Looking for advice

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By Gabrisgolf

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  • 8 Replies
  1. Gabrisgolf

    Gabrisgolf
    Cape May Courthouse, NJ

    Military

    How’s it going? Since not many people know who I am, I’m Joe, I’m 25, a Coast Guard veteran, a currently a stay at home dad (to 3 kids), and I take classes online.

    Before I start, I just want to say I don’t mean for this to be a sob story, I’m really just looking for advice, it’s just easier for me to tell my story in doing so.

    Well I started learning to play golf in August of 2011. I started right off the bat with lessons. I first learned with my dads blades and woods from the 80’s. After getting a good grip on things my dad surprised me with a full set of Titleist clubs. 913 driver, woods, and hybrid and AP2 712’s as well as that years vokeys, and an older Scotty that we found on EBay.

    I used and loved those clubs until about a year and a half ago. As my golf game got much better, I started thinking about actually getting fit for clubs. So that’s what I did, I booked an appointment at Club Champion and off I went.

    I really enjoyed getting fit for clubs. It was fun and made me feel that it could help take my game to the next level. The only thing was I wasn’t in love with the clubs I was fit for like my Titleist set. Looking back, it is very clear that the fitters only goal was to get me more distance in every club except driver. I was fit into a PXG putter, Cleveland RTX wedges, png G700 irons, and cally Epic Flash sub zero woods and driver. At the fitting I was told that my Titleist 913h hybrid was already my best option.

    After getting my new set, I did see a big change in my scores. But I wasn’t so happy with a few things in my swing, so I started working on fixing it. This is when everything changed. As my swing began getting better and more efficient, the performance of the clubs went down hill. My iron distances became severely inconsistent, my ability to hit driver 270 or more was gone, and more. I feel as if the only clubs in my bag I can trust are my putter and that trust old 913h hybrid.

    I practice daily, I practice with launch monitors when possible, and I have all the confidence in my swing but almost none in my equipment. This is where I need advice. I don’t know what to do. I thought of trying to get refit for clubs but I don’t have the money to do so since I’m a stay at home dad and unemployed. It’s frustrating for me because I’ve sat at a 2 handicap for a while and I desperately want to take my game to the next level. I’ve been planning to start playing professionally for a while but now I don’t know when I’ll be able to do so. I am open to all suggestions and advice and I hope everyone keeps hitting it long and straight.

  2. Chris92009

    Chris92009
    Ohio

    Aside from equipment which can always be upgraded (when using older items), I would consider tracking your statistics in terms of scrambling and putts made from specific distances. This can be done inexpensively and will make difference overall in your practice with a purpose theme. I have heard many tour players talk about what percentage of putts made from 6-15 feet being a critical stat. Just some random thoughts, good luck!

    Chris
  3. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Thank you for your service.

    Being a Titleist end-user forum, going to brand agnostic club fitter with the option for all the major OEM's is about as appealing as going to an ice cream store with 31 flavors when all we want is the best vanilla on the market. They don't promote that there. Going forward, finding a pro shop, especially if you can travel to a Premier fitting center, and working with that location will get you the best guidance. Titleist Thursdays are an excellent service, provided the dates and your need/finances intersect. Most pro shops will reduce/remove a fitting fee based on the level of your purchase. You can utilize a Titleist Thursday to compare segments of your bag that you don't trust and replace over time if you like the Titleist product better.

    Most of us have moved to all/predominate Titleist equipment over time. Moving to a full bag is certainly not an inconsequential purchase. Before adding wedges and hybrids, I like to get to know my irons so I can fill in gaps better. I won't know if I can hit a 5 iron well enough to not replace it with a hybrid until I hit it.
  4. Erich F

    Erich F
    NY

    First of all, thank you for your service! Second, my giving advice to a 2 who sounds like they will soon be a +, is like a brick layer telling a pastry chef how to make dessert. Hopefully you will find the right gear to reach your goals, starting with a Premier fitting would be a good start.
  5. LaGolfer

    LaGolfer

    I don’t know if you are in the same boat I was in Me personally I upgraded to titleist t200 and t2 driver after I got fitted my game was horrible but I found out my problem I was scared to scuff up the clubs after I got passed the fear of putting a scratch on these babies I got comfortable enough and my scores getting lower
  6. Alex N

    Alex N
    Florida

    Military
    Don’t focus on the equipment so much. Personally, I’m not a very long hitter and never have been. My drives on average go about 265 and my 7 iron distance is 155. But I’ve gone from a 10 to a 4 handicap in 8 months simply because I’ve worked on my short game a ton. I spend about 6 hours a week working on it and it’s shaved more strokes off my game than anything. I hope you can get your game where you want it. Good luck!
  7. Jonathan Smith

    Jonathan Smith
    Charlotte, NC

    It seems that you may have to go the used club route if funds are an issue...
  8. Dave M

    Dave M

    I agree with Don, focus on the part of your set you are least happy with and look to see what kind of trade-in or resale value the clubs have to help take the financial sting out of new clubs. As a 2 handicapper, nothing wrong with playing the G700's, but typically that is geared for a player seeking max distance/forgiveness. You may see a better ball flight and distance control with the T100's or T200's. However, I would start with wedges, get them properly fit, gapped, grind, bounce etc. Fresh grooves on the scoring clubs will make a big difference. Wedges are like tires, eventually they wear down and need to be replaced.
  9. Diego D

    Diego D
    Miami, FL

    If I were you, I would go to a Titleist Thursday. It is free and comprehensive enough to get a good idea of what clubs suit you better. As you said, it seems that you went for forgiveness and distance (G700s) rather than clubs which would give you a better shotmaking range for a 2 handicapper.

    Thank you for your service and good look becoming a pro.

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