Jump to content
IGNORED

Idea, (or rant, if you will) for better Starter Club Sets for beginners


dave s
Note: This thread is 3681 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

Reading Golf Digest and a quote on the three things that most deter new players from entering the game:  Takes to long, costs too much and the game is too difficult.

So along with the big club makers introducing the latest FOUR HUNDRED DOLLAR driver each season, maybe they can focus on helping GROW the game by marketing a decent set of clubs to beginners who might eventually BUY a $400 driver.

When my wife started playing 6 seasons ago, I could piece together a set that included a driver, hybrids and a full iron set.  Total cost around $800.  We ended up with a full bag of Adams clubs, putter included.  About $400.  Because she was a beginner, there was no use for the 3- or 5-wood. Out.  No use for a 4, 5 or 6 iron. Out.  No hybrids came with the set.  We kept taking clubs OUT of the bag so she could find what she used/needed to play the game.  Ended up buying her a Cobra ladies 5-hybrid and a better driver.  More cash.

Knowing what I know about how beginners play the game, TM, Nike, Callaway and others should build quality club sets for beginners that include:

Driver; #5 hybrid, 7-PW,SW and a GOOD putter.  There's your 8-club set.  Put the sets in a branded carry bag, (filled with balls!) and put a price tag on it of $300 or less.  Consider offering these sets as an investment in the FUTURE of golf AND for your company.

What beginners DON'T need:

- #3-PW iron sets

- Full bag sets of clubs where more than half of the clubs aren't used

- A driver that costs north of $200

- $150 putter

Here's a link to a Cobra women's set that is close, but costs $600:  http://www.golfhq.com/woman-s-sapphire-complete-9-pc-golf-set.html?source=googleps&CA;_6C15C=1814232336

Some other club makers offering beginner sets include Linksmen(?), Dunlop, Knight(?), Intech(?), Hello Kitty(?) ... are you kidding me?  Where the hell is TM, Nike, Callaway in this market?  Missing the boat big time.

You want a customer for life?  Do the right thing TaylorMade!  Make it affordable for beginners.  Grow the game. Invest in your company's future.

dave

The ultimate "old man" setup:

Ping G30 driver
Ping G Fairway woods - 5 and 7 woods
Callaway X-Hot #5 hybrid; Old school secret weapon
Ping G #6-9 irons; W and U wedges
Vokey 54 and 58* Wedges
Odyssey Versa Putter
Golf Balls

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator

I tell beginners to get used - you can get a set of brand name irons, a hybrid, wedge and putter for $200, you just have to help them out, make sure they don't get counterfeits.

Or if they want new, a complete set with bag made by a company like Wilson or MacGregor for $200 at Rockbottom.

I wonder if the big name brands don't offer lower priced alternatives because they want to keep a "premium" image.

Steve

Kill slow play. Allow walking. Reduce ineffective golf instruction. Use environmentally friendly course maintenance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Quote:
Originally Posted by nevets88 View Post

I tell beginners to get used - you can get a set of brand name irons, a hybrid, wedge and putter for $200, you just have to help them out, make sure they don't get counterfeits.

Or if they want new, a complete set with bag made by a company like Wilson or MacGregor for $200 at Rockbottom.

I wonder if the big name brands don't offer lower priced alternatives because they want to keep a "premium" image.

I also wonder why companies don't make starter type sets, but this makes sense to me as anything else. I currently play one of those Dick's sporting goods box sets (Walter Hagen's...woo!). Adams has a Tight Lies set that Dick's carries , and this set I've seen marked down to under $400.

Looking back, I wish I would have purchased the Tight Lies set or better yet to have purchased used stuff and pieced together a nice starter set. The problem is, when you are new to golf and don't know people who play, the off-brand box sets seem like a killer deal because of all the clubs and extras that are included (bags and headcovers, f*** yea!!), and the fact that it's all brand new. The truth is, though, that I am happy with my purchase. They aren't great clubs at all, but they're certainly playable and I'm learning on them. Eventually, I'll make my upgrade through used gear (already starting, slowly), but for now, my Hagen's will do.

Knowing what I know about how beginners play the game, TM, Nike, Callaway and others should build quality club sets for beginners that include:

Driver; #5 hybrid, 7-PW,SW and a GOOD putter.  There's your 8-club set.  Put the sets in a branded carry bag, (filled with balls!) and put a price tag on it of $300 or less.  Consider offering these sets as an investment in the FUTURE of golf AND for your company.

dave

Oh man, if this would have been an option, I know I would have been all over it. If I was just starting now, I'd still lean probably to used, but at the time that I did start, this would have been awesome. But when you can sell a driver for that same price, I wonder if they just figure, "why bother?". It may be an investment, but when I upgrade, I'll be upgrading to these guys regardless of what my starter set was.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


That Cobra set is expensive for what you get, I do like the 15* driver though. I would bet someone could piece together something for about $200 cheaper. I'm planning on a new set for my daughter she just turned 10 and is on the taller side.

Rich C.

