Follow the above advice. Plus, any decent club manufacture will always replace and repair clubs. They don't want a bad rep so they are always going to help.
Tell them that if they refuse to let you in they will find out what the conviction was for! Don't mention it, 17 years old is a different person ago. Hope you get in.
Make each group put down a credit card number and if they are taking too long their card gets charged. This will speed up play to 3 and half hours per round
Imagine you are throwing the ball at the pin. High will stop fast low will run. This will give you a good idea on how to hit it. Remember, chip over a bunker, pitch over flat ground.
Try heading down to the A3 to World of Golf in New Malden. They have (or did have) some good teachers down there. Another place is Silvermere, also down the A3. Great range with decent balls.
The ball question really matters if you play to a decent level. a good 2 piece will be good for most until you get to around 12-14 handicap or lower. then the difference matters.