I am not here to sell clubs. I’m not here to sell golf clubs or anything else. This article is written to give golf equipment buyers helpful information during the buying season.
It’s the season to buy bags. I’m in the middle of setting up my bag for 2023. It’s the holiday season.
It’s not easy to buy equipment, and it is expensive. But there are steps you can take that, according to me, will help you get the best performance out of your purchases in this year.
Personal, I support new and used equipment dealers, big box retailers, boutique fittings, and everyone else in between. All of them serve a purpose and are in high demand across the board.
The majority of golf equipment buyers have a budget that is somewhere between the upper and lower ranges. They don’t steal yellow balls from the range to use in a game of golf but they also aren’t spending $5,000 on a brand new set of clubs every year.
After the Masters, many golfers realize that they need to upgrade their equipment. Look, I’m sure you will spend money on new golf equipment. Your spouse, your bank, and I all know that you’re going to spend some money on golf equipment. It’s inevitable. It’s inevitable. It is the cost of the game and can also be enjoyable.
It can be overwhelming to see the sticker price of a brand new set. I am here to help.
At least, I hope so.
Andrew Tursky is my name, and I am a golf equipment writer for the PGA Tour. It’s a real job. Please don’t take it. Every week, as part of my job, I attend PGA Tour events to observe what equipment players are testing and using. I want to find out why the pros make changes and what they are.
“Ok, cool,” you may say. “Big deal. What’s the deal with a PGA Tour players equipment? I’m terrible at golf! Plus, I can’t afford those custom whatever-you-call-its the pros use.”
Fair point. Here’s the thing. You’re right. Few people can afford a fully custom-made irons set. Or an exclusive driver prototype. This service is usually reserved for the most famous PGA Tour players. For a normal person, it would be astronomically expensive. It’s expensive. Like, $150,000 or more. And even then, you have to know someone and it will take months or even years.
This is not the topic we will be discussing, nor is it what you need to do to improve your golf game.
Even though PGA Tour players receive their equipment for free, they do not always use the latest or most expensive equipment. They may continue to use old equipment, even though newer models are released, or make adjustments to what they already own.
Every week, pros spend a lot of time testing their clubs, making changes, and trying out new shafts. Every week they work with fitters to adjust the loft and lie setting on their driver. They also tweak their fairway-wood setup. They test new fairway-woods. The fitters may even experiment with golf balls or driver weights.
This stuff doesn’t need to be done each day like these guys. This would be a full-time job. It is a good idea to make an inventory of all your equipment and try it out at least once per season.
You can accomplish most of what the pros do, minus the $150,000 custom-made irons. It might only cost you $100. After reading this article and following these five steps, it’s possible that you still decide to purchase all new equipment. It’s fine to buy new equipment if you can afford it. It’s fun to buy new things, but it is important that the money you spend goes towards products that are truly helpful.
These are the tactics I will share with you. If Hideki or Adam Scott were to have to pay for every shaft and club they tested, they’d probably use them.
It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money in order to set up your bag like a Tour Pro. You can save money while still getting the most out of your purchases.
This 5-part guide will help you save money and improve your golf game.
Enjoy the golf season.
What to look for when buying golf clubs
Step 1. Let’s do a deal
The first step is very simple. You do not have to do anything. Just think of a random number.
Think about the clubs that you would like to replace. This can be done mentally. You can then estimate how much money you’d spend on that equipment.
New iron set? New iron set? New iron set? New wedges? Perhaps a new putter is in order? Add it all together. Estimations are acceptable.
How much do you plan to spend on upgrading your 14-club set up this year?
This is the number. Note down the number.
Here’s a bet for you:
I bet that by following steps 2-5 you will end up with better golf equipment – that actually helps you to play better golf. And we can do it for less money than the number you wrote.
Do not move. Continue reading to step 2.
Open a new tab on the Internet and search for “professional golf instructors near me” or “golf equipment fitter nearby me.” Book an hour-long consultation with to discuss equipment fitting
I know what you are going to say. “I am not good enough for a fitting!” I’m not good enough to get a fitting!
Do not say anything yet. Hear me out real quick.
A fitting of equipment is actually more beneficial for poor golfers. Let’s not be harsh by calling golfers “bad” but let’s talk about it for a moment. Jon Rahm can pick up a junior golf club 10 inches shorter than his current driver with a shaft too flexible for him to hit the ball at his maximum speed. He’ll probably be able to stripe the ball down the middle with a low cut after a few tries of the club. He does not require a custom driver and high-end shafts to drive the golf ball well. To get the best performance from his swing, he equips himself in this way. To achieve this, he must match his driver loft and lie angle and head design and head weight and shaft flex and shaft weight and shaft length and grip and grip size to his swing.
