Question:
Ok, i know custom fitting’s the big fad nowadays, but is this all really necessary? I understand if you’re a low-handicapper looking to fine tune your game, then custom-fitting makes sense. But what good is it to be custom fit for a swing that might change 100% in one year? I say buy a cheap set of clubs (with reg. flex shafts), practice, take lessons, and once you’ve developed a fairly consistent swing, then consider custom fitting. Am i crazy? -Cem
Not necessarily, but at least wrong. Even if you are a beginner you should make sure your clubs have the proper shaft length and lie at impact if you could swing the clubs properly. If they are way off then you will either quit or will try to compensate to avoid catching the ground with the heel (hook) or toe (slice) of the club as you swing through the ball. Or even worse, try to hit with the toe or with the heel (talking about a small sweet spot) To compensate for a shaft that is too flexible you may learn to slow your swing (or aim way left if you are a right handed). If it is too firm you may grow into it, learn to live with the pain or quit. I think proper fit of the shaft length and club head lie are crucial when learning to play golf. Then shaft flex, and the least important is club head design. Proper fit of the equipment is more important in golf than in any other sport I know (O.K. soccer shoes and football helmets better not be too small)! — Andrew L. Pazmany Microwave Remote Sensing Lab., Univ. of Mass., Knowles bldg. Amherst, Ma, 01002, T:(413) 545-3495, F:(413) 545-4652 Quadrant Eng. Inc. <http://www.quad-eng.com, 107 Sunderland rd., Amherst, Ma, 01002, T:(413) 549-4402, F:(413) 549-5203
Response:
What I’m saying is that proper fitting of the shaft, club length, and swingweight to YOUR SWING is much more important than the label on the clubhead. Ok, i know custom fitting’s the big fad nowadays, but is this all really necessary? I understand if you’re a low-handicapper looking to fine tune your game, then custom-fitting makes sense. But what good is it to be custom fit for a swing that might change 100% in one year? I say buy a cheap set of clubs (with reg. flex shafts), practice, take lessons, and once you’ve developed a fairly consistent swing, then consider custom fitting. Am i crazy?
You’re really asking three separate questions. Let me answer them separately 1. Are you crazy? You play golf, don’t you? Prima facie "yes". 2. What good is a custom fit for a swing that might change a lot? Good point! You want something reasonably fit your swing, BUT if that swing is changing rapidly, you might get the wrong thing. So BY ALL MEANS get an inexpensive set until your swing gets at least somewhat grooved. Nowhere did anybody on this thread recommend an expensive set. But a beginner with a slow clubhead speed may NEVER do well enough to enjoy the game with a set of stiff-shafted irons. And a short golfer will hit pulls and heel-hooks forever with too-long clubs of standard lie angle. Etc, etc, etc. 3. Is all this [custom fitting] really necessary? Just guessing at a number, probably 2/3 of all golfers don’t have to have a set custom MADE! But the only way they’ll know is to be FIT. Most golfers will fall close enough to SOME standard, off-the-shelf set to be pretty happy with the result. But HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH SET if you don’t go for a fitting, or learn to do it yourself? (BTW, the average club salesman really knows very little about clubfitting.) Cem, your questions seem to reflect a prejudice that custom fitting is expensive and a lot of trouble, and custom clubs are expensive. In reality, there is as wide a range in custom-fitted clubs as in off-the-shelf clubs. Most PCS Class-A clubmakers can fit you and make you a set for $300-$500, just above the really economy supermarket sets. And Henry-Griffitts can make you a custom set for as much as any Callway set. So just saying "custom" hardly means "expensive". Hope this helps. Dave
Response:
Ok, i know custom fitting’s the big fad nowadays, but is this all really necessary? I understand if you’re a low-handicapper looking to fine tune your game, then custom-fitting makes sense. But what good is it to be custom fit for a swing that might change 100% in one year? I say buy a cheap set of clubs (with reg. flex shafts), practice, take lessons, and once you’ve developed a fairly consistent swing, then consider custom fitting. Am i crazy?
