BRAND NEW Golfer! Starter Club Recommendations?!

Hey guys!

First time poster/golfer-- I've never even touched a club before and well it's time to start! --   I was wondering what you guys can recommend for starter clubs?  What brand/types?  My bud hurt his back and states I need ones that are for taller guys ? (I am 6ft2)  Any gear you can recommend for a starter would be great---  (when i started disc golf, i picked up 3 discs and a case and was set pretty much to start)

Thanks!

-Chris

Welcome to TST!

There are many options for starter sets depending upon how much you can or are willing to spend on them. Do you have a budget in mind?

Somewhere around $150-$200!

Saw this: http://www.ebay.com/gds/Top-8-Golf-Clubs-for-Beginners-/10000000177747626/g.html

Any suggestions or sets to stay away from would be great, thanks!

I might get some kickback for this comment, but that set might be perfectly fine for starting off.

The very first set I had was a Golfsmith Zevo. It was fine, and I should have stuck with it longer than I did.

You might also consider a big box store brand. The good thing about a brand like Golfsmith is that they will repair any clubs that are "faulty". They have an unconditional replacement guarantee for defective products.

Stay away from the starter sets. If you are willing to look around ebay you can get a full set of quality, brand name clubs and still stick to your budget. No doubt a starter set will get you into the game just fine but they have much lower manufacturing tolerances for loft, length, lie, and weight. You won't notice it at first but as you get better the inconsistencies in your clubs will start to bother you. Next thing you know you are buying new clubs and have the old set taking up space in the corner of the garage with little resale value.

The other side of the argument is that when he notices these issues, he'll be ready for the better clubs. I feel like beginners benefit from having a big box brand where replacement clubs are warranteed.

1. It doesn't take any more skill to use better quality clubs. Why end up paying for two sets if you can get it right the first time?

2. Not sure why a warranty is so important. Breaking a golf club unitentionally is very unlikely, especially if you buy good ones.

The bounce and offset on starter clubs are really high. You can hit fat shots that get up in the air more readily. Just my personal experience. Beginners hit the ground too hard and break clubs more readily. I broke 6 that were replaced free of charge, even though I told them what happened. Go Golfsmith!

Six clubs??? Pretty sure that has to do with the low quality shafts they use in those things.

Why spend $200 on a crappy starter set when you can get this set of Brand New Cobra Baffler Irons on e-bay for $300? They're regular shaft. This is a maximum game improvement set and perfect for a beginner. They're super easy to hit. And since you're a rank beginner I wouldn't even bother hitting a driver off the tee anyway since it's the most inaccurate club in the bag. It'll only get you in trouble at your stage. Your 4-hybrid will suffice until you get some money to buy a 3W.

Exactly, there is a ton of great brand name stuff for cheap. A 2 min search and I found these http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-2012-CLEVELAND-MASHIE-COMBO-IRON-SET-4H-PW-4-PW-GRAPHITE-REGULAR-FLEX-IRONS-/280866923910?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash;=item4164f92586   Tons of choices, even more if you want to go used.

Honestly, the Bafflers were my first set. I was fit in flex shaft because I was only hitting my 7 iron 120 yds. I upgraded when I started hitting it 145 yds. The clubs felt too soft. If I'd bought them in R-shaft to begin with I'd probably still be playing them waiting until I got to about a 12 HC to upgrade.

I just looked up a set of Mizuno's, hybrid through Gap wedge $250 dollars (buy it now listing). Now they are used but look in really nice shape. The all you wood need is a Drier and a putter, maybe a three wood, but they are all cheap on Ebay. They alos have complete sets, used, in you price range. Hell I have a set of Cobra Amp Cell irons, brand new, I'll sell you for $130. 5 through the sand wedge.

Possibly due to the lower quality, but I was told that the shafts were made by True Temper.

To be honest 2 of my broken shafts were on a Ping G15 due to too many heel shots and yet Golfsmith and Ping still decided to replace the shaft for free. I now have a Dynamic Gold X100 shaft in it and it is pretty much indestructible.

Lots of good advice here.  Used is a good way to go.  But 200$ is kinda low for a full set.  Would get you irons but not much else.  Try Dick's they have some decent deals right now on older new clubs.  Iron sets for 250 and drivers for 100 or less.

If a set is where your heart is try a set of Wilson Reflex's.  The driver and woods are not too shabby.  I hit the irons for G&G;'s.  They performed well but I didn't like the feel.  for a beginner well worth a look.

Mark Shuman

I just went through this about 6 weeks ago. I did tons and tons of research and here is my advice.

1. Go to a golf store or take a lesson and see what size you are. If you really are +1 or +2 you need to know that. Also ask them about clubs good for beginners

2. Figure out a brand or two that you like. Then find out which clubs that brand makes for beginners like yourself. I chose taylormade and ping but there are tons of good brands out there - cleveland, nike, titleist, calloway, etc. Each of these companies makes beginner clubs.

3. Start pricing those brands new online and used on ebay. Figure out what a good price to pay for them.

What I did? I bought a new set of taylormade burner 2.0 irons at dicks for $299. Then I bought my putter, hybrid, driver, and 3w off ebay- all were ping G15. Total was around $450 for everything. I could have gotten those same irons used for $150-200 off ebay and saved $100 but I wanted new irons. You can see my clubs in my signature.

Why didnt I just buy a $200 beginner set? I know myself and knew that I would have wanted to upgrade after playing them 1 time. Now Ive been out 3 times with my clubs and do not think I will need an upgrade for several seasons.

And one more thing the guy that gave me lessons told me - get a higher loft on your driver. Standard is 9 or 10.5. He said get higher and then once Im better determine if I need lower. I found a 12 degree loft driver and so far so good. Had a 313 yard drive today with it...of course it was dry, I had the wind on my side, it somewhat sloped down, and it probably bounced a bit but thats my farthest drive ever and I am super stoked. Thank goodness for GPS to actually measure it:) Now if I can do it again I would be amazed.