lie.
Worldwide the average handicap for men is about 17 and women about 29. Why has this number not changed in 100 years? I thought we had these new adjustable drivers that promise (every year) to have a bigger sweet spot, hotter face and longer carry with less spin and straighter flight. We have irons that have more feel, are easier to hit and get the ball in the air faster, go farther and straighter (every year). We have wedges that are more accurate, spin more and are also easier to hit. There are a bazillion putters that are easier to align, better feel due tuned inserts, have larger sweet spots and that encourage a more solid strike. Why are we still falling for the advertiser’s promise of a better game? Here’s why … we are looking for a quick tip, a “golf fix”, a magic cure, a holy grail, pleasure without pain, an enlightenment without study.
Here’s my advice, stop spending your money on new equipment. Get fit with the equipment you have now and spend forty bucks a month on a range membership. Also, find an instructor that doesn’t charge an arm and a leg for a RECURRING package of lessons who gives you reachable goals, practice drills and a routine. How is that self taught swing working for you? Set up a practice schedule within your limited free time and dig it out of the dirt. Read one golf book a month. There is a 10,000-hour rule in all professions and trades. If you want to get good at doing something you have to learn the correct way to do it, then practice that learned motion over and over again. Is a 16-year-old or a 40-year-old a better driver? I know golfers who have dropped 30 strokes in three years by having a focused practice routine, spending a half hour or more four or five days a week working on fundamentals, chipping and pitching from inside 100 yards. Don’t waste your entire bucket of balls pounding driver after drive while on the range, and hit the putting green for 40 to 50 percent of your practice time. Luke Donald could take any of your foursome’s bag of clubs and beat you handily with them.
Final thought: Technology changes to make more money, but handicaps stay the same because we want to buy a better game instead of putting in the time. Getting better is easy if you are willing to endure the pain to get there. The golf swing is not free, nor can it be purchased. It must be earned. That’s what Mr. Hogan meant by “digging it out of the dirt.” I still think I could get an extra 20 yards with that new TaylorMade 9.5 degree R11S Matrix Ozik TP 7M3 X-Stiff!
I would love to hear any funny stories about your driver or putter collections gathering dust or any success or failures in your quest for a better game!!!
Thanks for reading.
– B-Rant
Click here for more discussion in the “Equipment Forum”
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GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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Brazil and Texas were kindred souls this week, at least when it came to weather. Both regions experienced torrential delays, and three tournaments were held up. The LPGA, PGA Tour Americas, and PGA Tour Champions were compelled to reduce play or work extra holes into Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, South Carolina and the PGA Tour fell victim to nature’s wrath, with lightning postponing the conclusion of the event to Monday.
The year’s first women’s major championship was celebrated in Texas. The Chevron is gaining a bit of tradition in its second year after relocation. This year’s event culminated in the continued coronation of the game’s current best. The Korn Ferry Tour saw a top-twenty performance from a 15-year old amateur, while the second event of the week on the big tour found a winner in the Dominican Republic. Six events is more than a handful, so let’s get right to it, with this week’s (delayed) Tour Rundown.
LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title
The winter of 2022-2023 seems so distant for current Nelly Korda. A mysterious ailment sapped all of her energy, just as the world appeared to have finally emerged from the pandemic. We never quite secured the complete information that we desired, but no one can say that any of us deserved to know more than Nelly wished to share. One thing is for certain: Nelly Korda has returned to top form, and the world number one golfer is at least one level above anyone else on tour.
Korda began her 2024 campaign with a January victory in the Drive One Championship. In her next start, in March, she continued her assault on the record books, with a win at the Se Ri Pak. She won again the following week, at the Ford, then defeated Leona Maguire in the final match at the T-Mobile Match Play, for a fourth consecutive victory. Would the increased hype around a major championship have an impact on her game? Well, no.
Korda began play at the Chevron Championship with a score of 68. She trailed Lauren Coughlin by two after 18 holes, but caught her with a second-round 69. Coughlin would ultimately tie for third spot with Brooke Henderson. Henderson played with Korda on day four, but the middle third of the round was her undoing. Making a late move was Maja Stark. House Stark closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to reach 11 under par. Both Korda and Strak played the final three days in identical numbers: 69 each day.
Korda held a firm hand on the tournament over the course of the final day. She stood minus-four for the round through ten holes, before a bit of sloppy play made things competitive again. Bogeys at 11 and 15 opened the door a wee bit for Stark. Korda was equal to the test, however, and closed stylishly with birdie at 18.