Driver Titleist 915 D3  9.5*
3 Wood TM RBZ stage 2 tour  14.5*
2 Hybrid Cobra baffler 17*
4Hybrid Adams 23*
Irons Adams CB2's 5-GW
Wedges 54* and 58* Titleist vokey
Putter Scotty Cameron square back 2014
Ball Srixon Zstar optic yellow
bushnell V2 slope edition

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Moderator

Here's a Callaway made men's complete set w/bag for $200 - it's not Callaway Callaway, it's Callaway Strata, but it looks like a decent buy for the price although it's a sale. A starter set of Wilson's at regular price is $300.

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/strata-mens-complete-set-with-bag-graphite-steel.html#

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/wilson-golf-profile-hl-complete-set-with-bag-graphite-steel.html

Steve

Kill slow play. Allow walking. Reduce ineffective golf instruction. Use environmentally friendly course maintenance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator

I started off with a Wilson starter set that was pretty inexpensive ~$400 about 5 years ago.  They are out there, but no well advertised.

Scott

Titleist, Edel, Scotty Cameron Putter, Snell - AimPoint - Evolvr - MirrorVision

My Swing Thread

boogielicious - Adjective describing the perfect surf wave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Used is the way to go. I played down to a 12 after a decade plus long layoff using irons (845s) I paid $37 for. It cost more to replace the grips than I paid for the clubs. Still have them and would use them tomorrow. IMO the problem isn't what is offered but the beginner misconception that spending money on the latest and greatest will put them on the fast track. I had no idea what was "good" when I decided to get back to golf. All I cared about was spending time with the family on the course. I knew for I would suck bad so I looked for what I knew was good when I played before because I knew it would be cheap. Even with a lot of previous experience I was picking up at 8 on most holes, that went on for a few months. If I was introducing a new golfer to the game I'd head for craigslist and buy some beaters. It is frustrating enough learning a very hard sport without the stress of regretting spending a weeks or more pay on clubs you can't hit. I didn't care what I used until I could break 90 regularly.

Dave :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I was at the local PGA Superstore here today and the have several box sets that seem ok. Wilson and some brand I never heard of. Adams had a two sets, plus several other brands. Just kind of stuck between senior clubs and ladies. They want you to pay top dollar. But in the used section there is always descent stuff. I don't think the major players care about the beginner IMO. On a side note, I have wondered what a tour pro like TW, Mic, or the likes would shoot with a box of Wal-Mart clubs. I think they are Intech or something like that.

In comparison, look at the "cheapo" clubs, the off brands or what have you, and compare them to what Jack used to win 18 majors or Sneed or Arnie.

 :tmade: Stealth2 driver, 3 hybrid. :ping: G410 Fairway  :titleist: 5-AW  :vokey: 52/56/60 SM9

:tmade: Spider Tour X putter

:snell: MTB Prime X, :adidas: Tour360 22

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I agree with the "used' crowd.  When I started a few years ago, I went in to the PGA to just get a beater set until I could decide what I wanted.  Paid about 200 bones for a full used set of Ping G5's - 4-SW.  Still have 'em.  Love 'em.  When I hit a bad shot, it isn't the G5's fault.  I'm sure there are better clubs, but my misses are misses with any club. And my good shots make me feel like a pro. And the same goes for any beginner.  Also, in retrospect I could have gotten an even cheaper set.  The Pings were the ones I wanted, so I went ahead and sprung for them.  I think the starter set you want is pretty attainable if you go this route.

Some other gems I've found used that are in my bag now:

$30 for a Ping hybrid

$50 for a TM driver

$20 Anser II putter

$20 Ogio bag (actually new but I got it off Craig's)

$80 for 1500 found golf balls

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Note: This thread is 3681 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Posts

    • I get trying to limit relief to the fairway, but how many roots do you typically find in the fairway? Our local rule allows for relief from roots & rocks anywhere on the course (that is in play). My home course has quite a few 100 year old oaks that separate the fairways. Lift and move the ball no closer to the hole. None of us want to damage clubs.
    • Hello, I've been playing a Teardrop td17 F.C. putter for many years and love it. It still putts and feels as good or  better than any of the new putters I've tried and it's in excellent condition except the face has dings in it ever since I bought it used that kind of bother me. I was just wondering if it's possible to have some really shallow horizontal grooves milled into the face on a "roll face" putter. I think I would rather spend some money on it instead of trying to get used to a new putter.  Thanks
    • I agree with @klineka & @DaveP043 above.  When a new member first joins the club they cold be told that they are not eligible for tournaments until they have an established HCP.  As you said, it only takes a few rounds.  If they do not to post HCP that was their choice and choices have consequences.  If playing in the tournament is important to them then they should step up and establish an HCP.  Maybe they miss the 1st tournament, is that a real big deal?  And if it is a "Big Deal" to them then they had the opportunity to establish the HCP. As for not knowing how to report for HCP I assume your club has a pro and they should be able to assist in getting the scores reported and I suspect out of state courses may also have staff that can assist if asked.
    • Wordle 1,013 2/6 🟨⬜⬜🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Thought I was gonna be a big shot today...  🙂    Nice Job!
    • Cool here's my tweak, "If a player’s ball lies in the general area and there is interference from exposed tree roots or exposed rocks that are in the fairway or 1 club length from the fairway the tree roots and exposed rocks are treated as ground under repair. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b.[But relief is not allowed if the tree roots only interfere with the player’s stance.]
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...