As background I am a former club champion and club maker back in day who is also a Veteran (gets substantial PXG discount - highly appreciated) and bottom line have never paid full manufacturers price any piece of equipment but might soon on a Sachs Pariente or other innovative putter. I do scout out used and son used to work at a 2nd Swing and still fills in occasionally there. I have a fine income as a doctor but refuse to pay what I feel are in some cases substantially inflated prices on at best slight changes in tech that truly affect performance.
Here are my current “rules”:
1. No driver should cost more than $300 unless perhaps fully adjustable with a shaft upgrade might go 399 max. Price includes fitting which IMO has to be done. My latest great driver from PXG was 265$ as an example but also have had a Titkeist S3 have given to son got $350 and he got an upgraded shaft changed out for free and smokes it. I also tried a demo Ping 400 that was decent under $300. All fine drivers.
2. No iron set 4 or 5 through wedge is worth more than $750 max and great sets from sub 70 as one example, and often just barely used can be gotten for that. Globalgolf.com and Callaway preowned, 2nd Swing, and many other sites have deals including trade in options. My current PXG 0211s were about $650 shipped and fitted and are great so far and got an Accra shaft that is superb on testing. I could see maybe going a little higher but would have to be proved in a fitting that going above $750 will pay off. I am a good iron player and my primary goal currently is to reduce dispersion and not pick up substantial distance at my senior age (hybrids can gap a distance if needed).
3. No other wedge is normally worth over $100 as can always get either a great pre-owned or a discount on a late model. Most I have paid for a great used wedge is about $60 - partial to Vokeys personally but have several others. I picked up a Tom Watson Ram Grind at a Dicks Sporting Goods that other than defunct Ram name is about as nice a balanced and well performing club as I have had in bag. I paid $39 for it.
4. No fairway wood should cost more than $200 as one of easiest to find same as 4 above.
5. Hybrids are very easy to get quality used about $100 but I did go $180 for a PXG that us only a little upgrade from a Diablo that one could get now for about $50.
I still look at Golfworks on occasion and can build iron sets very cost effective and might do that again someday.
Putters is the one exception as believe a fitting is key and I am considering a price point over $400 for a Sachs Pariente and going to go through a Club Champion fitting soon. I bag a many years old Scotty (series 62) that still functions ok but is dated; and I am going to see what else they fit as am still resisting paying that much unless true upgrade. I honestly will have to think very hard before going above $250 but might budge as the flat stick so crucial.
Would add when shopping again will look at entire Ben Hogan line as stunning in appearance and appear to be pretty cost effective and played Hogan’s for years and can be fitted for them.
Here are my current “rules”:
1. No driver should cost more than $300 unless perhaps fully adjustable with a shaft upgrade might go 399 max. Price includes fitting which IMO has to be done. My latest great driver from PXG was 265$ as an example but also have had a Titkeist S3 have given to son got $350 and he got an upgraded shaft changed out for free and smokes it. I also tried a demo Ping 400 that was decent under $300. All fine drivers.
2. No iron set 4 or 5 through wedge is worth more than $750 max and great sets from sub 70 as one example, and often just barely used can be gotten for that. Globalgolf.com and Callaway preowned, 2nd Swing, and many other sites have deals including trade in options. My current PXG 0211s were about $650 shipped and fitted and are great so far and got an Accra shaft that is superb on testing. I could see maybe going a little higher but would have to be proved in a fitting that going above $750 will pay off. I am a good iron player and my primary goal currently is to reduce dispersion and not pick up substantial distance at my senior age (hybrids can gap a distance if needed).
3. No other wedge is normally worth over $100 as can always get either a great pre-owned or a discount on a late model. Most I have paid for a great used wedge is about $60 - partial to Vokeys personally but have several others. I picked up a Tom Watson Ram Grind at a Dicks Sporting Goods that other than defunct Ram name is about as nice a balanced and well performing club as I have had in bag. I paid $39 for it.
4. No fairway wood should cost more than $200 as one of easiest to find same as 4 above.
5. Hybrids are very easy to get quality used about $100 but I did go $180 for a PXG that us only a little upgrade from a Diablo that one could get now for about $50.
I still look at Golfworks on occasion and can build iron sets very cost effective and might do that again someday.
Putters is the one exception as believe a fitting is key and I am considering a price point over $400 for a Sachs Pariente and going to go through a Club Champion fitting soon. I bag a many years old Scotty (series 62) that still functions ok but is dated; and I am going to see what else they fit as am still resisting paying that much unless true upgrade. I honestly will have to think very hard before going above $250 but might budge as the flat stick so crucial.
Would add when shopping again will look at entire Ben Hogan line as stunning in appearance and appear to be pretty cost effective and played Hogan’s for years and can be fitted for them.
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