It’s quite a bit. It doesn’t cost a lot of money to get this type of treatment. You can still match your club to your swing like he does.
Bad golfers are not able to adapt their swings for any equipment. It is difficult for them to make consistent contact with the ball. Since bad golfers don’t have the same level of familiarity with their equipment or with the various factors that affect ball flight as professionals, it is more difficult for them to determine what equipment they need.
Rahm knows he can swing more smoothly when the shaft is flexible. This gives the head more time to catch and release on the downswing. Rahm knows that if the loft of his driver is too low, he must increase it at impact. A bad golfer is more likely to have a “see the ball, hit it” mentality. They are less receptive to equipment and more reliant on their own swinging motion.
It’s for this reason that the advice and eyes of a professional golf fitter can be so valuable to a poor golfer.
You can’t find the right fit if you buy a club off-the-rack or online. It is important to at least know your specs: what driver loft and length are right for you. What is the shaft flex and weight? What type of iron head do you use? What are the iron shafts? What is the wedge bounce? What is the best putter style for me?
The truth is that even bad golfers need to be fitted. The anti-fitting attitude is often based on the fact that poor golfers may not be able see the difference between minor equipment modifications, and therefore think that “it doesn’t matter.”
Jon Rahm is able to tell if his new wedge weighs one gram more than his previous one. Most golfers cannot tell the difference at address between a 7-iron and a 6-iron without checking the number. It’s not that I am trying to offend anyone, but PGA Tour players are able to notice things normal people cannot. Just because a bad golfer cannot tell the difference between shaft flexes, lie angles or head designs, does not mean that there is no difference. Unknowingly, a bad golfer could be using the wrong club for their game. They may be using a driver that is set up for a high-slice and wonder why they are unable to hit a draw.
However, the solution does not need to be expensive.
Old or new, the equipment of a bad player must be set up to suit their swing. A properly fitted setup is important for every golfer to optimize their game. However, a bad player can improve dramatically with simple adjustments or smart purchases. With a simple change in shaft, lie angle/loft and lie angle, a low banana slice could be transformed into a high drawing.
If you have never had your equipment fitted, it’s likely that the clubs you are using now don’t fit you. It’s likely that they aren’t even close. Although I’m not trying to be disrespectful, your golf clubs are probably wrong for you.
To solve the problem in the most cost-effective way, I recommend that you book an hour at any local facility with a launch monitor. You can choose a local course, driving range, retail store with a hitting net or a golf fitting facility. Anywhere you can practice hitting golf balls in front a professional instructor or fitter will do.
During this session, you will want the pro to watch you as you hit each golf club in your bag. That’s it. Ask them: “I’m not sure where to begin, but I want to adjust my equipment set. What do you think I need to add to my golf bag? What I need to change?”
Tell them ahead of time that you are not yet sure whether or not to purchase any equipment. I need to consult with a bag expert first.”
You may be able to get this service free of charge. Some places will charge for an hour-long fitting, but the cost won’t exceed $100.
A club fitter will not need to take more than three shots per club, or 39 swings in total, before identifying the most serious equipment problems throughout your bag. Even if you don’t have access to the green, it is important that they check your putter.
It is because of the many moving parts that I recommend hitting golf balls with all your clubs in front of an instructor or professional fitter. Even if you KNOW that your clubs are not right for you but don’t know why or how to fix it, you can still benefit from a professional fitting.
You’ll likely need to purchase a new piece of equipment. You may need to upgrade your equipment if your driver is over 20 years old or if the blade irons that your father gave you are no longer in good condition.
It is also possible that you have some equipment in perfect condition. Just make sure it’s set up to fit YOUR swing. This will be much cheaper than buying everything new.
Here are some questions you can ask to help during your fitting consultation:
Can you check them out? Can you check them out ?”?
PGA Tour players have their lofts and lies checked regularly. This is done to maintain consistency because even a small change in loft/lie angles can have a DRASTIC effect on the direction and flight of the ball. By bending the head of the club, you can change your ball’s flight from a low hook to a low-slice. Over time, clubs can be bent accidentally by natural wear and use. They need to readjusted. It’s like tuning a piano.
It’s possible that all of your irons could be at least multiple degrees from what you need.
It’s no wonder that you are slicing and hooking so badly. In essence, you’re trying to learn to play guitar with strings that are out of tune. You have 14 clubs that need to be tuned.
Professionals will quickly be able identify any adjustments that can be made in order to improve the performance of your clubs. Remember to ask.
