Some Help Completing My Bag...

[King_Bogey]

I have not been here in a long time.  I have decided to get some lessons on the regular.  I have one next month.  I have purchased the Wilson D9 irons.  I got a great deal on them, brand new, and trying to sell the Titleist AP1's I have.  The technology is so advanced compared to the 712 AP1's.  Currently, I don't have anything in between my driver and 5 iron.  I just need a couple of clubs to close the gap.  I am going to ask the instructor which route he thinks I should take in regards to hybrids or woods or both.  I do have a budget in mind.  Just for discussion, what do you all think about these?  I am looking for something for a 50 year old beginner.  I just want to hit the ball straight and as far as my body allows.  Any advice on any of these would be appreciated.

HYBRIDS:
Tour Edge E522 Hybrid #5... 25 degrees. $100
Wilson Launchpad 2 Hybrid #5... 25.5 degrees. $80
FAIRWAY:
Callaway Steelhead XR 5 Wood... 18 degrees. $110
Wilson Launchpad 2; 5 Wood... 18 degrees. $85
Wilson Launchpad 2; 7 Wood... 22 degrees. $80
Snake Eyes Golf MAX 5 Wood... 18 degrees. $100
Mizuno ST-X 220 5 Wood... 18 degrees. $120

[DHura87]

I would possibly look at some hybrids and maybe a 3 or 5 wood. Also what are the current lofts of you irons. You are gonna be looking at clubs that kind of fill those gaps. I recently changed my irons and had a 10 degree gap between my PW and 56° wedge. I then ended up with a 50° to try and keep the gap between those clubs about as even as possibly. My good friend plays a 3 and 5 fairway wood with a 4 and 5 hybrid going into his 6 iron.

[GolfSpy_APH]

There is a great video on TXG now club champion about the differences between long irons, hybrids and woods. 

Also this -

https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/your-golf-bag-5-wood-or-3-hybrid/

Check them out and it should have answer questions as to here you'll be using the clubs. That will help narrow your choices and decision!

[MichaelC_81]

I've taken a couple clubs out of my bag because my 3 wood, 5 wood, 3 hybrid, and 4 hybrid were all going roughly the same distance (probably operator error more than anything). I'd definitely continue with the lessons and 100% pick the brains of your instructor for the best thing to suit your game.

[ForeGeorgia]

I would just play with your Driver and 5-PW to test things out for a little. If you find yourself 160-200 yards out consistently and can't get on the green within 3-4 shots, then definitely consider getting a 4 hybrid or 3 wood. They're definitely more challenging to hit then your 5i, but could help you get their sooner.

Like @MichaelC_81 said, stick to the lessons and get some recommendations from your instructor. They'll know best where you're missing.

[Splatt]

I've always found hybrids much easier to hit off the deck than fairway woods.

Though, depending on the length of the course you're playing, a par-5 is most likely going to look something like driver/mid-iron/wedge.

If you can get those 3 working with a decent amount of consistency then you might not even need a wood or hybrid 

 

Although, I'm a 20+ handicap.
Don't listen to me 

Edited February 27 by Splatt

[Rob Person]

Best advice I have (as a relatively new, also early 50s, golfer) is go and test some out. 

I'd want to know what each felt like and how far they will go at full and 3/4 power swings.

You didn't mention a 4 hybrid ,  any particular reasons?

[THE GOLF GUY]

4 hours ago, Splatt said:

I've always found hybrids much easier to hit off the deck than fairway woods.

Though, depending on the length of the course you're playing, a par-5 is most likely going to look something like driver/mid-iron/wedge.

If you can get those 3 working with a decent amount of consistency then you might not even need a wood or hybrid 

 

Although, I'm a 20+ handicap.
Don't listen to me 

Golf is as peculiar as it is common amongst us . What works for one guy doesn’t always work for another . As in my case I loathe hybrids , don’t laugh yet . I have tried tirelessly many times to “ give them a chance “. 
 I ll share a story that happened to me . It just so happened that I was paired up once with the guy that is the reigning Senior Champion at my home course . I might add I was slightly disappointed that I wasn’t getting to play with my normal folks. We started out in the shootout and he and I got to talking and just taking the time to get to know one another and it didn’t take long to start a conversation on what we have heard about the other . I shared  what I had heard about his iron and superb wedge game ( which is my nemesis ) and he said thanks . Then the  conversation switched to me and all he had heard was about my driver , fairway woods and putting . He further said that he  always struggled off the tee with his driver and couldn’t hit a fairway wood to save his life . I’ll have to tell you that I was kind of in shock ! This is the man that shot 71 , 69 to win the 60-70 age bracket. So we continue on about our struggles and what each others thoughts were about with the other . I had brought up trying hybrids and he said why? Huh , I was flabbergasted! The 3 hybrid was almost as bad as my mid irons . He told me to just put a 7 wood in and quit worrying about it ! And I shocked about what he said to me  “ what are you bitching about, you freaking play fairway woods like no one I have ever seen , so quit trying to hit that damn hybrid!”

So obviously I need to play fairway woods , which are my 3, 5 and 7 and it’s one of the best moves I have ever made !

 SO PLAY THOSE HYBRIDS YOUNG MAN !

