Starting golf

Dr.Rieux

Hi all,

I'm looking to start playing golf hopefully in the near future and looking for advice and pointers.

Firstly I'm going to get myself a set of clubs, I'm thinking a set like one http://www.nevadabobs.co.uk/shop/product/4818-wilson-moi-complete-golf-package-steelgraphite-2010 or http://www.mcguirksgolf.com/wilson-ultra-cgi-graphite-complete-set/wilc0112pd.html. What are people's opinions on these two? Or any other sets I should be looking for within a similar enough budget?

I'm currently working in Athlone but in Dublin the majority of weekends I'm looking for somewhere to play, ideally I'd like to play midweek after work but with evenings getting shorter not going to be a runner for much longer so I had planned on waiting until Spring to join a club down in Athlone and use public courses in Dublin at the weekends. Would going to the driving range for a few weeks before going out and playing be advisable?

Has anyone any advice on clubs in the Athlone area that would be worth looking at?

dan_ep82

I'm only playing a very short while,so don't just take my word on it, but if there was one thing I could change if I was to start again is I would buy second hand.

Not to say there's anything wrong with my current (Wilson set but I could have had a bag full of higher brand clubs. That or I could have had a similar set of clubs for much less.

The one thing I found with the set I got was it had no 5 wood which I ended up getting,other than that it has everything you'd need for the basics and the bag is pretty good too.

If you do go to the driving range,try to hit only one or two baskets and take your time. I used to go fairly regular a few years ago literally just to hit balls and if I overdone it I'd have sore's on my hands before I realised it.

the greatest game

I would agree with that..

Go to adverts..donedeal.. lots of golf bargains..
Research starter irons, forgiving irons.. maybe go for king cobras.. go to a golf shop and ask for a set of s/h forgiving irons.

As for a driver..do like wise... every driver these days promises to be easiest to hit...


As or joining a club.. its like learning to run before you can walk, I would wait until you have a least played 20/30 rounds of golf, you know the basic rules, you can at moderate pace and your not going to shoot 200 shots in the sunday morning competition.

Best of luck with it.

charlieIRL

you have Athlone GC, Moate, Mount Temple and Glasson around Athlone.

Athlone would be a tough test of golf and I'd wait till i'm playing a while before heading there, same would go for Glasson. I'd go have a look at Moate or Mount Temple with MT being the easier of the two but still a good course. Its just a bit more open so wayward shots are not punished as much.

If your not in a panic for clubs, I'll be sticking an add on adverts this week (just need to take photos) and will be selling a set of Wilson Di9 irons (only 2 years old), Taylormade R9 driver and a Callaway golf bag. No looking for the world for them either.

kelbal

Dr.Rieux wrote: »

Would going to the driving range for a few weeks before going out and playing be advisable?

Yes, go to the range, but get some lessons while you're at it. If you're starting from pretty much a blank slate, you might as well start right. No point getting used to bad habits only to have to struggle to get rid of them later.
Like dan_ep82 said, save a bit of dosh by buying 2nd hand and get a few lessons.

Dr.Rieux

Thanks for all the advice, I've started checking out adverts and donedeal this morning. charlieIRL, that does sound interesting, where are you located and have you a rough price? (not trying to turn this thread into a buy/sell, just curious).

Hopefully if the weather isn't too bad I'll get out to Stepaside at the weekend to the public course there, I can try and borrow clubs if necessary. Thanks all

charlieIRL

Am in Athlone as well. I'll stick the add up on the for sale thread when i do it up

realgolfgeek

As you are just starting out I'd advise in not joining a club straight away.
I'd be more inclined to join a golf society first and see how you get on.
The benefits of this is that you're not committing to a club, and you get to play different courses each time with a society. See how you get on, see how you enjoy it, and if all goes well, then take the plunge.

My opinion of course

Dr.Rieux

realgolfgeek wrote: »

As you are just starting out I'd advise in not joining a club straight away.
I'd be more inclined to join a golf society first and see how you get on.
The benefits of this is that you're not committing to a club, and you get to play different courses each time with a society. See how you get on, see how you enjoy it, and if all goes well, then take the plunge.

My opinion of course

Thanks realgolfgeek, I hadn't thought of that, I'll hopefully join the Boards Golf society in the new year and I think there might be in one in work, I'd be surprised if there wasn't really.

Seve OB

I agree with the second hand option. You will get better bang for your buck. The thing about golf clubs is they are made from proper hard durable material and will last a long time if taken care of, so I wouldn't worry about them not being new and shiny.

Just take a look at the grips though. They might be worn down and require new ones, which could cost you €10+ per stick Bad grips will make a big difference. Check the grooves also and make sure they aren't worn away.

With joining a club. I understand the guys telling you not to, but tbh, you seem like you are going to get stuck in, so being in a club will save you forking out green fees. Its great to get out and play different courses, but you need to practice and it is much easier to do this in your own club. If you get a good deal on membership somewhere it is worth it, and this will give you the added bonus of getting a GUI membership with opens the door for cheap open games in clubs all over the country.

charlieIRL wrote: »

If your not in a panic for clubs, I'll be sticking an add on adverts this week (just need to take photos) and will be selling a set of Wilson Di9 irons (only 2 years old), Taylormade R9 driver and a Callaway golf bag. No looking for the world for them either.

I hope you aren't planning on getting a new set of clubs for the 26th!!!

Dr.Rieux

I've booked a lesson with Mel Flanagan in Athlone for tomorrow evening

charlieIRL

stevieob wrote: »

I hope you aren't planning on getting a new set of clubs for the 26th!!!

I had the new irons in the bag for Palmerstown!!!:eek:

Dr.Rieux wrote: »

I've booked a lesson with Mel Flanagan in Athlone for tomorrow evening

Best of luck.