First golf clubs - new or used?

[Insomniator]

I'm starting to get into the golf, been to the range a bunch of times and have some friends that have already played for years. I want a cheap starter set just to make sure I'm capable of actually playing this game. Now $200 can get me a used set of Ping Eye 2's from the 1980's, or a shiny new random ass brand + a bag from sports authority.

Seems like everyone heavily leans towards the nice old clubs but I just find that.. hard to believe. Its not like anyone is using a 30 year old tennis racket anymore. Btw I'm a lefty so if $200 sounds like a lot for ping eye's... remember there are ~0 lefty clubs in the world.

EDIT

Finally picked up a set of Wilson Di9 'super game improvement' clubs from ebay for $95 and a bag from dicks for $50. Can't get much cheaper than that! The clubs retailed for $600 in 2009... funny how this stuff works.

 

[Patt]

You just need to be Canadian to find lefty gear .... too many converted hockey players I'm a lefty, though never played hockey. I sold my old TaylorMade clubs for about $150 and they were 8 years old and in decent shape.

I'd look for something more modern, but not new @$200 clubs. They'll be pretty poor. I'd be looking for something from within the last 5-10 years if possible to get some decent tech. There should be enough golf nerds out there that you could find something else used. Ask whoever's clubs you buy if they have an old bag, and you won't have to splash out for one of those either.

 

[Spydermag68]

I would get a good set of used clubs.

I got a set of Left handed PING golf clubs at golf only store.

 

[xBiffx]

I would go with the newer set from Sports Authority. Even the cheaper sets aren't too bad. Its more about learning technique/form at first anyways. The newer set is likely to last longer than something sitting around for 30 years growing rust. You could use a rock tied to a stick at first and you probably are gonna get the same results unless you have golf in your genes like some on the Tour. Worry about spending more money on a nicer set when you get better and plan on playing more.

 

[waggy]

first set? go to walmart/target/etc and get a $200 set. that way you are not out much if you don't like it.

a used set ain't bad either.

 

[thegimp03]

I still use a set of Mizunos that my dad use to use through the 1990s. He didn't have them custom fit or anything and I haven't done anything to them except get new grips a few years ago. One thing I've noticed when demoing new clubs at stores is that newer irons are longer than his are...maybe about an inch or so...and it's enough to be noticeable for me. I'd check callawaypreowned.com. Some golf shops, like Golfsmith have good deals on used clubs as well. I don't think I'd go as old as something in the 80s.

 

[mshan]

Other option is to go to golf shop or pro shop at golf course and see what starter sets they offer.

You may get better fast if you get a set which is optimized for game improvement, and then after a few years, get a better game improvement set after you have improved game and know what features you want.

Make sure you actually are able to swing the whole set at driving range or even rent for a few rounds on golf course to see if they are comfortable for you.

 

[Insomniator]

I know guys, i agree with these opinions but check this out:

http://www.golfreview.com/cat/irons/ping/eye-2/prd_60878_2940crx.aspx

Its like a cult or something. Constant new reviews... better than anything today still! etc..

Also I'm only looking for an iron set at this time... no need for a driver.

 

[mshan]

http://www.golfreview.com/cat/irons/top-flite/tour-oversize/prd_60761_2940crx.aspx (Top Flite Tour Oversize (not the Midsize) with regular flex steel shafts)

I am not very athletic and own these clubs and find they are very easy to hit. Great balance and weighting to the clubs which I think helps promote a smooth swing.

If you are just going to the driving range initially, all you probably need are a 7 iron and 3 wood to get started.

What is best when you are first starting out and what you eventually feel comfortable with a few years down the road may be very different clubs. Trying to get a players club now, while you are just trying to learn to make solid contact, can be very frustrating and discouraging (which is why I recommended talking to local golf shop or golf club pro and see what they recommend and then actually trying to hit some golf balls with that set).

And when you eventually decide to buy a putter, forget the reviews and just go to golf shops and put around and find what is comfortable for you and in which, with practice, you think you would have confidence in.

 

[69Mach1]

I don't think there's a wrong answer here, pings eye 2s are old but feel good. Pings fitting system(color code) is kind of complicated when first encountered, but black is standard (I think). Most new clubs in the $200 range won't be tour winners, but should be ok until you decide if you're really serious or not. It's more about the monkey swingin' the stick, than it is about the stick.

