Golf Equipment

[schro]

Guys (and Gals):

As most of you know, I'm an avid golfer (been playing for almost 30 yrs). There are a lot of "avid" golfers that play average golf (shooting in the 90s). Most of the time I shoot in the 70's (my current index is 4.1). I mention my ability not to brag, but to prove a point. Just because I am a pretty serious golfer it doesn't mean I have to use name brand equipment. Companies such as Titleist, Taylor Made, and Ping (to name a few) pay PGA Tour players endorsement fees to use their clubs. Guess what, these endorsement fees are built into the cost of the clubs YOU buy. For example, a set of new Titleist Ap1 irons can run you $899. The new Taylor Made r7 irons, $799. Callaway irons are routinely over $1,000 if you buy graphite shafts. 

Since 2001, I have played a brand of clubs called Snake Eyes. Besides having a very slick logo, they are excellent clubs. The particular iron I play is no longer made, but I'm in no hurry to change. Snake Eyes originally made their mark on the PGA Tour with their wedges. They were in the bags of many tour players, desipte the fact that they don't pay tour endorsement fees. Nowadays, Snake Eyes makes irons, drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, putters, in addition to their wedges. Of the 14 clubs in my bag, 10 are Snake Eyes brand. I'm very serious about my game and wouldn't play with inferior equipment.

The person that built my clubs is Jim McLain out of South Carolina. Even though I live in California, we did a custom fitting over the phone. The cost for the 4 iron thru Gap Wedge (the Gap Wedge is 1/2 way between pitching wedge and sand wedge) was $220!!! For 8 Clubs!!!
Being custom fitted for golf equipment makes a huge difference (doesn't it make more sense to adjust the equipment to you instead of you adjusting to equipment off the rack?).

Anyway, here's Jim's website. http://mclaingolf.com/
If you're getting ready for the golf season and want to spend your Federal Stimulus Package rebate wisely, go get custom fitted equipment!!!

Schro

[PianoMan]

Thanks Schro, I'll look him up.  I've been looking at clubs this spring, but can't justify paying $800 bucks for a new set.  I've been playing with a set of King Cobra knock offs (King Snake hahaha) for over 5 years.  They've actually been a great set of clubs.  How long did it take to get your new set?

I just got out last weekend for the first time this spring.  Leage will be starting in a couple weeks, that is if there isn't snow on the ground! 

[schro]

Jim got them to me in less than a week.
His craftsmanship is top notch, which is why he's won several awards in the industry. He'll work with you and recommend a set based on your ability. It really is a no brainer.

By the way, the founder of Golfsmith is a Sly Bald Guy!!! 

[Timmay]

I play putt putt...does that count?

[schro]

Jim makes putters, so I guess the answer is "yes".

[Marz]

Thats awesome Schro!

I believe I have seen that brand before.

I still play with the Titleist black triangle irons I picked up used for 150 bucks about 6 years ago and "Stealth" (Calloway knock off) driver, 3 wood and 5 wood.

I do have a Cleveland wedge that I splurged on, but thats another story

I refuse to buy new golf equipment or if I do spend tons of money on it and I am pretty decent... nowhere near you but I shoot in the 90's or 80's most of the time.

Like you, I am a firm believer "Its the fiddler, not the fiddle"

Thanks for the top on the clubs, I will keep that in mind once I wear a hole in my titlists

[schro]

Titleist DCI's .... there's a blast from the past Marz.

[Mikekoz13]

I don't spend a lot on clubs and equipment either..... I can hit a ball into the trees with a cheap club just as easily as an expensive club.

When I got back into golfing two years ago after a 5 year layoff, I bought everything over the web ( a complete set of Adams G2 Irons and the 1-3-5 Adams woods delivered to the house for $259). I love these clubs.

I did splurge on a real nice Ray Cook putter over the web for $29 delivered........... It's by far the best putter I've ever owned.

[Tyler]

The only reason that I have name brand clubs is that my old clubs got stolen out of my car and the insurance company valued them at $2000, which I paid probably $600 for off of eBay.  The problem is that I had to go spend $2000 to have them reimburse me.  If I spent less, there was some weird formula that wouldn't allow me to get the full reimbursement rate.  I'm serious.  Had I spend $600, I think they would have sent me a check for $100, but if I spent $2000, I got $1900 in reimbursement.  So, I went and spent $2000 on some Mizuno irons (which I love!), with a Cleveland HiBore Driver,  Cleveland Wedge, Big Bertha Hybrid, King Cobra 3 wood, and I can't remember the 5 wood, and a White Hot driver.

[Marz]

The only reason that I have name brand clubs is that my old clubs got stolen out of my car and the insurance company valued them at $2000, which I paid probably $600 for off of eBay.  The problem is that I had to go spend $2000 to have them reimburse me.  If I spent less, there was some weird formula that wouldn't allow me to get the full reimbursement rate.  I'm serious.  Had I spend $600, I think they would have sent me a check for $100, but if I spent $2000, I got $1900 in reimbursement.  So, I went and spent $2000 on some Mizuno irons (which I love!), with a Cleveland HiBore Driver,  Cleveland Wedge, Big Bertha Hybrid, King Cobra 3 wood, and I can't remember the 5 wood, and a White Hot driver.

Now in that situation, I think Schro would agree, you did the right thing

[schro]

Agreed.
Still, even if money were no object, I don't think I'll ever buy "name brand" (called OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer) clubs ever again. I've tried tons of clubs (Cleveland, Taylor Made. Titleist, Ping, Orlimar, Hogan) and I can't find a better brand than Snake Eyes.
FYI, these are the clubs I play (all stiff shaft clubs):

Driver: Cleveland Hi-Bore XL Driver (10.5 loft)
3 & 5 woods, Snake Eyes 600TC
Hybrids: Cleveland HALO 3i (22 degree) and 4i (25 deg)
5 iron thru Gap Wedge: Snake Eyes Viper Tour irons
Sand Wedge: Cleveland CG10, black nickel, 58 degree low bounce
Putter: Alternate between a Cleveland Classics Model IX and a Snake Eyes MCS3 Mallet.

[schro]

I just heard from Jim, the founder of Golfsmith is Carl Paul and as Jim puts it, "is as bald as an egg".

[schro]

So, who's watching the Masters this weekend?

[nomad]

the best place I've found to get good clubs is in FL at garage sales all the retirees pay big dollars for clubs and then go pay more for new ones all time and just sell the old ones at their garage sales. You can buy $1000 worth of clubs for almost nothing and then take then to the pro shops and get them custom fit.

[BaldRob]

I got my first round in yesterday... only 9 holes though because of the stupid rain!!  But they gave us a rain check for 9 holes...  It was probably good because the rust was taking it's toll on my game!