Golf Club sets for returnee

[millardus]

Hi folks

Very open question, so hope to get a lot of suggestions, will help educate me on what I might like when it comes to talking to a golf pro or a golf shop person.

I'm 42, been playing good club tennis for 15 years solid now since I came back to that sport in late 20's, NOW I want to get back to playing golf.
I played a minor amount with my Dad growing up, and since I was 18 have done the typical *pick up a club every 3-4 years* kinda thing, have a couple 9-holes, and that's that.
I used to be able to get round in low-mid 20's, so I could swing a club, but had no tuition so it was all self taught.

My wife and I now want to start playing together, and are arranging golf lessons as I type.

My question is around golf sets. There are soooooo many clubs and varieties out there, where do I start in determining what equipment to buy\start with?

We are both quite commited to this (We enjoy a walk!) and will ultimately be happy to buy 2 full sets of clubs and join a club, so if determining the clubs you like is literally a suck it and see approach, and I should expect to go through a number of sets over the course of 5 years, then just say so.

But essentially, please give me some pointers on the approach people take when determining the equipment to start with, bearing in mind I'm pretty much a beginner.

Cheers all
Coop

 

[Canary Kid]

Have a look on eBay and pick sellers with good feedback. You might find full sets, but more likely you will need to assemble a set ... driver, fairway wood(s), hybrid(s), irons and putter. You might later want specialist wedges, but initially I would go with the wedges (pitching wedge and sand wedge) within the set of irons. You will need to consider the shaft flex although, at your age, regular flex should be OK ... unless your tennis has given you a strong swing speed, in which case you might need stiff flex. If you find something you fancy on eBay, first check it out on golfbidder.co.uk, as they give a suggested handicap range for most makes/models of club. It will also give you a good price comparison. They are a good source for buying second hand clubs too ... accurate descriptions of condition and good service.

If money is no object, you could go to a pro shop and get fitted for the whole set ... probably the optimum option, but expensive. Welcome back to golf and good luck.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Don't spend a great deal would be my first point. The set you have first is likely to be changed within 12-18 months as you work out what works for you, what you like etc. Look at the likes of Golfclubs4cash, golfbidder and my own favourite, ebay. Get a solid second hand set and go from there. Try a local Amercian Golf and see what they have in the second hand section, swing a few in the net.

What to get? At this stage I would suggest something around 3-5 years old as that will still be very decent tech but will have dropped in price. You need to do a bit of work at this point to work that out but stick with Callaway, Ping, Taylormade and you will be able to re-sell your clubs afterwards for not too much of a hit. The default recommendation from most on here is Ping G series. I have the Ping G25 irons and hybrids. Easy to hit, easy to sell, and a great set to start with. In terms of putters Odyssey are a top brand at a decent price. Loads on ebay once you work out the style you like.

Don't buy every club you see in a pro's bag. You don't need driver, 3 wood, 5 wood, 2 hybrids etc. Get a driver and a hybrid, see how they go and add to them as and when.

I can't emphasise enough, don't spend a fortune at this stage.

 

[Grant85]

Hi folks

Very open question, so hope to get a lot of suggestions, will help educate me on what I might like when it comes to talking to a golf pro or a golf shop person.

I'm 42, been playing good club tennis for 15 years solid now since I came back to that sport in late 20's, NOW I want to get back to playing golf.
I played a minor amount with my Dad growing up, and since I was 18 have done the typical *pick up a club every 3-4 years* kinda thing, have a couple 9-holes, and that's that.
I used to be able to get round in low-mid 20's, so I could swing a club, but had no tuition so it was all self taught.

My wife and I now want to start playing together, and are arranging golf lessons as I type.

My question is around golf sets. There are soooooo many clubs and varieties out there, where do I start in determining what equipment to buy\start with?

We are both quite commited to this (We enjoy a walk!) and will ultimately be happy to buy 2 full sets of clubs and join a club, so if determining the clubs you like is literally a suck it and see approach, and I should expect to go through a number of sets over the course of 5 years, then just say so.

But essentially, please give me some pointers on the approach people take when determining the equipment to start with, bearing in mind I'm pretty much a beginner.

Cheers all
Coop

Personal view is keep things neutral for a start.

