New Clubs - Straight In The Bag?

[Shrek74]

Ok, here's an interesting topic for the group and one I'm always curious about.

When you get new clubs, regardless of what they are, do you put them straight in the bag or do you take them to the range and figure out distances, tendencies, potential issues, etc?

I put my irons/wedges straight in the bag without doing any testing, and so far it's been fine. I did the same with both mini's, and although they both had rough starts, a change in shaft fixed them both.

I have new fairway woods and hybrid, along with a new driver and for some reason I'm a bit more hesitant to put them straight in. Not sure why, but I am. That lead me to posting this question to the group. How do you deal with new clubs?

[cnosil]

Straight in the bag and just figure out distances by trial and error.   Even if I am a bit longer or shorter with the new clubs my course management strategy for approach shots handles the differences.   Individual clubs are typically picked for a specific distance (driver for max distance) so I typically check that before purchase.   

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Usually straight in the bag. I know my distances with a like club. After one or two good strikes with the new club I’ll know if it’s a couple yards longer or shorter and commit to memory. 
Usually there isn’t that drastic a change that you have to worry about. 

If I am committing to a full iron set change, after a couple rounds to get used to them, I will do a range session and do head to head. Then really track carry yardage. 
 

[Bossfan]

Preferably a couple of range sessions would be nice. Timing is everything though. I have clubs delivered the day before I had a round and no time to the range so in the bag they went. 

[revkev]

It depends on the club

 

Driver goes straight in the bag.
 

Putter - It’s been so long since I bought a new putter that I can’t recall - probably straight in the bag because I would have only bought one due to an identifiable issue with putter that was clearly beyond my stroke. I seem to be a golden boy for MGS putter tests so I was selected for EVNRoll, LAB, Sacks Parente in 2 year increments. Since the EVNroll and LAB were replacing putters that worked well as part of a test they had to earn a spot on the bag - EVNRoll did - LAB did not - to be fair it was a great on the green putter. My game and the course conditions that I often play in dictates putter from off the green frequently / it was not a good putter for that use. I told my sacks-parente fitter that I frequently use putter from off the green so that was a factor in the fitting process - it had to beat out the EVNRoll which it has. A friend is “borrowing” the Mezz and loves it - he’s younger and doesn’t use putter from off the green much. 

Woods or hybrid - straight in - but I’ve had the same ones for around 6 years and I have no desire to replace them - was fit for them and they still perform the way they did when I got them as part of a MGS test. 

Irons - normally I want a couple of range sessions with these to get a feel for them - I was recently fit for irons and that’s what I did. 
 

Wedges - same as above - I at least want to have a short game practice with them before I get them on the course. 

[KC Golf]

I usually get fitted or I am buying the same basic club to replace an existing club (like wedges) so it goes straight into the bag.  I do sometimes buy something to tinker with it like a driving iron.  In that case, I just put it in but try it out on the range a few times before replacing into my bag with something that is currently in the bag.

[Hacker60521]

I’ve had two new sets in recent history and both have gone straight in the bag.If I can’t get to the range to get a feel and distance for the clubs before I play, I won’t score the round. I’ll treat it like a practice round.

[cksurfdude]

I'll usually, but not always, do at least a range session to get a feel for the new club...

.. e.g. if it's a wedge: do I like the feel of hitting the ball with it and does it give me more confidence vs what I'm playing now?; or if it's a hybrid: do I need to tinker with any moveable weights or hosel settings to get the launch and ball flight I'm looking for?

Recently picked up a Miz ES21 wedge, to potentially replace a CBX that's been in the bag for a few years, and only did one quick test into the garage net before it went into the bag (played it yesterday and, so far , I love it).

Irons were more extensive testing and practice first - last year I'd demoed several different models before deciding on one.

[Erin B]

On 7/11/2024 at 7:27 AM, Shrek74 said:

Ok, here's an interesting topic for the group and one I'm always curious about.

When you get new clubs, regardless of what they are, do you put them straight in the bag or do you take them to the range and figure out distances, tendencies, potential issues, etc?

I put my irons/wedges straight in the bag without doing any testing, and so far it's been fine. I did the same with both mini's, and although they both had rough starts, a change in shaft fixed them both.

I have new fairway woods and hybrid, along with a new driver and for some reason I'm a bit more hesitant to put them straight in. Not sure why, but I am. That lead me to posting this question to the group. How do you deal with new clubs?

This is a great topic. I put them straight in the bag. I don't spend a fortune on clubs for them to sit in the garage until I can figure out how to hit them. Plus, I pretty much always try them out at the store before I buy, except for internet sales. I have also built some clubs that went straight in the bag. I get fitted for everything so I know my numbers and I have extra shafts for drivers and woods to change the lengths to my fit, or I just cut down the stock shafts and re-grip them.

