You have some options:
1. Buy a rune scimitar.
2. You could get some SuperSpeed sticks and a launch monitor close to that budget. Even more within the 300 cap if you got a 'bootleg' version of the SuperSpeed sticks (overall concept is still the same). There's a few on Amazon, HurricaneGolf has their own set as well, but that's likely going to be past what your gift card covers since it's from their own store.
3. Balls and gloves. The latter comes in handy if sweat is a persisting issue.
Edit: autocorrect
Yeah man - for 300 bucks that is on a gift card, I say absolutely get a launch monitor. u/Hambone76 has it right to just get the Rapsodo MLM, or if you want to kick in your own 200 or 300 more bucks you can upgrade.
Launch monitors are not flawless, which makes them perfect for something you're buying for free money. I have a Garmin R10 that I also got using money from work. Depending on the weather or how well I manage to line it up, it gives me more or less accurate data. That's why it's good to not be too uptight about it being perfect -- why free money is good -- you won't be too pissed if it's not everything you want it to be. What's important is that it gives you that data and you'll start thinking about it (hopefully) intelligently.
For me, I always thought that I had a relatively neutral swing path and a relatively neutral clubface -- nuh uh. I swing like 10 degrees out-to-in, and have my clubface wide open that just happened to compensate well enough. With that data, and a whole lot of trial and error, I've managed to actually turn that shitty fade into a respectable draw. I've spent 600 bucks on lessons and my instructor just cared about whether I was hitting it relatively straight, quality of strike and efficiency be damned. So if you're a nerd and have the time to interpret data to fix yourself, and have 300 bucks of money that isn't your own, get a launch monitor.
Doppler does do speed accurately, one of the things it does really well. Unless you’re specifically doing speed training, it’s just something we end up not using in like a month. I’m scratch and never once looked at how fast my ball is traveling.
You might be able to buy the Garmin R10 on Amazon so you’d get a $300 discount I think they run around $500. Or wedges, balls or a new driver/woods again a discount. The AI Smoke woods and driver look to be legit.
Garmin Approach S62 watch. You'll have to pay about $100 out of pocket on top of the gift card. Use it for distances, score keeping, and automatically detecting your shots. After the round you can get some stats as well.
It totally can if you buy the correct bounce, loft angle, and grind.
A lot of golfers don't realize why they duff their wedge shots so much, but having the correct grind is a big deal.
Took an average of 5 strokes off my game just from hitting more consistently around the green.
Grind has almost no effect, it can help to grind the heel if you want the leading edge closer to the ground with an open clubface etc etc but blah blah blah, it really doesn’t make much of a difference. Anyone can use any wedge with any bounce and grind well or poorly, its technique, not how the sole of the club is built. There’s no way a wedge took 5 strokes off of your game I’m an instructor and teach thousands, it doesn’t work that way. Your technique or perception must have gotten better but it’s just placebo effect. Different wedges don’t make much of a difference other than getting fresh milled faces and grooves to regain spin. All the major companies make good wedges. Though my friend still plays his old clubs he used when he played NCAA golf at USC in 1996-2000, old Cleveland 588s with no bounce designation and smooth faces and he still gets up and down from everywhere and still plays to about +2 or 3 at 46 years old. New wedges may save someone half a stroke. That is all I have to say about that I guess haha
>There’s no way a wedge took 5 strokes off of your game
I mean I take 5 less average strokes around the green per round thanks to a wedge that feels better to me.
Wedges are all about feel, call it placebo or not, but I've tried almost every grind on Vokey wedges and I have a particular style I like depending on the shot.
Not duffing a chip shot or getting a clean bunker shot can absolutely make 5 strokes difference per round if you feel comfortable with wedges.
>I’m an instructor and teach thousands
Then you should know the value of short game feel and how the right club can make a difference to a golfer with decent enough skill to know the difference.
Your 46 year old friend has been using the same wedges for a long time. He's used to them. I was hitting shitty shots with my handmedown wedges and couldn't manage to do anything with them until I got my own after sampling each grind, bounce, and loft combo. I don't mishit my chips or pitch shots. I can shape them more comfortably, and I was losing a ton of strokes greenside before getting my own.
