Initial Club Requirements

[MichaelUK]

Hi,

I've been doing a lot of reading around the internet on this matter but haven't managed to find a definitive answer so thought id create a thread here to receive any assistance avaliable.

I'm 24 and currently a student, I've been following golf now for 2 years and have recently decided I'm going to give it a try.

Am i being completely naive to think I could try learn myself a decent technique through instructional videos and reading materials? Also will purchasing clubs which are cheap and not fitted to my personal specifications impact me that much in this initial phase.

I just want to jump in and attempt to apply the things which i read about and watch, not have to worry about spending money i don't have on coaching lessons and club fitting services, which seems to be the general recommendation for starters.

My plan is to attend a local driving range and putting green to work on the fundamentals with the appropriate clubs. I was thinking of purchasing a putter and a 7 iron to start with, however after reading so much about the impact of poorly fitted clubs changing the direction of shots I'm not sure what i should be looking to purchase when i go down to my local sports store in search of a cheap club or two.

Not sure if this was the correct section for this post so ill apologise in advance. Thanks for reading.

 

[bobmac]

Go to any golf club in your area and have a chat with the pro.
Explain your situation and see what he says.
If he tries to sell you a full set of clubs and a block of lessons, try somewhere else.
Hopefully, he will offer you some free tips to get you started and maybe let you borrow a club.

Teaching yourself is all very well if you know what to look for and your are able to film yourself.
But I would suggest getting the basics sorted first.
Then after a few weeks, if you still like golf, then look at getting something second hand

 

[Hobbit]

At present you don't have a swing at all so getting a set of clubs that fit would be impossible. Buy a 2nd hand set off fleabay or from a local pro shop.

Can you learn without lessons? How long's a piece of strings? I went 18 years before my first lesson, by which time I was playing to a single figure handicap. Maybe with lessons I could have got there sooner. If you can, get out on a field and knock 7 bells out of a ball. Once you've got something reasonably consistent have some lessons, and then get fitted for clubs if you've still got the enthusiasm for the game.

 

[DappaDonDave]

At present you don't have a swing at all so getting a set of clubs that fit would be impossible. Buy a 2nd hand set off fleabay or from a local pro shop.

Can you learn without lessons? How long's a piece of strings? I went 18 years before my first lesson, by which time I was playing to a single figure handicap. Maybe with lessons I could have got there sooner. If you can, get out on a field and knock 7 bells out of a ball. Once you've got something reasonably consistent have some lessons, and then get fitted for clubs if you've still got the enthusiasm for the game.

That's probably the best advice

I started last year and had never fully swung a golf club (only pitch and putt). Reading and watching videos help but practicing is important! I started off with a round being well over 100 shots. By the end of sept I was able to keep up and challenge a couple of guys from work with far more experience.

Keep an eye on eBay, I picked up a set worth roughly £350 for £40...only recently have I bothered doing to it with my newly purchased Lob wedge! If you'd prefer a new set, try sports direct.

 

[MichaelUK]

Thanks for your replies.

My main concern is getting the size of the clubs incorrect, but presumably at 6.3" i won't have a huge amount of difficulty with the regular sized equipment.

That's probably the best advice

I started last year and had never fully swung a golf club (only pitch and putt). Reading and watching videos help but practicing is important! I started off with a round being well over 100 shots. By the end of sept I was able to keep up and challenge a couple of guys from work with far more experience.

Keep an eye on eBay, I picked up a set worth roughly £350 for £40...only recently have I bothered doing to it with my newly purchased Lob wedge! If you'd prefer a new set, try sports direct.

Thats what I'm planning to do dave, work on the pitch and putt part of the game to start with as a full swing will be impossible at present. I also presume the stiffness isn't something i should be concerned about now either, just getting something to hit a ball with and going from there.

 

[DappaDonDave]

Thanks for your replies.

My main concern is getting the size of the clubs incorrect, but presumably at 6.3" i won't have a huge amount of difficulty with the regular sized equipment.

