Am I at a disadvantage by using 20 year old Ping Eye 2 clubs??

[Pacman]

I was playing golf today as a single, and was joined up with another group of 3 players. A couple of the other players were giving me a hard time about playing with "20 year old golf clubs that were never any good anyways". They were playing with some whizzy Callaway clubs that looked expensive, and kept saying that I was at a disadvantage for using clubs with old technology and that I'd be better off with a set of $200 Canadian Tire clubs than my current ones.

I'm playing with Ping Eye 2 Green dots, 2-pw. These clubs could very well be 20 years old. My uncle bought them brand new, played 3 rounds of golf with them, and then decided that he didn't like the game. They stayed in his basement, untouched, until he gave them to me last year.

I took the clubs to a local shop that sells Pings, and they did a free fitment for me, and determined that blue dots were the correct color code for me. They sent them off to Ping and charged me $50 to have them adjusted. I had the grips replaced with new ones for $50 at the same time, so I'm only into them for $100. These clubs look brand new, but now these other players have got me wondering if I'm better off with something else.

I compared my clubs with some other expensive new clubs at the Pro Shop after my round today, and besides the asthetics, they didn't look much different than the new Ping Eye 3+. The shape of the head, and the depth of the cavity seemed very close, and the difference between the two probably wouldn't be exploited by a player who is just learning the game like myself.

Am I going to notice a difference between my old Pings vs a set of new low end clubs in the $200-$300 price range?? How about the $500-$700 price range?

I'm a little dissapointed, as I was hoping to learn to play with these clubs for 3-5 years before I had to replace them.

My Driver and woods are fairly new, so I'm not really concerned about them.

Any thoughts?

Regards,
James Dixon
jdixon@shaw.ca

[Rough Stuff]

Am I going to notice a difference between my old Pings vs a set of new low end clubs in the $200-$300 price range?? How about the $500-$700 price range?

I'm sure you'll get much better technical responses from some of the others, but more info is probably needed. Most importantly, how good a golfer are you? If your swing speed and your technical abilities are up there, technology may benefit you. For the amateur, other than new woods, I don't think so...you should make sure the clubs are best suited for YOU though, and it means testing them and compare against new ones (borrow from Chuck Brownes) to see which ones are more "forgiving". I know many of my friends went out and bought the best in their budget range, without testing them out. I know I can hit my ping knock-offs much more easily than most MacGregor sets.

Does this include wood-woods? I know the metal/wood technology is far advanced in the last 20 years. As far as irons, I'm not so sure thats the point.

[Pacman]

I'm definatly not a good golfer. I've been playing for 1 year, and consistantly shoot 105-110. I have shot a 97 and a round of 88, but those were very lucky days.

The woods I have are not the wooden woods, but 5 year old Adams Tight Lies, which seem to be fine.

I'm more concerned about the 20 year old irons I'm using.

Regards
Pacman

[yun]

Don't worry about what other people say. By the sounds of it, you've got a cavity back type iron that should have some level of forgiveness. It might not be as shiny as new clubs, but in my opinion, if you gave those clubs to anyone with a decent swing, they could probably toast most people with those clubs. Lesson of the day: The clubs help, but it's the swing that matters the most. When you feel comfortable with your swing and develop a taste for clubs, then it might be time to go to the next level. Save your money and invest in lessons/the golf channel. It'll do you better. And on top of that.. next time someone decides to talk smack about your clubs, imagine how they'd feel once you stick it to 'em and their new expensive set with your set of 'inferior' clubs. Now that's golf. Don't become one of those people with a $3000 set that shoots regularly aver 110. I hate that. If you're a beginner, between a 50 dollar set and a 3000 dollar set, it won't make very much difference to your score. But what do i know.

Cheers,
Yun

[Chieflongtee]

Pacman. Are the following the ones you're using?
http://www.ironfinder.com/modelshaft...p?ModelNbr=287
If so I wouldn't worry about what other people think.If you ever decide to get rid of them let me know. A lot of people are still using them and they are still excellent clubs. As a matter of fact check out the following thread. http://www.ottawagolf.com/forum/show...ight=criterion This particular golfer is looking for irons that are 20 years old.

[Rough Stuff]

I'm definatly not a good golfer.

