General Musings on why I hate Golf Companies

[sp0rtsfan86 893]

I bought my first real set of irons back in March, a set of Callaway X2 hots, 5 iron-A Gap and got them custom fit. I picked up 10-20 yards on each iron, making my old 4 hybrid redundant. Which brings me to yesterday, and the last few days really. I am currently looking to fill out the set and add the 4 iron from the X2 hot product line. I checked online on just about every major golf retailers website. Either they wanted me to buy the whole set (didn't bother to see if I can custom fit them), or I could only buy the club without custom fitting and had no options other than grips. These are clubs I bought less than a year ago and already they're basically telling me the company doesn't care about the line.

 

I figured PGA Superstore in Phx could help me out. Nope, even they can't get them custom fit. So now I have a hole in my bag which I figured potentially could be replaced by a hybrid. Took a few swings and felt sort of comfortable with the 4 hybrid in the x2 hot product line. My problem: All my other clubs are bent 1 degree upright and 1/2 inch short, this one is stock. So not sure how I would feel going back and forth with the club.

 

Oh did I mention they want 170 for the club?

 

Here's the general list of my gripes right now:

 

I paid top dollar for my irons at the time because they were brand new and 8 months later I can't even get a custom fit club to fill out the set from the companies website. Yet the same company wants me to pay top dollar for a hybrid that in a few weeks the price will drop down.

 

As for the hybrid, the store had no fitting options for hybrids at all. I couldn't test out different shaft lengths or lie angles even on the new(er) clubs. Not sure if that's on the store or whom, but how can they not have one or two shaft length options besides stock?

 

I get the sense that golf companies want to play both ends of the podium here: We'll charge you top dollar for stuff that's 8 months old, but won't provide any services on it. To me it sends a message of don't buy clubs ever, because in six months we're going to have a new product line and won't care about you or your purchase. At the time they need all the customers they can get, boy do they sure know how to push me away from buying. I know this is nothing new, but it sucks

 

Last and your advice is appreciated:

 

Is going stock length with a hybrid going to frustrating when my irons are cut shorter? Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

[PlaidJacket 7,725]

86 it's not at all uncommon to have a combo set in your bag. I personally used to carry a Ping 4i along with my TM RAC LT set. I had Cleveland wedges too. These days I don't carry a 4i anymore. I use a 4hb instead. A 4i is too hard to hit accurately for me now days. I'd guess it's probably not the ideal club for you either. The stronger lofts big mfgs. put on clubs there days is a joke. A stardard loft 4i these days is probably more like a 3i. I'd suggest you take a hard look at a hybrid. Especially one that is fully bendable. (Wishon. Yes... I love his clubs for a 100 reasons)

[mr_divots 247]

Its going to depend on how long the "stock" length of the hybrid is. Some of them, they are a good 1.5 to 2 inches longer than the iron they supposedly replace. I'm not real well-versed in the Cally clubs, so not sure what their tendencies are there. Bigger head with a more rounded forgiving sole on most hybrids allow more room for error to offset the additional length to some extent versus an iron.

[Mr_Theoo 3,204]

Have you looked on eBay or the used section for the club you want? It would probably be cheaper and you could always swap the shaft out for a shorter one later.

[jbil8802 801]

http://www.callawaygolfpreowned.com/irons-2014-x2-hot/irons-2014-x2-hot,default,pd.html?cgid=single-irons&genderHand=Mens%2FRight&gcid=g100&pscid=pla&kpid=irons-2014-x2-hot&psmtid=pla&psnetid=pla&gclid=Cj0KEQiAl7KmBRDW6s-Xi_uT9OgBEiQAZdbbSYhtOnQhaPB0ncHOS6SGIOxoeDh4MJrstHVq4XhGcs8aAgIK8P8HAQ&kwid=productads-plaid^77867266251-sku^yhk4079375@ADL4CGPO-adType^PLA-device^m-adid^44646073251

[TIBA_Putt - Kyle 139]

If you live in Phoenix and didn't just hit PGA tour store on vacation, you might check with Hot Stix up in Scottsdale. I've built all my sets with them and have been able to buy the single iron heads I wanted and then they built them how I wanted(.25") long to get swing weight right. Did the same thing when I needed to replace my 56* sm4 wedge cause it was too worn. Bought the new sm5 head only and they built it to specs of my previous wedge.

[Jmikecpa 12,825]

My advice would be to get one off of Callaway pre-owned and have it bent, even in a cast iron 1* is not really that much.  As for the length any club fitter can take half an inch off and throw the grip back on.  The site actually has a 4 iron that is 1 up and standard length for under $70, but not sure what shaft flex you are looking for.

[langesc88 27]

If it was me I would check out www.2ndswing.com . You should be able to find just about anything you are looking for. They will customize it for you as well. Talk to Thomas, he is their master club fitter. They are local to MN but ship all over the place and are a legit company.

Good luck.

[markb 243]

My first bit of advice -- get over your umbrage.   All the companies do this.   It's like railing against the onset of winter every November.   You'll be happier if you just roll with the punches and "learn how to ski".

 

By "learning how to ski" I mean learn to BUY OFF EBAY.   It has 156 current listings for X2hot 4 hybrids right now.   You should be able to find a good one, maybe new, for under $75.

 

20+ of the listings are from 2ndSwing for $100 to $130 depending on condition.

 

UPDATE:   I just read Sportsfans' post on the "best Ebay purchases" thread so I know he already knows all this.  He must be carping just to carp.