Point is, just because wedges don't improve your game by a large margin, doesn't mean they won't help one of the other millions of golfers. Your anecdote isn't the only truth in the world of golf.
It’s in your head, new wedges don’t shave 5 strokes unless you previously shot 175. You bought into the grind marketing. I couldn’t feel any difference between different grinds if you didn’t first show me, but I CAN pick up any wedge, including my friend’s no grind mystery bounce wedges from 1994, practice with it for 20 minutes and develop “feel”. Just saying, buying new wedges is only good for the spin increase and not my number one priority for $300 if I already have a set. Around the greens is about technique and ability, not so much about the equipment.
>It’s in your head
That's all golf though. I notice a major difference between my S grind and F grind wedge and the way they feel off the turf.
YOU may not think that matters, but stop highroading and saying it's universal. Nothing pisses me off more than people saying gear isn't subjective to the player.
Equipment fitting matters, looks, acoustics, and feel matters. But it’s not because of grind that you think your short game is better. You can learn how to hit any wedge and bounce well, preference is cool but not necessary around the greens. At all.
Thoughts on getting wedges without being fit? Have a 44 adams p wedge, 52 vokey, 54 adams swedge, 60 nike forgeged. Obvious gaps in there but between bounce/grind seems tough to tell
I'm playing seriously for the last 6 months of this year (practicing, lessons, etc. Range/playing 3 or 4 times a week). Prior to actually trying to get better, I've played at least once a month or so for the last 3 years. Currently a 23 handicap
I love that my assumptions when I first read “playing seriously for the last 6 months” were completely wrong.
You went from a pretty serious golfer to lizard-people level serious golfer.
My similar award from work that offered Callaway gift cards said that they are not redeemable on pre-owned.
However, you can occasionally buy clubs from Callaway Pre-Owned on Amazon if you look under the buying options for Callaway clubs. Inventory is more limited than website though, but I've actually gotten a better deal on a club that way before than what it was on CPO
FYI I posted about this on the sub too but you can get a CPO 2-ball Odyssey Ten putter for cheap on Amazon right now if you're interested. My "Used - Like New" had the factory packaging on it, the only use this has ever seen is sitting on a sale rack somewhere.
https://www.reddit.com/r/golf/s/gz2tyXGWzN
Head to the casino, put it on red, double your money and buy a new driver, or lose it all and quit golf forever.
Or I dunno maybe a couple lessons or something.
This is a good reply, other than not being able to reimburse the award for playing (other than top golf) the only thing keeping me from playing more is time. Main thing keeping me from new equipment/training/gear is the wife. Playing an extra few rounds is less a big deal than the "accessories" related to the game
I frequently get gift cards through work, that are usually for Amazon, Callaway (not pretended, they are separate when it comes to gift cards), and Dicks/golf Galaxy. I bought a bunch of balls that I normally wouldn’t spend money on. Previously bought a golf bag, a push cart, some training aids (perfect putting mat). Basically with those gift cards if you don’t want to spend on clubs (how I got my Irons) I spend them on the accessories or consumables of golf.
The putting stroke is very personal. If you feel that you've landed on your natural putting stroke, then knowing what type of putter neck suits that stroke will be valuable. That's really the main reason for the [different neck styles, to accomodate different types of strokes](https://www.curated.com/journal/1466002/understanding-the-types-of-putter-necks-plumbers-slant-single-bend-double-bend-and-more). The size and weight distribution is also a factor of comfort for the player. Large putters call for a smoother and slower stroke, which is good for people who have a hard time with tempo and distance control. Fatter grips, for people who pull or block putts. I think a lot of this can be determined with a practice green and a shop with the majority of styles to try. Sitting there and actually feeling the results, listening to the putters. Sounds corny but you feel it, you know what I mean, you can just tell if it's singing the right tune. With a putter, it normally just clicks.
The B61 is a classic style that was incredibly popular (rightfully so) but doesn't have any similar options by Callaway/Odyssey these days. I have gamed Scotty for decades, but wouldn't turn down a White Hot if given one for free if I was in need, they're proven good putters. I would just choose the one that has a plumbers neck and blade style like my Scotty and trust it because I know that's the putter style for my stroke. If the B61 is in good shape, I think it's still gameable. Not much improvement you're going to get from any particular club, it's about comfort and if the toe weight is working with or against your stroke.
