Decent and affordable complete set

[Paka]

I've had my dinosaurs since highschool, and figured it is time for something new. :haha: However, though I have a little spending cash right now, funds aren't exactly flowing, so I'm not looking at higher quality stuff. I'm basically looking at sets w/bags, and trying to keep it under $250 but will maybe go a bit higher for something really worth it. If I can get something of decent quality for less, so much the better-- and cute never hurts, haha (silly I know, but...)!

 

I saw a nice set of Wilsons at Costco in the range of what I'd like to spend. However, looking on eBay I saw some very good deals on different sets, but it is so hard to buy just going by pics, with no real idea of what kind of brands I'm dealing with in some cases. I have been playing for a long time, but am not good at all and don't get out to play as much as I'd like, so just has to be something functional for a gal of lower skill. No time limit here, so I'm willing to follow auctions to try to get a good buy. Any recommendations much appreciated, thanks!

[kamtile]

Tell us a little about your game ,how far do you hit your driver ?and your 5 iron ?What do you usually shoot for 18 holes ?Do you fade the ball ?These things will make it easier to give you input .

[Paka]

My distance is really bad-- drive about 150, about 185 or so is my max, and I tend to slice it. Hit my 4 iron about 120-130 and the 6 about 100 (don't use the 5 much). I'm inconsistent, but when I am on my game, I can be pretty accurate with my irons. Definitely could use some help right around the greens, however. I very rarely break 100, and am VERY happy to do so, lol. I'm of average height, about 5'6.

Thanks!

[mozgolf]

Have a look-out for the new range of Top Flite clubs they are made by Callaway, the link below is a pic of the mens set, run your cursor over the red dot beside the text - also available in womens version... to see the ladies version, they look like they might even fit the cute bill

[url="http://www.topflite.com/clubs/xl.php"]http://www.topflite.com/clubs/xl.php[/url]

tgw.com are advertising this set at $249

They are a new model and the technology coming from Callaway should be pretty much up to date

[url="http://www.golfio.com/golf-iron-sets/32.html"]http://www.golfio.com/golf-iron-sets/32.html[/url] also have a large range of womens complete sets

[Paka]

Thanks, mozgolf! I definitely think I may end up going with the Top Flite set-- just the sort of set I'm looking for! Starting to wonder, looking at some of the other sets, if I should maybe save up for a little while and invest a little more? However, then I risk my cash being gone on something else, lol...

[Paka]

BTW, any opinions on the Wilson Hope LX set? - [url="http://www.bhmgolf.com/desc.ydev?prod_id=15098"]http://www.bhmgolf.com/desc.ydev?prod_id=15098[/url] I think that is the one I saw at Costco-- actually cheaper there than what I'm seeing online, though Amazon's $238 with free shipping seems reasonable. However, I'm watching a few auctions on it; if I could get a good price, would it be worth maybe going after?

[20something]

Stay away from BHM golf, there's a post about them.

My wife has a set of Nancy Lopez Albany series that she's looking to get rid of. The driver and 3 wood are 250 series and the irons are 200 series. All have graphite shafts and theres a putter also. She'd probably ask around $150 if you're interested.

[Paka]

Yipes, thanks for the heads-up on them! I noticed they were asking more than some other places for that set, and some of the wording on their reviews' disclaimers sort of set off warning bells. Amazon seems to have the best straight-up deal, though I wouldn't buy it from them either until I could see if I could get a better price off eBay. I could just pick it up when we go back to Costco of course, but then my husband might insist on buying it for me, and that would make me feel bad since it is a luxury item that I'd rather pay for myself.

And thank you for letting me know about your wife's clubs, too... that would be a good deal, and I will let you know if I decide to go with them!

[Merlin_T]

You can also look for PING G2L, if you don't mind used clubs. EBay or 3balls.com (also an EBay's seller) are good places to look for them

[Paka]

Thanks, merlin, I'll check them out!

I found the Wilson set for $200 with free shipping- [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110210461669&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001"]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...A:IT&ih=001[/url] 100% FB with 1000's, so looks like a safe bet. Still want to see if I could get a better deal on a regular auction, however. Maybe it would be a good option to hold me until I can, later on down the road, more afford to invest in something better?

BTW, I was looking at this set out of curiousity while browsing, but when looking at the bid history, and the bid history for the other items he's sold (look at all the names with ***'s in 'em), the guy looks to be shilling- [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230209896812&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013"]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...A:IT&ih=013[/url] I know it would still probably finish higher than I could afford, but a shame it looks like he isn't playing fairly.

[BallSpinner]

[quote name='Paka' post='850458' date='Jan 5 2008, 01:12 PM']Thanks, merlin, I'll check them out!

I found the Wilson set for $200 with free shipping- [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110210461669&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001"]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...A:IT&ih=001[/url] 100% FB with 1000's, so looks like a safe bet. Still want to see if I could get a better deal on a regular auction, however. Maybe it would be a good option to hold me until I can, later on down the road, more afford to invest in something better?

