Newbie Golfer Looking to Buy Golf Clubs for the First Time

[shermanM4A1]

Hi everyone,

I just recently started playing golf. This summer, I plan on playing some real games at local golf courses and I want at least a few clubs that I can practice and play with.

Since I hit almost all woods around the same distance (150-175 yards), and all irons around the same distance (75-100 yards, except for the pitching wedge, which I can hit only 50 yards), I don't think I need a full set. Also, since I'm not sure if I'll be playing golf a lot in the future, I don't want to be stuck with some expensive clubs if I decide not to continue playing golf. On the other hand, I don't want to buy junk clubs, only to switch to Callaway or another name brand a few years down the road.

So, basically I have a few questions:
1. Would I be able to play 9 holes with only a wood, an iron, and a putter?
2. What are some brands that I should stay away from due to quality issues, etc.?
3. If I can get by with only 1 or a few irons, which one(s) should I get?

Thanks.

P.S. My friend is offering to sell me a TaylorMade Tour Burner 7 iron (used, but still in pretty good condition) for $30. Is that worth it?

[JGulkCG]

honestly, from what you just said, go to your nearest sporting goods store and buy the cheapest set of clubs you can get. seriously.

[ApocG10]

Well, im no pro, I havent yet got to play in an actual competitive tournament. But I will say that you dont need EVERY club in your bag, but you need more than an iron, a wood, and a putter.

You could skip a few irons. And i'd get a 3&4 hybrid, and a 7&9 iron, with a pitching wedge, sand wedge, putter, and driver.

None of it has to be expensive, and there is great deals out there. Callaway Big Bertha irons are cheap everywhere right now. Especially online. Goftown, golf smith. My dad got a full set of Taylor Made burner irons (4-pw), 3&4 Hybrids, a 12 degree burner driver, and a beautiful Taylor Made bag for under 600$. Used, but still like new.

[Cody]

When i was in your position last year, I thought i needed a good brand of clubs and everything too. Trust me, you don't. I got lucky, a friend of mine had old clubs that he let me use until i got a hang of the game.

http://www.bestvaluegolf.com/air-power-package-set.html

That would be a fine starter set. I wouldn't go for anything more expensive than that.

[JGulkCG]

When i was in your position last year, I thought i needed a good brand of clubs and everything too. Trust me, you don't. I got lucky, a friend of mine had old clubs that he let me use until i got a hang of the game.

he didnt say he did need a good set. key words before were "i'm not sure i'll be playing in the future." seriously if thats the case, go snag the cheapest set of clubs you can get.

[Cody]

he didnt say he did need a good set. key words before were "i'm not sure i'll be playing in the future." seriously if thats the case, go snag the cheapest set of clubs you can get.

I was refering to this part of his post.

I don't want to be stuck with some expensive clubs if I decide not to continue playing golf. On the other hand, I don't want to buy junk clubs, only to switch to Callaway or another name brand a few years down the road.

That was my exact problem and i was going to fork out money for a good set.

[shermanM4A1]

Yeah, I did say that I'm not sure if I'll be playing much in the future.

So, what I want to do is buy a few clubs, try them out and then see if I want to keep playing golf. Buying the cheapest clubs might work, but I heard that some clubs are junk and I don't want to end up with a bunch of unuseable junk clubs if I decide that I do want to continue on with golf.

Basically, I just want something that is useable: doesn't have to be too fancy, but not too junky either. Any suggestions or advice?

[shermanM4A1]

One thing I was thinking about doing is purchasing used golf clubs. Do you any advice on how to go about buying used clubs? Thanks.

[alcorn]

Honestly if your looking for as few clubs as possible then I would go 3 wood, 3 Hybrid, 5, 7, 9 irons, Pitching wedge, and a putter. Or you could do what some else in this room suggested and go to walmart and buy a cheap set off the rack. Either ways thats about all ya need.

[ks8829]

You can pick up a used set of iron for about $100. My recommendation is the Mizuno Comp Ez, forged oversized irons

[Blades4me]

Hi everyone,

Back when I was a teen ager, which was when Christ was in kindergarden, the learning set of clubs was 3, 5, 7, 9 irons and driver & 3 wood. So I'd look for something like that as inexpensive as you can find them.

I'm from the school that sez go cheap until you know whether or not you are going to pursue that particular sport. Cuz if you learn on the cheap stuff, when you up grade you will really feel the differnce and the better stuff is usually easier to hit after the cheap stuff. Realize that golf will be the toughest sport you will ever do and its a life long learning process. So if you can't laugh at yourself or tolerate being really crappy for a period don't start it cuz it will drive you crazy. Personally that why I really like it cuz it takes years go get decent and anyone who is any good has put a lot of time into their game. The only short cut in golf is there is no short cut in golf, thats the short cut, lol

[wrx_junki]

If your a beginner I wouldn't suggest buying a 3-wood. That thing is a nightmare for me on and off the deck.

