Looking for recs for beginner clubs

My story:

I played golf from about the age of 6-18, playing many tournaments, and shot around 90-110 depending on the course. I loved golf and played all the time. I took tons of lessons and traveled all around the northeast playing many different courses. Then I quit. I havent played for 18 years. I went out a few weeks ago on a par 3 course with my wife and honestly couldnt even hit the ball. It was terrible. So I am a beginner again, although I remember what I am supposed to be doing, I just cannot do it. Anyway, I want to get back in the game as I now have the time. So...I am looking for a set of beginner clubs that will last me 1-2 years. something that I can beat up and have fun with. I hope to stick to the game this time around but who knows, so I do not want to spend a lot of money. And I am going to take a few lessons to make sure I remember what I am supposed to be doing. Anyway, here is what I have been considering...

1. Get a used set from ebay/craigslist - after doing some research I do not think I want to go this route. I have no idea what brands are good and there seems to be a lot of things that I do not understand like flex, angle, etc. And I think I want new.

2. Get a new set from a store like Dicks - the top flite XL set seems like a good option

3. Piecing together a new set of maybe a 1w, 5w, hybrid, 5, 7, 9, PW.

Any thoughts? Also I am left handed so used sets seems to be harder to find.

I have been looking around ebay and found a few ping iron sets (g15 and g20) for around $170 used in decent condition. Are those good prices? I am still torn if I should just go new with a cheaper topflite set or just build one. I always loved pings as a kid and from my bit of research they still seem like a solid brand, which is why I was looking at them. My spending limit for this set is probably around $350-400 total. I would rather spend less though and the topflite is only 200 new with a bag and all the clubs I need.

For example, here is a set that seems like it would work: http://www.callawaygolfpreowned.com/ping-g15-irons-2009/ping-g15-irons-2009,default,pd.html

Logo, for the price you're looking at you can get a set of clubs that's a few seasons old... technology has changed in the last 18 years since you played last and you'll probably notice a difference compared to what you had before.

There are literally hundreds of different clubs out there to choose from and there are no right or wrong answers. You'll need to find what you like.

What I did to replace my irons and woods that were 20 years old was go to my local Golfsmith and pick up a set of Taylormade Burner 2.0's. This was last summer and the price was pretty good.

I believe the Ping you link to are game improvement irons and offer some forgiveness and the price seems fine to me... Ping is still good stuff but there are several more brands you might want to consider as well:

Taylormade

Callaway

Nike

Cleveland

Srixon

Tour Edge

Wilson Staff

Also, check out your local Golfsmith or Golf Galaxy (if you have one) and look at their clubs. Hit some balls while on their launch monitor and you'll get an idea of what works for you... and don't forget, you'll also get the chance to check out bags, balls, shoes, gloves, tees, etc while you're there.

Logo, I to was in your shoes at the start of this year. I bought the top flite XL with flex shafts. They got me back on the course and actually performed quite well. I was able to get the scores in mid to high 40's. I have now graduated to a better set and look forward to 2015. I was very happy with the 200 dollar start.

Thanks for all of the advice. I live in wilmington nc and have a few good shops that I am going to check out to see what they have in stock. i am also going to stop by dicks today to see what they have.

I was in your same shoes 20 months ago.  Looking to get back into the game.

I almost bought a cheap set of new clubs when I started but I am glad that I didn't.  The used clubs that was able to put together have been more than good enough.  And now I am at the point that I want to start getting new clubs so I am glad I didn't waste 300-500 dollars.

Once I started playing I figured out quickly what I wanted vs needed.  I was using a old driver and was embarrassed to even use it and desperately wanted to go buy a new one.  I had no wedges though so I picked up 3 top flight wedges at dicks for 80 bucks to complete my set and was ready to go.  I have been playing the same set now for 60+ rounds and now am starting to put together a complete new set of clubs.  If you can get a used set for cheap or free I would go that route.

If I were in your spot, I would put together a set from Global golf.  I have purchased from them a few times, and was satisfied.

They sell used equipment.  You would be able to get a complete set at a relatively low cost.  If golf is something you continue doing, you could then upgrade certain clubs as time went on.

