i want new clubs, should i get steel shafts? what are the pros and cons?
354519
Steel shafts are good if you are average male player.  Usually only women pros or very good women golfers use thems.  You can get them in various flexes..men will use more stiff shafts an women use steel shafts that have more flex in them.  Graphites are usually more whippy and generates more club head spead and is used more by women, older men or those who want a more flexible shaft to gain distance.  If you are a serious golfer and got the money, than you can go with the platanium shafts or the newer type of metal shafts.  Have your swing checked out at a golf store that can tell you what type would be best for you.
969164
Take the three and test them on a launch monitor with a certified club fitter or PGA pro.  They will be able to tell which one is best for your swing.  They are all good drivers.  The major differences are with trajectory and forgiveness.  A fitter or pro will look at your skill level (be honest about your handicap), swing speed, ball speed, and launch angle......and will be able to advise the best one for you.\n\nOne more thing to try....go on eBay and see if you can find one of the newer TM's for a better price.  I have a TM R7-425 with a 75g V2 shaft and I love it !!!!!
71138
Hybrid clubs are clubs with the some of the characteristics of a wood and some of those of a long iron.  It's simply this: the shaft is between the lengths of the 3 wood and 3 iron.  The head is roughly similar to a wood but smaller.  It's face is more like an iron.\n\nPersonally, I use several - Nike CPR Wood 18, 22, and 26.  Why? I suck using my 3Wood and my 3iron.  This combo of utility clubs replaces my 3 wood, 2 iron (never used one but nice to know), 3 iron, 4 iron, and 5 iron.  These clubs are awesome for control in crappy lies.  They are easy to hit.  IMHO, a must have in all bags.  It also gives room for my short game clubs, namely my PW, SW, LW, and GW.  These are part of the scoring clubs anyway. The putter and driver are the others.
579374
Are you buying new clubs or just a shaft.  You should hit a club with the shaft you want and if your looking at new clubs hit regular and stiff and compare.  The problem is when it comes to stiff and regular there is not an industry standard.  What one company calls stiff another will call regular.  Callaway's stiff shafts is a good example.  They did that because everyone wanted stiff shafts when they should have regular.  A stiffer shaft will help with a slice, but your best bet is to check your grip, stance and make sure you lined up at the target.  Don't just aim down the fairway pick out a target and swing at it.  \nGood Luck
14544
How much are you willing to spend. In this month's issue of Golf Magazine, they suggested this set for 20+ handicappers: \n\nMizuno MX-23 (5I-PW) irons\n\nCleveland CG11 Gap wedge\n\nMacGregor V-FOIL EZ Out SW (56 degree)\n\nClevleand HALO Hybrids (22 and 25 degrees)\n\nTaylorMade r5 Dual 5 wood and 7 wood\n\nPing G2 EZ (15.5 degree) high-lofted driver. \n\nDon't forget the Odyssey White Steel 2-Ball putter to round it off.
667332
The key is finding the shaft that works best for you.  The best way to do that is at a demo day with a club fitter.  You can find out when one will be in your area by going to the company webstie.  They will have a Demo Day search area to help you. \n\nHere are some should help \nPGA.com :: PGA Director of Instruction Rick Martino says having the correct golf shaft is crucial  \n\n http://www.pga.com/improve/tips/rickmartino/improve_martino050906.cfm
1160341
One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting in golf is they want to start rush out and buy a brand new set of shiny and expensive golf clubs. While they are nice to look at you should keep in mind that today's golf equipment comes in great varieties to cater for different golfing types and abilities. Since you're just starting out you do not know which set fits you best. Just imagine the envious looks you get at the driving range when you come with your $2000 set, and the subsequent laughter when you try and just 'hack away' - not worth the embarrassment! Once you spend a few hundred or even thousand $$ on a set that doesn't suit your style you're stuck with it or you have to sell it to somebody else at a loss. \n\nIf you feel you want your own clubs get a half set. This generally comprises five irons and perhaps two woods and a putter. Usually the irons are the odd numbers 3,5,7,9 and wedge. These clubs are more than enough to get you started.\n\nA better alternative: most Driving Ranges will have clubs for rent, so you can try out a few different ones. You can also borrow one or two clubs from a friend. The shortest iron (nine iron) or a wedge are the best clubs to start, practicing with it will give you the feeling of hitting the ball in the air and should be fairly straight forward.
532218
None, Save the $250.00 bucks and use $99.00 of it to sign up for Link Up 2 Golf or First Swing.  Go to www.playgolfamerica.com and find a program in your area.  They will supply the equipment.  They will teach you everything you need to know and take you out on the course a couple times.  Make sure when you sign up that they do take you out on the course.  During this time you will get to hit several types of clubs.  \n\nThings to think about\n1. Budget\n2. How often will you play\n3. Clubs you hit that you like\n\nI even suggest going to some demo days have them fit you for clubs.  Once you know what you want you can look for great deals on E-bay, Play it again sports, or newspaper.  \n\nYou can always buy a cheap set with the understanding you will get another set in a couple month.  The cheaper sets do not have a resale value.
