Building my Bag - Help Needed

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DrPepper

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Hey Guys,

I recently started getting in to golf late last year but due to the weather I didn't even get to step out on the course (only got to practice and take lessons with my Pro). Now that Christmas and New Year are behind us and the weather seems to be improving I'm looking to get my golfing off to a good start by looking to "build my bag" so to speak. I have a budget of around £500-£600 to spend on well..... everything...... I know this isn't much but is it possible from my budget and what sort of things should I be looking for? Will I need Shoes, Clothes etc as well as clubs?? Might I be better to just get a set of Irons now and continue to improve my swing and keep away from the course for now giving my time to build up my bag over the coming months??? I'm all confused lol!!!

I'm a total novice when it comes to course play because so far I've only had lessons and practiced on the range, chipping area and putting greens. Things seem to be going well and I'm very keen to learn the game and get out there and play so would want my bag to be adequate to do so.

Hope you guys can help me with this, thanks a lot

Doctor P.
 
My advice is to shop around and try before you buy. Be wary of American Golf as they tend to give newbies some real bad advice and will try and force Nicklaus, Yonex or Wilson irons on you and won't really focus on other brands. Look at some of last years 9and the year befores) models as they will be cheaper. Personally I'd look to try and get as good a set of clubs as you can afford. Clothes with the exception of a decent pair of shoes (again I think you get what you pay for) are easy to get. A couple of polos from Primark and a pair of strides from M&S etc and you're done
 
I would say thats plenty of money to get started!
There are loads of good iron sets available for beginners for around £300. I would also get youself a hybrid,a 3wood and find a putter that you are comfortable with. I personally wouldnt worry about about having 3 or 4 different wedges as a lot of better players door worry about having the latest driver on the market! You should however try before you buy as its very important to be comfortable and confident with your gear!
Also a decent pair of shoes are important in my opinion and you can get a really good pair for around £50.
 
I got a mate a set of Callaway x18 irons for 150 from our local range used, I couldn't haggle him a discount but did get them to throw in 30.00 in range tokens. Part ex stock can make for a good bargain and always haggle range vouchures ad part of the deal. It costs the range nothing and they love having you there do you shop for other stuff. Try and stick to popular brands and models as they will hold a decent resale value.
 
My advice - at your stage don't buy new. Consult your pro - he will know what will suit your swing - Types of shaft etc.
You don't need to look like Poulter or you have just stepped out of the hugo boss catalogue. Get a good pair of shoes if you plan on carrying - get a bargain stand bag off ebay and when it comes to woods there are loads in the second hand market.
Spend some of that money on regular lessons and practice then when you start getting good playing 18 holes you can think about new clubs and custom fitting.

Good luck and stick at it
:cool:
 
Thanks for the advice so far guys, its a big help. I should be looking to get my clubs in the coming weeks once my Fiancee decided on how much she is putting towards them for Valentines Day. In my area one of the clubs offers the Mizuno DNA swing thingy, is it worth going and having them set me up with it to test/try a few different things or should I just stick with my Pro and what he thinks??

When it comes to playing 9 or 18 holes would I be able to by myself or do courses only allow groups of two or more??

Oh and you guys mentioned a little on shoes, I'm guessing regular trainers are out of the question then??

Thanks,

Doctor P.
 
Decent pair of shoes is a must (and no trainers wont be accepted). Worth having a trawl round the online golf sites as a lot are selling off last years models at very cheap prices, limited sizes available but you might strike lucky on one of the sites.

Next step would be some irons. Main advice you could get from your pro would be whether he thinks you need a stiff or a regular shaft and whether he thinks a "standard" set up would be ok for you (should be unless you are very short, very tall etc). From there I would look to get a set of second hand irons, probably Callaway X14 or X16s or some Pings, definitely something with a cavity back and aimed at the higher handicap end.

After that Id buy a putter, go to an American Golf or similar, try out as many as possible, find one you like then look to buy it second hand on ebay, we're all so fickle as golfers that theres so many decent putters on ebay its scary (its always the putters fault not the person on the end of it lol).

Ater that its woods and hybrids, initially a 3 wood and a hybrid should be enough, you can add a driver later. Again a year or two old model from ebay of one that catches your eye a decent approach.