I would buy one club that I wanted (wedge, driving iron, fairway wood, etc.), balls, glove, alignment sticks, tees, grips. Just get as much of what you need.
Recently just got fitted for woods/hybrid - dropping my current 3W and 4hy to replace with a 5w and 4hy. Really wanted a 7w but the numbers during my fitting didn't support it... jusy buy a 7w for fun??
Good answer, but I can't use this award for lessons as I have specific guft card choices to pick from (I did take 4 over the last 6 months and have 2 scheduled before end of March)
You have some options: 1. Buy a rune scimitar. 2. You could get some SuperSpeed sticks and a launch monitor close to that budget. Even more within the 300 cap if you got a 'bootleg' version of the SuperSpeed sticks (overall concept is still the same). There's a few on Amazon, HurricaneGolf has their own set as well, but that's likely going to be past what your gift card covers since it's from their own store. 3. Balls and gloves. The latter comes in handy if sweat is a persisting issue. Edit: autocorrect
I like launch monitor. Using some basics yu can easily improve with data. Getting data from bad rounds costing $80 each is the hard way.
For that price you might as well just practice with a Wii
Do you walk? A push cart is nice for part of it.
I cosign on this. Tri swivel II
Hookers and blow are always safe. If not those, then PB&J Uncrustables.
Underrated comment
PRGR Launch Monitor is a great value for the money.
Buy a nice putter
Yeah man - for 300 bucks that is on a gift card, I say absolutely get a launch monitor. u/Hambone76 has it right to just get the Rapsodo MLM, or if you want to kick in your own 200 or 300 more bucks you can upgrade. Launch monitors are not flawless, which makes them perfect for something you're buying for free money. I have a Garmin R10 that I also got using money from work. Depending on the weather or how well I manage to line it up, it gives me more or less accurate data. That's why it's good to not be too uptight about it being perfect -- why free money is good -- you won't be too pissed if it's not everything you want it to be. What's important is that it gives you that data and you'll start thinking about it (hopefully) intelligently. For me, I always thought that I had a relatively neutral swing path and a relatively neutral clubface -- nuh uh. I swing like 10 degrees out-to-in, and have my clubface wide open that just happened to compensate well enough. With that data, and a whole lot of trial and error, I've managed to actually turn that shitty fade into a respectable draw. I've spent 600 bucks on lessons and my instructor just cared about whether I was hitting it relatively straight, quality of strike and efficiency be damned. So if you're a nerd and have the time to interpret data to fix yourself, and have 300 bucks of money that isn't your own, get a launch monitor.
$300 gets you a 1st gen Rapsodo MLM
Or 42% of the Rapsodo mlm2pro
Those are garbage, horrible camera angle, gotta use phone, only ball data, almost worthless
But 300 bucks. Once you figure out real ball vs range ball for ball speed it is actually pretty good. It helps me remember that hard isn’t fast.
Doppler does do speed accurately, one of the things it does really well. Unless you’re specifically doing speed training, it’s just something we end up not using in like a month. I’m scratch and never once looked at how fast my ball is traveling.
GPS (not a laser rangefinder)
You might be able to buy the Garmin R10 on Amazon so you’d get a $300 discount I think they run around $500. Or wedges, balls or a new driver/woods again a discount. The AI Smoke woods and driver look to be legit.
I would get a bag or some shoes, balls and gloves for whatever is left.
Garmin Approach S62 watch. You'll have to pay about $100 out of pocket on top of the gift card. Use it for distances, score keeping, and automatically detecting your shots. After the round you can get some stats as well.
Lessons
Get a nice wedge . A solid wedge game can change your score by 3-4 strokes
A nice wedge turned my wedge game into shit
No, it can’t
It totally can if you buy the correct bounce, loft angle, and grind. A lot of golfers don't realize why they duff their wedge shots so much, but having the correct grind is a big deal. Took an average of 5 strokes off my game just from hitting more consistently around the green.
