How Long To Use Golf Clubs - Should You Replace Often?

Mon, 09/12/2016 - 15:50 -- Don Trahan

Club manufacturers and most searching on the Internet will tell you that you need to replace clubs ever two or three years, especially the driver. Is this true? Most often not. Recently a customer wrote in to ask this question.

In this video Doc provides a very detailed and informative response about when you should replace your clubs. Spoiler: it isn't as often as the manufacturers would like you to replace them!

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Comments

ruis.steve@gmail.com's picture

Submitted by ruis.steve@gmail.com on

This is what I keep coming back to this blog for: straight talk!

Thanks, Doc!

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin on

You are quite welcome and thanks to you as well!

Jerry Gaughan's picture

Submitted by Jerry Gaughan on

Brady:
Any word on DJ? WD last two tournaments, hope he is OK.

Doc:
Well done. Got fitted for everything but the putter by Greg Courtnay here in MI, they have been excellent. So true - need to make a good swing still. When I make good swings the clubs have performed exactly as wanted.

I bought the driver and 4 wood 2 years ago - they have lots of wear but I have seen no change in performance.

Surge and Surgites:
Have a great weekend and play well friends
Jerry - Warren MI

olinks's picture

Submitted by olinks on

http://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/Equipment/distance-study.pdf
Good video and to back up your claims I have copied a link which is the R&A and USGA study into driving distances, taken from several major tours from 2003 until the end of 2015 and the increase is 1% or 0.2 yards per year.
I am back to using my old drive Taylormade superfast 2, I just put in a new shaft a grafalloy Pro-Launch regular down from stiff and it far out performs
the variable hosel modern one I was using. The study makes very interesting reading and it tracks the major rules changes in manufacturing.

NeilofOZ's picture

Submitted by NeilofOZ on

Doc, this is the best ever video that you have ever done and this one will go into my "PPGS Gems" file that I have, so when one of my mates come to me and talk about a new club that has come onto the market, I will send this link to them.

Bob Pegram's picture

Submitted by Bob Pegram on

I can't agree more. My driver head is a 2009 Adams 430 Redline Tour and it works great. My fairways are old Zero Tolerance from the early 2000s. My iron heads are old Orlimar forged cavity backs that must be 20-25 years old, but not worn much. They are all graphite shafted and extra long (I have relatively short arms and stand up straight). I have never played so well with so little practice, I finally don't have to contort my swing to fit shorter clubs. The longer clubs are easy on my back too. They also gave me my distance back.

twindad9's picture

Submitted by twindad9 on

One of the most straight-forward explanations of the myths of modern marketing ever! Well done Doc!

I do carry a fairly modern Callaway driver that's about five years old and have yet to find anything that fits me better. I have tried dang near every type of irons out there over the last 50 years and still enjoy the feel of my old 1969 Ram XP-100 blade irons (with aluminum shafts!). While I've got a new Phil M lob wedge my 65 year old Spaulding Wedge (about 58 degrees) has been in my bag for 50 years! Keep up the great work Doc and Don!

fkn100's picture

Submitted by fkn100 on

I have a set of Hogan Apex Edge (cavity back) forged irons that were build to fit me several years ago when Hogan Co. was still in Fort Worth. I'm now older and wonder if new shafts for the irons would be a wise choice. I really don't see any huge advantage to buying a new set. I'm going for a fitting this week and just thinking new shafts, check lie angle, etc. might be me best option. Your thoughts?

cisowski@sympatico.ca's picture

Submitted by cisowski@sympat... on

Good day, I live in Toronto Canada area & wanted to know if/when you are coming up to Toronto area for club fitting sessions ? Thank You

markyoung.email@gmail.com's picture

Submitted by markyoung.email... on

One video by Don, one video by Doc during the entire month of September?

Brady's picture

Submitted by Brady on

The person that posts the videos - me - has been moving from Europe back to the US so I haven't had time to get a video posted. I am doing one right now.

Gweeks1022's picture

Submitted by Gweeks1022 on

Thanks for the ppgs, it has renewed my hope to pay well again. I'm doing much better with your swing. I sometimes seem to really pull the ball to the right (i'm a leftie). It seems like I have a tenancy to follow through to the right, not vertical. This is a persistany problem. Any drills or corrections I should know about?
Greg

Kevin McGarrahan's picture

Submitted by Kevin McGarrahan on

Hey, Brady,

How's everyone doing at Hilton Head in the aftermath of Matthew?

Brady's picture

Submitted by Brady on

Based on text messages and photos my wife is getting from friends, Sea Pines got hit very bad. Mount Pleasant where DJ lives was fine.

Leednc's picture

Submitted by Leednc on

I have consistently this summer suffered from coming over the top with, in particular, my longer clubs. I had to rehab a shoulder injury last winter and my shoulders are stronger now than they have been in years. (I turn 60 in January) I have watched videos here, tried to focus on tucking my right elbow to my hip, etc. without anything working consistently.
Surge has 50+ videos when I search for 'over the top' but I wonder if anyone has a recommendation of which ones to watch.

Thanks for any help,
Lee.

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin on

We tentatively have Toronto planned for March 2017. If you are registered with SSGM, you will get an email.

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin on

Brady, who does the editing etc for videos, was moving back to the USA so there was very limited time for him to spend doing this. The "fat lady has not sung"!

ronlog@aol.com's picture

Submitted by ronlog@aol.com on

I have just watched the vid by the Doc on when to change clubs and would like to say that it was a very informative and eye-opening experience. The club manufacturers would not like it much though. An excellent presentation.