A few bits of advice needed.

Elbow

First post in the golf forum so go easy on me I'm only a beginner

At the beginning of the of the summer i made the leap from the pitch and putt course course to the golf course. Got a loan of a set of clubs from a buddy after heading to OZ (they were very cheap new) and had a few hugely over par rounds

I borrowed a better driver and putter yesterday i really noticed the difference good clubs make and finished about 10 shots better than normal, mainly due to the driver.

So I'm going treating myself to a set of clubs and this is where the advice is needed.


1) I seem to use the same 5 clubs out of the bag (Driver, 4 iron, pitching wedge, sand wedge and putter) would i be better off buying a complete set or spending the cash on better individual clubs?.

2) I know i'll improve with practice but I'm really having trouble with the long iron shots (About 20% of the time the ball will end up roughly where i want it too, the rest of the time it'll be way too short of else hooked to either side), would it be worth investing in a hybrid club instead of long irons as i've read using a hybrid it can be easier to strike the ball correctly?

3) Recommendations on what clubs to buy would be greatly appreciated


Thanks
Clohane

NoelAPM

Hybrids are there to bridge the gap between fairway wood and the longest iron you can hit well consistently! Some swings suit long irons an others don't. I suggest you get a set of irons. Buying individually won't save you much money I would imagine. And as you get better you'll find use for them. Get 4 to sw.. A driver. And a putter! And a 3 wood if you want.. Probilly not urgent... Could learn to hit the hybrid first.

What you buy is up to you. But make sure you try everything out first and get fitted to some extent. The putter is the most important so pick summit you like and get used to it.

couerdelion

As a fellow recent newbie I'll try and help

I would go for a full set of irons. As you play more rounds you'll get an idea of how far you hit the ball with each club (ie. 9- 130m, 8 -140m, 7 -150m, 6 - 160m) By being able to perform the same swing speed but just using different clubs it means there is less to think about.

I find anything less than a 6 iron a bit hit and miss so bought a hybrid 3 to see how it went. It goes well and I'll probably add a 4 and 5 too in time. for now I really go for the green if its more than a 6, I lay up and take the extra shot(s) my handicap allows.

I bought Mizuno MX-100's but any game improver set (cavity backed)should suit you fine. there's a good deal on Nike Victory on www.onlinegolf.co.uk but this time of year a lot of places are clearing last years stock ready for the new 2011 models.

I also started using a driver after being told I would struggle with it and it has made a huge difference to my game.

GreeBo

couerdelion wrote: »

As a fellow recent newbie I'll try and help

I would go for a full set of irons. As you play more rounds you'll get an idea of how far you hit the ball with each club (ie. 9- 130m, 8 -140m, 7 -150m, 6 - 160m) By being able to perform the same swing speed but just using different clubs it means there is less to think about.

Damn, I must be wasting my time out here for the last 20 years so!
Below is what a certain Mr Woods was hitting back in 2008 or so...

		Woods	courdelion
6 Iron:  	173M         160M    
7 Iron: 	157M         150M
8 Iron: 	144M         140M
9 Iron: 	129M         130M

Golf Channel

couerdelion wrote: »

I find anything less than a 6 iron a bit hit and miss so bought a hybrid 3 to see how it went. It goes well and I'll probably add a 4 and 5 too in time. for now I really go for the green if its more than a 6, I lay up and take the extra shot(s) my handicap allows.

Are you hitting the 3H the same as a 5i? What loft is it?


OP modern drivers are far easier to hit than old ones, I would definitely recommend everyone gets one, just make sure it has enough loft, at least 10.5%. Hybrids are also going to be your lifesaver so get at least 1 if not two. I wouldnt worry about fairway woods if you have some rescues/hybrids.
Game improvers/cavity backs will make your golf a lot more enjoyable in the beginning but note that you dont need to spend big for this at all. Buy a good brandname from a couple of years ago and save yourself a packet.

couerdelion

Honestly, I aren't exagerating that's roughly what I hit.

I'm 6ft 4 and an ex Rugby League player so am probably quite a bit stronger than Woods. Now if I could find his technique and hit them straight I might be onto something! Consistency would be a dream too

My hybrid I can hit around 185. I think its 21 deg.

My drivers a different matter I aren't a 300yd hitter and am far from it. Probably only about 220 when I hit it well.

dos30

I'm in the same boat as the OP. Looking for a beginners set of clubs that include a driver, 1 or 2 hybrids and irons.

