New Player - Clubs advice please.

[DTK13]

Hi, new member to forum.

I have recently (after a few casual rounds 3-4 years ago) started playing golf again and have found myself getting really into it. I have never been a member of a golf club, only paid on as a visitor at a few local courses. I will leave it until probably March next year when the bad weather is out the way and see if I am still as keen as I am now to play as often as possible before I sign up to join anywhere but I have a question as a complete beginner that some more experienced golfers may be able to help me with;

I have been using the same set of clubs (minus the 3-4 year break) that I bought 5 years ago or so ago (Hippo Howson Tour Plus). I had bought these clubs at the time as they were cheap for the full set and to my knowledge - a set of clubs was a set of clubs.

Now that I have looked into it a bit more and considering taking it up semi-seriously, I was wondering if it would be worth my while investing in a new set of clubs and if different clubs ACTUALLY make a difference and improve your game (or help improve your game). I have been reading about all these wonderful clubs on the American Golf and Online Golf websites that help you hit it straight and long etc but if it was as easy as they make it sound then we'd all be playing with Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood every week!

So, would it be worth it to purchase new clubs, and if so what type of Driver and Irons would you recommend. I wouldnt want to spend too much on the clubs - maybe about £400 max - as I've see a few sets of irons on AG & OG websites reduced to £229 - £250 etc and Drivers ~£100 that look and sound good but again I'm not sure if this would be worth it or if I should continue using my current clubs.

Any help/advice appreciated.

DTK13

 

[chris661]

I wouldn't spend the money just yet. Get a course of lessons under your belt over the winter join a club then have at least one season using them, the clubs will be good enough for a while yet. You never know you might not like it anyway.

 

[FaldosJumper]

Yes agreed if your clubs are fine use them but to answer your question and give you another option and that is second hand clubs... check your local pro or I think AG offer them too but you can pick some great sets for £100 or less... barter as well get some woods thrown in or at least a 3 wood. I'd steer clear of a driver just now... buy some lake balls, tees, gloves, shoes, waterproofs, bag etc etc

Once you start spending you won't stop!

 

[Markw]

No new club will make you hit it straight and long, you have to put in the work. My advice would to get a quality set of secondhand irons 3 or 4 years old that are suitable for a 28 to 14 handicap. You wont really go wrong with the Ping G series set up for you, dont be fooled by the salesman that the latest are much better, i had a set of Ping G2 irons from the start and kept them right down to reaching single figures , bought a set of G10's after a couple of years and they lasted 2 weeks before going back to the G2's, they are great for someone starting out, really forgiving. As regards the driver, I would recommend that you get at least 12 degrees of loft, preferably more even 14/15 degree are available, more loft equals less sidespin and easier to keep straight. Remember that the shaft is the engine of the club and it is the most important thing to get matched to your swing. I would also recommend that you have at least a couple of lessons from the start if you are going to play seriously, get off to a correct start therefore not making any swing faults that you may have worse.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have to agree that a winter of lessons and working on your swing will pay more dividends for next year. If you start playing well and decide to contine playing regularly have a look then. Janaury sales, start of season sales and places looking to get rid of the current 2010/11 models before new launches come in means there will be bargains to be had

 

[DTK13]

When you say you'd steer clear of a Driver - you mean dont use a driver at all!? Or just dont buy a new one and keep using the one I have?

See this was another reason I was considering a new Driver - my driver is 300cc, no idea of the loft. But I keep reading that for beginners and high handicappers a 460cc driver with a higher loft (10.5min-14) is best. Is this true?

It may be a good idea to keep hacking away with the clubs I have before I go spending £X but I thought it might be worth it if it was going to help improve my game which in turn would make me want to play more and would make life better all round

 

[chris661]

It may be a good idea to keep hacking away with the clubs I have before I go spending £X but I thought it might be worth it if it was going to help improve my game which in turn would make me want to play more and would make life better all round

New clubs will never improve your game, lessons and practice will.

 

[DTK13]

It may be a good idea to keep hacking away with the clubs I have before I go spending £X but I thought it might be worth it if it was going to help improve my game which in turn would make me want to play more and would make life better all round

New clubs will never improve your game, lessons and practice will.

