I'm brand new to golf- can anyone recommend a top quality brand for an entry-level set of clubs?

Question

How much should I expect to spend? I definitely want a quality set, but not anything that's beyond my needs as a newbie. Thanks!

Answer 1

New golf clubs are nice, but certainly not needed or recommended for a beginner. This is what i did when i first started. Go to local sporting goods store or even your local golf course probably sells clubs. Look through all the clubs and find a set that feels good (brand doesn't matter). Then get online and find copies or clones. You can get a brand new fully customed set for under $200. I just started getting back into the game about a week ago after being off for 7 years, so i just went to diamondtour.com and ordered a whole new set. Mine cost a little more because i got higher quality stuff but for a beginner the lower quality stuff is fine. hope this helps

Answer 2

I absolutely agree with T1dude, don't get new clubs, they are just too expensive for what you really get, you're paying for the "buzz".    Many golf stores will let you take used clubs and try them with a deposit, which is very nice.   I do have some suggestions though... get Regular flex shafts, they will tame your swing down, and it is very unlikely your swing speed will be fast enough for stiff shafts.   Get a driver with 11 or 12 degrees of loft, it'll be much more accurate and easy to hit and that's very important to a beginner.   Stay away from iron sets with 1,2,and 3 irons, they are very hard to hit even for better golfers.  Go with a set that has more wedges - at the very least a sand wedge and pitching wedge, I guarantee this will improve your short game in the long run.  Improving the short game is the fastest way for a beginner to shave strokes off their scores, so hopefully someday you can include a lob wedge and gap wedge in your set as well.   Remember you can have 14 clubs in your bag, which includes the putter, so take advantage of that.  Good luck to you!

Answer 3

Don't buy clubs,take lessons from qualified instructors,then let your instructor help you decide.

Answer 4

Don't even consider a new set of clubs.  Go with a nice gently used set.  Most golf specialty stores will have a used section.  If there is not one in your town, try ebay (although you don't get to hit them first with ebay).  

If you can, definitely hit a few sets before you make a decision.  There is no perfect set of clubs for a beginner (or for a pro, for that matter).  Selecting a set of clubs is highly personal.  Some people prefer a certain style, others do not.  Don't be afraid to try as many as you can.  The golf stores will let you hit whatever you want.

IMO, you would be very well served by a set of Ping Eye 2's.  This is considered by some to be one of the best irons ever made.  They have not made them in 15-20 years, but you can find used sets for $200 all over the place (The copper sets, which will be labelled on ebay as "BeCu" got for $800, so you probably won't want to big on those).

You will also need a driver.  Don't waste your time with any driver that is older than two years old.  Advancements in driver technology in the last few years have rendered older drivers practically useless.  The newer ones go much farther, produce less slice/hook, and are easier to hit.  You should be able to find a driver that is 1-2 years old for $100-$150.  In fact, you can now get a brand new Cleveland HiBore XL for $150 since they just came out with the neer XLS.  I highly recommend this club.

You will also need a putter.  Once again, just go to a golf store and hit all the different styles and see what you like.  I also recommend trying putters of different lengths.  Some people like short putters others like longer ones.  

Good luck!