OT: Golf Club Help
I'm hoping that I can get some good advice from the community that is MGOBLOG...
Can someone offer a suggestion to a good beginner to intermediate golf club set. I have only been playing for about a year, but live right accross from a golf course and am starting to seriously consider myself a player. I'm all for buying the used equipment to save some cash, but I don't want to purchase anything that I will regret in a year.
I really don't know much about golf Brands, other than the obvious ferrri's of the sport (TaylorMade, etc.) and those are way out of m price rage. Looking to keep the total amount spent for under $300, and yes, I need everything. Thanks to all in advance.
Blueintheblood:
I would recommend the following:
1. Consider buying a skeleton set (3-wood, 3 & 5 hybrid, 7 iron, 9 iron, sand wedge, putter). You can play a whole round with a hybrid, 7 iron, wedge and putter.
2. Consider buying a used set from a reputable company like Callaway. You can get high quality clubs which are slightly used for a lot less than retail. Type in "used clubs callaway golf" in your web browser, and you will be directed to the site.
3. Invest in a few lessons where you can learn simply the proper grip, setup and allignment.
4. Work your way from the green back, and spend 80% of your time on shots within 150 yards.
Fairways and greens.
Little Brown Jug
My first suggestion would be to go to the golf shop you live across from. If they have a pro shop, you might be able to talk to the pro about getting some sort of deal. I worked at a golf course for several years in high school and college, and golf companies are constantly coming out with new models--making "older" models cheaper and easier to get. So, I guess I'd say your best bet would be to talk to the pro and see if he has a set that isn't the newest model or if he has a used or demo set. After that, I'd go to a sporting goods stores or look online. If you could find a used set, I've heard that Cobras and older Ping clubs are pretty forgiving.
Wilson makes a great set that comes with everything you need. comes with a bag as well. might be more around $400 at most but still its nice stuff and is worth the price.
I also agree that Pings are good. G5's should be pretty cheap by now but still availible. Although you'd then still have to buy some woods.
I have gotten all of my golf stuff off of there for cheaper then you can find at a store. Get something that is "cavity backed" for your irons and get a big 460 CC titanium driver. Try to get something that is in the 4 to 6 years old range, as far as models of stuff that manufacturers have come out with. Still good stuff and technology of clubs in this range is more up to date.
Try out demo clubs at ranges or something your friends use. Find out what you like and want before you go looking on ebay. Then just keep looking for the best deals in your price range. The more flexible you are in your selection criteria, the better deal you will be able to get....
Another trick to to go to a club manufacturer "Demo Days" at you local range. Look up on each manufacturers web page for the dates and locations that may be in your area this summer. Then go to one and have them do a fit test on you. You get to try some of the latest stuff and you get to find out important stuff like the best club lie, lenght and shaft flex that meets your swing. Ping does a nice job doing this.
Good luck....
You beat me to it.
Find a friend who knows something about golf and who is willing to help you find some clubs on ebay. Should be able to get them dirt cheap. If you're just starting to get serious, whatever you get should be able to tide you over until you get addicted and will know enough to know which clubs will fit your game. One caveat if you get used clubs: plan on getting the clubs re-gripped. Grips may not seem that important, but if you start out with a set that has worn grips, it can spell bad news for your development as a player. Oh, and always spend at least as long chipping/pitching/putting as you do hitting full shots at the range.
J/K but srsly. I play with a set of clubs that my parents bought at Dunhams in 1998. The only exceptions are a circa 2004 Big Bertha driver, a Ping driving Iron, and a $25 Dunhams putter. Granted I am always happy to break 90, and can count the number of eagles I have made on one hand, but golf to me will always be about repetition. Unless you are trying to win a trophy, buy a cheap starter set and see which clubs you hit well. Experience will dictate which areas you need help in.
EDIT- Just checked and my clubs are Dynatours. You won't see those on Tour.
