Golf Club Recommendations!

Any advice in mid range and high end sets of clubs. Seems like one needs to play golf in order to best network at my current firm. For my first set of clubs, how much should I be looking at spending? Any brand suggestions?

 

if youre a relatively new player, any of the top commercial brands like titleist, ping, calloway, etc will have a good set that will last a long time. expect 700-1100+ for a good set of brand new irons. i had taylor mades for a while and loved them and just switched to the mizuno jpx 900s last winter. also i recommend getting fitted, at least at a golf galaxy, to make sure youre getting the right shaft flex for your swing speed.

 

Since its your first set of clubs, I'd recommend getting a brand like Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist, but buy a set of irons from 2016 (I see the Callaway XR OS Irons going for around $500 at Dick's Sporting Goods). I always found that drivers, fairway clubs, and putters are simply preference. I don't use one specific brand for any of these, rather just what I have tested out and liked.

I agree with ebit-dab, get fitted, then buy an older set of irons. Use the money you saved for weekly lessons. The money you spend on learning the game will outweigh any amount you could ever spend on clubs. Feel free the PM if you have any other questions.

 

Type Forge vs cast: Forge is a softer metal, you would be able to bend it get the degrees/distance you want. Cast is more massed produced, so not really good if you want to tinker.

Blade vs cavity back: Blade is what you think of if you pick older irons, think something Arnold Palmer used. Less forgiving, but "players" get better fell and feedback. Cavity back irons are more weighted around the edge, therefore more forgiving. Cavity back irons are good for beginners. What has been popular of late is splitting your set, so Blade in the higher number clubs (PW, 9, 8, 7) and cavity back in the lower number clubs (6, 5, 4). Lower club numbers are longer, and harder to hit.

Brand Recommended high end clubs- go for Titleist or Mizuno. Great brands, but also known as somewhat of a "players" iron. Usually made from forged material, can cost more.

Low key steal: I would recommend going on Ebay and finding a set of Nike irons. Nike discontinued their club line a couple of years ago, but they are still good for beginner and you get can a steal. I'd recommend Nike Victory Red (VR) Split Forged Cavity or Nike Victory Red Pro Combo. Check Ebay, 2nd Swing online or Global Golf for used sets.

Overall, if you look hard enough, you can probably find a good set for ~$150, maybe less if you get lucky. I wouldn't spend too much, when you start out it doesn't really matter what clubs you use, more Indian than the arrow.

 

All-in on a new set from driver to putter plus bag, I'd say you're looking at $1,200 - $2,000+. Drivers alone can get outrageous ($300, $400+), but I snagged a gently used one last summer for about $200.

For drivers, woods, and hybrids, Taylor Made and Titleist are up there (I hit a Titleist myself). For irons I'd look at Calloway, Mizuno, Ping, and so on (I have an older set of Precept irons that I love). On drivers, woods, and hybrids you'll want something that has a healthy degree of forgiveness.

You'll probably want a gap wedge and sand wedge, Titleist makes extremely popular wedges (I have a 58 degree Titleist wedge). Putters you have plenty of choices, Titleist makes popular ones, as well as Odyssey. I have a Ping that I've gotten use to over the years. A lot of the putter comes down to what you like and play well with (soft face vs. hard face, etc.).

I'd recommend looking for some respectable used clubs. If you have to get something new, go for it. Getting used clubs saves a TON of money, especially on drivers. And getting used woods/irons will let you get a feel for what you like without dropping a ton of dough. If money is no issue, go for what you like and you can trade them in later.

 

Seconding what was said above, doesn't make much difference when you're just starting out and decent second hand clubs are ideal. If you start playing consistently, waiting a year or so will be more worth the investment because you'll have a better feel for what your particular game is like.

You also don't want to set high expectations, nothing is more painful than seeing someone roll up with brand new high end clubs and whiffing it 3 times on the first tee.

In the end, just remember that 90% of the error is your own fault and not the club's.

