Good set of golf clubs for a beginner

[KipsBayEagle]

Just got a 500 dollar gift certificate to the golfsmith for my birthday, and was looking to grab a good set of golfclubs for a beginner.  Any thoughts?  My friends have recommended Lynx, but was looking for some more input from other people.  kinda new to this whole golf thing.

[MU B2002]

Are you looking full set woods/irons? 

Lynx is more of a component club these days, as I think they were purchased by golfsmith when they went under. But still probably decent quality if you are looking for a full package.

[KipsBayEagle]

yea, looking for everything, driver, woods, irons, putter, the works

[MU B2002]

http://www.golfsmith.com/products/TL1105/Adams/2009_Tight_Lies_Plus_Box_Set  ($499)

or a used package like this (pre-owned, but probably better quality)
Irons $239
http://www.golfsmith.com/products/PNG20091/Ping/PREOWNED_i3_O-SIZE_Irons_3-PW_w/_steel
+ Driver $99
http://www.golfsmith.com/products/cl576091/Cleveland/PREOWNED_HiBORE_XLS_Driver_w/graphite
+(1 or 2 $52 each)
http://www.golfsmith.com/products/ca103591/Callaway/PREOWNED_X_FAIRWAY_WOOD_W/GRPH
+ cheap putter and bag.

IMHO

[Chili]

First, go to your local golf shot and get fit. Get the proper shafts and lie for your clubs and it will help out tremendously.

[MU B2002]

First, go to your local golf shot and get fit. Get the proper shafts and lie for your clubs and it will help out tremendously.

+1

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Honestly, buy a good "game improvement" iron, and don't get too tied up in the brand. Lynx is fine. I think Salzenger has some good starter sets too. A lot of these sets come with everything (bag, irons, woods, putter, etc.). They are a good option if you want a "plug and play" approach.

I love used stuff, it's a lot cheaper, and for 99% of players out there, the latest technology really doesn't help much.

I think Golfsmith does sell some used stuff, so I would start there and look for a good set of "game improvement" irons. You're going to want the easiest clubs to hit.

If you want to spend a little money on name brand stuff (to look cool), spend it on wedges or a putter. Those are items you can keep for a while. You really won't "outgrow" those. You might find another putter you like in a couple of years, but it never hurts to have an extra putter around.

Oh, also, lessons will always help your game more than any club ever could.

[mugoose]

go to Sports AUthorty and see if they habe Taylor Made RAC o rsomething similiar. very easy to hit, and a very good for the price. Steel shadts - your are too young for graphite

For driver, i'd suggest a cleveland driver (about 10.5 degree)

putter - odyssey. good priced putter.

[reinko]

I would also wait until Spring, so you can demo clubs out on an outdoor range.  Too tough to judge hitting into a net.

Also echo getting fit.  Not sure if you are 5'7" or 6'3" or somewhere in the middle, the shafts might need to be adjusted for your height. 

[tower912]

Get properly fit, buy cheap clubs, spend the rest on lessons.   

[MUBurrow]

definitely don't be afraid to go to a golf shop and hit their stuff while acting as if you're interested in buying.  the workers are normally really helpful and will steer you toward a nice set to begin with. you feel a little bad about lying about the potential for sales guys' commission, but despite how good they are on paper, some clubs just don't agree with some people.

a note though, I'm not a big fan of really wide based irons, like Nike Slingshots for example.  A lot of pros at shops will try to put you in a set like that because they are so bottom heavy that they make it easy for beginners to hit straight. the return on them is much faster.  however there is a very limited amount you can do with them, and if you progress to the point where you want to spin the ball and more advanced skills, you won't be able to do it with such a wide, heavy bottomed club. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

and if you progress to the point where you want to spin the ball and more advanced skills, you won't be able to do it with such a wide, heavy bottomed club. 

This is completely true, but honestly, how many people progress to that point with their first set of clubs (if at all)?

Get what's easiest to hit, learn to play, then upgrade as necessary.

[______]

You need to get fit for your clubs because if you buy the wrong length clubs you could create more hurdles.  You should go to golfsmith and hit every club and determine which ones feel the most comfortable.  (You should also hit them outside)

[bma725]

Disclaimer:  I worked in the golf industry for years.  I've gone through the fitting certification programs for every major manufacturer, and was at one point a card carrying member of both the Professional Clubmakers Society of America and the Golf Clubmakers Association of America.  I've done literally thousands of fittings, with nearly every major fitting method that's been in vogue since the mid 1990s...and I'm about to go into golf nerd mode on everyone reading this thread.

If you're really a beginner, meaning you've never played or barely played before don't waste your money getting fit, because it just isn't worth it at your level.

Fitting is a great tool for people who have been playing the game for a long enough period of time to develop at least a reasonably consistent swing, but it's a pretty terrible tool for beginners and often causes more problems than good because as a beginner you invariably won't have a consistent swing.  Beginners tend to do everything different every time they swing.  Swing speed is wildly inconsistent, swing path varies greatly, swing plane is never the same from one swing to the next, contact is all over the face etc.  

