Conference 7.286::golf

Can't offer an opinion on your Spaulding clubs but I have one on a possible
alternative.  When I decided to by clubs as a new golfer, I figured that I had
three choices based on what I wanted to spend ($250-$350):

	1) Buy used clubs, because since I didn't know what I wanted, I could
	   probably get quality at a reasonable price.

	2) Buy new in my price range, because I could get something
           brand-spanking new.

	3) Buy custom, because I could get something new that was good quality
	   and in my price range.

I chose option 3 because I didn't care about the name on the clubs and found a
neighbor who was building and repairing clubs on the side.  He made a set of
Tour Model II (2-pw) and persimmon woods (1,3,5) for $314.  I love the clubs,
and found someone who enjoys fitting clubs to the person and can make 
adjustments to them (shafts, grips, weight) when I understand my needs a bit 
more clearly.

There are club makers who participate in this conference. They can probably
offer you a non-salesperson opinion on custom clubs.


						Larry 

     I agree with .1, wholeheartedly.  After playing Ping irons for the
     last couple of years, I decided I wanted to get back to playing either
     tour grinds, or forged PW clubs.  The long and the short of it is that
     I had Gene Kelley make me a set of Edge-clone investment cast irons, 
     and I couldn't be happier with them.

     Gene spent a lot of time with me, helping me decide on the clubhead,
     swingweight, shaft specs, etc., and I think that the clubs I ended up
     with, are perfect for my game.

     Bottom line: 2-9 irons, TT Dyna-gold shafts, Victory cord grips, all for
     the low, low price of ~$250 (or about half of the cost of a set of Edges).

     Ron

     BTW: Anyone interested in a set of used Ping irons?

    I am also in the market for a new set of clubs. As in .0, I am have a
    high handicap, but will be dropping it this year. In the past 10 years
    I have played very little, because of this my set of irons have grown
    to be a combination ranging from Austad Senators to K-Mart blue light
    specials. With a USGA handicap that went from 25 to 26.5 last year it's
    time to get serious. I have above average distance for my handicap, but
    I lack the consistency to lower my handicap. I believe that the mixed
    weights in my irons is a prime reason for this. I have also lost
    confidence in my long irons from the lack of playing regularly. 
    
    	Today I took a couple of Titliest DTR's out to the driving range. I
    felt comfortable hitting the irons 9-5-3, the only one's I had out. I
    am a member at Westminster C.C., so I was able to use there demo's out
    at the range. I even was hitting the 3 iron straight. I haven't reached
    any final decisions. The pro, Tom Richardson, indicated that a price in
    the $500 - $600 range could be agreed upon for the set to include,
    Titliest metal woods 1-3-5, and the DTR's 3-PW. Is this a good range
    for that set of clubs?
    
    	I will be in school until 5-4-90, and will be using the DEC
    reimbursement to pay for the new clubs. In the mean time I want to
    check out any clubs that may help improve my game. I also want to do
    some comparison shopping. 
    
    
    	My problems are with accuracy and concentration. I can hit my
    driver 275+ consistently, and my 5 iron was hitting at around 200 yds
    last year. With those distances I was wild 75% of the time, and if I
    had a real bad hole, I lost control for several holes before I could
    recover. I realize that the mental game will have to come from within
    myself. I am counting on a matched set of irons to help improve the
    accuracy and consistency part of my game. 
    
    	It all sounds nice, now to put it into practice, practice,
    practice.
    
    
    Roland

    
    The original question was about buying for looks I believe and I can
    tell you from experience that it is a bad idea. It is my humble opinion
    you should be more concerned with feel. I have been trying to purchase
    a set of clubs and have made that mistake. You need to go out and hit
    the clubs off the grass and not into a net. Beauty is only skin deep.
    Ring a bell?????????????
    
    Pete

    	Well Pete, I agree with you, but it is not that easy to do.
    When I bought my driver last year, I was able to hit it into a net
    at Fran Johnsons, but they would not allow me to take the club out
    of the store, without paying for it.  They did have a few demo clubs,
    but the selection was extremely poor.  Nothing even close to what
    I wanted.  So I tried the Golfers Warehouse.  Same story.  Pay for
    it, or try it in the net.  And the kicker was, even if you paid
    for it, once used outside the store, you could not return it for
    full price, unless there was something wrong with the club.
    	The only places I would think that would allow you to try a
    club outside, would be where they have a driving range or course.
    And from my experience, you pay a LOT more for clubs at a Pro shop
    than at a golf discount store.  So sometimes, the practice net is
    the only alternative.  But do hit and swing a number of different
    clubs before buying.  You'll be amazed at the difference you can
    feel.  And most of the time, the one that feels the best is not
    the one that looks the best.
    
