New Golfer Needs Help!

[Tony13]

Hi there all,

First time posting and first time golfing! I went golfing for the first time in my life 3 days ago and i seem to actually enjoy it despite earlier preconceptions to the game. I was wondering what is a good set of Irons, drivers and putter to get? I saw on Kijiji a set of Big Bertha Irons for sale for about $170. Are those good sets to start with?

Again I have no idea about anything about golfing. So any help would be great! Are "Game Improvement Irons" good to start with? I don't plan on competing or anything serious. Just something to play.

I am 6'1 and 195lbs. If that helps with anything.

[DaveP043]

After playing just once, the best clubs are inexpensive clubs.  You enjoyed the first experience, and I hope you get hooked just like the rest of us have, but I think you're on the right track looking at used clubs. In a perfect world, you'd get a chance to try the clubs before you buy, maybe you can find a golf store near you that carries used clubs and has an indoor hitting bay to try them out.  

Calloway is a good brand, but there are lots of other options that would work fine right now.  "Game improvement" clubs are an excellent choice for a beginner, they're designed to minimize the effects of a slight miss.

[Tony13]

Yes I think I got bit by the bug. I'm use to other sports.. More violent ones. This sport is nice and calming I find. But what set would you recommend to get? I'll get used clubs but I don't know any brands or anything really. I use google but I get prices of like 1200. I'm more or less looking around $200. Yes I understand you get what you pay for.. But where to start? 

Edited August 10, 2016 by Tony13

[Gfleck067]

I started out on a set of cobra baffler xl. Think I paid 400 new. Best advise was given above  actually look at super game improvement  or max game improvement irons.  Any golf Galaxy, PGA super store, or golf smith should have used clubs or demo new lower priced ones see what you like and look on Craigslist or eBay for a set.

[17hoffmanc]

I am also a new golfer (been playing about 4 months) and had the same questions as you. As some other comments suggest, find a local golf store with hitting bays. Dont be afraid to ask questions about what clubs will suit you best, and are also within your price range. 

I dont know a lot about golf clubs, but I do know that oversized clubs are great to start since they have added forgiveness. I personally use ping i3 oversized irons, and love them after hitting them for less than a month. Purchased for $200.

[IndianaDundee]

You have basically ask an impossible question.  In order to know what clubs are best for you, you must first have a swing to fit to.  One thing you can do is use a friend's spare set of clubs to learn with.  There are too many angles and speed variances to say what clubs would work for you.  

I would however suggest you go to a driving range with a pro shop and hit whatever used and less expensive clubs they will let you hit.  As a general rule oversized cavity back irons with wide soles will be easier to hit than the small forged blades that most pros use.  Shaft length, shaft flex, shaft weight, lie angle, bounce and swing weight are all important to match your swing.  But you wont have a swing until you either get lessons or play a lot.  Once you know what types of shafts and angles work for you then you can start shopping for clubs that fit you.

[Piz]

Anything made in the last 25 years, or so, is sufficiently modern.  The functionality of a golf club, like that of many tools, does not increase in direct proportion to the cost.  There is cheap crap; but as the old saying goes:  "You can see that just by looking at it."  Check out ebay and some other used club sites, make a note of the stuff that appeals to you, and look up the reviews.  You will find that 150 clams goes an awfully long way.  Happy hunting.               PS: It isn't so much that you get what you pay for; it's that you have to pay for whatever you get.

Edited August 10, 2016 by Piz
Addendum

[pganapathy]

The Big Bertha are an old set of clubs, but they are still a very good set especially for a beginner with that price tag.  The only thing is check out the shaft.  Assuming the flex is alright for you, don't even look elsewhere.  Once you have a grooved swing you can go ahead and get yourself fitted for a set.  If you don't catch the bug and play very rarely, don't spend money buying an expensive set for no reason.

[WUTiger]

1 hour ago, 17hoffmanc said:

. ... As some other comments suggest, find a local golf store with hitting bays. Dont be afraid to ask questions about what clubs will suit you best, and are also within your price range. ...

Solid advice. Also, take a couple of lessons to make sure you have the basics down.

[Kalnoky]

I started last year and I have "game improvement" irons. This is a good way to go. They are oversize and offset, which helps you get the ball up in the air on mishits. 

You can find old sets on eBay 3-PW for $100 or so. A great bit of advice a buddy (who is a scratch golfer) gave me was to google "PGA Value". You can find the value and reviews of lots of old clubs there.