[Kenny B 25,309]

You can keep searching for a matching 4i, sometimes they show up. Adjusting the lie 1* and shortening 0.5 in is no problem.

 

I agree that you can get nice X2hot hybrids off eBay for cheap. Getting a standard lie hybrid, I don't think you will notice a 1* difference. More important for an iron. Club can be easily shortened 0.5 in and regripped.

 

My concern would be whether the 4H is the right club to fill your gap. The hybrid is longer than the 4i and will fly higher and further. How big of a gap do you have between your 5i and you club above this one (is that your 3W)? I would think you need whatever hybrid covers that range. Could be 4H, maybe 3H. I say this because when I got fitted, my irons went to the 5i, but my first hybrid was a 5H because the 4H produced too big of a gap.

 

I like the hybrid option because it's quick and relatively cheap, and works better for me going into greens. But I'm old.

[Dhuck Whooker 218]

Have used these sites before, had positive results they found me a Wilson Tour RM Forged 4-iron and a Callaway X-Forged 2009 5 iron.  

 

Maybe they got something you need.   Good luck.

 

http://www.clubfinders.com/

http://www.ironfinder.com/

[RookieBlue7 1,692]

Club Finders. Shoot them an email with what you're looking for if they don't have one in stock

[wbealsd 1,063]

I've purchased individual replacement clubs from this site with no problems, reliable reseller: - http://www.ironfinder.com/Individual-Irons/callaway/x2_hot-14.htm

 

2 X2 Hot 4 irons listed right now.

[sp0rtsfan86 893]

Thanks all..

 

Currently scouring Ebay and all the sites listed.

 

Here's my new dilemma.. just checked Callaway Specs the 5 iron is actually 23 degrees as well as the 4 hybrid. It's a dead match.

 

As much as I'm thinking hybrid I'm not sure whether to go 3 hybrid, 4 hybrid or go 4 iron. I don't want to buy the hybrids without testing them distance wise especially if I dump money into it to get it up to my specs

 

My thought is go 4 iron and have that fixed to me, but hoping I don't screw up and end up with a 4 iron that I can't hit. Haven't bagged a 4 iron in probably 5 years.

[jbil8802 801]

A 23* 5 iron is very strong. It's actually a 4 iron with most other manufacturers. A 20* 4 iron is essentially a 3 iron. Just something to think about. Whether or not a 4 iron would be practical comes down to how well you hit your 5 iron. The 4 hybrid is 23* which is the same loft as your 5 iron but would likely give you more distance. The only way to know is to hit them and check the distance gaps. Here's a good video I saw the other day with some food for thought.

 

[sp0rtsfan86 893]

A 23* 5 iron is very strong. It's actually a 4 iron with most other manufacturers. A 20* 4 iron is essentially a 3 iron. Just something to think about. Whether or not a 4 iron would be practical comes down to how well you hit your 5 iron. The 4 hybrid is 23* which is the same loft as your 5 iron but would likely give you more distance. The only way to know is to hit them and check the distance gaps. Here's a good video I saw the other day with some food for thought.

 

Thanks. Big problem is like you said distance gaps. Plus I don't want to have to change my swing for one club. Think I'll go 4 iron in this case. It's going to be used primarily off the tee, with the occasional use when I'm that far out.

[utrinqueparatus 2]

86, you have probably solved this issue by now, but my two pennyworth.

 

Go and see a proper 'independent' fitter, not someone based out of one of the superstores. Generally speaking, they are as much a fitter as I am a rocket scientist.

 

I spent a not inconsiderable time with a Maryland based fitter who was fantastic. We started by properly gapping my irons from PW back up the line. My longest iron is a six which is set at 32°. I now have three hybrids in my bag set at 28°, 24° and 20°. Carry distances are 185, 200 and 215. These are Wishon 775HS. A proper fitter will sort you out with the correct shaft for you swing speed and release and you will be as happy as a pig in poo.

 

The other great thing about being fit is that once the job is done you no longer need to get concerned about the latest greatest newest fastest longest club that the major companies release with great fanfare every twelve months. Does that sound just a touch cynical?

 

Good luck

[revkev 22,958]

86, you have probably solved this issue by now, but my two pennyworth.

 

Go and see a proper 'independent' fitter, not someone based out of one of the superstores. Generally speaking, they are as much a fitter as I am a rocket scientist.

 

I spent a not inconsiderable time with a Maryland based fitter who was fantastic. We started by properly gapping my irons from PW back up the line. My longest iron is a six which is set at 32°. I now have three hybrids in my bag set at 28°, 24° and 20°. Carry distances are 185, 200 and 215. These are Wishon 775HS. A proper fitter will sort you out with the correct shaft for you swing speed and release and you will be as happy as a pig in poo.

 

The other great thing about being fit is that once the job is done you no longer need to get concerned about the latest greatest newest fastest longest club that the major companies release with great fanfare every twelve months. Does that sound just a touch cynical?

 

Good luck

Welcome! Nice first post.

[fozcycle 12,580]

I have a 4 iron, 4 hybrid and 2-3 hybrid that I alternate, depending on the course I am playing.

 

The 4i is 170 yards and more accurate

The 4h is 170 yards and lands softly

The 2-3h is 185-200 is very low and great under trees

 

Each has its own benefits

[ZenGolfer 815]

If it was me I would check out www.2ndswing.com . You should be able to find just about anything you are looking for. They will customize it for you as well. Talk to Thomas, he is their master club fitter. They are local to MN but ship all over the place and are a legit company.

Good luck.

The only problem with 2nd Swing is they are a ripoff.  They want way too much money for everything they have.