starting out

vector

I want to play Golf, I know nothing about the game, except how to read a leaderboard.

I think the thing to do is
*buy the cheapest set of new (not second hand) adult male clubs (about EUR 185 in a local shop, which includes bag, the brand name is dunlop or something else vaguely familiar sounding)

then
*go to driving range
and/or
*play pitch and putt

Am I wasting my money? Advice please!

Keano

Get your clubs and then get lessons if you are serious about taking it up.

You can hack away all you want but you will pick up bad habits and trying to fix them can be a slow process so going to a pro first should prevent any from the start.

kob29

Im at the same thing at the moment. Got a good deal on Spalding clubs on greenpistesports.com (delivered within 3 days).
Having started lessons a month ago I can tell you without doubt get them! You're at nothing trying to play this game on your own inspirations or by watching the pros. Watching the pros while having lessons is really useful though, it means so much more when you really see what they're doing and know why.

You'll love getting stuck into lessons, there's great deals to be got and about 8 should get you sorted with the basics to go out and hack away. I'm loving it!

ciarancummins7

I would recommend second hand irons, something like wilson deep or callaway X. Look at adverts.ie or golf shops second hand selections. Get cavity back irons, from someone who has not used them much (grooves and grips are not worn) and are quite common. Your best bet is to ask someone you know to help with this if possible. Preferably somone who is reasonably experienced and plays off a decent handicap (0->18). Get them to show you the basics for free at a range (how to hold a club, stance, basic swing etc..) once you have done this a couple of times, you would be in a position to actually learn from a professional teacher, and you have gotten used to the weight of the clubs etc.. Stick with irons at the start, and see if you like it from there.... just my 2cents.

Deco1983

Spot on CiaranCummins7

Opics

ciarancummins7 wrote: »

I would recommend second hand irons, something like wilson deep or callaway X. Look at adverts.ie or golf shops second hand selections. Get cavity back irons, from someone who has not used them much (grooves and grips are not worn) and are quite common. Your best bet is to ask someone you know to help with this if possible. Preferably somone who is reasonably experienced and plays off a decent handicap (0->18). Get them to show you the basics for free at a range (how to hold a club, stance, basic swing etc..) once you have done this a couple of times, you would be in a position to actually learn from a professional teacher, and you have gotten used to the weight of the clubs etc.. Stick with irons at the start, and see if you like it from there.... just my 2cents.

I wouldn't recommend getting a person with a handicap approaching 18 to show you the basics, since they usually have the basics wrong themselves

lettuce97

ciarancummins7 wrote: »

I would recommend second hand irons, something like wilson deep or callaway X. Look at adverts.ie or golf shops second hand selections. Get cavity back irons, from someone who has not used them much (grooves and grips are not worn) and are quite common. Your best bet is to ask someone you know to help with this if possible. Preferably somone who is reasonably experienced and plays off a decent handicap (0->18). Get them to show you the basics for free at a range (how to hold a club, stance, basic swing etc..) once you have done this a couple of times, you would be in a position to actually learn from a professional teacher, and you have gotten used to the weight of the clubs etc.. Stick with irons at the start, and see if you like it from there.... just my 2cents.

If you fancy following ciarancummins' first bit of advice, I've just spent the evening browsing new and shiny golf clubs, so will probably be flogging my Callaway X-16s if you have any interest?!! Regardless of your answer, I'd definitely agree that getting a decent second hand set is the way to go when starting out - I bought a starter set of Dunlops from McGuirks a few years back when starting out and I'd have to say there weren't great at all.

paperplanes1988

Would also agree with whaeared said above. Decent s/h set far better than a cheap starter/box set imo. Think of it as an investment, almost like a car. You'd pick up a s/h set of pIng g2/g5 irons for around €250. Great set of clubs for starting and indeed improving to a good level of golf. But even if you decide golf isn't your thing, stick them up on adverts/eBay within a few months and you'll probably get the same price back on them again, as they have reached their residual value. A new starter set may cost €299 or so, but I bet you wouldn't flog them for €100 in six months time if u want something better then.