The Green Fee You probably just saw the pictures of all the new clubs on the USGA conforming list for 2023. We are getting new drivers, fairway woods, hybrids , and most likely irons from Callaway (Paradym), Taylormade (Stealth 2), Cobra (AeroJet) and PING (G430). You are probably thinking you want a new club. Before you run out and buy the latest and greatest lets talk about why you may want some new stuff and if that is what is best for your pocketbook AND game.
You just want something new
Who am I to argue with that logic? New shit is fun. New shit is cool. When you play your first round in 2023 with your buddies and you have the new Paradym, youre going to be the talk of the town. I got a new to me driver this year. My PING was killing it and I didnt need a new one but the Srixon went on sale and I thought why not. Now before buying it I did some serious testing first though.
When looking for that new driver you want to make sure you are being fit for it. Make sure you arent losing ball speed or having a massive jump in spin. Dont hurt your game for the sake of new. There isnt a worse feeling than dropping the money on a new club and it sucking. Those friends who are talking about how cool it is you got the new driver will also be the one to make fun of your ass when you snap hook your 4th tee shot into the woods on the front 9.
Performance Reasons
Another reason to want a new club is a performance upgrade. Maybe you want more distance, more forgiveness, or on something like a wedge more spin. Another very admirable reason to want a new club. There are a couple of things to consider first.
Figure out what you want. When I started looking for a new driver I wanted something that spun a little less while giving me more control. That would give me a little more distance and consistency. When you walk in make sure you know EXACTLY what you want.
The next thing “are your expectations realistic”. I hopped into the comment section of a FB post about someone wanting a new driver. He had a driver that was released in 2020 and wanted to look at getting into a 2022 driver. He said he was looking to gain 5+ yards with the upgrade. 5+ yards on a 2 year driver is going to be tough unless you are playing something WAY off. You can only change 3 parameters to get that added distance: Ball Speed, Launch, and Spin. The ball speed increase needed from the new driver wont be enough vs a 2020 model most. Most clubs also have ways for you to easily change the spin and launch angle
Could you just change the weight position and loft sleeve to change the club face. Maybe you have the heavier weight in the toe and are hitting slices. Try moving that weight to the heel. Maybe you want ot reduce some spin. Lower that loft. Play with the settings on your club to get that perfect fit. Maybe you can pick up that distance by lowering the loft and reducing spin. Maybe you can move that weight back and get the forgiveness you want.
Your current club just feels worn out.
I have seen a lot of clubs with a lot of life left on the preowned rack because people dont even give it a chance. Before throwing that club out try a new grip. There is nothing that gives a club a new look and life than a brand new grip being slapped on it. I have bought a ton of preowned clubs that looked worn out or felt terrible and made them look and feel great with a simple switch out of the grip.
Another thing that can give a club new life is a really good cleaning. Im talking the works. Pull out the magic eraser. Clean the clubhead, give the shaft a good cleaning too. Clean those grips. I have seen someone go so far as to polish the club head with automotive car polish. Try giving the club new life especially if you are comfortable with it.
Filling that missing gap
One thing I recommend you do before starting the season is take an inventory of your equipment and see if there are any missing shots. For instance at the course I play most often there is a longer Par 3 that plays around 200-215. I had a 3 hybrid and a 4 iron that was great for that distance but the consistency with the 4 iron wasnt great and was killing my scores. I spent most of the year trying to find that shot. I finally found my solution and my scores on that have have dropped significantly
So its key to figure out that shot for you. Is there a short par 5 that getting home in two could really lower your scores? Are there a couple of holes where a longer 3 wood could help keep you out of the trees while maintaining as much distance as possible. Evaluate your game and come up with the goal before going in to buy willy nilly. A lot of people go in and buy a new club because it goes further. Remember distance may not be the end goal.
Final Thoughts
I know buying new clubs is fun. I really do. I do it…a lot. If you want to buy something just to buy it by all means have fun. Dont make your game new but worse. Have a goal in mind. Maybe you dont need that new $600 driver. Maybe you need a 2 dollar magic eraser, a 10 dollar grip, and a couple of hosel adjustments.
