Another 'What Beginner Set" question

[Zee]

I'm an absolute newbie, and am going for lessons in July. They recommend you have your own clubs... so I'm looking at the following:

http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/s...-P8936C26.aspx

I've never heard of these guys, but it seems like a decent starter set. Any opinions?

Is the Top Flite XL worth the extra $100?

http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/s...-P8749C26.aspx

I want to stay away from the rock bottom (Dunlop Attack set is $120) because I want something I can get 4-5 years out of.

Thanks is advance...

[twinke masta]

I am not sure you will get 4-5 years out of those beginner sets. I am pretty sure you will start to want to upgrade after at most a year because they are just not made very well and is good for once in a while weekend games. However, if you want to learn the game they probably won't help you very much after a few month.

Before you even think about buying, take a few lessons first to make sure you want to learn the game and ask the instructor what kind of clubs fit you the best with your swing.

I am a beginner golfer as well, started about a month ago. I went out and got some game improvement irons and woods etc. and they have helped me alot. I tried some of the beginner sets and they felt poor in my hands and I knew I was going to dump them in less than a year so they would have been money thrown out the window. With this current set I have already had a few irons adjusted to my swing so far and these irons will be in my bag for a long time ( I don't have to throw them away after a few month).

I would try to pick up a set of good used irons, they would be money better spent imo. As for particular irons, I am not too good with that. Possibly an older set of Callaway Big Berthas or Adam A2's or something along those lines.

[Technospaz]

I appreciate that you haven't really started golfing yet so may not be able to fully appreciate the sport BUT I would recommend that you give it a go first (w/o buying your own clubs just yet) to see how much you like it. If possible, see if you can rent a set for your coaching classes.

This is because I think it makes more sense to pick up one good set rather than to buy a newbie set now and shortly after, buy a better set. I'm not saying that you should spend heaps on a new set right away but definitely spend on something which will allow you to enjoy the sport. Newbie sets are great but may not have what it takes once you find your groove in the game :)

For decent sets, you don't even need a brand new set. You can get 2nd hand Callaway X-18s or X-20s for a good price these days.

In short, try the game first with a set which is rented (see if any of your friends can lend you a club or two or the whole set) :) Once you find that you like the game, spend on a good set. Again, I'm not saying fork out thousands... rather, spend a couple of hundred bucks for a good 2nd hand quality set or if you feel lavish, a bit more for a brand new set of clubs :)

[Zee]

I've golfed a few games, and have been at the driving range quite often... so I do think I'll be at it for a while.

I will probably try to rent a set the first few times out, but was thinking eventually I'll need to get a set.

I checked the used market here, and there just wasn't much worth buying.

Cheers

[twinke masta]

I've golfed a few games, and have been at the driving range quite often... so I do think I'll be at it for a while.

You can always check your local used sporting goods store, or even ebay. There are alot of fakes on ebay but there are no fakes of older clubs like Titleist DCI's etc.

[Technospaz]

I've golfed a few games, and have been at the driving range quite often... so I do think I'll be at it for a while.

What's your budget?

[squaddie]

Is the Top Flite XL worth the extra $100?

I bought that same Top Flite 12-piece starter set last year, and just today gave it to the local Goodwill for a tax writeoff with no regrets. The irons were decent and I liked the putter (kept it, in fact). But the longer woods and hybrids are not that great, and no matching head-cover is provided for the putter, which causes the putter to get dinged up real quick by the irons. Just to show how bad the driver is I put a dent in the head after mis-hitting the ball as wasn't swinging that hard. Perhaps instead of buying a new set of clubs for lessons, just purchase a few individual used clubs from different manufacturers, such as a driver (not too used), hybrid or wood, 7-iron, and pitching wedge. Perhaps buy one iron with a graphite shaft and the other with a steel shaft so you can feel which shaft type works better for you. You only need a few clubs to learn how to swing, and getting a mix from the longest to shortest clubs should give you enough variability and be cheaper than a full low-end set. I would not spend too much on a driver for now, since it's typically the hardest club to hit well with for a beginner (at least for me). A better trade off is a used hybrid as they should be a little easier to hit with for a beginner than a longer wood. The local Golf-Smith may have individual demo-irons for sale, like 6-irons for a few dollars each, and they sell used wedges, hybrids and drivers. Or you can take a chance on ebay with a few individual clubs. After you had a few lessons and range time with the different brands and decided to continue learning the game, then look into buying a decent mid-range set from Ping, Callaway, Titleist, etc. Renting a set (as you mentioned) is also a good idea if the range offers top-of-the-line equipment to try out.

[Meddle]

Instead of buying a new beginner set, why not look for a better used set off ebay? Take a look at Calloway's Big Bertha clubs, they are ultra forgiving and if you decide to drop the game they resell really well.

[LeftyInRochester]

I reccomend buying a decent set to last you 2-3 years. After that time you will know whether or not you are going to be a weekend duffer or a twice-a-week leaguer. My best suggestion would be picking up a set from pinemeadowgolf.com - good value, fairly reasonable prices, and ultimately a good spot for a golfer who doesn't want to invest a ton of money.

[Zee]

What's your budget?

~$400 for new... $200-300 for used.

[Technospaz]

~$400 for new... $200-300 for used.

Budgetgolf.com has the Callaway X-20s (new) 4-SW for $399.95 :)

See http://www.budgetgolf.net/xcart/prod...cat=289&page;=1

[jonnythan]

If it were me, and I had $400CAD max to spend on a complete set, I'd get this:

http://www.diamondtour.com/z-force-g...ag-p-2604.html

Ping G10 clone set with a cheap stand bag. Includes driver, putter, irons, fairway woods, and a hybrid.

[Zee]

Budgetgolf.com has the Callaway X-20s (new) 4-SW for $399.95 :)

Shipping($90)+Duty($50)+Brokerage(~$100) makes buying across the border really expensive

There are some really good deals on there.

[Zee]

What about the Adams "Tight Lies" Driver and woods and the Nickent 3DX Hybrid/Irons?

[jonnythan]

It is my understanding that those are very good clubs that would last.

[LBC99]

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/adams-...-with-bag.html

From what I've read, these should be pretty good for a beginner and a good price.

[kleinrider]

what about Pinemeadow?? They put out clone clubs.

[Zee]

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/adams-...-with-bag.html

That is a good site... I'll see if he sells it without the bag though. $99 to ship to Canada.. eek!