Logo, you should buy Ollie's old top flite set for $50 or whatever, good deal for both of you

I highly recommend Gigagolf.

http://www.gigagolf.com/club_detailsHTML.jhtml?manufacturer=GigaGolf&groupnum;=MI-GGTM19-SET

http://www.gigagolf.com/club_detailsHTML.jhtml?manufacturer=GigaGolf&groupnum;=MI-GGCW24-SET

I would recommend against the cheap sets in the big box stores. I think you will get better quality at no more cost from Gigagolf. Unfortuantely the more "Ping like" offerings there are not available for the left hand. This is a US manufacturer, the heads most likely coming from overseas, but the clubs are built to order, and ship from their facility just outside Tampa, should arrive in NC fairly quickly.

At the very least, it's worth going throught the e-fit system on that website to get an idea of your dynamic fit, based on your height, wrist to floor, hand size, etc. You may want to go through a custom fitting at some point and really get things tuned to your swing, but at this stage, starting out, the dynamic fitting is probably best anyway.

Then you can put together your set by hunting throught the pre-owned/clearance section as well, seeing if there's anything there that suits you. In my experience the pre-owned stuff ships very quickly, in days. The custom stuff requires a few days to be built.

I do think a quality used set of Pings or other major brand is a good alternative though, if you can find the right fit, especially if you can use standard length clubs. And if you are using ebay or similar, be careful who you are buying from, as counterfeits can be an issue there.

I also think though the Gigagolf stuff will give you similar performance, and similar durability and quality of build and materials, but will tend to be a little more basic in design. The major brands will often have a nicer sound and feel, and use multimple materials to optimize that. A genuine set of Ping G20s for example has a combination of aluminum and elastomer in the cavity section to help dampen vibrations where needed. No such frills on the Gigagolf clubs.

Honestly, most of them will perform similarly providing they're relatively recent. Go to a store, hit a load of 6 irons and see what you feel. Then come back and buy them cheaply on the internet...

Even better would be the way I did it - if you're getting lessons, have a few first, then ask to trial some clubs on the course. I ended up playing a set of Cleveland 588 CBs, Callaway Apex, Ping I25s my own TaylorMade RocketBladez and the Apex Pros, which were hands down my favourites. Well worth it as on the course you quickly work out which clubs you try to avoid hitting and you don't have the benefit of forgetting about those awkward shanks you would have on the range.

Went to a store and hit a few drivers. I loved the taylormade burner driver. Need to do the same with irons now.

You have a great buying window now, with prices dropping as older models get pushed out, but those models are still available en masse in demo bins in golf shops for you to try out. I'd take copious notes of what you feel you like and monitor prices in store and online. You can also try to see if the store might let a demo club go on the cheap if it's an older model that's being taken off shelves. I've heard of that happening on occasion, but I don't know if that's a widespread occurrence.

Ended up buying the TaylorMade Burner 2.0 Irons new from Dicks. they were $299 new. I have hit a few sets and these have been the best for both drivers and irons. Now I need to go back to my local golf shop and buy the used taylormade driver. Now I just need to find a hybrid. Thanks for all of the help. I am glad I went this route instead of a cheap set to start.

My set is put together. I have tried numerous clubs and ended up going with Ping and Taylormade...now I need to buy a bag. I hope I can find one with no brand name on it.

Driver - Ping G15 12 degree loft, regular length/flex - used

Hybrid 3 iron - Ping G15 - used

Irons 4-PW - taylormade burner 2.0 - new

Putter - Ping Anser Putter - used

total was about $450.

Looks like you did a good job, I will second the recommendation of Globalgolf.com. They are in Raleigh, I've ordered quite a few things from them and they are great. I'm in Salisbury and shipping within the state is quick. They have a good selection of bags, finding one without a brand name on it might be tough, good luck.

Sounds like you've got a good set there. Hope you hit them long and straight.

Bag is personal preference just like the clubs are... and they come in as many different types as clubs. Good luck finding one that you like. Half the fun is shopping for them!

Global Golf rules. I usually try clubs out at GS then buy them for half the price. Even clubs that are merely considered "Good" by Global Golf arrive in immaculate condition.