Cloned clubs as starter for wife?

[G10_Jamie]

My soon to be wife is interested in golf and has expressed interest in getting some clubs.
I was thinking of getting her some cloned clubs custom fitted for her as she is only 5' 3" tall and I don't want to drop a bundle on name brand clubs and then she not like it at all.

Any thoughts on this concept? I was looking into Diamond Tour Golf online as they can custom fit a variety of cloned clubs (looking at G10 and Callaway Fusion Clones) with pink shafts and matching grips.
Though this is not important to many, her only desire was pink clubs.

I figured I could get set up for $300 or so and after next year if she decides she wants to play I will look into the real thing and either try and sell the clones or donate them to the local High School Golf team.

Thanks for any info

[joshtpa]

I would recommend just getting a starter set like the Accuity set from Dicks. It comes with a bag, and then from there as she gets interested, you can get her clubs that fit her needs. The Accuity set has worked fine for my better half, and that was a year ago. She has since added her own driver and putter, as well as new hybrids. But it was a great starter set.

[riverc0il]

I started off with a set of beginner clubs (Top Flite XL) and have upgraded my bag to include clones, partially due to the custom fit and partially due to the price (for the record, I got a pair of wedges from Pine Meadow with TT Lite shafts for under $50 shipped versus a single used CG11 for $60 shipped without the extra 1/2 inch. The wedge heads are better quality than my beginner irons). If I had to buy my first set all over again, I would probably custom build it but would include some clones. I wish my iron set had been +1/2 inches per my size specs. But I was unsure if I wanted to play the game for sure and wanted the cheapest option.

Important thing with clone clubs is upgrading the stock shaft and grip. For some clubs, it is almost as cheap to get the real McCoy rather than clone. But for some clubs, especially with the custom legnth, shaft choice, and grip choice, it can be a sensational deal.

I think it is difficult to get a full set of clones with custom shafts and grips on the cheap. When you add up the prices, it might be better to go used on name brand or a really cheap beginner set knowing you will pay more down the road for upgrades. If I knew then what I know now, I would have custom built a clone bag from the get go. But I didn't have the information needed to do so even after a lot of research.

[bigoak]

If you buy a good used set, they will be close in value paid if you decide to stop or trade in for a better set. If you buy a set of clones, they will have little value if you want to trade in or put on garage sale. Beginner's sets have very little value when used. Check on E bay and see what a used set of clones or a beginners set is going for.