Safely around the green on the 72nd hole
Watch @NellyKorda‘s historic finish now on NBC! pic.twitter.com/1zaAYtbaCz
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!
Nelly isn’t the only golfer on fire, although Scottie Scheffler still has a ways to go to match her. Scheffler proved this week that he has a game for all courses. After winning comfortably at lengthy Augusta National, Scheffler shifted gears and game to the wee Sea Pines course, and won again. That’s two weeks in a row for the man from New Jersey/Texas, so let’s learn how he did it.
Scheffler totaled 69 on day one, and found himself six shots behind leader J.T. Poston. Scheffler revealed that his teacher, Randy Smith, would tell him that he didn’t need to be the best 15 year-old; just the best 25 year-old. It was easy, then, to play the long game and consider all 72 holes, instead of just 18. Scheffler improved to 65 on Friday, and then went even lower on Saturday. His 63 moved him to the top of the board, and caused the golfverse to wonder if Scheffler would win for a second consecutive week.
Sunday saw all the chasers fall away. Scores between 70 and 72 from Patrick Rodgers, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka meant that others would need to seize the day, if Scheffler were to do more than coast. Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas each moved inside the top five with fourth-round 65s, but no one ever got close enough to the world number one. The win was Scheffler’s 10th on tour, and made him the betting favorite for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Scottie Scheffler can save par from just about anywhere.
Including the water ?
(Presented by @CDWCorp) pic.twitter.com/RUqL2sBrr9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2024
PGA Tour 2 @ Corales Puntacana: Baton Boy claims 8th Tour triumph
If you’ve ever seen Billy Horschel toss a club, you know that he doesn’t do so in anger. More likely is a calculated, soaring arc, paired with a look of fractured disbelief, followed by a quick catch of the cudgel. Ergo, Baton Boy. This week on the island of Hispaniola, the native of Grant, Florida, outworked and outhustled everyone else on Sunday. Horschel gathered seven birdies and an eagle, on the way to a 63 and a 23-under par total.
The former Florida Gator zipped past the four golfers in front of him, and left the remaining field in the rear-view mirror. Horschel’s round was two shots better than anyone else, and moved him two shots ahead of third-round leader Wesley Bryan. One of the famed Bryan Brothers, Wes closed with birdie at the last to post a 68 that would have won the week on any other day.
Walking it in with a fist pump ?@BillyHo_Golf is 9-under on the day and leads by two @CoralesChamp. pic.twitter.com/N6rjL1GGGA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2024
Korn Ferry Tour @ LeCom Suncoast: It’s Widing in extra holes
Miles Russell probably won’t have to serve detention for ditching class on Thursday and Friday. The high school freshman made his KFT debut, survived the 36-hole cut, and toyed with a top-ten finish. He ultimately tied for 20th at 14-under par, six shots behind the three co-leaders. My guess is that Epstein’s Mom will write him a note, and he’ll get a pass. By finishing top-25, Russell earned a spot in next week’s event. Yikes!
Back to the top of the board. Patrick Cover, Steven Fisk, and Tim Widing all found their way to the magic number of -20. Fisk made birdie at the last, after bogeys at 16 and 17. Cover had three bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie at 14 was enough to get him to overtime. Widing was plus-one on the day through four, but played interstellar golf over the final 14. Six birdies moved him from Russell-ville to extra time.
The trio scurried to the 18th tee, where Cover drove into a fairway bunker. He was unable to reach the green with his approach, made bogey, and exited the overtime session. Widing and Fisk returned to the final deck once more, and matters were resolved. Fisk was unable to convert a long par putt, and Widing (pronounced VEE-ding) tapped in for his first KFT title.
The feeling of relief when you know you won. ???
Tim Widing is now a champion on the #KornFerryTour. pic.twitter.com/K0vgiZ21UG
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Americas @ Brasil Open: Mr. Anderson finds a way
Golf is a funny game. Matthew Anderson held a lead with one round to play. He made six pars on Sunday, and sprinkled the rest of his card with birdies and bogeys. In complete contrast, Ollie Osborne played consistently on the day, posting four birdies and zero bogeys. Connor Godsey was not far off Osborne’s pace, with seven birdies and but two bogeys on the scorecard. So, of course, Matthew Anderson won by a stroke over Osborne and Godsey.
