i'll echo what some have said and add my 2 cents;
if you dont really give a fuck about maximum performance and just want to get out there with friends, enjoy the sunshine, the walk ......get a whole a set that comes with hybrids, a putter, driver , irons, and a bag. Or even a used set. Doesnt sound like that's what you want tho as you're willing to drop $1,000
a) driver- the advances in driver technology have been dramatic- no way a driver from 10 yrs ago will perform more consistent/longer than today's drivers. Drivers today can allow you to change loft, shot shape bias. Remarkable.
MUST be fitted for this club. They'll have you try all the major brands, with various shafts (flex, kick points). Look/feel is individualistic . Tweaking shafts to get most ideal numbers for you.... Custom fitted driver increases the probability of more consistency, less shot dispersion.
- the
golfing world is obsessed with distance. Its the variable nearly everyone wants so club makers appease the market. Whats happened as a result is we have drivers that are too long for the average golfer; shafts lengths of 45.50- 45.75 have become the norm. Thirty yrs ago the average driver length was 43.75 inches long. In general the longer the driver the worse the shot dispersion for the average player. Ricky Fowler is all of 5'8 or so and hits it a mile -- he uses a 43.75 length driver . A driver shaft can be cut. When you get fit ask to use the SAME SHAFT AND HEAD but at different lengths (say 45.75 Vs 44 Vs 44.50 ) and compare the numbers from the golf monitor. You may be very surprised what the numbers tell you (distance/dispersion)
- one of the most accurate drivers on the market is the Ping G400 Max (of course pros hit the ball on the sweet spot WAY WAY WAY more often than us blokes @)
, so this club's target is the average golfer). Has a stupid high MOI. It's not the longest driver out there but most would hit more fairways with this in the bag. Make sure you test this beast!
b)
set of irons-- replace the long irons with hybrids (nearly every major brand offers this). This is a no brainer for the weekend/casual golfer. You will hit a 4 hybrid WAY better than a 4 iron from a consistency stand point, ball flight
. All the top brands make quality clubs. Feel and look are major factors. One brand isnt 'better' than another brand
iron sets are sold as; game improvement irons vs super game improvement irons vs players irons (blades)-- depending on the skill level of the person. A fitting session will let you know which is best for your skill level for maximum enjoyment out there
c) putter- this is often the least looked at by the weekend golfer, but one of the most important tools in the bag. Drive for show putt for dough . People spend $500 on a driver and pick up something off the rack to putt with , lol
i love SeeMore putters. They eliminate one factor to worry about; set-up at address. Pick your line and speed. Zach Johnson won The Masters using a SeeMore
https://www.seemore.com/
what technology can't fix? a poor swing. I'd invest monies on golf lessons for damn sure. Another area to invest in is the psychology of the game (i'd recommend Dr J Parent's book, its an easy read, awesome book)- its sad to see weekend golfers lose it on the course. There to have fun, no ?
have fun!! its the greatest game in the world....next to hockey of course