Golf clubs have changed perhaps more than any other single aspect of the game in the last 15 years. Factors like aerodynamics, component weight and better graphite shafts have allowed golfers to hit the ball longer and straighter. The head of the driver is now built with aerodynamics in mind.
Full Answer
Are golf clubs better now than 40 years ago?
On the whole, the clubs being produced now are very impressive. It would be difficult to argue that any golfer could pick up a club from 40 years ago and have better performance than one produced today.
Is it bad to change golf clubs 3 times in a month?
If changing equipment is part of the fun of golf for you, by all means, play three different drivers in a month. Try switching from your SGI irons to blades. See if that new mallet putter can actually help your putting. While there are no “bad” reasons to get new clubs, I would suggest that you ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?”
How do new golf clubs get better?
Every time a new club gets released we hear about how it’s longer, faster, straighter – but how does this actually translate to golfers and how can they continue to get better within the rules of golf. It comes down to simple physics, and engineers’ ability to continually work with manufacturing partners to maximize the potential a driver has.
Are the longest golf clubs ever made?
Every year, equipment manufacturers tell us that their latest products are the longest, straightest clubs ever created, and every year, thousands of golfers buy new drivers in the hope that it’s true.
Are old golf clubs better than new?
As you know golf is a very challenging game, and playing the wrong equipment will make it that much harder for you. On the whole, the clubs being produced now are very impressive. It would be difficult to argue that any golfer could pick up a club from 40 years ago and have better performance than one produced today.
Should I replace 15 year old golf clubs?
There is no evidence that golf clubs deteriorate over time. Well maintained clubs will last a lifetime. 10+ year old clubs should be checked for better options but clubs less than 5 years old do not need replacing except for wear and tear issues to which wedges and forged irons are most vulnerable.
Are golf clubs really improved?
If you play traditional forged irons, nothing substantial has changed in decades. However, if you're looking for the new thin-faced, low spinning, high MOI super game improvement clubs, you're likely to see changes every three to five years.
How have golf clubs changed over the years?
Golf clubs have changed perhaps more than any other single aspect of the game in the last 15 years. Factors like aerodynamics, component weight and better graphite shafts have allowed golfers to hit the ball longer and straighter. The head of the driver is now built with aerodynamics in mind.
How long should golf clubs last?
Taking into account the different factors we've discussed, a quality set of golf irons can last anywhere from 8 to 10 years with proper care, and sometimes up to 12 years. Remember, if you take care of your golf clubs, they'll take care of you!
How do I know when I need new golf clubs?
If you experience an unexplained change in your game, it could be due to worn out clubs. A sudden change in ball trajectory, driving distance or score could all be signs that your clubs need replacing. A gradually increasing handicap could be the result of an old set of golf clubs.
Do newer golf clubs make a difference?
If you are someone that started out recently and has seen good improvement in your game with an old set of clubs, you can definitely make a big improvement by getting clubs that are created for your swing speed and fitted perfectly for you.
Do newer irons go further?
Here's another key point, not only are irons hotter today, it's easier to make them fly higher, too. In one of our recent tests, we found that not only did new 7-irons go farther than 6-irons from a decade ago, they flew as higher or higher than many of those old 7-irons, too.
How have golf clubs changed in the last 10 years?
2:1131:35HAVE GOLF CLUBS REALLY CHANGED IN THE LAST TEN YEARSYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRather than advancements in golf in the last 10 years. And. I think it's safety saying that it kindMoreRather than advancements in golf in the last 10 years. And. I think it's safety saying that it kind of started with this club.
How often should you get new golf irons?
A good estimation is for low handicap and regular golfers to replace the set of irons after approximately three hundred rounds or around four to five years. This will prevent the clubs from wearing out in places where you regularly strike the ball and keep you abreast of technological advances.
Is there really a difference in golf clubs?
In short therefore while more expensive clubs, grips and shafts can make a difference as your golf game improves more money does not automatically mean better and it is far more important that you have golf clubs that are 'fitted' to your swing as opposed to simply being more expensive.
Can irons lose their distance?
As we mentioned, truly worn out irons can be hard to come across, it would take me back to the days of using my dad's old clubs that were well past their sell by date. However, if you have truly worn your clubs out, you can lose about 7-10 yards on them.
How often do golfers change their equipment?
Golfers on average change their equipment every four or five years. If you don't, you risk getting left behind in technology. Equipment Editor Mike Johnson's analysis of the 102 players on the PGA Tour who qualified for distance-stat tracking in 2013 and again in 2017 shows the average distance gain was 2.2 yards, from 289.8 to 292.0 yards. Sixty-eight players got longer; 34 got shorter. Rory McIlroy gained the most: 15 yards. Experts will tell you distance gain is actually greater because pros can hit it farther when they want to. There were 29 drives of 400 yards or more last year on the tour. But let's talk about us, not them, and why you should use this 15th edition of the Hot List ( View the complete 2018 Hot List) as a shopping guide. I'm calling in Senior Editor of Equipment Mike Stachura to testify:
How long is a driver shaft?
