Buying golf clubs for a beginner?

[MaryAnnDVC]

DS (almost 17) wants clubs for Christmas. He just started playing golf over the summer, and used his friend's clubs. He really enjoys it and seems very interested in continuing to play.

I know clubs are expensive, but I'm really not sure how much. I've seen ads for Dick's Sporting Goods, and ONE club is over $100. On the one hand, I don't want to get him cheap clubs, because I assume quality matters. On the other hand, I can't help thinking "what if this is a passing phase", altho I don't think it is.

Any suggestions on how to get him started?? Golf is a totally new subject for me.

 

[golfgal]

The combo sets they have at Dicks, Walmart or Target are just fine for a beginner-unless he is REALLY tall or REALLY short. The quality matters to a point but if you don't have a repeatable swing, quality isn't going to help you any more than a beginner set. Actually the beginner sets will be easier to hit and he will have better results sooner with them. Another suggestion would be to go to a golf shop or pro shop at a local course and look for a trade in set. We are getting DS14 new clubs for Christmas and trading in his old set-I am sure a lot of others are too.

I started golfing with a $40 set my MIL bought at a garage sale and moved "up" to a $100 set I got at Walmart. I played with those clubs for about 5 years and then got a custom set.

 

[shrubber]

Look for a good used set.
Many golf pro shops at courses sell used sets.
Look in the phone book for used sporting goods stores. Also, golf specialty stores seel used clubs or can send you in the right direction.
A really nice set of used clubs 3 thru pw along with a driver, and two woods can be found for under 100 bucks pretty easily.

I found a darn brand new bag for my son at a Play it Again Sports for 15$
New would have been 75$ or more for the brand.

 

[Rafiki31]

We have used sporting good stores here, Play it Again and there is another one too. We sold two old sets at our last yard sale, how much time do you have to round them up?

I would not spend a fortune, in case he decides golf is not his thing. Get a used set and if he likes it get him a new one later on.

 

[Buckalew11]

I played a few times 20 years ago and only needed 2 clubs.

Actually, I would really like to learn to play. Golf and tennis are 2 sports you can play til you're old and gray.

 

[richsilver]

shrubber has the idea.Find a neighborhood golf shop and give them the info.

They can point you in the right direction.He'll be better off with a better quality used set than the retail store cheapies imho.

Maybe get him a bag you think he'd like with an IOU for a set of clubs.Then he can go in and get fitted a little better than just buying a set.



rich

 

[SarahandPaul]

As a person who has been playing golf for a while now the advice I would give is to just buy a cheap set (say 150 or so) and let him hone his skills until he is good enough to get a custom set (600-800). If you pay too much now it will just be a waste once he figures out his true swing (more loft or longer shaft...etc). A cheap set of clubs is like learning to drive on a cheap stick shift car. You don't know what you really need until you learn how to use it.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Check out golf shops at a course/club ASAP. We currently have all of our 2009 demos on sale - demo as in someone took it to the range and hit for 30 minutes or maybe played one round. You can get some quality clubs for very cheap. Even if it's a private club, they will likely sell to nonmembers since the golf industry is hurting right now.

 

[Golf4food]

If you really care you won't get him clubs at all...

You'll get him lessons.

See if you can ask around at one of the area golf stores and see who they would recommend - any course you call will recommend their own guy, of course, but any decent golf shop in town should know most all of them and they talk to the golfers all the time that come in to shop and might be a better source for that sort of info.

Buy him a few week's worth of lessons - then worry about clubs after the pro has given him something worth swinging for.

I am always amazed at the number of people who pick up clubs, hack their way around a golf course, complain about how hard it is, go buy another $400 driver, get the same results, but won't spend $100 on some lessons. Stupidity.

BUY HIM LESSONS.

But if he doesn't have any clubs of his own at all, then an inexpensive beginners set by a decent company would be a good starting point. I always recommended Powerbuilt for beginners when selling I was selling golf clubs retail - good company, around forever, good quality, but not expensive. You can get this set from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/PowerBilt-Dynasty-Varsity-Golf-Box/dp/B002CJMR9E

Everything he would need but a glove and some balls. (Powerbuilt is the same company that does Louisville Slugger baseball equipment - been around forever and used to have a lifetime guarantee on their golf equipment, not that I ever saw one break.)

A set like that would be plenty to start with, then take lessons, and after gaining a better game from the lessons he can start worrying about fancier clubs.

 

[golfgal]

If you really care you won't get him clubs at all...

You'll get him lessons.

See if you can ask around at one of the area golf stores and see who they would recommend - any course you call will recommend their own guy, of course, but any decent golf shop in town should know most all of them and they talk to the golfers all the time that come in to shop and might be a better source for that sort of info.

Buy him a few week's worth of lessons - then worry about clubs after the pro has given him something worth swinging for.

I am always amazed at the number of people who pick up clubs, hack their way around a golf course, complain about how hard it is, go buy another $400 driver, get the same results, but won't spend $100 on some lessons. Stupidity.

BUY HIM LESSONS.

But if he doesn't have any clubs of his own at all, then an inexpensive beginners set by a decent company would be a good starting point. I always recommended Powerbuilt for beginners when selling I was selling golf clubs retail - good company, around forever, good quality, but not expensive. You can get this set from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/PowerBilt-Dynasty-Varsity-Golf-Box/dp/B002CJMR9E

Everything he would need but a glove and some balls. (Powerbuilt is the same company that does Louisville Slugger baseball equipment - been around forever and used to have a lifetime guarantee on their golf equipment, not that I ever saw one break.)