If you are charged, you will pay $5 for each iron or wedge. In the worst case scenario, this is a small price to pay for a golf club that can make a huge difference in your score. This doesn’t require you to purchase new equipment!
Modern drivers and fairwaywoods are easier to adjust because they have already been fitted with adjustable hosels. It’s easy for any fitter to turn a wrench and dial in your driver so that it has a higher draw, for instance. By adjusting the hosel settings, you can alter the flight of the golf ball.
It’s possible to adjust your driver or 3-wood easily in order to improve your ball flight, and increase both accuracy and distance. It may be that you need an expert opinion.
How often have you heard that a PGA Tour golfer has changed the length of their driver shaft and improved accuracy or distance? I notice that players change the length of their putter, fairway wood or driver almost every week. Perhaps a shorter length driver would make a huge difference for you.
The fitter can help you find the right weight for the driver head. You can even use the existing driver head and shaft. The cost of a completely new shaft can be high, but that’s what I’m going to discuss now.
Do they have the right flex, weight and length?” Does it have the correct flex, length and weight ?”
If you don’t know what you are doing, buying new shafts is a big mistake. Even the best PGA Tour players are clueless when it comes shafts. It’s important to work with a professional instructor or fitter. You can work with a professional fitter or instructor to determine what shaft flex and weight would be best for you. They’ll also have options available for you. You can then buy the correct shaft separately or adjust the one you already own, saving a lot of money and improving your setup. You don’t need to buy a $600 driver. For as little as $50 to $75, you can find a shaft with the right grip size and a proper fit.
I won’t go on and on about this subject, but I will encourage golfers to take a second look at their grips, and find the right size for them. Most amateur golfers have grips that are too thin. Nearly all PGA Tour golfers wrap their grips (or use layers of tape to reinforce them) in order to strengthen them. Some PGA Tour players have grips that are midsize or oversize. A thicker grip may help relieve tension and even improve accuracy/consistency because of better stabilization. It’s true, grip size is so important in golf.
Even without seeing your equipment I can tell that your wedge grinders are probably not right for you. It’s unlikely. It’s unlikely that your wedge grind will be perfectly matched to your chipping style without a professional opinion or an understanding of wedge bounce. It is difficult to chip consistently when you have the wrong grind.
No more suffering!
Ask the fitter to help you identify the bounce and grind that is best for you. A steeper swing is best served with a high-bouncing wedge. Conversely, a shallower swing works best with a low-bouncing wedge. You should try out several different soles before you make a final decision. Ask the fitter if they have any that you can try.
The last question you should ask your trainer is…
Do I need clubs with more forgiveness? Do I need more forgiveness ?”?
Honesty time. Blade-style irons may not be the best choice for you if you have trouble breaking 80 consistently. Jon Rahm has probably not missed the middle of the face for years and uses cavity-back clubs.
For every Justin Thomas and Adam Scott on Tour who use blades, there are Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick using cavity-backs.
Here’s the thing. It’s not necessary to purchase the latest irons or drivers. You can use sets from a few years ago. It’s important to choose the RIGHT TYPE OF iron, driver or fairwaywood for YOU. Fitters can help you find the right clubs for you and show you what you should try. You can ask about “game improvement” and “draw biased” golf clubs. This question will lead you in the right direction.
This is a good place to start when asking questions of the trainer.
Step 3: Go deal shopping
You’ve probably already made some adjustments to your set, with your fitter’s help. Your fitter has adjusted your driver, fairway wood and irons.
You should have at least a short list of the essential items to purchase. You may need a high-lofted wood for your fairway, new irons, or a lob wedge with more bounce. A new driver shaft would be a good idea, but your driver head is still in great shape.
You may find that the list of items you need to buy is shorter than what was originally expected.
You now have the assessment of the fitter, or the instructor, as well as some recommendations for buying. Write down everything the fitter says, including shaft flex, weight and loft. This is your shopping list!
Warning: The local shop or fitter will try to convince you to purchase as much equipment as possible. If you ask them the questions listed above, you will get great advice.
After a quick fitting assessment, they’d be happy to earn commissions on a few new grips or maybe even a shaft. This is not a sales pitch, but a simple fitting assessment.
Write down everything you hear.
You may hear something like “The shaft in your driver needs to be shortened and made lighter, and it also needs more loft.”
Ask questions such as “What would be the best length, flex, and weight?” How can I increase the loft of my driver? What is the best loft for my driver?
You’ll then be given a few options. Yes, you can purchase a brand new driver. But, you can also buy a shaft that matches the specs of what they suggest. If you purchase the shaft separately, the shop will build your club for you.
