You don't need to break the bank

[paininthenuts]

Hi, I haven't been playing very long, and have just been given my first handicap. I now play off of 28, which I am just about managing to do. For most of you this isn't very good, but I am 58 years old, and starting at my age is quite difficult. I bought a 2nd hand set of golf clubs when I started (4 months ago). They are Dunlops with graphite shafts. Far from the best clubs on the market, but my friend, who is pro, informed me they are pretty good for someone at my level. After getting hold of the basics, and having a few lessons, I decided a small investment may be a good idea. The only part of the game I appear to be natural at is putting, and I rarely 3 put, so I wasn't going to lay out money on a putter. A part of the game I was struggling with was my driving. First of all I did a bit of "ball" research, and found the Nike PD soft to be a good choice. I have bought some of these and haven't looked back. Next I thought I would spend a little money on a driver. I don't have a lot of spare cash, so I looked what was on ebay, and then researched the club. I ended bidding on and buying a Callaway Great Big Bertha Hawk Eye. The club is about 15 years old, but in mint condition. Unlike modern clubs it doesn't have a head the size of a bucket. Believe it or not, it has given me another 25 yards, and appears to have made my drives a lot straighter. It just goes to show that you don't have to spend your children's inheritance to aid your game.  

[Patch]

I agree 110% that a golfer does not have to spend an arm an a leg for the right equipment that fits their game. Used stuff still works, until such time the golfer wants to up grade. 

Also, thers's nothing wrong with  a 28 hndcp. I would guess most of the folks on this site were a 28 at one time or another. I know I was. Your 28 would probably beat a much lower hndcp golfer given the right circumstances.

[vangator]

I agree.  I've never bought a new club unless it was on clearance.  Too many used deals out there.  Plus I build all my irons, so I only buy OEM woods.

Edited January 6, 2016 by vangator

[Grumpter]

You will find the "buy used and pay less' philosophy goes a lot further than just golf clubs.

[imsys0042]

I am tall, and more height is in my legs so I need to purchase irons and wedges made upright and longer.   However I only buy woods off eBay to save money.   My home course is a ball eating machine so I don't have to buy balls, I find enough. I also believe, unless they are hurting your game, than any wood is good for several years, irons for 10 years, wedges for at least a couple of years (grooves tend to wear down on those quicker) and putters for life.   I could play just as well with proper sized clubs off eBay as a set more expensive, so yes you don't have to spend a lot of money.

[Mr. Desmond]

Welcome, and good luck.

[JBailey]

When I was playing a lot of golf, and was a 5 handicap, I started building my own clubs.  It's very cheap and easy to do this.  I got clubs just like I wanted and game improved a lot.  I just built a new driver.  A quality driver head, 51 gram shaft with 4.6 torque, Winn grip to my liking, total cost $100.

Later,

John

[inthehole]

I'm all about playing used clubs for cheap ... BUT ... if the OP wants to get into a modern cavity backed FORGIVING complete set of quality irons, he'll never get a better deal than this @ $179 --->  http://www.budgetgolf.com/golf-clubs/#!|page|1|opp|30|cat|289|product|40638

Modern cavity backed irons make the game so much easier to learn

 

 

 

 

[mcanadiens]

I started younger than you, but still an older than average 35. That was over four years ago. Ironically, my clubs are used Dunlops DMTs. They are iron-shafted in the irons and graphite in the woods. Later I added a Nike Covert driver that I got cheap as it was an old demo model. PD Softs were one of my initial choices of golf balls.

Flash equipment can get the mind racing sometimes, but well-chosen used stuff has served me well.

 

[ghalfaire]

Like you I never played golf seriously until I was older (kids gone).  But you're correct it doesn't have to be an expensive hobby/pursuit.  Although I suppose the opportunities for being cheap depend upon where you live to some extent.  But I always purchase clubs and such from the used club section of the pro shops I visit and/or when new "models" come out I will sometimes purchase last year's model, usually for $200-$300 less that they were the week before the new model was available.  I even purchase ball from the logo overrun bins and/or from a used golf ball vendor online. 

 

My Mrs. is correct I suppose, I am just cheap. 

[dak4n6]

I only buy last year's closeouts, although always new. I haven't bought the newest offering since...ever. It's a good compromise between used and latest greatest. Although, I don't know if I can wait for the W/S milled face 1803 putter to go closeout...

[uitar9]

Good job. Stick with it, until the addiction sinks in. lol

I started at 58, used my brother in laws hand me downs until last year. I'm 62

I'm probably only a 22 HC

Got fitted for irons and wedges last year and spent bucks for those clubs and lessons.

Managed a few rounds under 90.

Practice, practice , practice-there's lots of places out there that are free

[vangator]

I played with a buddy yesterday that had a Titleist 910 D2 he wanted to get rid of for $50.  Looks in great shape.  It has the Sure Fit Tour hosel, which I was looking for.  I'm going to the range this week to see if I can hit it.  It has a Diamana 62 S flex shaft (blue).  If I like it, which I think I will, it beats paying $400 for a 915 D2. 

I'm currently playing a Titleist 975 JVS, which has a smaller head (lower profile) which I can hit too high on the face at times.  I'd like the taller face.

[pganapathy]

Cheaper or more expensive clubs is not the point.  It is actually getting fitted for the correct clubs for your swing.  If you luck onto the correct clubs used, go for it.  Otherwise go component or build yourself a set.  But never think that badly fitted clubs will help your game, irrespective of cost

[vangator]

The Titleist 910 D3 (10.5 loft) has the dual adjustable hosel.  So I have 16 possible loft / lie combinations to determine if that is good.  The biggest question is the shaft.  Some shafts just won't fit a person's swing.  That is why I'm going to the range to check it out.  I don't think the head is any problem.  The shaft is the question.

The other Titleist I have has the Fujikura Speeder S flex shaft.  I really like that shaft.  I've never hit a driver with a tighter dispersion.

If I was spending $400 for a new driver, I'd go to the pro shop and test all different kinds of shafts on their launch monitor.  But for $50, I'll trust my judgement to a couple of buckets of balls.

Several years ago I was in the market for a used TM 580 driver.  It just so happened I had 3 friend that had that driver with 3 different S flex shafts.  One had a Graffaloy Blue, another the Graffaloy ProLite and another a Fujikura.  They allowed me to bring the 3 drivers to the range and try them out.  Before hitting them, I thought the Fujikura would be the best, followed by the Graffaloy Blue and then the Graffaloy ProLite being the worst.  After hitting a lot of balls, the result was the exact opposite.  I ended up buying the Graffaloy ProLite.  Never would have thought that.  I bought a demo TM 580 at 3balls.com for $150.  It was called a demo club, but it had never been hit, so in effect it was a new club.