Iron Set Advice for Fairly New Golfer

[kolzig33189]

Hi everyone,

I started playing golf early last spring, and played pretty consistently 1-2 times per week for the spring, summer, and fall.  My average score for a par 35 is about a 45.  Unfortunately, I was using a set of irons that were nearly 20 years old, and a ripoff brand to begin with.  Most swings felt like hitting a baseball on a cold day; the vibration was awful, and the distance for the clubs was terrible, not surprisingly.  I am hoping that by getting a new set of irons, I can make each round more enjoyable and take a few strokes off of my average.

So this winter, I am looking for a new set of irons to purchase.  I need some advice on what brand and models are good for someone in my situation: plays at the very minimum once a week, fairly new to golf, and price range anywhere from $400-800.  Chances are, I will look into buying a set of display clubs at my local shop, as they are about half price and only very slightly used, so feel free to recommend more expensive sets.  I have no brand loyalty whatsoever, and know very little about golf equipment in general, so any help I can get would be great.  Thank you!

[dave s]

Gosh, so many choices out there. Welcome to the game!

I have a wife who just completed her 5th season. Her first set was one of those 'full-bag' sets from Adams. She used this set for about three years. Each season, we took MORE clubs out of her bag because they weren't being used or didn't fit her game. Most of what came out were fairway woods, 3-5woods, and longer irons 4-5 irons.

For the next couple of years her bag consisted of a new Driver, #5 & 6 hybrids, 7-9 PW and SW and an upgraded putter. We recently went for a custom fitting and she now has a full set of Ping clubs that includes driver, 7-wood, #5 & 6 hybrids, 7-9 irons and PW, GW, SW. Nice to see our personal understanding of her strengths with clubs was substantiated by a professional club fitter. Her game has improved immensely though having the right clubs in the bag.

What I *think* are the most important clubs to consider when contemplating a major purpose is the driver followed closely by a putter.  Next, fill in your bag with clubs that 'eat up yardage' on long holes and scoring clubs for shots 150 yards and closer.

If you go for a fitting, which I recommend, you won't likely end up with the slightly used iron set at your local shop.  Professional club fitters will roll out 4-5 brands of irons, hybrids, fairway woods and drivers.  They'll use a monitor to chart how you hit each sample club and recommend the brands and club configuration that will work for you.

Best thing is that if you buy from them, the $150-200 fitting session (60-90 minutes) is applied to your purchase, or in other words, 'free' for buying from them.  Great service that I wholeheartedly recommend.  Especially for someone who wants to continue the game with tools that provide the best opportunity for success.

Let us know how this works out for you.

dave

[GolferX1]

look at a set or half set and add on as the game progresses.

maybe not get a driver right off the bat.

4wd, #4 hybrid and 5-pw,sw  ,putter and that is it to start with..     look at adams for a good set and price..  solid clubs and as always look at getting a tune up from a pga pro to help the new process..