Thats what I'm planning to do dave, work on the pitch and putt part of the game to start with as a full swing will be impossible at present. I also presume the stiffness isn't something i should be concerned about now either,
just getting something to hit a ball with and going from there.

get some clubs and most of all HAVE FUN! its a game...don't get angry if you cant hit it first off. I've scrapped even trying to hit 5 woods off a tee or the ground

I'm 6 2 and have no problems with regular clubs

 

[JACKO11]

Do you have any friends or relatives who play?

I'm thinking you could borrow some equipment for your first trip to the range. They might also be able to help you get a handle on the basics being more experienced.

As someone said above, most important thing is to enjoy it!

 

[MadAdey]

What area of the country do you live in Michael? If you let us know someone may be able to suggest a local pro that could help you. Being the same height as me I would maybe see if you could get something longer than standard as I find off the shelf clubs make me hunch over the ball a bit and it stops me form making a full swing. But go on Ebay and you can always find single clubs that have come out of a demo trolley and are at different fitments. Here are a couple of ideas for you that are going to be more set up for someone taller.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MENS-TAYLORMADE-R7-6-IRON-R-H-GOLF-CLUB-STIFF-STEEL-2UP-1-2-INCH-/180752337772?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Golf_GolfClubs_JN&hash=item2a15adcb6c#ht_2171wt_1163

[URL="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mizuno-MX-25-6-iron-Dynalite-Gold-SL-R300-regular-steel-shaft-1-2-inch-/260868804420?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Golf_GolfClubs_JN&hash=item3cbcfe0f44#ht_500wt_1180"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mizuno-MX-25-6-iron-Dynalite-Gold-SL-R300-regular-steel-shaft-1-2-inch-/260868804420?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Golf_GolfClubs_JN&hash=item3cbcfe0f44#ht_500wt_1180

Ob[/URL]viously they are not going to be perfect fit but will probably be better for you than a standard club. Get one of these single irons for a tenner and go to the range and see how you get on. Then if you find you like this fantastic game then see about getting a full set from somewhere.

 

[MichaelUK]

I know my auntie and uncle play golf and compete but i haven't spoken to them in a while (they live in a different town) i'd feel rude making contact just to ask about loaning some clubs.

I'm from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire.

Thanks for taking the time to look for some club recommendations, I think I'm going to purchase the taylormade r7 6 iron. Should i be looking for some extra length on a putter also? I may as well pick one of those up from the same eBay seller to combine the postage costs.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[bobmac]

I suggest a lesson asap.
Then go and practice.

 

[MadAdey]

I know my auntie and uncle play golf and compete but i haven't spoken to them in a while (they live in a different town) i'd feel rude making contact just to ask about loaning some clubs.

I'm from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire.

Thanks for taking the time to look for some club recommendations, I think I'm going to purchase the taylormade r7 6 iron. Should i be looking for some extra length on a putter also? I may as well pick one of those up from the same eBay seller to combine the postage costs.

Thanks for the replies.

That Taylormade R7 will give you something to take to a couple of lessons and see how you feel about playing. Like Bob said you do want to get some lessons ASAP. Do not make the mistake of getting into any bad habits like a lot of beginners do. A Pro can teach you to do things a lot quicker if you have not developed any bad habits.

Regarding a putter that is a matter of preference. 34" or 35" will be fine for you. If you think you will actually take the game up then it may be worth buying a reasonable putter. Something like this would do the job. I love my one like a lot of people do, very easy to line up and use.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Odyssey-W...olfClubs_JN&hash=item1e69f580cf#ht_500wt_1413

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My advice is to go to some local ranges or pro shops. Many do group sessions and offer pretty good deals. Get a series of 4-6 lessons and get the basics right from the beginning and you've a perfect foundation to build a golf game on. If you try and self teach you'll come unstuck and won't know why it isn't going well and what to do to fix it. Get the set up right and a simple swing and you'll be laughing. After that just get out and play, play, play