    Beak

    
    re .-1
    
    Why not go to a driving range that has a pro shop and try the clubs 
    their.  Once you decide on the kind of club your going to buy, then
    start looking arjound for the best price.
    
    Steve
    

    Steve,
    	I guess I, or anyone for that matter, could do that, but I don't
    think I'd be welcomed very well at those Pro shops again.  Kind
    of just using their equipment with no intention of buying type of
    deal.  But it is an alternative.
    
    Beak

    I too am looking for new clubs.  I currently am playing Wilson Staff
    Tour Blades which I purchased used last year (they are an older model - 
    probably 4-5 years old).  I also at the time purchased used Power Built
    woods 1,3,4.  Originally I was looking for a new set of woods, due to
    my 3 wood being cracked in several different spots (still playable
    though), and more recently, my 4 wood head being messed up, however,
    after continually hearing from various people (including pros) how 
    difficult the Wilson Staffs can be to hit (smaller sweet spot than the new
    perimeter weighted clubs), I have now considered buying a whole brand
    new set.
    
    Originally, when I was just looking for new woods, the pro-shop where I
    live let me try some metal woods (Hogans).  They definatley seemed
    (felt) a lot different than the Power Built woods, but after several
    holes, I did start hitting them straight (never really got used to the
    feel though) and am now considering metal over wood.  At any rate,
    after talking to the pro about my game, etc (usally play about 3 times
    a week, or approximately 36 holes/wk, score in the mid to high 90's -
    been playing seriously for about 3 years).  We looked over a few
    possible sets.  One set that I liked the feel of was the Titlest DTR's,
    however they were not quite in my price range.  They did carry a
    "clone" set of the DTR's - "Pal Joeys", which I had never heard of but
    they are suppose to have the same feel and they do cost alot less.
    
    Although I am happy with the set I have, I do wonder whether these new
    type clubs might improve my game and be easier to hit with than what I
    am used to.  My question is (because I do not know alot about the
    different club types), are metal woods easier to hit than regular woods
    (ie, will I get used to the "feel" over time), and has anybody ever
    heard of "Pal Joey" clubs (ie, can a "clone" perform like the higher
    priced models).  I am hoping I can try a demo set of "Pal Joeys" before
    I have to make a purchase, however, right now the pro shop does not
    have a demo set and this may not be possible.  Any input on this would
    be greatly appreciated.
    
    
                                                               Joe Mc.
    
    

    
    Beak,
    
    Over the winter, I spent quite a few lunches at a driving range in the 
    area.  (They have indoor nets for when the weather is bad).  Anyhow,
    I probably hit more different types of clubs over the winter then ever
    before.  Basically I personally found that clubs didn't make that much
    of a difference as long as they weren't a really cheap set.  Bad swing
    + my clubs = bad shot, bad swing + different clubs = bad shot, good
    swing + my clubs = good shot... Also, it was one of the guys who
    watched the indoor range that asked me to try some of the different
    clubs.  I never made any intention of buying any, but I said I would
    like to try them.  So I did, and learned what I would want eventually.
    The point is places like this want you to try the new clubs, I really
    don't think that they expect any one to buy a set of clubs without
    trying them, and I also don't think that they expect everyone who trys
    a set of clubs to buy them.  Sales just aren't that easy.  So in the 
    meantime, they want to have people try different clubs just to get the
    idea into there heads that maybe new clubs would help them. If you buy
    your clubs some place else, they probably won't even notice.
    
    Steve
    

    re: .7
    Your concern is well based.  They do want you to buy and you should
    give them the opportunity.  If you find a better deal on a club, go
    back to them and tell them you would like to buy from them, but you
    have such and such a price offered and if they want to meet it you
    will be more than happy to purchase from them.  I think you owe it
    to them to give them a chance - I've even gotten a better deal at the
    pro shop.  Remember the mark-up some say is 55%, so they have some
    latitude in offering a price.  Happy hitting and shopping.
    
    Big Mac

    re: .2
    
    I also had someone make me a set of Tour Model II irons, with
    extra-long shafts and oversized grips, for around $320. These are
    Ping rip-offs that are indistinguishable from the real thing. I've
    never seen them in a shop, only in the Golfsmith catalog and with
    club-makers.
    
    I've been very happy with them for four years.

