The best course I've played was Royal Birkdale, a few months before The Open was last played there. A 50th birtday present from my wife.
Playing the 18 holes that the best players in the world would be playing gave me a great buzz. The course itself was in immaculate condition as you would...
My advice is to buy the brand/set that you feel comfortable with. I started off with a cheaper set (Progen). I'd previously borrowed my brother-in-law's expensive Mizunos and damaging a club (beyond repair!)
I decided to treat myself to a "decent" set after realising I had been bitten by the bug...