Wedges I would stick to the PW and SW in the set initailly, you can always add more wedges at a later date.

Add a bag and you should he enough to get started. If any club really takes your eye and you cant see any on ebay put a wanted request on here, its more than likely someone has one in the garage or shed that they dont use any more.
 
Most places you can play on your own, some may require you to be a 2 ball or more or to join up wit another group, just phone the pro shop of where youre planning to play and theyll soontell you if a 1 ball is allowed
 
Most American Golf stores have a 2nd hand section. If you know what you're looking for you can get some decent kit on the cheap.
 
Trainers are a definite no no at every course I've ever played. Get some decent shoes, you're going to be spending a few hours in them so they need to be comfortable, plus a half decent pair, which won't cost an arm and a leg, will be waterproof. You may think you wont be playing in the rain to start with, but wet grass soon soaks through inadequate footwear and nothing is worse than cold wet feet IMO

I would go with what most of the others have said. Get a 2nd hand set of 2 or 3 year old irons, go for something with a nice big cavity. I wouldn't worry about getting custom fitted at the moment, the odds are your swing will alter dramatically in the first year or so.

As for the make up; set of irons 4 to PW, a hybrid, a 3 wood, a sand wedge of around 56 deg and a putter will be ample to get you out on the course and more than enough to confuse you initially ;)

Unlike some others I would say get a driver if budget permits, a used model can be picked up cheap enough, they are fun to hit even if you only use it on the range for now, bet you don't though! ;)

Then get yourself out on the course and start enjoying this crazy game - welcome to frustration! :D

As for clothing, have a look in TK Max if there is one near you, they usually have last years stock at knock down prices, if sometimes in the less popular sizes.
 
When it comes to playing 9 or 18 holes would I be able to by myself or do courses only allow groups of two or more??

Doctor P.
Click to expand...

They should be fine but most clubs like you to phone ahead and ask "whilst I'm on the course may I play with myself?"
 
Footjoy AQLs will see you right in the shoe department. Smiffys question about height is an important one. A lot of the guys on here have suggested buying second hand. That's ok if you are a standard size. I'm 6'4" and my clubs are an inch longer than standard and 4 degrees more upright to accommodate my height. Ask your pro about your measurements wrist to floor being the most important one. If an off the shelf option works then great.

If you have to buy new you can't go far wrong with a set of Wilson Di7s or Di9s £250-300 new.

A cheap stand bag and a solid putter and you are good to go. Putters are really important. Try a lot of models and speak to your pro. I've only had one putting lesson and he worked on a straight back straight through swing keeping the clubface square to the ball. To help with this I bought a face balanced putter. This means if you balance the putter on your fingers a couple of inches from the head the face will point directly up to the ceiling/sky. Don't be afraid to spend on your putter you will use it mire than any other club in your bag.

I was in your position 18 months ago and rather than buying everything at once I have slowly put my bag together. I started with wedges and putter (Oct 09), irons (Nov 09), 3Wood (Jul 10) hybrid (Sep 10). I am now saving for my first driver. You do need a long club in my bag but I have always hit my hybrid better than my 3 wood. My recommendation would be to try a 5 wood and 3 hybrid and see which you hit better off the deck and buy one. If you can be accurate with you irons and have a good short game the longer clubs can wait. They'll only get you in more trouble at the moment.

I wasted far too much time off the course. Get on it as soon as you can. If you are in the Suffolk area you are always welcome to play me at my course. Lessons are definitely the way to go, just be patient with them. I hope this helps.
 
I would also reccomend the Di7 irons new or secondhand. I had a set for the first three years I played before my swing took shape very forgiving and excellent buy for the money.

Greenjoy shoes are a good buy for the money to start. Synthetic so don't leak. Had mine 4 years and I still use them in the winter to save my leather shoes.

Cobra bafflers perhaps second hand are also a very forgiving utility when you're starting.

For a bag have a look in sports direct, not bling bling labelling but excellent value for money. I bought a dunlop carry bag for about 15 quid for when there's a trolly ban.

Go get out on the course and you'll enjoy it. Most municipal courses don't have a problem with solo players.
 
 
 
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