Born Again Golf Noob

Hello, world - happy to be here! I played golf when I was in college multiple times a week because the course was crazy cheap as a student. The clubs I had then were rubbish (a full set of ancient Deltas I got from Play It Again Sports for a song), but I got to where I was playing in the mid-80s/low-90s pretty regularly (not the longest course ever, mind you!). Of course, golf then was always more about drinking a case of swill beer with my roomate and seeing how high the cart launched off the banks than the card.

That was almost 20yrs ago, and between the 6yrs in the Navy and working a decade of crazy jobs, I haven't hardly swung a club since. But I just turned 40 and after talking about getting back into it for years, I decided the timing was right. Spent a few weeks swinging clubs and talking to golfers I trust about everything, trying to get what best fits me. Then it dawned on me that internet forums are pretty much the EXACT SAME THING so I joined one. My bag right now is a little short for the time being, but am trying to learn mechanics the right way from the start, instead of working to undo some bad habits later. Been going to the range for the last 2 weeks and practicing chipping on the lawn, but am currently back in college so am waiting until after finals next week to go play a full course.

Irons: TM Rocketbladez high loft, stiff steel shaft (LOVE these clubs)

3W: TM Rocketballz Stage 2, stiff flex graphite

not going to worry about a driver for a while until I feel consistent enough swinging the clubs that won't reach 2 fairways over on a miss-hit HAHA

Putter: torn between either Cleveland Classic HB 1 and Ray Cook Blue Goose BG10. I really like the feel of the milled putters over inserts (trust me, the guys in at Golf Galaxy hate seeing me come in - have spent hours swinging putters without buying one yet), but can't decide. I like the looks of the BG10 much better, but can't find many user reviews, which is a concern - I can kick a golf ball in a hole 20 feet away on a flat in-store floor, but hearing how it plays for real people on real greens would be a big help, y'know? I know $80 isn't exactly a mistake in golf clubs, but still... am a details kind of guy!

But, that's where I'm at and what's on tap for my summer - definitely looking forward to getting out there, to challenging myself, and hopefully to making some new friends! Am sure there is a ton to be learned from everyone here, as well. Glad I found this site.

Both my parents are retired teachers, my sister is a HS teacher, and several friends are teachers. I understand all too well HAHA

The no-driver conundrum has as much to do with my small paychecks as it does my inability to hit it straight. I'll add one before too long, but am still trying to hit the low irons straight for now!

"If you are caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning, hold up a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron." Lee Trevino