Golf - 2025

[48Valves]

Challo said:

S1975 said:

My lad is starting to get into golf, he s 14, and I m not sure where best to begin with getting him a set.

I ve got a mint set of G10s that I plan on keeping, so looking to sort something else for him. I d rather pick up a decent second hand set, Ping TaylorMade or Callaway, than go down the route of brand new Wilsons.

Is eBay still the best place for this or are there better options now?

Ebay, Vinted, FB is the best option. Not sure where you are located but places like Golfbidder, GolfClubsforCash, Replay golf are online but have stores you can visit as well.

I keep an eye on ebay and it seems prices are going up for irons on the big brands. I think if you look at the smaller brands, unpopular you can pick up some bargins.

There aren’t too many real bargains on eBay anymore due to the likes of golf clubs 4 cash and golf bidder. Facebook marketplace is worth a look. Golf clubs 4 cash often have discount codes on eBay.

Having recently purchased a number of sets of irons for my lad. I would go with some older Ping G somethings. G25s or G30s. Same with a driver and a 5 wood. If he likes playing, progresses and wants something newer you will make your money back when you sell the Pings.

[DuncanM]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/177520585686

Padraig Harrington won The Open with these, I have a set still from 20 years ago, they're still brilliant.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187756678958

Amazing drive to this day.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/389217036016

Amazing 3 wood to this day.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233284723448

Nice to have one new wedge, beginners are fine with just a 56 imo.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=wilson+staf...

Putters galore.

Ebay is still very good, I wouldn't be paying for newer than my recommendations above, their is nothing to gain from doing so, caveat being that your lad isn't freakishly tall?

[Peterpetrole]

DuncanM said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/177520585686

Padraig Harrington won The Open with these, I have a set still from 20 years ago, they're still brilliant.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187756678958

Amazing drive to this day.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/389217036016

Amazing 3 wood to this day.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233284723448

Nice to have one new wedge, beginners are fine with just a 56 imo.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=wilson+staf...

Putters galore.

Ebay is still very good, I wouldn't be paying for newer than my recommendations above, their is nothing to gain from doing so, caveat being that your lad isn't freakishly tall?

I was there watching Paddy win the Open with those irons, he was nutting it.

The driver suggestion is a bit poverty, and those wedges are junk lol, get some older Clevelands, most grooves don't wear that much in the UK (unsanded fairways compared to most other countries) .

Agree on the height question, was just talking to a taller mate the other day, if you are of normal dimensions ebay is great, if you're not you absolutely have to figure in the cost of getting length / swing weight adjustments to end up with a playable set, nothing worse than watching an enthusiastic beginner trying to use totally unsuitable clubs.

Also figure in the cost of new grips, essential.

[DuncanM]

Peterpetrole said:

I was there watching Paddy win the Open with those irons, he was nutting it.

The driver suggestion is a bit poverty, and those wedges are junk lol, get some older Clevelands, most grooves don't wear that much in the UK (unsanded fairways compared to most other countries) .

Agree on the height question, was just talking to a taller mate the other day, if you are of normal dimensions ebay is great, if you're not you absolutely have to figure in the cost of getting length / swing weight adjustments to end up with a playable set, nothing worse than watching an enthusiastic beginner trying to use totally unsuitable clubs.

Also figure in the cost of new grips, essential.

Hmm, agreeish regarding the wedges, but the driver is ace. 460cc, max CoR, nice head design, if a little spinny.

Ping chart and dot system is the best way to approach the height issue, oh and poverty spec is kind of the point when replying to these posts

[Wills2]

On the wedges at my gapping session the spin rate difference between my 18 year old 60 and 52 and my newish MG4 56 was stark, double the rpm I was spinning the 56 at 9500-10k rpm but on my 60 even though the launch angle was 32 degrees (so it couldn't have been riding too much up the face) the spin was half that of the new wedge.

I need to change my 52 but I rarely use a 60 so not going to change that and at £170 for an MG5 they are not cheap in fact it's a piss take.

[Peterpetrole]

Wills2 said:

On the wedges at my gapping session the spin rate difference between my 18 year old 60 and 52 and my newish MG4 56 was stark, double the rpm I was spinning the 56 at 9500-10k rpm but on my 60 even though the launch angle was 32 degrees (so it couldn't have been riding too much up the face) the spin was half that of the new wedge.

I need to change my 52 but I rarely use a 60 so not going to change that and at £170 for an MG5 they are not cheap in fact it's a piss take.

Can't recall the reference, but 54-56 is usually seen as the highest spin sweet spot, more than a 52 or 60.

