Another beginner - lost in the large selection of clubs

[kolstade]

I just started my golf PE class at my university and have decided
to buy my own set of clubs. Yesterday, I started wandering the local
golf stores in the Tacoma area and got shocked of the huge selection
of clubs & prices to choose from.

I need some help choosing the right equipment.

Some information that should narrow down the choices:
-Man
-Normal height
-Right-handed
-Beginner
-Maybe want to resell it later if I feel that I'm not fit for the sport (therefore maybe willing to pay for a name brand if there is a good price)
-Need everything
-Wants to use between $150-300
-Willing to buy used sets
-No special preferences.. yet!

Please provide specific Internet links to the different products.

I will be thankful for any useful replies

[dorkman53]

That's a relatively limited budget, even for buying used sets. I'm sure it can be done, but you'll need to expect some visible wear and tear on your clubs.
Have you ever played before, or are you a true newbie?
Don't hesitate to ask for input from your instructor. He/she may be aware of good deals locally.

Also, be forewarned that you will likely get some very unhelpful and dogmatic advice from some people on this board who fancy themselves in dual roles of defending their dubious masculinity while attempting unsuccessfully to be humorous. Enough said.....

[kolstade]

That's the suggested budget, but maybe not the actual one
Yes, I am a true newbie. I just started playing on the range this month and
had a lot of fun with it.

I can ask my instructor, however, i think he works for that golf club meaning
he would probably try to push some of their products on me..
That's why I ask you guys.. who don't get a premium for pushing "these" clubs at me..

Just found the Wilson Deep Red for $299 at tgw
http://www.tgw.com/customer/category...TEGORY_ID=8516
what do you think?

[dorkman53]

That's the suggested budget, but maybe not the actual one
Yes, I am a true newbie. I just started playing on the range this month and
had a lot of fun with it.

I can ask my instructor, however, i think he works for that golf club meaning
he would probably try to push some of their products on me..
That's why I ask you guys.. who don't get a premium for pushing "these" clubs at me..

Just found the Wilson Deep Red for $299 at tgw
http://www.tgw.com/customer/category...TEGORY_ID=8516
what do you think?

Something along that line should serve you well for quite a while. Don't sink a lot of money into it at this point. Wait until you are well into your learning curve (it actually never ends), at least to the point of having a relatively reproducible swing, before you consider dropping any serious coin on golf clubs. The set you show there will have a reasonable amount of forgiveness without being excessively "game improvement" to the point that it would stifle your development.

TGW has some really attractive deals on clubs that are "last year's" clubs. Who cares? They're new to you, and clubs don't change THAT much from year to year, despite the "latest and greatest" things constantly introduced to the market that some of us love to buy. (Guilty as charged, your honor....)

[kolstade]

Think I will go for this set then.

By the way, I got two offers earlier today:
1. Sports Authority clerk gave me an offer
on the Wilson Tour RX 2008 set (blue) org price 299.. but
i would get it for 200 ink tax. (link to 2007 version)
http://www.sportsauthority.com/produ...entPage=family

2. A pro golf store in the neighborhood gave me this offer:
Adams Redline 3 & 5 wood pretty good condition (used) each $25
Tommy Armor 3-SW iron set (new) $149
Wilson putter (new) $19
Nicker stand bag (new) $49
All together with tax: $293.60

What do you think?

[Kiwi Player]

If you're a complete newbie those clubs would be perfect. If you're not even sure whether you'll continue playing you might as well spend as little as possible to get into the game. Wilson is a quality brand and as a complete beginner you would hardly notice any difference between those clubs and more expensive clubs. If you get bitten by the bug (like the rest of us on this board) and decide to upgrade later that's fine. The more you play the more you will learn about the game and about the sort of clubs you would like to have in the bag.

Good luck and enjoy!

[Kiwi Player]

Without seeing them it is hard to make that call but I will say that Adams make VERY good fairway woods.

