Input on First Set of Clubs

So I haven't swung a club in at least 10 years now and even when I did I was terrible and only got out maybe 10 times on the course over a 4-5 year period but did spend some decent time at the range with my buddies.  Recently 3 of my friends at work have convinced me to play again to fill out their foursome and I've been back and forth about how to go about putting a set together.  Obviously I can go the boxed set route with the Top Flite XL+ and the Adams Tight Lies being the most obvious choices.  I'm even considering stepping up a bit to the Adams Idea a7OS set but that's the super top end of what I'm willing to spend as I'd like to keep my cost as far under $500 as possible.

I've gotten mixed advice from people I trust as to putting together a used set up for around the same cost.  My concern there is that while they may be better clubs overall they may be too much club for someone who's going to hack away like me.

I guess the question boils down to is it really better to go out and get a used set that may be less forgiving for the new player or to go with a much cheaper boxed set that is targeted to someone like me?

I am planning on taking lessons when I'm not out with my friends playing as I know the only way I'll avoid bad swing habbits is to do so.  Also with that, are lessons taken at say Golf Galaxy on their swing analyzer as good as going to a range/course and taking lessons from one of their pros?

I appreciate all the help and advice up front and I'm glad I came across this site while doing my research!

Your swing has been on the shelf for several years, so start out with some lessons and get your basics down this time.

Where to get? Instructors at Golf Galaxy are PGA pros and for the most part know their stuff. I took five lessons over three years from a GG pro, and he was instrumental in helping me tame down a wild swing.

A friend of mine who was switching from tennis to golf took lessons at GG the same time he was looking for clubs. The pro helped him pick a set, and tweaked it for his build. Also, GG has begun giving players video lesson summaries with narrated before-after sequences, which are good to review before you hit the practice range.

You could start out with a boxed set which fits you, and switch over after a couple of years. Or, you could pick up some good used clubs and work with them.

For now, I'd stay with Super Game Improvement or maybe Game Improvement clubs. They'll help you keep the ball in play better, and you can hit a basic draw and fade with them - if you learn how a golf swing works.

Whether you got new boxed or used, a GG or other store pro could help you find your swing and the proper clubs.

Welcome to the site and welcome back to the game.  You'll find that very few people here would ever give a thumbs up to any of those boxed sets from costco/dick's/golf galaxy.  The reason is simple, they are not good.  The game is hard enough as it is, and equipping yourself with shoddy equipment isn't going to do you any favors.  I got into the game as a college student and certainly didn't have the means to buy the best game improvement irons out there, so I did lots of research and lots of shopping around so that I could put my first bag together.  My tips are to look at previous years models and don't be afraid to go back several years.  For $500 I'd recommend starting your searches in the following directions:

Irons:

Hireko golf- Acer Xk or XF.  The great thing about Hireko is you can customize your set, so skip the 3 and 4 irons b/c you'll probably never hit them.  Plust they are a dang decent iron...golf digest even featured them a few years ago in their hot list issue about how to put together a budget bag.

Wilson Staff-I've seen the Ci9 for under $250...haven't hit them, but have played my brothers ci7 and I really like them for a GI iron...clean lines and feel great on impact

I would add a hybrid and either a 3 wood or driver (whichever you hit better) and 54 or 56 degree wedge and obviously a putter.  If you do your research right and hit up the sales, you could easily get under you $500 budget

that info about the lessons at GG are perfrect... I'll probably head over there this weekend and talk to them.

As for the boxed set vs. used pieced together details, I wouldn't expect a set that can be purchased new for under $300 to be top of the line but since I know I'm just hacking away for at least the first season I'm playing does it really make that much of a difference?  If I do find myself taking the game seriously an upgraded set at the start of next season is definitely not out of the question.  Financially I can afford to spend way over my $500 budget I am just choosing to be smart about it with this sport because of a basement and garage full of high-end barley used gear from previous atheletic endeavors...

If I do decide to go with game improver or super game improvers what brands should I be focussed on?

Just don't be surprised if the shaft of the driver in that box set snaps after 5 good whacks with it, or if you find yourself on the range and the guy working there has to use to loud speaker to tell everyone to stop hitting balls so you can go retrieve your 8 iron's head.  Been there done that and just trying to help others avoid the pitfalls I experienced in the frustrating beginning days of golf.  Just wanted to say there are lots of ways to put together a really good bag with either brand new or used equipment that will last you 4-5 years easily for $500...as opposed to spending $300 next week and then $500 next year

So I was just browsing on Craigslist this morning and I saw this set up for grabs for $325.  I'm guessing I could probably get that knocked down a couple of bucks with cash in hand so I wanted to get some input on whether a set-up like this is actually worth while:

Cleveland cg-4 irons, 3- Pw
Taylor made matching R-5 Driver & 3 Wood - stock reg. flex shaft
(with good swings wood gets out to 230 & driver to 270+ yards)
Stand bag, older Wilson - black with orange trim
on 1-10 scale clubs are an 8,
normal wear tear - with many good years left

11 clubs total, and will include either 19 or 25 degree tommy armour hybrid
12 total clubs plus bag

Not sure why you included costco with dick's/GG. Dick's and GG can let you demo the clubs before you buy them, and do any tweaks to the set so that the clubs fit you.

Not sure why you say they're shoddy clubs. The name brands such as Maxfli and TopFlite make user-friendly sets that will get people started for the first couple of years. Now, if you really get the golf bug and play 50 rounds a year, after three years they might start to wear out. Maxfli, TopFlite and others have developed basic set models which work for beginners - they wouldn't sell so many if they fell apart quickly.

If a person doesn't know much about golf, the boxed set with any minor tweaks is a good way to go.

If you buy something off Craigslist, you don't get the test-hit the clubs first. Also, getting Craigslist clubs tweaked can cost a bit of money at the local golf shop.