My point (having brought hundreds of secondhand clubs) is that it's unusual to see any UK sourced stuff with noticeably worn grooves - if it's a worry then worth looking at Ping wedges, they last forever (I find them a bit ugly).

From wrx:

"Ping uses a lot of 17-4 stainless however the Glide wedges are 431. In either case they are much harder and stronger than the soft cast 8620 carbon steel used by Vokey or Cleveland."

[Wills2]

Peterpetrole said:

Wills2 said:

On the wedges at my gapping session the spin rate difference between my 18 year old 60 and 52 and my newish MG4 56 was stark, double the rpm I was spinning the 56 at 9500-10k rpm but on my 60 even though the launch angle was 32 degrees (so it couldn't have been riding too much up the face) the spin was half that of the new wedge.

I need to change my 52 but I rarely use a 60 so not going to change that and at £170 for an MG5 they are not cheap in fact it's a piss take.

Can't recall the reference, but 54-56 is usually seen as the highest spin sweet spot, more than a 52 or 60.

My point (having brought hundreds of secondhand clubs) is that it's unusual to see any UK sourced stuff with noticeably worn grooves - if it's a worry then worth looking at Ping wedges, they last forever (I find them a bit ugly).

From wrx:

"Ping uses a lot of 17-4 stainless however the Glide wedges are 431. In either case they are much harder and stronger than the soft cast 8620 carbon steel used by Vokey or Cleveland."

When it comes to old or used clubs you're preaching to the converted my bag is all 18 years old baring one wedge and my 3 wood. I don't care so long as I like the club, but I'll be getting a new 52 I'll back to back test a new MG5 (or MG4 if he has one and it's cheaper) with my current wedge tomorrow at my lesson, I'll be testing my new to me R7 draw driver as well up against a new Qi35 and I'm betting the R7 will be better for me just needs a new grip and 2 layers of tape.

I won't bother with a new 60 I don't really use it.

[Ashfordian]

Wills2 said:

When it comes to old or used clubs you're preaching to the converted my bag is all 18 years old baring one wedge and my 3 wood. I don't care so long as I like the club, but I'll be getting a new 52 I'll back to back test a new MG5 (or MG4 if he has one and it's cheaper) with my current wedge tomorrow at my lesson, I'll be testing my new to me R7 draw driver as well up against a new Qi35 and I'm betting the R7 will be better for me just needs a new grip and 2 layers of tape.

I won't bother with a new 60 I don't really use it.

I've just picked up a couple of new Vokey wedges for £130 each after going for a wedge fitting session.

These were to replace my over two decades old Mizuno wedges (my old 56 was only spinning 3500 on full shots)

Tried 5 brands at the fitting, some launched a bit higher but the dispersion between all of them was not noticeable.

In the end I went with the Vokeys on price alone as I don't want to be playing a bunker shot thinking about the risk of stone chips etc

[milesgiles]

Ashfordian said:

milesgiles said:

bodhi said:

The sequencing part was fairly standard - I still have a tendency to start the downswing with my arms so we were reinforcing using the bigger muscles, primarily the legs and hips to start things off. .

You have a good swing and I should probably shut up lol, but I would get a second opinion on that, that s not what I remember seeing at all curious how he/she diagnosed that? Monte (Sheinblum) on wrx will tell you he virtually never sees someone move their arms down too quickly relative to the torso.. I ll shut up now

Maybe I have read it different to you but I don't think bodhi is moving his arms down too quickly.

How I read what bodhi is doing is not starting his down swing with his lower body. From what I have seen/learnt, your hands should still be moving backwards when your lower body starts the down swing as this is what generates the speed as it forces the hands and arms to catch up.

I won t distract Bodhi so I ll just talk in the general case..

Personally I think AMG is about as good as it gets right now for online/in person instruction, as it s motion capture and compares what amateurs do to what pro s actually do

*their videos can be a bit clunky and some aspects of the motion capture are controversial*


Monte Sheinblum does/did a lot with them and he does have a record as a player most notably qualifying for the US senior open twice, which for a full time coach isn t too dusty.

Agree on the first part.. in their large and growing database they hardly ever see anyone who drops their hands too quickly from the top. The amateur tendency, especially as we get older, is to clear the hips way faster than the arms, which can t catch up.. what they call 3-9 ballerina . The hips simply stall and you get early extension to avoid hitting the ground.

On the second part.. sort of. Again, just my understanding, but it s the pressure shift (from trail to lead foot) that starts while the hands are still going up on the bs. Indeed, again AMG/Monte say that as long as your first move is to the trail foot, it s almost impossible to shift to the lead foot too soon. But to emphasize, the feel for the vast majority should be that the arms drop quicker than the start of the pivot happens.