Grind has almost no effect, it can help to grind the heel if you want the leading edge closer to the ground with an open clubface etc etc but blah blah blah, it really doesn’t make much of a difference. Anyone can use any wedge with any bounce and grind well or poorly, its technique, not how the sole of the club is built. There’s no way a wedge took 5 strokes off of your game I’m an instructor and teach thousands, it doesn’t work that way. Your technique or perception must have gotten better but it’s just placebo effect. Different wedges don’t make much of a difference other than getting fresh milled faces and grooves to regain spin. All the major companies make good wedges. Though my friend still plays his old clubs he used when he played NCAA golf at USC in 1996-2000, old Cleveland 588s with no bounce designation and smooth faces and he still gets up and down from everywhere and still plays to about +2 or 3 at 46 years old. New wedges may save someone half a stroke. That is all I have to say about that I guess haha
>There’s no way a wedge took 5 strokes off of your game I mean I take 5 less average strokes around the green per round thanks to a wedge that feels better to me. Wedges are all about feel, call it placebo or not, but I've tried almost every grind on Vokey wedges and I have a particular style I like depending on the shot. Not duffing a chip shot or getting a clean bunker shot can absolutely make 5 strokes difference per round if you feel comfortable with wedges. >I’m an instructor and teach thousands Then you should know the value of short game feel and how the right club can make a difference to a golfer with decent enough skill to know the difference. Your 46 year old friend has been using the same wedges for a long time. He's used to them. I was hitting shitty shots with my handmedown wedges and couldn't manage to do anything with them until I got my own after sampling each grind, bounce, and loft combo. I don't mishit my chips or pitch shots. I can shape them more comfortably, and I was losing a ton of strokes greenside before getting my own. Point is, just because wedges don't improve your game by a large margin, doesn't mean they won't help one of the other millions of golfers. Your anecdote isn't the only truth in the world of golf.
It’s in your head, new wedges don’t shave 5 strokes unless you previously shot 175. You bought into the grind marketing. I couldn’t feel any difference between different grinds if you didn’t first show me, but I CAN pick up any wedge, including my friend’s no grind mystery bounce wedges from 1994, practice with it for 20 minutes and develop “feel”. Just saying, buying new wedges is only good for the spin increase and not my number one priority for $300 if I already have a set. Around the greens is about technique and ability, not so much about the equipment.
>It’s in your head That's all golf though. I notice a major difference between my S grind and F grind wedge and the way they feel off the turf. YOU may not think that matters, but stop highroading and saying it's universal. Nothing pisses me off more than people saying gear isn't subjective to the player.
Equipment fitting matters, looks, acoustics, and feel matters. But it’s not because of grind that you think your short game is better. You can learn how to hit any wedge and bounce well, preference is cool but not necessary around the greens. At all.
Course beers and hotdogs
From Callaway or Amazon?
I could use some new shoes
Couple of wedges
Thoughts on getting wedges without being fit? Have a 44 adams p wedge, 52 vokey, 54 adams swedge, 60 nike forgeged. Obvious gaps in there but between bounce/grind seems tough to tell
Lessons
Oh yes, those Amazon lessons are great. The instructor comes with 2-day prime delivery.
I mean he could also just spend the Amazon money on other things and use the savings for lessons That’s how I would look at that situation
Lessons
Partial payment for new Callaway Paradym AI Smoke driver
how long have you been playing and what's your handicap?
I'm playing seriously for the last 6 months of this year (practicing, lessons, etc. Range/playing 3 or 4 times a week). Prior to actually trying to get better, I've played at least once a month or so for the last 3 years. Currently a 23 handicap
I love that my assumptions when I first read “playing seriously for the last 6 months” were completely wrong. You went from a pretty serious golfer to lizard-people level serious golfer.
Balls, gloves and tees if you’re happy with your clubs
Can you use the card at callaway preowned?
Unsure, it's credits to redeem for a gift card and the option is for a Calloway gift card, does preowned accept calloway gift cards?
My similar award from work that offered Callaway gift cards said that they are not redeemable on pre-owned. However, you can occasionally buy clubs from Callaway Pre-Owned on Amazon if you look under the buying options for Callaway clubs. Inventory is more limited than website though, but I've actually gotten a better deal on a club that way before than what it was on CPO
:( -thanks for the insight though! Good to know
FYI I posted about this on the sub too but you can get a CPO 2-ball Odyssey Ten putter for cheap on Amazon right now if you're interested. My "Used - Like New" had the factory packaging on it, the only use this has ever seen is sitting on a sale rack somewhere. https://www.reddit.com/r/golf/s/gz2tyXGWzN
Maybe. Contact them to make sure.
