New clubs and appraisal on old clubs

[rubber314chicken]

I'm looking at getting a new set of clubs (upgrading from a 5 club set of Rowling Junior Pro) and I've narrowed it down to these:

1. Golden Bear PT 17pc Package Set
2. Golden Bear TR 261 18pc Package Set (2007)
3. Wilson Power Source Package Set

And I don't really know exactly which is best out of those (and I don't need to be told there is no best set). I know that they all have graphite shafts, and what the clubs are ( the drivers, the irons, ect), but I wanna know which driver is lightest, and if anyone here has experience with any of those. Also, when I play, how needed is a sand wedge, is it in the family of a gap and a lob wedge (only used by really good golfers)?


Question 2: how much would I get for the following at Play it Again Sports (I know I could get more if I sold them myself, but I really am not up for the hassle):

1. Rownling 5pc juniors set, driver, 5i, 7i, 9i and putter, graphite shafts, good condition with a bag.
2. No name clubs cut short to juniors sized, random clubs:

• 3x 1 wood
• 3 wood
• 5 wood
• 2x 4 wood
• lefty 4 wood
• 2 sets of: 4i, 6i, 8i, PW
• left 5i, 8i
• 2 putters

I was thinking $50 for the wilsons and $30 for the others, is that about right?

[RickinMA]

Welcome to the forum

I know you were looking for an a/b/c type answer, but I think you'd be better off staying away from the packaged sets. They're fine if someone is looking to play once or twice a year, but if you're serious about taking up the game, you'd likely be better served going with something else. (the shafts used in many of the packaged sets are incredibly cheap and inconsistent - which makes sense when you think about the fact that they're starting at a price point, then factoring in retailer profit margin, and something for the manufacturer - there just isn't much $ left for quality components. Big name clubs have manufacturing tolerances of +/- 1* a lot of times - these package sets can be off more - you could wind up with a 7 and an 8 iron that are almost identical. If you go with one of these sets and seriously take up the game, you will replace every single club in the bag (and probably the bag)

I think you'd be best served going to a local clubfitter who can build you a set of component clubs for a decent price that will fit your swing and your game. The next best option is to check out the Shottalk sponsors. There is nothing wrong with quality used equipment and Global Golf has a ton of it.

Also - you're probably not looking at much in the way of trade-in value on junior clubs or no-name clubs - there just isn't much of a market for this stuff when the market is flooded already. maybe hold onto them for a sibling or niece/nefew?

On your wedge question - they're all very different. Modern GWs are the same as traditional PW's. modern Pitching wedges are the same as old 9 irons. (the lofts of most clubs have gotten stronger so one company could sell "more distance"-other companies had to follow to keep up, so now very few people can hit a 3 iron, and everyone should have a gap wedge.

Sandwedges typically are high lofted clubs that help you get the ball up quickly. they also often have high "bouce" to prevent the club from digging into the sand.

Some people use Lob wedges in the sand and others use them for chipping and pitching around the green or approach shots less than x yards.

The wedges you carry should really depend on how far you hit your other clubs and what yardage gaps you're trying to fill.

Good luck and let us know if you have any follow up questions

[rubber314chicken]

so looking at the sub $250 range (I'm 15, and I don't have much money) what you reccomend. I've shot with my dad's Wilson Fat Shaft Driver (the only modern club he has), and I could hit the 200 mark fairly consistantly. On my old set I would usualy hit 150 with the driver, and 100 with the 5 iron. I did some searching, and I read about club fitting, and according to what I read, the standard club legnth is good for me, and my arm legnth.

also, in what I've read I'd want something along the lines of a driver, 3 and 5 wood, 3 and 4 hybrids, and a 5-SW iron set, with everything but the irons in graphite. I'd want regular stiffness shafts, and a 11 degree or so loft on my driver. That would leave me with about $20 per club, which I'm assuming wouldn't really get me much quality, right?

