My first golf set

[golf755]

I'm new to golf and looking to get the best complete set for my buck, new or used. Hope you all can provide feedback as to which are good to start with, which to avoid. FYI, I'm 5'11". Thanks in advance!

Here are some new ones:

1.) Strata by Callaway, has driver, 3-wood, 5-H, 6-9 irons, PW and putter ($190): http://www.golfdiscount.com/callaway-strata-12-piece-set

2.) Top Flight, has driver, 3-wood, 4-H, 5-H, 6-9 irons, PW and putter ($200): http://www.golfgalaxy.com/p/top-flite-xl-complete-set-15tflmmnstpfltset--1/15tflmmnstpfltset

3.) Tommy Armour, has driver 3-wood, 4-H, 5-H, 6-9, PW, SW and putter ($200): http://www.sportsauthority.com/TOMMY-ARMOUR-Mens-Silver-Scot-Complete-Golf-Set/product.jsp?productId=13066272&cp=2273504&ab=MYOAS_ShopPage_LandingPage_BS_GolfLPCompleteSets_040116_CTG_0_NA_TXT_NPCNS&searchSort=TRUE&s=A-StorePrice-TSA&pg=1&parentPage=family#product-details

 

Here are some used ones (no dings or dents on club faces, no problems with shafts):

4.) Complete set of steel Shaft Callaway X18 Irons 3-9, Callaway Big Bertha Graphite Driver, Callaway Steel Head graphite 3 wood, Taylor Made V steel 24* Fairway wood. Viper AW & Ben Hogan SW. Plus Carbite Putter (All 6 years old, $200)

5.) Complete set of TaylorMade 200 steel shaft Irons 4-9, TaylorMade 320 Graphite driver, TaylorMade Burner 5 & 7 wood, Top Flite PW. NorthWestern SW, Ray Cook Putter (all 6 years old, $220)

6.) Complete set of Taylormade R7 irons 4-9, Taylormade Burner driver, Callaway Big Bertha 5 wood and two Cleveland sand wedges and putter (all 5 years old, $200)

 

[allenc]

Imo #6 is excellent.  Used good stuff is always better than new cheap stuff.

[golf755]

29 minutes ago, allenc said:

Imo #6 is excellent.  Used good stuff is always better than new cheap stuff.

That option has a Zebra putter. Decent putter?

[allenc]

3 hours ago, golf755 said:

That option has a Zebra putter. Decent putter?

I am not familiar with it but I'm sure it's fine.  All putters work and you won't really know specifically what style you want as a beginner.

To expand on my earlier post I've used the R7s and tour Burner driver for years, albeit with the upgraded shafts, even though I have the budget for new clubs if I wanted them.  I even use Cleveland wedges, although mine are the recent models so not exactly the same.  All great clubs and if I switch it won't be for performance reasons, just shiny new toy reasons.

Also, there is a good chance there is a gap between the 9 iron and the wedges.  It will hardly matter as a beginner but keep in mind that as you progress you may want to add some kind of pitching wedge.

[EMC2144]

Honestly, for now get something cheap in price, but not quality, so probably 6.  However, that being said, try the putter if it comes for the same price, but don't be afraid to go to GolfGalaxy/Dicks/Golfsmith/whatever you have in order to try putters.  I tried a few before I just bought a cheap one in a style and color I was comfortable with.  Don't screw with your head trying to make yourself comfortable with a putter if there's something that feels right.  A putter is probably the only club that is all on yourself and the feel you get (and results), and less about having the proper length/lie/etc according to science, at least in my opinion.

Don't get a Top Flite or some of those "starter" sets, as I would assume you will have a relatively strong swing and will only struggle with the floppy shafts and low quality clubheads.  I know some people that have tried them and had heads snap off, or the like.  I got my girlfriend a set because it was on sale and she's small so the sizing they had available was useful, and it got me to see if she was interested, but long term it's not a good option.  That being said, also look into all your options in terms of what shafts they have.  Are you male or female?  Have you been playing other sports?  What age group?  Without having a background on your actual swing, it's hard to be accurate, but if you're an athlete that played baseball or at least already has a swing (whether it's good or bad, that can be fixed), you may want stiff shafts.  I learned on an old set of regular flex and once I upgraded to stiff shafts I saw a marked improvement.

The most important investment you can make early on is lessons.  Once you decide that you really like the game, it's worth spending money to get fitted, and get a set of clubs that are meant for you.

[Foot Wedge]

I can attest to the Burner driver and the Cleveland wedges.  Burner is long and forgiving.  It was the first club I purchased to replace anything in the set of hand me down clubs my dad gave me.  My friend had one and I found it easier to hit straight.  I've grown to really like it now that I'm playing a lot more and am more consistent with my swing.  It's definitely a driver that will suit you well as you develop as a golfer.  Forgiving for when you practice, long once you have your swing down.

My 2 wedges were the next to be replaced.  Tried out a used Cleveland 588 54* at the driving range and loved it.  Filled in the 90-100 yard gap I had.  Bought that and a 58* 588 as my sand wedge/lob wedge combo. Musclebacks are obviously harder to hit, but it forces you to control your tempo to hit consistent shots.  Once you familiarize yourself with them, they are deadly within 75-100 yards (yardage depends on you) and around the green.  Check the bounce though, I have a shallower swing, so I got normal bounce (2 dot) for the sand, and low bounce (1 dot) for the lob wedge.  This lets me play flop shots, which honestly I had never been capable of until getting the Clevelands. 

IMHO, the two wedges, and the woods used are worth the $200. Sounds like seller #6 isn't exactly strapped for cash...and with the money you save you can take lessons as EMC suggested.  Best of luck!