The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Omy on June 28, 2019, 06:31:29 AM
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If there is such a thing as Mustachian golf clubs, I would like to get a new set of irons as a retirement gift for DH. He currently has (quite old) Taylor Made SuperSteel Burners. They look perfectly good to me (especially since he only plays a couple times a year), but he intends to play golf A LOT more once FIRED this August.
Any recommendations for clubs that give you the best bang for the buck? Is it best to buy online...or to buy discontinued models?
Your thoughts appreciated!
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You can find great used stuff for a fraction of the cost of new.
Hardcore golfers trade and swap that stuff all the time, and they aren't wore out.
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Check for a 2nd hand sports equipment store local to you. There are also online 2nd hand stores like 3balls.com , they have a friendly filtering system to find the exact clubs he wants. 3balls.com is where I got my most recent set of irons.
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Definitely go used. Lots of golfers with more money than sense cycle through gear trying to buy a better game.
But I wouldn't surprise him with clubs without him being involved in the selection process. The fit and feel of clubs can be very individual specific.
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Can you tell by looking or swinging if used clubs are "gently" used?
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Definitely go used. Lots of golfers with more money than sense cycle through gear trying to buy a better game.
^^This
Not only is fit and feel important for individual golfers, but used clubs can actually be garbage even if they look nice at first glance.
You need to know if the club face is good (no nicks, grooves and milling in good condition), make sure the shafts are properly seated into the club head (no clicking or feeling of movement), grip condition, small cracking on the shaft (more common on fiberglass shafts).
I would encourage him to take his time and buy used clubs and then let him do it on his own. :)
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I wouldn't want someone buying me a set of clubs without consulting me first. If I'm getting a new set, I want to make sure they're properly fitted for my swing characteristics (i.e. the right shafts and lie angles) and that's something you can't figure out on your own.
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If there is such a thing as Mustachian golf clubs, I would like to get a new set of irons as a retirement gift for DH. He currently has (quite old) Taylor Made SuperSteel Burners. They look perfectly good to me (especially since he only plays a couple times a year), but he intends to play golf A LOT more once FIRED this August.
Any recommendations for clubs that give you the best bang for the buck? Is it best to buy online...or to buy discontinued models?
Your thoughts appreciated!
Depends how old and how much he cares about the clubs. If quite old is 10+ years, I have to imagine even a cheap set at Dick's will play better/have better technology.
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Your ceiling on price should be the $500 set at Costco. Nice brand new Calloways and Costco has carried a version that's roughly a two year old rebranded model for years. My set is probably six years old now, used it a lot for customer golf.
Golf technology makes nice leaps forward over ten years or so. You may also be able to find some nice used clubs, but I found Costco to be the easiest solution
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His clubs are at least 10 years old...probably 15+...so it sounds like it's probably a good time to do it. I agree that I shouldn't pick them out. Buying used online seems dangerous...do you just return them if you don't like them?
Costco is an interesting option I hadn't thought of. And $500 is what I was "hoping" to keep it down to. I will check them out.
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There are several discount golf websites online. My favorite is Rockbottomgolf.com. You can find "last year's" models that have never been used at steep discounts. Some sites also offer used clubs. Having said that, I would not want anyone picking clubs for me, even though I am comfortable with standard loft and lie and regular shafts. Golf clubs are very personal and your chances of getting the perfect set for someone else is slim. If you want to go ahead with the gift, just make sure that they have a good return policy.
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How do you buy an online set without testing them first? Or do you just return them if you don't like them?
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How do you buy an online set without testing them first? Or do you just return them if you don't like them?
I would basically start with Costco, then if those don't work, return them and go jointly to a big retailer between now and late October. The way golf retail works is you buy a set of irons, a set of hybrid/woods, a driver, and a putter. Four different expenses each between $200 and $500. Costco gets you all for $500 with a liberal return policy.
Its one of those businesses that makes you believe its the clubs. Any college golfer would kick my ass on 1960s technology. Its more about having something that's reasonably modern and forgiving. He has to find what is right for him if the off the shelf set doesn't work
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I’m going to show my unmustacian side. My husband is an avid golfer. If your husband is serious about getting nice clubs, he might want to get fitted from a manufacturer for free. Local golf courses here frequently have reps that will hook you up to monitors to see how you hit various clubs and determine information like swing speed, spin, etc... with certain shafts/clubs. We’ve never paid for this service. I would also not recommend buying new. Golfwrx or eBay have nearly new clubs are steep discounts. I know returning them is a concern for you. You obviously can’t return them, but you would be able to resell if he truly hates them. We’ve bought and sold more clubs than I can count and really aren’t out much money. It used to stress me out until I actually paid attention and realized the amount spent most years was pretty minimal.. I’m also hoping that might not be an issue if the fitter does a good job! I have no experience/recommendations for buying new clubs.
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Another thing you might want to consider is how good a golfer your husband is and how much room for improvement he has. If playing twice a week instead of twice a year means his handicap drops from 12 to 6, you're probably fine picking out a set of clubs that fits him now. On the other hand, if his goal not only is to play a lot more but also to get a lot better, I'd consider taking the money you plan to spend on clubs and buying him a package of lessons with a local golf pro. Then, once his swing has improved and becomes more repeatable, get him fitted for a new set of clubs.