No, perfectly sound advice. I second this suggestion/idea. In my own experience my swing is 150% different (in the good way 
from where it was this time last year. I am now in the process of deciding on the irons I want to play to shave those last strokes off my handicap (unfortunately once the "tools" question is answer then I have to fix my brain, which should prove rather interesting.) It’s all a matter of how much you want to spend I guess. Money talks, etc etc. I do recommend lessons if you are truelly serious and want to become a solid all around player. But, lessons only work if you take the time to practice. Develop a good routine for practice and stick to it. Work primarily on your short game (for me 150 yards in.) I generalize my short game as my 9 iron down through my putter (PW, SW, LW.) Your mileage may very. A solid imaginitive short game -will- cut strokes. Believe the hype behind this old saying, it -will- make you better. I would not take back one ball that I’ve hit around our practice green at my course. Last, but not least, please enjoy golf. I have seen guys who couldn’t break 120 have an enjoyable time if not more of an enjoyable time than me (7.5 index at this point.) Remember it is a -game- unless you need the money you are playing for to provide for your family, it’s still a game. Aaron Eppert
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, i know custom fitting’s the big fad nowadays, but is this all really necessary? I understand if you’re a low-handicapper looking to fine tune your game, then custom-fitting makes sense. But what good is it to be custom fit for a swing that might change 100% in one year? I say buy a cheap set of clubs (with reg. flex shafts), practice, take lessons, and once you’ve developed a fairly consistent swing, then consider custom fitting. Am i crazy? No, perfectly sound advice. I second this suggestion/idea. In my own experience my swing is 150% different (in the good way from where it was this time last year. I am now in the process of deciding on the irons I want to play to shave those last strokes off my handicap (unfortunately once the "tools" question is answer then I have to fix my brain, which should prove rather interesting.) It’s all a matter of how much you want to spend I guess. Money talks, etc etc. I do recommend lessons if you are truelly serious and want to become a solid all around player. But, lessons only work if you take the time to practice. Develop a good routine for practice and stick to it. Work primarily on your short game (for me 150 yards in.) I generalize my short game as my 9 iron down through my putter (PW, SW, LW.) Your mileage may very. A solid imaginitive short game -will- cut strokes. Believe the hype behind this old saying, it -will- make you better. I would not take back one ball that I’ve hit around our practice green at my course. Last, but not least, please enjoy golf. I have seen guys who couldn’t break 120 have an enjoyable time if not more of an enjoyable time than me (7.5 index at this point.) Remember it is a -game- unless you need the money you are playing for to provide for your family, it’s still a game. Aaron Eppert
Dear Golfers, Custom fitting is not often all that expensive. Using high quality component golf clubs that are custom fit amy actually produce a better set at a more reasonable cost than high dollar OEM clubs. Go to a clubmaker and see how the fitting goes-you’ll be glad you did1
Response:
I am a beginner and I have only been playing for about a month. A few weeks ago, I purchased a set of Ping Eye 2 irons from a second hand sports store. I can’t hit with them and they are so heavy and stiff. I hit with a friends cheaper PowerBilts and I hit great with them. I want a good set of clubs maybe used for around 300-400. But I also want a forgiving club that I can hit well. Any suggestions? I have heard good things about the King Cobra. . . . Thanks for your help. Mail me at or hit reply. .
Response:
I am a beginner and I have only been playing for about a month. A few weeks ago, I purchased a set of Ping Eye 2 irons from a second hand sports store. I can’t hit with them and they are so heavy and stiff. I hit with a friends cheaper PowerBilts and I hit great with them. I want a good set of clubs maybe used for around 300-400. But I also want a forgiving club that I can hit well. Any suggestions? I have heard good things about the King Cobra. . . . Thanks for your help. Mail me at or hit reply. .
Try to find someone at your favorite course or in your town that makes copies. They are a good imitation of the brand names and if you are a beginner I don’t think you could tell the difference. I have played for years and I can’t really even tell the difference. Good luck. Latty
Response:
I am a beginner and I have only been playing for about a month. A few weeks ago, I purchased a set of Ping Eye 2 irons from a second hand sports store. I can’t hit with them and they are so heavy and stiff. I hit with a friends cheaper PowerBilts and I hit great with them. I want a good set of clubs maybe used for around 300-400. But I also want a forgiving club that I can hit well. Any suggestions? I have heard good things about the King Cobra. . . . Thanks for your help. Mail me at
Last year I was a newbie, so I empathize with you. If the clubs don’t feel right to you, then your head probably won’t let you have a chance at playing well. This certainly raises the question of the sales staff who fitted you for the clubs you bought. Perhaps you should try to return these clubs and make sure you get fitted for your personality and swing type. If the store you bought from is reputable, this should not be a problem. You don’t say whether you are taking any lessons, but this is also important. Proper equipment is only the first part. As my pro says – Tiger Woods will figure out how to play like Tiger Woods with my clubs. Unfortunately, I will not play like Tiger Woods with his clubs! I ended up getting a set of knock offs (Taylor Made Bubble type woods, Callaway type irons). All light weight steel shafts, except for the driver which is graphite. I am thankful that I found a clubmaker who took more time talking to me about what I am trying to achieve from golf, checking out my personality, fitness level and swing type. The shortest part of the 90 minutes we spent together the first time around was looking at his component equipment. I found the combination of clubs I felt good about and the knowledge of what a proper swing is supposed to be was essential for me. One without the other didn’t do much. Good luck!
