New to golf, need quite a bit of help!

[denj3325]

Hello everybody,
I am both new to this forum and also golf for the most part. Many years ago I played golf for about a summer, and now that I am getting older, most of my friends are playing golf and suggesting that I start to pick the game up. I have been wanting to take the leap into golf for some time now and have finally decided to pick up a set of golf clubs, but I wanted to make sure I was headed in the right direction...
Thats where this posts finally gets to the point. I need guidance from you guys to help me know where to start when choosing golf clubs. Do I go used? New? Good brands to look at? Any help would be very appreciated.

Thanks

[is2linda]

are you signed up for lesson? If so ask your pro in recommendation.

Otherwise go to local golf shop, they will have many recommendations for you.

You should get used clubs, you dont want to commit in buying 400-1000 dollar sets and decide golf is not the thing for you

Always start with irons, putters, wedges then woods in that order.

Try to get the iron set first, then hit some balls at the range, once you get a feel for the game, buy the next item and so forth.

First, you would want a cavity back head, they have bigger soles for more forgiveness.

Next, depending on your swing speed, decide if you want a graphite shaft or steel shaft. (graphite is lighter, more forgiving, and easier to hit with. However at fast speed it flexes to much) (steel is mainly used for most men)

Next, decide a flex depending on you swing speed, regular, stiff, senior, etc. (you have to ask your local golf shop if they can test you)

Good luck i hope i helped, ask any questions if you have any.

[NativeTxn]

Going in the order that is2linda suggests, which is a good order, I'll just throw some brands and options at you that you can research, and should be good for beginners (I'm throwing in a range of prices depending on how much you want to spend - however, there are some great deals out there so you could still buy new and not be out a heck of a lot if you decided golf wasn't for you). Regardless, used always remains an option:

IRONS

1) Taylormade R7
2) Wilson Staff Di9 and Ci7 (Di9 should be more forgiving than Ci7, but both are geared toward game improvement, and both can be had new for under $400)
3) Callaway X-20 or X-22 (X-20 is the older model and less expensive right now, though some will say that the X-22 is a performance step up from the X-20, and some will say they can't tell much difference)
4) Ping G10
5) Mizuno MX-100 (you could consider the MX-950 too)
6) Cleveland CG7
7) Nike Slingshot
8) Cobra SZ
9) Taylormade Burner
10) Callaway Big Bertha

If you know for sure that you will commit yourself to becoming better over time (i.e. lessons, practice, etc.) then you may be better off with game improvement irons (examples from above: Cally X series, Ping G10, Wilson Ci7).

If you simply want to go hang out with your friends and hack around and do not have the desire, time, or resources to take lessons and practice and attempt to become a better player, then you might want to focus on Super Game Improvement irons (examples from above: Cally Big Bertha, Mizuno MX-100, Wilson Di9).

You can also look into hybrids to replace your harder to hit long irons (3i, 4i, and for some the 5i). They are sort of in between a wood and an iron in theory. For most people, they are easier to hit than long irons and will help get the ball up higher. Some sets you can buy already have hybrid clubs in the set (examples: Mizuno MX-950, some of the Adams sets, and there are others too).

A good place to begin your search/learning process (for all equipment) is Golf Digest's Hot List ( http://www.golfdigest.com/equipment/...index_20090608 ). It's not an end all, be all, but it is a good jumping off point.


PUTTERS

A putter is a very personal thing, so you just need to go to a retail store and hit all different types - blades and mallets included to see which works best for you.

You can spend anywhere from $50 to $300 on a putter. But you also have to keep in mind that you will typically use it between 30 and 50 times during a round (especially when you are just getting started).

Many people will tell you it is worth splurging on a putter for several reasons. Again, it is the club that you will use the most during a round. The technology doesn't change a whole heck of a lot over the years. And you can use a putter for a long time without it getting banged up or wearing out.

WEDGES

Whatever iron set you buy should at least come with a pitching wedge. Beyond that, you can look at gap wedges (usually 48-53* range), sand wedges (usually 54-58* range), and lob wedges (usually above 58*). All of them serve different purposes, and you don't need to have all of them. In fact there are some threads on here and other forums where there are discussions that carrying 2 wedges (in addition to your PW) may be perfectly fine because you don't have to overthink what wedge to use on a certain shot because you have too many wedges.

As a matter of fact, I'm considering going from a 52/56/60 wedge setup to a 52/58 setup. I rarely use my 60* and a 58* can be used effectively out of the sand.

