Right clubs for me?

Question

I am a huge Tiger woods fan, so naturally i have a bias to get nike equipment and i am considering getting the sam clubs as him only with different lofts, lies, and shafts. I am 14 years old, i made the JV golf team last season, and usually shoot in the mid to low 80's. My driver swing speed is an average of 96 MPH. My strengths on the course include iron play and accuracy off the tee. Basically, could i handle Tiger's Blades and the other clubs in his bag? Here's what i plan to get.

Nike Sasquatch Tour 10.5 w/ Grafalloy BiMatrix 79g S

Nike Sasquatch II 15 and 19 w/ Grafalloy Bimatrix 90g S

Nike Forged Blades (3-pw) w/ True Termper Dynamic Gold S

Nike Pro Combo 56 wedge

Nike SV Tour 60 wedge

Scotty Cameron Studio style putter 34"

Is this going overboard??

PS: Money isn't really important, i play everyday and take care of my equipment. Also, my team mates have nicknamed me "Tig", i get the "er" once i finish in the top 15 at the final tournament.

Answer 1

In good conscience I can't recommend blades to anybody. They really are for players who demand workability, not just players who are able to hit them. The rest, yes you should be able to hit them as well as anything else you like.

Answer 2

Please remember that just because you get nike clubs, they will not make you play like tiger...

Blades would be ok for you if you are in that mid handicap range, but on bad days you are going to struggle hitting them.  If your strengths are in accuracy, you will be ok with them, but you must concentrate extra hard on ball contact with blades.  If you hit a blade even a little of center, you will know it quickly.  

As for the rest, seriously I would try more clubs than just the nike brand.  Many pro's dislike the nike brand.  How many do you think play nike besides Tiger?  I can name two bigger names, KJ Choi and Steven Ames I think.  Maybe it was Stewart Cink.  I dunno, I mix those two up.  Anyway, the point Im trying to make is that Tiger does NOT hit the same nikes that are on the shelves.  Here are some suggestions that you can try if you like:

Irons: Mizuno MP 30, 60

Titleist 695MB, 735

Taylormade TP

Drivers: Taylormade R460 superquad, R460TP

Titleist 905R

Callaway FTI

Wedges:  Titleist Spin Milled Vokey

Taylormade TP y cut

Cleveland cg12,14 y cut

Putter: Whatever feels best.

Just remember that clubs really dont make the player man...

Answer 3

It sounds like you're pretty well set on getting the equipment you list in the question, and I don't know how much good an answer here is going to do you.

That said, I would advise against getting ANY club that you haven't swung before. No matter how much research you do, or how many pictures you look at, you can't tell how a certain piece of equipment is going to feel in your hand.

In the end, no one but you can tell you what is best for you and your game. Before making such a big purchase, I would try to find a pro shop in your area that has these clubs in stock, if only to confirm that they are what you want.

Once you know for sure that is what you want, you can look for the best price online and save yourself some money.

Best of luck with the team, and with your purchase.

Answer 4

Try this.

Answer 5

First of all, I understand why you would want to play "Tiger-like" equipment.  He's a great player and of course, the equipment he brings to the course is great... for him.  You need to ask yourself...  "Is it more important to LOOK like I'm carrying around a bag of Tiger's clubs, OR to PLAY the game in a way that resembles Tiger."  In other words, would you rather shoot 85 playing a variety of Nike equipment that might not fit you, or would you rather shoot 78 playing something else?

I've got nothing against Nike clubs, or blades, or Scotty putters.  I used to play a Scotty Studio Prototype 6, and I currently play TaylorMade blades and a Nike driver.  I've selected the equipment I play based on feel and performance, NOT on looks.  I play in 15+ amateur tournaments per year, and I need to be able to depend on my equipment.  Here are a few thoughts that might help you:

1.  Driver

What process have you gone through to select this Nike driver?  Have you hit it on several different occasions with a launch monitor?  With a clubhead speed in the mid 90s (I'll infer a ball speed only around 130ish), you probably don't need to worry about spin, but launch angle will have a huge impact on your overall distance.  I will guarantee you that comparing the latest drivers from different manufacturers will really open your eyes.  You WILL hit other drivers longer and straighter.  The Ping G10, the TM Burner, the new Nike clubs, the Callaway FT-5...  there are so many options.  I'd bet one of the newer heads + lighter shaft will give you more accuracy and distance.  Isn't that what you want?

