Golf beginner

[Lukejamessb]

I've got to the age where I am able to drive to my nearest golf club and I want to start and play. I don't have a good idea of what I need to play for beginning with club wise. The most experience I've had playing golf is when I played with my dad when I was younger. Could someone recommend a good set of clubs that I could use to start and play and improve.

[dkolo]

I've got to the age where I am able to drive to my nearest golf club and I want to start and play. I don't have a good idea of what I need to play for beginning with club wise. The most experience I've had playing golf is when I played with my dad when I was younger. Could someone recommend a good set of clubs that I could use to start and play and improve.

Welcome! A couple of things right off the bat: can you borrow some clubs to start with? I think it's a good idea to have some idea of what you like about some set before you go and buy your own. Basically, some baseline you can anchor off of and adjust what you need in either direction. You say you're a beginner and it sounds like you're fairly young, so you're probably best off getting some used Game Improvement clubs (generally, these are forgiving cavity back clubs). The best bet is to get fitted, obviously, but just get something decent used and upgrade your set as time goes on. Avoid those box sets from stores like Sports Authority. Try ebay or sites like Callaway Preowned.

I'm hesitant to put out a specific model because I really don't know much about you (your scoring average, your athletic ability, swing speed, height, your price range, etc), but looking at previous years' flagship models of irons like Speedblades, X2 Hot, etc. are pretty much crowd pleasers. Drivers, you don't need to spend over $100 on a driver. Buy a used one and learn with it. You can get great clubs used. You really don't need to buy anything new until you know what you want.

[Lukejamessb]

I'm going to try and go to th range around 3 days a week as I've got a lot of time on my hands this summer and don't have a full time job. Could you recommend any good used drivers and the price range I should be looking for. Thanks for the advice

[dkolo]

I'm going to try and go to th range around 3 days a week as I've got a lot of time on my hands this summer and don't have a full time job. Could you recommend any good used drivers and the price range I should be looking for. Thanks for the advice

Check out Callaway Preowned. They have sales on drivers often. Their X2 Hot drivers usually go under $100 depending on condition. 10.5 loft in regular flex is a safe bet but now I'm veering really far into just guessing off of no info. I'd go to a golfsmith or dicks and try some out to get an idea at least. Golfsmith has a big used section also.

[Notto777]

I am a beginner also... just started a couple years ago.

I also got 3 of my sons started around the same time.

For what it is worth, this is a list of what I have purchased and the prices.  You can get a bag of really nice clubs for REALLY cheap by purchasing older or used items.  Personally, I think club-fitting is mostly for golfers who can repeat there swing consistently, which I still cannot do after two years.  Standard loft and lie are fine for beginners in my opinion.  Anyway... here is what I have...

Cleavland Mashie Irons - Comes with 3,4,5 hybrids with graphite shafts, 6-PW with steel uniflex shafts.

When I am comfortable, relaxed and swinging well, these really feel great and are very forgiving.

Price: $150 NEW, free shiping from E-Bay.

Cleavland Mashie 3-Wood - Like it because it "feels" like the hybrids in my iron set

Price: $40 NEW, free shipping from E-Bay

Powerbilt 52,56,60 Wedges - I mostly use the 56 for getting out of the sand, but like the 52 as kind of a gap-wedge.  Many times, I just leave the 52 and 60 in the garage to keep the bag lighter and less cluttered.

Price: $25 NEW, free shipping from E-Bay

Cobra Amp 10.5 degree Driver - If I am giving any advice at all, I would say do NOT purchase a new driver.  You will put some dings and possibly some small dents in your first driver.  You won't cry over it if you get a used driver at a good price.  This driver was over $200 when it first came out.

Price: $40 used, $6.00 shipping from E-Bay

Ogio Cart Bag - This is a beautiful bag.  It was brand new but had been sitting in someone's garage.  I have since switched to a Cleveland stand bag that I got for free by booking tee times through GolwNow.

Price: $60 used, $12.00 shipping from E-Bay

I have a nice putter that a friend gave me, but you can pick up a nice putter cheap on E-Bay as well.

I also highly recommend buying recycled balls from E-Bay.  I get 100 AAAA quality Slazengers for around $40 with free shipping.

As you can see, I got completely outfitted (clubs and bag) for under $350 with good, brand-name gear.

Another note from a beginner just for thought.  Summer of 2014, after having only golfed for a year, I went back to Michigan on vacation (I live in Florida, grew up in Michigan).  I shipped my clubs and decided to take only the bare-minimum so the bag would be light.  I played golf the entire vacation with Driver, 3-Wood, 5 hybrid, 7,8,9,PW, 56 wedge, Putter (9 clubs).  I shot an 86 on a course I had never played before (from the mid-tees, about 6,200 total yards).  I found that simplifying my bag helped me make good club selections and I had confidence with the few clubs in the bag.

Hope this helped and enjoy the journey!