I'm probably gonna end up buying new because my dad hates to buy used, and I know he'll pay for a chunk of this. (and he will not want to buy me a set better than his, even if it can be an excuse for $2000 in clubs for him) So is buying a Golden Bear PT set all that bad? I'm not a avid golfer, I'll get out maybe once or twice a month during the summer, and go to the driving range about just as much if I'm lucky. I'm basically looking for a set of clubs that is pretty good for the price, so I can play on clubs that fit me (I can tell that my current clubs have messed up my posture a bit) and I might be able to actuall shoot par on more than 1/36 of the holes I play (I'm usually a double bogie, I have trouble on the fairway)

So pieceing together is the way to go? I really want to have a driver in a new bag (a tube with a small pocket will no longer cut it) because I handle them pretty well, and I know that they are pretty expensive. Any reccomendations on what to get?

and I'll put the old clubs in the attic for my cousins to get eventually.

edit- I've read that cut down clubs are bad to learn on (not enough flex). Is that true?
also, I hit 50 or so with my 9, what wedge would be good (from old set: 150-driver. 100-5i. 75-7i. 50-9i. and with the good driver I hit 200)

[ezra76]

If you are a junior I'd recommend checking the local "1st tee" program in your area. They may be able to help you out with finding a set to upgrade to and take yours in trade. I have no idea what your clubs are worth but if you can get $50-$60 on them for a trade in, I'd say that's worth a shot.

[rubber314chicken]

Originally Posted by ezra76

If you are a junior I'd recommend checking the local "1st tee" program in your area. They may be able to help you out with finding a set to upgrade to and take yours in trade. I have no idea what your clubs are worth but if you can get $50-$60 on them for a trade in, I'd say that's worth a shot.

I'm 5'11" and I already had a major growth spurt, so I'm guessing I'm not gonna gain that much height (probably 2") that I need to upgrade until after college, I'm not looking at getting a transition set as much as a good adult beginner set.

[Slingblade61]

I have a set of Taylor Made LCG's that are about 3 years old with new grips.

3-pw

$125 shipped.

I can take some pics and post them tomorrow if you'd like.

I also have a set of Snake eyes tour Cavity back's with prologic graphite shafts.....only 2 rounds on them.

Also $125 shipped

[rubber314chicken]

Originally Posted by Slingblade61

I have a set of Taylor Made LCG's that are about 3 years old with new grips.

3-pw

$125 shipped.

I can take some pics and post them tomorrow if you'd like.

I also have a set of Snake eyes tour Cavity back's with prologic graphite shafts.....only 2 rounds on them.

Also $125 shipped

thanks, but my dad would never allow me to purchase online unless its from a trusted online store (as in they think you would edit the pictures, and then not ship them) and even though paypal will protect us against that they think their identity would be stolen.

[RickinMA]

You can find great deals on Taylor Made drivers because they seem to release a new model every 6 weeks or so and the resale value drops on the "old stuff" - I'm still pretty happy with my r5 - and the thing has been around for a while - there's a technology drop-off if you get anything older than 5 or so years in the woods. The r580s are all over the place for good prices too - new and used.

I picked up my fairway wood for $50 in a shop - it was used but in like new condition. The cleveland launcher fairway woods were great and priced pretty well.

you should be able to pick up a bag for a good price on close-out somewhere
I'd probably pick up a set of adams wedges too - I don't think they're too expensive, but not 100%

I can understand not wanting to buy used - but with golf clubs, I'd struggle buying the equiv of a stripped down ford escort when you can buy a year-old low mileage mercedes for the same price (might be a bit of a stretch, but you get the idea)

[RickinMA]

Originally Posted by rubber314chicken

thanks, but my dad would never allow me to purchase online unless its from a trusted online store (as in they think you would edit the pictures, and then not ship them) and even though paypal will protect us against that they think their identity would be stolen.