Response:
I am a beginner and I have only been playing for about a month. A few weeks ago, I purchased a set of Ping Eye 2 irons from a second hand sports store. I can’t hit with them and they are so heavy and stiff. I hit with a friends cheaper PowerBilts and I hit great with them. I want a good set of clubs maybe used for around 300-400. But I also want a forgiving club that I can hit well. Any suggestions? I have heard good things about the King Cobra. . . . Thanks for your help. Mail me at or hit reply. .
If you liked the Powerbilts, why don’t you try to buy them? Edwin Watts is closing out 1994-5 TPS irons for sale at $249 (3-PW). Ed — | AT&T (317) 570-3045 | | (reply address needs to be edited) | | All opinions expressed here are my own. |
Response:
I am a beginner….I purchased a set of Ping Eye 2 irons from a second hand sports store. I can’t hit with them….. I want a good set of clubs maybe used for around 300-400.
Before you get stuck with another set of clubs you don’t like, go try out as many as you can. Take your time, and don’t let anyone push you into buying what they want to sell you. For your personal preferences of "feel" and "looks", swinging clubs and hitting balls at a net in a store works fairly well. For using the clubs to their best advantage, only lessons and practice will work. Remember, evryone who gives you advice on buying a particular brand of clubs is offering you his own perspective. There are lots of people who will swear by Ping Eye 2 clubs, as well as by Cobras. There is no "best" club. -Robby P.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a beginner and I have only been playing for about a month. A few weeks ago, I purchased a set of Ping Eye 2 irons from a second hand sports store. I can’t hit with them and they are so heavy and stiff. I hit with a friends cheaper PowerBilts and I hit great with them… If you liked the Powerbilts, why don’t you try to buy them? Edwin Watts is closing out 1994-5 TPS irons for sale at $249 (3-PW). What I’m saying is that proper fitting of the shaft, club length, and swingweight to YOUR SWING is much more important than the label on the clubhead. Good luck! Dave
Ok, i know custom fitting’s the big fad nowadays, but is this all really necessary? I understand if you’re a low-handicapper looking to fine tune your game, then custom-fitting makes sense. But what good is it to be custom fit for a swing that might change 100% in one year? I say buy a cheap set of clubs (with reg. flex shafts), practice, take lessons, and once you’ve developed a fairly consistent swing, then consider custom fitting. Am i crazy? -Cem — Cem Cebenoyan || "Got more funky styles Georgia Institute of Technology || than my laserjet got Computer Science || font"
Response:
I am a beginner….I purchased a set of Ping Eye 2 irons from a second hand sports store. I can’t hit with them….. I want a good set of clubs maybe used for around 300-400.
You might like to give Tommy Armours 855 silver scott’s a try. Very light, oversized, fairly traditional setup. An average golfer friend of mine just bought some and loves them. 500.00 new with SW and W4 thrown in.
Response:
I am a beginner and I have only been playing for about a month. A few weeks ago, I purchased a set of Ping Eye 2 irons from a second hand sports store. I can’t hit with them and they are so heavy and stiff. I hit with a friends cheaper PowerBilts and I hit great with them… If you liked the Powerbilts, why don’t you try to buy them? Edwin Watts is closing out 1994-5 TPS irons for sale at $249 (3-PW).
Let me tack a LARGE caveat onto Ed’s advice: Unless you know the length and flex of the set you hit well with, it won’t do you any good to buy something named "PowerBilt". There is A LOT more difference between clubs of the same model with different shafts than between clubs from different manufacturers with similar shafts. BTW, Ping Eye 2s, assuming they have the original steel shafts, were indeed very stiff for a beginner. What I’m saying is that proper fitting of the shaft, club length, and swingweight to YOUR SWING is much more important than the label on the clubhead. Good luck! Dave