See I was kind of thinking that all the time but a lot of folk who review the clubs on the sites say how they've helped them but then again that could just be dummy customer accounts set up by the website

 

[FaldosJumper]

When you say you'd steer clear of a Driver - you mean dont use a driver at all!? Or just dont buy a new one and keep using the one I have?

See this was another reason I was considering a new Driver - my driver is 300cc, no idea of the loft. But I keep reading that for beginners and high handicappers a 460cc driver with a higher loft (10.5min-14) is best. Is this true?

It may be a good idea to keep hacking away with the clubs I have before I go spending £X but I thought it might be worth it if it was going to help improve my game which in turn would make me want to play more and would make life better all round

Well the driver is the hardest club in the bag to hit and as a newbie it'd be difficult to be consistent with, stick with a 3 wood till that becomes automatic and gradually introduce a driver... good luck with what decisions you make.

New clubs won't make you a better player but could make the game easier for you than your current ones and not stop you from jacking in after the honeymoon period... just a thought and something you should think about.

 

[DTK13]

Ok cheers for all the advice guys. I was kind of edging towards keeping what I have for now anyway as although I'm fairly sure I'll join a club and play a lot next year - I wont be playing a ton over the winter I wouldnt imagine and some recommend playing 1 season with my current clubs so I will see how things are early next year and as per Homer's advice - the January/New Season sales will be on so If i've improved a bit and join a club and see a good deal for new clubs I may get them but we'll see how it goes.

On the comment from Faldo's Jumper re Driver - I have used a driver each of the rounds I've played recently and I do ok with the one I have (but could do better!) - a few bend to the right but its not disastrous enough that I would want to avoid using one I wouldnt have thought - I've never heard anyone say this that you should avoid using a driver until you get used to a 3 wood but may be something I try next time I play.

 

[Markw]

Ok cheers for all the advice guys. I was kind of edging towards keeping what I have for now anyway as although I'm fairly sure I'll join a club and play a lot next year - I wont be playing a ton over the winter I wouldnt imagine and some recommend playing 1 season with my current clubs so I will see how things are early next year and as per Homer's advice - the January/New Season sales will be on so If i've improved a bit and join a club and see a good deal for new clubs I may get them but we'll see how it goes.

On the comment from Faldo's Jumper re Driver - I have used a driver each of the rounds I've played recently and I do ok with the one I have - a few bend to the right but its not disastrous enough that I would want to avoid using one I wouldnt have thought - I've never heard anyone say this that you should avoid using a driver until you get used to a 3 wood but may be something I try next time I play.

In my opinion the new drivers with a high loft are easier to hit than a 3 wood. A 3 wood is around 15 degrees but has a small head, so If you get a higher lofted driver you are getting the best of both worlds, 3 wood loft with a huge 460cc head, trust me it works!

 

[chris661]

In my opinion the new drivers with a high loft are easier to hit than a 3 wood. A 3 wood is around 15 degrees but has a small head, so If you get a higher lofted driver you are getting the best of both worlds, 3 wood loft with a huge 460cc head, trust me it works!

But with the longer shaft can be more uncontrollable. It is a bit of a balancing act and higher loft might not necessarily be the right thing.

 

[FaldosJumper]

My go to club is my 3 wood, when things get a little tight or my swing a bit off I know I can pull that little baby out the bag and split the fairway... like I say just my experience of what I'd do/recommend but hey if your comfortable with the big dog, let it bark!

ah get ya wallet out

 

[DTK13]

Ok cheers for all the advice guys. I was kind of edging towards keeping what I have for now anyway as although I'm fairly sure I'll join a club and play a lot next year - I wont be playing a ton over the winter I wouldnt imagine and some recommend playing 1 season with my current clubs so I will see how things are early next year and as per Homer's advice - the January/New Season sales will be on so If i've improved a bit and join a club and see a good deal for new clubs I may get them but we'll see how it goes.

On the comment from Faldo's Jumper re Driver - I have used a driver each of the rounds I've played recently and I do ok with the one I have - a few bend to the right but its not disastrous enough that I would want to avoid using one I wouldnt have thought - I've never heard anyone say this that you should avoid using a driver until you get used to a 3 wood but may be something I try next time I play.

