My first blog ... here it goes. And let me apologize now. I have a journalism background, so I have a tendancy to write too much. Patience and understanding, please.

So I don't like to spend alot of many on golf clubs. It doesn't make sense to me, since golf is my main pasttime and I enjoy it and it's basically my only exercise. But I hate the thought of spending big money on expensive name brands, only to find out they're not for my game. I realize I can resale on e-bay or something, but I know I would never get around to doing that. That's what a basement's for, anyway -- storing stuff we intended to use.

I've purchased a new set of irons and a driver from Hireko Golf (hirekogolf.com). They arrived yesterday, so I haven't had the chance to swing 'em. I researched these clubs a bunch and ended up with a Callaway-type design with the irons. I don't typically like Callaway. Nothing against the company, but they seem better designed for players needing help getting the ball airborn, with the wide-soled designs they have. I'm a high ball hitter by trade. These clubs -- the Acer 905 XP Pro irons -- have a wider sole than I'm used to, but I matched them with Apollo Hump stiff (steel) shafts that have a higher kickpoint for a lower ball flight.

Boy, do they look good. I'm really impressed. I hope they work as good as they appear.

The driver is a TaylorMade r7 type design called the Power Play Q Triport. I had it made with a True Ace Blue Crush stiff graphite shaft, which compares to the Graffaloy Blue at a fraction of the cost. The problem I have with graphite shafts is the torque. That twisting through impact can cause some nasty results, and quickly ruin a good round. For me, the lower the torque, the better. I don't have tremendous swing speed, but my transition from backswing to downswing is a bit quick, and my hands will tend to slow down through the impact zone (not good), causing the toe to roll over and the ball going left. The lower torque helps greatly in alleviating this problem, although it's not a cure for a long-time swing flaw.

I hope these clubs work out and that I've found a place to purchase new equipment at a reasonable price. Not that anybody cares, but I'll try to update the progress with the clubs.

My background: Played for 25+ years, shoot in the mid-70s, good at playing to my strengths -- short game and course management, not a long hitter, but can surprise myself some days. Love the game, and love to teach others, especially kids. Plan to start a FirstTee program in my community when I retire from my real job.