Golf clubs

[ncfc2010]

I've had my first proper golf lesson this morning just wondering what your thoughts are to a decent beginners set of clubs?

I've been told I need 3/4" longer than the standard off the shelf clubs, theres so many to choose from, what brands should I look at and which should I avoid?

Thanks

Tom

 

[CrapHacker]

This always comes down to

1) how much do you intend to play

2) how much money have you got.

Most people start off with a second hand set.

Your problem is going to be the extra length shafts.

I know pros can add 3/4" to steel shafts, at a cost ( I think you'd expet to pay £10-£15 per club, but check that ),but I think you're going to be in trouble with the graphite shafted clubs ( driver, fairway wood, etc ).

A new set of Mizuno / Ping etc will normally come with free custom fitting, so if you are paying that sort of money, no problem. But what if you decide against golf in th enear future? Can you afford to write off that sort of investment.

Basically it's a tricky one for you.

The first person I'd talk to is your pro, and see what solution he's got in mind.

Most pro's are fine upstanding guys and will look after your every need. A small minority are rip off artists, so just check what he says before parting with your hard earned for the first time.

However, all pros need to earn a couple of bob, so if you commit to having lessons from a guy you trust, any decent pro will do his best to set you up with clubs that will suit. If he rips you off, you'll go and find someone more honest. If he sells you clubs you can't use, you might well give up the game. If he finds you a set of clubs that you can use, and also helps you hit the blimmin things so you enjoy the game, and get hooked like the rest of us, you'll keep on going back to him every time you need help - job satisfaction for him, and a human cash machine to boot.

Hope that's as clear as mud

 

[birdieman]

Any large cavity back club will do. Though many on here will likely disagree, the different brands are all much of a muchness in the game improvement irons imo. Clubs all look different at the back but if you actually look at the side that hits the ball they all look the same.
A little offset will help if you are a slicer, if not you dont need it.
As long as you get the right length clubs (get a second opinion on that longer club recommendation incidentally before you buy) and the correct flex shafts with the correct size grip (standard is ok for 90% of us) you should be fine.

Wilson are very good value, as are MD. Others you pay more for the brand name.

Personally I would go second hand so if you find you improve quickly you can upgrade clubs without losing a packet.

 

[RGDave]

I've been told I need 3/4" longer than the standard off the shelf clubs, theres so many to choose from, what brands should I look at and which should I avoid?

Thanks

Tom

How tall are you? 3/4" longer is quite a lot.

 

[RobbOnTheRock]

Only advice I have is get a wide selection (American Golf Discount is a good place to start) and hit as many of them as you can. See which ones you think might have potential. then go to your Pro and see what he says about the clubs you've narrowed down. I think you'll learn more doing it that way as opposed to buying what ever the Pro recommends.

I would suggest not paying more than £200 for a first set if buying new. I bought about 6 years ago a set of John Letters T3 irons from AGD, and they were fine and cheap for learning the game and making that mental commitment to continue playing the game.

This year I splashed out and bought my Callaway Diablo's but only after trying a load of clubs over 3 years (hey I'm an Aberdonian)........

Don't buy blades though as they are for the better player, 10 handicap or less!!!!!

Cheers
Andy

 

[CannyFifer]

forgan golf do custom fitting free online and are good clubs for the money and look great. a few at my club have them.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have a look around and try before you buy if possible. I'd get the shaft length double checked too as that will save one huge headache before you start. I guess you could use a site like golfbidder (moderately expensive) to see what is out there in the 2nd hand market (they give some sort of description for each model) and once you've found one you like trawl e-bay etc and see the best price available

 

[Region3]

If you need clubs 3/4" longer than standard, make sure you get checked for lie angle as well, as all the longer clubs I've ever seen selling 2nd hand have been 1 or 2 degrees upright as well as longer.

 

[Split_Fairway]

ping and taylormade are probably best when it comes to super forgiving clubs. definately avoid titleist when just starting out as the majority of their equipment range is geared towards mid to low handicappers