BTW, I was looking at this set out of curiousity while browsing, but when looking at the bid history, and the bid history for the other items he's sold (look at all the names with ***'s in 'em), the guy looks to be shilling- [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230209896812&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013"]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...A:IT&ih=013[/url] I know it would still probably finish higher than I could afford, but a shame it looks like he isn't playing fairly.[/quote]

Paka-

I think the eBay names with **** may be a new security feature from eBay, rather than schilling. But someone who eBays more than me could probably answer that issue better.

As for the clubs, also try your local stores. Some have "house" brands that you can demo and work just as well as the big name brands. Also, check the BST here. Maybe post something in the "Want To Buy" - you might be able to pick up a barely used set cheap.

Good luck and have fun with the new gear when you get it.

[Paka]

I was wondering if that may be the case-- I haven't seen it yet with others' auctions and his actual winners of his other auctions don't seem to have it, but it might be something eBay has in place that I hadn't seen for keeping bidders private who want that (edit: noticed just now I can't see their f/b either). If that is the case I feel bad now, haha... I don't want to slander the poor guy here of course! Double-edit: Read some legit reasons while searching for reasons for the blocked names, like eBay blocking bidders ID's past a certain amount.

Thanks for the advice, BallSpinner! I think I may go ahead and check out some of the stores in the area.

[Merlin_T]

[quote name='BallSpinner' post='850650' date='Jan 5 2008, 06:37 PM']Paka-

I think the eBay names with **** may be a new security feature from eBay, rather than schilling. But someone who eBays more than me could probably answer that issue better.

As for the clubs, also try your local stores. Some have "house" brands that you can demo and work just as well as the big name brands. Also, check the BST here. Maybe post something in the "Want To Buy" - you might be able to pick up a barely used set cheap.

Good luck and have fun with the new gear when you get it.[/quote]


Exactly! It's for avoiding some people (Ebayers or else, honest or not, for email "phishing" or not, etc.) to contact directly bidders and, as example, offer to the bidders same products at cheaper price (and avoiding EBay's fees). It's not always like this, but you can see these *** more often in the last months. Another example: my PayPal email address doesn't contain my nickname in it. But I'm receiving a lot of "EBay’s second chance offer" or "Out of EBay offers" at one of my email address containing my nickname (phishing)!!! And they are offers for items I have bided

So be careful, and don't worry about those *** I hope it'll help

[Paka]

Thanks! That is good to know. I get my share of phishing and scam e-mails, so it sounds like a good idea, really!

Any opinions on the Adams Square Two Light & Easy set? Retail is higher than I want to pay, but if an auction comes within $50 of my range, perhaps worth considering? Admit I'm leaning towards the Top Flite or Wilson now, something affordable to hold me until I can really invest more later down the road.

[mozgolf]

Square Two is not an Adams club. Square Two is a stand alone company, that specialises in ladies clubs or so the website claims, check them out through www.ladyfairway.com. I dont know anything about them.

There is the Adams Tight Lies full set, they are a bit more expensive than what you are looking at at about $399. They are an older model, dont have hybrids and would generally be a bit lower tech than the others you are looking at.

3balls have this set (new) from Hippo that also looks pretty solid [url="http://www.3balls.com/product-productid/126783"]http://www.3balls.com/product-productid/126783[/url] - the are very good to deal will and its even a pinch under your budget. Despite a pretty low profile in the US their stuff is well made and playable.

The Wilson Hope and Top Flite XL are both current sets that should offer a good chunk of current technology and playability features. It might just come down to which set you like the look of best.
Note that the sets do have some differences that might influence your decision process according to the respective websites.

The Hopes have a 5 wood and sand wedge that the XLs dont (you would probably need a SW at some stage, but the lack of 5W is probably covered by the loft range between the rest of the set- so shouldnt be an issue). The Hopes have a cart bag, the XLs a standbag. The Hope have graphite shafts in all clubs. The XL has graphite shaft in the driver only the rest have steel shafts. The graphites will be lighter- but at this price point the steel might be a bit more consistent than low cost graphite shafts (which they will have to be at this price point).

Good luck out there.

[NJGolfer72]

Take a look at the Ladies clubs from www.golfworks.com. Maltby is an excellent designer and his clubs are surely better than you'll find at Costco.

[Paka]

Thank you for the advice, mozgolf and NJGolfer72!

It is too bad the Hope set doesn't have a stand bag, but then, I also have my pull cart for it also so it isn't a biggie. I've decided to go ahead and take a shot at a couple auctions for this set in hopes of getting a good price.

I'm also going to try to pick up some golf shoes while I'm at it-- used is cool here, too.

[Solutions Etcetera]

Many good recommendations here Paka, but before I would make one (presuming that I would even be qualified), I would ask you to carefully consider what it is about the old Dinos that makes them ready for replacement.

First... what are they? How do they feel (dead, heavy, light, harsh)? When your inconsistent... how do you most often miss them (fat, thin, left, right, all of the above).

