Beginner with a few questions

[chriskot]

Hello all,
I am new to the forums and golf and had a couple of questions after reading through many of the beginner posts. I am 23 and I've hit at the range a few times with friends and am now looking to start playing golf a more regularly. I currently have no equipment and I have signed up for my first private lesson starting tomorrow.

I have went through these forums and done a good share of research but I still had a few more questions. So I want to pick up a set of irons and I don't mind spending more for something of more quality. A lot of the posts have said to pick up a cheap set first to see if you like the game, but I usually stick with hobbies I decide to pick up. I was thinking about taylormade r7, mizuno mx100, callaway x18, or whatever else you guys think would fit me.

I became a bit confused about which direction to go in reading some posts at this forum because many people say to pick up easy clubs to start out with, then I read some posts saying that easy clubs mask your faults. I would much rather buy a set that I would have to learn how to play correctly than something that will make me feel good but not allow me to get better, but at the same time I don't want to get something that would be completely unrealistic for me to play with off the bat. If you all could also let me know how long I should expect to stick with a certain club I would appreciate that too.

Thank you for your help.

[kingface12]

I would get the most forgivng irons you feel comfortable to start out with. Ultimately you are making the swing. If you make a bad swing...i don't care what iron you're swinging...it will not be a good shot. You will learn no matter what. Just because an iron is forgiving does not mean it is not a good iron. It just has a bigger sweet spot and you will not be able to shape shots as well. You're not at the point where you're going to start shapng shots anyway. build your confidence with some good forgiving irons and learn from your lessons. Then you can start moving up in gear.

Btw...be sure to be fitted for whatever clubs you choose. It's not a long process but is VERY important when starting out. Best of luck to you!

[Shanker]

Chriskot - I was in your same boat last year...I had friends who played regularly so I decided to go out with them for fun, one time...well that turn into an addiction. I started out with a starter set from Walmart for $95...well as you can see from my signature my bag is completely transformed...

Best advice, hit all the clubs at your local retail store and make the best judment based upon your BUDGET and what you hit the best with. If I could do it all over again I wouldn't have wasted the money on a starter set.
I made purchases piece by piece, since in WI its dead winter until April and I've been finding great deals at stores, EBAY and Craigslist. Best of luck to you!

[chriskot]

Thanks for the reply. I was told that a fitting right off the bat might not be a good idea because my swing is still undeveloped, did I misunderstand what a fitting is?

[Dub]

Static measurements will not change....same now as ten years down the road.

Dynamic measurements will. I'd say err towards the regular flex and then grow from there. Nothing wrong with "no-name" sticks your first year or so.

[canes113]

Not sure if they have Sports Authority in Boston, but they have some beginner sets (Wilson, Ram, etc...) that are cheap and include all 14 clubs with a bag. I would let your PGA pro tell you when you're ready for better clubs and get you fitted for them.

[Jon K]

How is your athletic ability? Do you think you'll improve greatly over the next year or two? If so, don't get a Super Game Improvement iron because you'll out grow them quickly. Go with a Game Improvement/Players Iron ... you can tell this by a few different factors but if you've been doing your research you probably already have an idea.

I'm selling a great set of new irons that fits that category. Let me know if you want some more info on them.

[chriskot]

I'm pretty athletic and I usually pick up things very quickly. Is the wilson set in your signature what you have for sale?

[WUTiger]

  chriskot said:

Hello all, ...

Consider a boxed set for beginners. You get a bag and a good starting assortment of matching clubs. Club fitters can sometimes adjust the clubs a little if you are taller or shorter than average in height. Ask your private lesson teacher about this. Likewise, check out the

Bag Drop column on this topic: http://thesandtrap.com/bag_drop/club...der_boxed_sets In the column, teaching pro and high school coach Sabrina Tate has advice on when to upgrade your set of clubs. And, welcome to the game. Starting out with lessons is definitely the way to go.

[Wahoo]

IMO the "game improvements clubs masks you faults" argument is often exaggerated. You still need to make solid contact to hit it well with any set, and you will know when you do this. The difference is that a slightly off-center hit (talking about an inch or two) with a GI club has a better chance of staying in bounds and flying a decent distance.

[Jon K]

I agree. GI irons are great for someone that isn't really a good golfer or won't become better. They have less control .. however you don't have to be as consistent. Yes, the irons I have are in my sig. These irons aren't a game improvement iron ... however they aren't a hardcore players iron. I think they are great for a mid-cap golfer that wants some control and workability yet still needs forgiveness. They would be great for someone like you .. however so would a lot of other brands.

Let me know if you want some pictures or more info on them.

I was in your shoes a couple years back ... just getting into golf again after many years off. I started all over with the equipment process and made a few mistakes ... one being that i purchased a Super Game Improvement set of irons. ... Although these help me improve quickly, they held me back once I got to a certain point. When I upgraded to the Wilson irons my game improved dramatically due to the workability difference. If you think you're going to become a golf addict and work to improve your game, stay away from Super Game Improvement irons .. probably Game Improvement irons as well... just my opinion

[Meddle]

If you don't want to go with a boxed set, consider getting a used set of quality game improvement irons. I started out with a set of used Callaways and they were great clubs, and were cheap. http://www.callawaygolfpreowned.com/ is a great resource, as is ebay.

Do yourself a favor by the way and don't get blades or clubs made for low to mid handicappers. It will just make you frustrated and this already difficult game will be that much harder for you. Believe me, you will eventually upgrade, and you will know when you need to.

[socalsharky]

To me, a meaningful part of golf is assembling your bag. I have thoroughly enjoyed the countless hours I have spent researching, reviewing, browsing and hitting potential clubs to be added to my bag. Personally, I never considered buying a full set of clubs in a box. As you can see from my sig, my equipment is from a variety of sources. I would start out by going with brand name, quality used gear. That way, you can sell it in a year or so, probably at a cost not much less than you paid.

I would start out with a GI or SGI improvement iron, as I did. This will make the game easier and more enjoyable as you learn. It may limit your upside eventually, but for sure not right now. To me, the downside of using a player's iron when you are beginning is much worse than the downside of using a GI or SGI iron when you are shooting in the 80's. But I'm not in the 80's (yet) so take this with a grain of salt.

So maybe start with a set of GI or SGI irons, a driver, one or two hybrids, and extra wedge or two and a putter.

If you think you are going to stick with it, the one place I would not skimp is the wedges. I think most good players buy good wedges and keep them a long time. Don't go for the extra wedges that match the irons. Even when you upgrade your irons, you will be keeping your wedges, if you buy the good ones (most go with Titleist or Cleveland).