Best Package Set - Newbie

[Hardy]

Hi all,

Just started playing golf on a weekly basis now that the body's getting a bit too old and slow for football. Was looking for a golf forum to assist and this looked like a good one to start with. I have a real cheap set of clubs and bag that I've had for about 10 years so I think its time I invested some money in a set of good clubs and a nice new bag. Now I'm sure this question has been asked many times so apologies already but what would be a good package set for a beginner? I'm not too bad with my short irons but I'm terrible with woods? If I hit a straight long drive then I can often par the hole but I can very rarely do this so I guess I'm saying I need some very forgiving clubs. Yes I will also have a few lessons before anyone recommends doing that . I'm 35, 5'10, average strength, good all round sports person and pick things up quite quick so want some clubs that will last a couple of years. If a package is not the way to go please feel free to let me know and recommend some alternatives.

Was looking at the RAM FX black package, seems to be mentioned in the reviews on here as good value for money for beginners but know nothing about them. Can also get them for £199 which seems a good deal. I don't really have a max budget but it would be good if I could keep cost down to £200 to £300.

Anyway, looking forward to your advice and recommendations.....

 

[Macster]

I'd steer away from a "package set anyday, from what I have seen about.

Pick up a 2nd hand set of irons that you like, and add perhaps a 3 wood/and hybrid, and a carry bag of your choice, and your'e away.

For example, I sold a set of Ping Zing2's for £160 not so long ago, very powerful set of clubs and very forgiving. You can even get these Custom tweaked at Ping for Free if you wanted - included with ANY set of Ping's.

I carry a Callaway War Bird 4 Wood, bought for £21 on Golfbidder, which regularly gets me 230/40 yds from the tee.
Add a Bag & Putter and you have change, and still a quality set of sticks.

Or you can spend £300 on a set thats rubbish

 

[feary]

I would advise you to try and pick a second hand set of irons from your local pro or golfbidder. Maybe even friends might have old clubs? Depends on how much you want to spend and how seriously you want to take the sport as you are a beginner. I started off with second hand.;

age-14
h/c-10

 

[slugger]

Phardy, i was in the same boat as you around a year and half ago. I played amateur football and due to injury from that had to find something else to do and golf it is!!! You won't be disappointed, i've found it can be just as competitive as the football used to be, except there's no-one out there trying to break your legs!

I'd agree with the other posts and avoid a package set.

Best thing to do is put together enough clubs to get you going and then add to it as time goes on. that way you'll get better quality stuff and you won't have all of these different clubs that you have to learn to hit in so many different ways all at the same time.

For example, this is how i went with my clubs.

Got the irons first and borrowed a putter and bought a cheap driver from JJB. The irons were a vastly reduced set of Mizuno from nevada bobs. The driver lasted 3 months until it broke then i borrowed or bought from ebay until i bought the driver that i have now. Got my 3 wood out of a golf club shop bargain bin for £20. Got a couple of utility clubs on special offer in the winter there and then my brother gifted me a new putter so i could give the borrowed one back to the rightful owner.

You really don't need to go straight out and buy every club.

Take a look at golfbidder.co.uk and get some bargains of there to get you going.

If i've learned one thing from this game, it's that patience is a virtue, and this applies to finding the right equipment as well.

You might even get some bargains on this site as well.

Enjoy

 

[Spoff]

I'd steer away from a "package set anyday, from what I have seen about.

I agree with that, I bought a package set for £200 less than two years ago when I started and everything but the irons have now been replaced.

The driver and woods were awful, the irons are fine, but not very forgiving and for me the putter was too light.

I wish I had done what you did and asked for advice on here first.

 

[viscount17]

I started with package sets, sets because the head snapped off the 7-i on the first, very cheap, one.

the 'better' package sets (Ben Sayers, RAM) generally have half-decent irons, a pretty lightweight putter, and, their downfall, cheap shafts in their woods.

these shafts can be so flexible that they will <u>promote</u> a slice or hook.

check in with AG etc, I've seen new Benross Benny drivers down to £69 and they rate pretty highly.

