[jlspeed29]

Hey everyone!

I have come to the point in my life where I have come to the understanding that I must play golf. Not because I like it but mostly because I feel that the networking this sport encourages is unlike anyother.

That being said I obviously dont really play yet.
I am looking at getting a beginner set of clubs.

I dont want to spend $$$ yet as I am not that caliber of golfer. I took lessons and the instructor told me I had a "great athletic swing". I can hit the ball pretty good considering I havent really played before. About 220yds with a cheap driver and about 150+ with a 7 iron.
My price range is $300 MAX for a complete set.

My buddy recommended for beginners
Nike
Taylor Made
Ping

They are all pretty pricey new and used.....

So what sets or combination thereof would you suggest?

I was looking at an Adams Golf complete set
here:
http://www.adamsgolf.com/ir_tightliesclsc.htm

I was also looking @ Wilson (but I havent heard any good things about them).

I have found some Nike's used for about $250 but thats only for irons...


everyone is welcome to chime in!

[jaiman]

Cleveland golf makes great clubs that sell at reasonable prices when new, you should be able to get a used set for a pretty good deal, but $300 doesn't go far.

From Cleveland you could look for used CG4's and should be able to get a good deal. The Adams set are also good for a beginner.

If you know any golfers ask them if they have any old sets lying around that they'd like to get rid of. They may give you a good deal just to get them out of the garage.

[325 Baller]

You need to either goto an edwin watts or a golf center and have them test out a bunch of clubs with you on a machine. Thats what I did when I got my first set and the Taylormade R7 irons I wanted ended up being the worst irons I tried. That being said Mizuno are the Irons I use now and love them. Im going to be honest and tell you if your not growing (which I assume your an adult and wont be) these irons could last you 6-8 years so why not put the money into them? Drivers and woods change all the time and those changes are drastic but if its still inside 10 years the irons are fine IMO.

Nikes are ok, I like the design but feel like your paying more for the name.

Pings are great for all players they have a dot system, blue black red? and each is for a different type of player, the easiest are extremely forgiving and great for beginners.

Taylormade Irons I loved but personally could not hit well...it all goes back to getting put on the computer hitting the balls and see which clubs you make the best contact with.

Theres a site called Shottalk.com which is a golf forum, great members there and they give great advice. Also I have an R7 425 driver that I dont use anymore and could sell to you, but I would get put on the machine for irons & woods. If you want the driver let me know and ill PM you a price.

[derek0480]

I have been golfing since I was 7 (32 years old) and I can say without any reservation that you should not buy a cheap set of clubs.

A good set of clubs will be custom fit to your swing pattern, launch angle and the distance you stand from the ball. For instance, my clubs are bent 2 degrees upright and 1 inch over (longer than normal.)

Playing with clubs off the shelf you will not be doing yourself any favors. Have a professional get you fitted and then look into clubs. They can bend and legnthen any set of clubs...but you need to know your measurements first.

I personally play with:
Ping Rapture 9 degree driver
Taylor Made R7 TP tour spoon (2 wood)
Cleveland CG4 Tour irons
Cleveland low bounce CG10 wedges (49, 56 and 60 degrees)
Titliest Scotty Cameron studio putter.

However that setup would most likely be completely wrong for you. The best advice anyone can give you would be to goto a golf store (like Golf Galaxy or your local course pro shop) and get fitted by a professional.

Good clubs will last for YEARS if you take care of them. It is in investment that will bring you years of enjoyment. You may only be playing for the networking opportunities now, but you will end up playing for the fun of it eventually. Trust me...everyone does. It is a truely addicting sport.

Whatever you do...good luck to you and remember to keep your head down.

[san~man]

Take lessons too. Golf is a very frustrating sport if your mechanics aren't sound.

[Couch]

I would buy a used set of something. Doesn't really matter what the brand is. My first set of clubs were Wilsons that cost like $30 or something like that. They were a set to just get me use to playing.

I then bought my friends knock-off King Cobras (called King Snake) and still use those.

Bottom line, buy a cheap used set, under $100, to learn on for a year or two. Then buy a really good set.

I think once you get the hang of it, you'll find Golf to be a lot of fun. I love it, and I'm not that great.