Sling owns this site - he's pretty trusted

Paying with a credit card (even if through paypal) is always great for making sure you don't get ripped off - if you call the card company up and "dispute" a charge, it's totally on the other party to prove it - I wouldn't worry about it too much - but stay away from new stuff on ebay - and you can usually look at feedback or search for posts/transactions involving forum members - there's a bunch of equipment ho's here that have bought and sold more equipment than you can even imagine

[rubber314chicken]

Originally Posted by RickinMA

Sling owns this site - he's pretty trusted

Paying with a credit card (even if through paypal) is always great for making sure you don't get ripped off - if you call the card company up and "dispute" a charge, it's totally on the other party to prove it - I wouldn't worry about it too much - but stay away from new stuff on ebay - and you can usually look at feedback or search for posts/transactions involving forum members - there's a bunch of equipment ho's here that have bought and sold more equipment than you can even imagine

yea, I'd buy them, but even if my dad read a thesis on the trustworthiness of this transaction he wouldn't budge. He's more of a graphite shafts on everything kind of guy, and prebundled sets. I guess it will be a matter of looking around for the clubs.

[Eracer]

Sounds to me like anything we tell you will be vetoed by Dad. I'm not saying that's a terrible thing - he's your Dad and just looking out for your best interest. But the facts are:

1. You would be much better off buying a quality used set. The cheap pre-packaged junk is pretty much just that.

2. There's nothing wrong with saving money by getting steel shafts. You will hit the ball straighter.

2. Buying from an individual is not always a bad thing. Hang out here for a while and you will see that we do it among ourselves all the time. I once shipped a $300.00 driver to one of the moderators on the board who lives in Canada, just so he could test it out before buying it. You have to be careful, but eventually you have to realize that not everyone is out to get you. Trust can be a good thing.

3. If your Dad says "no way" to that, then shop at our sponsor's site - Global Golf. I've done lots of business with them, and you can get great clubs, in great condition, cheap.

Good luck. And invite your Dad to spend some time here.

[Slingblade61]

Well, I wouldn't let my kids buy from some stranger off the internet either....

BUT, I think we need to get dad on here and talk him off the boxed set "cliff".

I had a boxed set when I was 20 and I think I'm still crippled by it.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by Slingblade61

Well, I wouldn't let my kids buy from some stranger off the internet either....

BUT, I think we need to get dad on here and talk him off the boxed set "cliff".

I had a boxed set when I was 20 and I think I'm still crippled by it.

But it's Dad doing the buying, right? I would help my son learn to deal with situations like this at 15, by being completely involved in the whole process. That's just me, and I'm by no means judging you, or his Dad, or any other Dad who wouldn't allow it.

I bought an El Cheapo set when I was 25 and I think the clubs swingweighted between C0 and A(-1). I think my PW distance was 90 yards, and my 5-iron distance was about 85 yards, and I almost gave up the game.

The $150 set of irons I bought off the internet and now play with are without a doubt the best irons I've ever hit. Of course, I know a little bit more 23 years later...

[SiberianDVM]

Originally Posted by Slingblade61

I had a boxed set when I was 20 and I think I'm still crippled by it.

So did I! That was the MacGregor Golden Bear set that I played for 2 years before I gave up golf. Funny thing is, I could hit the friggin 3 iron longer and straighter than I could hit the driver.

[rubber314chicken]

Originally Posted by Eracer

But it's Dad doing the buying, right? I would help my son learn to deal with situations like this at 15, by being completely involved in the whole process. That's just me, and I'm by no means judging you, or his Dad, or any other Dad who wouldn't allow it.

I bought an El Cheapo set when I was 25 and I think the clubs swingweighted between C0 and A(-1). I think my PW distance was 90 yards, and my 5-iron distance was about 85 yards, and I almost gave up the game.

The $150 set of irons I bought off the internet and now play with are without a doubt the best irons I've ever hit. Of course, I know a little bit more 23 years later...

well, I'm hoping to pay for it (I'm actually gonna get some gift cards to pay for a chunk of it) and Hearing that about a packaged set makes me cringe (thats what I'm hitting with my junior set). So global golf then? I also read about the knock off clubs from places like giga golf? they any good?


edit- so what would you guys recommend for the following:

• driver
• 3 and 5 woods
• 2 and 3 hybrids
• irons (4-SW)
• putter

I'm hoping to keep it under $250 or $300 (with a bag)