New golfer, Need iron advice

[GolfWorm]

I am very new to golf, about a month, lol. However I have been out at the range and on the putti g greens almost every day since I have found a new interest in the sport. I have been practicing with some very old and for lack of a better term quite crappy set of old northwestern irons. I am starting to get to the point where I am thinking of picking up some newer clubs that may be a bit better. My questions are mainly Do I need to get custom fitted for clubs, or can I get by with standard specs ( I am about 6ft tall )? What are some good clubs to consider without breaking the bank? And, any other information you would like to share, or think I should know would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[PhillyMac]

There are several ways to get a good set of clubs. You can find some really good used clubs on craigslist, or ebay (be careful here alot of fakes). Or you can go to your local Dick's, Golf Galaxy or Edwin Watts and buy brand new "older" models at a reasonable price right off the shelf. Most of these chain stores will give you a basic fitting for free. They will make sure the shaft and lie are correct for you.

Take a look at the Taylor Made 2.0's, they are on sale for $399. Great club at a great price! Very long and forgiving.

[GolfWorm]

Thanks for the advice

[cpgdaarfob]

Just because you are starting out, I would definetly get fit just so you can find a good club arrangement, but if you can't I would take a look at the Taylormade RBZ, Burner (any model), or even Adams Golf off the shelf. Hope it helped

[bodeman1329]

I just got fitted at PGA Superstore the other day. I;m 6'2'' and they fit me and found i needed +.5'' on the shaft. I'd imagine at 6' standard length would be fine.

I would recommend a set of irons that were manufactured a couple years ago that you can still find new at Golfsmith, Edwin Watts, etc. This way you are getting new, but also they'll be cheaper now. Don't sell yourself short and get something real low end because you will just need to upgrade again once you're more consistent. However, going real high end right now isnt cost effective or going to be goo to learn on because they may be harder to hit, depending on what you get.

I just got a set of Wilson Staff Ci6. They were manufactured in 2007, but i bought them brand new with new grips, the extended shafts, and all labor done on them for $150. Wilson is a great company and had good products, you just dont hear about them as much because they dont sponsor a lot of players. Additionally, they are cheaper anyways because they also dont have the overhead like TaylorMade, Callaway, PING, etc.

Just some food for thought.

[GolfWorm]

Bode man, thanks for your input, really what I was looking for. I went out to two of my local club shops today and tested a bunch of different irons, anybody have any thoughts on the cobra s3's? I liked the look and feel and they were about $400 I think

[bodeman1329]

Originally Posted by GolfWorm

Bode man, thanks for your input, really what I was looking for. I went out to two of my local club shops today and tested a bunch of different irons, anybody have any thoughts on the cobra s3's? I liked the look and feel and they were about $400 I think

actually, when i got fitted i hit the Wilson Ci6's and Cobra  S2's. The S2's were weighted heavier bringing the club head down and through the ball...problem was, it was making me hit the ball much closer to the heel than the sweet spot.

From what i have heard and read, the S2's are better than the S3's.  If you can find a set of the S2's i'd go with them. They are a good club, and since they're a little older they will save you more. Other thing is, i know a lot of people arent big on King Cobra, but again, its all personal preference.

[tefunk]

Golfworm - First and foremost, if you are just starting out in golf it would be best to invest your money in lessons if you really want to learn the game and develop good techniques.  I didn't take a lesson the first 10 years or so I played... and the result was I developed some pretty tough habits to break.  It took over 2 years to fully break some of them.

Secondly, as PhillyMac stated, getting fit is free at most places.  The average golfer I believe is 5'7" to 5'9", and what might that mean about a standard set of clubs?  For the most part they fit the average golfer.  So at 6ft, you may need a more upright lie, I wouldn't imagine a longer shaft (but possibly), or you might be standard.  It will depend on your swing.  So get a fitting done, but don't feel pressured to buy something that day just because you were fit.

Third, hit several different clubs, and narrow it down to the 2 you hit best.  From there it's your preference (unless you clearly hit one better).  Take you time with it (I spent about 4 months hitting irons until I finally narrowed it down to the MP52s and AP2s.  I went with the MP52s because they were $400 cheaper and I couldn't be happier).  It's not like you don't have a set to hold you over until you find the best set for you.

Good Luck!

[WUTiger]

Originally Posted by tefunk

Golfworm - First and foremost, if you are just starting out in golf it would be best to invest your money in lessons if you really want to learn the game and develop good techniques.  I didn't take a lesson the first 10 years or so I played... and the result was I developed some pretty tough habits to break.  It took over 2 years to fully break some of them. ...

Very good advice...

As for fitting, get a basic static fitting at this time: make sure clubs are not too long or short, grips are right thickness, and make sure lie angle is right (not too upright or flat  - this is different from loft)

You can also get free fittings often if you buy new clubs. In your lesson, tell the pro you're also looking for clubs and maybe he (or she) can do both for you. Definitely get the clubs in person - you can't test-hit clubs online.

[GolfWorm]

Yeah, I have hit a few different sets of clubs in person now, the only reason I was considering buying online at all was to save some money, so was wanting to know if I would be able to get away with most standard specs.