IRL Golfers! Help a beginner?

[Haseo]

Ok, I need some help with selection of a set of golf clubs. I'm not looking to spend over $250 on my first set of clubs. I've used a couple of my friend's clubs at the range and the 10.5 loft driver with standard flex feels REALLY good to me so that's why I've narrowed it down to these couple sets and they're from Pinemeadow Golf (if you have a different recommendation for a brand/club complete set, please let me know as well. I'm very open to suggestions). Note that I've never played on a course before.

www.pinemeadowgolf.com/golf-clubs/golf_sets/pgx.set - I like the color scheme on this set. I'd need to purchase a sand wedge, putter and a bag for this (the bag I can find cheap somewhere. don't necessarily need the PGX stand bag).

www.pinemeadowgolf.com/golf-clubs/golf_sets/nitrix.pro.mens - It has the same white paint finish on the woods as the PGX set but it includes a bag and a putter for $10 more. It doesn't have a 5 iron though but the 24 degree hybrid will cover that distance. I'd probably replace the putter with a mallet style since I know I "slice" blade styles a lot from playing mini golf.

www.pinemeadowgolf.com/golf-clubs/golf_sets/pre16.set - I like how this set includes a mallet style putter and a stand bag for only $50 more than the Nitrix set.

[reebdoog]

Honestly I think if you want to spend less but are just starting you're better off getting a set that's a year or two old from ebay or something. Good clubs will only help you enjoy the sport more...don't get knock offs. That's my two cents

[mcbogga]

Good advice from Reeb. Actually a "half set" with five irons will be enough and actually help you in the beginning as 14 clubs can be confusing.

Also used is good - but make sure to change the grips if they feel a bit hard or slippery and make sure you get "game improvement" clubs unless you are super committed and fine with digging it out at the range for quite a while before enjoying your time on the course.

[Haseo]

What do you guys think about the Callaway Strata sets then? I know Callaway is one of the bigger brands in golf. The 12 PC set is on sale for $180 on amazon right now.

[mcbogga]

Should do you well. They are sticks. Until you get your consistency and swing-speed up the only mistake you can make is to get too difficult clubs. These should be fine.

You may need to change the putter to something else (buy used) since they are really flimsy sometimes in these beginner sets and that is your most important club.

[reebdoog]

I saw a number of iron sets on ebay in that 180 range that look good. If you do buy used also check the shaft flex. If you're just starting off don't just assume you need STIFF or you'll pay for it later.

Now to talk myself out of those year old Mizuno blades I saw... DANG IT!!

[Haseo]

Mar 26, 2016 0:55:33 GMT -5 mcbogga said:

Should do you well. They are sticks. Until you get your consistency and swing-speed up the only mistake you can make is to get too difficult clubs. These should be fine.

You may need to change the putter to something else (buy used) since they are really flimsy sometimes in these beginner sets and that is your most important club.

Forgot to mention that I have like $70 in rewards points on my Discover card that I can use on Amazon so they'd actually be in the $110 range.

[joegolferg]

Just make sure you stay away from blades.

[Haseo]

Mar 27, 2016 13:46:01 GMT -5 joegolferg said:

Just make sure you stay away from blades.

Blades as in blade style putter? Or tour grade irons?

[mcbogga]

Such as this.

[mrooola]

You can get really good stuff for the budget you have. My advice would be to stay away from any blades as mentioned or anything named tour. Chances are they are not for you.

I'd also stay away from any low budget beginner sets as well. You probably upgrade in a year anyway.

My advice would be to pick up something a little older than 1 or 2 years. No clue on price where you live but I found a set of Cleveland CG4 4i - PW + 2 wedges for about 1000SEK. Guessing that's about 130ish $.

Thing with a set like that is that you can play with them forever. Just get a new set of grips. Also. If wanted the wedges in the set I found could be sold separately for basically the same money to fund anything else you might need.

What I'm trying to say here is scour the used market and go for a solid brand that might include something extra worth your money.

[Deleted]

I really think it helps to try a few in a store for feel and weight, my older Titleist irons were so much heavier than my new Taylor Made irons I got last year. Took me a long time to get used to my new irons

[Haseo]

I'm heading to a course soon that has a range and a pro shop... might spend a couple hours there and see what they have.

[joegolferg]

Mar 28, 2016 17:11:17 GMT -5 Haseo said:

I'm heading to a course soon that has a range and a pro shop... might spend a couple hours there and see what they have.

Good stuff, pro shops are miles better than franchise/chains in terms of quality and customer care.

[Haseo]

Mar 29, 2016 4:16:34 GMT -5 joegolferg said:

Mar 28, 2016 17:11:17 GMT -5 Haseo said:

I'm heading to a course soon that has a range and a pro shop... might spend a couple hours there and see what they have.

Good stuff, pro shops are miles better than franchise/chains in terms of quality and customer care.

Theyes didn't have any used clubs but I went to the range with the free rentals. It was a Callaway XR set. I hit 95% of my iron shots straight down the middle with a couple of degrees of variance in either direction (naturally). Couldn't get a lot of the driver or 3 wood shots to go straight. I did hit the 250 sign with a driver though so I was proud of myself for that one lol