Need a couple club ideas after many years off the course

[grumblers]

Title sums it up.  I played a lot when I was younger, and recently (now 41) started again.  Joined a club, and signed up for a few lessons to break some habits (stop overswinging and slicing off the tee).  Played a bit on *old* borrowed clubs and hit mid 90s.  I don't consider that too terrible since I haven't played in 15+ yrs.

 

I plan to piece together a cheap set and get back to some level of consistency before getting a proper fitting.  This is what I've managed to get so far:

2016 Mizuno JPX EZ Driver

Mizuno JPX 800 5 Wood 18*

5-PW Ping i15 irons 27*-46*

 

I'm all in to the above for about $350, which seems decent.

 

-I need to close that 18*-27* gap.  Any recommendations on a 4 or 4-5 hybrid?  Really prefer just one club for now.

 

-Wedges seem difficult to find used in decent shape.  I am tempted to splurge on a new Cleveland CBX wedge (56).  If I don't slice off the tee, I am by far the weakest within 50yds.

 

Any other advice or thoughts are welcome.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

[GatorNate11]

I'd go on the bay/BST and search around for hybrids in the 21°-25° range and I'm sure you can find some dirt cheap options out there. Probably some old Adams hybrids floating around that you could get for an absolute steal. Wedges are a little trickier because it does seem like with used wedges it's almost mandatory to hit a bucket of rocks with them a couple times before you sell them. I'd check the BST on here or post a WTB and see if anyone has any wedges that still have life left in them they're wanting to get rid of. That said, I also think wedges are some of the most beneficial clubs in your bag, so that's not a bad spot to go ahead and bite the bullet and buy something new

[Jeff58]

Used Callaway RAZR Tour hybrid. Still arguably the best hybrid ever created. Should be about $50.

 

Wedges- Taylor made mill grind. Used wedges don’t make a lot of sense generally.
 

As you’ve undoubtedly seen, pricing for current model clubs is little more than a thinly disguised form of robbery. 

[ChipNRun]

Look for a 4 Hybrid. Probably loft around 21°-22°. Both Ping and Mizuno make good hybrids, Ping probably easier to find used. If your slice is pretty much under control, make sure the hybrid doesn't have too much offset, or you will go from slice to hook.

 

13 hours ago, grumblers said:

Wedges seem difficult to find used in decent shape.

 

This is a reality. Even pre-COVID, the golf OEMs had been tightening production on wedges. Recently, lots of Lob Wedges but not much else at end of product run.

 

Another thing: many golfers find they don't like the stock Dynamic Gold wedge flex shafts ( rather heavy). So, in order to get fresh grooves and shafts you like, you may have to go full price on wedges unless you hit it lucky. Unless you find the wedge on the rack slightly used, best bet is probably fall and spring golf expos - once they return. This is where golf retailers and pro shops sell off remaining clubs from previous production/marketing cycle. 

[betarhoalphadelta]

14 hours ago, grumblers said:

 

-Wedges seem difficult to find used in decent shape.  I am tempted to splurge on a new Cleveland CBX wedge (56).  If I don't slice off the tee, I am by far the weakest within 50yds.

 

 

Seems like a perfect candidate for the Kirkland Signature wedges... Your PW is 46 and those wedges are 52/56/60, so there may be a little bigger gap between PW and the 52 than you'd like, but you might be able to bend the PW weaker or the 52 stronger, or both, to gap it out. 

 

But $160 for three brand new wedges to get you back into the game until you decide exactly what you want from a fitting is an easy way to get a good set of wedges without breaking the bank. 

 

Having three wedges IMHO will also be extremely useful, because you can get practice with the different shots you'd like to hit with each. You may determine you're not a 60 guy, and when you build out your "real" set you avoid that wedge. Maybe you'll want to simplify on 54/58, or maybe 56 will be your highest. Or maybe you'll love the 60 but want a low-bounce version in your end set. Either way, it's a cheap experiment in the interim to have all three. 

 

TXG just did a comparison between the Kirkland and Vokey wedges, and came away very impressed. They're quality product if you can get your head around the face that they come from Costco.

[grumblers]

Thanks!  Yeah as long as I'm not spending $250 on a single hybrid I'll be fine.  Ebay has a ton of $100 or less stuff that seems in excellent shape.  Has anyone used the Mavrik hybrids?  I found a Mavrik 23* at the PGA store this weekend that was preowned but looked brand new for $130.  I might go try it out.

 

 

Edited June 2, 2021 by grumblers

[rp4golf]

40 minutes ago, grumblers said:

Thanks!  Yeah as long as I'm not spending $250 on a single hybrid I'll be fine.  Ebay has a ton of $100 or less stuff that seems in excellent shape.  Has anyone used the Mavrik hybrids?  I found a Mavrik 23* at the PGA store this weekend that was preowned but looked brand new for $130.  I might go try it out.

 

 

I haven't had one, hit one a couple of times, but it should be fine.
Seems like the PGASS should have a couple of wedges worth adding as well.
It's not like you're putting together a new bag of fitted clubs.

[MattC555]

I'll second the Kirkland wedges.  They are a terrific value.  I'd go hit a bunch of used hybrids and buy the one you like the most. 

[n_less]

I loved the Taylormade m4 hybrids, very easy to hit, and can be found for pretty cheap.

[grumblers]

Just watched a few YT videos on the Kirkland wedges... They seem to do really well up against clubs 3x the cost.  Nice!

[grumblers]

Found a mint Callaway X2 Hot 22* online for about $60.  Didn't get to hit it; I'll find out how it plays for me in about a week.  🤞🤞