Brand new or second hand for a 16 year old?

[Master-putter]

Hi guys, im a 16 year old golfer with a 25 handicap who has my uncle's old irons which have a very small cavity. I am looking to get some new cavity irons, but i don't know whether to break the bank and get a brand new set, or whether to save some money and get a used set which is in good condition? Any help appreciated

 

[JustOne]

2nd hand set of something like Mizuno MX25's should do you OK. They're maybe £130.

 

[DaveM]

How about some lesson instead. Save the money from not buying. Spend it on learning. Buying new clubs, will not make you a better player. What clubs are you using now?

 

[pbrown7582]

Do you need to update woods as well?

There are plenty of decent used clubs around but there's also the excitement of unwrapping and hitting new shineys for the first time.

Depends a bit on your budget and how often your intending to play really have a look around AG or similar the chances are they are
still selling new sets of 2 year old clubs you can pick up for around half price and save yourself some cash.

 

[G1BB0]

2nd hand all day long :thup:

 

[One Planer]

I'd suggest looking in the for sale section on here.

There's a lovely set of Taylormade R7's

 

[Stu M]

depends if you can see yourself continue playing for years to come or if youve just started.

if youve just started get a second hand set cause you never know, your interest may fade. you can get some great irons out there, places like ebay or gumtree, with people struggling with finances a lot of people put there clubs up for sale for great prices.

 

[Master-putter]

Cheers guys, my current irons are old ping's which have very little cavity, and i think that a bigger-cavity iron would help me improve. I know that i will be playing for probably the rest of my life cos i love the sport. I am pretty happy with my woods and driver as i have brought them second hand off a m8 at my local club, so its just the irons im focused on really

 

[DaveM]

Nowt wrong with Pings. No matter how old. Probably better than a lot of new stuff out there. IMO.

 

[mcbroon]

Learn to play with clubs that are harder to hit. That'll make you a better player in the long run.

So keep what you've got (but if you don't want to keep it, buy 2nd hand).

 

[Master-putter]

Learn to play with clubs that are harder to hit. That'll make you a better player in the long run.

So keep what you've got (but if you don't want to keep it, buy 2nd hand).[/QUOTE

I see where you are coming from that clubs which are harder to hit will make me a better player in the long run, but as a 25 handicapper, surely a more forgiving iron will make me a better player in the short term, which will then lead me into some harder to hit irons?

 

[garyinderry]

always 2nd hand unless you are really into it or have money to blow! people change clubs all the time so theres plenty of great deals on the go. the for-sale section here is really good. if you hang on for a month the club/clubs you want usually appear or something will at least catch your eye!

 

[mcbroon]

Learn to play with clubs that are harder to hit. That'll make you a better player in the long run.

So keep what you've got (but if you don't want to keep it, buy 2nd hand).[/QUOTE

I see where you are coming from that clubs which are harder to hit will make me a better player in the long run, but as a 25 handicapper, surely a more forgiving iron will make me a better player in the short term, which will then lead me into some harder to hit irons?

Yep, a more forgiving iron will probably be easier to hit and will make you a better player in the short term but, assuming you get to a level where you need/want clubs that are not so forgiving, you'll then have to learn to hit them.

In my opinion, if you're going to have to learn how to do it anyway, you might as well do it from the outset.

 

[joma1108]

second hand when you are starting out, try gumtree or your local paper to see whats out there, local driving range and american golf will let you try them before you buy usually.

you could also get a loft and lie check done which would be pretty cheap at the time of buying to suit your swing.

a little bit like 2nd hand custome fit.

bear in mind the grips when buying as if they are past their best you could have a fair few quid spent replacing them.

 

[JustOne]

Learn to play with clubs that are harder to hit. That'll make you a better player in the long run.

Eh?

How if you can't hit your clubs?

Are you saying you'll get better in the long run when you switch to clubs that ARE easier to hit or do you stay forever with something that you can't even get airborne and just tell everyone how good you are 'supposed to be'?




If you're going to be better with easier to hit clubs.... get them NOW.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Off 25 I'd be tempted to stick with what I have, work on your game with some lessons and wait a little, perhaps saving the pennies and then see later this year or next season whether you want to splurge on a new set of irons (most manufacturers will have some new product or another) or get a decent set of 2nd hand. The more money you have the more up to date 2nd had you could go for

 

[Linda]

When I was 12, I started off with a half set of second hand irons. My dad then made my set up to a full set when I continued to play. I got down to an eight handicap. I would say, whatever you decide - try them before you buy them.

 

[Foxholer]

At 16, you might have another couple of years of growth, so 2nd hand would be my recommendtion. Current clubs could be parked until ready to try more 'responsive but difficult' clubs. S58/S59s?

As JO posted earlier MX25 (MX23 are pretty much the same but a year or so earlier and slightly cheaper) are great Game Improvement clubs and I know a couple of really low handicappers who still use them!

Worth getting loft/lie checked and the lies set to your spec though. MX23/25 are forged heads, so easier/safer to change than cast ones.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I understand both sides of the argument but from the point of view of getting maximum enjoyment from the game, I would get a decent set of 2nd clubs. As mentioned, MX25's would be ideal (or 23's or 19's) or any decent brand of large cavity backs. You should be able to pick something up on ebay for about £100.

Then use anything left over for lessons :thup:

 

[Master-putter]

Cheers for the advice guys, i think im gonna go to my local shop and have a go with some 2nd hand clubs