What worked for you to stop buying stuff all the time?

[tocino]

I haven't really purchased any golf club related gear outside of some grips. Unfortunately i shifted focus onto building a golf sim in my garage now. It's probably worse going in this direction compared to trying to upgrade every year due to the startup costs but at least once its done I won't have to do much in the way of upgrading (lol famous last words...)

[phizzy30]

I still have a club ho problem but it's gotten a lot better in that it's only for driver now.  I bought a new set of irons last year because the ones I had were almost 10 years old.  My putter has been in my bag for a solid 10 years now and it's not leaving anytime soon.  I still have my 10 year old hybrid and the only modification I'm making to it is replacing the first gen Thump shaft I have in it for a Ventus Black 9TX.  My point is that I've toned it down quite a bit but if I could come to terms with driver, I would cleanse the club ho in me, lol.  

[JAM01]

Decided very recently to become a minimalist golfer, carrying a light weight bag and 8 clubs. No rotation, just those 8. But of course, I started working on putting in a garage simulator….

 

[jah7838]

For me, it was when I started working at a golf store and had access to a CG2.  I realized that I only hit the ball so far, and the differences between the irons style that I prefer were minimal.  I found a set that I liked while working there and played that for 4ish years.  That set was the Cobra Fly Z+ with the DGTI s400 shafts.  My next set of irons that I won here on Golfwrx (PTx Pros from Ben Hogan), I put the shafts from the Fly Z+ irons in those, and then bent the lofts and lie angles to the same specs.  My current set of Srixon ZX7s have the same shafts and lofts as the Fly Z+ irons.  I know how far I hit each iron, and it's made things a lot simpler.  

 

My hybrids and 4 iron slot hasn't changed much.  I've tinkered here and there with those, but have kept coming back to the original Adams XTD grey 19* Super Hybrid with a VTS 103g stiff flex shaft in it, and my 4 iron spot has been the Adams Super 9031 23* for almost 10 years now for both clubs. 

 

Drivers change, but those seem to be a little easier to dial in now, and wedges are wedges.  I do tinker with shafts, which is probably my main money pit.  I've gotten better about that lately, but still keep an eye on ebay for stuff I want to try out.  If I change drivers, it's because the newer models give me some more consistency on mishits.  If I pick up a few extra yards, that's a plus.  I currently hit my SIM2 well, but initial testing of the Stealth shows some better numbers for me on mishits.  

 

I've found success with TM and Cleveland wedges, so I don't stray too far from them.  Putters don't change very often, but I'll try stuff out here and there.  I tend to go back to an Anser style putter eventually.   

[NZ315]

2 hours ago, drumdude96 said:

I have never stopping buying.  It is a bit of a sickness.  But I realized that for me, the newer irons are no better than older stuff in the forged player's CB category.  So I sold all my newer irons and have bought a few sets of older forgings that are still in great condition.  My gamers are MP 30's, and I have a nice set of Hogan Edge and a really nice set of Adams a4 forged irons that I just got.  Compared to new sets, they might as well have been free.  And I know I'll play just as well with them as anything new, maybe even better.  I had a set of i210's and frankly, they weren't that great for me.  Too much bounce.  I bought several older Titleist fairway woods last year in the 904f and 906f lines.  They are incredibly good woods.  And CHEAP now!  I buy wedges when I get good deals on them, because they wear out a lot faster than other clubs.  I got a brand new Wilson Staff Model 60 degree for only $60.  It's good to be a lefty sometimes.  I got a matching 56 degree for only $75 I think, new as well. They are still in the plastic and will get used when my T20's lose their mojo.  The newest club in my bag is a SIM2 Max driver that I got for $330.  I haven't even got to hit it yet, so hopefully it lives up to the hype.  

