Help me strategize

[Roejye]

So, I won the full bag fitting from club champion contest and I'm having my fitting on the 29th. The problem is I actually feel good about my current bag, and my budget is the $1500 from the contest. I originally had a plan of getting wedges custom fit, trying to find a shaft for my driver, looking at a putter and maybe something else for the top of the bag. 

 

Problem is, I was reading various threads (dangerous I know) and many have said custom fit wedges on mats are a bad idea. Also, the fact that eventually Cleveland will hopefully be coming out with the CBX zipcore at some point. Also, the only wedge that might need replacing is my 56° sand wedge, so maybe I'll just hold off on wedges and treat myself in the spring next year.

 

I could go irons, but that could be the entire budget and like I've said, I like what I have right now, so maybe look at different shafts for them?

Fairway woods/top of the bag, I don't use my 3 wood a whole lot and I'm pretty satisfied with it too, my "5 wood" is one of my favorite clubs to hit, and I'm okay with my 4 and 5 hybrids.

 

Basically the only thing I'm certain on is tweaking my driver, and that will probably be just a shaft, and looking at putters.

 

I am not looking for any specific clubs to try out, just recommendations on strategy/areas to focus on.

 

Edited October 25, 2021 by Roejye
Formatting

[eric61]

It's so hard to recommend buying irons or wedges from Club Champion, given what they charge for shafts that come free and installed by most brands. 

 

Just some thoughts...

 

I know a lot of people are skeptical about the expensive $200/$250-ish graphite putter shafts, but that might be one area to explore and see if they make any difference for you, since you're looking at a putter anyway? That, plus a driver shaft, could put you at around $1,000 already. 

 

I know you don't want to touch anything in the 3 wood through 5 hybrid area. But are there any days where you wish you had something a little different in the bag -- for example, replacing the 5 wood with a driving iron if it's windy? Or any new specialty type clubs (Apex UW was one for me, just as an example) that have piqued your interest? No harm in an impulse buy just to try something you've been wanting to try, if so! After all, you won this for free, it's not coming out of your pocket. 

 

If the answer to those questions is no, then reshafting your irons would seem to make sense if your current shafts aren't doing what you want. And if you don't find iron shafts that are a clear upgrade, I'd just go ahead and go with the wedges, knowing you can always get lie angles adjusted, etc., if you need to once you have them and test them outside. 

[doc52]

From my experience with CC, $1,500 will not go very far.

 

I enjoyed my fitting, but as stated above, some standard items from manufacturers are not free when CC builds your clubs (grips and shafts come to mind).

 

With $1,500 you'd be lucky to come away with a putter and driver. Can't wait to see what you get into.

[Abh159]

Although I think putter fittings are overrated and in 99% of cases unnecessary, it seems like that would be your best option considering how you feel about your current bag. 

 

After a putter fitting, a new putter, and an upgraded shaft (assuming that is what they will put you in) you're looking at $500+ at least. Use the rest on a new driver shaft plus a few wedges and you're all set. 

[Roejye]

2 hours ago, eric61 said:

replacing the 5 wood with a driving iron if it's windy? Or any new specialty type clubs (Apex UW was one for me, just as an example

That was something I was thinking about, a driving iron or hybrid wood type club for specifically when it's windy/the driver absolutely is misbehaving.

[Roejye]

2 hours ago, Abh159 said:

Although I think putter fittings are overrated and in 99% of cases unnecessary

I feel the same way in regards to putter fittings, but I am most intrigued in what it may reveal about my stroke.

Edited October 25, 2021 by Roejye
Fat fingers

[R5Two]

I think putter and driver are great ideas to focus on because they are (in my opinion) the two clubs that when hit well have the largest positive correlation to lower scores. Especially if you like your irons. 