That means there's no pattern, and when there's no pattern, there's no way to actually fit you, because that's all fitting really is.  It's taking the pattern of characteristics that your swing most closely identifies with, and then fitting that to different product guidelines based upon manufacturer specification and experience.  So what ends up happening in 99.9% of cases is that you end up with specifications based upon the fitter's guess about what you should be using based upon your height, posture and arm length....things which for the most part are not actually determining factors in whether or not a golf club fits you, and things that can actually cause your swing to develop problems.  You'd be better off just not getting "fit" at all.

In fact, I'd say that for all beginners.  Unless you are seriously out of the range of what the golf industry consideres to be normal heights...i.e. taller than 6'2 or so, or shorter than 5'10 or so, don't bother getting fit, it's just a waste of time and money.

Instead, buy whatever complete set you like the looks and price of, and spend the rest on lessons.  Golfsmith has several to choose from that aren't bad, though I'd recommend the Adams or Wilson lines just in terms of brand quality control and design.  Then if you like the game enough to keep playing, in a few years when you've developed a more consistent swing, spend the money for new clubs and get fit by a competent professional.  Doing it now is just throwing your money away. 

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Disclaimer:  I worked in the golf industry for years.  I've gone through the fitting certification programs for every major manufacturer, and was at one point a card carrying member of both the Professional Clubmakers Society of America and the Golf Clubmakers Association of America.  I've done literally thousands of fittings, with nearly every major fitting method that's been in vogue since the mid 1990s...and I'm about to go into golf nerd mode on everyone reading this thread.

If you're really a beginner, meaning you've never played or barely played before don't waste your money getting fit, because it just isn't worth it at your level.

Fitting is a great tool for people who have been playing the game for a long enough period of time to develop at least a reasonably consistent swing, but it's a pretty terrible tool for beginners and often causes more problems than good because as a beginner you invariably won't have a consistent swing.  Beginners tend to do everything different every time they swing.  Swing speed is wildly inconsistent, swing path varies greatly, swing plane is never the same from one swing to the next, contact is all over the face etc.  

That means there's no pattern, and when there's no pattern, there's no way to actually fit you, because that's all fitting really is.  It's taking the pattern of characteristics that your swing most closely identifies with, and then fitting that to different product guidelines based upon manufacturer specification and experience.  So what ends up happening in 99.9% of cases is that you end up with specifications based upon the fitter's guess about what you should be using based upon your height, posture and arm length....things which for the most part are not actually determining factors in whether or not a golf club fits you, and things that can actually cause your swing to develop problems.  You'd be better off just not getting "fit" at all.

In fact, I'd say that for all beginners.  Unless you are seriously out of the range of what the golf industry consideres to be normal heights...i.e. taller than 6'2 or so, or shorter than 5'10 or so, don't bother getting fit, it's just a waste of time and money.

Instead, buy whatever complete set you like the looks and price of, and spend the rest on lessons.  Golfsmith has several to choose from that aren't bad, though I'd recommend the Adams or Wilson lines just in terms of brand quality control and design.  Then if you like the game enough to keep playing, in a few years when you've developed a more consistent swing, spend the money for new clubs and get fit by a competent professional.  Doing it now is just throwing your money away. 

What doesn't BMA know?   

[GGGG]

Just got a 500 dollar gift certificate to the golfsmith for my birthday, and was looking to grab a good set of golfclubs for a beginner.  Any thoughts?  

Save yourself a bunch of misery and give it away.  Seriously, I used to play all the time...sometimes my brother and I would play 45 holes a day.  I was on my high school state championship team. 

I dropped it for a bit when I had a young family.  When I got back to game after a couple of years, my game was worse...and it frustrated me.  My clubs were rapidly getting out of date, and I didn't want to spend the money to replace them.  I also was getting tired of the money and the time I had to invest to play.

So after a terrible round, on a hot and humid September day about five years ago, I dropped the game.  Cold turkey.  Haven't even picked up a club since.  I don't miss it one bit.  I don't ever want to play again.

But that's just me...

[Ari Gold]

This is what I keep in my Bag.

• Taylor made for Irons wedges and rescues. drivers are Ok (I like the Burner but the R series are good clubs)
  Ping drivers are good too (I like the i Series)
  Nike for wedges (only nike clubs i like) and balls -if youre at the level where the ball makes a difference-
  Odyssey for Putters. (The Two Ball is fine but I like the sabertooth)

I'd suggest you go to a place and take a few swings and see what you like. That is if you have a decent enough swing to make an assessment.

If you take Sultan's Option, You can give me the gift certificate, I could use an R9 and some new irons

[bma725]

What doesn't BMA know?   

Where I put my damn glasses for starters. 

My expertise is limited to three things...golf, basketball and BBQ...probably in that order, beyond that I got nothing.

[MU B2002]

Where I put my damn glasses for starters. 

BBQ...

Pork or beef?

[bma725]

Pork or beef?

Prefer pork, though I guess it depends on style.  Not a big fan of the eastern North Carolina vinegar heavy stuff, and would definitely eat beef before that any day of the week.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Where I put my damn glasses for starters. 

My expertise is limited to three things...golf, basketball and BBQ...probably in that order, beyond that I got nothing.

