Begginer golfer in need of everything (irons, driver, fairway woods, sand wedge...)

[Sheekamoo]

Hey everyone.

I started Golfing back in 1997 during high school with a friend of mine. We played a bunch and I used my dad's old clubs (which were his dad's old clubs). I'm pretty sure they were made sometime during the 60's or 70's. Anyways, I played through high-school just for fun and I played through college with a bunch of friends. I haven't played in a while but a couple of my friends and I started back up again.

So... I need some new clubs. The clubs I've been using are just too old and it's time for an upgrade (actually... time for me to purchase my own set).

I went to my local store (Golfsmith) and talked to one of their sales guys. I initially gave him a price range of $400 for everything and it turns out that wasn't possible (even with their cheapest clubs).

I need everything as I'd like to ditch all my old equipment. That means I need a set of irons, a driver, 2 fairway woods, sand wedge, putter, and a bag. The putter and bag I can take care of, but I need some input on the others.

The sales guy came up with the following for me:
Iron Set - Nike 06 Ignite Steel - $399
Driver + two fairways - Lynx Predator - $199
Pitching Wedge - Didn't pick one... but he said $50
Putter - Didn't pick one... but he said $80
Bag - Didn't pick one... but that will be about $100

So with all that I'm looking around $800. That's more then I'd really like to spend since I'm only a casual golfer and will only be golfing at the most once every 1-2 months with friends and only a few times a year for business.

Basically... what do I need? What's a good iron set and driver/fairway set? I realize like most things it's personal preference and everyone will have their own opinions... but since this is my first time actually buying clubs and I've been using clubs from the 60's I'm not sure what's good or not. I shot with a few different clubs at my local store and they all felt great to me.

I don't have to buy locally and I'm ok ordering online. So if there's a better deal on clubs online I'd rather go that route. Preferably I'd like to get everything under $600 but I'm ok spending a little more then that to get something decent that will last at least 10 years.

Any input would really be appreciated.

[Baraethon]

I doubt your going to get a really good set under 600...

Unless MAYBE if you find it all used here.

Just a used driver and iron set, would cost that much, with maybe enough left for a wedge.

[Sheekamoo]

  Baraethon said:

I doubt your going to get a really good set under 600...

What would you recommend then for a decent set?

[Scott_G]

If you want decent equipment for that price you're going to have to go used, which really isn't a big deal because it's all going to be used eventually. Right? And if you're not going to play any more than a few times a year, who really cares if it's new or not.

There's a nice set on eBay right now. eBay item #110299277608

[Klew]

I have a set of Giant Golf irons a Vokey SW and maybe a 5 wood I could give you for shipping costs, and maybe some beer money.

It's just taking up space in my golf closet.

[onamission]

yo shikamoo i just sent you a PM. check your inbox when you have the time.

[schapman]

I just got the Nike Ignite irons (with the 3H) off ebay for $205US new. Compared to my old hand me down mix of clubs it's like night and day.

Can't wait to hit the course ASAP with them after 1 night at the range on them.

[onamission]

  schapman said:

I just got the Nike Ignite irons (with the 3H) off ebay for $205US new. Compared to my old hand me down mix of clubs it's like night and day.

WHOA great buy man. i trade used sets for a living but havnt seen a deal go that low for nike ignites and a hybrid...

[B.K. golfer]

check out "rockbottomgolf" they have closeouts and some great deals. They have Adams A2 hybrid iron set for $229, that will get you your irons(including pitching wedge) 5-PW and your 3&4 hybrid. Check "options" if you order for shaft flex, you probably want regular instead of stiff unless you have a very fast swing speed. They also have some Taylormade r-7 draws for $299 or wilson Di-7 for the same. Also Nike drivers and Taylormade burners for under $150.
I bought a starter set 2 years ago and don't have 1 club left in my bag(the bag is the only thing I still have). I got the bug and replaced everything a little at a time, my 12 year old has everything else! It was suggested to get a good iron set and Driver and build my set from there, I should have listened. I got most of my clubs on closeouts at golf stores, check last years models. I paid $169 for my 3 hybrid when it 1st came out, I got my 4 hybrid(same model) a year later for $69 on closeout because the new models were out. You can get some great deals on golfsmith outlet and closeouts also.
Be careful on ebay, I got a fake 3-wood from china.

[Snake]

  B.K. golfer said:

check out "rockbottomgolf" they have closeouts and some great deals.

Ditto. Also, 3ballsgolf.com and globalgolf.com have good deals on used clubs. You should also be able to get a complete set of entry level clubs at an all-in-one sporting goods store for under $400 (for example:

dickssportinggoods.com ).

[schapman]

  onamission said:

WHOA great buy man. i trade used sets for a living but havnt seen a deal go that low for nike ignites and a hybrid...

Got them from an ebay store

http://myworld.ebay.ca/golfetail/ fast shipping too

[Sheekamoo]

Thank you for all the replies guys.

It sounds like those of you that bought the cheaper sets eventually replaced everything shortly after. The best advice is to buy better equipment and not be so cheap?

With that said, maybe I should just buy new irons and a bag for right now. I can use my old drivers, fairway wood, and putters for the time being. That should save me around $400-$500 right now. And by doing that, I'll get much better clubs in the long run without the quick shock to my bank account.

If I do decide to buy just the irons only, what are some good quality irons for a beginner that I can eventually grow into? I'd like to get something that may be a little harder for me to hit now, but in 1-2 years I'll be hitting with them perfectly.

[plainsman]

I built the bag in my sig for about $350. Most came from careful ebay purchases from rockbottomgolf.com You can get some of their stuff cheaper on ebay instead of buying through the website.

I'm pretty happy with the Adams A2 clubs and 2 good hybrids are part of the standard set.

[obsessedgolfer]

I would suggest getting a used good quality set off ebay, and it might swave you alot of hassel if you just wearch for a complete set of used golf clubs from a good brand like taylormade, ping, nike, or callaway.

[obsessedgolfer]

  Sheekamoo said:

Thank you for all the replies guys.

I would think you should do the opposite because in the last 50 years there has been a huge innovation in driver technology, Irons alot of improvement but no so musch of a night and day difference, there are people on this forum who use 1960's Wilson staff blades just because they like the feel.

[onthehunt526]

egolfoutlet.com enough said...

[onamission]

I would check out sum used x20s.... or mx25s... i dunno its personal preference.

yeah and the driver... pick one up used for like 80 on ebay...

[Sheekamoo]

I've done a lot of searching and reading on this board and it seems the following would all be good choices for me:

TaylorMade R7
Adams A2
Callaway X-20
Mizuno MX-25

They're all good quality clubs for a golfer with a higher handicap (more forgiving I guess?). I think the only thing I would need to do is try each of them out and see what feels best in my hand. I'll be going to my local store tomorrow to try them all out and see what feels best.

Is there any other clubs I should look at? Or are the 4 options above probably my best bets?

I'm un-decided on buying used or new right now. But if I buy new, the clubs above seem to be between $400 and $600.