New golfer looking to purchase new clubs. HELP

[TrickyVic]

So, I'm finally ready to take up golf and looking to get some clubs. Since I budgeted a certain amount for hobbies, I have about a $800 for gear. Here's what I've found so far, now keep in mind that I'm not commited to buying one of these sets so feel free to suggest something. I'm still going to go to several shops in my area and try out as many clubs as I'm allowed. I plan on doing lots of research before I buy since my lessons dont start until mid-march. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Adams Tight Lies Set $399
Both from Golfgalaxy.com
Maxfli Black Max set $399

Pinemeadows Golf ZR1 set $450 w/graphite shafts

I'm also not opposed to putting together a basic set. I read somewhere that the basic clubs one should have are: Sand Wedge, Putter, 7 Iron, 3 Wood, and 7 Wood. What are your thoughts on this?

I also found Walmart carries a AdamsGolf Idea a2 hybrid/iron set for $299. If I purchased this, what else would I need?

-Vic

[denver_nuggs_15]

So, I'm finally ready to take up golf and looking to get some clubs. Since I budgeted a certain amount for hobbies, I have about a $800 for gear. Here's what I've found so far, now keep in mind that I'm not commited to buying one of these sets so feel free to suggest something. I'm still going to go to several shops in my area and try out as many clubs as I'm allowed. I plan on doing lots of research before I buy since my lessons dont start until mid-march. Any help is greatly appreciated.

The Adams Idea a2 seem like your best bet. I have not hit them, but Adams clubs in general are very solid clubs. You would not go wrong buying those clubs.

Assuming that it is 3-PW, I would then buy a 56* wedge, a putter, a 3 wood, and a driver. For the wedge and putter, it's all about feel so try some out. The 3 wood and drivers could be bought on eBay or globalgolf.com used for relatively cheap. They have a new Nike SQ2 for $150 and the SQ (not square) for $120. Also check out some used iron sets. You could get a very good deal on last year's model.

[TrickyVic]

Not sure if the Adams a2 set is 3-PW, website states that it comes with 8 clubs- 2 hybrids and 6 irons. Maybe you can tell me which clubs this set comes with.

[Range King]

I would go for a set of used irons on ebay. Dont pay more than 200$ for your first set. Not one of my friends, including myself, stayed with his first iron set longer than 3 months. As soon as your swing stabilizes, you will be able to feel differences between irons and probably want to get fitted. I went through 2 sets ( Big Bertha & tour burner ) in 3 months before I got happy with the AP1. Now the other sets are in my basement. Selling is not an option at the moment, because prices are ridiculous.

[TyCobb]

Well, here's what I would do with an $800 budget.

Driver - New CALLAWAY GOLF FT-5 Driver $149.99 @ GamesPeoplePlay.com
3 Wood - New MacGregor MT Graphite Fairway Wood $39.99 @ GamesPeoplePlay.com
4-PW - New Taylormade R7 $329.98 @ Ebay Seller (gurugolf-ltd)
SW - New Mizuno Raw Haze $39.99 @ GamesPeoplePlay.com
Putter - New Nike Unitized LEO Putter RH 35" $59.99 @ Ebay Seller (weselzit)

That's only $619.94 for some damn good golf clubs.

[TrickyVic]

Range King- I hear ya, but the thing is it's hard for me as a newcomer to the sport to pick out a set of used irons. I just don't know what to look for. Do you have any suggestions on a beginner used iron set in that price range?
I don't mind paying $100 more to get a new set like the Adams a2 and be satisfied that I got something decent.
Honestly I don't see myself upgrading for at least a year, thats why I would rather spend a little more and get a decent set now.

[TrickyVic]

Well, here's what I would do with an $800 budget.

Awesome! Thanks for putting that list together. Now I probably should have stated the $800 budget is for all my gear, including shoes, glove, and atleast 1 set of golf clothes. $620 is actually a little more than I thought to spend, but still doable. I will do a little research on these and see what I come up with.

Now, are these clubs beginner friendly? I quess the term is "forgiving".

[TrickyVic]

Also I looked at the Callaway FT-5 and when picking options I was a little confused. What does driver loft mean? A 9 come with Stiff-flex and a 10 comes with Senior-flex.

[dmband8985]

i like gigagolf a bit more than pinemeadow, or atleast from hitting clubs of friends who purchased from those sites.

have you played before or even just messed around at a range with someone else's clubs? I know it's a beginner's set, but it is an investment and you'll likely use them for a few years before getting new clubs, so it is important to get the right schtix. I would actually wait until after you start lessons to buy your clubs cause then you can cater a set of clubs that fit your swing rather than fitting your swing to you clubs that are ill-fitted for you. plus you can figure out which clubs you hit well and should put in your bag and which ones you don't really need...for instance, you may find that you can't hit a 3 or a 4 iron, but you can hit 3 and 4 hybrids really well. you also notice that there is a distance overlap between those same hybrids and fairway woods...essentially eliminating the need to purchase those four clubs when 2 would do.

a good makeup when your starting out IMO is 3h, 4h, 5-pw, sw, putter...slowly add a driver to your bag. i say this because every beginner will step up to any tee box and, as long as there is at least 250 yards between him and hole, will pull out his driver and try to bomb one deep. Only problem is a lot of times, a combination of not being able to hit driver well and swinging incredibly way to hard will result in the ball going further right than straight. that said it will do wonders to your game, and your enjoyment of playing golf, if you don't even have a driver when you are starting out. believe it or not it won't affect your score too much unless you're on a par 5, which is the only time it will take a full extra stroke to get to the green without a driver (consider a modest par 4 at about 400 yards, I could hit driver and 8 iron to the green or 3 hybrid and 5/6 iron...same two strokes, but the latter will allow me to get regular use out of all the clubs in my bag making me more consistent with them)

[TrickyVic]

Yeah, I've hit the range several times but I'm unsure on what type of swing I have. Now will the person instructing me tell me what kind of swing I have? Or what kind of clubs to look for?
I'm taking an "intro to golf" class in March and "Get golf Ready" in April. I'd like to have my own set by the second class, but I guess its not absolutely necessary.