In any event, wedges are important because they are the clubs you use from 100 yards and in, which is the area that separates ok players from the great players. They are versatile clubs, and there are a decent amount of options out there.

DRIVERS/FAIRWAY WOODS

A lot of people may recommend starting with a 3W for off the tee and not using a driver until you get consistent with fairway woods. Drivers are the hardest club in the bag to hit - it's the longest club, and the longer the club, the more difficult it is to control.

Regardless of what you do in that regard, the best idea is still to go hit many different kinds and see what works for you.


Everyone on here will have their different opinions on equipment, but you should only use those opinions as a research tool because golf and golf equipment is such a personal matter that you have to find what works up for you because what works for me may not work for the next person and what works for 10 people may not work for you.

At the end of the day, there are LOTS of choices out there, in every category of equipment, so if you are able, the best approach is to do some research and go to a golf shop and hit as many clubs as you can that are suited for your type of game. Then see which works best for you.

The BEST thing you could do if you are serious about improving as a player is to start taking some lessons - before you engrain any bad swing habits (or at least to where it will be relatively easy to fix bad swing habits.

If that isn't your goal, go hit some clubs, see which ones work for you, try to find a good deal, and go have fun with your friends.

Hope this offers you a starting point to build from. Good luck and have fun in your search!

[denj3325]

Thanks a ton for all your help! I did not expect it to be this thorough, but thats awesome. Just what I was looking for.

[denj3325]

I would love to get the MX-100 iron set but at $700 we will see. I was looking online and saw that in the 2008 edition of that article they rated the ADAMS IDEA A3OS iron set well. I can get those used for about $330, does anyone have any comments on these? Or any other past years models to look for so I can compare some new irons to some older used ones

[NativeTxn]

Check out EBAY - it is a good place to find some good deals on clubs (for example, I got my X-22s for about $300 less than I would have paid retail at a store in Dallas).

For example: http://cgi.ebay.com/Set-of-New-Mizun...d=p3286.c0.m14

Now, those Mizzy's will go up higher as the auction nears its end, but you can always at least check EBAY to see if you can scare up a good deal on whatever set you decide on.

HOWEVER YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHO YOU ARE BUYING FROM. Make sure that they appear reputable (e.g. over 1,000 feedback, and the more feedback the better, with at least 99+% positive feed back, and NEVER EVER buy from someone where their location is China or another Asian country. There are a lot of fakes coming out of Asian countries so it's better just to avoid them all together). Again, EBAY can be a great place to find some good deals, you just have to use some common sense.

[denj3325]

Would you trust used clubs over ebay?

[NativeTxn]

Would you trust used clubs over ebay?

Depends on who is selling. I'd be less likely to buy from an individual, but that is just me personally.

There are quite a few stores that sell used clubs at their website, but also through EBAY (one example is 3balls.com - you can go straight to their site or through their EBAY auctions).

[is2linda]

Ebay is a bit iffy, some fake variants and abused used club set.

My friend bought a used mizuno iron set through ebay, only to find that the seller did a horrible job shafting the club. The shaft came straight outta hosel after 2 rounds. Not just 1 iron, but 3 of them. Not only that, his grooves were all nicked and abused.

Word of caution its a high risk to get some cheap clubs. Make sure you have a friend to help you spot fake to bad clubs from ebay purchases. Check craigslist

[cody west]

irons:
tm r7
callaway x20 (ask any pro the x20 and x22 are the same)
ping g5(there the same as the g10)
callaway big bertha
nike cci not forged version

drivers
taylormade burner (club changed golf for every improving golfer out there like bogey golf not a 1hcp improving to a +1)
callaway ft-iq
cleveland hi-bore
ping g15,10,5

fairway woods
tm burner
tm r9
ping g10
adams golf ovation

hybrids
you really dont need them, it will maek you better with your short irons if you hit your long irons

wedges
buy the best you can find every1 should have good wedges, there the next most important thing to your putter, everytime you have a wedge in your hands on the aproach you should b looking to attack the pin.
i have had
titleist spin milled vokey 52*/8*, 56*/14*, 60*/8* and another 56*/14*
taylormade tp z grove 56*/11*
cleveland cg14 60*/12*, 52*/10*
nike sv tour 60*/10*
wedges are measure by loft/bounce, loft is degree of club bounce is the length of the flat part on the bottom
i believe you get the best results with a 52,56,60 set because most pitching wedges are 48 degrees so you get a constant 4 degree difference between wedges
id say get vokeys

