The what clubs should I buy thread.

My belief is that getting fitted for clubs using computer based technology is now commonplace, and, well worth the one time cost. Drivers, especially, have a lot of complex factors, including a ton of shaft selection options. You can get an ok driver off the shelf using simple swing speed, but why not optimize? Another important factor is to bring a ball that is typical of what you play as that has a major influence on your final result. The "techie" in me enjoyed the experience of a full fitting.

If you can find a golf specialty shop, many are equipped with launch monitor equipment and have demo clubs available. They let you keep trying different standard equipment until you find the best fit, but, again, bring your own golf balls. Less cost, should get you pretty close to optimal at the lowest total cost. Whatever you do, don't buy on name, looks, stiffness, marketing hype etc.

+1 for getting fitted once you have a repeatable swing.

+1 on ball choice effecting ball flight for fitting

Demo days are also an incredible educational experience.

-1 on buying anything but starter clubs at Sport Authority.

Get a new driver.

I'm not sure what kind of club this guy has, but it seems to give him the edge:

If you are looking for a new driver, try and demo the new Taylormade RBZ driver. 

- Get clubs that fit you.

- Get wedges that give you the distance gaps you desire for better scoring, and different soles for different conditions (like Pelz recommends).

- If you are athletic, there is no reason to use graphite shafts for your irons.  Steel shafts are still mostly used for irons on tour, and the graphite shafts used for irons are usually as heavy as the steel shafts (Note:  For irons, not drivers!).  The Dynamic shaft has been around for what, something like 65 years?  The point is that you can learn to reshaft clubs on your workbench easily enough, should one ever break. Steel shafts are relatively cheap, too.

- This new driver technology IMHO works.  Go get a new one. 

- Anyone custom guy or manufacturer can build an iron that goes longer by using a stronger loft or a longer shaft.  Big deal.  The idea is accuracy.  Experiment with different lengths, lofts, heads (offsets, sole grinds, etc.) to see what you like.  Good custom shops--and I am sure there are plenty in CO--can help you out.  At the very least you will get the lie and swingweight right.  The demo days at your local range can help you, too.

- You can always experiment by assembling different clubs yourself .  Lots of places sell components at a low cost.  Check out HIREKO for decent quality and good prices.

- My own experience is that the best wedges are still made from the OEMs (like Cleveland), you can assemble a decent driver that is close to some pro models, and irons assembled with quality components are really good (assuming you are using heads good for you matched with the right shaft).. 
 

Don't forget to try on some helmets and pick one.  Golf's a dangerous game these days.

I had custom clubs made. The surprise was the "rifling" (?) or whatever the shaft balancing is called. The difference in consistency of feel across the clubs subtle but incredibly effective.

I have never swung a graphite iron that felt anywhere near the weight of a steel shaft.

Dick's sporting goods is in your neck of the woods. There's one in Loveland. In my neck of the woods the stores have on site club fitting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRusty 

I had custom clubs made. The surprise was the "rifling" (?) or whatever the shaft balancing is called. The difference in consistency of feel across the clubs subtle but incredibly effective.

 

I have never swung a graphite iron that felt anywhere near the weight of a steel shaft.

 

Dick's sporting goods is in your neck of the woods. There's one in Loveland. In my neck of the woods the stores have on site club fitting.

Graphite shafts are made in a wide variety of weights, and technology has made the old problems with torque disappear.  Most pros that play graphite shafts (manufacturer contracts or whatever) still want them to be on the heavier side for "feel" with their irons.  Most clubmakers are of the opinion that lighter shafts can help golfers with slower swing speeds, but that using a light shaft/longer club combo does not necessarily help golfers score better (the longer the club, the harder it is to make perfect contact with the ball).  The new long drivers using a light head and ultra-light shaft are IMHO awesome.

You can also find a PGA pro in your area who can fit you. Many shops have fitting carts these days (we have a Taylormade cart in Breck) that have an assortment of heads with different lie angles as well as a variety of shafts in a multitude of flexes and lengths they can put together to to see how they work for you. And in a fitting session most pro's will point out things in your swing that have an impact on ball flight as well as the equipment.