Beginners Set from where and what

Frankieboy

Just started a new job and pretty new life. Want to start playing golf, have played once before, and quite enjoyed it, and went to the driving range a few times.

I want to get a set of clubs but I'm not 100% on what I need. I think most sets come with everything a beginner needs but is there anything that I should look out for. Also should I be careful where I buy from? I will be buying from a store not online as I won't be able to accept delivery with my hours of work.

I don't know the area very well yet so don't know where golf stores are, was thinking of buying set from Argos. I have found 2 sets that I like and I'm happy to pay the price. But should I buy from Argos?

Thanks for any help. Any other advice for beginner greatly appreciated!!!

stockdam

Most "beginner" sets are not suitable for beginners. What I mean is that they usually come with every club possible from driver though to putter. Well as a beginner you will not be needing a driver for a while and maybe no 3 or 4 iron and possibly not even a 5 iron.

Sometimes beginner sets come with shoes and a bag. It all looks tempting but it's not really good value in the long run.

I'd recommend that you try to find a shop that sells 2nd hand clubs and then ask for a good make. Something that's 3 or 4 years old would be better in the long run as you'll get better clubs. Stick some new grips on them and they will be as good as new (well almost).

Start with a 5 wood and a putter. Add a 5, 7, 9, wedge and sand wedge. That's about all you'll need for a while. If you get a good make then you'll be able to sell these back to another beginner for not much of a loss. Get a good two strap bag and the best Footjoy shoes that you can afford. Get some good raingear, a glove and an umbrella and then you're ready to go. Oh and buy some Dunlop Locos at Heatons.

Lastly......buy lessons and not full "beginners" sets.

Frankieboy

Thanks for that

Ya so buying clubs as I need them might be a better idea. Might end up with better clubs all round.

Are all sets beginner sets though? The ones I was looking at weren't labelled "beginner set". See as I said in my first post don't know of any golf shops around and if I do find one or two don't want to get shafted paying over the odds for a 2nd hand set.

So are you saying sets are just made up of crap quality clubs? Or that beginner doesn't need all the clubs starting out?

Sionnachster

Just so we can see the scope, do you have a budget in mind? Golf ain't cheap and you may not gain from spending the money that some stores will persuade you into doing.

Avoid anything in life with beginner set written on it first off. There are great sets of irons available in golf stores at what I would consider good value. That might still be 3 times what you hoped to spend.

Only buying individual irons is a good idea in theory but it is negated by the fact that you will struggle to pull the same set together over time and have a mis match of clubs. A couple of posters here are taller than average so if they hadn't factored that in and been fitted they would never have been able to hit it like now had they just picked a set off the shelf. In some cases, measurements help - visit an established pro for advice.

If it was me, I'd visit Mcguirks for example and browse the options. Just look through the sets and see how vast it really is and the differences available. Apart from enjoying knocking it about, getting lessons early on will help avoid any long term swing errors etc and that's how I would go about it...

stockdam

Frankieboy wrote: »

Thanks for that

Ya so buying clubs as I need them might be a better idea. Might end up with better clubs all round.

Are all sets beginner sets though? The ones I was looking at weren't labelled "beginner set". See as I said in my first post don't know of any golf shops around and if I do find one or two don't want to get shafted paying over the odds for a 2nd hand set.

So are you saying sets are just made up of crap quality clubs? Or that beginner doesn't need all the clubs starting out?

Yes adding clubs as you need them would be a good idea but this won't work for the irons (other than wedges).

If you get a half set of irons then these will do you for several years. Then you can add extra wedges, rescue clubs, a driver etc. You can sell the original half set of irons if you outgrow them. The "extra" clubs I listed are generally not matched with the original set anyway - my driver and the other woods are different makes as are my two extra wedges.

"Beginners" sets are probably still cheaper though but they will be poorer clubs with poorer shafts and you'll be paying for clubs that you don't need (worse you'll probably feel you have to carry them and to use them as you've bought them).


I'm not saying that a beginner set won't do you but if you stick at it you'll find that getting a quality half set now will last you a bit longer.

Frankieboy

Ok, so if I buy a set of Irons 5-9 right, putter, 5 wood, and a bag and the other bits and pieces should be enough to get me started.

I would probably put a budget of about €200 on getting these. And then when I get into it more I can afford to spend a bit more on other clubs.

billy3sheets

I'd go for a 2nd hand set of something with big cavity back heads. If you are in Dublin, PLus4Golf in Phibsboro is a great place to pick up 2nd hand sets or look on www.golfbidder.co.uk, if only to get a good idea of what they look like. Buy and Sell is also good at times. they'll do you for a year or 2 and you'll probably get back most of what you paid for them.

As other posters have said, invest in lessons too. Don't worry too much about the quality of ball you use.
In addition to clubs, you should also invest in this:
http://www.bay-hill.net/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=10&idproduct=26

waterville72

Ok Frankie. The half set option is a thing of the past. You just wont be able to purchase a half set. What you need is the following
1. A full set of golf clubs which includes 2/3 Woods, 2/3 Hybrids, 7/8/9 irons, a putter and a golf bag.
2. A pair of waterproof golf shoes.
3. A golf trolley.
4. A good quality waterproof and breathable rain suit.
5. Balls, tees, an umbrella and a towel.

In terms of the clubs most of the large golf stores in Dublin will have various package deals for beginners from 150 up to approx 500. What you want is oversized clubheads on the clubs. But more importantly make sure the heads are made of stainless steel on the irons and woods. This is vital as some of the really cheap deals in the likes of Argos etc. are alloy heads and are crap to be honest. Stick with a golf store as you get the advice from people who actually know what they are talking about.
Stick with a recognised established brand too as the quality will be good.
And do get the lessons!

Frankieboy

Could I get peoples opinion on these?

http://www.justgolfonline.co.uk/p-19-masters-mcz-120-complete-golf-package-set.aspx

I'm a bit sceptic as there's a big difference in the RRP and the Sale price. The store has only recently opened and their first night they were ram raided and had alot of stock stolen. So I'm thinking they might be trying to clear stock quickly.

The good thing is I can actually call to the store so I should be able to see them before I buy.

waterville72

Had a look at them Frankie and they are absolutely fine. Masters is a recognised manufacturer so you would have comeback should anything go wrong. Stainless steel irons and a nice bag. Good value at 79 stg. Go for it.

Frankieboy

waterville72 wrote: »

Had a look at them Frankie and they are absolutely fine. Masters is a recognised manufacturer so you would have comeback should anything go wrong. Stainless steel irons and a nice bag. Good value at 79 stg. Go for it.

Thanks Waterville

I was thinking the bag might be a bit on the bulky side, but I'll have a look and see. I presume it would still fit on a trolley even though it's a cart bag?

waterville72

No worries Frankie. Yes it will fit on a trolley. The Americans call our trolleys carts, so no probs there.

GreeBo

Get yourself a pair of ecco goretex shoes for about €150.
I've bought plenty of the 1 year waterproof footjoys and its just not worth it.

Frankieboy

GreeBo wrote: »

Get yourself a pair of ecco goretex shoes for about €150.
I've bought plenty of the 1 year waterproof footjoys and its just not worth it.

Ya you cant beat Ecco for comfort, are they as comfortable in golf shoes then as they are normal ones?