Beginner in need help picking out a set of clubs

[Loons]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to purchase a set of clubs that would be great to grow off of. My experience is rather limited to the driving range I tried of the Top Flight XL clubs and it seemed that the irons were a little short for me, I'm 6'1.

I'm looking for something that won't break the bank but something that I'll be able to have for atleast 1-2 seasons.

I'm looking at this particular set http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30148795/zevo-z450-17-piece-full-set because it seems like a good value but I'm frankly lost.

Any help or advice anyone can offer me would be greatly appreciated.

[FaldosEgo]

I'd go to a golfsmith store and check out the used clubs. Then see if you can try them on the launch monitor.

[jakester]

Go to a golf shop with a range or simulator. Tell them you're looking for a set of irons. Hit like 5 or 6 different models and manufactures. Narrow it down to the best two... then say thanks. if they don't have them in used sets. Check out golf galaxy if you're near one, or ebay. Buy a set used that you liked. if you're a Callaway fan, callaway has a used club Web site.

[gms08]

My personal opinion:

Definitely go to a golf shop, get fit, tell them your background, and try out as many clubs as possible.

Inevitably, you WILL get golf fever, and you WILL want to upgrade if you spend bare minimum.

A lot of the full set clubs at the general big box sporting goods stores are a great start, and allow you to improve your game and find your preferences over time. It will also help you figure out if you are missing a certain something in your bag.

For example, pay attention to any gaps in distance between clubs. Make sure you know the loft and lie of the clubs you use. If you find any major holes, that's a club you'd might want to do some looking into to cover the gap.

Wedges, putters and drivers are always something that every golfer wants a new one, even if they just got a brand new one. It's just part of the game!

When it all boils down, the clubs you start with are less important than the practice you put in. Take time to find your game. Make sure you have good form and focus on the basics. Build your bag around those skills you've learned, and then you'll be so much happier using a club that you KNOW you want rather than being stuck in a huge investment with something that doesn't fit your needs.

Hope this helps a little! Good luck!

[32quattro]

Don't buy a full set like that. Buy a second hand set now (choose a decent brand) , next year or so, get fitted and by a new one.

Now you need Driver, Hybrid, 6/7/8/9/P and 2 nice wedges. Total 9 clubs and a putter

[jakester]

Once you get a swing down with your clubs you must get the lie checked for your swing... especially if you're hitting everything left or everything right...

[CybrSlicr]

Good question with no easy answer - what is your budget for clubs? Depending on your budget you have a few options...

Any complete set you buy for $200-$300 (Woods, irons and putters) is not going to be something you grow off of - it will be a good inexpensive way to start - but realistically, if you find you enjoy the game, you will find yourself replacing all of those pieces quickly enough.

Something like this would be more than sufficient for a first set - http://www.tgw.com/customer/category/product.jsp/SUBCATEGORY_ID/59160/refScid/1114

If you do look used - you can find some great deals on clubs that will stay with you for a while - but you are going to get closer to $500 by the time you add in irons, wedges, woods and a putter (plus a bag).

You also have the option of having clubs built for you - Golf Galaxy sells Maltby heads and they can build you a custom set of clubs cheaper than buying off the shelf. The nice thing about custom clubs is they are fit for you, and you can only buy the clubs you need to get started - 3W, 3H or 4H, 6-PW, one additional wedge and a putter. This option would allow you to grow your set if you improve as you can add the clubs you need if you decide you enjoy playing. Maltby makes very good club heads so you could have those for a while (I have a set of Maltby irons and I really like mine).

With whatever you decide to do, I would focus on just getting the clubs you need - 3W (as a beginner no need for a driver yet), one hybrid (3H or 4H), 6-PW, one additional wedge (54/56 degree or a SW) and a putter - a stand bag, and then invest in lessons. Right now your best investment of cash will be in lessons. Until your swing is in good shape, the clubs themselves won't matter all that much.

Not sure if that helped or was actually more confusing :)

[RussUK]

If you are starting out in golf look for cheap 2nd hand and hit the range with them to see if golf is something you want to continue with. You can get decent sets of btand irons for little outlay. Dont be afraid to look at ones that arent the latest and greatest. I have 2009 model Wilson Staff Di9 and they are spot on.

If you only spend a few $100 or so as opposed to a cutsom fit new set and decide golf isnt for you the nyou havent lost much. If you fo get the golf bug (and you probably will) then after a year or 2 you can upgrade.

Look for the established used equipment sites (e.g. Golfbidder here in the uk) as they will have speciallists who make sure the clubs are geniune and will normally offer a Gaurantee and a trial period so you can try them and return them if they are not for you and you can get brands like Ping, Callaway etc.

[David L Yskes]

like others have said, look into a used set of irons and find a used driver and 3 wood, and some wedges... golfsmith or a golfing outlet store is a plus...

[Nytar]

imo (Ive done off the rack and second hand) go somewhere you can get at least fit for length and lie. some will do it if you buy the clubs there. I know Austad's will do a dynamic fitting if you are buying the clubs there (95 dollars if not). it might cost a few dollars per club to get them adjusted. but it will be a night and day difference in feel and performance. you dont need a set clubs that you have to make bad swing habits just to make work reasonably well. often the pro will give you a few tips during the fitting to help iron out massive issues so when your swing improves the clubs will still fit. they will check your swing speed, lie, spin rates everything. even tho you might not be buying a 800+ dollar set they are always willing to help you get into something that you like. it gets them a return customer in the future and good word of mouth promotion.

[JerryTimes]

My advice is to do what I did. I went to a golf store and found what was on clearance. I got a great set of Callaways at 25% under cost simply because they had been replaced with a new model.