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I just picked this wonderful game up and I have been consistantly been playing 2 times a week at a par 66 (from the back tees) and shooting in the high 80's for about 5 months now. I know that is nothing special considering most courses are par 72 and much longer, but I would like to start playing some of those here in the next couple of weeks or so and replace the 66 as my "home course". But I guess my question here is:

I believe I might be lacking some essential clubs that would let me play these longer courses more easily.This is what I have now:

Taylor Made 320Ti Driver 10.5*
Callaway X-12 (3-PW) Irons-Memphis "10"s Shafts
Dunlop Tour Wedge 60*
BrassMaster mallet putter

What would you gents suggest I buy to finish a somewhat complete set. I was guessing some woods would be the next logical step and possibly a couple of hybrid irons to replace a 3 or 4 iron. Maybe even a wedge. I know these longer courses will present more challenges coupled with 1000+ more yards of course.

Any advice or critisicm would help.
Thanks in advance to all that make this a great site!!!

Priceless!!

I think a 5 wood is necessary and perhaps even a 3 wood. The Taylor Made 580 series are good clubs and not too expensive any more. I like my 4 iron but I'd replace the 3 iron with a 21 or 22 degree hybrid. You're gonna have demo all these clubs and figure out what you like. If I were you I wouldn't mess around too much with the wedges. A PW and SW are needed and you already have a 60* wedge. Too many wedges will mess up your short game if you really don't know what you're doing. That's just my humble opinion. Good luck and have fun picking out your new clubs.

I would add a 54*-56* sandwedge and a fairway wood or hybrid - something you can hit over 200 yards of the tee and still play from the fairway. My personal choice if I were only going to carry one wood would be a 16*-17* 4 Wood.

That kinda goes along with my initial feeling about the 60*....I hardly use it. It is very easy to scull or shank and ruin a hole. I was thinking a 54 would do the trick instead of half swinging a PW.

What kind of 4 wood would you recommend. The quote above yours suggested Taylor Made 580 Series 3 or 5. I know I will have to demo all of them to get the feel, but I would like to have 2 or 3 ideas when I go into the shop.

Another question would be would be:

Would a hybrid 3 be just as good as a high lofted 4 or 5 wood? It would probably only be a distance difference, but would one be easier to hit from med to deep rough?I know these questions are probably a dime a dozen to more experienced players, but I want to learn how to strike the most essential clubs as well as possible.

I am 23 and good physical shape....should I be able to hit a 3 and not cop out to a hybrid? Someone told me that, but I am questioning it's validitity.

Thanks again.

I am not a good source for hybrid advice, I finally found one I could hit (Innovex RLS with S300 steel) but I passed on many that others hit well. The best value in a hybrid is probably the Adams Idea which can be had for less than $40 on ebay. As for woods, I love my Mizunos because the are a little heavier than most, I also had good luck with a steel shafted Titleist 980f 4 wood, and it is hard to go wrong with sonartec. The thing is to get out and hit as many as you can before you buy. Everyone's swing is different. I thought I had it made when I got a deal on a pair of brand new V Steels with stock graphite shafts and could not hit them to save my life.

I would add a Sand Wedge....either 54* or 56* and a three wood.

I went and found a Taylor Made 3 Rescue Mid (19*) on clearance today. It seemed pretty easy to strike well and I think it kinda fits that gap between a 3 or 4 wood and 3 iron. I was getting some good trajectory with it. It's not the traditonal 3 or 4 wood, but do you think it would do the trick and double for my 3 sometimes? If not, I can always take it back for store credit......

I definitley plan on getting the 54 as well. Any suggestions on that as well...I am trying to keep it on the less expensive side so something I might find in good used condition but not ancient either. Maybe a year or 2 old.

Thanks!!

Two more wedges, 56 and 50-52, and a 19* rescue would get my vote...I hate a 3 wood but switch the 19* with that for more conventional.

I'd really only start thinking about taking out long irons when you come to a point where that next longest iron isn't getting you that 10 or 15 yards extra than the club below it.

You Have a pitching wedge & a 60 degree wedge, but no Sand iron (56'degree). Consider a 54 degree as well instead of a 56" wedge (SW) It means there is a massive gap in your irons For example a 60 degree might get you perhaps 65 to 70 yards, but that Pitching wedge is going to be getting at least 115 - 125 yards, you need something for that 80 to 95 yard zone.

Woods are a personal preference I carry a 3 wood & a 3h hybrid which for me is a 5 wood & 3 iron replacement. Though there are people who carry a 5 wood in preference to a 3 wood & those that carry both.

i would say a 4 wood and a sw. i hate hybrids...goofy looking clubs if you ask me.

Some hybrids certainly are goofy looking

Hybrids are UGLY...but they are easy to hit...why make the game harder?