Jesus Malverde

Could any of you golfers out there help me? I'm trying to find a good set of beginner golf clubs that aren't really expensive. I've golfed for about 1 year every now and then, but I always just borrow friends' clubs, and I'm looking to finally buy my own set this year. Any suggestions?

(Expensive would be anything over 500 dollars)

__________________
...I'm that cat by the bar toasting to the good life...

maleficent

Try before you buy, experiment with different clubs before you buy by renting, borrowing or demo-ing a set from a store. If there are any golf resorts in your area, I'm sure there is a pro shop that would have clubs you could rent for an afternoon

Find the right shaft length. Shaft length affects the feel of the club, but most players will fit an off-the-shelf club. If you have questions or are exceptionally short or tall, find a knowledgeable shop willing to match you to a shaft length. This is where you get to try out the swing... you want it to feel comfortable in your hand with the proper stance.

There are different clubs and woods that you might want, and are often sold as different sets. You really want to make sure that your irons match... they are usually sold as a set, and at the low end will run about 250 bucks for a low end, but functional set. At that point, the most important wood (I dont knw why it's what i was told years ago , is the 3 - it's the only wood I have ever used. Other clubs you could get is a sand wedge but I've never used one...

Select a putter based on what feels good to you. You can get one for about $25, but spend what it takes for a putter that makes you feel confident, but on average expect to pay about 50 - 75 ( I have a Calloway that I love - other people have used it and think it's a l ittle off -it's about what feels good to you). This will be your most important piece of equipment... Try out different ones.

Unless you're planning to always ride in a cart, look for a lightweight golf bag with a stand.

Get a wire brush and towel for cleaning clubs are handy items to keep in your golf bag.

If you are a once a year or so player... I would strongly suggest taking a lesson or three, they aren't that expensive to do, and it will make the game so much more enjoyable.

__________________

Ilow

You could always get a department store set like Knight golf for like $200 if you just want to get a set to play around with. I actually got a used set of irons at Play It Again Sports, got a new bag from my g/f for a gift (get a double strap, stand bag if you can), and acumulated woods individually on sale that felt good to me. I have always liked the idea of buying some frequently used clubs (like pitching wedge and putter) separately to get a little bit nicer one that you really feel comfortable with. Don't blow all your dough on a Great Big Bertha that you'll use four times a round, when you can shave off five strokes with a pitching wedge that feels good to you or a putter that lets you feel good about those middle distance birdie putts.
I also plan to get a few lessons before the season gets going to get some good habits going as well.

__________________
"Religion is the one area of our discourse in which it is considered noble to pretend to be certain about things no human being could possibly be certain about"
--Sam Harris

pan6467

I would have to sort of echo what Ilow said, find a set at Wal*Mart or Target (believe it or not they have decent beginners sets with 1-3-5 woods included). From there go to pro shops, garage sales, (I found my putter at a Goodwill store), and check out the putters and wedges (these will affect your scores far more than a driver will), find ones that feel comfortable to you are balanced the way you like, you'll know when you find a good one it will feel like a natural extension of your arms when you swing it.

Once you start playing consistant, then go for the driver, and again Wal*Mart, Target, etc. have great choices at good prices, but you may check garage sales, thrift stores, pro shops etc. Find one that again is well balanced for you, that you can control and it doesn't control you, but most of all find one that when you swing it, it promotes a nice even swing every time.

Head size, head speed, the shaft type, etc. really mean nothing, if you can't control the swing and it feels uncomfortable to you. You may feel comfortable with the old "true" wood with a rusty steel shaft. If that's what gives you the swing and control you want don't be ashamed.

I have seen far too many golfers have these outrageously priced clubs and think they are making a social statement, and on the course they play like crap because the clubs don't fit their needs. As I have seen guys play with a set they've had and babied for 20-30 years and while the clubs may look old and out of fashion those players are comfortable with them.

To me, my clubs are 10 years old, very special and I am a babier, I take care of them I clean them and polish them and they take care of me. Now, I also have 3 drivers and each one has it's own personality and it's own use. For a dogleg left I use my Maltby, for a dogleg right I use my midsized, beat up Northwestern Trend, and for a straight long narrow I use my Knight and just as John Daly says, "Grip her and Rip her."

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

dirtyrascal7

about four years ago i bought a full set of fila clubs from target that included, a putter, 3-PW irons, a driver, 3 & 5 woods, and a bag. they were cheap, but they honestly weren't all that bad. i just upgraded a few weeks ago and spent well more than i probably should have... but i plan on using this new set at least another 4 years.

if i were you, i'd go to wal-mart, target, and dick's and get a full set (including irons, woods, and bag) then get a different putter if you don't like the one included in the set as well as a 56 degree sand wedge of your choice.

if you have any extra cash left, get some balls, a glove, towel, brushes, and a copy of 'bagger vance'.

spindles

I'm also a few times a year golfer. My current set are graphite shafts. It means you can get good distance without having to try to and beat the shit out of the ball. It really depends on your swing speed whether these are better for you than stiffer shafts. These are a second hand set - a lot of golf shops have second hand clubs that are still in good condition.

