beginner buying clubs

[Nahmeanz]

Hi, I'm new to golf and have been taking lessons. I'm looking to buy clubs so I can practice in between lessons. I'm looking at a few iron sets and was interested in the AP1's (there are a few good used deals on ebay). I don't want to get a super game improvement set but rather buy a set that I can grow into. Is this recommended? How important is it to get fitted for irons? My instructor said just to look for game improvement clubs with regular stiffness steel shafts. Also, I'm 5'4", does this require shorter clubs?

[Shindig]

Hi, I'm new to golf and have been taking lessons. I'm looking to buy clubs so I can practice in between lessons. I'm looking at a few iron sets and was interested in the AP1's (there are a few good used deals on ebay). I don't want to get a super game improvement set but rather buy a set that I can grow into. Is this recommended? How important is it to get fitted for irons? My instructor said just to look for game improvement clubs with regular stiffness steel shafts. Also, I'm 5'4", does this require shorter clubs?

Oh wow, someone did this in the right order. Most of us buy clubs and then seek lessons, hoping to get the clubs to fit. So you did step one right.

I agree with not starting with SGIs, although I did that myself. Whether to go with normal GI clubs or so-called Players Irons (I call them "swing improvement clubs") is a function of your patience and time commitment. Surely, GI clubs will help you early on as far as getting the ball to go in the air and head towards a target. Players Irons could lead you to a better swing, because the club can't "mask" your faults, or it could lead you to tennis or bridge as another way to occupy your time - depending on your patience. I know that, if I had started with Players Irons, I would probably have given up... but I lacked patience back then. I think that, given patience and the time to practice , cavity-back players irons are a good place for someone who plans to be an active golfer (as opposed to someone who plays casually, doesn't practice much, just goes out on weekend with his buddies now and then). As for the height issue... I've heard of people doing this different ways, and I'm *not* a clubfitter. I've heard of some people using shorter shafts and others using standard length shafts and adjusting the lie angle. If you get forged irons (note that this isn't forged as opposed to legitimate ; it's forged as opposed to cast), I think the lie angle is easier to change if you need to. As for getting fit for clubs: I believe it's more important for you to get fit for your clubs than it is for Tiger Woods to do so. If Tiger had to play a round with a set bought for $30 at a big-box store, he'd probably still turn in a good score. But he knows how to swing and how to adjust himself to new equipment. He wouldn't score as well as he does with the clubs he gets from Nike with the proper measurements, but he'd still do well. You can't really expect your body to learn to start producing good swings if the equipment won't cooperate. So yes, I very much suggest fitting.

[Nahmeanz]

Thanks for the reply Shindig.

My next question is, can I buy stock AP1's and get them fitted or is it recommended that I get fitted and have them made to my specs from the factory? I ask because if I went to a golf shop and bought AP1's they would be $699.99+tax with the fitting included. If I bought them on Ebay they would be $479.00+15 shipping, and then I would probably have to pay for the fitting. How much do people usually charge for a fitting?

If the difference is about $100, I'm buying new.

[joshtpa]

You need to get fitted before you buy them. It is not worth buying them and having them fitted afterwards.

[mdouet]

That's a big investment for a new player, you might hold off dropping big bucks until you get a little better and decide if you like the sport or not. If you go to Golfsmith you can pick up a starter set (I recommend the Ram set) and have the clubs fitted, all for under $200.

[joshtpa]

YOu can also pick up some Adams sets and Cobra and many others for just around $300.

[lollavid]

My friend got these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ADAMS-GOLF-T...QQcmdZViewItem

It's a reputable dealer and a good set for the money.

[joshtpa]

Definately a good set for the money. You can usually find them for that price or a few dollars more from local stores as well.

[scottevans77]

My friend got these:

I have those clubs myself. I absolutely love them. Bought them from the same seller back in February.

[NBGC]

IMHO, get SGI irons. There are ton's on EBAY for ~$200. This will allow you to groove your swing without all the added fuss and frustration of slight mishits on GI's and PI's. IF you stick with the sport and outgrow them, you can resell on ebay or use them as trade ins and get that $200 back easily.

The fear we all have is that you'll get irons that will be above your skill level and you end up quiting or playing less and less. There's no shame in playing Callaway Big Bertha's, TM CGB MAX's, ADAMs, etc. There's a reason why those clubs sell so well. Better to play within your limits and upgrade later then try to fit into clubs you can't hit.

You're on the right track. Golf is a game of patience, not only on the course, but in equipment as well.

[Nahmeanz]

Thanks for the help guys. Although it was recommended that I get more forgiving irons, I just got fitted for a set of AP1's 4-GW. I hit about half a bucket and I really liked the feel of them. I also like that when I missed I knew, but when I hit it dead center it was like a coke rush.

[joshtpa]

Comparing golf clubs to drug use?

[Nahmeanz]

haha, while I was typing that reply I was listening to a song that compared everything that's good in life to a coke rush...

[anchorgolf]

My advice is start and continue with lessons.. Buy a single cluib or two to practice with (or bowwow a few clubs from a friend). Once ready to take the plunge - get fitted - several times - by different people. The take more lessons.

If your fitting shows you are standard - then take the plunge. If you are not standard with length / lie - and you can't find a nice used set that fits the bill - hold off..

The right tools will make the job a whole lot easier.

Just my advice.. If the person decides they don't like the game - then it's money saved.. If they like the game - then getting the proper tools make a difference..