putter
get a putter that fits you not the most expensive you can. scotty camerons are not meant for everyone. demo a bunch of them and pick what you like. putters are made to be ballanced from side to side. if a putter is to well ballanced for you you will push all your putts. if a putter is not ballanced well enough you will pull all your putts. there are putts made for everyswing so dont buy a scotty cameron because tiger uses one. just buy the putter that you can hit where you aim it


steel vs graphite
as you get better and more accurate you will want steel because it is going to be less flexable and more accurate. the people that play graphite are usually looking for distance and sacraficing accuracy. also the stiffer the shaft the shorter you will hit it but it will be more accurate.

basically it goes like this if you want to be very accurate get steel but if you want distance get graphite.

(+accuracy = -distance) or (+distance = -accuracy)

[ControlJunkie]

There are good, affordable options in both new and used clubs, especially this time of the year. It depends on how much you want to spend. I suggest, no matter what you buy, to get them fitted to you. Some will say not to get fitted until you get better, but I disagree with that. From this

month's Golf Digest -

Fitters say the reason a lot of people hit it sideways is because they haven't been custom-fit. Trying to figure out the swing with clubs whose length, weight, lie angle, shaft flex or grip size don't match the body encourages players to make unnatural compensations that prevent them from developing proper mechanics. "The higher the handicap, the more necessary it is for that player to get fit," says Bob Van Sweden, TaylorMade's 2009 national clubfitter of the year.

As far as brands and models, a lot of people have given you some great suggestions, and I'd just be repeating what you've already seen. But I will say this - go in with an open mind, and hit as many different clubs as you can. Something you werent expecting may jump out at you.

[dan1724]

Honestly, spend a little but not a lot for used clubs. Go to a Golfsmith store if you have one by you- they always have dozens of sets of used irons. Smaller stores may only have a few sets. Go into a simulator and see which ones feel the best. If you are just getting into golf after a number of years, your swing will change often, and getting a custom set makes absolutely no sense at all.
1- Spend less on clubs to start with
2- Spend more on practice (either lessons or time on the range)
3- Develop your swing on the range until you are consistent
4- Once you are consistent, spend a little more on clubs
5- Don't be afraid to switch up your brands- each has thier high points and special quirks, so try as many as you can

[denj3325]

While doing some research online, I have found that most of the used prices in golf shops are pretty much the same as brand new clubs... I dont really understand this? I went to Golf Galaxy today and hit a Callaway X-18 that I particularly liked. Its a fairly nice price point as well... I am going to try hitting the Taylormade R7s because they were recommended by you guys and they are the same price.

[NativeTxn]

I too have noticed that often times, the price actually listed on a used club/set is close to and sometimes even higher than the same club(s) new. I too find that strange.

However, sometimes, if you ask one of the sales associates, they will work a deal for you that does bring it under the new price (as it should be).

Were they the Cally X-18 or the X-18 R ?

[denj3325]

Were they the Cally X-18 or the X-18

Hmmm, Im pretty sure that they were X-18R, because that is all that they have on their website, but Im not 100% positive. Why do you ask?

[NativeTxn]

Hmmm, Im pretty sure that they were X-18R, because that is all that they have on their website, but Im not 100% positive. Why do you ask?

The main difference is that the 18R doesn't have the bore-through hosel like the "regular" 18.

If you do a search for X-18R on here, you should be able to find a more in-depth discussion/explanation of the difference.

[El_Ginsu]

You may also want to check out your local sporting goods stores.

I started playing golf (allegedly) this April and picked up the Walter Hagen T3 set from Dick's Sporting Goods for $200. It included Driver, 3w, 3h, 4h, 5h, 6-9i, pw, sw, putter, stand bag. They're not fancy or super high quality, but they're decent game improvement type clubs and are perfectly adequate for a beginning player, never mind the fact that they're a screaming value.

The value leaves more money for lessons and practice, which is where the real improvement will be made.

I might think about new stuff next summer, but for now I'm good.

[denj3325]

I was looking at the taylormade r7's and noticed that there was a set of taylormade rac OS 2005 irons going for I think it was $290. Does anyone know much or anything about these? Are they any good?... By the way, thanks everyone for all of their help! I don't mean to be annoying with all the questions, its just a decently sized purchase and I want to make sure I make the right decision. Thanks again