Golf Thread

[badger]

Because most of us are or will soon be middle-aged white guys.

[towelie]

ofc you gotta make it racial. hide yo kids, hide yo wives, collin and i are coming

[towelie]

for reference: advice for buying secondhand clubs

Originally Posted by badger

Get something used that's in "Very Good" condition or better and you won't notice a difference. I've had great experience with Callaway Preowned and 2ndswing. All you need to start is a putter, iron or iron/hybrid combo set, driver, and bag. Make sure the iron set is something in the game improvement or super game improvement category so that you're playing something as forgiving as possible. That set up is going to be in the $500 range and better than a full set you'd buy for the same price.

After playing with those a bit, you can add higher lofted wedges and fairway woods if you need them.

Originally Posted by towelie

debated making a golf thread, but i have a beginner's question.

looking to buy clubs for the first time as an adult. would you recommend getting a cheap club set for ~$500 or acquiring clubs individually through the secondhand sites like Callawaygolfpreowned, 3balls, 2ndswing, and globalgolf?

Originally Posted by BanTx

Shot a -5 under par in scramble on friday, I'm going pro here soon yall.



I'm using hand me down clubs from my uncle, though these clubs are still really good because he has like 10 different sets of irons and 100 drivers and wedges. But def 2nd hand clubs before you get more serious, I'm looking into getting a sim 2 max driver pretty soon.

Originally Posted by towelie

how do you assess which models/brands will work for you when buying 2nd hands online? mostly reviews?

Originally Posted by BanTx

Do some research, I would find clubs that are more forgiving than other clubs. I know the PGA store here will let you test out any club you want and rent out a little station that will track how you hit the ball with certain clubs. Go there and try some out and then try to find them second hand.

Originally Posted by badger

If it's your first set, I wouldn't worry much about it as long as you're getting clubs meant for high handicappers instead of tour players. All the major OEMs make good clubs and there are some lesser known brands that make good stuff, too. After you've played for a bit, there is a benefit of getting fitted, but your swing will likely change quite a bit if you're just starting out.

Let me know if you have questions about specific models or brands you're looking at.

Originally Posted by Fernando

If you can find the Callaway Edge set from Costco that’s probably your best bet. Otherwise you’ll have to find some deals on fb marketplace or the websites. Go to TopGolf and see if you can hit those clubs fairly well. They are standard length and lofts, if they feel fine then you can just buy pretty much anything that’s standard length, lie and loft.

Originally Posted by Fernando

For putters/drivers stick to second hand market. They are the most traded items and so easy to find good deals on. If you’re average height, look for a 33-34” putter. If you can swing decently, stick to a stiff shaft on your woods, as you’ll likely grow into that swing speed.

Originally Posted by Fernando

Also, can’t stress this enough, go to Dick’s or Golf Galaxy, or whatever major golf retailer you have and play around with the equipment so you can see what you like, especially putters. I’ve gone through so many just trying to find one that fits my swing pattern, that I like how it looks from over top and that I can usually start on a straight line.

Originally Posted by badger

Yeah, I was about to chime in with the same advice on putters. Try out a bunch of different head shapes to see what you like best, then find one used.

[badger]

I said most! It'd be great if golf continues to diversify it's participants.

I'm going to the last day of the Ryder Cup in a couple weeks, super pumped.

[badger]

Also, regarding Callaway Preowned, they pretty much always have some kind of deal going on, but it tends to rotate which products it applies to. Occasionally they will be a sitewide percentage off, but the "regular" prices can fluctuate. So, it's helpful to check their site semi regularly to get an idea of pricing.

[Fernando]

For the golf!

Callawaypreowned will likely have some amazing deals for Black Friday, but I don’t know what their inventory looks like right now.

Also, I shot a 45 Saturday and a 52 on the back. Such is life.

[towelie]

are newer golf club models generally better and worth a premium in the used market?

[badger]

Originally Posted by towelie

are newer golf club models generally better and worth a premium in the used market?

Newer models are going to be more expensive in the used market, but I would say condition is more important than age. Driver technology has improved the most and even with that a beginner probably couldn't notice the difference between a current model and one from five years ago.