I was a 90's golfer that pushed into the mid 80's consistently with a set of 20 year old Ping irons and some old golfsmith woods. When I made the investment into a set that is nice but not wallet destroying (Cleveland TA2 Blades with Project X 6.0 flighted shafts, Callaway FTI Driver, Callaway x tour 3 wood and a Callaway Heavenwood 2 Hybrid) clubs I made a huge jump. I am now a 6 handicap and love the game now more than ever.
that my scores would improve with better clubs. My thinking was learn to enjoy the ups and downs of the game before you snap a brand new Ping G-10 over your knee. Maybe my personal issues reach beyond golf, but my temper+$700 irons don't mix.
I went from driving around 210 to around 260 with the Ti Bog Bertha I bought for $10 from a close friend, but this was in conjunction with rotating my bottom hand 2 degrees forward.
In high school I was a consistent low 80s / high 70s golfer with a set of Wilsons that I got from Dunhams. The key was, I played literally every day from May - October, so of course I was better. Now that I'm an adult and have a job and a kid and all, I'm a high 80s / low 90s golfer with an expensive set of Clevelands that are custom fitted for me. Golf is all about playing and having a consistent swing. Play more and you'll do fine. If you just want to enjoy yourself and not be too serious, just go to Dunhams or Dick's or something and buy the Wilsons or Dunlaps or whatever they have with a decent bag. Unless you're going to put in a ton of time learning to really play, I don't think having "better" clubs is going to make any difference at all.
One thing to consider though, if you're on the extremes of tall or short, you should consider getting non-standard lengths.
All very true. a cheapo set of Wilsons or something is probably of better quality, and much easier to play, than most of the clubs that Jack Nicklaus used back in the day to win his 18 majors.
Not sure if you live in the area, but Carl's Golfland generally has good deals on used golf clubs. Clubs depend on what they have, but they tend to have some pretty good clubs for a good price.
a good pair of golf shoes. I bought a cheap ($50ish) pair of Footjoys and it instantly improved my game.
Yeah I got a good deal via Golfsmith on some $120 footjoys for $50 last year (they were the "old style" or something like that, but still brand new).
FIrst pair of golf shoes I had bought in about 12 years - it was time.
Also, don't tie your golf shoes - real men go Denard.
Check out www.rockbottomgolf.com. They are an overstock site with alot of last years stuff for great prices. I have purchased many of things off the site over the years and the customer service is great.
Your mention of overstock reminded me of www.overstock.com
They have an entire golf section filled with a decent amount of name brand things. I am fairly sure that you do have to pay shipping for most of it, but they sometimes have some pretty good deals..
I got lucky enough to find a full set a Callaway irons, with a Callaway driver and a Big Bertha 5 wood with a bag for 25$. The Irons were in great condition, and I sold the Driver for 25$ since I didnt need it. It was well worth it since I could sell the irons for a couple hundred. I know the likelyhood of finding that again is probably pretty low but you never know, its worth a look.
I highly suggest you check out Pinemeadow Golf, I just bought a new set of custom length irons for $150 delivered. From what I was able to read about them they play just like the TaylorMade r7 clubs.
They have a classified section where you can get anything you could possibly want. It is an enthusiast community, thus the condition of the used equipment is excellent over all. As some posted earlier, there is great value in picking up clubs that are a few years old.
Go to a golf shop that carries used sets of golf clubs, Carls Golfland, King Par, etc. and hit a few sets until you feel comfortable with one, paying no attention to the name brand. I am about a 15 Handicap, been playing maybe 12 years. I recently abandoned a set of Taylor Made Oversized Deluxe Supreme Bla Bla Bla edition for some 15 year old Top Flite garbage clubs, just hit em better. Long story short, buy what you hit well, not necessarily the new state of the art name brand flashy clubs. (And don't assume that you have to hit a driver to score well, or become a flop shot magician with the sand wedge... will only hurt your score).
If you can take a few lessons or get a club fitting lesson you will be able to know exactly what you need in terms of the correct flex shaft for your woods and irons. The shaft is really the engine of the club and can make a huge difference even if you have a set of knock off heads (woods and irons). Get the best clubs you can afford you will not be disappointed. As you get better or get more addicted to golf you can start putting a set together through ebay, pro shops, etc.
