Question:
I would certainly agree that the right clubs can make a difference. A friend lowered his handicap by four strokes using a new set and even had dreams of single digits [ un-realized ] -which was pretty good for a 67 year old.
Well, Albert Interstingly enough, the biggest difference between your Target specials, and a "top-of-the-line" BRAND NAMED club is mostly in the head design. That’s how the big boys keep up with the people who spend the money. Now, I say "interstingly", because most ’students’ of the golf swing and golf club makers agree that the most important single part of the golf club is the SHAFT. The biggest short coming of the off-brand/no-name/el-cheap-o clubs is likely going to be in the shaft, particularily composite, (non-steel), shafts. It’s very likely that the flexes won’t be matched very well with-in the set. However, if you’re happy with your purchase, have at it and go have some fun on the golf course, and remember that golf, like life, doesn’t always relate to your sense of what’s right or not. db miko Mac Shack Golf London, Ontario, CANADA
Response:
[Target clubs vs. Name-brand clubs] IMHO, I feel that the difference between Target brand clubs and name-brand clubs is that the name-brand clubs offer more consistency, forgiveness and better feel. They also look better too. The differences in forgiveness is not really that great (not enough to justify spending as least thrice as much) but the improvement in consistency (in material, workmanship) and feel can usually out-weigh the extra cost. Actually, just yesterday, I tested a Costco set of Wilsons which retailed for around the $160 range for a whole set including woods. They felt awful compared to my clubs (which are Callaway S2H2’s). They vibrated noticeably even when well hit and I suspect my hands won’t last 18 holes with those things vibrating like that. However, I also have _no doubt_ that the best shots from both clubs are comparable both in distance and accuracy. i.e. the Indian is more important than the bow/arrow. There is also the issue of confidence. If you believe the clubs will help you (and costier clubs affords you this advantage), you most probably will play better just because you have more confidence. Cheers, Benz — ~{E7QtEtY IqFfC(~} Die Wunderkatze
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would certainly agree that the right clubs can make a difference. A friend lowered his handicap by four strokes using a new set and even had dreams of single digits [ un-realized ] -which was pretty good for a 67 year old. Well, Albert deletion Now, I say "interstingly", because most ’students’ of the golf swing and golf club makers agree that the most important single part of the golf club is the SHAFT. The biggest short coming of the off-brand/no-name/el-cheap-o clubs is likely going to be in the shaft, particularily composite, (non-steel), shafts. It’s very likely that the flexes won’t be matched very well with-in the set.
deletion db miko Mac Shack Golf London, Ontario, CANADA
Since my post I purchased the clubs. but before that, and before Miko’s post [ and E-mail to me ] I called the manufacturer to ask about the shafts, which are steel, except for the driver, which is graphite. I was told that it was a medium flex, which suited me perfectly. The moderately radius sole would mitigate any problems with a different lie. I also spoke to a recommended golf shop in a commercial center near where I play. They used to carry brand clubs, including Northwestern, but now just the clubs they put together themselves from components. I was shown the equipment they would use if I wanted to alter the lies, and we discussed re-gripping and he recommended trying them for a while with the grip they come with before changing them. I then bought the clubs, which, despite the admonition of a recent poster [ irons under $250? ] are made by Northwestern. The guy at the golf shop had nothing bad to say about them and implied that a company that makes only golf clubs and has no fall-back products has to put out a decent product. He also noted that Northwestern does not spend megabucks in advertising, so they don’t have to amortize that expense by jacking up the priced. Driver,3,5 & 7 woods, 3-9,wedge -$149.95 The five iron has the same lie and length as my old clubs and I will see this spring how they work out. The major differences which I hope helps are that the shafts are not as stiff, the irons are perimeter weighted and oversized, moderately radial soled and slightly off-set from the hosel. The old irons were flange weighted, flat soled straight from the left side of the hosel. I thank Miko for help. A C
Response:
I would certainly agree that the right clubs can make a difference. A friend lowered his handicap by four strokes using a new set and even had dreams of single digits [ un-realized ] -which was pretty good for a 67 year old. But does the right clubs necessarily mean expensive clubs? What is the physics involved and what is the hype? You can buy a Timex for $30 and it keeps reasonable time. Or a Swiss Army watch for $300, a Rolex for $3000 and a Piaget for $30,000. What do you get for the extra dough? The right to show off? Women!s cosmetics are a variation on the same story. A dermatologist on Sixty Minutes says that the moisturizers don!t have a dimes worth of difference between them, but women plunk down megabucks for !Swiss performing overnight cell replenishing extract! or some such B.S. What is the physics? I’m looking at a set at Target is $149 for 3-9+wedge and a graphite shaft driver and 3,5 and 7 wood. I called up the manufacturer and asked them about the flex in the shaft. Medium they say, and it!s what I need-my backswing doesn!t get much beyond 12 o!clock. I may have them re-gripped with Tacki-macs inasmuch as I like a thicker grip. [ My hands aren!t large, but I have no problems turning my wrists.] The irons, moderately oversized, are perimeter weighted and have a somewhat radius sole, so shaft length isn!t all that critical. The blade is offset from the hosel like most clubs today, whereas my old irons line up straight with the hosel and and appear to be uniformly weighted. So what will I get for throwing a lot of money that I don!t really have at new clubs? My present clubs are 28 years old. The hype and hyperbole that goes along with expensive clubs won!t improve my swing. So if you can tell me about physical differences between the el cheapos and the el gypos, I will certainly pay attention. Hype doesn!t impress me, facts do. Thanks A C