golfrewind.com

Okay, I just got rid of my set of RAM Memorial clubs I got from Sports Authority a few months ago, I can give a full review.

I first got them because of price. $200 for a set was all I thought a person who was getting into the sport should spend. Now, I don't think so anymore.

I dont think you should go straight for the $1000+ set of major names either. I think that there are many options of quality clubs out there that you can get a complete set for less than $400 (Adams, Tour Edge, Golfsmith/Golfworks components, well respected clones: Acer, Dynacraft, etc), especially with using ebay or RockBottomgolf.

The problem with the RAM set was that, even though the irons were oversized, cavity-back, & offset, they were not forgiving. Any off-center hits would end up going off in that direction heavily (toe = right, heel = left). I've just got a set of Adams Ideas and when I do the same thing, it doesn't go as far, but all the hits go straight.

Same thing with the Woods, having these clubs was a lesson in perfection, because if you didn't do EVERYTHING right, then you'd pay for it. The club had a low MOI, so twisting was likely, the torque on the shaft was horrible, which furthered the bad shot.

I shouldn't be suprised, because with the price of the set, I back calculated an estimate of how much each component cost. Subtracting the amount for the bag included, assembly, profit for RAM, profit for the retailer, overhead, shipping, etc. I figure that each iron cost about $4-5 to make and each wood about $8-10 to make. With the cheapest shafts available, which is what they probably used, that means that the heads were probably worth $2 and $4, respectively. A far cry from even basic name brand clubs that are worth $75-100 (woods) and $15-20 (irons)

So my conclusion, do not get these clubs unless it is for a SEVERE discount or for some kind of emergency backup or something. Take the time and spend another $100 and get at least something 10x better.

For the record, I went to ebay & found for $279 + shipping (from 7 different sellers, about $320 in all)
Adams RPM redline 10* driver (stiff)
Adams RPM redline smart 3+ wood (stiff)
Adams Idea Pro hybrid irons (3-PW)
Adams Tom Watson SW & LW
Tour Edge Backdraft Putter
Adams Bag

nothing top notch, but definitely nothing I can blame my equipment on if I have a bad round.

Oh, and something else. My distances may not be much better (but they are definitely better, I just need to get more used to the new clubs to get exact #'s), but the average hit is better.

A really bad hit with the RAMS would make a 7-iron go about 75yds, a good hit would make it go 150 yds. Problem is a good hit is only going to occur 60% of the time for me right now. The other 40% of the time I will hit poor shots and before (with the RAMs) it would not go anywhere. But with a good quality club, it would only lose 25-30 yards.

So my 'great' hit average distances are the same, but we don't always play 'great' do we? My 'complete' average distances are whats going up.

My first set of clubs contained a RAM driver and three fairway woods 3, 5, 7. I traded for a used set of Ben Hogan irons and a Calaway driver. I still have the RAM fairway woods and really can't complain about them at all. My suggestion is to look in golf stores for used sets. There are alot of golfers out there who think that a new set of clubs will improve their scores and wind up trading in sets that have only six months or a year of use. You can get them at great prices and they are as good or better than some of the cheap new clubs.

i disagree. i think someone starting the game, if they're commited to learning, would benefit from a tougher starter set. in my opinion, if you make everything to easy from the begining, no one would strive to get better....

One the other hand if you make it too difficult, people get frustrated and give up wanting to play golf. There has to be some middle ground where a starter set if forgiving enough not to severly penalize off center hits yet response enough to give a golf some sense of feel between a well struck shot and one that is not.

Personally I'm not a big fan of RAM products. I got one of their cheapy drivers when I first started learning to play then got a quality Cobra driver the difference was night in day. I'd recommend Wilson starter sets for somebody just learning the game.

They do make a good cheap ball though. RAM tour balata LB. Not the greatest ball ever, bad pretty flippin decent for the price. Low compression, nice lively feel.