My Beginner WITB

[Colombiafrank]

Hello everyone.

I just started to learn golf. I'm taking some lessons and trying to practice weekly in a pitch & putt public golf course. 2 weeks ago I played my first 9-hole course and I hope to get my handicap soon.

 

I got this set from a friend and I want to know your opinions:

• Driver: Callaway Epic MAX LS Driver
• Wood: Callaway Epic MAX 5 Wood Regular - Project X HZRDUS Smoke iM10 60
• Irons: Ping Eye 2 Irons 4-9
• Wedges: Ping Eye 2 Wedge PW, Ping G2 SW
• Hybrid: Nickent 3DX IW RC 23° 4 Hybrid Regular Flex SR 2.5
• Putter: MD Golf Superstrong STR40  #1 Putter
• Ball: TaylorMade Distance +

 

• 

 

[ShortGolfer]

Ping Eye 2s were the original game improvement irons.

I would first learn to make good contact with the higher lofted irons and perhaps leave the 4 and 5 irons out of the bag if you struggle with them.

In fact, I would not carry a club unless I can swing it consistently in practice.

Of course, consistency is a moving target.  I remember when I struggled just to make good contact with *any* club in the bag.

 

[Binson]

Looks good! Only thing I'd be weary of is orange dot (-2) lie angle on the irons.  That may or may not be the right fit.  But the good thing with Ping is, you at least know what you're getting into when getting clubs second hand.

[stratgolf]

Great set to start with. Welcome and good luck!

[BIG STU]

Timeless classics. I like them for the fact you are learning. But if you hit them good and like them then keep them. Do not subscribe to all the distance hype. Those irons are traditional loft but hit good just ask the possibly the millions of golfers still playing them. All of this comes from a lifelong confirmed blade man still playing blades. But with that being said I have all the respect in the world for Karsten and his designs. Stick with them great clubs to learn on and possibly play for a golfing lifetime

[ShortGolfer]

As an experiment I'm learning to swing lefty as well.  I bought a lefty T100 blade head and made myself a custom 7iron.  It is very similar to my lefty Mavrik Max 5 iron in loft.

The SGI Mavrik Max is so much easier play golf with than the blade! I can tell when I make a good swing with either.  But, with the Mavrik Max the ball usually goes in the right direction!  

Not only that, I tried using my old Big Bertha Sand Wedge as a lefty club, turning it upside down and using the toe of the club to hit the ball.

That was easier to use than either of those low lofted clubs!  So, I might as well use one of my wedges as a lefty rescue club and not waste a spot in the bag for a lefty club!

The Big Bertha SW has perimeter weighting just like your Ping irons.

 

Two weeks ago I walked on at a Par 3 course and one of the foursome was playing those Classic Ping Irons!

 

A pitch and putt is a wonderful way to learn golf.  I learned on an Executive 9 hole course over a couple of short New England seasons.

Last year I learned how to grind through all sorts of bad lies.  The ones where casual golfers would typically use a "foot wedge."

Now I have the confidence to play golf with anyone!  I didn't have time to practice putting before my first two rounds, but figured it out on the course.

It was pretty amazing to watch my putting come together while playing a round of golf!  My foursome partners sure noticed as I dialed it in!

 

My first paragraph shows I'm a Unicorn! 

Most folks couldn't admit that they went through all the trouble of making a custom blade only to discover that it was a failure.

But, golf rewards those who can learn from mistakes. 

I can make mid-round corrections that aren't band aids, but fixing fundamental flaws to strengthen my game.

Many golfers benefit from expert advice to make their game  more fundamentally sound.

 

 

Edited July 9, 2024 by ShortGolfer

[rsballer10]

14 hours ago, Colombiafrank said:

Hello everyone.

I just started to learn golf. I'm taking some lessons and trying to practice weekly in a pitch & putt public golf course. 2 weeks ago I played my first 9-hole course and I hope to get my handicap soon.

 

I got this set from a friend and I want to know your opinions:

• Driver: Callaway Epic MAX LS Driver
• Wood: Callaway Epic MAX 5 Wood Regular - Project X HZRDUS Smoke iM10 60
• Irons: Ping Eye 2 Irons 4-9
• Wedges: Ping Eye 2 Wedge PW, Ping G2 SW
• Hybrid: Nickent 3DX IW RC 23° 4 Hybrid Regular Flex SR 2.5
• Putter: MD Golf Superstrong STR40  #1 Putter
• Ball: TaylorMade Distance +

 

• 

 

You've got a great friend. That's a great bag to get started with!

[glm]

welcome to the game

good set of sticks 

[fang510]

Fills every part of the bag. Good luck on your journey

[Colombiafrank]

On 7/8/2024 at 5:31 PM, ShortGolfer said:

Ping Eye 2s were the original game improvement irons.

I would first learn to make good contact with the higher lofted irons and perhaps leave the 4 and 5 irons out of the bag if you struggle with them.

In fact, I would not carry a club unless I can swing it consistently in practice.

Of course, consistency is a moving target.  I remember when I struggled just to make good contact with *any* club in the bag.

 

Thank you for the advice! I'll definitely focus on the higher lofted irons, actually on my first game I only used the 8 and 9 irons. I might also keep in mind not carrying clubs I struggle with. Lighter bag, lighter mind I guess? 