[jlspeed29]

Originally Posted by Couch

I would buy a used set of something. Doesn't really matter what the brand is. My first set of clubs were Wilsons that cost like $30 or something like that. They were a set to just get me use to playing.

I then bought my friends knock-off King Cobras (called King Snake) and still use those.

Bottom line, buy a cheap used set, under $100, to learn on for a year or two. Then buy a really good set.

I think once you get the hang of it, you'll find Golf to be a lot of fun. I love it, and I'm not that great.

Thats pretty much what I intend on doing.
I dont really want to go and drop $800 on a full set including bags, shoes, and all the details.
I just want a decent set to get me up and running and once I find my swing and get "good" I will be more inclined to spend the extra change on a nice set of irons like Ping or TaylorMade

[LTO]

where in socal do you live? i would definitely buy a used set first. there are stores like Roger Dunn or Golf Mart in socal that sell new and used clubs. they all have a 90 day guarantee so you can use them for 90 days and get a full store credit to upgrade or get something else.

[pseto]

As a PT Golf Galaxy employee, I would recommend you buy a good, used set of clubs that are fitted for you. Do NOT buy one of those cheap sets that have everything your supposed to have (bag, irons, woods, putter, etc). They are a cheap product made from inferior materials and put together horribly.

For someone who is just starting, I would look for a set by Nike, Cleveland, TaylorMade, or Cobra. A set of irons should run you $300, get either a driver or 3 wood $150, a bag $100 and a putter $50, for a total of $600 (you'll need balls, tees, and a glove, but those are cheap).

Unfortunately, golf aint cheap, but if you really want to get into it and get better at it, good equipment is a must.

If you really want to go cheaper, you can check either eBay or Craiglist, but you really dont know what you're looking for and some of those items can be counterfit. However, if you do go this route, you can still bring the clubs to a pro shop and have them fitted although it'll cost you more money (prob $100+ for a good fitting).

[jlspeed29]

Originally Posted by LTO

where in socal do you live? i would definitely buy a used set first. there are stores like Roger Dunn or Golf Mart in socal that sell new and used clubs. they all have a 90 day guarantee so you can use them for 90 days and get a full store credit to upgrade or get something else.

Ventura Co

['Cane]

Originally Posted by 325 Baller

Pings are great for all players they have a dot system, blue black red? and each is for a different type of player, the easiest are extremely forgiving and great for beginners.

Pings color system has nothing to do with how good you are, it is all about shaft angles, lie angles, grip sizes etc. I will play nothing but Ping irons, but they are expensive. You could probably find a nice set of G5 irons on Ebay (try black dot - standard lie). I have bought clubs successfully on Ebay, and will consider that route again for my new i-10s.

With that said, you may want to try something else. If you have an Edwin Watts near you, they have great closeouts. You may be able to find a nice set of irons in your price range, but not a whole set (irons, woods, putter, bag, etc.).

[jlspeed29]

^^ thanks Cane...i will look into that

I was told about the Titleist DCI's which are old and considered to be one of the best clubs...my buddy told me to look @ the OS version because of the small sweet spot.....

any thoughts on the old DCI's???

['Cane]

Originally Posted by jlspeed29

^^ thanks Cane...i will look into that

I was told about the Titleist DCI's which are old and considered to be one of the best clubs...my buddy told me to look @ the OS version because of the small sweet spot.....

any thoughts on the old DCI's???

Go to the nearest golf shop (EW's) and take a look for yourself. I think the appearance of a club (as you look down on it at address) is important too. I will not play clubs that have a really thick top line, as I find it too distracting. DCI's were good clubs, but you may be able to find something newer, with more up to date technology. You should also consider getting rid of the 3 and 4 iron for a couple of hybrids (easier to hit).

[NPDAN]

Originally Posted by jlspeed29

Ventura Co

Bogey Bobs in Newbury Park has great pricing on used brand name sets... (A few of mine). He'll take care of you there and he's got a machine and screen to tune you in...

[Tykes22]

Check out www.rockbottomgolf.com. You can find cheap brand new sets here.

Titleist DCI's are not beginner's club just like what your bud said

Happy golfing !

