Which brand to choose????

I just started learning golf... I am taking lessons with a Pro and practicing for about 5 weeks... I like the game... It is very fun....
So far I have hit 9 and 7 irons only. I borrow these from the Pro-shop.
I would like to get my own equipment. I talked with my pro about getting fitted and we will do that...
I am looking into the different brands: Callaway, Ping, Taylor Made, etc...
Which brand of clubs will be apropiated???
I am really confused... do not understand much about shafts, lofts... But I understand about the benefit of getting fitted...
Any suggestions??? I am willing to invest money to get a good set... I care more about play well than impress... I am about 5'6". Mid-size frame and some extra pounds....
Can any of you help???

Sonia,

The most important thing is you go for a "cavity back" club not a blade, cavities are more forgiving on off centre shots.

Depending on your swing speed the shaft is very important, slow swing speed softer shaft and a faster swing speed will need a stiffer shaft. A lot of ladies clubs come with a carbon shaft which are very good because they are light weight.

As for make of club, you have named the best brands and they all do cavity backs so it up to personal preference, looks and feel when you are swinging. Some feel heavy some light etc

However it does sound to me like you are going in the right direction, the best money spent will be with the pro, golf gets better as you get better.
Also get him to fit you for the clubs at 5"6 inches they may need ajusting slightly so they sit flat on the grass.

Good Luck with your game "it does get easier"


Ian.

Thank you Ian.

The cavity back is for irons or woods??? Or for both???
Sonia

If you are willing to invest on a good set, MAKE SURE you get your set custom fit. When custom fitting clubs, the professional fitter will match the shaft to your swing, so that's one less thing you have to worry about.

As Ian said, start with cavity back irons - they will offer much more foregiveness.

As for which brand to choose, that's all personal preference. Try each brand out and see which one you like the feel of better. If you are still having troubles deciding which brand to choose, pick the one that looks best to you. Believe it or not, this gives comfort and confidence when standing over the ball knowing you have great looking clubs.

One other thing, your clubs do NOT need to be matched from driver to putter. If you want a Taylor Made driver, Titleist fairway woods, Mizuno irons, Cleveland wedges and a Callaway putter, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. What is in your bag is up to you.

__________________
Gord

Quote of the month:
"It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification." ~Bruce McCall

Sonia,

Cavity back clubs are irons.

Woods for ladies are mainly standard.


Ian.

Might I suggest hybrid clubs for your long irons? TalyorMade makes the original club - I think they're called Rescue. I know Nike hybrids are called CPR's.

Hybrids are much easier to hit than a 4 or 3 iron.

The other thing to consider is going to a custom club maker, and buy a set of fitted clone clubs. At the very least, you'll save yourself a few bucks on clubs. The other thing is that a custom club maker can do pretty much anything you need them to, to set up your clubs perfectly for you. (Granted, a good retail shop will set up your clubs, too).

The other important (and often overlooked) aspect is the ball you play. A lot of advice goes towards buying used and refinished balls for/by beginners. While this is good advice if you lose a lot of balls, these balls do NOT perform to the same spec as an original ball - and won't play the same.

That said, don't be afraid to buy some 'one-hit wonders', but once you're playing well, switch to new balls - 'Distance' balls are better for beginners, as they're engineered to reduce the effect of sidespin (which produces draws, fades, slices and hooks).

Some of the manufacturers of iron sets have moved to hybred sets designed specifically for women. Some examples are:

Adams Tight Lies Idea irons - these consist of 21* and 25* iWoods and the regular 6 through SW Irons;
Taylor Made Miscela - 7 piece set includes 24* Mid Wood 5, 28* Mid Wood 6, and 7-SW in traditional irons. The 10 piece set includes 14* Driver, 18* 3 -Wood, 20* Mid Wood 4, 24* Mid Wood 5, 28* Mid Wood 6, and 7-SW in traditional irons.
Mizuno Tava Irons - this iron set is from 6i to SW and their Tava Woods come in driver to 9 wood.

__________________
Gord

Quote of the month:
"It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification." ~Bruce McCall

Hi Sonia,

The right set of clubs will make you love this game, the wrong set will make you hate it! So I guess my three simple bits of advice are:

1. Always buy "branded" clubs: the brands you mentioned, Taylor Made, Callaway, Ping etc. are quality clubs so narrow down your selection to those.
2. Try them all before you buy them. Some people just suit different club, period. So try as many sets as you can, you'll notice that they all feel and play differently. Hit as many shots with as many different clubs (wedge, 8-iron, 6-iron) as you can and shortlist maybe 2 to 3 sets. Wait a few days and then try them again before making a final choice.
3. Get them fitted. Above all you have to feel comfortable with a club in your hand at a ball at your feet. Having them custom fitted will make a world of difference and give you much more confidence in your game.

Personally I don't worry too much about the technical details, it's the shots that make the difference!

Have fun!

Thank you all for your comments...
They all have been helpfull...
I will take my time to get the right clubs...