I'm looking to buy new clubs for the first time in over 15 years...I went to Las Vegas Golf & Tennis store and got fitted, and apparently I need stiff flex/steel shafts. Three questions:

I'm 46 years old and swing in the 90-95 mph range so they recommended the steel shaft/stiff flex for me. As I don't want to buy another set of clubs for at least ten years, would it be wiser to maybe go for graphite since I'll only be getting older and my swing will more than likely get slower?

I tried a few different clubs and really liked the TaylorMade R9 irons. I went to the TaylorMade site and there is also an "R9 TP" iron set, but I can't seem to find which is the more advanced set - anyone know?

Also, the cost for the irons at Las Vegas Golf was $799, but they were amenable to making me a deal. The set includes 3-pw. Online, I found them for only $429 at Easy Golf Order (3-pw, plus an aw, as well). Anyone ever deal with this outfit before? How are they? How can they offer the same set with one more club at half the price?

Thank you all for the help!

I'm 61 and I don't think my swing speed changed any from 46 to 56 so I wouldn't worry about that.

How comfortable are you hitting your low to mid irons ? A contemporary set usually consisits of 2-3 hybrids which are easier to hit than a standard 3 or 4 iron for the average player. So as you age over the next ten years you may want some " old man " clubs in the bag. A friend of mine who is about the same age ( mid thirties ) and in decent shape hits only fairway woods, it is the strangest thing. He is about 6' 2" and will hit an 11 wood from 135 yds.


I am taking a guess that the " TP" may mean tour professional and in that case I am sure you know which is more advanced and therefore more difficult to hit.

Actually, I made a mistake: the set is from the 4 iron to the PW. I would need some kind of hybrid club for anything longer than my 4 iron, I presume. Sounds good to me because I really don't hit my 3 iron any longer than my 4 iron, anyway. And I've only hit my 2-iron perfect 3 times in fifteen years.

I carry a 21 degree hybrid. It replaces my 3 iron. I'm thinking of adding a 24. They're easier to hit than the long irons.

has anyone dealt with online golf club sellers:

Easy Golf Order
or
Golf Wholesale Seller

Looking to buy through one of these if they are reputable.

one more question:

if a site is selling clubs and they say this is included:

R9 Irons 4-9PAS

does the PAS mean pitching wedge, approach wedge, and sand wedge?

I know a guy thats exactly the same age and description, it is the weirdest thing ever. It gets offset by another guy I play with that never hits a wood, even off the tee. They both shoot about the same.




Dom,

Check out Ebay also. I just picked up a set of TM Burner plus off Ebay 4-pw + AW for $399, but that price you found on the R9s seems good though I never heard of that company.

Pretty sure you're correct.

About the TP, it definitely means Tour Player or Professional or whatever. TP clubs usually fall into the Player category of clubs, most will have little to no offset (a feature that helps mid to higher handicaps make it go straight), a more neutral or even open face alignment and smaller top-lines that make the heads look smaller from address.

thanks everyone...i'm currently looking at ebay, as well and have just put in a bid

TP = Tour Preferred. Definitely aimed at the better player.

As far as eBay goes, only buy from the bigger sellers with excellent feedback. Fake clubs from China on eBay are rampant.

Pay careful attention to the seller, even on eBay. Counterfeit clubs have been running rampant online for the past couple years. Always ask the seller for the serial number. Not all sellers will provide them (as counterfitters often engrave real serials on their fake clubs) so make sure you also protect yourself by purchasing with a CC or via Paypal from an authorized seller.

When you receive the clubs call the manufacture to verify the serial and take 1 to someone who knows how to spot a fake (many of the random shmucks at golf outlet stores cannot spot a good fake)

Good Luck!

Thanks, guys!

I actually have a question on this. You said you got custom fit at a retail store. Did they charge you for this? The reason I ask is because some stores give free fittings if you buy the clubs directly from them after. But I'm wondering if it would be cheaper to get fit, pay them whatever money, then buy the clubs online to have them modded. I don't really know.

well, not a custom fit...I just tried out a bunch of clubs and they measured my club head speed and we decided I needed stiff shafts...I'm normal height I've never needed anything more than standard lofts and lies.

I'm so confused right now....so many online golf stores seem to be knockoffs, or else how could they charge half price for Taylor Made r9 irons?

Then there's a set on ebay from a very reputable dealer (according to his rating and reviews) that's also "too good to be true." The set is only 4 thru pw, so that may have some bearing on the low price, but at $325 I just don't see how that's legit when I haven't found a price for those clubs below $759 anywhere.

I can see 3 possible explanations:

1) Most hackers can't tell the difference between a reasonably well made knockoff and the real deal. So they give good feedback and never figure it out.

2) the dealer is selling stolen clubs.

3) the clubs are used and refurbished and being advertised as new.

He's offering 100% authenticity and money-back guarantee...of course, anyone can say that, right? He's in the US, at least...

of course he offers a moneyback gaurantee. If a customer accuses him of selling knockoff clubs, he can deny it but still offer to return their money immediately. The customer returns the merch, gets their money back, and is satisfied. If the customer doesn't get their money back, they'll give him negative feedback, then call the police and send him to federal PMITA prison.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...on/8549176.stm

What's the name of the seller?

If you take the time to examine the pictures provided it isn't toooo difficult to spot all but the best fakes. Link the listing here if you like

Also, a dedicated golf forum will usually have entire threads of people spotting fakes and offering advice. I use golfwrx.com

Finally, if you're going to pay for a fitting find a local professional, don't get it done at the big box stores

First listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-IN-BOX-Taylo...d#ht_500wt_948

pasting from my phone, sorry for the long links



2nd listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/TaylorMade-R9-Ir...#ht_1040wt_948

I don't see how those prices are possible when they retail for over double.
these are cdn prices, but i don't believe there's much difference south of the border.

http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/s...rer=TAYLORMADE

FWIW those are not buy it now prices, those are current auctions with plenty of time left for the price to escalate towards the norm so you really cannot say those are the prices..

If you search buy it now you will see prices starting over $570 ish, aside from the 5piece sets which explains the cheapness on those.

Ones claiming it was a gift he doesn't need and the 2nd is claiming he won them. Both have excellent ratings but only the 2nd one has over 100 reviews. Both have supplied serial numbers

The first seller is from south Florida. There's a 99% chance there's something shady going on. Studies have shown that 87% of all the scams on Earth originate from south Florida.