    I really believe that you must try and buy (use) what feels best for
    you. I been using my Muirfield irons for 2 years now and although they
    have an extremely small sweet spot there is nothing that feels as good
    as hitting it. I also use perssimon woods and would never go to metal.
    As long as your comfortable swinging the clubs (and hopefully have
    tried them at some facility) , go for it!   Everybody's different as to
    what they are comfortable with...
    
    
    gwngf

    Re: .8
    
    Pal Joey is a retail clubmaker located in Newark Ohio. They have been
    reproducing the more popular clubs for a number of years and selling
    them at below market prices. If you have any of the Golf Magazine
    equipment issues you will find them listed as a manufacturer. They are
    a very reputible company and will stand behind their products. My
    experience with Pal Joey is with their custom component division. I
    have been using them for a number of years. Both with repair supplies
    and clubmaking components. They offer the highest quality products I
    have seen. They are more expensive than the other "clone" suppliers but
    examplify the old "you get what you pay for".
    
    I would endorse anything Pal Joey sells or suggest you contact one of the
    clubmakers in the notes file near you as another option.
    

    Re .13
    
    Why suggest someone who lives near you to build you a set?
    
    As most of you know Gene lives in New Hampshire, I myself live in
    London, England. Last month after much typing on Vax-phone and various
    memos to each other over my exact requirements my new Hogan Edge Clones
    with Dynamic Gold stiff shafts and half cord grips arrived this side of
    the pond. Apart from a little problem with British customs there was no
    difficulty in getting them over from so far away. 
    
    Like most of the replies in this note I've been very impressed with the
    results. The clubs look great and they play fantastic. Hopefully my
    handicap will soon come tumbling down. I'd definately recommend looking
    round the conference and speaking to some of the clubmakers. Even
    having to pay for the postage and import duty I still feel that I saved
    money than if I had just bought a set from over here. 
    (Prostaffs cost roughly 3 dollars a ball over here, which should give
    you an idea of how expensive things can be over here)
    
    POL. 

    Re. 14
    
    Pol,
    
    $3.00 for a prostaff ? Wow, I get'em for $18.99 for 2 dozen at
    the Costco warehouse. You guys really have to make an investment
    to play golf. How about green fees for the average course ?
    
    Mad Hacker

    Re. 15
    Green fees over here depend on the type of course. The average
    municipal course will cost between 8 and 15 dollars for 18, while
    a private course can cost upto 45-50 dollars. 
    St Andrews being a municipal course cost me just over 25 dollars
    last time I played it. Gleneagles being a private course cost me
    just over 60 dollars. These two courses being better than average!
    
    What we Deccies tend to do is arrange society days for a group of
    about 20-30 employees which costs on average 55-60 dollars per person
    for a private course. For this you get 2 rounds of golf, lunch and an
    evening meal. This is a great way to have fun playing as we usually
    have small prizes awarded after the meal. Its also a nice way to
    meet other people from other functions within DEC and hopefully
    meet a few more golf partners.
                                                                      
    On the subject of balls, yes I know how inexpensive they are over
    there. Gene sent me over 3 dozen with my clubs. Hopefully the clubs
    will work well enough for me to keep them on the fairway!
            

I am envious of the course fees you pay in Scotland.  $60 to play Gleneagles
that's about 1/2 what you would pay to play Pebble Beach.  I hope you don't
suffer from the same inflation of fees that's happening here in the States as
more people take up the game.  

Balls may be more expensive there, but in those cow pastures ;-) you are less
likely to loose them in those lakes, ponds, & woods that are so typical of US
courses.  But then again you have heather & gorse (?sp).  Balls never seem
expensive if you keep the ball in the short grass! 

Larry

    Re -.1
    
    > Cow pastures....
    
   OH NO... Larry, don't start that up again!! You know how sensitive 
   a subject that was. Good fun though...8^) 
   
   Heather and Gorse....ughh..that's nasty stuff.
    
    
   Phil.
    
    
    
    

    Has anyone else noticed the new Fuzzy Zoeller K-Mart ads, in which
    he urges you to buy equipment that looks good?
    
    	Frank
    
    P.S. He made the GGO cut, which was good to see.

    couldn't help it if you watched any of the Greater Greensboro Open
    coverage this weekend ;^)    If I never see Fuzzy or the CEO of K-Mart
    in a commercial again it will be too soon!  Does Fuzzy REALLY use those
    GOOD LOOKIN' K-MART clubs?  I did enjoy the fishing commercial he did
    though.
    
    					Ron