[kolstade]

From me being a totally novice golf player, I would say that they looked
alright. What about the rest of the package?

[Kiwi Player]

I don't know much about Tommy Armour irons but as I said as a complete newbie you can't go too far wrong as long as they are reasonably forgiving cavity back irons which I assume they are. The putter and bag should be fine too.

The only thing I would add is that the modern trend in golf sets is to replace the 3 & 4 irons with hybrid irons that are sort of a cross between a wood and an iron and for most people are much easier to hit. I think the Wilsons offered these but the Tommy Armours didn't. The 3 & 4 irons are the most difficult to hit because of the long shafts and lack of loft and many golfers are now opting for hybrids at least to replace the 3 iron.

Good luck.


Warning: there are several members on his board who hate hybrid irons and will immediately question your manhood, sexuality ... etc ... etc .... for using one. They may cut you some slack as a newbie but if they don't ignore them.

[kolstade]

ha ha.. thanks man.. I appreciate your opinions and help.
I've heard other people also mention that hybrids would be
a better choice for beginners. I will decide within the end of
this week. Thanks again!

[bassplayer7770]

Just found the Wilson Deep Red for $299 at tgw
http://www.tgw.com/customer/category...TEGORY_ID=8516
what do you think?

You might save a little money if you buy from Rock Bottom Golf. Check links below.

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/wilson...-wood-set.html
http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/wilson...irons-set.html
http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/wilson...e-kit-set.html
http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/wilson...carry-bag.html

You could look at the other clubs RBG has as well. Especially since you don't really need that full wedge set for $40. You could get by with an affordable Sand Wedge and putter I'd think.

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/12macturbncmrh.html (this is the SW currently in my bag)
http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/tommy-...et-putter.html (some other decent $10 and $20 putters available)

[bjdrivers]

Good luck on your search kolstade. Golf equipment is just like electronics, items get replaced quickly with newer technology, and hits the market way over priced. You're much smarter buying last years model because it will be a bargain. Just like the Dork said, it's new to you.

Welcome to the game you'll love at first, then it will kick you square in the balls as soon as you get addicted to it.

[Omen2]

i would definitely go with something very cheap. make sure you are going to stay with this for a while before you go buying some serious sticks.

good luck and quit while you are ahead... that may be the best golf advice you ever get.

[kolstade]

Bassplayer: Great observation.. strange that you actually save about $11 by
buying individual sets.. weird!
however.. maybe if you add the shipping fee's together it may be even.

Bjdrivers: Thanks man appreciate it.

[bassplayer7770]

Bassplayer: Great observation.. strange that you actually save about $11 by
buying individual sets.. weird!
however.. maybe if you add the shipping fee's together it may be even.

Through January 14th, Rock Bottom Golf has free shipping for all orders over $99. Just use code januaryfreeship08 in the coupon code slot during checkout.

[macmai]

My vote, without doing mega-research, would be the following. They're a very forgiving set of irons with titanium faces, and comes with hybrids to replace your 3 and 4 irons (ok, this is where the thread gets attacked by hybrid "humor"...just ignore it kolstade).

Lots of folks have recommended RockBottomGolf already...I've purchased from them before with no issues at all.

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/ben-ho...set-steel.html

[kolstade]

wow... thats sounds great.
Just talked with my coach who also happens
to be a salesperson for her golf club, she said that the Wilson Deep Red was a
series of clubs that was going out of production and therefore wasn't that great of a deal.
So who are the direct competitors to this set?

[macmai]

Think I will go for this set then.

2. A pro golf store in the neighborhood gave me this offer:
Adams Redline 3 & 5 wood pretty good condition (used) each $25
Tommy Armor 3-SW iron set (new) $149
Wilson putter (new) $19
Nicker stand bag (new) $49
All together with tax: $293.60

What do you think?

It depends on which line of Tommy Armour. Careful it's not the forged set. Those are VERY nice clubs for the money (that's my spare set I keep in our CA office), but they're certainly not beginners clubs.