 
LeChiffre:
"Golf and sex are two things you don't need to be good at to enjoy." - Wise man from somewhere

![https://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/today-im-thankful-for-paig…]

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

BillBelichick37 did a great series on getting into golf. I'd start there.

https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/how-to-buy-your-first-set-of-gol…

also, if you buy brand new clubs and aren't even sure if you like the game, you're a patsy. get your handicap at 10 or less and then get custom fitted for something. at this point, you want to get presentable clubs, not creme de la creme. I have a set of irons still in my possession that cost me $150 on craigslist that still work great (they're forged Hogans and still have a mirror shine, for those curious). at the beginning, you don't need to spend a lot.

get a taylromade driver that's 1-3 years old (not used, but model years I mean), you can get those for a steal at your local golf galaxy. get a 3 or 5 wood, and a 3 or 4 hybrid/rescue club.

get 5-PW irons, a gap wedge (51-53 degree), a sand wedge (55-58), and a decent putter (a one year stale ping anser will run you less than $150).

although, if I'm being totally blunt, I wouldn't buy anything until I actually practiced a couple of times with a friend/relatives clubs, played a little to be sure I actually like golf, because I firmly believe that while it's a great game and I love it dearly, it's not essential to career success.

 

Keep in mind that if you are starting out you don't need a set with 14 clubs..

I would say getting a decent set of irons (9-4), 2 wedges (PW, SW) and a putter is more then enough at the beginning. Once you start getting a good feeling for your clubs you can start completing you set. For example, everybody is obsessed with the drivers and tbh it's the club I use the least on the tee. The reason is that I like to play the course 'safe' and I hit my irons relatively far.

Take for example an average 320-350m par 4. Most people would try to take a driver make a killer 250m drive and use a SW-PW to get on the green. I much rather play a 'safer' 5 iron (180-190m) and a 8-7 iron (150-170m). I play it this way because I have a very good feeling with the irons and (on avergae) I make less mistakes.

Keep in mind that consistency is waaaaay superior to distance in golf. Of course it is a super cool feeling to hit your driver 250+m and a lot of people like to brag about their dirver distance at the club house but at the end of the day it is consistency that lowers you HCP. It is useless to hit your driver 275m if 1 in 4 shots ends up in the water... This is a reason why women are often quite good at golf. They are consistent and especially in the short game that's key.

Same with all other woods, hybrids, etc. Some of them are great to have in the bag, however, I would say that most of the game is played with irons (my game). Thus, start out with good irons, start hitting them properly and then start buying the clubs you feel would complete your set. Maybe you have problems hitting the 4-5 iron and want to get a hybrid. Maybe you prefer another wedge to 3 wood because you are a long hitter. These are things you will only be able to judge once you start playing more.

Take my advice as you want. However, this helped me to get a decend HCP in recent years that allows me to play a nice round of golf that I can enjoy (HCP 18 atm) without making a fool of myself...

 

Unless I'm missing something, my mind does not compute the advice of the posters above who are recommending dropping over 500 bucks on a set of clubs. If you are new to golf, you will fuck your very expensive clubs up and the fancy specs will be of no benefit to you.

Get a cheap set of whatever-clubs; aim to spend no more than $200 - $300. After you hone a swing on the range, break 100, and kill that set, then upgrade to nicer clubs.

 

^This. Bear in mind as well that "beginners' clubs" will often be far more forgiving to play; club sets running much over an entry-level price point will be more focused toward precision than playability, and unless you can magically pick up a fade and draw the second you step onto the course, you're liable to get very frustrated.

Aide-toi, et Dieu t'aidera.
 
iggs99988:
Unless I'm missing something, my mind does not compute the advice of the posters above who are recommending dropping over 500 bucks on a set of clubs. If you are new to golf, you will fuck your very expensive clubs up and the fancy specs will be of no benefit to you.

Get a cheap set of whatever-clubs; aim to spend no more than $200 - $300. After you hone a swing on the range, break 100, and kill that set, then upgrade to nicer clubs.

You can buy used AP1s at an incredible affordable price point and they will be much higher quality than whatever "beginners club" garbage you buy.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Agreed. Do not go and buy some cheap set from Dick's. I'm not sure what kind of clubs people are playing where they mess them up... they're designed to be smashed into the ground repeatedly. If anything, you'll mess up a cheap set as they're going to be poorly made.

