New or Used?

[avgjoe88]

I've been golfing for a couple of years now. I have been using a used set of Strata clubs I picked up at a pawn shop, because I didn't know if it was going to be something I wanted to continue with. All told, I fell in love with the game and can't get enough of it. I bought a new/used driver over the summer that I absolutely love. I am, however, wanting to buy a new set of clubs. I am a high handicap golfer, so I don't want to drop a ton of money on the latest and greatest manufacturers have to offer. Are there any opinions out there on what I should be looking for? New? Used? Brand? Should I spend the money and get fitted? Or should I just stick with the Stratas because that it was I am used to playing with? Thanks in advance!

[2bGood]

USED 1000%

 

If you are a new golfer and you love the game you will burn through a few sets of iron as your swing develops and you understand what type of club you like/suits you. If you but the right used clubs, you will be able to flip the with little to no loss when it is time to upgrade/change.

 

If it turns out you don't like golf, then you will have much cheaper set of clubs sitting in the closet.

 

I been a scratch golfer, played for about 20 years now spend lots of money on golf and I buy used irons (not hard to find 'like new' clubs.

 

[Mahamilto]

The BST on here is THE PLACE to buy clubs. My bag + clubs would have been about 3600 if I bought everything new at retail. I have a few clubs I did get new, and still spent under 2k bag included. The BST here is just amazing, and I have had the opportunity to try so many things and resell for good returns.

[jholz]

Used is definitely the way to go. I haven't bought a brand-new golf club in nearly 20 years. Lots of reputable commercial and private sellers out there.

 

If you need to go out and hit a few to see what you like, go to some demo days at your local courses, or hit up one of the big box stores. Find a manufacturer, model, or style of club that you like and works well for you, then start scouring ebay, the bst, Callaway Pre-Owned, and the like. If you can't find the exact club you hit at the store, look for similar models from a couple of years back.

 

Mizuno JPX and Ping G series irons wouldn't be a bad place to start.

[wrm2120]

Used clubs are the way to go for sure. You can also go with stuff that's from a previous generation too.

 

I got my S-55s for 499.99 brand new from a Golf Galaxy because the iBlades were the hot new thing.

Deals are out there for those who look. It never hurts to go to a golf store if you're near one and hit their used stuff and see what you get along with.

 

 

[macedan]

I have only ever bought one set used, my Rbladez irons, (although GolfGalaxy did replace a new TopFlite wedge with my RTX 3 last year, but idk how I got that lucky lol). Everything else has been used and has been nothing short of exceptional. Do yourself a favor and check out some posts in the BST, facebook has some large club trading groups with decent offers, or check online secondhand retailers (2ndswing, global golf, etc.). Like previous posters have said, you'll save a bunch of money and if it turns out golf isn't your thing you're only out X amount instead of X x3 amount. Happy shopping, it's an addiction, I am perfectly satisfied with my golf bag and look at clubs all the time.

 

Fitting wise, you may receive some mixed answers. Personally I do believe fitting can be a great asset, but being a high handicap golfer and on a tighter budget, I personally wouldn't do a full fitting and save yourself some money and some hassle as your fitting may become obsolete if you stay with the game and your swing changes as you become a better player. I would go to a local store with a simulator, swing some clubs and get an idea for at minimum shaft flex (shaft weight if you can) and perhaps do just a static fitting (height and wrist to floor) to get an approximate value for club length and lie angle.

[avgjoe88]

Went out this morning and picked up a set of Nike Vapor Speed irons. Night and day compared to my old Stratas. I went out to the range after words and was just absolutely shocked at the difference. Thanks again for all the advice!

[nicelife]

Buy your wedges new, everything else can be used.

[BlkNGld]

If you're at the point where your swing is somewhat consistent, you may want to consider going through a fitting. Even if you don't find something that you consider worth the money, you'll likely learn what head designs and shaft weights/feels work better to help narrow your search.

 

You can definitely get some great deals used, or even buying new 1 or 2 generations back.

[jjj912]

Nothing wrong with used if you want something different. Just think about what you might want and then start shopping here on GolfWRX and on eBay and see what’s available. If buying from eBay, my advice is only buy when there are good pictures of the actual clubs, unless you don’t mind taking a risk that the clubs don’t quite match the description advertised by the seller. “Good condition” and “8 out of 10” are a qualitative assessments and mean different things to different people.