[bjdrivers]

Warning: there are several members on his board who hate hybrid irons and will immediately question your manhood, sexuality ... etc ... etc .... for using one. They may cut you some slack as a newbie but if they don't ignore them.

A newbie has every right to use a gay as.s hybrid to help them cover their swing flaws, but the rest of you should be ashamed. If you don't have forged blades in your bag, you might as well install some senior flex graphites.

P.S. Don't forget to tee off the senior tees so you won't hold anyone up.

[kolstade]

macmai: it looks like a great set..
does this package have everything i need except a bag?
The coach also mentioned customized club fitting.
How important is this?
And how much do I have to pay approximately to custom fit the whole
Ben Hogan Golf set from rockbottomgolf?

[macmai]

RBG is an online establishment only, so they don't do fitting. I'd get the clubs, take it to the range and mess with it a while. Fitting is important, but most effective after you have some sort of repeatable swing.

Negative, this set is irons and hybrids only. You can probably pick up a putter, bag, and driver (if you even need that now...might be better with a 3-wood first) for pretty cheap.

[Kiwi Player]

If you don't have forged blades in your bag, you might as well install some senior flex graphites.

LOL

THIS is rich after telling us how great your cavity back shovels are?

So nice you have to photograph them so that you can still gaze longingly at them when you're apart!

[dorkman53]

I, too have bought from both Rockbottom and TGW, and can report no service problems. They gave quick shipping, and got the order right.

[Dyna]

If you check out some of the golf forums out there you can score a good deal on some great clubs. I just picked up a brand new set of MacGregor M455's with stiff graphite shafts for $100. Will utilize them as a backup set.

Just take your time, look around, ask questions & don't buy the 1st thing someone tells you to.

[kolstade]

okay.. which golf forums and where.. u mean people wanting to sell their equipment through forums?

[pingman360]

bombsquadgolf, and golfwrx usually have the best BST but just remember to continue to visit back here... lol

[Dyna]

Shottalk also has some guy with good deals, but don't tell Omen or Horseballs.

[kolstade]

sweet.. thanks guys.. but now again
so many new things to choose from again

found this irons/hybrid set on rockbottom:
http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/adams-...set-steel.html
Heard the set is a couple of years old, but for me it really doesn't matter.

So if I buy this set.. can someone please help me choose the rest of clubs i need to get a complete set ?

[Rainkingjr]

Try out golfdiscussions.com as well. They have a buy, sell, trade section (BST retail). Sometimes people are practically giving stuff away.

[Not a hacker]

My advice is to get a set of fitted clubs. Because you are such a limited budget that may mean getting cheap knock offs as the brand names are out of your range. But at least with cheap knock offs you will get something almost as good as the originals (lots of knock offs are made in the same factory in China as the big name brands anyway), and you can be sure you are playing clubs that are properly fit for you. Getting second hand clubs is a lottery, if you get something that doesn't fit they will be awful no matter what brand they are.

And now for the most important advice. Hybrids are designed for old farts, women, and sissy girly men who don't have the strength or backbone to hit a real mans club only. You CAN NOT EVER get a custom fit hybrid if you are a man, mans hybrid is an oxymoron. If you have any desire to go far in this game do not put a hybrid in the bag. Just look at the bag setup of guys like Tiger and Nicklaus, Norman, Hogan, Watson and Seve when they were the best in the world. Not a hybrid in sight.

But if you want to look at bags of man boob girly man chokers and non major winners like Montgomery, you may find a hybrid or two. Mere conincidence, I think not.

[Brock]

www.pinemeadowgolf.com is one of if not THE BEST for clones in my opinion.

[bassplayer7770]

www.pinemeadowgolf.com is one of if not THE BEST for clones in my opinion.