Any opinions on this Wilson Tour Rx Package?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wilson-Tour-Mens-Package-Set/dp/B0036ORMVM/ref=sr_1_23?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1287411572&sr=1-23

FortuneChip

OP, being in the same boat as yourself a year ago, I picked up a set of Wilson Deep Red for about €300 or so.
That was a 10.5 Driver, 3W, 3i & 4i Hybrids, then Cavity Backs from 5 through to SW and a Putter.
I found, having used a mates Driver prior to this that the Deep Red Driver was a real game improver. Now I'm a long way from a solid golfer, but this set definitely helped me get a lot of enjoyment out of playing and a year down the line, €300 seems like a steal.

I'm sure there's plenty of brands that cater for newbies like ourselves with these sets

Elbow

Thanks for all the replies - I'm after finding a set that i think should be just what i want & price aint bad either http://www.golfonline.co.uk/wilson-moi-golf-club-set-steelgraphite-2010-p-6066.html
Opinions wanted & welcome

NoelAPM

Maybe it doesn't matter as a beginner but I would suggest trying before you buy! There's a vast amount of shafts out there. Especially graphite.. Different weights and flexabilities. Many of which you'll never be able to hit (well) even when/if you get good at golf.

Just to add... Maybe try clubs In a shop then go off and find them cheaper on line..

Elbow

Looks like its a trip to american golf in cork for me

I'll let ye know how it goes

dos30

Ok I think I'm going to go with a seperate iron set first.

I'm torn between these

Nike Golf Victory Red Full Cavity Steel
http://www.onlinegolf.co.uk/mens/golf-clubs/set-of-irons/186scog/7488pog.asp

Mizuno mx-100
http://www.golfdepot.co.uk/p/846616/mizuno-mx-100-iron-new-in-box.html

And a second hand set of Taylormade R7 graphite shaft for €250

What are your recommendations for a beginner?

couerdelion

dos30 wrote: »

Ok I think I'm going to go with a seperate iron set first.

I'm torn between these

Nike Golf Victory Red Full Cavity Steel
http://www.onlinegolf.co.uk/golf-clubs/irons/320scog/4410pog.asp

Mizuno mx-100
http://www.golfdepot.co.uk/p/846616/mizuno-mx-100-iron-new-in-box.html

And a second hand set of Taylormade R7 graphite shaft for €250

What are your recommendations for a beginner?

I've the Mx100 and think they are great clubs however I don't think Golfdepot will ship to Ireland (Tehy wouldn't 3 months ago when I asked). Email Direct-golf.co.uk and they may price match ;-)

I got given a set with graphite shafts and found them difficult to get any distance on.

A mate has the Nike's and he loves them. A few of us in work have ordered a few things off online golf and they have been excellent. They might also price match as they were going to match a price for a putteruntil they realised it was Odyssey, owned by Callaway and prohibited from being posted to Ireland.

dos30

couerdelion wrote: »

I've the Mx100 and think they are great clubs however I don't think Golfdepot will ship to Ireland (Tehy wouldn't 3 months ago when I asked). Email Direct-golf.co.uk and they may price match ;-)

I got given a set with graphite shafts and found them difficult to get any distance on.

A mate has the Nike's and he loves them. A few of us in work have ordered a few things off online golf and they have been excellent. They might also price match as they were going to match a price for a putteruntil they realised it was Odyssey, owned by Callaway and prohibited from being posted to Ireland.

No joy with the price matching I'm afraid
"Thank you for your email, but unfortunately we do not price match against any other website I am afraid. All of our best prices are displayed on the website."

NoelAPM

If your male and under 50 you'll be doing yourself no favours with graphite shafted irons!

dos30

Thanks guys, looks like the Nike Golf Victory Red Full Cavity Steels are the way to go so?

Elbow

Well spent an hour in american golf in cork today - I'm now the proud owner of a complete set of Wilson Deep Reds

Cant wait to go for a game next weekend (Or maybe the driving range during the week)

ianuss

Clohane wrote: »

Well spent an hour in american golf in cork today - I'm now the proud owner of a complete set of Wilson Deep Reds

Cant wait to go for a game next weekend (Or maybe the driving range during the week)

They're a great set. I've had mine for about a year now and I love them. The only gripe I have with them is I find there is too big a difference in distance between my 5 iron and the 4 hybrid. I'd be interested to hear if you find the same thing.

Elbow

ianuss wrote: »

They're a great set. I've had mine for about a year now and I love them. The only gripe I have with them is I find there is too big a difference in distance between my 5 iron and the 4 hybrid. I'd be interested to hear if you find the same thing.

Will do, hopefully i'll get to try them out during the week

Cheers for the help and advice everyone