Driver lengths have settled back down, generally to around 45½ inches. Longer isn't longer; properly fit for length (and loft and face angle and weight and bend profile) is longer. Although longer shafts generate more speed, shorter shafts might give you more distance because you find the center of the face more often.
Does Newer Mean Better?
Every year, equipment manufacturers tell us that their latest products are the longest, straightest clubs ever created, and every year, thousands of golfers buy new drivers in the hope that it’s true.
How We Tested
We brought together five testers and four drivers, each from a different decade – the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, and 2010’s. Each player hit each driver five times, and every shot was recorded.
The Results
Unsurprisingly, we found that new drivers are significantly longer than old drivers. When looking at the group average, the modern driver was 30 yards ahead of the persimmon driver and 13 yards ahead of the driver from the 90’s.
Conclusion
The next time you see an ad touting the latest driver as being the longest ever, remember what you’ve seen here: a driver that’s nearly 10 years old went toe-to-toe with the best driver of the year because of a well-fit shaft. It’s true that drivers do improve every year, but the improvements are gradual.
jmaytx
Just got back into the game after about a 10 year layoff. Was fitted for and purchased a set of Cleveland TA5 Gunmetals back in 2001 and still playing them. I love my TA5's but I'm wondering if it's worth looking into a new set because I know the technology has changed since then. I'm just an average golfer and hit the ones I have well.
cgasucks
Unless you want to hit a PW with the loft of today's SGI or GI 9 iron then by all means do it. Otherwise don't waste your money (if you hit it on the sweet spot most of the time).
18thbunker
My MP14's is in California and I use it each time I travel there. Love it better than my later model Mizunos.
Mitchell
If you love irons and hit them well, really no need to make a change. If want to try some new options, my advice is to do so outside on real grass where can judge ball flight and turf interaction in real world conditions compared to current clubs.
hacker49
Thanks so much for the feedback, that's kind of what I am thinking as well. When I think of the rounds I could play and range time I could get with what some new irons would cost I just don't know that I could justify it. Probably stick with what I've got and get my groove back.
95124hacker
If you plan to play in top level tournaments, your irons won't be allowed due to the groove rule but if you're a recreational player you have until 2024.
Golf64
I always say, hit them head to head to see which performs best. In that same genre of iron, hard to beat the G400s right now, IMO. ;)
Who are the editors of Golf Digest?
And they are sharing their golf equipment knowledge with you. Golf Digest's equipment editors, Mike Stachura and E. Michael Johnson, have covered the golf equipment business for decades, and there are few who know the equipment industry better. We've asked them to answer your questions in a weekly equipment round-up.
Who used ping eye 2 wedges?
Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington started using original Ping Eye2 lob wedges because its grooves were grandfathered in and Stewart Cink even went so far as to practice with duct tape on the face of his wedges, feeling that would be the equivalent of the new, less-aggressive grooves.
What does a good club fitter do?
A good club fitter will also speed up the search process and get you back on the course with confidence. With a good fitter, you can try all the relevant new drivers/irons/etc in one session, decide what you need to do, and get back to playing golf.
Why do drivers get hotter as they age?
In fact, some people theorize that drivers actually get hotter as they age because the face thins out very slightly.
How often should I check my wedge tech?
If you want a modern cavity back wedge with more MOI and precise CG, it’s worth checking in every three to five years.
Can you get rid of a putter?
Never. If you have a putter that works, never get rid of it. It won’t wear out (barring abuse), and while there have been improvements in putter design over the years, boatloads of money is still being won on Tour with putter designs that are decades old.
Golfers Did Not Have Many Options
What Changed?
- A lot of advancements have been made over the past several decades. The golf world has attracted top-level engineering talent from places like aerospace industry. These brilliant minds have been able to design, manufacture, and measure club performance better than ever. Every manufacturer is investing major dollars each year trying to push things forwards in order to capt…
The Modern Blade vs The Classic
- The test I was most interested in was comparing an older-style blade iron versus a modern one. Truth be told not too much has changed in the looks of a blade iron over the years. Many companies are still producing the classic forged blade that is a symbol of craftsmanship. I purchased a McGregor Jack Nicklaus 7-iron from eBay, which is representative of a run of the m…
Ball Comparison
- The invention of the Pro V1 by Titleist marked a major shift in golf ball technology. It has allowed golfers to get the best of both worlds – longer distances with the driver and optimal spin conditions when you need them. Many of you remember the wound golf balls from Titleist. Older balls are hard to come by unused, but I was able to purchase a box of DT Wound 100 that were n…
Wrapping It Up
- I have learned a tremendous amount about golf equipment since I first started Practical Golf. What I can tell you with certainty is that the clubs and ball you play can have a large impact on your performance. As you know golf is a very challenging game, and playing the wrong equipment will make it that much harder for you. On the whole, the clubs being produced now are very impr…