[Fernando]

Originally Posted by towelie

are newer golf club models generally better and worth a premium in the used market?

Originally Posted by badger

Newer models are going to be more expensive in the used market, but I would say condition is more important than age. Driver technology has improved the most and even with that a beginner probably couldn't notice the difference between a current model and one from five years ago.

I think 2-3 year old models are the sweet spot especially for beginners. The tech from then to now is really not that much different and like badger said unless you’re a super low digit handicap the difference is negligible. For irons, make sure grips and faces are in good condition. If they’re dinged up as long as the damage isn’t to the face or ball striking area you’re good.

Game Improvement irons have definitely come a long way, but like I said you can find models that are fairly recent that will still perform similarly to the brand new stuff.

[iowatreat]

I will add if you are just starting and have never/rarely hit clubs before, there is no need to focus on getting a driver or woods unless you get them very, very, very cheap. Get used to hitting irons and a feel for your swing. Like with every club, not all drivers are created equal and it would probably be a waste to spend money on one now.

[Fernando]

You should probably learn how to hit one, so you need one but I agree not to spend top dollar on one early. Get used to the swing then buy a club that’ll maximize your swing.

Also towel, you’re in Austin now, yes? If so, join the Texas golf buy trade and sell group on Facebook, if you have one. It’s about 12k people large and there is constantly good deals from people trying to get rid of clubs.

[badger]

Yeah, you've got to get a driver. Iowa's suggestion is sensible and probably the smarter plan, but you can't be a weinie and gotta let the big dog eat.

[iowatreat]

Yeah definitely not saying go driver-less but if you've never played before there is no reason to hit driver out the gate if you are still learning to hit irons, especially since drivers are significantly more expensive than other clubs. If you get one used and super cheap, go for it but know it likely will only be a short term service until you actually learn to hit.

[Fernando]

Yep, it’s the hardest club in the bag by far but it’ll also improve your handicap the most. Gotta get as much yardage off the tee as you can.

[badger]

I went out as a single last week and caught up to a 75 year old dude on the 3rd hole also playing by himself. He was waiting on the group ahead of him so we joined up and finished together. That guy was awesome and had his old man game mastered. I played pretty well, and he shot almost the same despite being about 80-100 yards shorter off almost every tee. I think he only missed one fairway and most of his approaches with hybrids were closer than my wedges lol

[towelie]

Originally Posted by Fernando

Also towel, you’re in Austin now, yes? If so, join the Texas golf buy trade and sell group on Facebook, if you have one. It’s about 12k people large and there is constantly good deals from people trying to get rid of clubs.

i thought society saw social dilemma and was repulsed by social media. i deleted my fb but there are these pragmatic use cases for fb now, like buy nothing clubs

[iowatreat]

Originally Posted by badger

I went out as a single last week and caught up to a 75 year old dude on the 3rd hole also playing by himself. He was waiting on the group ahead of him so we joined up and finished together. That guy was awesome and had his old man game mastered. I played pretty well, and he shot almost the same despite being about 80-100 yards shorter off almost every tee. I think he only missed one fairway and most of his approaches with hybrids were closer than my wedges lol

Dude old man game is real. Hit the ball 100-130 yards but straight as an arrow. And best is when you get an old guy like that who just loves golf and just wants to shoot around, have a good time.

I'm unfortunately probably done for the year, might get one more round in later this month. My one big work event was canceled and my good buddy in the city who golfs is recovering from a torn achilles, so not much opportunity to get out unless I want to drive an hour to the burbs to play solo (I do not).

[Fernando]

8 iron off the green is the most old man game-y thing ever but it’s helped improve my short game a lot. If I have a tight lie with no major obstacles in front, I’m hitting 8 iron like a putter and just bump and run.

[badger]

Originally Posted by Fernando

8 iron off the green is the most old man game-y thing ever but it’s helped improve my short game a lot. If I have a tight lie with no major obstacles in front, I’m hitting 8 iron like a putter and just bump and run.

I need to practice my bump and run game. I know it would end up being more consistent in the long run, but I have no sense of distance with it yet. Right now I'm polar extremes of either using putter or LW anytime I'm just off the green.

[towelie]

do you look down at people who carry a PW, and why?