New golf clubs

[stupet11]

Restarted golf over last 3 months, as one of my customers giving me lessons on knock for knock basis.

I have been using my dads old clubs, Macgregor Golden Bear - prob about 20 years old. Have regripped them. With heavy metal trolly and thread bear bag.

Would like to get my old clubs. Like most sports - a minefield if you dont know what you are buying. Will discuss with my coach too - but would like to get more opinions too, as I will only ever be a caual golfer - 1 lesson a week, 1 range hit a week, and a round once a month (more in summer months).

So questions:

New beginner set or second hand more advanced set?
Mix of clubs or stick to same makes?
Graphite shafts on irons at my stage (just beyond beginner, no handicap - best round in 5 years ago 108, current in the 120's)?
Any do's / don'ts from experience?
Any bargains I could pick up in Florida next summer!? Happy to wait if there are good deals to be had...
Budget £250 I think from looking at beginners set / 2nd had sets.


Cheers!

[Tetrarch]

Hi,

I am getting back into golf on a much more regular basis, but from a low level of competence...

I shoot about 100, with an aspirational target of 90 within a year. I had my clubs, bag and trolley stolen from my car in August, so I was looking to replace for a low cost.

If you split your future bag into four components.

Woods (D,3W and 5W)

I went to a local pro shop and looking through their discount bin got talked into a fitting. I was intent on buying TaylorMade M3's but after a few supervised thwacks on the range the pro pushed me towards some much more forgiving Yonex Elite's that I really like and work for my handicap

Hybrids - My stolen set was Mizuno Mx-19s which was a mix of 3 and 4 Hybridsvand irons 5-pw

As a high handicapper, I love Hybrids, they are reliable for picking a ball out of the rough and much easier to hit off the floor than a low iron.

Irons

Per above I now have a bargain set of Yonex Irons that I bought from golfbidder. When i improve, or next time i go to Florida I have an eye on some new Mizuno's. Whatever I decide I may well try some local pro shops to see whether I can find a genuine single club to try.

Wedges

I used to have pair of Cleveland wedges one 60-deg and one 54. I loved these clubs and they were the most reliable. I also used to practice with them at the range a lot. I wonder if those things are connected?

Now I have a 60-deg Calloway Sure Out2 that I am getting used to.

I have used eBay and Faceboook to source cheap replacements for my stolen Sun Mountain bag and trolley set. Golf Clubs I would be more wary of as there are so many fakes about.

If you are going to have some lessons then you could do a lot worse than ask your pro to recommend clubs and you can probably try some out if his shop is well stocked

Regards and best of luck

Gary

[stupet11]

Thanks for this.

My pro is focused on technique over equipment, which as a L3 coach myself I agree with. But understanding equipment I think us important too (so you don't waste money when you see a baragain!).

[tspill]

I was in a similar position last year. I am a poor hacker - shooting 110 was a miracle.
Looked for a couple of months and settled on a set on Taylor Made M2s and a TM Jetstream driver. These all made a big difference.
But the club that made the biggest difference was a new Oddessy 2-ball putter. Unbelievable the difference this made. £100 well spent.
Last time out before lock down, I broke 100. The clubs were a big part of this.

I tried loads of new clubs but came to the conclusion that a used set of better clubs was a better way to go for me.

Target now is to consistently break 100.

I get your point about technique over equipment. But the equipment can improve confidence and good clubs just feel so much better when striking the ball.

The other thing that has helped me was an electric trolley. I dont get anywhere near as tired as I used to - especially on the last 6 holes. And has massively improved my enjoyment.

[stupet11]

Thanks.

Yes - psychological boost if you believe you have the right equipment to suit your game (rather than hand me downs!)

[Dinglebert]

You need the right equipment fitting to your needs. This doesn't need to cost a fortune. There are a number of issues but for me the most important one is how the club lies when you address the ball and that is height dependent. If the club does not lie flat then you will have a tendancy to either dig the heel or toe of the club when hitting the ball.

The likes of American golf will fit for free.

[stupet11]

Originally Posted by Chair1519

You need the right equipment fitting to your needs. This doesn't need to cost a fortune. There are a number of issues but for me the most important one is how the club lies when you address the ball and that is height dependent. If the club does not lie flat then you will have a tendancy to either dig the heel or toe of the club when hitting the ball.

The likes of American golf will fit for free.

See more...

I had assumed standard length, being 5 ft 8/9

Did a google - yes, see there is more to it than just height!

[jdouds]

Hi in reality only one way to do this . Go to the local pro, American golf or equivalent golf shop. Set out what you do and a budget from there they will set you up with either a good second hand set or a new budget set to fit your needs. The biggest mistake made is people trying to play with clubs that don’t suit there swing speed or ability. To qualify my thoughts I’m a previous 4 handy cap now playing of nine and like others as I have got older have had to change clubs to adjust to my swing speed and ability

[Deano]

Million different ways to cut this and I've been a single figure handicap player for 35 years but If I was coming into golf right now I would go for this package set that offers massive value and will last you a good while until your game and swing develops enough to get real benefits of custom fitting and specialist clubs to suite you game.
costco/Sports-Spas...anded/p/292918

[tspill]

Originally Posted by jdouds

Hi in reality only one way to do this . Go to the local pro, American golf or equivalent golf shop. Set out what you do and a budget from there they will set you up with either a good second hand set or a new budget set to fit your needs. The biggest mistake made is people trying to play with clubs that don’t suit there swing speed or ability. To qualify my thoughts I’m a previous 4 handy cap now playing of nine and like others as I have got older have had to change clubs to adjust to my swing speed and ability

See more...

I personally found the pro shops at clubs infinitely better than places like AG. Down side is less choice. But I would choose better advice. All AG (and similar) wanted to do is sell stuff. The pros at clubs actually spent as much time as needed and were more interested than helping.