Please ask your fitter to record the specific recommendations during the first fitting session. They may, for example, recommend that you get new irons with a game improvement style that is bent 2 degrees up, with 115-gram shafts, which are 0.5 inches under standard, as well as a midsize grip. These recommendations are now YOUR clubs specifications and buying guide. You can now Google these parameters to try and find clubs that fit your needs and are within your budget.
For a small charge, any local retailer, pro shop or club fitter will replace the shafts on your existing clubs. You spend $75 for a new shaft, which the fitter recommends. It was purchased through a third-party website. You can get a driver that perfectly fits your swing for just $185 if you add the $100 fitting fee and the $10 construction fee. Your new driver will probably fit your swing better than a random driver from the rack.
There is also the option of “used” clubs. If your fitter suggests you upgrade your driver but you want something more forgiving and higher-lofted with a lighter and shorter shaft, then you can do so. You now know what your parameters are, and you can use them to search online or at a retailer of used equipment. Tell them what your installer said and they will give you options.
You can save money by buying clubs made in 2018 or even older. It’s important to make sure that you get the right shafts, grips and lengths if you choose used clubs. Loft and lie angles need to be adjusted to fit your swing. A fitter or builder can help you adjust your used club, even if you bought it elsewhere. After receiving the shipment, you may need to pay a small fee or buy a brand new shaft, but it is worth it.
Step 4: Try out different grips
Even though this step is optional, I will add it as a separate section. It’s important to me.
Each golfer should experiment with different grip sizes and find the one that is most comfortable.
You may need to add an extra half-hour on top of the initial fitting, or you can do it separately. But at some point, ask your fitter for the opportunity to try out different grip sizes.
I can’t think of a single PGA Tour player that doesn’t have a wrap underneath their grips or if they don’t have a midsize/oversize set-up.
Tony Finau wraps all his clubs with 16 wraps! John Daly uses about the same grips. Bubba Watson and Bryce DeChambeau use oversized grips. Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and others use two wraps. The majority of amateurs struggle with ultra-thin grips. They have no control over their clubs. It can relieve pain and change the game. Yet grip size is one of those aspects that are often overlooked.
The grip is the only thing that connects your body to the club. It is a good idea to test out different grip sizes before making a purchase. If you need to replace each grip, it will cost around $140.
If we can beat your original number, we’ll have more money to spend on the super-dialed-in.
Step 5: Try everything on and then get a final fitting consultation
Realistically, the entire process of buying will take around two weeks. It will take about an hour to do the initial fitting, but once you have ordered new products, made adjustments, made a few changes, had everything built and shipped to you, you can expect a two week process. You’ll then have your Tour-ready setup.
This last step is optional but I do hope you consider at least doing a final inspection with the club maker or fitter to ensure that what you ordered was what you received.
Step 5 is simple. Take your 14-club set to the driving range and drive it by yourself. You can hit every club. You can play an entire round.
Set up a final fitting with the original fitter. The professional or fitter will remember what he told you and why. This person will simply need to look over each club one last time. Communicate with the fitter your impressions from your first round or driving range session.
Does the driver continue to go too low? Does it still slice? The irons may feel too light. Do you still chunk the lob wedge when playing?
Fitters can adjust your clubs’ performance by making small adjustments. Lead tape can be used to make small adjustments in weight and flight. You won’t pay much for this; either the fitter applies lead tape free of charge, or you purchase a roll of lead for around $10. They can also bend a few golf clubs and make some hosel adjustments.
It’s important to make sure that you get the correct hosel position when you purchase a new fairway or driver wood. Don’t forget to check.
If you’ve bought new wedges it is important that they have the correct bounce, loft, lay angle and shaft.
It’s possible to do this yourself. But a professional would be able to help you immensely and get the results you need. This would not take much money or time. There’s no reason to save money now, we already saved a lot.
Once you’ve got your set back, and everything is in order, you can forget about it. Not until next year, at least.
You can now play golf. You will have a set that is perfectly suited to your swing no matter how old or new the clubs may be.
It took some effort to look around and talk with a clubfitter but you will be better off, both financially as well as on your scorecard. You’ve probably already spent at least a week researching the clubs that you are interested in buying during this season. You’ll get the clubs you need and save time with my 5-step solution.
Look back at the number that you wrote in Step 1. I’m sure we will beat that number, and you will be happy with the club set-up. You just have to be willing to spend a little money on a couple of fitting sessions and a few building fees. You’ll also probably buy new equipment, but you can enjoy that because you know it’s going to be helpful.
It’s not important to play the newest, most expensive or newest game. Play what you enjoy.
You can learn how to do this from the pros.
