As you all probably know, non golfers will frequently ask why we get such expensive gear. We reflexively answer, in some flavor, that "Good equipment is better".
When I started 3 years ago, I had recent vintage, new, GI clubs and have played good equipment since then. I do not have anything to compare "Good" vs "budget" equipment to.
To that end, I've been toying with the idea of buying a cheap starter set and gaming it, just to see the difference.
As some know, in the last 3 years, I've worked on my game, and have played myself to a reasonable handicap. I hit the course expecting mid 80s, and can shoot lower and higher, but the average is pretty good.
So now I feel like I am competent enough to give my experiment a try.
Thanks to the Budget Golf super coupon last week, I purchased the cheapest set they had.
www.budgetgolf.com
With coupon, grand total of $150.
Comes with a Driver, 3W, Hybrid 6-PW and a putter.
Received them yesterday, and today, at lunch, took them to the range.
I opened the box, took off all the plastic, and had an LOL moment when I noticed the driver has "forged" stamped on it.
Anyway. Bought a bucket of balls, and went to it. A few warm up swings with the PW, and off to the races.
The first thing I noticed was the PW and iron heads are HUGE, at least compared to my Apex irons. It was like looking down at a shovel. The grips have an alignment ridge, which I thought a pretty nice touch.
I hit some PW-7I and TBH, these clubs strike pretty well. Certainly they are shorter than my clubs of the same numbers, but the feel was OK and the ball flight was pretty darn good. Interestingly, I was hitting a beautiful draw with all the irons, which is not standard for me. Using the ranged targets and comparing to my averages in my Garmin, the clubs were consistently about 10-15 yards shorter, but worked fine.
Pulled out the hybrid. Hitting off the mat, no issues striking the ball and getting it up. Again, consistently 10-15 shorter than my norm.
Pull the 3W, to hit off the deck, and this is where a little gap started to form. The shafts are pretty flexy, even for my moderate swing speed (low 90s with driver). The 3W struck fine, but was push fading. I adjusted for that, slowed down a touch and was able to put it out there. Here, there was a bigger gap. My 4W is my 200 club. This 3W was 180 at best.
Finally pulled driver. The flex issue really reared its' ugly head. Totally opening at full swing, and developing a beautiful slice. Again, I adjusted my swing, and address to compensate, and the flight was fine. Flew just like my Maverik and F9, just lower and not as far nor as high. This one was a solid 25+ yards shy of my normal drives.
BUT, all in all, I can play with these. I am very confident I can put up a sub 90. We shall see. I think Sunday will be a golf day, and if so, these will be gamed.
When I started 3 years ago, I had recent vintage, new, GI clubs and have played good equipment since then. I do not have anything to compare "Good" vs "budget" equipment to.
To that end, I've been toying with the idea of buying a cheap starter set and gaming it, just to see the difference.
As some know, in the last 3 years, I've worked on my game, and have played myself to a reasonable handicap. I hit the course expecting mid 80s, and can shoot lower and higher, but the average is pretty good.
So now I feel like I am competent enough to give my experiment a try.
Thanks to the Budget Golf super coupon last week, I purchased the cheapest set they had.
MERCHANTS OF GOLF TOUR XPRESS SET - 12 PIECE | Discount Prices for Golf Equipment
Discount prices on golf clubs, bags, balls, footwear and all golf equipment for Men, Women, Junior, Kids and Youth.
www.budgetgolf.com
With coupon, grand total of $150.
Comes with a Driver, 3W, Hybrid 6-PW and a putter.
Received them yesterday, and today, at lunch, took them to the range.
I opened the box, took off all the plastic, and had an LOL moment when I noticed the driver has "forged" stamped on it.
Anyway. Bought a bucket of balls, and went to it. A few warm up swings with the PW, and off to the races.
The first thing I noticed was the PW and iron heads are HUGE, at least compared to my Apex irons. It was like looking down at a shovel. The grips have an alignment ridge, which I thought a pretty nice touch.
I hit some PW-7I and TBH, these clubs strike pretty well. Certainly they are shorter than my clubs of the same numbers, but the feel was OK and the ball flight was pretty darn good. Interestingly, I was hitting a beautiful draw with all the irons, which is not standard for me. Using the ranged targets and comparing to my averages in my Garmin, the clubs were consistently about 10-15 yards shorter, but worked fine.
Pulled out the hybrid. Hitting off the mat, no issues striking the ball and getting it up. Again, consistently 10-15 shorter than my norm.
Pull the 3W, to hit off the deck, and this is where a little gap started to form. The shafts are pretty flexy, even for my moderate swing speed (low 90s with driver). The 3W struck fine, but was push fading. I adjusted for that, slowed down a touch and was able to put it out there. Here, there was a bigger gap. My 4W is my 200 club. This 3W was 180 at best.
Finally pulled driver. The flex issue really reared its' ugly head. Totally opening at full swing, and developing a beautiful slice. Again, I adjusted my swing, and address to compensate, and the flight was fine. Flew just like my Maverik and F9, just lower and not as far nor as high. This one was a solid 25+ yards shy of my normal drives.
BUT, all in all, I can play with these. I am very confident I can put up a sub 90. We shall see. I think Sunday will be a golf day, and if so, these will be gamed.
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