 

[EchtLoon]

Well, I'm from the other side of the coin, and for a starter like you see nothing wrong with a package set.

You don't really know what you're doing, and for the price of a new bag and second hand driver, you will instead get everything there and then, no faffing about.

Once you are more confident and have improved, you can start looking at a more tailor made set of clubs.

This for example http://www.direct-golf.co.uk/golf_packages/wilson/1200_cg_complete_package_golf_packages/p7945 from Wilson is perfectly fine for you, and better than the Ram Black's.

Just my tuppence.

 

[GB72]

I am also not against package sets. The Hippo OSIV set I started with were pretty decent and as long as you buy them knowing that you will probably look to change is a year or so.

 

[Paul2009]

If I were you I'd stay away from most package sets and build your own set... like the one I quickly put together below

Driver - Mizuno MP001 which I used to have and loved - wish i never sold it!

LINK



Irons Cobra 3100 irons - forgiving and good balance - all round good irons and these are 3-sw

http://www.golfbidder.co.uk/product/316381/Cobra_3100_IH.html

Putter - Nike putter reduced from £180 to £40!

LINKY



These are £240 but suppose you need a fairway wood/hybrid and a bag which i'm sure you could get for around £60, bringing your total to around £300.

This set IMO would be a better option that a package set as not only are they better clubs, but you would probably keep them longer than your package set aswell.

Paul

 

[Gustavo]

I got the details of these through on an email, they look nice for the price.

http://www.direct-golf.co.uk/golf_irons/mizuno/mx-17_irons_golf_irons/p1954

 

[RGDave]

I haven't read any replies on this one (apologies guys)...

BUT....NO, just NO, don't do it.

Currently you can pick up serious golf kit for peanuts.
Ignore golfbidder and the like, check out the local paper and local ranges and on here.

There are bargains everywhere.

Quality 2nd hand irons can be had for £150
Ping/Callaway/TM drivers for £70-80
5 woods and rescues are virtually being given away.

I've been selling off my unused kit recently and there's a buoyant market for buyers and sellers.

Look around, ask on here, get some good kit for not much money.

 

[RGDave]

Well, I'm from the other side of the coin, and for a starter like you see nothing wrong with a package set.

You don't really know what you're doing, and for the price of a new bag and second hand driver, you will instead get everything there and then, no faffing about.

Once you are more confident and have improved, you can start looking at a more tailor made set of clubs.

This for example http://www.direct-golf.co.uk/golf_packages/wilson/1200_cg_complete_package_golf_packages/p7945 from Wilson is perfectly fine for you, and better than the Ram Black's.

Just my tuppence.

Now THAT is good going.

I rescind my previous post.....if there is stuff like this on offer, go for it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree with the majority on here and think starter sets aren't your best option. There are loads of 2nd hand sets around and for £250 I have a set of Callaway X20 regular graphite shafts 4-PW plus 52 and 56 wedges and I'll throw in a Cally XTT Lite bag, and a 35 inch 2 ball putter and a 11 degree 460 BB driver

 

[Hardy]

Thanks for all the replies guys although I'm now even more confused. So many differing views and recommendations. Guess I'll look at building my own set as that seems to be the most popular option. Can anyone recommend some good irons, like the sound and cost of the mizuno's mx-17s in the previous post. Any better more forgiving clubs? I don't mind second hand as long as there in mint condition and not custom fit for a tall person.

 

[Hardy]

I agree with the majority on here and think starter sets aren't your best option. There are loads of 2nd hand sets around and for £250 I have a set of Callaway X20 regular graphite shafts 4-PW plus 52 and 56 wedges and I'll throw in a Cally XTT Lite bag, and a 35 inch 2 ball putter and a 11 degree 460 BB driver

Hi Homer,

What condition are they in? How long have you had them? etc....
Did you have them tailored? if so what size are you?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The faces I'd rate as 7.5/8 out of 10 and the shafts and grips as 9/10 They are about 18 months old and are 1 degree upright but I'm six foot and they are regular length shafts.

Here is a picture of the grip and face of the 9 iron





At the end of the day if you are interested I'm prepared to be a bit flexible on price