So you've decided it's about time to get rid of the sticks you've been playing with the past few seasons and make a little upgrade. Sure, it might not help you shave any strokes off your next round, but at least you can impress the rest of your foursome. With so many choices out there, it may actually seem a bit daunting. The recent surge of hybrid clubs and weight placement technology in the marketplace certainly has not made the decision any easier.

A new set of clubs is a major investment, and unless you have an extremely forgiving spouse or exorbitant checking account, you are probably going to be stuck with them for a while. This is precisely the reason you are going to want to do your homework. Looking through the catalogs or websites of a few of the major mail order and online retailers is a great way to see just what is out there, and what is within your budget. It doesn't hurt to ask around the clubhouse either, as you may get some honest feedback about a particular model, a tip on where to buy, or even get to take a few swings with them.

Speaking of taking a few swings, if you belong to or play at a club with a decent pro shop, they will undoubtedly have demo models you can try out. Go ahead and take full advantage of this, as you may find that it quickly rules out a brand or model you were interested in, or might open your eyes to a club you had not considered. With that said, be aware that for most golfers, the pro shop is probably not the best place to buy a set of clubs. Remember those dozen balls you paid fifty bucks for before your last round? The exception to this, however, would be if you live in a cold weather climate, where the pro shops are looking to get rid of demo clubs at the end of the season - there may be some great deals to be had.

Now that you may have narrowed it down to a few makes or models, here comes the toughest part. It is time to face the music and be honest with yourself. If you are an 18 handicap, is an $1,100 set of irons really necessary? Are they going to improve your game any more than a $450 set? If you can't hit your long irons, for example, a cheaper set of progressive hybrids would probably be a better option.

Yes, we would all love to have the shiny new clubs advertised in the golf magazines, but if you have kept an open mind throughout the research process, you may realize that there are some great clubs out there from companies that are not well known to the average weekend duffer, such as Nickent, Kasco, or LS2000. Also, be sure not to overlook items listed as "closeout" or "clearance," as this is code for, "we ordered too many of these clubs last year, and really need to get rid of them." It is not uncommon to see items like these selling for thirty to fifty percent less than the original retail price.

If you don't have a headache yet, and aren't feeling more confused than ever, it might actually be time to ante up and make the purchase. This, of course, presents a completely new set of obstacles. Just where should you buy your new super high trajectory composite 3000cc driver or progressively weighted computer engineered dynamically accurate irons?

The first place to start should be a local golf shop, rather than one of the "big box" sporting goods stores. Not only is the guy running the golf shop going to have a vast amount of knowledge to be tapped, but unlike the kid at the big box store, he probably wasn't working in the mall food court last month. More importantly, he is going to be looking to form a relationship with you, the customer, so that he can count on your repeat business.

A reputable golf shop will ask you about your game, what you are looking for, what your goals for improving your game are, and probably isn't going to sell you something you do not need. In a way, this is a great last line of defense to help you avoid overspending and buying clubs that your ability does not yet necessitate. As an added bonus, many shops take trade-ins so long as your old set is in decent condition. Not only will you save storage space in the basement, you may save a few bucks as well.

Before you whip out the credit card, don't hesitate to ask if there is any wiggle room in the price. I know it may sound a little cheesy; after all, this is a golf shop, not a used car lot. Nevertheless, at the very least, they may be willing to throw in a few freebees such as an instructional video, training aid, or even just a sleeve of balls. Once you get the shop's best price, it may be worth a call to one of the major mail order or internet retailers that you used for research at the beginning of the process. Not taking into account any possible trade-in, they may be willing to give you an even better deal on the clubs you have chosen.

The three or four major golf retailers actually have high quality customer service, and typically do a great job getting orders out quickly as well as going out of their way to make sure you're happy with your purchase. Keep in mind, however, that unless the savings from doing business with one of these larger retailers is measurable, it might be worth spending a few extra bucks to buy form the little guy. Once he knows he can count on your repeat business, you're bound to get some good deals from him.

So in short, when considering a new set of clubs, there are a few steps you should follow. First, do some basic research to get a feel for the marketplace. You also want to ask fellow golfers for any thoughts, as they may be able to provide some useful information. Secondly, you should try out various demo clubs before you narrow your search too much, as you may be able to rule out some options as well as discover some new ones. Next, make sure the clubs you are eyeing are appropriate for your skill level. Unless you have the ability to shape your shots, there is no reason to buy a new set of blades.

Finally, while it is worth looking for a good deal with some larger retailers, do not be afraid to pay a few extra bucks at a smaller golf shop, as it may benefit you in the long run. And if, after all of this, you are still uncertain of which clubs are right for you, consider spending some money on lessons instead, as this will probably improve your game more in the long run than even the fanciest new set of sticks ever could.