 

I recently went to a stiffer shaft in my wedges and I am glad I did. When my guy fits me I always start on the mat, do lie board, get trajectory dialed in. Not hitting from grass does stink, but not a deal breaker for me. I think if you have to have an idea about what grinds you like, and what your typical course conditions are. I typically bump up in bounce as I play pretty soft conditions. I really think all the wedges are so good now it's all feel and what you like to see at address shape wise. I can feel weather or not I like a wedge off a mat no issue. 

 

Another idea would be to check out the WTB forum and work a deal to get someone what they want and pocket the cash until you want to get fitted. not as much fun, but an option. Congratulations and goodluck! 

[Nels55]

It sounds like you are doing an all in one day fitting? If possible I would try to stretch it out over two or three days.  I did the full bag fitting in one day and it was okay but kind of an overload.  Once you get fitted and you get the recommendations for everything I would strongly recommend going home to think about it for a while before making any decisions about how to spend the money.  Also I expect that they just might try to upsell you on getting the whole bag with the $1500 discount.  Anyway good luck and enjoy the experience!

[scooterhd2]

not sure why you signed for the full bag fitting if you feel good about your full bag. 

[b.helts]

55 minutes ago, scooterhd2 said:

not sure why you signed for the full bag fitting if you feel good about your full bag. 

This is a pretty easy one. Use your noodle. 
 

It’s the “if it’s free give me three” mentality. 

[btyh]

With the limited funds I would try getting wedges and a putter 

[Roejye]

59 minutes ago, scooterhd2 said:

not sure why you signed for the full bag fitting if you feel good about your full bag. 

Umm, you do realize this is golfwrx right? 😉

 

Seriously though, I've never had a true custom fit, all of my"fittings" were more the demo type of trying a few different ones and choose what's best. Usually stock options or what is available. Also, as @b.helts said- it's free so why not throw my hat in the ring, and because I don't really need anything I feel I can do some fine tuning/luxury purchases.

[Davidv]

Sell the prize fitting, sounds like otherwise you will be wasting time, and money.

[mogc60]

The three most important clubs in your bag

Driver, wedge, putter. 
My focus would be those. The rest is filler metal. 80% of your shots are with those 3 clubs. 
It’s an awesome opportunity to educate yourself so congrats on your prize and enjoy the experience. It’s free…you can’t lose regardless 

Edited October 26, 2021 by mogc60

[Jamie_Tee]

Go there with an open mind and see where they can improve your game the most.  Maybe they will surprise you.

[Myherobobhope]

41 minutes ago, Jamie_Tee said:

Go there with an open mind and see where they can improve your game the most.  Maybe they will surprise you.

Yeah, this is the correct answer… do the whole bag fitting you one and see where your biggest gains are. Spend the winnings on that… 

 

just keep going until you are out of money. 
 

id agree you don’t want to be fit for wedges on mats, but they can still probably give you some useful information.

[wsupjs]

The contest was for a free full bag fitting, and then $1,500 to spend on clubs, correct? If so, then your question is really how to maximize the value of the $1,500 budget, rather than where to focus the fitting.

 

Given their markups and the fact you like your irons, your best bet is probably to focus on the bookends of the bag, with a combo (likely 2 out of 3) of an exotic shaft for your driver, speciality club you wouldn't buy yourself (Driving iron, UW, etc.), and a custom putter.

[Roejye]

7 hours ago, wsupjs said:

The contest was for a free full bag fitting, and then $1,500 to spend on clubs, correct? If so, then your question is really how to maximize the value of the $1,500 budget, rather than where to focus the fitting.

 

Given their markups and the fact you like your irons, your best bet is probably to focus on the bookends of the bag, with a combo (likely 2 out of 3) of an exotic shaft for your driver, speciality club you wouldn't buy yourself (Driving iron, UW, etc.), and a custom putter.

Thanks, after reading the responses I'm going to go in open minded, but with this being the main strategy.

[dubbelbogey]

I would go with those that are least impacted by indoor conditions (i.e. mats). To me, this means driver and putter.