 

Having said that, you can become a good golfer with the Strata’s. I played with a co-worker who had PowerBilt irons and fairway woods with steel shafts and he proceeded to go out with a 43 despite not having touched a club in over a month (he came in with a bunch of X’s, but that’s why it is called Golf). So get different clubs if it makes you happy, but it’s perfectly acceptable to keep what you have.

[sford31]

Used clubs will do you just fine.

[setter02]

Huge fan of used given just how much there is out there and significantly cheaper than enw retail. So more money can go to golf and trips, etc. Also partial to older gear anyway (older for me given I'm only 40), so I can pick up great older stuff for nothing. Just got my V-Steels and 300 forged irons for $100...

[TIM929]

Get fit for irons and find out which specs you play..

 

then buy used older models from the same brand you were fit for and match them to your spec at your local golf shop.

 

[Red4282]

Used, and lessons

[Filipposhka]

I started with old clubs and am very happy. Thanks to this, I learned to play well.

[xkilgorextroutx]

> @avgjoe88 said:

> Went out this morning and picked up a set of Nike Vapor Speed irons. Night and day compared to my old Stratas. I went out to the range after words and was just absolutely shocked at the difference. Thanks again for all the advice!

 

Glad you found something you liked! Have fun with them.

[jmgledhill]

> @TIM929 said:

> Get fit for irons and find out which specs you play..

>

> then buy used older models from the same brand you were fit for and match them to your spec at your local golf shop.

>

 

Agree with this and will add just find the shaft that works well during the fitting and go with that in a used set with a head you can stand to look at. All the heads in a given category ( game improvement, etc.) Are pretty similar

[Red4282]

As a high handicap i wouldnt worry about getting fit. You likely have some swing flaws and if you work on them and take lessons, your clubs will be likely ill fitted. Once you are sub 100, or even sub 90 consistently is when i might start thinking about upgrading equipment and getting fit. Until then your money and time is best spent on lessons and getting better.

[dolleris]

> @nicelife said:

> Buy your wedges new, everything else can be used.

Spot on

 

[AdExec]

If you’re a Callaway fan, you can’t beat the CPO site. Half my bag comes from there. BST always has solid deals. Putters and wedges I typically buy new.

[EvenEnergy]

Learned golf around 2 years ago with used club. Now as I'm getting better at the game, started to look at new clubs and getting fitted for my new set.

[COmedic]

Used all day. So many great sets that are gently used out there and you’ll save 50+%. Read the forums or look at 2018 golf digest hot list for ideas on what to look for. Hit some clubs on a monitor if you have the chance as well to see numbers and help your decision.

[titleistek]

As a beginner most people go used just because of cost and uncertainty of falling in love with golf. Cally preown, eBay, this forum, and garage sales are some places to start. I also agree with above posts. Once you get a more consistent swing go get fitted.

[Z1ggy16]

Even being newer to golf I think a fitting can still benefit you. Perhaps get some lessons from a reputable source to get the swing improved a bit, then head to golf galaxy etc and use the Mizuno optimizer to figure out what iron shafts may fit you best. You might also want to try their paid fitting services too for woods because I did find even as when I was a beginner, shaft did make a difference to my game.

 

I'd buy as much used as possible as it's likely your game will improve rapidly and you could outgrow things quickly.

[GCS]

Get a fitting for a baseline of what you need and browse the BST here every day.

[sheppy335]

Used always works, I do it and do it for my daughter.

[MattM97]

Woods, hybrids and putters I have no issue buying used as I'll save a few bucks and not hard to get a shaft that works for me.

 

Irons and wedges I'll buy new because if I have to re-shaft it will cost as much as new irons in most cases depending on the shaft I'm going into. Plus my irons and wedges are all longer so extensions and regrips on everything adds up. But for me once I'm set for irons I'm set until I need new ones and wedges the same.

[cgasucks]

Used all the way. Let someone else take the depreciation hit as soon as it is out of its plastic. You won't miss out on any huge tech advances as driver size and COR max has been at its limits and iron technology has been stagnant long before you took up the game.

[avgjoe88]

Thanks everyone for the help! i broke down a couple of days ago and got a used set of Nike irons and I absolutely love them...I've seen a major improvement in my game since going from my cheap Stratas to these!

[iNeedMoreGolf]

Great clubs. Nike vapor speeds? Awsome i still have some in great shape. Have the driver 3 wood and hybrid irons and bag. The strata set is ok to start for sure but if your going to play more and get more serious thats a perfect set for you.