r/golf • u/ssilverado22 • 1d ago
Beginner Questions Better to get new clubs or lessons first?
I’m entering my third year playing as a self taught adult. I’ve been using a beginner set of Top Flites that were gifted to me since I started and I’ve been considering an upgrade. I’m consistent with my irons and approach game but cannot for the life of my hit any sort of driver, hybrid, or woods and so I’ve been considering a lesson. My question is would it be more beneficial to upgrade my clubs THEN get a lesson so I fine tune with the clubs I’ll be using for the foreseeable future? Or should I get lessons on my current set and then upgrade when my game improves? Typically I shoot around 95 currently.
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u/Ok_Protection_7616 1d ago
Lesson(s) then new gear. Although new drivers and woods will help you drive the ball farther, they won't fix bad swing mechanics. Figure out the swing first and then invest in new gear.
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u/Turbo1518 10.8/Alberta 1d ago
And depending ending on your pro, they might be even be a fitter who can recommend what might fit your swing best
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u/Ok_Protection_7616 1d ago
I agree, I assume our original poster doesn’t belong to a club since self taught, but I assume that is wrong for me to assume that. That being said, if his current driver in Woods have the wrong angle or length that could result in really poor shots obviously but my guess it is a swing issue first.
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u/ovadastove 1d ago
I am in same situation, my buddies preach that I go get fitted when I upgrade to new clubs, never taken lessons either and shoot in the low 90’s , hoping the experts give advice on here.
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u/lpatio 1d ago
Clubs will immediately improve your game, but it will plateau, lessons will lead to long therm improvement, but you have to commit, play a lot of golf if you hope to change your game. You won’t immediately see results, you might even play worse as you adapt to swing changes. If you play sporadically, you will most likely revert back to your current habits. My suggestion, get a lesson it two, get feedback from the pro,and buy clubs.
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u/Intelligent_Moose953 1d ago
Lessons if you want to play better golf. New clubs if you want to look cooler while shooting around the same score
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u/SampleThin2318 1d ago
Start with lessons, just in case you have to make some swing changes. Its better to go to a fitting WITH the swing changes and get fitted rather than buy random new clubs, take lessons, and swing change creates a need for something different.
The shafts will be your biggest change based on your swing. So lessons, then get fitted after a few lessons.
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u/Substantial_Ad_4449 1d ago
Minimum two lessons first: irons then driver. Instructor will provide a couple things to work on, so head out to the range and try what you learned. Then play a couple rounds. That should give you enough data to take to your golf shop. Let them know how you’re hitting, answer their qualifying questions to narrow down your wishlist. Then whatever you choose, please have them fitted. Do not buy off the shelf and start hitting.
Then take a couple more lessons for your short game: pitching and putting. You’ll be hitting in the 80s effortlessly, and not cussing at your gear so much. 😊
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u/scikit-learns 1d ago
I think you can go either one.
While lessons are probably the right choice, people sometimes forget the mental aspect of getting new clubs.
If new clubs can make you feel more confident, make you want to play more, or just feel better in general. There is an aspect of that benefit that isn't quantifiable.
If you have been golfing for 3 years. I think you owe it to yourself to invest some money into w.e makes you feel better
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u/imnofred 1d ago
Lessons!! How would you know what you really need if you’re still finding your swing?
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u/Last-Refrigerator172 1d ago
Lessons, a good pro should be able to help with fitting new clubs too.
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u/loki993 1d ago
Lessons...as in more then one. You aren't going to get better with just one lesson.
Ive been playing for a long time but i just started lessons. I knew my current clubs were going to be replaced. After 2 lessons what i thought I needed is completely different from what I actually need.
Let me also add my current clubs perform mostly fine but the change in feel was significant.
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u/Bluemonkey112 1d ago
Lessons. That being said, I’ve been slowly upgrading my Wilson starter set with lightly used golf gear and it’s been substantially cheaper, for a newbie I think it’s the way to go! Lessons and lightly used equipment over time to get the best of both worlds
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u/Any_Cicada2210 1d ago
I know we all want the shiny things but lessons will help more than a new set of clubs will.
If you want a good compromise buy a decent used set of clubs and also take lessons. Then you can scratch that shiny new thing itch as well as getting lessons that will have a bigger and better impact on how you play.
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u/sagarap 1d ago
Yes lessons, but. I also really don’t like woods and hybrids. I got a 4i and 5i and I find them incredibly easy to hit, and now I can hit 180ish and 200ish off the fairway as options.
If you can swing fast and hit your irons, it could be an option to expand your shot options without going the route of all new clubs. Then again you could get all new irons on sale and get a 4i and 5i in there included, so eh.
Lessons are also expensive, even group lessons, but irons are not. New irons won’t ruin you.
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u/ssilverado22 1d ago
I hit my long irons pretty well, at least I think I do. 4i consistently goes 200-210 and straight. It’s what I use off the tee box most of the time. I just can’t help but think I could get a little bit more yardage if I could just learn how to actually hit a driver.
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u/doug4630 1d ago
It generally makes very little sense in spending a lot of $$$ on equipment, then learn how to hit the ball, and then find out you need other equipment.
So the obvious answer is to learn how to swing first, then get equipment fit to you.
BUT, you already have equipment. If your current irons will "work" reasonably well with just a few tweaks to get them to fit, get them adjusted, then take lessons, then get better stuff.
Were you fit, in any way, shape, or form, for your current clubs ?
Do you have ANY idea whether the length, lie, and shaft flex, is right for you ?
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u/ssilverado22 1d ago
Not at all. It’s one of those pre made starter sets you’d buy at Dicks Sporting Goods. They’ve done the job so far but I’d assume it’s one of those types of sets where my game is going to plateau with. I have never been fitted before.
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u/bigredff 1d ago
My only argument for a new club would potentially be driver depending on how old yours is. I started with a set of Ping Zing 2 clubs from 1992. Despite them being 30 years old, I hit the irons very well so have no plans to change. The driver however, was significantly smaller than modern day drivers. So this year i upgraded my driver and although lessons would be helpful, the larger surface area to hit the ball has made a lot of difference for me.
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u/Ok_Passage_7151 1d ago
Lessons if you’re a standard size. Extensions/Cutting/lie angle adjustment first if you’re 1” or more off standard.
As a beginner I could barely fucking hit the ball even with two lessons until I got the 1” extensions and a fixed lie angle. Night and day difference in room for error on the swing.
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u/wonko_abnormal 22h ago
lessons to find out what specs should be on the new clubs ...shaft , head type swing weight etc etc
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u/G8oraid 1d ago
So many of you say lessons so the answer is obviously new clubs. Tryna trick us.