[Shrek74]

Well, I put the Mizuno ST230 Max 3w & 5w straight in the bag yesterday. I used the 3w once, and it was a majestic and dead-straight shot that got me about a yard away from being on a par 5 in two (never done it on that hole before). I ended up with a birdie that hole, which I've also never done on that hole. The 5w produced a similar result with a couple beautiful shots. I'll be putting the ST230 Max hybrid in the bag this coming weekend and likely the ST230 Max driver as well, although I'm not 100% on the driver yet.

The Callaway Ti 340 mini driver is coming out and will likely not make the cut for keepers at this point. It just wants to cut too much, so the BRNR will likely go back in for now until I can get the Max driver on the range. Hopefully my swing hasn't abruptly changed from in to out to out to in. That would be so disappointing as I've gotten very used to my draw shape on the course.

[nrotolo3]

I just got a new combo set of Blueprint T/S and they basically went straight in the bag. I did go down and have one range session with them prior to testing to try out a new launch monitor. Normally a good range session with about 60-70 balls for all clubs and a handful of balls with driver/3 wood is enough to get me going and make adjustments later.

[Rob Person]

I would want to range them if I can. Preferably off real grass. 

[ClevelandGirl]

I’ll always buy fitted clubs if I can, so they go straight in the bag. It does take me time to adjust to new clubs, especially as I went up in shaft weight and stiffness. I’m very much a “cannonball into the cold water just to get it over with” kind of girl though. My club fitter and instructor and equipment geek friends all encouraged me to go to the range several times before attempting a course, so naturally I ignored them and ended up in tears on the 16th, having lost my 8th ball of the day to a massive slice when my miss is always left. It took a month of hard work to straighten out the inevitable slice from the stiffer club, and another month to start seeing real obvious benefits.

Your mileage of course will vary. I was so used to my old clubs after playing them for 7-8 years that it took me a longer minute to adjust.

[MNUte]

Having watched my F.I.L. swap out clubs consistently and my B.I.L. and friends upgrading their bags over time, I think I fall squarely into the "it depends on you" category.

Some people take their clubs out onto the course expecting everything to go great immediately. When it doesn't, it significantly undermines their confidence in the club, which in turn impacts the speed with which they gain confidence in the club. 

Others take their clubs out understanding that it's a new club and something that will have to be adapted to and learned as time goes on. So a couple of learning curves don't hit them too hard.  

[JAYER38]

100% straight in the bag! I didn't buy to let it sit no matter how pretty it is haha.

I believe there is a honeymoon phase with clubs but that excitement and confidence should never leave... Its the feeling I aim for when looking to purchase clubs

[RangerGrey]

Here is my quick summary of my new Apex Ai300's....After almost 3 weeks being out of commission from dealing with some back and neck issues had some PT, several trigger point injections, adjustment with a Dr. I had to give my new irons a try......1st time out with them as they arrived 3 days ago. Well I can't say I'm disappointed but I don't feel like I did a well as I had hoped for. I needed to stretch out more as I had some soreness in my left elbow so I took it easy as I'm only swinging around 80%. It was a bit chilly slight breeze low 60's but I will say the Apex Ai300 felt and sounded spectacular as the ball really jumps off the face and on my misses were a different feel but in a good way. Didn't notice much of a loss in yardage either on my misses. They do fly high but with the drop in temperature my normal distance pretty much stayed the same on good strikes. This is telling me come next summer I can positively see a significant increase in yardage gained. The honeymoon phase doesn't do anything for me as the I'm sure I will see some very good rounds come next year. 

Now for my score... My misses were just left pin high or on the fringe but only had 4/7 GIR and only hit 3/7 Fairways with 1 OB. Finished with a 38 on a par 35. I had 5 pars, 1 birdie 2 boogies and 1 double. I'm very please under the certain conditions I mentioned as this is just a warm up period for me as come next spring I see getting them completely dialed in pretty quick. This isn't the time to really keep any scores with all the leaves on the ground as later this week I'm heading to a par 3 course as then next week here comes the cold and probably going to be here to stay. I'm pretty excited about these irons as I even had 2 PW shots from 120+ yards that I thought were going to hit the pin.

Now should I have hit the range a few times first maybe as the season is winding down and I played at a course I was very familiar with and actually I wasn't expecting to score as well as I did today as I do know I can do better. I'm just not too worried about a honeymoon period as I know what's ahead for me and these new irons have me pretty excited as I will see some range time come next year. It's just not that necessary this late in the season.

[Josh Parker]

On 7/11/2024 at 8:27 AM, Shrek74 said:

Ok, here's an interesting topic for the group and one I'm always curious about.

When you get new clubs, regardless of what they are, do you put them straight in the bag or do you take them to the range and figure out distances, tendencies, potential issues, etc?

I put my irons/wedges straight in the bag without doing any testing, and so far it's been fine. I did the same with both mini's, and although they both had rough starts, a change in shaft fixed them both.

I have new fairway woods and hybrid, along with a new driver and for some reason I'm a bit more hesitant to put them straight in. Not sure why, but I am. That lead me to posting this question to the group. How do you deal with new clubs?

Straight in the bag with the caveat that I hit a bucket at the range before the round.