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Marty2Shanks]

The Wilson D9 5-iron has a stated loft of 21 degrees.  So you probably have only 11 degrees or so between driver and 5 iron.  Is this club meant to be an approach club or an alternative off the tee? Do you typically play numerous courses or the same course with some consistent distance gap you need to fill?  If off the tee, I would go with a driving iron that is a fairway finder.  Woods/hybrids can balloon especially into the wind which decreases consistency.  Driving irons tend to have a more penetrating ball flight and can increase consistency to get a ball in play.  If for approach, I would recommend a lower lofted hybrid (16-18 degrees) for increased stopping power into a green.  Try to find something that can be adjusted especially for lie angle.  Bottom line - just get one club to fill the gap and see if there is a specialty club (….chipper??, specialty wedge??, distance putter vs short putter??) on the low end of your bag to give you more options around/on the green. 

[Guest-0]

7 hours ago, Splatt said:

I've always found hybrids much easier to hit off the deck than fairway woods.

Though, depending on the length of the course you're playing, a par-5 is most likely going to look something like driver/mid-iron/wedge.

If you can get those 3 working with a decent amount of consistency then you might not even need a wood or hybrid 

 

Although, I'm a 20+ handicap.
Don't listen to me 

Fairway woods for the amatuer are difficult task as a rule but I've seen high hdcp guys that hit them well. I carry a 3 wood but if I hit it once in 4 rounds it's alot I rely alot on Driver and long irons and I recently made the switch to Game Improvement 4, 5 and 6 irons and back to players for the bottom half and I picked up a super GI 4iron that I carry as well that is 19° so strong 5 wood like loft and I pound that thing and have to try hard to hit a bad shot it's that easy.  Just make little tweaks to your bag til you find the right set up for you.

[Randall Robbins]

The 5 hybrid and 5 iron have the same loft, so you're not substantially gaining anything there, so you might look at a 3 or 4 hybrid or 5 wood, and then maybe a 3 or 4 wood to fill the lower lot gap.  But try them out, and ask questions and have the pro watch you hit them as well, and they will be able to give you an opinion on which combo is likely best for you.

[King_Bogey]

Hey all.  Thanks for the replies.  A little bit more info.  I have never played a round in my life.  I am a total new beginner.  I have had three lessons in the last three years.  I was not really a fan of any of the instructors.  So, needless to say, my golf swing is not great, or consistent, and so forth and so on.  I am not sure which one I would swing better...  woods, hybrids, or a mix of both.  I have a lesson in about three weeks.  I hate when the instructor says, "Hey meet me at the driving range that is located at XYZ."  The lesson is scheduled a month out.  So, if it rains (we have received a lot here), and it has done this in one of those lessons, I am out time and money.  All of the lessons have been about an hour away.  This next lesson that I have coming up is in an indoor facility.  The second lesson I had, that guy had an indoor setup.  My swing speed was about 77 mph (which is pretty low).  I know that every player varies, and I need to hit a few woods and hybrids to see which one suits me best.  The fact that my swing isn't established is currently going to prevent this.  I have a net in the backyard that I hit into.  I am topping balls, hitting ground balls, chunking balls, etc.  I mean, I do hit a few good ones.  I rarely hit them square enough to hear that satisfying crack/whap sound.   

[ForeGeorgia]

20 minutes ago, King_Bogey said:

I have never played a round in my life.

Just go play and have fun! I, too, will get caught up in all the gear, but you definitely have a bag that will suite you on any course! Maybe for starters, go try a 9-hole "executive" course near you. Once you get familiar with the game, perhaps go try out a full round of 18-holes.

[Rob Person]

1 hour ago, King_Bogey said:

Hey all.  Thanks for the replies.  A little bit more info.  I have never played a round in my life.  I am a total new beginner.  I have had three lessons in the last three years.  I was not really a fan of any of the instructors.  So, needless to say, my golf swing is not great, or consistent, and so forth and so on.  I am not sure which one I would swing better...  woods, hybrids, or a mix of both.  I have a lesson in about three weeks.  I hate when the instructor says, "Hey meet me at the driving range that is located at XYZ."  The lesson is scheduled a month out.  So, if it rains (we have received a lot here), and it has done this in one of those lessons, I am out time and money.  All of the lessons have been about an hour away.  This next lesson that I have coming up is in an indoor facility.  The second lesson I had, that guy had an indoor setup.  My swing speed was about 77 mph (which is pretty low).  I know that every player varies, and I need to hit a few woods and hybrids to see which one suits me best.  The fact that my swing isn't established is currently going to prevent this.  I have a net in the backyard that I hit into.  I am topping balls, hitting ground balls, chunking balls, etc.  I mean, I do hit a few good ones.  I rarely hit them square enough to hear that satisfying crack/whap sound.   

Before the season goes full tilt, schedule 9 holes, mid day, midweek. See how you like it, and how much it likes you back.

Go to the cheapest one you can find within a short or reasonable distance. If you have an outdoor range close enough, go there too. Experiment with your stance, swing,  grip, etc. Find a relatively comfortable pace in your swing.  Hitting it fast and hitting it hard are 2 completely different things. I had a hard time understanding this for a long time. Don't take full swings either. Half swings are great for learning how to make contact, follow through,  ball placement depending on the club, and so on.  Learning Golf can't be rushed. I tried, I failed.

You may not even know what you may or may not need until that point.  If you buy clubs just because you think you need them, you will be wasting money in my opinion.