This year is the year. You’ve played second-hand clubs ever since picking up the game, but you’ve saved enough scratch to finally grab that new driver, set of irons or putter. You walk into your local Golf Galaxy, PGA Tour Superstore or golf shop feeling confident – until you’re not.
Everywhere you look, there are clubs. From draw biased drivers to endless options for irons and putters of all shapes and sizes; the list goes on and on. You’ve also never bought a new club in your life, so while you think you know what you’re looking for, the voice in your head gives you pause.
I want to make sure you get the right club, or clubs, for your game. When it’s time to pull the trigger on that brand new driver, make sure you avoid these five things to ensure you’ll love your purchase for years to come.
“My Buddy Plays It”
Listen, your buddy from college may play off a three, but just because a club works for him doesn’t mean it’ll work for you. He may tell you his driver or set of irons are THE BEST on the market, but unless you deliver the club exactly the same as he does, chances are slim. A custom fitting is the gold standard when it comes to new club purchases, but if you’re not ready for that step, demo that driver you’ve been eyeing up online and reading reviews on before buying. There’s nothing worse than spending your hard earned cash on a club that doesn’t work for you because someone told you it was the best option out there.
Focusing on Only One Brand for Clubs
This is a big one you’ll see many golfers fall into. Heck, when I first started playing I did as well. Now you’ll find five different companies in my bag. It’s not to say playing one brand exclusively is a bad thing – every OEM is making great clubs. However, by limiting yourself to a single company, you may be missing out on clubs that can truly benefit and maximize your performance. Go into your local shop and hit everything (no, seriously, do it). Be brand agnostic, your results may surprise you.
Buying Clubs Off the Rack
If you take only one thing away from this article, let it be this. DO NOT go buy a set of irons off the rack. Maybe you fit into standard lofts and lies and the stock shaft is the best fit for your swing. But when it comes to shelling out $1,000 and up for a set of irons, maybe isn’t good enough. OEMs offer a variety of no up-charge shafts, and at places like Golf Galaxy and the PGA Tour Superstore, fitting fees are waived with the purchase of a club. Buying off the rack is a big no-no, and a quick way to spend more money down the road that you could have avoided with a fitting.
Paying for “Premium Services”
This may come off as controversial to some, but I can’t let it slide. “Premium services” like paying for pured golf shafts is totally unnecessary for every golfer. No, you do not need your irons spine aligned so that each plays to the same frequency. Certain fitting companies will tell you this is a crucially important step in making sure your set of irons plays exactly as they should, but they are just trying to increase their profit margin. Skip paying upwards of $70 per shaft to “pure” your irons and grab a fairway wood with the money you’ll save.
Buying Clubs Based on Looks
Listen brother, I’m right there with you. Those PING Blueprint S irons look FANTASTIC at address. But unless you’ve got a dialed in swing and never miss the center of the face, there are much better options out there (that also look darn good). Buying clubs based on looks alone is a mistake waiting to happen. While I agree that you have to like what you’re looking at when it comes to equipment, it cannot and should not be the sole reason for your purchase. Check your ego at the door and play the clubs that find a balance of optimized performance and pleasing aesthetics. You’ll be better set to shoot lower scores and have more fun.
Be Confident in your Purchase
Take these mistakes to avoid when buying new clubs with you when you’re ready to pull the trigger and rip some plastic off that brand new driver. You’ll find clubs that are better fit to your game, make playing more enjoyable, and hopefully lead to lower scores. Have fun out there!