Baby's First Golf Bag

[mullet]

Ok it's time I got on with it and commited to buying some clubs. I am new to the game and have been hitting the range etc enthusiastically for the last month or two with a friend and keen to progress and play the game in it's full form so it's time we both got some goods (the real fun bit mmm stuff...)

I'm now either gonna cause some big sighs (due to this sort of newbie question constantly cropping up) or a fierce debate but..

Which clubs are indispensible as a beginner and which do I not require at my level?

Money isn't too much of a concern but don't feel the need to be silly about it. Anything from £20-60 for a club would be fine (after all I aren't likely to know the difference at my stage, I can always upgrade later).

Which brands suits novice players best? i.e. Do Nike/Ping/Dunlop whoever have decent entry-level ranges? Please Help as I don't want to waste money on an obscure club I don't need or be left without something I need on the fairway. I've done my research, but feel actual practical advise from others more

Cheers!

 

[connor]

Don't buy Dunlop you will only want new ones very soon I made that mistake. U need to look at game improvement irons summit which help a novice/high handicapper. Personally I use Taylormade burners and love them to bits and they have great reviews throughout the net. Again similar thing with regards to a driver but alot is on personal preference. My best advice and this is from personal experience is if you have an American golf near by go there and explain to them. They suggest various brands to suit what you explain an you try them to see which you get on best with. Don't just go for names you recognise though there are lots out there and AG carry most which are worth considering.
Hope this helps a bit

 

[Mr_T]

have you considered a full starter set? will give you everything you need and eerything will be GI so shouldn't be too difficult to handle, wilson do some pretty good starter sets and they don't cost the earth either. Either that or second hand if youre not looking to break the bank, places such as golfbidder have a lot of good quality second hand gear and if you have a bit of a search you will be able to find some good kit hope this helps

 

[Mr_T]

oh and welcome to the forum

 

[Naybrains]

Welcome to the best Golf forum in the biz.

For me its a case of popping into your local pro shop tell them your looking for a half decent set of used cavity back irons. They'l point you in the direction of the used club rack and offer you some sound advice.

I would recommend something like, Cobra s9's,Ping G10's or Taylormade Burner 09's. You should get a good used set of irons for comfortably under £200.

 

[mullet]

Thanks alot.

That's a massive help. I'll certainly be nipping into the American Golf Branch near me.

Again, thanks to all

 

[DaveM]

Becareful at American golf. They do tend to push the makes they get the most commision on. Try and find somewhere where to can try them before you buy. Have you had a look in the adds pages on here?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Don't buy Dunlop you will only want new ones very soon I made that mistake. U need to look at game improvement irons summit which help a novice/high handicapper. Personally I use Taylormade burners and love them to bits and they have great reviews throughout the net. Again similar thing with regards to a driver but alot is on personal preference. My best advice and this is from personal experience is if you have an American golf near by go there and explain to them. They suggest various brands to suit what you explain an you try them to see which you get on best with. Don't just go for names you recognise though there are lots out there and AG carry most which are worth considering.
Hope this helps a bit

Becareful at American golf. They do tend to push the makes they get the most commision on. Try and find somewhere where to can try them before you buy. Have you had a look in the adds pages on here?

Personally I'd avoid AG like the plague. They can smell a newbie to the game at 100 yards and without being rude will use your inexperience to flog you a set of Nicklaus or Wilson clubs, usually as a starter set. Golf clubs don't have to come as neat packages and whilst you are better of getting a set of matching irons, woods, putters and wedges don't have to marry up.

My advice would be to chat to a club pro somewhere or wander down your local range. If I was you I'd be looking at the Ping G or K15 range, Callaway X, Taylormade Burner 2.0, Mizuno JPX 800 as irons from the latest releases but there are a lot of older models which would be as good and cheaper. The important thing is to try before you buy

 

[connor]

i noticed a lot of people on here dont seem to go much on AG. Ive never had a problem with them and always been happy with what i walked away with. Granted they offered me the Nicklaus driver then i brought one i hit it twice and said no thanks and stuck with the origional callaway i had in mind. as for the irons i tried my burners, x22s and big berthas and didnt feel pushed into buying a certian brand. but again i knew what i wanted before i went or at least did research

 

[timchump]

your best bet is to buy a used set of quality clubs: mizuno, ping, titleist, taylor made, callaway

Second hand from somwhere like golfbidder.co.uk

As your new go for clubs with a big cavity back and regular flex shafts

Woods wise i'd recommend starting with just a 3 wood

 

[sweatysock41]

your best bet is to buy a used set of quality clubs: mizuno, ping, titleist, taylor made, callaway

Second hand from somwhere like golfbidder.co.uk

As your new go for clubs with a big cavity back and regular flex shafts

Woods wise i'd recommend starting with just a 3 wood

From a personal point of view I would go with a lower loft hybrid rather than a 3 wood to begin with. It would have a shorter shaft and the difference in distance to a beginner would be negligible.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

i knew what i wanted before i went or at least did research

I think that is the key if you are going to AG. Do your homework and know what you are looking for and be prepared to stand your ground and insist on trying that club and not be fobbed off with Yonx, Hogan, Wilson or Nicklaus which are their stock options and deliver biggest mark ups

 

[mullet]

Thanks for the help...

I certainly arent a chump when it comes to pushy sales people but thats with things I know alot about, I dont know if I'd be so able to avoid being pushed into a corner with regards to golf clubs however!

Again this is all so useful. Had I gone for it alone I'd probably by now have my eye on whichever clubs looked coolest for the least money (kidding) , so actually speaking to guys who arent trying to earn some commision is nice.

Taylor Made seems to coming up quite a bit so they obviously require a more in-depth look at. I will be popping in to AG in the new year (when they arent hungry for Christmas commision) and certainly look into quality second hand goods too.

Thanks to all

Now... to tell my golfing pal to definately plump for £10 Dunlop clubs from Sports Direct. Sportsmanship belongs on the course! Don't see why I can't get a head start...

 

[CMAC]

Mullet, go for what pleases your eye, even if its a medium cavity like the Mizuno MP53's or Titleist AP's I'm of the opinion if you go for Full GI clubs to start with it could hinder future development for you if you want to seriously improve.
The maturer members of the forum (me included) mostly started on blades and can hit most things now, its just a good grounding, however, its just my opinion.

 

[Oddsocks]

QUALITY branded used clubs will always be worth something, 1 year old cheap crap started sets never sell. ive sourced 2 sets of GI irons for friends, both callaway and both at decent prices.

Last year X18 graphite regular 4-sw - £150 + £25.00 worth of free range balls (very good condition)
this week X22 steel regular 3-pw - £190 - only 1 year old like new

now as ive said to my friends that purchased them in 2-3 years both sets will still make £100-£125 if not more, and they are not going to fall apart like some of the cheaper sport shop own brand clubs.