A set like that would be plenty to start with, then take lessons, and after gaining a better game from the lessons he can start worrying about fancier clubs.

Good point--you can also check with the golf coach at his school to see who he recommends for lessons.

 

[Goofycampers]

Good advise about lessons. My DH has been a golf pro for over 25yrs and would definately recommend less spent on clubs and instead investing in some lessons. Especially for beginners to hopefully avoid some really bad habits.

 

[manning]

The combo sets they have at Dicks, Walmart or Target are just fine for a beginner-unless he is REALLY tall or REALLY short. The quality matters to a point but if you don't have a repeatable swing, quality isn't going to help you any more than a beginner set. Actually the beginner sets will be easier to hit and he will have better results sooner with them. Another suggestion would be to go to a golf shop or pro shop at a local course and look for a trade in set. We are getting DS14 new clubs for Christmas and trading in his old set-I am sure a lot of others are too.

I started golfing with a $40 set my MIL bought at a garage sale and moved "up" to a $100 set I got at Walmart. I played with those clubs for about 5 years and then got a custom set.

I had a repeatable swing.....unfortunately not the right one.

 

[golfgal]

I had a repeatable swing.....unfortunately not the right one.

 

[manning]

If you really care you won't get him clubs at all...

You'll get him lessons.

See if you can ask around at one of the area golf stores and see who they would recommend - any course you call will recommend their own guy, of course, but any decent golf shop in town should know most all of them and they talk to the golfers all the time that come in to shop and might be a better source for that sort of info.

Buy him a few week's worth of lessons - then worry about clubs after the pro has given him something worth swinging for.

I am always amazed at the number of people who pick up clubs, hack their way around a golf course, complain about how hard it is, go buy another $400 driver, get the same results, but won't spend $100 on some lessons. Stupidity.

BUY HIM LESSONS.

But if he doesn't have any clubs of his own at all, then an inexpensive beginners set by a decent company would be a good starting point. I always recommended Powerbuilt for beginners when selling I was selling golf clubs retail - good company, around forever, good quality, but not expensive. You can get this set from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/PowerBilt-Dynasty-Varsity-Golf-Box/dp/B002CJMR9E

Everything he would need but a glove and some balls. (Powerbuilt is the same company that does Louisville Slugger baseball equipment - been around forever and used to have a lifetime guarantee on their golf equipment, not that I ever saw one break.)

A set like that would be plenty to start with, then take lessons, and after gaining a better game from the lessons he can start worrying about fancier clubs.

Good advice. You really can't be fitted for clubs until you have a good repetitive swing.

 

[surfergirl602]

DS (almost 17) wants clubs for Christmas. He just started playing golf over the summer, and used his friend's clubs. He really enjoys it and seems very interested in continuing to play.

I know clubs are expensive, but I'm really not sure how much. I've seen ads for Dick's Sporting Goods, and ONE club is over $100. On the one hand, I don't want to get him cheap clubs, because I assume quality matters. On the other hand, I can't help thinking "what if this is a passing phase", altho I don't think it is.

Any suggestions on how to get him started?? Golf is a totally new subject for me.

try craigslist. We have a set that we've been trying to sell but our price is always too high. Most sets are good and practically free, but we're not willing to go that low, so I think we're stuck with them. lol

 

[golfgal]

try craigslist. We have a set that we've been trying to sell but our price is always too high. Most sets are good and practically free, but we're not willing to go that low, so I think we're stuck with them. lol

If they are descent clubs many golf stores or pro shops will take them as a trade or some will buy them outright to resell.

What kind of clubs are you selling and for how much? Keep in mind that Craigslist people are looking for deals, not quality at a good price. You might be better off advertising in the news paper or doing an auction on EBay if they are good clubs.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Thanks for all the advice. Will pass this on to DH.

 

[hoosll]

Do you have a Play It Again Sports store, they usually have a ton of clubs ...

I totally agree about lessons. My father bought my son lessons and it was wonderful. My son palyed golf in college and then became an assistant golf pro for 3 years. We didn't belong to a golf club, our son worked at the local clubs to earn lessons and playing time.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

We do have a Play It Again Sports. I'll stop by there and see what they have. Also, DH talked to a couple of golfer friends who gave him some recommendations.

I would love for DS to work at a golf course caddying. DH says the jobs are hard to come by, but I'd like DS to give it a shot. Unfortunately, he's big into soccer just about year round, esp in the Spring (every weekend, with some weekends away) into July.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

More questions!

Was at Target and looked in Sporting Goods. All sorts of strange golf things!

Are there any "necessary" or helpful accessories that we could also get him? I don't know if some of these things are just a waste of money and not really useful, or if he would have to pick them out himself (gloves??), or what. Opinions? (Yes, I stood there and made a list, after my friend and I decided for and against several items a few times over.)

Tees (seems like they'd be a simple purchase, but they're not all the same )
Balls (probably necessary to the game ...are there different kinds and does it matter which?)
Practice balls
Swing Groover (I don't even remember what that was! )
Putting mat and electric ball return
Putting cup
Auto putt return
Gloves

He's got other non-golf things on his list, so I don't want/need to just buy "filler" items, for the sake of spending money on him. However, if there's anything that would help him/his game, then I would. Tees and balls = stocking stuffers.

Also, we're in RI and he's not going to be hitting any balls outside for a while, so indoor items might be nice.

TIA