GigaGolf has good equipment too, and their upgrade prices are more reasonable than Pinemeadow. Not to mention GigaGolf has an online e-fit system. Of course, those fittings are based on static measurements and not on somebody's particular swing, ballstriking ability, etc.

http://www.gigagolf.com/index.jsp

I'm almost 100% certain that Pinemeadow's components come from Hireko, and you can also buy directly from Hireko. They have some pretty cool products.

http://www.hirekogolf.com/

[Dyna]

sweet.. thanks guys.. but now again
so many new things to choose from again

found this irons/hybrid set on rockbottom:
http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/adams-...set-steel.html
Heard the set is a couple of years old, but for me it really doesn't matter.

So if I buy this set.. can someone please help me choose the rest of clubs i need to get a complete set ?

I wouldn't buy those clubs.
A few guys are now mentioning getting fitted for clubs, picking up component clubs, etc. This guy wants to spend $150-300 for a set which means he isn't going to get nuts & overly serious about it right now. Hell he might not even end up liking the game. Head over to WalMart & pick up a set of clubs, they will work fine for your purposes & the entire setup including bag, woods, irons, etc will be under $200.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5439042

[Not a hacker]

I wouldn't buy those clubs.
A few guys are now mentioning getting fitted for clubs, picking up component clubs, etc. This guy wants to spend $150-300 for a set which means he isn't going to get nuts & overly serious about it right now. Hell he might not even end up liking the game. Head over to WalMart & pick up a set of clubs, they will work fine for your purposes & the entire setup including bag, woods, irons, etc will be under $200.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5439042

If he takes yoour advice the chances are he will definitely end up not liking the game.

There's nothing like a set of cheap, poor quality, ill fitting 'off the rack' shovels from a department store to kill any enthusiasm for the game.

[kolstade]

I decided for this Adams Hybrids/irons that i mentioned earlier.
http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/adams-...set-steel.html
It seems like it won an award of something and I couldn't find any bad comments on it.

[Dyna]

If he takes yoour advice the chances are he will definitely end up not liking the game.

There's nothing like a set of cheap, poor quality, ill fitting 'off the rack' shovels from a department store to kill any enthusiasm for the game.

And why would that happen? I started out last April with a cheap assed Acuity set from Dicks, I played well enough with those for the summer until I decided to get something a little better. Once I improve some more than these clubs too will go by the wayside.

[Brock]

GigaGolf has good equipment too, and their upgrade prices are more reasonable than Pinemeadow. Not to mention GigaGolf has an online e-fit system. Of course, those fittings are based on static measurements and not on somebody's particular swing, ballstriking ability, etc.

http://www.gigagolf.com/index.jsp

I'm almost 100% certain that Pinemeadow's components come from Hireko, and you can also buy directly from Hireko. They have some pretty cool products.

http://www.hirekogolf.com/

yeah GigaGolf is the other I was thinking about. Pinemeadow has static e-fitting as well...they are pretty good. Definately two of the best if not THE BEST clone club dealers....as they both have good reputation and quality products they will stand behind. i woudl recommend either of these above off the shelf walmart or other discount store...used clubs from pawn shop.....etc. great value for money and quality will let you play a real round of golf.

[bjdrivers]

LOL

THIS is rich after telling us how great your cavity back shovels are?

So nice you have to photograph them so that you can still gaze longingly at them when you're apart!

I'm sorry Kiwi, did you reply to one of my posts, or did someone fart? I have a hard time telling a difference.

[lorenzoinoc]

I'm sorry Kiwi, did you reply to one of my posts, or did someone fart? I have a hard time telling a difference.

Kiwi - You have to understand, in that part of the states, when people talk, their breath is so bad, it's easy to get confused.

[Kiwi Player]

Kiwi - You have to understand, in that part of the states, when people talk, their breath is so bad, it's easy to get confused.

LOL fair enough, but I don't want to play the "Race Card"

[bjdrivers]

Kiwi - You have to understand, in that part of the states, when people talk, their breath is so bad, it's easy to get confused.

I don't think u want to get into a stereotype war with the states. Your odds of winning would be equal to Rudy winning the presidency. Nonexistant.

