Daughter just started playing equip quest!

scores · April 24, 2007

Daughter just started playing and as I was shopping for her clubs i really noticed that "you gals" have a limited selection: I first bought her a cheap starter set yet being small in stature she makes up arobically. What I mean is she play hockey three times a week..need not say anymore.

Here is the problem after hitting 10 balls at the range she taps me on the shoulder and shows me how she snapped the head off her 5 wood.. well we brought them back and then upgraded her to a brand name of clubs.

What I noticed is there was nothing or very slim picking in mid range equipment where the men had several options for mid range gear.

Is one of these(golf) stores better for womens equipment than the others??? This sport is still geared to us men I hate to say.

upndown1 · April 24, 2007

if she playes hockey and snapped the 5 wood, women's clubs don't seem to be the issue. I would guess senior to regular flex

My daughter played senior from the get go and was competing at state 1 1/2 years after picking up clubs with regular

Geo · April 24, 2007

Congrats scores. Nothing like daddy-daughter golf trips...at least that's what I'm hoping for in my own future. :( My daughter is turning four in a couple weeks, and I'm looking to get her her first set of golf clubs. I'm leaning mostly towards US Kids, as they seem to be the most quality you can get for the buck, and as kids seem to grow up quicker than adults grow "out" you don't necessarily want to go high-end on something she won't be playing in a year because of sizing issues.

One thing that I'm guessing, based solely on the hockey background...well, that and the snapping at the head--I'm thinking your daughter needs to change up her swing a touch. I don't know how old she is, but I'm guessing she's got more than a little slapshot to her swing. If it was her overpowering the club, it would be more likely to break somewhere along the shaft, snapping it around the hosel indicates that she's hitting the ground pretty hard. OEM quality won't change that. Just a thought.

Enjoy the time, and let us all know how she does in the future. :russian_roulette:

villa · April 24, 2007

How old is she? Do you think she could cope with R flex?

In the U.K (and I presume it's the same elsewhere) you can find a decent selection of mid range equipment in the larger golf stores. Wilson, Mizuno and Macgregor seem to have a half decent selection of reasonably priced womens clubs that aren't on their websites but seem to be made in mass and then shipped out specifically to these retailers. Worth a look, I can only presume that Golfsmith have something similar.

Aimee · April 25, 2007

I think Golf Galaxy has a decent selection of women's equipment...but without knowing how old your daughter is, or her height, hard to say if women's clubs (as opposed to kid's clubs) are the right option. If you transition her into women's clubs, maybe try to find a set of used quality (brand name - Cleveland, Adams, Callaway, etc.) clubs. Huge cost savings vs. new, especially if she is young and just learning. Plus you'll have the trade-in value down the road if she wants to upgrade.

TXPoppet · April 25, 2007

My daughter is 12 years old, 5'3. She uses my hand me downs circa 1977. Those suckers are indestructible and she plays HARD!. Currently she is in a competitive training program for girls where she is hitting like a man (sensational drive, lousy putt) :russian_roulette:

She'll get her own custom fitted set in two years when she begins playing high school tourneys. My point here is that when they are learning it makes more sense to give them used. In my opinion, the best place to get good used clubs is a store that specializes in women's equipment. In the Dallas, I know of only one. I discovered them via the Golf Digest For Women Website. Try a google search in your area.

Failing that, go directly to a golf specialty store, bypass the salesmen and talk with the fitter. We have two golf superstores in my neighborhood. One pushes their women's line nationally but when I asked to see the ladies section, all they had was pretty clothes, inferior pink clubs, and a bad attitude. The other shop is low key on their women's advertising but offered a wide range of complete sets I can try before buying and real women's swing savvy.

The third option is to contact your local LPGA pro. She may very well know about a great set that will fit her on the local barter board. Good Luck and keep us posted on her progress!

Debit · April 25, 2007

The last poster was right on. Go to a good LPGA or PGA teaching pro. They often know of used clubs available or can at least give your daughter a better idea of what she needs to play well and improve. In this area, Golf Galaxy has a host of experienced equipment as well as every gizzmo for swing analysis. Many of my friends and I have had really ugly experiences with box stores that immediately recommend some pink set vs. what is best for a player that has a higher swing speed and isn't under 5'3". With her hockey backround, she may well be happiest with an R flex that is adjusted for her stature vs. whatever is in the offing from some disinterested box store. Please do it right so the young lady is able to stick with the game -- cause it is a whole lot of fun if the equipment fits.

Hrocks · May 1, 2007

Speaking from personal experience with little kids equipment, I can't speak highly enough for US Kids Golf. I started my little boy at 4 1/2 years old on a "red" USKG 9 iron with a training grip. You didn't have to try to explain how to arrange their hands on the grip...a major advantage right there. So Jake played with a growing bag of "red" clubs for two years, and now that he's 6 1/2, has graduated to a "blue" set. The USKG clubs are so much lighter and well balanced than anything else out there for small children. Yesterday, I bought him their composite titanium driver---as they say on the Bridgestone ball commercial: holy shhhhhhiiii. Man does he boom this light little bomber!

One thing I really impresses me is USKG's commitment to learning the game. We are participating in one of the USKG family golf camps this July. By all reviews, it's an awesome experience for both the kid's and parents. (I'll report back after.) In any case, this product may or may not be the best fit for a 12 year old, but I'm sold on them for small kids. The best thing if they show interest, is getting them professional lessons at a young age...at the very least, they won't have to "unlearn" all the bad habits from a homegrown swing. Actually, the VERY BEST thing is playing golf with your kids!