Well hang on to them and wait and see. Meanwhile, when your friends rib you, ask them if you can try their clubs at the range. If you like them, put them on a wish list and keep your eyes on them WHILE you get better with your clubs. If the grips are replaced, the height is right, and you can make some contact, don't worry about it. I see a lot of new golfers get sets from relatives and they don't get the grips (worn and slippery) replaced: THATS a mistake. YOU're doing fine. If you are going to sell them, price them...old clubs might gain value.

[LobWedge]

Pacman. If those are definitely Eye 2's, IMO you're holding on to the best clubs that Ping has ever produced. Let those other guys blow their money on the "latest thing". Eye 2's were 10 years ahead of their time.

You may want to have a look at having some shafts installed that are right for your game right now. You can always change them again later as you improve.

[Pacman]

Andre,

THey are not the ones that you posted a picture of, they actually look like this......http://www.ironfinder.com/modelshaft...p?ModelNbr=290 According to the above website, mine are a bit newer.

One interesting thing according to the above website, is that they kept producing this Eye 2 model until 1998!!. Could this be a mistake? I can't see a company making the same club for 15 years.

If they offer no real advantage than a newer iron, I'm more than happy to continue using these clubs. I'm not trying to look good on the course by using whizzy equipment, but trying to improve my game.

Regards,
Pacman

[natgolfer]

You are certainly playing with better quality, more forgiving clubs, than most relative beginners have, so they will not prevent you from learning a good swing, and I would definitely not part with them.

As your heads are investment cast, they tend to feel "harsh," and because of that it is more difficult to discern the different feel between a good shot and a poorer one. Being in the process of learning a golf swing, the wonderful feel of centre of face contact may not be important to you now, but as you become better, you may learn that it is one golf's more delightful experiences. So, in time you may want to consider a head with a softer metal(431 stainless instead of the 17-4 of these Pings) or you may want to go all the way to a forged cavity back head. On the market there are heads that actually have a forged face and a cast back, as well. They feel great.

The older Ping irons tended to be shafted with stiffer than required shafts, although what you have may be just fine for your swing at the present. Very often older clubs are rusting from the inside so there is an increased chance of breakage and potential danger to you. Replacing the shafts with a little softer flex and matched to each other better, is something you may want to consider in the future.

[Chieflongtee]

Very often older clubs are rusting from the inside so there is an increased chance of breakage and potential danger to you. Replacing the shafts with a little softer flex and matched to each other better, is something you may want to consider in the future.

I would not worry about breakage since these clubs have only been used 3 times by your uncle.Since we are on the topic 304 stainless steel is also a very soft feeling material and also bendable up to 3 degrees. Blades are nice when you hit them dead centre but not so nice when you're a bit off(ouch).

[el tigre]

I believe Steve Karam, our Ottawa Golf Tour coordinator and runner-up for last year's championship, use Ping Eye 2s and swears they will never leave his bag. Last I heard his handicap was around 10-12, and he seemed to be playing just fine with them. I'm surprised he has weighed in on this one yet.

[john doe]

Pacman

I have never hit a Ping golf club in my life but I have hit alot of different clubs and have played for about 30 years (including working at courses for about 8).

Your Ping irons may be 20 years old but so what. They were top of the line clubs then and are still more than acceptable. You can update the grips and shafts as required.

If somebody is telling you that you need a new set of Callaway's to play golf, that actually says more about their understanding of golf than anything else. As for the suggestion that you wold be better off with a $200 set from CT, if you believe that please allow me to by a $200 set from CT and I will swap you even up. Again, that suggestion says more about th person's knowledge of golf than anything else.

Those Pings will take you as far as you want to go. If/when you arrive at the point where you are consistently shooting low 80s golf (or better), maybe an update will be required to a specific club that may be better suited to your specific swing.

.

[Kilroy]

Those sticks are way better than 90% of people start playing with. They will be great. I think that you certainly could not replace what you have for under $600 off the rack, and that would be a total waste of $600.

Some well meaning golfers can easily spend 4 hours bragging on their great equipment and spreading "Know how" to an beginner. Just smile and nod.

[Wilster]

Good point , on a very interesting subject.
Imo it would depend on the level of golfer , ie if youve been playing this sport for a while and are somewhat decent at it , it wouldnt matter what type of iron you play with, as long as the grooves arent worn away and you have good grips , and the results are working for you .
New golfers , improving golfers , may want to upgrade to the newer technology to help them improve their game , but other than that , stick to what you like and what feels good and works for you