Watching Rory, Sergio, Dustin etc, yes they do have tremendous separation between hips and torso, but I do think they are extreme outliers even on tour. Nicklaus and Norman had virtually no hip clearance and were two of the best drivers of a golf ball seen. Koepka and Langer similar. Even Faldo didn t have much

Edit, yes start with the hips/legs IF you can get the separation from the torso (back to target).. if you can t, the hips will stall and you ll flip it..

Double edit.. 6 8 ballerina !

https://rebelliongolf.com/68_ballerina/

Edited by milesgiles on Wednesday 26th November 18:26

Edited by milesgiles on Wednesday 26th November 19:18

[Hobo]

New toy;



Oz.1i (Green Head)
Lab Golf X TPT Shaft
34.5" Length
67' Lie
Heavy Weight
Press Pistol 2' Black Grip

Will be giving it a run out tomorrow around Moortown, along with trying to practice the recently taught Aimpoint putting system.

[fourstardan]

milesgiles said:

I won t distract Bodhi so I ll just talk in the general case..

Personally I think AMG is about as good as it gets right now for online/in person instruction, as it s motion capture and compares what amateurs do to what pro s actually do

*their videos can be a bit clunky and some aspects of the motion capture are controversial*


Monte Sheinblum does/did a lot with them and he does have a record as a player most notably qualifying for the US senior open twice, which for a full time coach isn t too dusty.

Agree on the first part.. in their large and growing database they hardly ever see anyone who drops their hands too quickly from the top. The amateur tendency, especially as we get older, is to clear the hips way faster than the arms, which can t catch up.. what they call 3-9 ballerina . The hips simply stall and you get early extension to avoid hitting the ground.

On the second part.. sort of. Again, just my understanding, but it s the pressure shift (from trail to lead foot) that starts while the hands are still going up on the bs. Indeed, again AMG/Monte say that as long as your first move is to the trail foot, it s almost impossible to shift to the lead foot too soon. But to emphasize, the feel for the vast majority should be that the arms drop quicker than the start of the pivot happens.

Watching Rory, Sergio, Dustin etc, yes they do have tremendous separation between hips and torso, but I do think they are extreme outliers even on tour. Nicklaus and Norman had virtually no hip clearance and were two of the best drivers of a golf ball seen. Koepka and Langer similar. Even Faldo didn t have much

Edit, yes start with the hips/legs IF you can get the separation from the torso (back to target).. if you can t, the hips will stall and you ll flip it..

Double edit.. 6 8 ballerina !

https://rebelliongolf.com/68_ballerina/

Edited by milesgiles on Wednesday 26th November 18:26

Edited by milesgiles on Wednesday 26th November 19:18

Go on a force plate, still images mean nothing.

It's all about creating moment arm....try closing a door near the hinges quickly....thats the equivolant to how most amateurs generate clubbed speed and power in golf.

[milesgiles]

fourstardan said:

Go on a force plate, still images mean nothing.

It's all about creating moment arm....try closing a door near the hinges quickly....thats the equivolant to how most amateurs generate clubbed speed and power in golf.

I haven’t used one but intend to they make a lot of sense

I’m more trying to say chasing this:




Is a rabbit hole many of us have been down and been messed up by, and AMG does explain why. Very few if any were ever longer and straighter than this chap..

[Wills2]

The golf swing is fascinating, I do subscribe to the thought that 2D stills of a 3D movement can be very misleading and not helpful wen looked at in isolation, I also think that the majority of club golfers do not have the mobility we need.

One of my goals is to go have a 3D/pressure plate session if for nothing else to know what I'm actually doing and why, I think that there is some peace to be found in that as the most are just guessing.

[DuncanM]

milesgiles said:

fourstardan said:

Go on a force plate, still images mean nothing.

It's all about creating moment arm....try closing a door near the hinges quickly....thats the equivolant to how most amateurs generate clubbed speed and power in golf.

I haven t used one but intend to they make a lot of sense

I m more trying to say chasing this:




Is a rabbit hole many of us have been down and been messed up by, and AMG does explain why. Very few if any were ever longer and straighter than this chap..

I have a very quiet lower body due to injuries, Koepka is a good model in that respect.

Long hitters can bust the ball. 300y from their knees.

Chap called realgolf on Instagram does some good stuff, emphasises the importance of hand and arm speed, particularly the handle - which I like a lot.

Bodhi used to steepen the shaft as his first move, makes sense that his pro has him delaying any hand action, and the results speak for themselves this year

[Peterpetrole]

Pressure plates are absurdly expensive, like Trackman expensive, however this system seems to get a reasonable review for £600 - there's a secondhand set on ebay at the moment.....

https://bal-on.shop/bal-on-smart-kit/?_gl=1*74y4be...

