Fun Game: Build a bag for 10 capper

rukahs · August 11, 2023

Friend of mine is looking to reset his whole bag into something more forgiving, currently plays gear that is way above his league so looking for something more suitable. Driver to putter. I won't mention what he has yet.

I have offered my advice but curious what you fine bunch recommend. He is a good ball striker @ 10 handicap, plays stiff/x stiff shafts and currently games a newport putter.

Go crazy with a modest budget. Think 1 to 2 year old max forgiving equipment without being full GI. Nothing this generation as his budget won't allow.

🙂 thanks

Edited August 11, 2023 by rukahs

spring70 · August 11, 2023

Ping G400 Max

Cally Maverick Max 3 & 5 Wood

Ping G410 Hybrid

Mizuno HM919

Ping Glide 3 wedges

Any putter he wants, putter forgiveness is over sold

eric61 · August 11, 2023

I'm about the same level as your friend, so I can share what I'd do.

Driver: Ping G425 Max or LST. You can still buy these new, so I'd suggest a demo at a big box store to figure out what your friend's launch/peak height look like and whether he needs more or less spin, and choose the model and loft that way. Then I'd buy a used one for well under $300. Another option here would be a used TSi2 ... I've seen some super cheap lately. Rogue ST Max could fit the bill, as well; he can grab one cheap on Callaway Preowned when they have a good sale running.

Fairway woods: Ping G410 or G425 Max if he needs flatter lie angles; Rogue ST Max if more upright works for him. You can get great deals on either, and both options are super easy to hit. I have a G430 Max 3W in my bag right now and love it, but other than sound, it's really not that different from previous models, so he wouldn't be losing out on much at all by going with a previous generation.

Hybrids: Hit up Callaway Preowned to get some good-as-new stuff for cheap. Not sure what his game really needs. If he wants hybrids to serve a pure iron replacement sort of role, Rogue ST Pro. If he wants something with more oomph, Epic Super Hybrid or Rogue ST Max.

Another thought on all of these woods and hybrids: I've seen some Cobra Radspeed stuff at closeout prices. I also know if he hits up Discount Dan's for quotes with the specs he wants, he can probably get some incredible prices for LTDx stuff. That was last year's model and it's great, good-looking, and seems it would fit the bill here. Radspeed XB or standard LTDx in the driver, standard Radspeed or standard LTDx in the woods and hybrids. Or look for the models called XD or Max if he wants draw bias.

Irons: If he's a 10 handicap and a solid ball striker, I'm assuming he's losing strokes off the tee or around the greens ... which means irons are really down to personal preferences; aside from super-unforgiving stuff like blades, he could probably play whatever suits his eye and gives him the distances he's looking for. I play i230s and don't need more forgiveness. Some used i210s might be a great way to go -- it's simple to send them to Ping to get them adjusted for cheap to the right lie angle and other specs for him. I think the Callaway Apex line would be another place I'd look, the '19 and '21 models since the '24 are about to be released.

Wedges: I would buy wedges new, not used. But he could get a great deal on previous models like Vokey SM8, Cleveland RTX Zipcore, etc.

Putter: I don't know, how's he doing with his current one? For me personally, I found a putter fitting and dialing in the right loft and lie angle made a huge difference. I'd spend his money getting fitted into the optimum specs on his current putter, probably. And if that fitting reveals he needs something totally different, then a used Odyssey putter that meets whatever specs he needs could be pretty cheap, and older models are totally fine -- as recent winners on the PGA Tour have shown! Cleveland's Frontline stuff is also pretty good-looking and would be a nice place to look.

rukahs · August 11, 2023

Great info @eric61 thank you 💯

Ping was also my suggestion so you're both agreeing on that part.

J_Tizzle · August 11, 2023

Yeah I'd probably just go straight down the discounted G425 list and buy that stuff.

gator022 · August 11, 2023

I agree with @eric61, @rukahs , and @J_Tizzle

The RTX Zipcore's new are a steal right now. Also the t22's on wedges. One the driver side, you can also find some deals on new Mizuno STZ 220's. I found one on eBay for $211 shipped brand new. Crazy forgiving.

PlatinumNike · August 11, 2023

5 hours ago, gator022 said:

I agree with @eric61, @rukahs , and @J_Tizzle

The RTX Zipcore's new are a steal right now. Also the t22's on wedges. One the driver side, you can also find some deals on new Mizuno STZ 220's. I found one on eBay for $211 shipped brand new. Crazy forgiving.

Got if 3 set of RTX 6 Zipcore new for $300