What do you like best about them? What do you hate most about them? I am sure there are some real bargains out there... another brand not mentioned here that make great bargain clubs is Mitsushiba (and have pretty reasonable graphite shafts for a bargain club - if you think graphite would help), but I can't honestly recommend what would be good for you without more info.

[Paka]

Here is my current set, bought when I was about 16, and used then-

 

 

Rawlings woods, Hogan irons, and a putter that I think may have honestly come off a putt-putt (looks cool and works ok though, lol). Nothing really bad about them besides the condition of the woods, but I've noticed I've done better and feel more comfortable when borrowing others' actual ladies' clubs. I've never been terribly crazy about the feel, and when I'm really off, I can be as bad as they come. When I'm on, however, I can be pretty accurate with the irons. At my height I can sort of get away with using men's clubs, but I don't think it is a good idea. Plus, given my horrible lack of strength, I figured it was time to switch. The bag is fine of course, but if I get a new complete set figured it was time for a change there too.

 

As a sidenote, the old Delta 7 wood will stay with me. ;) It belonged to my grandmother who is now gone... now SHE was a good golfer, haha, and was the only woman in her club for a long time to ever have a hole-in-one. I don't use it much, but like to carry it.

 

Edit- Oh yeah, forgot where the old sand wedge in the shot came from-- but it works ok.

[Paka]

Well, thanks to a member here, I now will have my shoes at a great price! So glad I found this board!

I had forgotten too-- those Rawlings woods were actually an upgrade that came a little after I bought the rest; you should have seen the woods I had before... true antiques, lol.

Anyways, one auction I was watching went higher than $200 and it has shipping charges too, so I think I'm just going to go ahead and do the $200 BIN with free shipping (I wonder why people will do that on auctions when the same thing is available right then cheaper, from someone with even better f/b?). It should hold be until I can really save up for a better investment.

[Paka]

New clubs are here, whoo-hooo!! Pretty good for free shipping! It was funny, we were headed out down the street when we saw the FedEx guy coming down, figured it might be them, so turned around.

 

Anyways, going to go to the course tomorrow and hit a few buckets before the football games start. Only advantage with my old ones have is that the grips on my Hogans are a little better. Swinging them around here a little, I love the feel-- this is also the advantage these had over the Top Flite set; that I had a chance before to handle them in person at Costco so I knew more of what I was getting.

 

 

[kiwidave]

[quote name='mozgolf' post='852569' date='Jan 7 2008, 11:26 PM']Square Two is not an Adams club. Square Two is a stand alone company, that specialises in ladies clubs or so the website claims, check them out through www.ladyfairway.com. I dont know anything about them.[/quote]



Pretty sure Adams bought out Square Two last year.

Good luck with the new clubs Paka

[mozgolf]

[quote name='kiwidave' post='860118' date='Jan 12 2008, 07:42 AM'][quote name='mozgolf' post='852569' date='Jan 7 2008, 11:26 PM']Square Two is not an Adams club. Square Two is a stand alone company, that specialises in ladies clubs or so the website claims, check them out through www.ladyfairway.com. I dont know anything about them.[/quote]



Pretty sure Adams bought out Square Two last year.

Good luck with the new clubs Paka
[/quote]


Yeah I think you are right, I read something to that effect after I had posted.

Paka, good luck with your new sticks

[Merlin_T]

Congrats: I'm very happy for you

Good games & have fun

[Paka]

Thanks, all!

Sad day today... our pet bun, who has been sick and at the vet, passed away.

We did go out and hit some balls today. Very happy with my clubs! I'm hitting the driver pretty consistently though still slicing a tiny bit-- I love how much lighter it feels than my other one. Irons are great, though the two hybrids I wasn't hitting well at all, at first. Getting used to them, though, and had some good shots later on. The 5 wood was super, and though I had some really bad shots with it, also hit the 3 wood good some too. I practiced putting for awhile too, and this might be the club I'm happiest with though I love 'em all... I was really putting pretty good for a change.

Here are some shots, and I actually have a few videos we took of my swing when we got there; every time we tried a video though I messed up, haha, stage fright or something-

[url="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v57/bucfanpaka/Golf/"]http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v57/bucfanpaka/Golf/[/url]

[18th Legion]

[quote name='mozgolf' post='860196' date='Jan 12 2008, 02:39 AM'][quote name='kiwidave' post='860118' date='Jan 12 2008, 07:42 AM'][quote name='mozgolf' post='852569' date='Jan 7 2008, 11:26 PM']Square Two is not an Adams club. Square Two is a stand alone company, that specialises in ladies clubs or so the website claims, check them out through www.ladyfairway.com. I dont know anything about them.[/quote]

Pretty sure Adams bought out Square Two last year.

Good luck with the new clubs Paka
[/quote]

Yeah I think you are right, I read something to that effect after I had posted.

Paka, good luck with your new sticks
[/quote]

Yes Adams purchased Square Two. Go to squaretwo.com, the site iis under construction but you'll notice the address is the same as Adams Headquarters.