Starting out: cheap clubs or save for better ones?

[AirShot]

Hi all,

I'm just starting out in the game of golf.

I've borrowed a set of clubs from a friend but they don't really fit me that well but I can use them.

I've only played a few times and have enjoyed but it's early days.

So my question is should I buy a cheap set I can afford now that I can use for the next few/many months until I get better and am sure I like the game with the plan of eventually buying a 'proper' set

or

should I save up a bit longer and get a more expensive, proper set fairly soon that will last me for a long time but I might never use as I hate the game!

By cheap I mean a bottom of the range Dunlop or Wilson Staff set and by expensive I mean a set of Titleist irons or the like.

Your opinions and experiences please!

Thanks.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

2nd hand better clubs is what I'd look at. Go and have a word with the pro at your local club or have a look at golfbidder.com or (dare I say it?) eBay?

 

[Matty]

Only you can answer this because you know how much money you can spare and how keen you are on the game.

In general I'd agree that a good set of second hand irons (from a top brand) should be a consideration. Also, don't rule out Wilson Staff as bargain basement - yes they make very cheap starter sets but some of their irons (Di and Ci ranges) are very very good and almost half the price of bigger names.

 

[Aztecs27]

I agree with what's been said above. A decent 2nd hand set of "brand" irons (TaylorMade, Ping (www.usedping.co.uk), Mizuno etc..) would be an ideal starting point.

 

[Naybrains]

I definitely agree with StrangelyBrown, go to your local pro shop and get a set of second hand clubs. I started about 4 years ago with a Set of Cobra S9 irons they were spot on a real forgiving cavity back Iron. Once I got right into this golf malarkey I then headed off to Titleist fitting centre with my local pro to get fitted for AP1's. Never looked back...

Personally I wouldnt go down the route of new cheapys.

 

[TheJezster]

I started last year, in August, and searched the net for the best starter options. I opted for the Wilson Pro Staff LCG set, including driver, 3 wood, hybrid and bag for £250.

They are fantastic. I am upgrading the putter this week, but thats only on the back of using an Odyssey 2 ball putter in Portugal last week which was excellent.

The clubs though are awesome, just what I need, and they look great too. In a couple of years I may upgrade the woods, but i can see the irons lasting me a few years, there isn’t any need to replace them. I cant speak highly enough of them frankly, if the choice were to be made again, I would go for the Wilson’s again.

Hope this helps?

 

[Mongoose]

Another vote here for the second hand decent set. You just need enough to get you going and enjoying the game. If you get keen and serious there will be plenty of opportunites to lay some serious cash down on the latest and greatest. But the reality is that golf manufacturers have evolved to designers where they promote the latest, i.e. this years, fashion. Last years and most of the previous 5 or 6 years work just as well, and at a fraction of the cost.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Good game improvement second hand sets should be easy to find. Those types of clubs have been of a good standard for a few years now.

Then save up and get custom fitted once your game is consistent.

I started with an awful set of GI irons, after 10 years of use I traded them for 2nd hand MP57s and combined with a custom fitted shaft in the driver I took 10 shots off my game!

 

[RGDave]

By cheap I mean a bottom of the range Dunlop or Wilson Staff set

I think you mean Wilson (without the word Staff after)....

 

[AirShot]

I thought it was Wilson Staff?

Is there anything to look out for when buying second hand clubs, is there much chance of them being 'damaged' or is it pretty easy to tell if they are bent etc?

 

[CrapHacker]

How old are you?

How athletic/sporting are you?

How much money do you have - min/max?

 

[Smiffy]

How old are you?

How athletic/sporting are you?

How much money do you have - min/max?

Chris!! You're not in a nightclub now you know

 

[BoadieBroadus]

I'd vote for a good name second hand set, ebay would generally be fine though only last week i got sent a fake club from some ball bag.

Since all you're going to do with them is smash them off mats / the ground - why pay for them new. Buy a decent name starter set (AP1's would be my choice) use them for 18 months, they'll only lose about £40 of value max if you want to change them after that.