In my opinion the new drivers with a high loft are easier to hit than a 3 wood. A 3 wood is around 15 degrees but has a small head, so If you get a higher lofted driver you are getting the best of both worlds, 3 wood loft with a huge 460cc head, trust me it works!

So something like this http://www.onlinegolf.co.uk/product/Mizuno-Golf-MX-700-Hot-Metal-Driver/p10629.aspx

Is this the kind of Driver I should be looking for IF/WHEN I am looking/ready to get new clubs?

 

[FaldosJumper]

ooof, now I'm on the spot... Mizuno, great clubs but know nothing about this one... one tip for for newbies buying clubs would be try before you buy, see what works. even if it means trying and getting elsewhere that's cheaper or getting them to price match but always try before you buy...

 

[Markw]

Ok cheers for all the advice guys. I was kind of edging towards keeping what I have for now anyway as although I'm fairly sure I'll join a club and play a lot next year - I wont be playing a ton over the winter I wouldnt imagine and some recommend playing 1 season with my current clubs so I will see how things are early next year and as per Homer's advice - the January/New Season sales will be on so If i've improved a bit and join a club and see a good deal for new clubs I may get them but we'll see how it goes.

On the comment from Faldo's Jumper re Driver - I have used a driver each of the rounds I've played recently and I do ok with the one I have - a few bend to the right but its not disastrous enough that I would want to avoid using one I wouldnt have thought - I've never heard anyone say this that you should avoid using a driver until you get used to a 3 wood but may be something I try next time I play.

In my opinion the new drivers with a high loft are easier to hit than a 3 wood. A 3 wood is around 15 degrees but has a small head, so If you get a higher lofted driver you are getting the best of both worlds, 3 wood loft with a huge 460cc head, trust me it works!

So something like this http://www.onlinegolf.co.uk/product/Mizuno-Golf-MX-700-Hot-Metal-Driver/p10629.aspx

Is this the kind of Driver I should be looking for IF/WHEN I am looking/ready to get new clubs?

You wont go too wrong with something like that, remember its the shaft that is important, flex and length as someone already mentioned. Most people play drivers and putters too long, The average length of a driver on the tour is 44.5" but manufacturers sell them 46 and 47" long??? Tiger woods driver is 44" or 44.5" long depending on model. I am a 9 handicapper and 6'1" tall and use a 13 degree 44" driver and rarely go wildly off line.

 

[FaldosJumper]

You wont go too wrong with something like that, remember its the shaft that is important, flex and length as someone already mentioned. Most people play drivers and putters too long, The average length of a driver on the tour is 44.5" but manufacturers sell them 46 and 47" long??? Tiger woods driver is 44" or 44.5" long depending on model. I am a 9 handicapper and 6'1" tall and use a 13 degree 44" driver and rarely go wildly off line.

Yeah good advice but bear in mind a 9 handicapper has a decent repeating swing, not saying you don't but I'm guessing not, based on what you say.

My 3wd is 15 degrees Mark's 13 degree 'driver' so it shows you can have a 'driver' that is more or less a 3wd so yes that's an option.

 

[DTK13]

ooof, now I'm on the spot... Mizuno, great clubs but know nothing about this one... one tip for for newbies buying clubs would be try before you buy, see what works. even if it means trying and getting elsewhere that's cheaper or getting them to price match but always try before you buy...

What about these as irons then as it was Mizuno clubs I was looking at http://www.onlinegolf.co.uk/product/Mizuno-Golf-MX-100-Irons-4-SW-Steel/p12906.aspx

Obviously there may be a whole different selection available next year when Im buying but as a guide - would something like this be classed as a good set and a good deal?

 

[FaldosJumper]

I'm a Mizuno fan so they'll always get my thumbs up. The beauty of these clubs is you'll find them almost anywhere. go pick them up and if you like the feel hit some, find what you like and what likes you.

 

[DTK13]

I'm a Mizuno fan so they'll always get my thumbs up. The beauty of these clubs is you'll find them almost anywhere. go pick them up and if you like the feel hit some, find what you like and what likes you.

So could I go into the likes of American Golf shop and have a shot of any clubs I want?

There is an American Golf shop beside a driving range near me but I didnt think you'd be able to try the clubs out??