Starting to Play Golf

markc91

Alright lads ive been playing the odd bit of P+P the last few years but want to start playing golf (Im joining the society in work) but at the moment im stuck borrowing clubs from mates etc. Im just wondering where would be the best place to start with regards getting clubs? Buying them from adverts/donedeal or buying a starter set somewhere?

Much appreciated!

Seve OB

markc91 wrote: »

Alright lads ive been playing the odd bit of P+P the last few years but want to start playing golf (Im joining the society in work) but at the moment im stuck borrowing clubs from mates etc. Im just wondering where would be the best place to start with regards getting clubs? Buying them from adverts/donedeal or buying a starter set somewhere?

Much appreciated!

welcome to our wonderful great game

you will get loads of advice on which clubs are best and worst, but what you have to remember is whats good for someone, might not be good for you.

my advice is go to a driving range who sell clubs, new or second hand. ask can you try some out. see what you think and go from there. of course you have the advantage of seeing how your borrowed ones went so maybe you like them

just important point to not though, especially if you are buying second hand. not all clubs are the same. they might be the same club, but the loft/lie & shaft could be very different.

Ultimately a fitting is always best, but I wouldn't be going there as a complete novice. get something cheap that works for you and then consider a fitting when you are playing a while and have developed a swing of your own.

oh yea.... now is the time to get some lessons.... don't wait till you develop bad habits

enjoy

kieran.

Seve OB wrote: »

oh yea.... now is the time to get some lessons.... don't wait till you develop bad habits

This is the best advice you'll get !!

Mantis Toboggan

markc91 wrote: »

Alright lads ive been playing the odd bit of P+P the last few years but want to start playing golf (Im joining the society in work) but at the moment im stuck borrowing clubs from mates etc. Im just wondering where would be the best place to start with regards getting clubs? Buying them from adverts/donedeal or buying a starter set somewhere?

Much appreciated!

I started a few years ago also, what I did was I bought a brand new starter set online, full set for €200. Used them until I got a better idea of the game and managed to sell them a year and a half later for €150 ish.

Upgraded the clubs then.

That would be my advice.

Letree

Get a set of game improvement irons anyway. Something like Ping G range are good to start with.

celtic_oz

https://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/wilson-pro-staff-irons/12125794

https://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/taylormade-mc-tour-preffered-irons-4-to-pitching/12252494

Seve OB

Letree wrote: »

Get a set of game improvement irons anyway. Something like Ping G range are good to start with.

Ehhhhh. Just NO!

What kind of stupid advice is that to be telling a newbie to the game to go out and spend 800 quid on a set of irons before they even look at a putter, driver and fairway woods.

Jayop

Second hand club sets can be picked up for next to nothing. They'll do you for a year or so and then decide if you want to invest in a better set. It's a class game but my advise is to run now because you're about to spend the rest of your life being frustrated pretty much every time you go out!

Seve OB

Jayop wrote: »

Second hand club sets can be picked up for next to nothing. They'll do you for a year or so and then decide if you want to invest in a better set. It's a class game but my advise is to run now because you're about to spend the rest of your life being frustrated pretty much every time you go out!

HAHA, so true.

But OP, don't let that get you down, you will get better. Even the top pros get frustrated at least a couple of times per round.

Letree

Seve OB wrote: »

Ehhhhh. Just NO!

What kind of stupid advice is that to be telling a newbie to the game to go out and spend 800 quid on a set of irons before they even look at a putter, driver and fairway woods.

How do you jump to that conclusion.

You could pick some early G range clubs on donedeal for €150 or so. I never mentioned brand new.

valoren

My advice to a beginner would be if you are free next week and if it isn't too far for you would be to go to the Irish Open in the K Club. Even for just a day.

If you're new to the game then going to see veterans who actually play the game for their living is what I would do.
I would bring a packed lunch and park myself somewhere on the driving range and absorb what they are doing and how they are doing it i.e. they aren't swinging hell for leather etc. They hit the ball with control, rhythm, precision and powerful finesse.

Then with that experience in your mind I would go and get lessons as mentioned to develop the fundamentals and start on to grooving your own unique swing.

markc91

Thanks for the help lads, I playEd my 1st proper round last month in my work society in Killeen castle and was told that if the round I had there didn't put me off golf then nothing would . I will take the advice on board and hopefully get some more in the meantime

First Up

valoren wrote:

If you're new to the game then going to see veterans who actually play the game for their living is what I would do.

Yes, and if you want to improve as a sprinter, go watch Usain Bolt. Ridiculous advice.

Buy or borrow a cheap starter set or half set of clubs and get a few lessons. Get used to hitting mid irons (6-8) and maybe a 3 or 5 wood and a wedge. When you can hit it fairly straight 100 - 150 yards go and play a bit on a friendly course.

By then you will have some feel for your potential and if you are still keen, get advice (and ideally a fitting) and take it from there.

brady23

I'm only after starting playing some way properly myself, played P&P and golf sporadically over the years, bought a combo of new and used, fitted and non fitted clubs.

Spent way too much money, bought a set of Nike Vapors with matching hybrid and 3 wood, since then I've bought a Ping G30 driver and hybrid, find them great clubs.

Additionally I got the sticky grip removed from the Nike clubs and whether its a mental thing or not but I've definitely felt more comfortable using them.
I've hit 1000+ balls in the past 2-3 weeks on the range and will play a couple of rounds over the next few weeks.