Good luck and remember to keep it in the short grass!
said!
I go to Miles of Golf over on Carpenter road in Ypsi: http://www.milesofgolf.com/
Great place and they will make sure to set you up with the right club. You might pay a little more because it's a private place, but I like going to those local places and supporting them - especially with the great customer service they have.
The other option is going there to shop around, try out some clubs and then try to find them cheaper if you really want to find the ones that fit you best. They have a golf range there and will let you try out most of their clubs which is great.
I would suggest getting an iron set, maybe with 3 Hybrid clubs from 3-5, then going and buying your own putter and driver. Most of the times the putter and driver that come with the full sets really suck, but you can get away with average Irons.
OK so here are my suggestions:
1) This is an absolute must - to keep costs down, buy a used set of irons and possibly woods. If the set of irons has a 2 iron in it, even better (less money spent since you'll only need a 3/5 wood, not both).
2) If you've only been playing a year, no need to blow your load on an expensive driver. Get a 3-5 year old one on eBay. I know that Callaway guarantees theirs for life (or at least they did back when I had a Big Bertha and the shaft imploded). So there isn't a need to worry about buying a used one that is damaged (but unseen to the naked eye). I would double check with a golf pro though to make sure.
3) Spend some decent money ($50-$100) on a putter. Again, used if possible. You will be using this club more than any other in your bag - make sure to PRACTICE with it before you buy it. Most important club.
Whoa, you're suggesting a beginner get a set with a 2-iron? Most pros can't even hit that club. My opinion is that anyone that's not Tiger Woods should get comfortable with looking like a dufus and just use hybrids for anything longer than a 5 or 6-iron. They're just so much easier to hit.
I'm also not sure that money=anything when it comes to putters. That's the one club that most players stick with for years and years and years. Phil Mickelson's simple blade putter probably didn't cost him 50 bucks when he got it decades ago. Some people prefer the crazy-design putters that are expensive, others like me prefer to use something that might have come from a putt-putt course.
The suggestion was to keep costs down. Clearly this guy is new to the game, probably isn't that good (unless he's a natural) and therefore doesn't need to be blowing money on woods.
Also, your comments on putters are laughable in two realms:
1) Mickelson uses a custom made putter and doesn't have just one that he got "decades ago". This is false and misleading information you are providing, which is ridiculous.
2) Since when is $100 a lot for a putter? That is less than a brand new Odyssey would cost you and about a third of what you'd spend on a Scotty. And yes, it is not always about the price tag - but a quality made putter that feels good in your hands will reduce your score.
I got a cheap set of Irons, with Hybrids, for about $200. Then I spent another $150 or so on a driver and got a $75 putter. $425 for the whole thing and it's all new. I wouldn't buy used personally. I'd rather have the whole life of something, especially if he's just starting out. And $425 isn't THAT expensive compared to what you would probably be spending even for used stuff.
You can get many an Odyssey putter for $100 (or less).
Maybe in your mind, man.
http://www.golfsmith.com/ps/browse/browse.php?Ntk=All&Ne=3&ItemPerPage=…
Out of 37 putters, ONE was under $100 brand new (note my previous post - brand new). 4 were at $99.99 aka $100.
So unless you were out playing last weekend and the course had many under $100, they were trying to move inventory or they were used....
http://shop.callawaygolf.com/odyssey-white-hot-xg/odyssey-white-hot-xg,…
Okay, so maybe it's just one particular model, with different head styles, but whatever. Enjoy being condescending.
If by condescending you mean not leading the OP astray and backing up my argument, then thank you sir.
If you're going the used club route, which is a perfectly good idea, then it becomes even more important to try them out before you buy, because many new sets of clubs these days are fitted to the person buying them. If the person who originally bought the set was a foot taller than you and got them fitted, then they're just not going to work for you no matter how great of a deal they are. Also keep in mind that the 'Ferraris' of golf clubs are meant for pretty good players, so you might not even need to focus on them anyway as a beginner. Although many do create sets for higher handicappers, I bet that most Titleist etc sets you come across will be for low handicapper. In the end, you just have to try them out first and find what suits you. If you buy a new set, for around $300 they probably won't be fitted to you. So if you have an odd swing or body size not very close to, say, 5-10 or so, you may face some difficulties.