Mal - I think you are playing the wrong (right??) courses if you don't need a sand wedge. For the amount of time I use mine, you'd think I was playing on the beach .

If you are trying to save money you could also go for a half set (3,5,7,9 irons) rather than a full set. Especially if you are not a regular golfer you probably won't miss the extra clubs anyway (I play with a guy whose golf buggy is actually an esky for the beer, and he carries 5,9 and putter only. His golf is crap but at least his beer is always cold!)

__________________
who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?

pan6467

[QUOTE=spindles]
Mal - I think you are playing the wrong (right??) courses if you don't need a sand wedge. For the amount of time I use mine, you'd think I was playing on the beach .QUOTE]

I don't know a good utility wedge, well balanced and your ability to control a nice even swing and a SW really isn't necessary. I have a JAWS wedge and I can play that thing anywhere. Mainly because you have to remember golf is 90% mental and 10% concentration.

I'm not the longest hitter (I can drive maybe 225-250), but my short game and putting are my strengths. I know that once I'm pulling out my 6-W I'm hitting the ball with control and straight. So I let my drives fly, and on long par 4's and 5's if I land in the rough I mid-short (usually 6-7) iron out onto the fairway, then use my fairway wood to get in range (if need be), chip and putt.

Point is I go in to a course knowing my game plan and I play the plan.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

canuckguy

One thing to keep in mind would be that with steel shafts it allows the average golf to drive the ball with more accuracy. The graphite shafts are less forgiving and since you can hit it longer with graphite shafts any miss hits are now huge other fairway type miss hits.
If you can go with a used set, you can get much better deal most times, but if your not able to find a good used set, any set from a walmart store would be fine for anyone who a causal golfer.

****btw here is a big tip for any golfer out there with store bought clubs. I recommend (really my father inlaw who is a club pro recommends) to stop by any golf store and have your swing analyzed and then they can recommend a specific club size. You don't have to buy the clubs at the high priced golf store. Just get the measurements and you can have any clubs cut by a store or by yourself to the proper length. That alone will may the biggest difference in your game bar none.*****

highthief

A nice mid-priced brand are the Jazz clubs. They are generally well put togther and come in a variety of styles. One thing I will echo - more than anything, the shaft stiffness is really critical. Do get your swing checked to determine whether you need a regular, stiff or super-stiff shaft.

I'm a super-stiffy myself.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

BalloonKnots

If you are still looking for a good beginner set, try Tommy Armour 845s. They are very good for beginners and will run about 400 bucks. My advice is not to go too cheap with a beginner set.

spindles

I was joking about the amount of time I (the pathetic golfer) seems to spend in the sand, and the fact I need all the help I can get when trying to extract myself.

I have looked closely at my pitching wedge and sand wedge and really can't see a great deal of difference. There is probably a lot, but I'm too clueless to know (and not really interested enough to find out...)

__________________
who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?

Ilow

there's a fair amount of difference between a sand and a pitching wedge, but a lot less between a lob and a sand wedge.

__________________
"Religion is the one area of our discourse in which it is considered noble to pretend to be certain about things no human being could possibly be certain about"
--Sam Harris

Bookman

Try PineMeadow

They make what some call "Knock-offs". They clone REAL clubs.
I have a set of Mizuno MX 15 and a set of Callaway knockoffs from PineMeadow.

The PineMeadows are better...for me. They ran 149 dollars.
I want to try a set of Ping or Taylor Made knock offs soon.

aceventura3

I had the same question. Lot's of good advice. Thanks

cementor

Lots of good advise. I build clubs for fun and can attest to the fact that proper fit is a BIG help. Swing speed and proper lie angle can be tested at your local club or most of the golf shops in your area (generally at no cost). Golfsmith , 2nd Swing and many others offer top quality clubs that are a couple of years old at good prices as well as fitting services. Take advantage of it. As for set makeup, most part time players have no business carrying 3 and 4 irons, check out "hybrid" clubs as replacements, they are much easier to hit and ,make the game more enjoyable. A sand wedge with bounce is really handy when playing from the sand. Putters are personal preference deluxe. Find one that instills confidence! There are guys winning on the tour with putters they found in the discount barrell - Todd Hamilton won the British Open last year with an old Ping he found under that circumstance. I'd suggest looking for one with alignment aids - big score lines or the twoball are good examples of things that help you line the putter up with the target. If you go with a driver look for one with lots of loft (10.5 degrees or more) easier to get off the ground and control. I'd probably suggest a 3 wood and probably a 5 wood to start. I echo the bag suggestions. Buy a light weightbag w/ dual strap system, it better distributes the weight when you walk and carry, and works fine on a cart. Best advise get a lesson or two. Don't try to buy a game, technology will help, but good fundamentals will be longer lasting. Enjoy the comradery, its a great game, played in beautiful places and the clubhouses almost always stock cold beer!!.

__________________
Cementor
If I was any better I'd have to be twins!