1151271
First of all, your budget is very smart.  You don't want to spend too much money on a beginner's set because you should outgrow them in a year or two anyway.  However, you definitely want forgiving clubs which means cavity-backs.  \n\nI would disagree with the above poster who mentioned that blades will force you to play better.  This is not necessarily true.  You will be frustrated, and you might quit golf after a short period if you start off with blades.  It's just not worth it.  When you consider that some tour pros use cavity-backs, it makes you wonder why amateurs should even consider going the way of blades.  Granted, this is somewhat of a contentious issue, but for an amateur like me who will never turn pro, there is just no point in aiming for blades.\n\nNow on to golf clubs.  For beginners, I would recommend the Mizuno MX-17s.  They are very forgiving.  They have recently been replaced by the MX-900, so you should be able to get a good deal on the 17s new.  Mizuno's are famous for the softness of their forged irons, and even though the 17's are cast not forged, they come close to the forged irons in feel.  When it comes to quality, Mizuno irons cannot be beat.\n\nAnother popular beginner's set are the Pings.  The new G5s are quite pricey, but you may be able to find a used set or perhaps a G2 set for a good price.  The Pings are also well known for being forgiving, but they just looked too ugly for me.  I couldn't stand the look of them while I still find myself admiring my MX-17s after a full year.  \n\nThe Callaways, imo, are just as pricey as the Pings without their forgiveness.  They don't look as good as the Mizunos either.\n\nIf you are just experimenting with golf and not sure if you will stick with it, go with the much cheaper 2nd tier brands.  These include Tommy Armour, Ben Hogan, Adams, etc.  They should be almost as good if not as good as the big brands but at a fraction of the price.  If you decide to stick with the game after a year, you can always upgrade to the Mizuno MX-23s.  (the 23s are Mizuno's most forgiving forged irons.  Probably the most well-reviewed irons in existence).\n\nAbout fitting, it is certainly important.  However, most golf stores will fit clubs for you for free if you purchase them from their store, so you might want to consider that option first.\n\nPS.  Unless a golf store measures your swing speed at 95mph or higher, go with Regular Flex shafts, not the Stiff Flex.  So many people have an ego issue and go with the stiff when regular is most appropriate for the majority of players.  Even my instructor (whom I respect greatly) recommended that I go with stiff.  (I ended up with regular and am glad I did).\n\nHope this helps!
1028839
At your height.  I would recommend at least 1" over length and 2 degrees upright.  Depending on your athletic ability...Stiff shaft.  You can find a used set built to those specifications at a variety of places.   Or you can by a new set at a pro shop.  On or off course.  They will make an immense difference in your ability to make contact.  They will "fit" you better.   \n\nMany places have "demo sets".  Try one at a range.  If you do better and are liking the game.  Invest in a series of lessons to learn the fundamentals.  If this is not in your price range...find an instruction book and teach yourself.  Be careful not to read from too many different advisers.  Pick one and stick with it.   There are some good videos out as well.
619986
Either way you decide to go you should get the irons custom fit. For some reason the golf consumer believes that name-brand clubs off the rack are "better." This is simply false. \n\nIf the average Joe could witness the hours of tweeking that go into a touring pro's clubs, then they'd realize that it's not the name on the clubhead, it the custom fitting that makes it all work.\n\nTo get everything just right, your swing has to be analyzed either with computer or by lots of experimentation or, preferably, by both.\n\nA book that you may benefit greatly from is Tom Wishon's "The Search for the Perfect Golf Club." (See link 1)\n\nSee link 2 for a quick Q&A discussing custom clubfitting.\n\nNo, I do not work for nor am I associated with Wishon Golf in any way, shape, or form. I actually play a set of Golfworks irons, TaylorMade driver (a gift...would never have spent that much on a driver), and a SeeMore putter (like Payne Stewart's).
305160
practice. take lessons. anyone who is giving you any other answer is only giving you advice from their own experience and their swing is different than yours - guaranteed. Like the guy that said go to the gym... i don't go to the gym, i can hit 300 easy. i do have a naturally fast swing speed, but if i used the wrong club, i wouldn't hit as far, so any equipment suggestion would not be that helpful either. if you take lessons, your coach can send you in the right direction. there's no "secret" everyone's looking for a secret that's why golf magazines keep selling. you want to hit farther? maximize club head speed using the shaft and swing speed. easy to say, not so easy to do.
26984
Ping makes good quality clubs that you can pretty much size for yourself on their website.  Callaway is a good brand also.  However, if you are just starting out and money is important, it doesn't pay to buy expensive clubs.  Buy a clean-looking used set at a garage sale or on ebay, or buy an inexpensive new set at a sporting goods store.    After you've learned to hit the ball well and consistently then reward yourself with a nice new set.
1065268
I would suggest the Taylormade R7 460cc.  You may want to demo a couple of different shafts to see which one has the best flex for you.  It is an excellent club, and this comes from die hard Big Bertha man.  Once I tried the R7 there was no going back.  Demo one and then go buy it on Ebay and save the money.
320916
The clubs are fine the most important thing is making sure you have the correct one.  Trying out several and being fit is the key.  You have to find the club that looks good, feels good and does the job with your regular swing.  You can always sign up for a free golf lesson with one of your local PGA pros at www.playgolfamerica.com if your having trouble hitting them.  My first option would be have the checked out and switched out if it's not to late.
320012
I'm going to guess your a new golfer or only play about 10 times a year  Ram has some good clubs in a low price range.  I have 10 sets I let students use in my beginner golf class.  We also use them as rent sets, they take a lot of abuse.  The one thing to watch out for is using the woods on matts.  People who hit behind the ball and swing hard can bend the shafts and split the metal heads.  They should work just fine.  You may want to go to www.playgolfamerica.com and sign up for a free golf lesson from a local PGA pro.
827571
Go to yahoo or google and type in "custom golf clone"\nYou can get clone clubs that are just as good as their counterparts for 1/4 of the price. Plus you get it custom fitted.