New to Golf...How much to spend?

[JML22]

Buy used
I bought my I3s for 200, they're great
You can get drivers for like 100 bucks too
buy some clearance nickent stuff

[motteler621]

  JML22 said:

Buy used

yea look for ping used sets on ebay. If you see a nice set ask us if we think it would be good for you.

[HelRaza]

Okay thanks guys. I definitely have something I can go off of.

[bocbass]

I was able to get everything in my bag second hand. While it isn't the newest latest greatest equipment, it is very high quality and should last me for a very long time. I paid about $130 for my irons (3-SW), $65 for my driver, $35 for my putter and $50 for my TM wedge (the only thing I bought new). My hybrid was a freebie.

Most of the bigger name golf stores have a pre owned section. Check them out!

[NativeTxn]

Where do you live? Reason is that there may be some "local" golf shops that have new and used equipment, and they usually have better prices and are often quite helpful.

[HelRaza]

  NativeTxn said:

Where do you live? Reason is that there may be some "local" golf shops that have new and used equipment, and they

Central Illinois. There are a couple shops here. I am going to check them out. I just don't like shopping uneducated.

[JML22]

Any ping G series.... "maybe" i series i dunno g series are just a lot better for new players
even ping zings

[pxc]

As long as you get some cavity backs from a reputable company in the last 10ish years you will probably be fine. At first your problems are going to be you, not your equipment. So don't spend a ton on equipment.

I would also suggest not getting a driver yet. I wish I hadn't when I started.

[Nike Markiie]

  CG031 said:

great advice. just go to your local golfsmith or golf galaxy and took to me the sales rep there they will be able to help steer you in the right direction. say you want some decent used clubs.

  pxc said:

As long as you get some cavity backs from a reputable company in the last 10ish years you will probably be fine. At first your problems are going to be you, not your equipment. So don't spend a ton on equipment.

I would definitely not go to Golfsmith. You will pay a lot more than needed.

[HytrewQasdfg]

I've spent the last few months putting together a new set, and just go the final piece this week (the two wedges). What I got is in my sig, with the prices.

As someone said earlier, $500 is a pretty good estimate for what you can put together if you are patient.

If you aren't sure a brand is decent stuff, go to golfwrx.com and look in their reviews section. If you don't see a review for that manufacturer's equipment, stay away from it . Golfwrx (on their main page and in the forums) has a lot of good reviews. This site (thesandtrap.com) has an excellent set of reviews on their main page.

Make sure you are purchasing from legit sellers. Ebay is notorius for counterfiets, but that doesn't mean you should be afraid of it, just cautious. The best deals are often found on ebay. Rockbottomgolf.com (for example) is a legit seller of discount equipment; they also sell heavily on ebay. Most of the stuff you see on their web site can be purchased from them via an ebay auction for about 10-20% less than the price listed on their site. If you stay with legit sellers on ebay and avoid the "too good to be true" offers you'll be fine. Remember, no matter how good a deal is on ebay today, tomorrow there will be another great deal on ebay. That's just how it works. No deal is ever too good to pass up. Jumping at great deals is how you get burned on ebay.

Concentrate on "last year's model". Technology hasn't changed that much in the last few years. The 2005 model will probably play just as well for you as the 2010 model.

Like I said, $500 is a pretty good target for everything (don't forget shipping and taxes in your numbers).

[HelRaza]

Went to see the Pro today. He was a super nice guy. Wasn't trying to up sell me, in fact he was trying to down sell me. They do all the fittings and let me try the clubs and bring it back if Im not happy for free. He said if I really picked up the game I could trade these in for something more.

The clubs he really thought I should start with were a box set. It was a Top Flite XL 15 pc set for $199. He was really high on these clubs. Said they were alloy and that they were made by Callaway.

He said if I was dead set on spending more money he would recommend the Nike SQ Match Speed which was around 600 bucks plus they had a $200 credit I could use on any other Nike Golf Product. He also had the Adams A7 and said I could get a putter and some used woods. He said I should wait on a driver.

The cool thing was he also gives lessons for $40 each and just was a pleasant guy to be around.

So should I push him for used clubs or pull the trigger on the Top Flites for now?

Edit: I forgot to mention everything is 10% off for fathers day.

[bocbass]

I would think that the complete box set is a good way to go. You'll have everything you need, and won't be out much money if you decide that golf isn't something you want to pursue. They aren't the greatest clubs, but they should last until you are ready to get something else.

[HelRaza]

Well that's where I'm kinda torn. I mean at my level, which is horrible, is it really going to matter if I get Top-Flite or Callaway? I would have to imagine that it's going to take a couple years before I am going to be seeing much of a difference from high end clubs and solid beginner clubs.

[Nike Markiie]

I think you should spend as much as you think you want to commit to learn this game. If your planning to go out once in a great while, smash beers as you play, and have a good time buy the cheapest stuff you can to get you buy. If you going out with the intention of getting better, learning the game, then buy good quality gear. There is a lot of outlets to get information from. Then take it from there. Example

ABC company = I'm going out to play with my friends, have a good time, drink. I might play in a month or 2.

Callaway, Titleist, Mizuno, etc = I like this game. I want to get better. I want good stuff because I'm trying to be the best possible golfer I can be.

Pretty simple.

[WUTiger]

Consider getting a boxed set. You get a putter, matching irons, woods and a hybrid or two, and a bag. Several mid-level and top-level companies, such as Adams, make them and you can get into the game for $300 or less. And, you don't have to know a lot about the game to go with a boxed set.

If you get them, get a static fitting - have the fitter make sure the shafts are not too long or short for your build, and the lie is not too upright or flat.

Also, get some lessons . A skilled pro can help you get your swing moving much more quickly than you can working by yourself. Also, a teaching pro could help you get fit for clubs, including a boxed set.

Here's a guest column on Boxed Sets for Beginners which I wrote it a few months ago. If you're interested, check it out.
http://thesandtrap.com/bag_drop/club...der_boxed_sets

And welcome to golf! (Get some lessons too.......)

[Meddle]

Realize the Top Flights will have no resale value whereas the Callaway's will, so if at some point you want to upgrade to a different set selling the Callaway irons will just about make up the price difference between the two. By the way, if you want a ball-park estimate of the cost of a specific set of used clubs , check how much they are going for on ebay.

[HelRaza]

Great article. Thanks for sharing it. I am definitely getting some lessons from the pro I met with today. He seemed to be very well respected by some of the regulars that were in the place when I got there. I agree with the boxed set. I would have thought that the Top-Flight was a pretty low end set but he was so high on them that it was tempting. Another attractive option was the Nike SQ Match Speed Iron set which also had a $200 signing bonus when purchasing the set. I think I will take my concerns to the Pro and discuss some more options. Thanks again for your input...everyones input for that matter.

I definitely want to smash some beers when I play, but I also want to get better and take it seriously. I don't do anything half way.

Yea the resale value was something I was definitely considering. I will have to get some more information about the trade in policy they have. I will just have to take a look at the used selection they have.

[tfauss]

  alomar123 said:

Be prepared to spend a lot even if you dont plan on it.lol

I agree. haha. i started golf thinking i would try to buy the cheap stuff. That changed. Once i got one good club, it made all the other clubs terrible, and i had to have more clubs.