It's fun to be able to change things up in the bag, or just have multiple full sets like I do.  It may not be the greatest thing to do as far as being consistent, but it at least keeps me from getting bored with a set.  When I want a change, I just grab a different bag and head out the door.  I think the Adams bag I'm putting together is going to be REALLY good.  Super S driver, Super LS 3 wood and 19 degree hybrid, a12 Pro 23 degree hybrid, a4 forged 5-PW, MB2 50* GW, and MacGregor MT Pro forged 56 and 60 (not really loving any of the Adams specialty wedge offerings for lefties).  Gonna be a fun year. Especially because I left the CC and am rejoining the muni where all my friends are.  I realized the people you play golf with are more important than the course you play on.  Bye-bye snobs! 

Haha guess you do have a problem with buying stuff!!

Hear you 100% with CC snobs. Even if you do have a few good friend to play with the snobs are still there. 
Have fun playing with the Boyz. I am now a member of a public course lots of good peoples . 

[Jeff58]

This thread is like having an AA meeting in a bar where all the liquor is free.

Edited January 20, 2022 by Jeff58

[ezra76]

3 hours ago, cgallery said:

This is 100% true... winter is the worst 

Same here. I go a while between playing or range then have 1 bad day and I'm thinking I need to try something new. 

 

The worst part is going to hit clubs in a store and they seem good there, then not so much once I get them and then the cycle repeats. 

 

I went on vacation last week and had some older borrowed clubs. I did not trust the driver so used the R11 15.5 Rflex 3wood and split 10fairways at 230-240. I was swinging easier/smoother thinking I needed to with the Rflex and low and behold had a great round off the tee.  

 

Come back home to my slightly used Epic Max driver that arrived while I was gone. Hit it like total garbage today.  Now I'm looking around at 13.5-14.5 degree 3woods. 

Edited January 19, 2022 by ezra76

[Shanker84]

Something that has sort of worked for me (I hope) is having a couple different options with different purposes. That way if something changes with my skill or swing, I'm covered. 

 

I have two sets of irons, one is plenty forgiving but still nice looking and enjoyable to play. The other is more of a players set and both are set to my specs so can play either ones and both are easy to bend so if something changes I don't need a new set I can just have them tweaked. Then I have a regular flex ping sft for when my swing is bad and I'm slicing it. A cobra with a ventus blue for when I'm playing well and swinging fast. All of my woods and hybrids are adjustable as well. I also have a blade putter, a mallet and an arm lock putter so regardless of what putter style I want to use, I just grab it from the garage. 

 

I spent a lot to get there but for me I'm more interested in something that works better for me and my swing vs. just a fancy thing that came out and might give me two extra yards. This way I have all the basis covered and can make adjustments to whatever I need without having to buy anything new. Another benefit is when family comes up, I have a complete extra set that they can use. 

[CobbTiger]

Someone said stay off EBAY.  I'm the other way around.  I will buy a club if I think its a great deal, or has a shaft that fits my profile perfectly.  If I don't like the club, then I go to resell it after a 30 day trial of range and rounds.  

 

Recently I got a 24 deg Cobra hybrid with an Oban Revenge shaft.  Couldn't believe the low price I paid (low in my mind anyway).  I have taken it to the range three times now.  What a great club to have.  Waiting on a ZX five wood to deliver today.   Primarily purchased for the LINQ shaft.  

 

If I don't like the club, then I sell it.  I don't mind selling at a small loss considering freight charges.  Part of the fun in it.

[Skaffa77]

Not sure I'm completely over buying equipment as I did get a TSi3, TSi2 and SIM Max in the last year, but overall my spending is down significantly.  As much as I love golf, I think the infatuation with trying to buy my game has passed.  Essentially, I've hit the law of diminishing returns.  For a period of time, I'd find something new that would seemingly help my game in a measurable or significant way (new driver/shaft combo that improves my launch and spin, wedges with proper bounce, putter with weight and length that fit me best, etc), but as I've purchased more and more over the years, it's not had quite the same level of improvement. 