[Colombiafrank]

On 7/8/2024 at 11:05 PM, Binson said:

Looks good! Only thing I'd be weary of is orange dot (-2) lie angle on the irons.  That may or may not be the right fit.  But the good thing with Ping is, you at least know what you're getting into when getting clubs second hand.

Thanks for the heads up! I'll have that in mind next time I practice my swing to see if it is a good fit for me or not.

[Colombiafrank]

On 7/9/2024 at 12:22 AM, stratgolf said:

Great set to start with. Welcome and good luck!

Thank you for the welcome and encouragement!

[Colombiafrank]

On 7/9/2024 at 2:36 AM, BIG STU said:

Timeless classics. I like them for the fact you are learning. But if you hit them good and like them then keep them. Do not subscribe to all the distance hype. Those irons are traditional loft but hit good just ask the possibly the millions of golfers still playing them. All of this comes from a lifelong confirmed blade man still playing blades. But with that being said I have all the respect in the world for Karsten and his designs. Stick with them great clubs to learn on and possibly play for a golfing lifetime

Thanks for the insight! So far I’m really enjoying learning with these Ping irons, and it’s great to hear they’re considered timeless classics.. I’ll definitely focus on hitting them well rather than getting caught up in the distance game. Usually when I like something I stick to it, so let's see

[Colombiafrank]

On 7/9/2024 at 5:32 AM, ShortGolfer said:

As an experiment I'm learning to swing lefty as well.  I bought a lefty T100 blade head and made myself a custom 7iron.  It is very similar to my lefty Mavrik Max 5 iron in loft.

The SGI Mavrik Max is so much easier play golf with than the blade! I can tell when I make a good swing with either.  But, with the Mavrik Max the ball usually goes in the right direction!  

Not only that, I tried using my old Big Bertha Sand Wedge as a lefty club, turning it upside down and using the toe of the club to hit the ball.

That was easier to use than either of those low lofted clubs!  So, I might as well use one of my wedges as a lefty rescue club and not waste a spot in the bag for a lefty club!

The Big Bertha SW has perimeter weighting just like your Ping irons.

 

Two weeks ago I walked on at a Par 3 course and one of the foursome was playing those Classic Ping Irons!

 

A pitch and putt is a wonderful way to learn golf.  I learned on an Executive 9 hole course over a couple of short New England seasons.

Last year I learned how to grind through all sorts of bad lies.  The ones where casual golfers would typically use a "foot wedge."

Now I have the confidence to play golf with anyone!  I didn't have time to practice putting before my first two rounds, but figured it out on the course.

It was pretty amazing to watch my putting come together while playing a round of golf!  My foursome partners sure noticed as I dialed it in!

 

My first paragraph shows I'm a Unicorn! 

Most folks couldn't admit that they went through all the trouble of making a custom blade only to discover that it was a failure.

But, golf rewards those who can learn from mistakes. 

I can make mid-round corrections that aren't band aids, but fixing fundamental flaws to strengthen my game.

Many golfers benefit from expert advice to make their game  more fundamentally sound.

 

 

That’s an interesting experiment with swinging lefty! Sounds like you’ve had a lot of fun trying different clubs and setups. I agree, a pitch and putt course is perfect for learning the basics. It’s encouraging to hear about your progress and how you’ve built confidence over time. I’ll keep pushing through the learning curve and hopefully, I’ll get there too
Thanks for sharing!

[Colombiafrank]

On 7/9/2024 at 7:50 AM, rsballer10 said:

You've got a great friend. That's a great bag to get started with!

I agree, I’m really lucky to have such a generous friend. Thanks!

[Colombiafrank]

On 7/9/2024 at 7:56 AM, glm said:

welcome to the game

good set of sticks 

Thank you! I’m excited

[Colombiafrank]

On 7/9/2024 at 11:03 AM, fang510 said:

Fills every part of the bag. Good luck on your journey

Thanks! I'm glad to learn I have a well-rounded set to start with

[bullsfan]

That's a great set for a seasoned player. Nice job and good luck, golf is the most frustrating enjoyable game in the world.

 

FYI, I have been playing golf since I was old enough to hold a club, played in junior levels, HS and College, and I still play Ping Eye 2's. Don't get talked into something different until you get a feel and consistency for the game. Those clubs will work a long time for you and will preform even as you get better. I play to a 1 handicap and I don't have any issue with them other than people saying "why don't you get something newer" as I take their money. Get good a pitching and putting, this is where the strokes are made or saved.

[Colombiafrank]

On 8/6/2024 at 4:05 PM, bullsfan said:

That's a great set for a seasoned player. Nice job and good luck, golf is the most frustrating enjoyable game in the world.

 

FYI, I have been playing golf since I was old enough to hold a club, played in junior levels, HS and College, and I still play Ping Eye 2's. Don't get talked into something different until you get a feel and consistency for the game. Those clubs will work a long time for you and will preform even as you get better. I play to a 1 handicap and I don't have any issue with them other than people saying "why don't you get something newer" as I take their money. Get good a pitching and putting, this is where the strokes are made or saved.

I appreciate your comment! It definitely can be very frustrating, but I am loving the challenge so far. And good to hear that the Ping Eye 2's have served you well over the years. Thanks for the advice.