What second hand clubs to buy

[Paul Claret 0]

Have been racking my brain and need help on this .

Currently i am playing off a 20 handicap (90-95) want some better clubs but cannot afford new, So was looking for second hand but dont know which can help me improve my game, Was thinking of Titleist 718 but not sure AP 1 2 or 3 Not looking for distance just more forgiving 

 

[BH43 21]

Ping is always foregiving, I use a tommy armour with adjustable hosel.

[Paul Claret 0]

Thanks for info tried new ping g425 could not get good spin rate

[Tom the Golf Nut 7,761]

This is a good time of year to shop. You can search all the popular golf sites for close outs. You get new clubs for 1/2 price.  I don't  know what your budget is but shop for game improvment irons and see what you find available. Then you can look at the reviews. 

[Hook DeLoft 703]

I played the 718 AP1 irons with the Tensei red shaft. Very forgiving. I can also recommend the Callaway Mavrik Max irons which launch high and are very forgiving of mis-hits. 

[Riverboat 783]

2 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

This is a good time of year to shop. You can search all the popular golf sites for close outs. You get new clubs for 1/2 price.  I don't  know what your budget is but shop for game improvment irons and see what you find available. Then you can look at the reviews. 

Agree with this. If you can go back in time a model or two, you can get new old stock for a fraction of the original price. 

Eight years ago I picked up taylormade rbz irons for 199 on a reputable clearance site on ebay when they had been selling for over 600 a few months before. As a bonus, when I replaced them a few months ago, I sold them on ebay for 196. Eight years for 3 bucks... nice. Not saying you'll run into anything quite so crazy unless you are very patient, but new old stock is a great way to go. 

[PBH3 94]

Go back and look at the MGS game improvement most wanted lists from 2 and 3 years ago, then look on ebay and other golf equipment sites for the top performers in the appropriate category for you.

[ChitownM2 714]

The classifieds section on here and another popular golf forum are a great place to find used clubs.  Typically they are a lot cheaper than ebay since the seller fees are a lot lower.  Game improvement clubs don't pop up daily but there are usually a set or two available as long as you don't need specs that are far from standard.  Shortening clubs is pretty straight forward and even cast clubs can usually be bent a degree or two.

[Hoyoymac 287]

Buying used clubs is no different than buying new ones.  If you are buying without being fitted or trying them first you are taking a risk.  At least with preowned clubs you are getting a discount off of newer clubs so the financial risk is less.  But buying a used club that doesn’t perform any better than what you currently have and having to replace it a second time isn’t helpful either.

Before replacing your clubs take a few moments to review the clubs in your bag.

This will help you prioritize your needs and perhaps focus where to look and what to spend your money on. 

First, determine which club in your bag you hit the fewest times in any given round.  Why do you not use this club very often?  Is it because you have a lack of confidence with the club because of poor past results with it or is it because the courses you play don’t give you the yardages you would need to use the club?   This may reveal a club to trade or sell.

Second, determine the club you use the most and assess how happy you are with its performance.   If you use the club often because it is a favorite and very dependable, then consider keeping it.  If you use it a lot because the course requires you to but you get poorer results than you’d like, maybe trade or sell it and upgrade to something that will perform better.

Third, is there a yardage that makes you feel like you are always in between clubs?  Is there a situation that makes you feel like you don’t have the right club?  For example maybe you need a club that will give you a long carry and a high launching shot that will stop on a green or maybe you have a need for a long low running shot to get under trees with overhanging limbs or to get under the wind.  These situations may point to a club or two to consider adding to your bag.

Finally, assess how your current equipment suits your strengths and helps your weaknesses.

Why do you have a 20 handicap?

Do you lose strokes on or around the green?  Are you getting penalties from errant tee shots?  Do you need more distance, more accuracy or both?

How often do you play?  If you play infrequently and aren’t able to dedicate time to practicing, then more forgiving clubs would be a direction to consider.

On the other hand, if you play frequently and practice often, then maybe different equipment or an assessment of your technique is the way to go.

New equipment that fits you better can and does make a difference.  But if you are fitting yourself you will need to consider what club length, swingweight, shaft model, shaft stiffness, grip size, lie angle, and loft are the best for your needs.

If there is a club in your current bag that is your absolute favorite, an “old trusty”, then try to copy its characteristics for the rest of your clubs.

Best wishes to you in your journey to find the right equipment that will help you get more enjoyment and achieve better performance.