Not how, but how many, is another one of those platitudes that we all learn early on. Despite five bogeys through his first 14 holes, Anderson summoned the defiant grit to make birdie at the 71st and 72nd holes. After making deuce at the penultimat hole, Anderson’s swerving effort at the last looked as if it should miss low, but it had enough pace to stay inside the hole and fall for a closing four at the par-five finisher.
Birdie-birdie finish to secure the ?
Mississauga-native Matthew Anderson is your 69th ECP Brazil Open Champion. pic.twitter.com/ONE8hIUjeS
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall
What do you call a tournament that begins on Friday, takes Saturday off, and finishes on Sunday? Fortunate is one adjective to use. A weather system moved through Texas this weekend, and made a mess of things in Irving. After Thomas Bjorn signed for 64 on day one, rain and all things counter-productive moved through the Las Colinas resort, ensuring that Saturday would be nothing more than a rest day. When Sunday arrived, conditions had improved, and the game was on. Bjorn was unable to preserve his Friday magic, although he did record a 70 for -8. He finished in a third-place tie with Y.E. Yang.
David Toms, the 2001 PGA Championship victor, presented Sunday’s low round, and moved to 10-under par. Toms made one mistake on the day. He lived in the rough on the 9th hole, ultimately making bogey. The rest of the day was immaculate, as seven birdies came his way, resulting in a six-under par 65. Only one golfer was able to surpass Toms, and that was Paul Broadhurst.
Broadhurst nearly matched Toms for daily honors. His mistake came early, with bogey at the second. He bounced back with eagle at the third, and added three more birdies for 66 and 11-under par. Over his first three seasons on the Tour Champions, Broadhurst won five times, including two major titles. His fifth win came in 2018, making this win his first in six years. A long time coming, for sure, but well earned.
Looking at the hole is working for @PBroadhurstGolf ?
He leads by one after a clutch birdie on 15 @InvitedCC. pic.twitter.com/S0rhcVwaeE
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) April 21, 2024
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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
Sam Burns WITB 2024 (April)
Sam Burns’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond S (9 degrees...
Will Zalatoris WITB 2024 (April)
Will Zalatoris’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)...
Scottie Scheffler’s winning WITB: 2024 RBC Heritage
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (8 degrees @8.25) Buy here. Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (45 inches) 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Buy...
Nelly Korda’s winning WITB: 2024 Chevron Championship
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 Max (10.5 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 60 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)...
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19th Hole2 weeks agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
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19th Hole23 hours ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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19th Hole3 weeks agoReport: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
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19th Hole1 week agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
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19th Hole1 week agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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19th Hole1 week agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
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19th Hole6 days agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
Pingback: Swing! Golf Tech to Perfect Your Game - GenX i Social Buzz
JayT
May 8, 2014 at 5:35 pm
Just found this article 3 years later…and have to comment..
The number of rounds I play in part determines the gear I use…
The less I play the more help I need from my gear.
Lighter, shorter, flexier shafts help to keep me in control…and I’ve gone to mid-weight regular flex graphite iron shafts and ultralight “wood”/hybrid senior flex shafts…regular for accuracy, senior for distance…newer technology HAS made senior shafts more accurate.
Interestingly, while the FW woods/hybrids are “A” shafts, my drivers are regular flex…I swing easier off the turf, and want to rip it off the tee…I do have 3 woods that all get the ball in the air to the same place, but they differ in weight by 5-10gm…I use the lightest when playing the least, the heaviest when playing regularly.
I have a bag of wedges, multiple copies of the same that are no longer made, and a bag of putters, because I do like them all…that’s my story and I’m sticking to it…Finally, I love practicing my short game.
Jose
Sep 14, 2013 at 11:48 am
“How is that self taught swing working for you? Set up a practice schedule within your limited free time and dig it out of the dirt.”
How did the self taught swing work for Moe Norman, Lee Trevino and Bubba Watson?
There is evidence that the ADHD golfers tend to have home brew swing. We are experimental learners.
Moe was not ADHD but he is the best striker of the ball ever!