This would involve buying standard length and lie irons (unless you are very tall or very short). I'd say best to get something that is cavity back (as opposed to blades), which will give some forgiveness. Anything from main manufacturers - Ping, Taylor Made, Callaway, Cleveland, Titleist etc. should be decent quality.

And yes, it is a suck it and see approach. I have often gone down the second hand route (or buying new, but discounted stuff that is a few years out of date) and after a fair bit of trial and error have worked out clubs that work for me.

Shaft Flex is a tough one to work out, and will make a big difference especially to the longer clubs. Generally the faster you swing the stiffer a shaft you need. Again might make sense to try regular flex and if you go to a range, they might have a fair selection of clubs to at least demo.

Even that said, there is still a huge amount of value to be had in buying second hand, giving it a hit and potentially selling it on to recoup some or all of your cash if it really doesn't work.

Main problem with getting fitted is that most pro's and ranges will only fit you for brand new current model clubs. Which is going to mean a huge premium in terms of £1,000 for Woods and similar for irons.

I'd say a typical set consists of;
Driver
3 or 5 wood
3 hybrid
4 iron or hybrid
5 to PW irons
Gap wedge (50 or 52 deg)
Sand wedge (54 - 56 deg)
Lob wedge (58 - 60 deg)
Putter

 

[Grant85]

As a tip in terms of working out if a club might be suitable, I'd check out Golf Bidder. They specialise in second hand equipment (you won't get the same bargain you might get on ebay, but a bit more confidence in terms of purchasing and knowing the club will be as they say).

But even if you're not buying, they have an indicator of handicap... so a driver might be suitable for a 0-28 handicap (i.e. it will have a fair bit of forgiveness). Another might be only 0-10... so more suitable for better players who are hitting the middle of the club more and likely with more speed.

 

[jamiet7682]

I agree go second hand or heavily discounted.

I inherited a set of Donnay clubs, started with them and just replaced as i went. So you could probably pick up a second hand full set very cheap from gumtree or facebook marketplace, I wouldnt worry too much about how good they are, you will be replacing them as you go.

I picked up second hand Ping G5 3 & 5 Wood off FaceBook marketplace for £20, the head came off the 3 wood about the 3rd time i used it but the 5 wood is still going strong and is a great club. Purchased a Ping G10 driver off a lovely fellow on here in the buy/sell section, I think it was £25.

Next I purchased a set of irons (5-PW) from the used section of American Golf, I had caught the bug at this point and splashed out £200 for Callaway XR irons, some still had the wrapping on the head but were classed as used, i think may have been ex-demo.

I then picked up a brand new 56 degree wedge from American Golf, just went for the cheapest in the shop - Fazer, this might be my favourite club, think it was £20.

I have also bought a cheap 22 degree hybrid from Sports Direct to try out, never really use this though.

So i now have a set i am fairly happy with and all for about £350 including a new bag.

So I guess i am saying, there are loads of ways to do it and a mix of them all will work, just dont spend a fortune until you are sure you are going to keep playing.

 

[Robster59]

There are so many options out there it's difficult to give definitive advice.
You can get a full set of Callway clubs from Costco for £500. Rick Sheils did a video on them.

 

[millardus]

Hi Canary Kid\Lord Tyrion\Grant85\JamieT7682\Robster59

Up with the best responses I've had on a sport forum, and I've been a cricket and tennis forum member for years during my phases playing those.

You guys information and pointers, excellent.
Thanks a lot, give me ample to work with.
I'll report back in a month or so once I've tried a few suggestions out.
Coop

 

[abjectplop]

Take a look at Benross if you want to keep costs down initially.....very good quality clubs but you can pick them up at good prices on eBay. I bought some Benross irons and hybrids for my wife when she wanted to try golf and they are good clubs. Note, they'll have very little sell on value but given the low cost to begin with, not such a big deal.

Otherwise, as a couple of others have said, going down the Ping G route is a great option. You could pick up a full bag of Ping G10s very cheaply from eBay, or if you want to spend a bit more, look at more recent versions - G25, G30, or G Series. I had a look at used Pings when I was buying clubs for my wife, but found them a bit more expensive as there's just not as many around.

 

[jmf1488]

Go down to American golf, tell them your both beginners. They will let you hit the clubs and get a feel for them. Then buy the ones you like. There is no harm in buying good clubs now and keeping them for the next 5 years.