Beginner Set Recommendation

I recently got into golfing and can picture myself sticking with this for the long run. I want to finally purchase my own set of clubs, so I went to the golf store and they recommended the Adams Tight Lies set for $400. Did a search here and it looks like they are pretty good.

My question is, for about $400, should I get this set or something else? I started looking at used sets, but got overwhelmed with the options.

Also, what's the difference between the Tight Lies and Tight Lies Plus (other than an additional hybrid)?

Thanks

Try a lot of different clubs and buy what you hit best. However, the best values will be in used clubs a year or three old. Used $400 will get you $800 clubs.

If you buy a boxed set, hit the demo models at the golf shop. Also, get a basic static fitting - make sure the clubs shafts are not too long or short, and that the lie angle works for you.

Hopefully you are taking lessons of some kind. You might consider golf clinics, where groups of beginners get together a night or two a week and learn the basics together.

FYI, here's a guest column I wrote many months ago on Boxed Sets for Beginners.

http://thesandtrap.com/b/bag_drop/clubbing_up_beginners_should_consider_boxed_sets

How big of an issue is the discrepancy between the buyer and seller's height when going for used sets?

Just ask if they are extra long or short, anyone who was custom fitted will know.

(Most used clubs are size "regular" purchased new off the rack with no adjustments.)

Right.

So, off the rack for the general male population, I would assume should work fine for a man between 5'8" and 6'1", right?

I just purchased a set of Adams Tight Lies Plus,  and am quite happy with them. Granted, I've only used them a couple of times, but can see myself playing with then for

several years.  I just started to play in February of this year.

That's about it unless you have extra long arms, or short legs for your height. (I have both and still play a regular shaft with irons.)

Shaft flex can be an issue, even here when in doubt go regular, and have the lies adjusted to fit you using the static method.

If you buy from a golf shop they will usually fit you for free if your buying - even used.  or better yet, take a lesson before buying and get this information from the instructor.

My brother has the Adams RPM 3 irons from 2011.  He seems pretty happy with them (got them for $150).  If you can try them out before purchasing and have no issues I would suggest buying them.

From there, I would try out previous year drivers and find one you like and get it on ebay used, as well as a putter and any other clubs you end up liking.

For 400, you can probably get a decent driver, good putter, and a set of irons that are great (slighly oversized) and can be replaced 3 or 4 years down the road without thinking you wasted a ton of money.

So many thanks!

I'm 5'10" and play 2 degrees flat with modern iron sets.  I used to be a standard with older sets.

Any idea what the differences are between the regular vs the plus?

What does that mean?

Lol I just been starting out so, some of these terms will just go over my head!

Lie angle.  It's important.  A club that is too flat will cause toe first impact and a shot that goes right.  A club that is too upright will cause heel first impact and a shot that goes left.

One has a 4H and the other doesn't. And the paint is different.

Lie angles can be adjusted after a fitting on most irons.

With inexpensive cast clubs - what you buy is often what your stuck with.

The same goes for some quality brands like Ping.

One of the reasons to buy better used clubs over inexpensive department store clubs.

One of the reasons to buy from a dedicated golf store.

$100 price difference for that one club and different paint doesn't seem worth it to me...

My Tight Lies Plus set came with graphite shafts instead of steel.