100% in the 'go used' camp.

Golf technology is marginally better each year so there is no harm in arming yourself with a set that's a few years old. If the grips are crap, make sure to upgrade those -- but test out which you prefer (Golf Pride Tour Velvets, or Tour Chords are v popular choices).

After that, find some good reviews of a popular swing coach and commit yourself to improving your game. If you don't think you'll have the discipline (or time) to dedicate to improving the game, don't waste your money though.

Ok, newer used clubs it is. Can someone explain to me the notion that my old clubs "don't match the modern ball"? What does that mean, precisely?

Original grips. Smooth as a baby's bottom. When I bought the clubs I was in college and was no way no how spending money to put on new grips, then I was poor and in law school playing maybe 20 rounds a year, if that, and then I was a lawyer working insane hours playing 1 round a year and now I am still a lawyer but have made several awesome quality of life enhancements over the past three years, including internal surgery to correct a hernia my doctor described after the surgery as "how did you live like that? Just... wow. I've never even heard of something like that. You should be dead."

So I am in my second year of post-surgery quality of life and I have time to devote to golf and want to. And, yes, ship, my wife is indeed awesome.

As far as old clubs not matching the modern ball, its because the technology of balls and clubs are so different. Clubs grooves nowaways are different than before because the balls are getting softer and more longer and spinning alot more around the greens. The older clubs most likely would not have the same control of the ball as far as how fast it stops going into greens and such.

Correct me if Im wrong ship because this is just a good guess

it's not really so much with the irons as it is with the driver. Old golf balls had completely different covers and were wound rubber bands. Modern balls are solid core and have all kinds of covers. Without really getting into it (largely because I can't) the two just don't match up. It is why the same holds true that you can't take a modern driver and hit an old Titleist anywhere.

If you lived not near a major metro area, where would you start going to find clubs? my choices here in Central PA are:

Dick's
local public courses
drive 1.5 hours to a Golfsmith
a local golf range/shop with 2 pros who in response to my inquiry (in person) about clubs was to insist that what i need to do first is pay for a lesson

I honestly don't have any idea what type of clubs are best for me or even who to talk to in order to get started.

I would actually probably drive the 1.5 hours to Golfsmith as you will be able to demo just about everything there.

Also, your local ranges may have demo carts from certain manufacturers so maybe check with them as being able to hit different clubs outside and actually see the ballflight is probably better than hitting into a net/screen.

Golfsmith is your only choice, especially for used stuff. Drag your wife on a weekend and take her shopping for something, then take her to lunch, then to Golfsmith. Make a day trip out of it.

Dick's doesn't carry used afaik, and the local guys won't be helpful.

at golfsmith now

fitter guy suggesting mizuno jpx-800 with 1/2 inch extended shaft.

nothing used in stock here that i like. am i going to find something like that used?

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/...1#entry4684244

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/...1#entry4711538

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/...1#entry4613097

Lol thx

Lol thx

I am seeing some sets on ebay that claim to be customizable by Mizuno. Legit or shipped direct from the Mi2uno Factory in Piratebay, China?

Thanks to all who chimed in on this thread. Just pulled the trigger on a preowned Razr Hawk 3 wood and some Mizuno JPX 800s that I was able to get a good price on.

I still have some money left and will be shopping for a pro to have a few sessions with.

I'm going to be buying some new clubs within the next month. I'm 6'5" and I've always played with clubs far too short for me. Will a club fitter be able to figure out what I should be swinging despite what I'm sure is terrible posture?

I would say absolutely yes.

I had two fitters on different days using very different approaches say I needed the extra half inch. The first just watched me swing and saw that my natural setup position was about that far off the ground and then I would reach down to address the ball. The other used whatever golfsmith uses in their simulator bays to suggest it based on ball flight.