 

I have a room of golf equipment (full bags - irons, wedges, woods, etc) and I probably stick to 3 or 4 bags consistently which is usually because of the irons (MC501, MP20, MP5).  I think purchasing golf equipment for me was always about the search and hope for the next best thing that would make my game that much better.  Ultimately, through a lot of trial and error, I've come to accept my game and relative skill level with the time I have to put into it.  It's very possible for me to improve my scoring, but it'll likely not come through the next purchase.

 

It doesn't mean something won't entice me to purchase it, but it's a lot slower than it used to be..

[lefthack]

3 hours ago, Abh159 said:

Once you accept the fact that buying new equipment isn't going to improve your scores then you'll stop. There are a lot of "the grass is always greener" people in golf. Don't be one of those people.

 

If you want to get better... go practice, go play, or take lessons.

 

For me, I'm a consumer, that's what I do. Being lefty, if I go to the store and hit everything in there, it's 1 driver, a set of irons and maybe a hybrid because that's all they have. 

 

So I read on here, reviews online, watch eBay and will eventually snipe something if I look at it more than a few times. If it doesn't work out, I put it back on eBay and USUALLY get at least what I paid. $14 shipping is the club rental fee. Sometimes I might even make a buck, then I buy 2. 🤣

[Abh159]

2 minutes ago, lefthack said:

 

For me, I'm a consumer, that's what I do. Being lefty, if I go to the store and hit everything in there, it's 1 driver, a set of irons and maybe a hybrid because that's all they have. 

 

So I read on here, reviews online, watch eBay and will eventually snipe something if I look at it more than a few times. If it doesn't work out, I put it back on eBay and USUALLY get at least what I paid. $14 shipping is the club rental fee. Sometimes I might even make a buck, then I buy 2. 🤣

 

Understandable. My brother is a lefty so I feel your pain!

 

A buck if fine. Just don't make too many bucks this year unless you want to fill out those extra tax forms come April 😉.

[lefthack]

Just now, Abh159 said:

 

Understandable. My brother is a lefty so I feel your pain!

 

A buck if fine. Just don't make too many bucks this year unless you want to fill out those extra tax forms come April 😉.

 

If I break even I consider it a win. It supports my habit.

[drumdude96]

Just now, Abh159 said:

 

Understandable. My brother is a lefty so I feel your pain!

 

A buck if fine. Just don't make too many bucks this year unless you want to fill out those extra tax forms come April 😉.

Yep.  I won't be selling on ebay anymore, and I bet a lot of other people won't either.  Ebay is going to lose their azz.  I understand they were against this change set forth by the government, but either way, they are gonna be hurting. I will be selling a bit on here, maybe some CL, FB marketplace, all just under the $600 reporting limit.  I'm not hiring an expensive CPA to do my taxes because I sold some golf clubs at a loss and have to prove I didn't make a profit. Screw that!

[drumdude96]

3 minutes ago, lefthack said:

 

If I break even I consider it a win. It supports my habit.

He's talking about the new $600 limit for online sales before you have to report it on your taxes.  Last year it was $20,000 AND over 200 transactions.  Now it's a paltry $600 with no minimum number of transactions.  If you make a profit, then you should always report it on your taxes.  But for those of us (probably the majority) who sell clubs at a loss, it's just a giant pain in the azz now. 

[forrester_fire]

Nothing, really.  I just refuse to deal with buying new stuff (drivers) constantly only to find the new one is, at best, marginally better than what I already have, taking a loss, and dealing with the hassle of selling it.  I play a driver for 5 years whether or not it "works" for me.  My next driver will be through a fitting, and I'll keep it in the bag for at least another 5 years. 