More realistically I've had reasonable results with a balance board thing, yes it puts you considerably above the ball but actually it's not as awkward as I expected, you can feel it working.

[bodhi]

DuncanM said:

I have a very quiet lower body due to injuries, Koepka is a good model in that respect.

Long hitters can bust the ball. 300y from their knees.

Chap called realgolf on Instagram does some good stuff, emphasises the importance of hand and arm speed, particularly the handle - which I like a lot.

Bodhi used to steepen the shaft as his first move, makes sense that his pro has him delaying any hand action, and the results speak for themselves this year

Absolutely - and coach thinks there is more to come if I can polish up my set up and sequencing

He also knows me pretty well so know not to get too technical - if you start talking about P1, P2 etc my eyes will glaze over and I'll lose interest, as it seems far too much to worry about in the golf swing. He just tells me "feels" to go for that I can concentrate into simple swing thoughts - so last lesson was the water pouring thing for set up, then big muscles for the swing.

I get the technical approach will be great for some, just not this simpleton

[Wills2]

Had a driver lesson today, I've been struggling all year, whilst my iron play/strike has come on leaps and bounds (from a not good place) my driver has been a slog, we have tested various shafts flex/length/weight and heads all the Qi35/Callaway and Ping driver line ups but nothing worked.

A friend recently bought me an R7 draw driver (circa 2007 vintage) 45cm 50g R flex so I took that to my lesson today and we had the best session yet to the point that I started to feel confident (something that has eluded me all year with the driver) carry averaged 240 yds total 260 from 100mph swing speed, he put me on a tight driving hole and I was fairway/first cut on all the shots (left and right admittedly but that's such a step on from where I was).

My biggest issue is at address I get very open and think I'm square, when he puts me square I feel very closed, so I've got to work on that as I regress back to open very easily.

The R7 has a bare metal face so to me is much easier at address vs the black faced divers that everyone makes now as I hate that look so tend to get beaten before the swing has started.

[bodhi]

Peterpetrole said:

Pressure plates are absurdly expensive, like Trackman expensive, however this system seems to get a reasonable review for £600 - there's a secondhand set on ebay at the moment.....

https://bal-on.shop/bal-on-smart-kit/?_gl=1*74y4be...

More realistically I've had reasonable results with a balance board thing, yes it puts you considerably above the ball but actually it's not as awkward as I expected, you can feel it working.

Speaking of balance boards, one non golf related exercise I've found hugely helpful for the golf swing is one of these:

https://vewdo.com/en-gb?srsltid=AfmBOoreBtR8AIhciu...

I used to snowboard around 20 years ago, and got one of these to help with my balance on a board. It turns out that if you're comfortable standing on a skateboard these are actually really good for golf, as it gives you more control of your weight distribution. You need to balance how quickly to shift your weight just to stay on it which translates pretty well to golf.

[DuncanM]

Wills2 said:

Had a driver lesson today, I've been struggling all year, whilst my iron play/strike has come on leaps and bounds (from a not good place) my driver has been a slog, we have tested various shafts flex/length/weight and heads all the Qi35/Callaway and Ping driver line ups but nothing worked.

A friend recently bought me an R7 draw driver (circa 2007 vintage) 45cm 50g R flex so I took that to my lesson today and we had the best session yet to the point that I started to feel confident (something that has eluded me all year with the driver) carry averaged 240 yds total 260 from 100mph swing speed, he put me on a tight driving hole and I was fairway/first cut on all the shots (left and right admittedly but that's such a step on from where I was).

My biggest issue is at address I get very open and think I'm square, when he puts me square I feel very closed, so I've got to work on that as I regress back to open very easily.

The R7 has a bare metal face so to me is much easier at address vs the black faced divers that everyone makes now as I hate that look so tend to get beaten before the swing has started.

Your driver SS, although decent enough, isn't where it should be, for someone carrying a 35deg iron 167y. Is it a confidence thing?

[Wills2]

DuncanM said:

Your driver SS, although decent enough, isn't where it should be, for someone carrying a 35deg iron 167y. Is it a confidence thing?

Yeah we had a conversation about that very subject, his view is their isn't a law that says you swing your 5 iron at over 90 mph therefore your driver should be 110mph, different set up with longer club can dramatically change how you deliver the club.

I have a huge lack of confidence with driver where as I feel I can really go after an iron, this has been the first year I've ever used a driver as an active club in the my bag (Always hated them because I couldn't get my head around them) so it real beginner stuff and I've not worked out how to step on one without losing strike I did hit a few at 106 and 107 mph but lose the face badly.

I was just happy to see multiple shots going in a playable direction ending up 260yds away from me to be honest, I can play with that.