General suggestion for beginners is to find a used set where at least the 3 and 4 iron are replaced with hybrids. You should be able to find a used set by Adams like this.
Frankly, you may never end up hitting a 3 iron in your life if you start now since hybrids are generally easier to hit, both in the fairway and out of the rough. My friends and I find that the big difference is out of the rough. Later when (if) you buy a new set, they're selling sets that go 4-SW now too, so if you prefer the hybrid 3 instead of a regular 3 iron you won't even have to buy the iron in your set.
As for woods, find used clubs. Should be able to buy individual clubs cheap off of eBay. Technology has moved fairly quickly in drivers, but as a beginner you really just need to focus on making solid contact and not slicing it into the adjacent fairway (and as a beginner, your swing will probably produce a slice as it does for most people).
When you start out there's no reason to buy brand new equipment. Find out if you become a golf addict first.
If you try craigslist, you eliminate the middleman and can get pretty good deals on golf clubs. Also, you can hit the sale racks at places like Dick's, Sports Authority, or whatever the big sports store chains are where you live. You can often find hybrids and decent woods there for between $20 and $40 on the clearance racks. The big sports chains give a lot better deals, especially on clearance, than the big golf chains do.
I agree with those who say that you shouldn't bother with a two, three, or four-iron in the beginning. A driver (nothing less than 10.5 degrees), three-wood, "rescue" club, hybrid three and four-"irons," 4-W, a sand wedge, and a 60 degree wedge would be a great way to go. The irons need to match and it's good if the hybrids match, too. The wedges can be whatever you feel comfortable with, and a putter is going to be totally based on what feels good to you.
When buying clubs, check the torque by holding the grip in one hand and twisting the clubhead with the other hand. As a rule of thumb, the better clubs will have less torque. Cheaper clubs with too much torque can cause a lot of shots to go in less than desirable directions. Go for a "regular" shaft until you develop more clubhead speed.
Hope this helps.
Globalgolf.com
Michigan based company, a range of quality and styled used golf clubs for REALLY cheap and shipping is not unreasonable. Got my wife an all-graphite set of Wilson irons to learn to play with for $9.99 (seriously, 9.99). Good shape, just a couple years old and some scratches consistent with somebody who played them a lot, but not in anyway unusable.
This is just my personal opinion, but cavity back irons are not worth it. If and when you get better you will want clubs that play better and don't look ridiculous.
I had a guy tell me that one of the most important things when buying a club is how you feel just holding it in your stance and looking down at the club. When I look down at cavity back irons they are just too big and ugly. That is also why I'm not a big fan of the square drivers.
Also I would recommend that you do not get older type Callaway drivers. I have seen too many of them break off where the shaft connects to the head. I'm not sure if they fixed that since I don't like Callaway products. FWIW, I have heard good things about the news drivers.
Blades are soooo much more difficult to play, though. I don't recommend them for any beginner. Get at least a slight cavity back. Are you trying to impress people and look cool holding the club, or do you want to be less frustrated and have a better time playing since your clubs are a lot more forgiving? I'd be very wary about getting irons that aren't cavity backed.
I know this has been said, but I'll give my take on it since I feel so strongly in favor of this:
Absolutely buy used golf clubs. Almost any golf store has them, but a bigger golf store, like a Golf Galaxy, or whatever is comparable in your area, is a good way to go. Even the pro shop at your local golf course will have some. I always buy used clubs, especially iron sets, and I'm a pretty big golfer.
In any city, there are men (usually older men) who are big time golfers and buy new clubs every year or every couple years. They usually trade in their previous set for pennies on the dollar and the store resells them. Especially if you're not a huge golfer, you can piece together an awesome set with used clubs for not much at all. Plus, golf clubs usually last a while, so buying clubs that are 2-3 years old is not much different than buying brand new ones. I know people who play on a weekly basis and haven't bought new clubs in 10 years.