looking for cheap premium golf clubs

[ohidunno]

Hi all, I have some 500 quids burning a hole in my pocket for some replacement golf clubs.

I am a high handicapper looking for some RH graphite shaft irons from the Calloway, Taylor Made or Ping brands. Planning to go to Great American Golf tomorrow to try and probably buy. But does anyone know of any golf shops in N London / South Herts that have any particularly good deals at the moment. Maybe your local pro shop is having a genuine sale?

[bridgdav]

If you are not too concerned with having the latest equipment, then this is the right time of the year to buy....All manufacturers will be launching their new range of clubs in March/April ready for the coming season.

You might be well advised to visit your local Golf Club, as he will be trying to get rid of the 2003 stock, so you should be able to haggle....

The Nevada Bobs and American Golf shops of this world will probably also have sales, but IMHO you do not get the same service and support that you get from your local Pro. They buy in bulk so they can generally keep prices to a minimum but are not especially keen to do a deal...

Your best bet is to have a look at the full range of equipment in N/Bobs US golf etc, make a note of the prices, then go down to your local pro. If the course has a driving range the Pro can tape up the face of the clubs and you can try them. He is also in the best position to advise you on the best equipment for you...

Good Luck

Dave

Edited to add 'same' I gave completely the wrong impression.

>> Edited by bridgdav on Tuesday 10th February 11:28

>> Edited by bridgdav on Tuesday 10th February 11:29

[pjs917]

Try ebay, always good for clubs if you know what you want.

[dougc]

There's an American Golf at the Topgolf driving range just off the M1 in Watford that usually has some pretty good deals on - could be worth a look.

[tuffer]

Try the Callaway Big Bertha 2004 model with graphite shafts, I have the 2003's with steel and they are sweet. Try Golfmagic and click on the links on the left for some great deals on clubs. You could also try Pricerunner.co.uk as they have some good links to cheap suppliers.

[tuffer]

Bargain

[ohidunno]

tuffer said:

Bargain

I am a little bit worried that they are too cheap? Normally retail at £650.
I am also a bit nervous about buying from a foreign retailer via the net.
I recently bought some brand new Calloway X-16's from a private seller. They turned out to be fakes. I went back to the seller and got my money back but I might have more of a problem returning these clubs if they are shonky.

Thanks for the heads up though. Golfmagic looks a good site as well.

[Venom]

Don't forget coming over from the States you'll have to pay tax later (i.e. 17.5% on £375 most likely). Also, as they're in the States they're probably cheaper retail over there and they are last years stock.

£440 doesn't sound too cheap to me, just sounds like a good bargain. All IMHO of course no liability shall be held should goods turn out to be fake, or should they possess an inability to hit the ball straight and long

[tuffer]

Sorry, didn't look at the sellers info. Take a look around on ebay though as I picked up a bargain Callaway Steelhead III 5 wood last week for £50 (brand new as well).

[burriana500]

Are you dead set on graphite shafts? Steel are usually a lot more forgiving and have better feel. I play off 13 and tried some graphite shafts...ouch, crack, bang VERY difficult to get to grips with.

I use steel shafted Cobras and still think they are lovely clubs, and not too expensive. Use a Taylor Made Ti2 driver though as the head kept snapping off on the Cobra Titanium.

Shame I never get to play these days

[wrinkly]

burriana500 said:

Are you dead set on graphite shafts? Steel are usually a lot more forgiving and have better feel. I play off 13 and tried some graphite shafts...ouch, crack, bang VERY difficult to get to grips with. I use steel shafted Cobras and still think they are lovely clubs, and not too expensive. Use a Taylor Made Ti2 driver though as the head kept snapping off on the Cobra Titanium. Shame I never get to play these days

Steel shafts are definitely best - and generally more available. If you go to a pro shop at your local club, they will often have a demo set you can try out on the course.

Al - I play off 4, will have to give you a game if I come to see you!

[bridgdav]

Stuart

As I said.....get yourself down to your local pro...(golf that is)
Whether you have Graphite / steel or whatever, will depend on your abilities and what you want to achieve from playing....(he will know)

As you said you are a high handicapper....I would recommend :-

Cavity backed irons are a must...(or progressive)
Try and get a progressive offset, (will help to get the ball airborne for the longer irons)
Don't worry about buying new....
Have the lofts checked out if you are buying 2nd Hand...
Don't go near stiff or firm shafts (cue podie)
Try before you buy...preferably on an open range.

Is it just the irons you are after...

[oyster]

Better still, fly to the US and buy some.

Take your old set out to part exchange, play a round with the new set over there (don't clean them though) and Customs will never know the difference.

And with current GBP/USD exchange rate you will get very good prices.

[ohidunno]

Thanks for your comments guys,

It is tempting to fly to the States and bring some back. I'm actually going to Toronto in September, I would imagine that US and Canadian prices are probably similar.

I don't need graphite shafts at all. My current clubs have them so I thought I would get them again for consistency. I'll definately buy cavity backed.

I'd like a new set so that I know they are true. I bought my Ping clubs second hand with replacement shafts, and I have lost several heads when striking the ball so they are clearly past their best. If I hit a bad shot I want to know that its down to me not the equipment (I'll have to find something else to blame!).

I have been hacking around for a few years. Last year I hardly played at all as I had moved into a new (old) house that required a bit of TLC. This year I will play more. The reason I am still rubbish is mainly due to lack of practice. Even when I book lessons I don't seem to have time to practice what I'm taught.

[tuffer]

Get down the range and practice at least twice a week and watch your scores tumble!! Thats what I have been doing, playing since June last year and am now in the low 90's every round (got a 42 on the back 9 on Monday......just a pity the 51 on the front wrecked it!!).

[burriana500]

wrinkly said:

Al - I play off 4, will have to give you a game if I come to see you!

4? you architects definately have too much time on your hands
I will let you know as soon as I know what we're doing about this house malarky Brian

[ohidunno]

just been to decathlon megastore in Docklands. Bought some Calloway big bertha graphite irons for £380. They were the last in the shop so had a couple of tiny marks (that mostly rubbed off), and 2003 model. I'll probably have them many years so I'm not terribly concerned if they have been recently superceded.
The steel shaft clubs were £599
Thanks for everyones help.....now to practice.

[RichB]

Wentworth's a premium golf club, but it won't be cheap. Rich...

[bridgdav]

I played the West Course last Thursday...

Its a bloody monster...We played of the back tees and with no roll on the ball we were ending up hitting 5 or 3 woods to most par 4's.

I knocked it round in 81. I played it as part of a debenture holders membership so it was free...
I heard when I was there that it is £220 per round..

I would never pay that much, definately not this time of the year.

The whole atmosphere was great though, you were treated like any other individual who had payed their money, not snooty at all.

Well done Stuart on your purchase...

I switched to Calloway last year X16 Pro Series. They are a great club. Helped me to win my first Club Championship last year....

[tuffer]

bridgdav said:

I knocked it round in 81.