[Lefty22]

...slowly add a driver to your bag...

Never thought about it like that but this seems like a pretty solid approach to getting the feel for things...

[flanagan]

I say emphatically, do not go for the "basic" set of a SW, putter, 7 iron, etc. You need more scoring irons than a 7 iron, much more than you need extra woods, and with your budget constraints, I think you can find a really good set of used irons and a couple of hybrids or woods or both, however you want to make up the set. Talk with someone competent who is viewing your swing, or go to a golf store - they'll help you analyze, and you don't have to buy, and they may have a good, used set that meets your needs. If you are new and learning, I would hesitate about just buying a set sight unseen. Get clubs that FIT! and are appropriate for you.

I would have said hold off on the driver in the old days, but with today's large headed drivers, etc. and the ridiculously low prices they command used, I would get one. When I upgraded my eleven year old daughter's set because of her growing out of the old clubs (just like bikes), last summer, my pro and I agreed to abandon the compromise "1/3" wood and get her a nice, large headed driver. It was a lot easier for her to hit and make some good contact and gave her a lot of confidence, and got the ball going down the fairway. And it's fun, even if it gets you in trouble, which you need to learn to get out of, anyway.

[I KyotE I]

doesn't the Tight Lies set come with everything including a driver 3W and SW on the structure set? It is an 18 point set. D, 3&5W, 4HY, 5-SW, mallet putter, bag. everything club wise that you would need to start for $400. Adams is a great name. GW is a maybe. and LW is something that you may want to wait on. You could get a 3HY. But to start learning it would be a great set. I wish that I could get it to replace the dunlop and pro select set I have.

[uttexas]

Welcome to the wonderful world of golf.
You are on target with your initial instinct. Get the Adams A2s. This is the set I have, and they are great clubs. After purchase, get them fitted to your height and impact angle. I would just play with the iron set for a while. I would hold off on driver/3 wood until you hit the fairway with the 3H at least 70% of the time.

Once you have your clubs *$300+tax", get the rest of your equipment (shoes, gloves, balls, tees, etc) from Academy Sports and outdoors, Wmart, or some other cheap retail sporting goods store. Walmart typically will have everything but the shoes.

This way, you will have new equipment at a very cheap price. You will have about $300 left over for lessons.

Here is some other advice for the beginner

1. Get clubs (first set should be relatively inexpensive) that fit your body and natural ball striking tendencies (your height, impact lie angle, etc) Get the clubs fitted.
2. Get a lesson on grip, stance, and other fundamentals
3. Practice the short game (140 yards and in) including bunkers 50% of the time.
4. Practice putting 25% and long game 25%
5. With all golf shots, it is tempo, tempo, tempo.
6. Putting is 95% feel/mental and 5% technique.
7. Buy a "heavy 8 iron" with the "perfect grip"--this is like $20 at Wmart or Academy Sports. IMO, the single best swing enhancer. It works on tempo, muscle control, and flexibility
8. Do NOT get a subscription to GDigest, etc, this will confuse you.
9. Do buy John Jacobs "practical golf" from Amazon or wherever. This is the best book for the beginning golfer for the long game. Read it several times
10. Do buy Tom Watson's "Getting up and down" 40 yards and in best very short game book--read it several times. Read it again and again. Keep it in the "office"
11. Do buy Dave Pelz Short Game Bible. Read it once or twice. His book is overlong and the key points could have been made in one chapter. However, he is an engineer, so his book contains pages and pages of statistical fluff.

12. Enjoy the game. Enjoy every second out there.

Have fun

[uttexas]

Get your putter and 56 degree sand wedge from Academy Sports and Outdoors (their selection will be a half to full grade better than Wmart)

When first starting out, don't be too proud to hit from the very forward tees. These are the tees that all beginners should play from. People will incorrectly call them "ladies tees". This is wrong. There are some ladies that play from the blacks. You will enjoy the game more by playing from the correct tee box. Once your handicap gets below 25 or so, move to the white tees. Once below 15 move to the blues. Once below 10, from the blue or blacks, depending on wind.

[Petden]

http://www.tandbsportinggoods.com/caxcoset9.html

Check that out, its a great price for a complete x-22 set.

[flopdarock]

i personally wouldnt spend big bucks on a first set because this is your 'experimental' phase of your game... your swing mutates and evolves the most in the pre/during/post initial pro lessons... and it will also be pretty inconsistant...
so commiting to a brand new shiny/pricey set that you will either love or hate just doesnt seem right to me... so i definately would go as inexpensive as possible just to get a set you can learn on and hack around with...
when your skills get more comfortable, that cheapy set would more than likely be easy to part with... and it will be slightly easier for a clubfitter to help you find a set that is best suited for your game at that point in time...
this is where getting fitted would be a great benefit... after the lessons... after practice... after gaining confidence and consistency...

so in a nutshell
buy cheapy clubs to get by during initial lessons
practice play practice practice play
get fitted by a competent pro and buy a reasonable set that fits your current game

[glebert]

rockbottomgolf.com has the Bridgestone GC irons 4-SW for $170.

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/bridge...set-steel.html