[jlspeed29]

^^ guys thanks!
I've heard good things about bogey bobs!
I'm going to go there this weekend!

Thing is I work in SB so my only open times are on the weekends!

Thanks!
Ill check rockbottom too!

[Brunotheboxer]

you cali. people are soo lucky when it comes to golf. every year i have to basically take the winter off from golf and then come april its like starting all over again. and i'm not that good to begin with. if i were you i would buy a nice set of used clubs instead of a cheap set of new clubs and see how you really like the game.

[jlspeed29]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

you cali. people are soo lucky when it comes to golf. every year i have to basically take the winter off from golf and then come april its like starting all over again. and i'm not that good to begin with. if i were you i would buy a nice set of used clubs instead of a cheap set of new clubs and see how you really like the game.

thats what i've been thinking about doing...
I actually do like to play gollf (recreationally) and dont want to get a "cheap" set....
that being said I was looking at some used decent irons and then getting some drivers and hybrid 3/4's and a putter

[Couch]

Originally Posted by pseto

As a PT Golf Galaxy employee, I would recommend you buy a good, used set of clubs that are fitted for you. Do NOT buy one of those cheap sets that have everything your supposed to have (bag, irons, woods, putter, etc). They are a cheap product made from inferior materials and put together horribly.

For someone who is just starting, I would look for a set by Nike, Cleveland, TaylorMade, or Cobra. A set of irons should run you $300, get either a driver or 3 wood $150, a bag $100 and a putter $50, for a total of $600 (you'll need balls, tees, and a glove, but those are cheap).

Unfortunately, golf aint cheap, but if you really want to get into it and get better at it, good equipment is a must.

If you really want to go cheaper, you can check either eBay or Craiglist, but you really dont know what you're looking for and some of those items can be counterfit. However, if you do go this route, you can still bring the clubs to a pro shop and have them fitted although it'll cost you more money (prob $100+ for a good fitting).

I respectively disagree.

Starting off with a lesser club, Wilson, Mizuno,etc is a better way to develop his game. Learning how to perfect your swing and contact with the ball. That's the first and foremost, clubs come next. He doesn't need to start off spending $300 on a set of clubs when he's first learning. Especially when he has little experience and even admits he's not really a fan of the game. This is what I was told to do from a friend who was in one of the top junior golfers in the U.S. growing up. As well as the pro I took lessons from when I was 16/17.

Jlspeed, if I were you I would look in whatever classified papers, craigslist, and so on where people sell their clubs. You can find a whole set of Irons 2(3)-PW/SW, and including at least one driver for less than $150.

Obviously do what you want. Sounds like you have plenty of friends/acquaintances that can help you out and show you the ropes. If you get more into then you can take lessons from a pro.

Good luck.

[Couch]

I guess ignore my comments above as what you stated above me sort of confused me. I didn't think you were really into golf since in your op you stated you were wanting to learn not for fun but networking.

I mistook that as you not truly enjoying playing, but felt it was a necessity. If you already play a bit and have a decent game then I would shell out a little more.

[jlspeed29]

Couch-
Thank you for your opinions!

Thank everyone for that fact!
This is one of the reasons why I love forums soo much.

I have taken a 2 hr lesson from a pro and it really helped....
I may end up spending a little more on the set.
I think I am going to buy some good used irons (like titleist or adams or something) and then get some decent drivers/ hybrids and a putter ....i think I may go that route.......

I can hit the ball pretty good and got a decent swing...and i have to admit ( its fun....but dont tell anyone! ahaha jk)

['Cane]

Originally Posted by jlspeed29

Couch-
Thank you for your opinions!

Thank everyone for that fact!
This is one of the reasons why I love forums soo much.

I have taken a 2 hr lesson from a pro and it really helped....
I may end up spending a little more on the set.
I think I am going to buy some good used irons (like titleist or adams or something) and then get some decent drivers/ hybrids and a putter ....i think I may go that route.......

I can hit the ball pretty good and got a decent swing...and i have to admit ( its fun....but dont tell anyone! ahaha jk)

Just remember, putting is probably the most important part of the game... "drive for show, and putt for dough". Pick up a putter with good feel, and work on that part of the game. I see too many people spend $$$ on clubs, then buy a crappy $15 putter.