[LHGolf4]

I have been afflicted by this condition for years.   When I had small periods of sanity is when I stopped looking at ebay, golf websites, etc., but I would eventually fail and buy something I did not need.  What finally broke my habit was sticking with clubs that gave me the performance I wanted and stop looking for the next best thing.  Like right now my driver is having an issue hitting an occasional hard hook, normally that would go find a potential replacement to try out.  I know that driver was working fine last month so just tough it out and work through it.  Cost and lack of availability is helping me stick with what I have as well.  

[Joselo]

it has not helped me at all that a new PXG store opened so close to my home

just pulled the trigger on a driver and a hybrid

 

i exercised restriction and didn't go for the putter tho 😅

[95124hacker]

Cancel your WRX account or browse other sub-forums other than the Equipment & BST forums (although the club making & clothing/accessories can be dangerous too).  Then, smash your computer/tablet & cancel your credit cards & PayPal.

[Joselo]

27 minutes ago, 95124hacker said:

Cancel your WRX account or browse other sub-forums other than the Equipment & BST forums (although the club making & clothing/accessories can be dangerous too).  Then, smash your computer/tablet & cancel your credit cards & PayPal.

 

who knows if that might do the trick

better not try

 

[philly2kuk]

Having a child and then getting a dog worked wonders for my reducing my golf club spend. Bought a new putter, driver (on huge discount) and sand wedge and they’re my first new clubs in two years!

[agood3putt]

10 minutes ago, philly2kuk said:

Having a child and then getting a dog worked wonders for my reducing my golf club spend. Bought a new putter, driver (on huge discount) and sand wedge and they’re my first new clubs in two years!

 

Wife had my son in February of 2021, told myself I wouldnt buy any golf equipment....

 

Radspeed XB Driver

Radspeed FW

Sub70 Irons

Cleveland Wedges

ZX Hybrid

Spider putter

 

(ya who was I kidding)

[Motoboss]

Go on Social Security,,,,,,that’ll cure ya!

[BallerNate]

Overdose!! I flipped my bag 4 times in 2021, bought 92 clubs and 8 bags, Lol!!

 

Now I feel completely maxed out and want nothing more than to have a stable bag in 2022!

 

That being said, I just bought a Srixon Driving Iron and a Stealth Plus 3W, but I swear I’ll be done once those are in the bag! 😉🤣

[lefthack]

1 hour ago, philly2kuk said:

Having a child and then getting a dog worked wonders for my reducing my golf club spend. Bought a new putter, driver (on huge discount) and sand wedge and they’re my first new clubs in two years!

 

That worked for me for about 18 years. With the kids grown, there is "extra" in the he budget. Except now I've spent about $300 outfitting my grandson and he is loving it. My son and daughter were meh. 

[GolfTurkey]

This thread should be locked for blasphemy

[HoosierHacker89]

I never really aspire to "stop", but i do have years where I slow down. I don't buy clubs like i used to, and I am fine with that. I probably buy a new club or two every year, and that is about all I have time for. Full time job, family, saving for retirement, and other hobbies all take up my funds and time now. I can't really say any new club really do it for me anymore. The last clubs I got really excited about were my 765 irons and a nome putter. I don't have either anymore. I buy things I want when I want them. I try to find a good deal, and the cost of used clubs these days makes this process much slower.

 

I did just pick up a rapture v2 driver though! First time in 10 years i'll own that. Its still my all time favorite big stick. I am hoping to rekindle some old memories!

[Striker Ace]

I finally found the setup that works for me in the long run. The journey was 'fun' but it's time to settle down and purely focus on game play.

[RogerinNewZealand]

Sell stuff 50% of the time...isnt it obvious..than diversify..all Callaway...all Ping...all Mizuno..etc so after ten years on wrx your back to where i started..Mizuno and mp62 and mp100 being 33s. Was it worth the ride? Of course!

[jsmcdon]

If I moved somewhere warm I'd probably stop buying so much or pondering. The winter is awful for me because that's all I do is ponder and buy.. Towards the end of the season I bought some irons, probably played 10 rounds if that with them and I'm already off to the next. This happens all the time..