Beginners clubs for Lady Lefty

[Lady Lefty]

I have fanced taking up golf for a while, as a child I was taken to a driving range a few time by my grandfather but I never had access to any childs lefty clubs... options were play right with kids clubs or left with a gents driver. However I have always been put of with the idea that I would have to buy clubs to properly try (I don't know any lefty golfers never mind lady leftys).

However I have decided to go for it and I managed to borrow a custom club from my local pro shop, which I have taken to the driving range last night and I have my first proper lesson booked for tomorrow.

I have spoken to two pro shops, the one at the range where I'll have my lesson tomorrow and the one where he let me borrow the club which he put together it's a taylormade ladies shalf with gents burner head 6 iron.

Both have said that a boxed beginners set would be the best place to start. Which are the better beginner clubs Rams or Top-flite? And how will they compare to my "custom 6 iron" that I have borrowed.

[stephanielynn]

Hello, and welcome from another newbie!

Normally, I think the advice would be to go and hit as many different clubs as you can. Being left handed and female, that limits your choices a lot, I think. I don't know which boxed set would be better, what did the pro shop say? As far as the difference between your borrowed 6 iron and the new clubs, I don't think at this stage of your swing, you probably won't notice a difference.

[Lady Lefty]

The problem is most golf shops don't stock ladies left handed clubs so they'd have to order them in for me. Therefore they aren't going to be willing to order 2 or 3 sets knowing that they are only going to sell one set. I really need some advice on which clubs to go for.

I have just had another thought.
Rather than buying a beginners boxed set would I be better to put together a better quality half set ?

[Shanks A Million]

I have just had another thought.

No, your best option is to go to the fitter. Being fit for clubs is more important than most people could even realize. Would you ever expect to learn to run fast in shoes 4 sizes too big? Probably not. You can get custom made fitted clubs from numerous dealers, like Maltby. Maltby has an extensive line of clubs made for women, with special shafts made for women. He has a whole mess of different fitting options for women of all shapes, sizes, ages, and handicaps.

http://www.ralphmaltby.com/

[Lady Lefty]

Unfortunatly I am in the UK and we don't have Maltby, I have been in 3 shops so far (2 pro shops and a big superstore) and none of them had anything in stock - one of the pros was able to put a gents taylor burner head onto a ladies shaft for me but other than that my chances of getting a try is remote.

[Leftygolfer]

When I got started, I bought a cheaper box set of clubs. They weren't great by any means but when I was new it really didn't matter. Your swing will (hopefully) change for the better so getting fit right out of the gate might not work. I don't know how committed to golf you are but I'd think a cheaper box set would be fine, get some lessons, and if you get addicted look to upgrade in a year or two once you are addicted.

[Lady Lefty]

Any particular make that you'd recommend or advise me to avoid?

[Able Hands]

I am neither Left handed, nor a Lady... But IMHO, almost any boxed set will get you a feel for the game. It may turn out that you hate walking, or riding, around chasing that STUPID little white ball.

In the case of my wife, I bought her a boxed set of clubs, right handed, 15 years ago. They sat in storage after two uses until about a month ago. Now, with my renewed interest in the game she seems to have become addicted. If her interest continues then I will consider investing in a newer, better set of clubs for her. For now, what she has will have to serve the purpose. She has shown enough interest to purchase her own golf balls, tees, glove, etc. which IS promising. She is saving for a new bag, which is even MORE promising.

In the end, spend as little as possible up front to see if you enjoy the process of golf. If it turns out you love the game, you can sell this set and upgrade for a modest loss. If it turns out that you hate the game you can sell the set and not be out a whole lot of money.

Take your time and learn to LOVE the game. You will wonder where all of your money went!!!

[WUTiger]

Lady Lefty,

You might look a guest column I wrote last year on Boxed Sets for Beginners.
http://thesandtrap.com/bag_drop/club...der_boxed_sets

Also, you could look at this website on Women's Golf Clubs:
http://www.all-about-lady-golf-clubs.com/

[jamo]

Ouch. They make some women's clubs and they make some lefty clubs, but combined? You have a tough situation. If you are looking for something cheap to gauge your interest in the game and get you started for a few years (or months, depending on how fast you improve) definitely go with a boxed set. You might also want to get a static fitting, which will tell you if you need to have the lie or length of the boxed set irons changed. You can still play fine without fitted clubs (I've never been fitted for clubs, and I do fine (though I am about average height)), but a fitting would make it a little easier. If you have the money go out and get a full on custom fitting, but only if you have the money.

[WUTiger]

... If you have the money go out and get a full on custom fitting, but only if you have the money.

Caution: Most teaching pros say a

static fitting is what beginners need - make sure the club shafts and lie fit their build. The pros also say that custom fitting is a waste of money for a beginner: The beginner's swing changes a lot from day to day. Custom helps when a person has a stable swing, which beginners do not.