Mark Adam
Jul 6, 2012 at 12:31 pm
I caddied from age 14-22, I grew up on the golf course looping for guys with far too much money and egos that were even larger. Some of the guys were great I remember them by name. I remember their swings, their ball flight and their idiosyncrasies on the course. I also remember their bags, what they kept in them, what balls they played and clubs too. The top, say, 4 or 5 players I looped for never changed clubs. Very rarely. The best of all, we’ll call him Rick, played an ancient set of Titliest fored cavity backs from the late 90s he had a Vokey gap wedge and a RAM lob that was probably older than I. He kept a 2-iron in the bag and a Scotty putter as well as a Founders Club Fresh Metal 3-wood that he hit so pure, it was a thing of beauty. On his best day, he could have won on Tour. He had an ancient driver that he replaced with a Taylormade R-series something or other which he hit well. But, I guess, what I’m trying to get across is that these guys didn’t buy technology and their game always stayed the same. The guys the took money from every Saturday and Sunday morning, on the other hand, were constantly changing gear. At some point, you get to a point in your game where your clubs become an extension of your self. I remember Tom Lehman, years ago asking readers of Gold Magazine: “Should I change my grips or clubs?” His grips were worn down to the shafts in some cases. That was the defining moment for me that proved new technology wasn’t going to magically make me a scratch golfer. As I caddied a few more years, I learned a lot about the swing by simply watching. I played more. I got pretty good. I took four years away from the game and I’m happy to say my first swing after coming back was 280, down the middle. I shot 3-over par.
It’s not the clubs.
Zane Jakobs
Jun 24, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Once i played with a guy who had over 10 different drivers, 15 different putters, 5 different sets of irons, 10 different wedges, and he was horrible. He scored 150.
JTMacc99
Mar 8, 2012 at 6:38 am
So true! I’m almost done with replacing equipment that lasted me a LONG time. Certain technology does help a 16 handicapper like me. Replacing the long irons with hybrids was well worth it, for example. Replacing the 845’s I’ve had forever with the shiny new irons that arrived yesterday was just something I wanted to do. The putter, I still love and realize that it is practice that makes it work better.
The driver, on the other hand… It is only the prices that keep me from messing around with them. I love the used bin and the late winter clearance sales. It is just fun to try new drivers.
Jskippyskip
Mar 6, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Longtime reader….first time post. This article is great! I still hope my new belly putter knocks some strokes off!
JP
Mar 6, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Great write-up. And yes, its so easy to get caught up in the hype and marketing of the new clubs.
This year, I’ve realized two things – 1) i don’t need a new driver since i’m certain that there is nothing wrong with my R9 – if it doesn’t go far or straight its me and not the driver; and 2) i really don’t need to be playing a stiff shaft – my ego really got in the way when i bought my last set of clubs… it went something like this “all of my friends play a stiff, so why shouldn’t i be playing it too”. The latter would have been a great excuse to buy new equipment with the right shaft flex, but instead I’ve decided to just buy used shafts in the right flex and will have my current clubs re-shafted. Am I still spending money on equipment, yes, but i’d rather spend $150 to re-shaft my perfectly good J36 than to spend a $1000 on the i20’s that i really want but that i really don’t need.
Cheers-
k2002man
Mar 4, 2012 at 3:16 am
Great article! Golf is a funny game that I am constantly trying to master. I am one who is always trying to find an edge with a better driver or putter. I believe that the new technology has helped a lot. Why are golf courses getting longer and longer? Its because technology has helped us hit the ball further. I hit the ball further than I did with the woods and balata balls of 25 years ago! But I agree totally that better equipment won’t fix a bad/broken swing. Practice and lessons are the best medicine helped by properly fit gear.
chris
Mar 1, 2012 at 12:47 am
As a low handicap golfer I can tell you most amateurs can’t chip or putt. No amount of technology will save strokes around the green.
Appletree
Feb 29, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Too funny and accurate in my case anyways. 59 year old. Played 17 years now. When really trying got to a 6 but over the last 5 years have been a comfortable 10. Always swapping, looking for club deals etc. Change a bunch of clubs during the season until it is club championship time then the hybrids and anser putter come out. I have finally learned what work for me. Great article. You made me smile. Thx.
Solidstrike
Feb 29, 2012 at 3:15 pm
This is all true; a hundred years ago players still shot par or better using wooden shafts and dimpled grooves. However I find that new equipment refreshes my interest in the game. I love the feeling of finding a good used hybrid or new driver and taking it to the course for the first time. Frankly I stopped buying new clubs all together and stick with used clubs to feed my habit. Buy/Sell/Trade forums are fun. Occasionally I find a club that actually stays in my bag, but very rarely. It’s true that when most golf players start putting poorly, for example, they blame their putters and begin the search for a new one; so what? Putting is mostly about confidence anyways and sometimes a new flat stick can provide that. New drivers can help lower your score if you look down at the head at address and feel like you can’t miss.
