Like most things, technology advances year by year. The golf club has undergone major changes and technology has led the transition. I can still remember my first set of hand me downs, Powerbilt Thoroughbred Irons. They were about 20 years old when I got them. New Golf Pride grips were the only “modern” thing about them. I loved those clubs.
What’s interesting now is that Golf Club Manufactures have invested millions of dollars to “help” people improve their games by getting science into the game. MOI, perimeter weighting, adjustable weights, nan0-technology shafts, metals that weren’t even known about 5 years ago. Today, Supercomputers simulate every possible action that a golf head, shaft and even grip will or could experience. Faster, longer, higher, straighter. All in the chance that “perfection” can be purchased as apposed to earned. In some ways I commend the attempt, in others I despise the notion that “technology” replaces fundamental teaching or hard work.
When to get “into” the game
The realist in me understands the importance of “new” technology. If it can make the learning curve easier, then I am all for it. But if technology (and it does exist) allows people to take shortcuts, I feel that it dilutes the game. Growing up in the game I had one natural advantage. I had the height to have a big arc…which then allowed me to generate lots of clubhead speed. This advantage resulted in the ability to hit big long shots. It was not uncommon for me to be 20-40 yards longer off the tee, or 1-2 clubs less for approach shots. Now my advantage also had its drawbacks. I lacked some of the motor skills of shorter/smaller players, as my Center of Gravity was well above theirs. I had difficulty in controlling my short game shots, but I had to learn how to play….I had to practice, and that meant 1000’s of balls. My skills improved by development, technology didn’t give me “Amazing Powers”…Today I see people with less talent and ability achieve through technology what I did by working on the game and understanding the principles of the swing. Am I bitter? Not exactly, but I’m afraid that many young golfers won’t have to learn the game at a young age, and that is sad. Today’s clubs will hit it longer, straighter and have more stopping power around the greens than at any time during golf’s long history. The science of the game is being viewed from every aspect, and even though I feel that you should work your way to lower scores…I can’t stop you from buying some.
Ultimately I feel that technology provides a better product for 90% of the golfers playing the game today. I feel this because I see the inspiration that can come from a high handicap golfer hitting those extra fairways. Or the older golfer still being able to play a par four as a par four. The technology available today increases the chance that an ordinary golfer can achieve an extra-ordinary outcome. The sweet misery the game of golf can provide, suddenly becomes a triumph over that ‘monster’ hole by use of superiorly designed clubs, matched for the user.
So when do I buy into the new technology?
Take a look at your current set of clubs. How old are they? If you have steel shafts in your woods, then I think for sure it is a time to change. If your irons barely cover the golf ball, then yep it’s time. If Sam Sneed or Hagen is written anywhere on the club…then go get something “new”.
I feel that you should get irons every 4-6 years if you play more than twice a week in season. The key is to determine how much golf you play or will play. Woods should be changed every 2-4 years, or at least re-shafted. Putters are the only clubs that I think you should monitor as needed. My putter is over 40 years old, and they can’t make one like her…seriously they lost the metallurgy for the original Wilson 8802 and though tried, never duplicated.
The best thing going is that you can upgrade technology for not a lot of cash…If you have clubs from (gasp) the 1990’s or earlier you can get into a set of early 2000’s irons for about $150 on ebay. These clubs will have perimeter weighting, oversized heads, and maybe graphite shafts…and that’s the beauty of the game, as long as people can imagining buying a game, they will chase the newest and greatest, often selling off their past conquests. Even buying a previous years model (2009’s) you can see a 30-50% discount off of suggested retail. So you don’t have to spend big $$ on the newest…just buy something “newer”…
It will change your game…they have the science to make you a Six Million Dollar man…all you have to do is buy the right tools.
