Golf Starter set...

[mugen910]

Can anyone point me in the right direction for a cheapo Starter set.

What to look for...
How much should I be looking for?
What are the usual questions / concerns to ask the seller?


Also...any golf forum recommendations would be appreciated...I'd like to start this wonderful sport and need help.


Thanks in advance,
Bao

[elderboy02]

I only golf once or twice a year. I bought a set of Knight clubs at Dick's for $150 a few years back. Those will get you started until you get better.

[mugen910]

what are knight clubs?

[Blueface]

Dick's Sporting goods has great deals.
Can't go wrong for around $125 for a set, complete.

Remember, if you stink or are not that good, don't blame the clubs, therefore buy cheapies until you get better.

[tsolomon]

You might want to check some of the bigger golf stores in your area for tent sales. This is the time of year where they start unloading inventory and you can get some real deals. I just checked one of the places local to me and they have their sale starting on July 8th.

If you're new to golf, you might want to take a couple of lessons before buying anything. Golf equipment gets better ever year and the new technology can really help your game, but lessons will help even more.

[AD720]

I agree with the other posters that you are better off with a $150 set of new clubs from Dicks instead of a $50 yard sale 20-30 year old set.

But I would try to find one of the aforementioned new(er) sets used. Tons of people buy the set, try it for a couple weeks and give it up. Score it for $50 or $75.

I would again reinterate not to put money into a set of Spalding blades from 1982. They are going to be tough to hit and probably need new grips, etc.

[mugen910]

Originally Posted by tsolomon

You might want to check some of the bigger golf stores in your area for tent sales. This is the time of year where they start unloading inventory and you can get some real deals. I just checked one of the places local to me and they have their sale starting on July 8th.

If you're new to golf, you might want to take a couple of lessons before buying anything. Golf equipment gets better ever year and the new technology can really help your game, but lessons will help even more.

I'll keep a look out for tent sales...now I just have to find out what is considered a bigger golf store around here..

I can hit the ball and if I'm not messing around trying to hit for power then I can do ok...but lessons would be a great idea.

[gvarsity]

It's not about the brand it's about the fit and feel.

I would recommend more than anything go to a shop with a pro and get fitted. It may cost 20-40$ and they usually refund it off your purchase price if you buy clubs from them.

Don't buy clubs from them. Hit a lot of different demo clubs at the shop but don't buy you clubs there get a written fitting of lengths and recommendations. They will get your business down the road if you stay with the game.

The reality is it is like any retail store they have limited brands that are going to cost more and be of a higher quality than you need to get started. Just pay the money to find out what length and style of clubs you need. Then you can hit ebay, craigslist, knock off manufacturers like pinemeadow and find a set for 150$ or less that you can play until you can appreciate the difference equipment makes.

Are knock offs as good as the real thing? Generally no. Are they good enough to play until you are pretty good & committed to the game you bet. How long that is... who knows? It can be one season or ten seasons or never.

If nothing else you end up with a set of sticks you can take to the company golf outing, a wedding event or hack around with your buddies. The trick is that they fit you and don't inhibit your ability to develop a solid repeatable swing. If you are fighting clubs that don't fit you will screw up you swing. Then it will cost you a lot more to unlearn those bad habits down the road.

The last thing is try a lot of putters until you find one that you really feel comfortable with. You use the putter on every whole generally so it makes sense that it is the most important club.

FYI pinemeadow has a rough estimate custom fitting wizard. Doesn't do more than tell you the most basic giving recommendations for shaft stiffness and length but that's something. (dirty minded buggers )

[Vader1974]

I would recommend that you visit one of the local golf shops. Most will have a fairly good selection of used clubs that are relatively new. You will be able to hit some balls off a mat, to see if you even like them.

I would stay away from the cheaper full sets from Wal-Mart and Sporting Goods stores. They usually have terrible grips and always seem too light to me. If you play much, you will end up replacing everything.

I always recommend to stick with a name brand (Taylor Made, Cobra, Callaway, etc..). Get a decent set of used irons, a used 3 wood, putter, and a bag.

Do yourself a favor and get a lesson or at least buy a copy of "Golf My Way" by Jack Nicklaus.

Good Luck
Brian

[mugen910]

Wow I didn't even know about golf fitting..thanks guys...

[hardcz]

http://www.summitonline.com/product/...ht%2BHanded%2B

I have a similar set to this....a little older but it's pwn.

[Prozac_Puros]

I would start with golf lessons and getting fit for a set of clubs. A golf professional (I suggest a PGA Professional) will have clubs you can use during the lesson and maybe have a couple he/she may let you barrow to practice with. Try a few professionals out for a lesson or two, you will find that some teaching styles may or may not match your learning style.

If you start with a cheap / value / discount set of golf clubs your only going to replace them sooner than later. With golf lessons (and practice) your swing will improve and out perform the cheap set you just bought.

Club fitting is a service most golf shops provide free of charge ( around here at least ). Go to a golf shop/course with a driving range where you can hit balls and see where your ball is going. You need to see your ball flight and distance. Hitting balls in the back of a golf store into a net isn’t like playing golf on the course. Take the specs from the club fitting and go shopping/hunting, compare brands and models.

Maybe start with an online fitting, Go to..
pinggolf.com
golfsmith.com

Cary Ziegler
PGA Professional

[mugen910]

Great info gorillas!!! I think I'm going to check out the fitting first then work to taking lessons...By then I'm sure it'll be close to fall and I can find some decent starter clubs.

[gvarsity]

You could do it in a week if you wanted. You could take a lesson and get fit at the same time. I agree that you will grow out of a cheap set of clubs sooner than later but it still gives you something to start with. Unless you take regular lessons and play more than once a week a cheap set will probably get you through at least a season a very concievably 2-3. The key is if they are the right length and lie. Your irons should be a cavity back of some sort because blades are damn hard to hit and will frustrate you. I would also get a Driver and probably hybrids down to your 5 iron and the go with irons 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW & SW. I wouldn't bother with a gap wedge or lob wedge until you are comfortable with the rest. They become very important as you get better but you need to get comfortable with the basics first. I reiterate what I said before try a lot of putters.

[BamBam]

Check Craigslist