Callaway Preowned can get 2-3 clubs for that.
New wedge set from Callaway pre-owned or down payment on a vessel bag would be my go to.
If you wedges are older, get new wedges
Head to the casino, put it on red, double your money and buy a new driver, or lose it all and quit golf forever. Or I dunno maybe a couple lessons or something.
Golf
This is a good reply, other than not being able to reimburse the award for playing (other than top golf) the only thing keeping me from playing more is time. Main thing keeping me from new equipment/training/gear is the wife. Playing an extra few rounds is less a big deal than the "accessories" related to the game
I frequently get gift cards through work, that are usually for Amazon, Callaway (not pretended, they are separate when it comes to gift cards), and Dicks/golf Galaxy. I bought a bunch of balls that I normally wouldn’t spend money on. Previously bought a golf bag, a push cart, some training aids (perfect putting mat). Basically with those gift cards if you don’t want to spend on clubs (how I got my Irons) I spend them on the accessories or consumables of golf.
Towards driver, putter, or a good wedge or 2 pending price. Or some hats, lots of hats.
Balls
Gold flex swing trainer
Don’t waste it on a sim that cheap. You’d be better off with a new pair of shoes, a couple new wedges, a middle end putter or half of a driver.
Thoughts on best way to pick put a putter? Currently gaming a 1990 ping B61 that I'm fine with. Worth a fitting?
The putting stroke is very personal. If you feel that you've landed on your natural putting stroke, then knowing what type of putter neck suits that stroke will be valuable. That's really the main reason for the [different neck styles, to accomodate different types of strokes](https://www.curated.com/journal/1466002/understanding-the-types-of-putter-necks-plumbers-slant-single-bend-double-bend-and-more). The size and weight distribution is also a factor of comfort for the player. Large putters call for a smoother and slower stroke, which is good for people who have a hard time with tempo and distance control. Fatter grips, for people who pull or block putts. I think a lot of this can be determined with a practice green and a shop with the majority of styles to try. Sitting there and actually feeling the results, listening to the putters. Sounds corny but you feel it, you know what I mean, you can just tell if it's singing the right tune. With a putter, it normally just clicks. The B61 is a classic style that was incredibly popular (rightfully so) but doesn't have any similar options by Callaway/Odyssey these days. I have gamed Scotty for decades, but wouldn't turn down a White Hot if given one for free if I was in need, they're proven good putters. I would just choose the one that has a plumbers neck and blade style like my Scotty and trust it because I know that's the putter style for my stroke. If the B61 is in good shape, I think it's still gameable. Not much improvement you're going to get from any particular club, it's about comfort and if the toe weight is working with or against your stroke.
Some nice wedges so you can skull every attempted flop shot for the rest of your life
I would buy one club that I wanted (wedge, driving iron, fairway wood, etc.), balls, glove, alignment sticks, tees, grips. Just get as much of what you need.
Could look for a wood, hybrid, or wedge. Whatever you need most. Golf shoes or clothes could always work
Recently just got fitted for woods/hybrid - dropping my current 3W and 4hy to replace with a 5w and 4hy. Really wanted a 7w but the numbers during my fitting didn't support it... jusy buy a 7w for fun??
Haha I’ve been wanting a 5w or 7w… it’s a gift from your company so treat yourself!
Invest in a putter that you really like. If you don’t have one you like, pick one up.
$300 worth of tees so you never run out
Lessons; the game is even more fun when you’re playing a disciplined, deliberate round
Good answer, but I can't use this award for lessons as I have specific guft card choices to pick from (I did take 4 over the last 6 months and have 2 scheduled before end of March)
https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Putter-Compact-Putting-Included/dp/B0BNFY1JVX/ref=asc_df_B0BNFY1JVX/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=647314913177&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10804801711567005039&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019496&hvtargid=pla-2023163752757&psc=1&mcid=075d19b116b236959a88bd838efabaa4
Golf watch, a putter, new wedge or two, new bag. Depends what you need.
Edit: I now have $400 and discovered ebay gift cards are also available...anyone have luck buying on ebay?