[TheNatural]

go to a used sports store and buy the biggest head driver you can find with a high loft15 degrees ....then find a 5 iron and 7 a 9 and a pitching wedge or a sand wedge. Go into your back yard and learn how to hit the sandwedge gently. buy a putter.
If you can find this buy it also, a 21degree hybrid club with a big head. try to go to a used sports store not golf galaxy. if you dont have one in your locale then go to golf galaxy. Or go buy a cheap set of irons called Distance Master. 150 bucks walmart they will last for how long you need them. Im using them now! And I smoked a 5HC & 18HC players last Monday 89 to 95. Do not worry about a 3 or 4 iron.

[ApocG10]

If your a beginner I wouldn't suggest buying a 3-wood. That thing is a nightmare for me on and off the deck.

3 woods are a nightmare for me too, one of my driving range goals this year is more time with the the 3 wood. Its the one club I have no confidence in at all. Its all over the place. Everywhere I should use a 3 wood, I end up using a 3 hybrid instead. Even if it doesnt go as far (I believe it does though), its straighter and I get a lot more control with it.

[Mr3Putt]

go to a used sports store and buy the biggest head driver you can find with a high loft15 degrees ....then find a 5 iron and 7 a 9 and a pitching wedge or a sand wedge. Go into your back yard and learn how to hit the sandwedge gently. buy a putter.

I agree with that line of thinking. There are also thrift stores (Goodwill, Veterans, etc.) everywhere. In the bigger ones you can usually find a bunch of golf clubs, sometimes as low as $1 per club. Root and find the newest stuff in the pile. Walk out for under $50 with an entire set including a bag. It might not be Callaway or Mizunos, but it will be the most bang for your buck! (and if you're lucky it just might be a top brand item) I've found and resold 3 Ping putters, a complete set of TA 845's, a set of Cobra woods, and a few other sticks at a thrift store next to my post office. The most I paid for any of them was $2 each. If you then decide you want to pursue this sport (and no one here can imagine why you wouldn't) you can upgrade your stuff in a more conventional way.

[wannabe]

To the OP,

Here's where my high handicap experience can help you out. :) Reinforcing what some others have stated:

My current set is driver, 3 iron-SW, putter. I have a steel shafted 3-wood that I never use. I also never use the 3 & 4 irons. So basically, I"m playing with driver, 5,6,7,8,9,PW,SW and putter. I have Taylor Made & Titleist brands, bought them all used.

You should definitely make sure you have a nice-ish graphite shafted big headed driver -- you're gonna need it for distance on the course. I've used my driver on long par three's as well as off the deck on long par 4's & par 5's. You can choke up on the club as well as take partial swings for distance control. Maybe not the greatest way to learn, but it works if you're on a budget and trying out the game.

In reality, you don't need all the irons I have. I could probably get away with 5,7,9,SW.

You definitely need a wedge of some sort to get out of bunkers, which for me is the SW.

Since you're starting out, I can't overemphasize enough how much more you'll enjoy the game and the learning if you spend money on a series of lessons to get you on the right track. IMO, after years of duffing around & trying to teach myself, after having taken 6 lessons this year and learning things I would've never figured out on my own, I feel like lessons should be a prerequisite.

On a related note, I saw a lady in the pro shop yesterday who has never played the game who bought 6 lessons, and a top to bottom brand spanking new Callaway setup, bag, shoes, & all. She dropped over 2k in half an hour. must be nice.

[ugottabjoshinme]

i would go down to your local play it again sports and see what they have. you can buy used clubs individually or buy used set of irons. all you need is driver, 3 hybrid, 5iron, 7iron, 9iron, wedge, putter

[Big_M]

i would go down to your local play it again sports and see what they have. you can buy used clubs individually or buy used set of irons. all you need is driver, 3 hybrid, 5iron, 7iron, 9iron, wedge, putter

I agree this is about perfect...

make sure you get a 460cc driver with at least 12* of loft. 3 or 4 hybrid would be a big help, but don't spend much money. 5,7,9 should match if possible... might be easiest just to buy a cheap set from e-bay or something, or try websites with single clubs. wedge... I'd go with something like 50-54* so you can use it for sand and other stuff. any putter you like the look and feel of. http://callawaygolfpreowned.com/defa...gcid=c1504x505 http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/ http://www.3balls.com/ http://www.golfetail.com/default.aspx