2. Irons

If you could see Tiger's blades up close, you'd notice a small spot in the middle of the face where the metal is wearing down slightly.  For him, it is only about the size of a penny.  What do your irons look like?  I'm a 6 handicap, and I can tell you that the wear spots on my irons are much bigger, around the size of a quarter.  If your irons don't look like this, you should NOT be playing blades.  Doesn't mean you couldn't in the future, but playing a more forgiving iron NOW means that as your swing is improving (with age and practice), you will enjoying the benefits of a more forgiving head.  There are many tour pros that play forgiving irons.  They don't need much forgiveness from the head, but every little bit helps now and then.

Here is another question:  When you are 150 yds out, in the fairway, and the pin is cut back left...  what do YOU do?  Aim for the middle of the green and play for the back edge yardage?  Aim right at the pin?  Or do you play towards the middle of the green, play to the middle yardage, and hit a slightly lower draw back to the hole, and assume the low draw will fly farther?  I'm gonna guess that at your handicap (10-12), you are probably happy with the middle of the green.  A more forgiving iron will help this.  A blade is designed to allow you to "work" the ball a little easier.  Analyze your last few rounds, and be honest with yourself.  Are you able to execute draws/fades with a variety of clubs, in order to hit fairways or knock it close?  No offense, but I'm going to assume not.  Doesn't mean you won't be in a couple years.  :)

3. Shafts

The DG S300 shafts in the irons are probably fine for you.  But you've listed some pretty heavy/stiff shafts in your woods.  I'm 6' tall, weigh 175 lbs, swing a driver at about 108 mph, and typically carry the ball 260ish with my driver.  I can tell you with certainty that my distance and accuracy would suffer if I played a shaft over 70 grams in my driver.  And your fairway woods....  90 gram shafts?  Have you hit these clubs?  I REALLY don't think you would like them, and more importantly, I doubt you'd shoot lower scores.

4. Putter

Scotty, Scotty, Scotty...  people are obsessed with Scotty.  They're expensive and they perform great for the best players in the world.  But there is no magic in them, it is still a big piece of steel alloy.  Again, the same argument applies...  IF you want to shoot lower scores, you'll do what pros and good amateurs do, GET FIT for a putter.  Find out what the best specs are for YOU.  Might be 32", might be 35".  Might be 2 degrees of loft, might be 5.  Might be 68 degrees lie angle, might be 72.  Might be D-3 swingweight, might be C-7.  Again, do you want to get the ball in the hole, or do you want to look like the guy who stole Tiger's clubs and is struggling to break 90 with them?  Your decision.

5.  Hybrids

Just because Tiger doesn't play any hybrids, doesn't mean you should ignore them too.  Do you want to save a couple shots per round?  Ditch the 3 and 4 irons for a few rounds, try a couple of hybrids.  The next time you hit a green from 200 yds out with a high, soaring draw from your 3-hybrid..  you'll be glad you did.  I carry two hybrids, and no 3-wood.  That is what works for me right now.  I play with guys all the time who are scratch players, and ALL of them carry hybrids.  They are easy to hit, and save strokes.

6.  Custom fitting

Whatever clubs you do end up getting, make you you go through a fitting process with a certified club fitter.  My irons are D-5 swingweight (heavy), 1/4" over standard length, bent 2 degrees upright and 1 degree weak.  Those specs work for me, but they won't for you.  Find out what your proper numbers are, and make sure your clubs fit you.  If you are around a 10-handicap, you should NOT be playing irons you just bought off the rack.

Bottom line is, you probably want to shoot better scores.  Playing the equipment you've listed, without properly testing it, comparing it with other equipment, and being properly fit...  is NOT the way to shoot lower scores.  Do you want to score better, or do you want to look like you stole Tiger's clubs and can't break 90 with them?  :)  Think it over.

Answer 6

hi Tig, if you play like Tiger then use Tigers clubs by all means. But you if you want to be like Tigere you might want to do some research and see what type of clubs Tiger was using when he was shooting in the 80's. It wasn't the same as he is using now. It also wasn't a 'blade'. I you are determined on blades,look at getting the nike combo set. Most importantly talk to an experienced pro at your golf club,not one that wants to make a sale.

Answer 7

Be yourself.  Your young so I understand that you need someone to look up and Tiger is a good role model.  Get fitted and demo different clubs.  Those Nike clubs are very similar to Mizunos and your still growing.  If you shot in the low 80's than blades are ok for you.  If your mind doesn't change over time, get the Nike clubs you want.  You sound convinced that you want to shadow Tiger.  Check out and compare the Cameron to the Odyssey Black.

Answer 8

don't just get the clubs because your favourite golfer has them get clubs you like. I went and tested a bunch of clubs before i bought mine i choose a cheiper and i liked them more then some of the other more expiencive clubs i tried it might happen in your case, but you have to go into the store/shop or what ever with an open mind other wise you will find something wrong with all the clubs you try except for the ones that you wanted going into the shop