Daniel
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Changing irons every 300 rounds? Why?
I’ve played 160 rounds with my set, I practice more than most and the irons still look like new. Being forged they have a little bag chatter of course but playing-wise they will last a thousand rounds.
Otherwise a well written article.
Every time a chopper asks which new driver is the best I tell him to spend that money on range balls.
kwijyboy
Feb 28, 2012 at 5:38 pm
This was hilarious! I believe you, but as I go to the range to practice my swing, I can’t wait to pull out that club that I either bought used, reshafted, shortened, lengthened, changed the swingweight, or changed the grips on,…and then swear to sell it only 3 hours later.
It’s a hobby.
Dan
Feb 28, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Great article. My entire set is based on last years models at a discount, or a used club from a playing buddy who is always updating to the latest and greatest. I will be gaming my S57’s for a long time, and have yet to find a driver as sweet as my R7 Limited (Exceot maybe the new Titlest 910 or last years 909?) I have just retired a ping anser I bought used in 1983 for a Odyssey mallet (last years model of course).
How many versions of the R11 do your think there will be before Taylormade is done with it? The R7 had about 6.
B1G
Feb 28, 2012 at 11:37 am
The clubmakers are brilliant. The Gen X/Y players coming into their money making years are used to perceptions of instant gratification. They’ve grown up in a time when everyone gets a soccer trophy, and feel depressed if they don’t make their first million by 30. Few realize the hard work it takes to succeed at business, marriage, life… and golf- the “game that can’t be won, only played”. I enjoyed the post and look forward to my own instant gratification for new hardware!
BZ
Feb 28, 2012 at 11:21 am
Great read. I agree with pretty much everything you said here. I think the gain of really learning how your current clubs perform in every scenario you’re likely to encounter on a golf course far outweighs any technological gain you would get from changing clubs every year! I’ve been playing for over 20 years and I’m on my second set of irons. 845’s and now CG4 Tours. I’ve had my putter for over 20 years (TP 3). But I’m not going to lie and say I’m never tempted!
Matt S
Feb 28, 2012 at 5:41 am
I do believe you make some very valid points and are spot on about the lob wedge and hybrid theory. However, I think you miss one very important part as well and that is what tees people are playing from. It has become almost a stigma for people to consider playing the white tees and organizations like the PGA of America are now trying with their “tee if forward” program to break that. Every week I am fortunate to meet new people and enjoy a round of golf, but too often those people are playing from significantly further back then where they should be playing from. With equipment getting better (especially the golf ball) people think they can tee it from all the way back and still shoot the same score and it is just simply not true. The movement of getting people to play from the correct tee will help bring people back to the game because it will be easier and more fun. And in the end I believe that is why we all play this great game. Damn that was too long…..
Dave T
Feb 28, 2012 at 4:41 am
I think that you are right on on all your club replacement numbers. It is hard to believe that the average handicap for a male is 17, when I have always heard that very few golfers break 100. Anyway, it has been at least 5-6 years since I have purchased a new set of irons. That means that I am due! Thanks for the writeup, and you are spot on… Practice is the key to getting better. The old school wilson staff blades that I learned on will remain in the closet though….
Grim
Feb 28, 2012 at 12:04 am
First I would like to appologize about the gears comment in another of your articles.
Secondly, what a great write up on a topic you rarely see these days. The need to NOT buy new equipment every year. I see more of the why you need new gear articles, but this article hits the nail on the head.
Great read. Im so broke Ive yet to be able to be a club ho, but I think the fact im cheap allows me to appreciate the nice clubs when I do get them and spend the rest on playing/practicing.
Andy c
Feb 27, 2012 at 11:41 pm
this is why some of us score a great deals on member’s for sale forum on 2-4 year old technology. I for one don’t have funds to go out and buy something new, however, always keep an eye out for great used equipment.
I sometimes go out to the demo days, pay attention to the details of clubs and shafts, then try to build my set based on the information obtained during demo days.
replaced 3i with 7wood and 4i with hybrid…total cost $30.
I sure would be putting more range time this year to lower my handicap this year by 3. More focused range session, that is.