As a beginner, you'll be swinging much slower than an experienced golfer - you're not going to damage your irons.. It pays to get something nicer if you plan to play more than once or twice a year for the next 5 years.

 

I started golfing about 3months ago, and would highly recommend getting a club fitting at a pro shop. They will look at club length, face lie, shaft weight, and grip size; all incredibly helpful when you're a beginner and developing your swing.

My golf bag consists of the following clubs (all fairly forgiving): • Irons: Callaway Rogue X • Driver: Taylor Made M2 • Fairway Wood: Taylor Made M2 3-wood • Putter: Ping Cadence TR • Wedge: Ping Glide (Sand Wdg.)

Your club choice with evolve with your playing style but I've heard this is a good "standard set" for beginners to grow with.

All in with a golf bag and supplies (shoes, pants, glove, tees, balls etc.) I spent about $1.4k


Mod Note: I consciously spent more under the assumption that golf would be a long term investment for me, and I would give this sport much more than just a "good ole college try." Not recommended for everyone, especially if you're only looking to indulge in the sport once or twice a month.

"A man can convince anyone he's somebody else, but never himself."
 
Most Helpful

Some really bad advice has been given above….

1) Do not immediately get fitted. Fitting is expensive if done properly (some teenager at Golf Galaxy throwing a few brands at you and measuring how tall you are, is not a fitting). If you’re literally just starting out, your tendencies, swing path, swing speed, etc., will change over time and the loft/lie setup, shaft flexes, and overall club setup will not suit your game as your swing evolves.

2) Buy a used set of forgiving cavity back irons that are a few years old. Callaway and Taylormade are infamous for mass producing these clubs. While I wouldn’t recommend spending a lot on your first set, you should have something that is reliable. Don’t spend a premium on Titleist or Mizuno as other people have mentioned. Yes, these are fantastic brands to hit (I’ve hit MBs for years and you will not find a bigger Titleist fanboy than me), but unless money is no object, I wouldn’t go crazy.

3) Get lessons, but be pragmatic about it (again, if money matters). Don’t spend $250/hour on an expensive instructor; the marginal value you will get from these expensive instructors at your level is practically nil. You just need someone who knows what they’re talking about and can walk you through the core fundamentals.

Feel free to shoot me a message if you want any help setting up your bag.

 

Try and pick up some used woods and drivers. Most big-box golf shops have fantastic second hand selections and you can easily pick up solid clubs for your bag for way less than MSRP. It's amazing what some people trade in/sell back.

It is what it is.
 

Haha, bought it at course where I got my golf license. Pretty good deal so far tbh, and will deff stay with me till under handicap 30 or something like that. To be honest I think that as long as you have a larger set of irons the quality isn't as important (as long as they don't break easily) as training and getting your technique in check.

 

Callawaypreowned.com is a great site to check out. Obviously they offer predominantly Callaway clubs, but have other used brands as well. They run a number of good deals throughout the year (25% off woods, drivers, etc.). I recently bought a 1 year old EPIC 3 wood for about 35% of sticker price. Opened up the package and you can barely tell it has been used. Also have a solid return policy where you can try the clubs out for a month and return for a full refund.

As others have mentioned, at this point the clubs are only going to matter so much. I would highly recommend waiting a year or two before you even consider getting fitted / buying new. Your swing is going to change a lot as you learn and your club preference likely will as well.

 

You guys need to check out the Ruffhouser. It's a great club with a shallower, harder face and lower center of gravity. This combination produces a fairway wood that allows the weekend golfer to hit longer, more consistent shots out of the rough. The design also produces higher, straighter shots from the fairway.

Array
 
Streetsweeper86:
Any advice in mid range and high end sets of clubs. Seems like one needs to play golf in order to best network at my current firm. For my first set of clubs, how much should I be looking at spending? Any brand suggestions?

No Homo?

 

I'm fairly new to golf (this was my first real season) and I have been using a set of Mizuno MP-15 irons that I bought used but in near perfect condition. I'll probably hang with these for a while. Callaway makes fantastic drivers (I've just borrowed one from a buddy, but will buy this winter). For my putter, I use an ancient Titleist putter. I see all the high tech ones out now but my short game is A1, so if it aint broke dont fix it.

Dayman?
 

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