Holy crap.

That's like my holy trinity.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Holy crap.

That's like my holy trinity.

replace golf with internet porn and you've got 4never's trinity.

[KipsBayEagle]

Thanks for the help guys, lotta good stuff here

[4everwarriors]

replace golf with internet porn and you've got 4never's trinity.

Wrong again, dude. Golf is my favorite thing to do while standing. I'd say replace BBQ and then you're talking.

[muballer10]

bma is 100% correct. A beginner will not notice the difference of a degree of lie or loft. If you are between 5'7" and 6'2", the standard lie and length will certainly do fine. more often than not, you will get inconsistent readings on your lie preference because you will continually hit the ball at a different spot of the club face.

I know part of it is for looks, but there is one sure-fire way to announce to the world "hey, im a beginner" and that is to get the set that is the same brand from putter through wedge. (that and using iron covers) Please, please resist the temptation to buy it all together. $500 is more than enough to buy enough stuff that is worth getting, spend it wisely.

My first piece of advice is to get a putter you love, and ive never met a beginner (or anyone really) that did not love odyssey putters. Will your putts may not always go in, you are going to have a much more consistent stroke and you will feel as though you are hitting the sweet spot everytime. Secondly, get a hybrid club, which is mix between a wood and an iron. It will be the easiest club for you to hit for a long time if you are just starting out, and you will learn to love it. Older model Clevelands are the best, and can be had for pretty cheap. For a driver, mentioned above was the Cleveland HiBore, which I feel is a very good and VERY affordable choice. One thing you may want to get tested out is shaft stiffness. My guess is you should probably start out witha regular shaft, but it depends on how hard you swing. If you swing really hard and have a regular staff, that can really cause you to be inconsistent. Same thing if you have average swing speed and a stiff shaft. You really want to get that right.

When you go to buy irons, make sure you buy ones that you feel comfortable standing over. Dont necesarily buy what people tell you to, just buy what looks the best.  If something looks goofy or off, dont buy hem because you will probably not get over it. Nike has always had some really good entry level clubs. Same for Taylor Made and to a lesser extent Cleveland. Stay away from Titleist, too expensive.

Lastly, dont buy a sand wedge or a lob wedge. It is a easy way to blow $100 on a club and when you start out a pitching wedge will do just fine. Welcome to the game, I hope you love it as much as I do.

[jmayer1]

Agree pretty much 100% with MUBaller and BMA.  Get what you like the looks of when you stand over it.  You can get a lot of really nice clubs used that haven't been played much by CEO types at the typical golfsmith or golf galaxy.  Make sure to get the right shaft on your driver (or hybrid/fairway woods if they are graphite shafts as well).  I would also agree with those guys and recommend replacing some of the longer irons (3, 4) with a hyrbrid and look for a putter you really like to setup of.

The one thing I would disagree with MUBaller is not getting a sand wedge.  I don't think a beginner needs to have a club with 58+ degrees of loft (generally referred to as a lob wedge), but having a sand wedge with a loft of 54-58 degrees will make getting the ball in the air of pitches from 25-50 yards a little easier (however, most beginners should try to chip and run a majority of their greenside shots (25 yards and in) as they are easier to control).  However, that's just my opinion and obviously different golfers & teacher have different approaches/ideas.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Listen to BMA.

Get regular shafts.

Make sure you like the LOOK of the club.  When you're holding that club in your hands, you have to be confident that you can hit the ball with it.  You should be able to say to yourself, "Yeah, I can swing this club and get that stupid little white ball up in the air!"

[21Jumpstreet]

I made the mistake of going to get fitted, thinking I was better than I was.  Ended up with Ping i2 blades with stiff shafts about 1/2 inch longer.  Absolutely horrible.  I have played Wilson, Titleist, Taylor Made, and Ping.  I am 6'1" and have a relatively consistent swing now.  I then went to Golf Galaxy and bought a set off the rack and they are fine. 

My only thought for you is that the heel?/blade should be a little wider in your first set.  This will offer forgiveness on your shots and get you out of the rough a little better.  Also, as someone said don't buy the same company for every club with iron covers, etc.  I say don't go one further, don't buy a name brand bag with your name brand clubs.  I have a crappy old Datek bag, works fine.

My golf knowledge is limited, so I am sure my thoughts are off in some areas.  This is just personal experience.

Last bit of wisdom...As someone once told Lou Holtz after he hit a bad shot and cursed up a blue streak, "you're not good enough to get mad."  Enjoy yourself, it makes golf so much more fun.

[21Jumpstreet]

Oh, and if you buy used, which if have done for certain clubs, get them re-gripped.  To me the grip is very important.

[4everwarriors]

Oh, and if you buy used, which if have done for certain clubs, get them re-gripped.  To me the grip is very important.

Good idea since you don't want to share the same grips with the previous owner who probably picked his nose and ass on the golf course.

[muwarrior87]

Oh, and if you buy used, which if have done for certain clubs, get them re-gripped.  To me the grip is very important.

Good idea as you don't want to accidentally fling a club toward the clubhouse and hit someone trying to enjoy a sandwich when you miss a putt (unless you have a caddy to blame it on).