And if you don't like it over here, the same raft you swam over here on will take you right back.

[lorenzoinoc]

I don't think u want to get into a stereotype war with the states. Your odds of winning would be equal to Rudy winning the presidency. Nonexistant.

And if you don't like it over here, the same raft you swam over here on will take you right back.

I think you're in a glass house on this one. Besides, I stipulate to all the guinea, spaghetti eater, Eddie Murphy big talking, Z-28, My Cousin Vinny (on in the background), raft swimming (I guess - doesn't quite support a winning flame argument), organ grinding, Joey Buttafuco (sp?), Tony Siragusa (remember him - fattest buy to ever play football although he was good). No matter what you say, I've had more sex than you with women I'm not related to. And none with any men.

I love it over here - except for the food.

[bjdrivers]

I think you're in a glass house on this one. Besides, I stipulate to all the guinea, spaghetti eater, Eddie Murphy big talking, Z-28, My Cousin Vinny (on in the background), raft swimming (I guess - doesn't quite support a winning flame argument), organ grinding, Joey Buttafuco (sp?), Tony Siragusa (remember him - fattest buy to ever play football although he was good). No matter what you say, I've had more sex than you with women I'm not related to. And none with any men.

I love it over here - except for the food.

Yeah but my women were a lot less greasy & had shaved legs.

[lorenzoinoc]

Yeah but my women were a lot less greasy.

That's it? That's your comback? Aww...that's so incredibly disappointing. And my pappa, he atell me: "never fight with a one armed guy". There must be some website on snappy comebacks you can find. Come on, try again. If you tag me real good, I'll be happy for you.

[lorenzoinoc]

Did you really just add "and had shaved legs" to your original post that talked only about the greasy part? BJ, you have a charm about you that must warm everyone around you.

[bjdrivers]

That's it? That's your comback? Aww...that's so incredibly disappointing. And my pappa, he atell me: "never fight with a one armed guy". There must be some website on snappy comebacks you can find. Come on, try again. If you tag me real good, I'll be happy for you.

Yeah that's it for now. I'm busy working on my taxes, making sure enough of them go toward feeding your kids.

[lorenzoinoc]

Yeah that's it for now. I'm busy working on my taxes, making sure enough of them go toward feeding your kids.

But you have until April. Is the quarterly payment due already? Go out, enjoy yourself tonight. My kid(s) can wait. At least the legitimate one(s).

[macmai]

kolstade - the adams set is not a bad choice at all. They're reputable, and like someone previously mentioned, if you go with the el-cheapo sets at wally-mart, you're going to increase your chances of not enjoying the game. the difference between the adams set and the dunlops/ram sets at walmart are a world apart. your choice is a good balance of frugality and quality in an iron set. go for it, pick yourself up a 3-wood to use off the tee, a 56* wedge and a putter. best of luck and let us know how you're enjoying golf...hope the golf-bug bites you hard

[Not a hacker]

kolstade - the adams set is not a bad choice at all. They're reputable, and like someone previously mentioned, if you go with the el-cheapo sets at wally-mart, you're going to increase your chances of not enjoying the game. the difference between the adams set and the dunlops/ram sets at walmart are a world apart. your choice is a good balance of frugality and quality in an iron set. go for it, pick yourself up a 3-wood to use off the tee, a 56* wedge and a putter. best of luck and let us know how you're enjoying golf...hope the golf-bug bites you hard

If you take the advice of macmai and indeed go for the Adams, I suggest that you get a wedge that will compliment the overall gayness of the Adams'. I hear there might be a Lovett that would fit the bill coming on the market cheap soon, when it's current owner takes possession of his new MP57's and can't bring himself to committing golfing blasphemy by putting them in the same bag as a Lovett.

P.S. BJ, I'm afraid to say that the daygo may have got the better of you in the last exchange, although he is definitely the one in a glass house talking about bad breath. That's why Italians talk with their hands. Because they can't stand each others breath.