very nice AAA, thankyou http://www.lowprogolf.com/index.cfm weird how typing glfdirect makes a difference... but this is their new site address, maybe it'll work
Check out Golfsmith. They have some good products and the prices aren't like the majors who have huge marketing budgets to cover with the sales of their clubs. I worked at the foundry for some of the majors about 10 years ago. You wouldn't believe the cost for a head. Back when the Big Bertha Warbird drivers came out, the foundry cost for a finished head was $8. Irons (cleveland Titleiest, etc.) were in the $2 range for the cast cavity backs that were becoming popular. Forged heads will cost a bit more. I'd look into a fitted set from a non name brand if you are beginning, decide if you like the game, then move up if you really feel you need a name brand club. Even if you've been playing a while, get a set fitted (grip size, shaft flex, lie angle, etc.). It will make a real difference. Later, Cracked
If you are willing to share your golf profile , i.e. handicap , years played , frequency of play etc. I'd be able to give you some ideas as an EX Golf Pro .
I am 6'7" tall, 220+ lbs. Wrist to floor measurement is 5.2 inches (just kidding, I am not an ape)... 39.5". According to DivotMasters.com my grip size should be men's standard + 3/64" (sounds right, standard grips are too short). Club length according to pinhighgolf.com should be standard +1.5" (I would figure atleast that much, but what do I know). My club head speed with a two iron was ~85 mph. However, I believe I should be buying stiff shafts - here's why: 1) The club was standard length, less leverage. And not a driver. 2) My swing, as of right now is really a 1/2 swing - when I develope it further into a full swing I'll be swinging with more velocity. 3) My 5'11" friend, who learns faster than I, is swinging 105 mph after 6 months. I'll have much better leverage. So, 95-105 mph seems a reasonable estimate. I have just begun playing seriously (mos.), my scores for the most past ahve been int the upper 120's - I got numerous 128's. I keep a very honest score. Recently I have shot 114 & 98 (with a half swing) and since pushing my swing a bit further (3/4) I shot a 116 - my consistency with the extended swing has not yet been established. I played baseball for most of my young life (approaching one-quarter century mark). I have been studying the golf swing and know that I will have spot on mechanics in 6-12 months. Oh yes, the 114 and 98 scores were shot with a 3 iron from the tee - with clubs that don't fit. And, were you to remove the extra stroke obtained when I struck the putter swinging in front of hole 9 (think mini-golf obstacle) I would have had a 97 - not that that makes much difference. Thanks in advance Glenn Dude, RLB p.s. I liked the write up on the Dynacraft DFS irons by GolfClubReview.com
Sounds like you're off to a good start. There are plenty of people who take a lot of pride in the brand name they are playing. And no doubt about it, some manufacturers like Hogan, MacGregor, Titleist and Mizuno produce some great looking sticks. The truth is however, that the fit of the clubs is much more important than the brand or even the style. Clubs that are too short, too flat, too light or heavy or a shaft that is too whippy or too stiff will make it very hard to learn the game. If money is a consideration, I think you will be far better off getting custom made component clubs, or getting second hand clubs, and spending the saved dough on lessons. It's a lot easier to learn how to swing correctly from the getgo rather than develop some bad habits and have to correct them later. As for setting up the clubs, I think you're pretty close. A young athletic guy your size should definitely go with stiff shafts. Remember that one manufacturer's stiff is another's regular however, as most guys like to play "stiffs" to feel manly and the manufacturers have tried to make them happy. So the shaft manufacturers have gradually made stiffs into what used to be a regular. Aclubmaker can frequency measure your shafts and get them just right. Also, the longer a shaft is the more flexible, so your long shafts will play lighter than a regular length shaft of the same stiffness. As for length, I would consider tapering your irons. Make the short clubs the full 1 1/2 over, make the middle irons maybe 1 inch over, and play the longer irons, which are hard to hit already at maybe 1/2 or 3/4 over. They will still be plenty long. Make sure you get an upright lie angle. A regular lie will probably have you hitting the toe first, which will ruin your shots. A clubmaker can measure you for the proper lie angle, and also make sure your setup and posture are decent. Good luck and keep it in the short grass.
YES! I'll be hitting the ball perfect 6 times in a row and then out of the blue comes this bizarre shank shot where the ball takes an obtuse angle right. Thanks for the advice, I think now I am going to have to get fitted in person - thought the internet and the low prices are very enticing. I heard of one fella in a nearby town, I'll have to get his name. My plan for swing development right now is to finish the Summer and Fall on my own with the tidbits I have picked up. I have a solid understanding of athletic movements and am confident I won't start doing anything obscenely wrong. In fact, based on the way I can revert to my trusty half-swing and hit dead straight, I am quite confident. Over the winter I am going to putt myself silly and find some good lower body drills to do inside. Then when Spring gets close I am going to take a couple lessons and nail the rest of what I need to do. So, by next Fall I should be striking it pretty well - into the short stuff. Thanks again. RLB Also, thanks crackedback, for the disturbing and informative post.