Golf Equipment inquiry for 15-20 handicapper

SocMan2® · 2025-05-19T03:05:37.372Z

Between work and family, I've been pretty busy these past 40 years. Now I find myself retired with more free time on my hands and interested in taking up the game again - at least as well as I can manage. And I'll take advantage of any technology advances available in drivers, hybrids, irons and wedges. Appreciate any recommendations ... what equipment should I check out? Thanks in advance.

scooter

Orange Immortal [64123]

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Posts: 44105

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I'm sort of a Luddite with golf equipment

May 19, 2025, 10:08 AM

I take the position that it's the player, not the club. Practice. Way more important to develop trust in a club you already have than trying to learn how to hit a club you just spent $300 on. I got this from my uncle, who was a scratch golfer and didn't have 2 clubs in his bag that matched. I have a 4 handicap and have been <5 handicap since high school.

Not sure how much money you want to invest, but if you don't have an unlimited budget, make these equipment improvements in order:

1) Driver. By far most tech improvement over the past few decades. If you don't like the big Fred Flinstone 450cc heads, mini-drivers are making a comeback, with 275-300cc heads, more like the "vintage" drivers. This is the only club where pure distance matters, everything else is about control. Worth the investment.

2) Hybrids. Replace 2-3-4 even 5 irons with hybrids. And your 3-4 wood. Much easier to hit. We all know the long iron is the toughest club to hit in the bag. Get you a couple of these, they make a difference.

3) Fairways woods. Hybrids are about the same thing nowadays. They help, if you've ever struggled with woods off the deck. But I just put an old Taylor Made Bubble 2 wood back in my bag that I've had for many years. I hit it straighter and more consistant than my new tech 3 hybrid wood.

The rest, I would say is much more minimal technology wise. If you like and can hit blades, blades are the best. The manufacturers' gimmick with today's irons/wedges is that the new stuff is 5+ degrees less loft. A modern 7-iron has a traditional 5 or 6 iron loft. That's why they can brag "more distance!!" with these clubs. It's just your own ego whether you feel like you need to hit 9 iron 150 yards or are OK with an 8. For the record, my irons are 2001 vintage Hogan blades. Probably will use them until I die. I never liked the cavity back stuff.

Wedges are wedges, the mfrs just want you to carry 4 or 5 wedges now instead of 2. Again, it's the lower lofts. The lofts are more important than whether it's called a lob, or a gap, or a sand wedge. Find a good sand wedge that appeals with your eye. And PRACTICE with it. Every kind of short shot. Some rounds it's the most important club in your bag.

Putter - all gimmick if you ask me. Find the one you like and use it forever. You'll know it when you find it. I still use the putter I used in high school. I've tried 100 others over the decades, but none have ever beat my old Ray Cool M-1 mallet head. Bought a couple $20 spares off Ebay in case I ever lose it.

This is just MY opinion. It's probably atypical. I just don't believe that throwing money at new clubs every couple years is necessarily the best route to improving your golf game.

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What type of handicap.

That would be tough for me

Re: Golf Equipment inquiry for 15-20 handicapper

There are a ton of game improvement irons out there...

Re: There are a ton of game improvement irons out there...

As a former 10 handicapper.....

Re: As a former 10 handicapper.....

These will turn you into a 10-15 hcapper

Titleist full bag fit

I'm sort of a Luddite with golf equipment

Strongly recommend a new golf bag with built in beer cooler

Here to help my compadre

You bagged ur best friend???

No less than 5 mini bottles of Jameson

Re: Here to help my compadre

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