Just from my point of view, I would suggest going to the range whether you get lessons or not and just get comfortable with the clubs, I'm far more confident with the idea of playing a few rounds now.

First Up

brady23 wrote:

Just from my point of view, I would suggest going to the range whether you get lessons or not and just get comfortable with the clubs, I'm far more confident with the idea of playing a few rounds now.

Absolutely. The range is the place to build some muscle memory but I would strongly recommend lessons too. As they say, practice makes permanent - not perfect.

brady23

First Up wrote: »

Absolutely. The range is the place to build some muscle memory but I would strongly recommend lessons too. As they say, practice makes permanent - not perfect.

I actually haven't heard that but it's a good saying.

Personally I've tried to focus on basics such as grip, stance, straight left arm (I'm RH).

I'm also coming back from a back injury so increasing shoulder mobility in the gym over the past few weeks and definitely noticed an increase in distance, whether that's simply practice or extra flexibility I'm not sure.

I have some goals set for the next few months. It's definitely a sport for progressive goal setting imo

valoren

First Up wrote: »

valoren wrote:

If you're new to the game then going to see veterans who actually play the game for their living is what I would do.

Yes, and if you want to improve as a sprinter, go watch Usain Bolt. Ridiculous advice.

Buy or borrow a cheap starter set or half set of clubs and get a few lessons. Get used to hitting mid irons (6-8) and maybe a 3 or 5 wood and a wedge. When you can hit it fairly straight 100 - 150 yards go and play a bit on a friendly course.

By then you will have some feel for your potential and if you are still keen, get advice (and ideally a fitting) and take it from there.

It's motivational advice. And it's far from ridiculous. My nephew loves to run. If he had the chance to see Usain Bolt run he would be in heaven.

I started playing golf in 1998. Tiger was the man. Grip it and rip it was the way to play. I ingrained my OTT swing as a result.

Went to the Irish Open in 1999. First time seeing the Pro's. I remember watching Patrick Sjoland on the range. I was amazed that he made this game look ridiculously easy hitting mid irons dead straight. It always stayed with me. You didn't have to swing hard to play golf. That's why I recommend anyone to go see the Pro's wherever possible. You'll be motivated to get better. In the OP'S case he would see what the game involves.

First Up

valoren wrote:

It's motivational advice. And it's far from ridiculous. My nephew loves to run. If he had the chance to see Usain Bolt run he would be in heaven.

He might be in heaven but he would learn absolutely nothing. The OP doesn't need to be inspired about golf; he needs to find out how to play according to his own abilities - not those of players who were probably +5 in their teens.

markc91

Bumping this as im looking to buy clubs now have about €200 looking on adverts and donedeal but havent really got a clue what to look for as in brands or types etc. any thoughts or links to buying clubs? Went to McGuirks in Swords today to look at 2nd hand sets but they had little or nothing for beginners.

Jayop

markc91 wrote: »

Bumping this as im looking to buy clubs now have about €200 looking on adverts and donedeal but havent really got a clue what to look for as in brands or types etc. any thoughts or links to buying clubs? Went to McGuirks in Swords today to look at 2nd hand sets but they had little or nothing for beginners.

Cheap and cheerful would be my advise. Just pick up a set that you can view first and make sure they're all pretty straight etc. I'd probably still go and buy a putter separately and once you get used to hitting the clubs I'd buy a decent driver and 3 or 5 wood.

In Dublin (going by your location) there's a few options...

€120
https://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/golf-set-and-cart-bag/12150557

€115 Kildare
https://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/wilson-tour-rx-golf-clubs/12386495

€135 Kildare
https://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/mizuno-sterling-golf-clubs/12378588


Honestly, to get started just buy a cheap second hand set and go hit them. The beauty is that you'll be able to sell them for the same money if yu decide to upgrade.


The other choice it to build a set with seperates. It will probably stretch your budget but there's more quality to be had.

Here's a set of calloway irons in Dublin for €175. You'd not sure if te bag comes with them but you'd still need to get at least a putter and 3 wood to get going.
https://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/callaway-x22-irons-3-pw/12384440

First Up

Jayop wrote: »

Cheap and cheerful would be my advise. Just pick up a set that you can view first and make sure they're all pretty straight etc. I'd probably still go and buy a putter separately and once you get used to hitting the clubs I'd buy a decent driver and 3 or 5 wood.

In Dublin (going by your location) there's a few options...

€120
https://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/golf-set-and-cart-bag/12150557

€115 Kildare
https://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/wilson-tour-rx-golf-clubs/12386495

€135 Kildare
https://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/mizuno-sterling-golf-clubs/12378588


Honestly, to get started just buy a cheap second hand set and go hit them. The beauty is that you'll be able to sell them for the same money if yu decide to upgrade.


The other choice it to build a set with seperates. It will probably stretch your budget but there's more quality to be had.

Here's a set of calloway irons in Dublin for €175. You'd not sure if te bag comes with them but you'd still need to get at least a putter and 3 wood to get going.
https://www.donedeal.ie/golf-for-sale/callaway-x22-irons-3-pw/12384440

Agree with this. Just make sure they are suited for beginners (usually described as "starter" sets.) If you find you have an aptitude and interest in the game, you will probably outgrow them in a year, at which point you should look at getting properly fitted.

But don't buy something blind off the internet. The last thing you want is a set of tour stiff blades that only a scratch player or better can hit. I know its unlikely you would end up with them but I'd be more inclined to buy from a club pro shop or a specialty retailer like McGuirks or American Golf.