 

[zanemoseley]

Buy used.. LH clubs are all over ebay and almost never counterfeited. I'm LH'ed and play with used Ping I3's along with various other Titleist and Taylormade clubs. Good thing with going with a used set of good clubs is you'll be able to get almost all if not all of your money back out of them if you lose interest and decide to sell, try that with bargain new clubs.

 

[3chordcharlie]

How tall are you? How athletic?
Have you developed any sense at all if you hit the ball more 'thin and fat' or more 'hook and slice'?

Ping Eye 2 is a great club, and it's not awful for a relative beginner, but it's not what I would suggest.

$150-250 will get a decent set of mid-range irons, 2-4 years old.

Off the top of my head, Wilson Ci-7 or Ci-9 is a great choice if you already make consistent contact, and can be had at the cheap end of the range. Any of the name-brand oversize irons if you still struggle to make good contact.

You want a used $4-600 set for $200, not a brand new, shiny $200 set. There's no comparison in quality, and they won't stay shiny and new anyway, unless you quit next week. And used, cheap clubs are worth nothing at all.

 

[Scotteq]

Go to a decent shop, and have them fit a used set for you..

 

[Insomniator]

I'm short, 5 8, so I was looking for Orange Dot Pings. I definitely slice the ball right now, not sure if that is my style or if I'm just not swinging right. I can make consistent contact... just always slices if I swing hard enough to get 100+ yards out of it.

How does my athletic ability factor into what clubs I should try? I consider myself very athletic in a sense that I pick up sports quite quickly.

 

[3chordcharlie]

I'm short, 5 8, so I was looking for Orange Dot Pings. I definitely slice the ball right now, not sure if that is my style or if I'm just not swinging right. I can make consistent contact... just always slices if I swing hard enough to get 100+ yards out of it.

How does my athletic ability factor into what clubs I should try? I consider myself very athletic in a sense that I pick up sports quite quickly.

Height and athletic ability has a lot to do with shaft choice (which IMO is relatively more important than clubhead choice). At your height, you are almost certainly going to be good with 'regular' shafts, as opposed to stiff.

5'8 is also not short enough to put you way out on club fitting, since most clubs work out pretty well for average-build/swing men in the 5'8-6'0.

The really oversized "game improvement" clubs can help you keep the ball in play with a worse swing, but if you have any real athletic ability you will outgrow them quickly. As long as you would be willing/able to buy new clubs again in a year or two, these are what I would buy now, from virtually any of the major brands.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Go to a decent shop, and have them fit a used set for you..

If he'd said 5'6, or 6'2 I would have said this, but he's in the ballpark for 'average' and you need a reasonably consistent swing to get a decent fitting.

 

[jmagg]

Go to a decent shop, and have them fit a used set for you..

This is the best advice, the lie angle of the club can be the difference between enjoying the game and frustration.

If the heal digs in, the face of the blade will open causing the ball to go, or more likely, slice right.

Opposite if the toe digs in.

 

[twinrider1]

...If you are just going to the dri...n you'll know enough to make a good decision.

 

[Insomniator]

Yes, this. Add a putter and you can play golf for a good while before you need anything more. Get a good consistent swing first. You'll know when a lack of clubs is holding you back. And by then you'll know enough to make a good decision.

Yeah I figured this is the case, I still don't know what I'd need more clubs for other than my friends telling me to get a set.

I do hit the ball pretty consistently i feel, I just need another lesson or gotta spend some more time on some details to get my swing a lot better. I'm still changing my grip, stance, distance from the ball etc a lot... just trying to figure out what works.

 

[twinrider1]

And it will give you time to wait for a great deal to come along. No rush.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

This is the best advice, the lie angle of the club can be the difference between enjoying the game and frustration.

If the heal digs in, the face of the blade will open causing the ball to go, or more likely, slice right.

Opposite if the toe digs in.

Ummm, no.

 

[Insomniator]

updated OP... I know you were all eager for one

 

[Fausto]

I'm starting to get into the golf, been to the range a bunch of times and have some friends that have already played for years. I want a cheap starter set just to make sure I'm capable of actually playing this game. Now $200 can get me a used set of Ping Eye 2's from the 1980's, or a shiny new random ass brand + a bag from sports authority.

Seems like everyone heavily leans towards the nice old clubs but I just find that.. hard to believe. Its not like anyone is using a 30 year old tennis racket anymore. Btw I'm a lefty so if $200 sounds like a lot for ping eye's... remember there are ~0 lefty clubs in the world.

EDIT

Finally picked up a set of Wilson Di9 'super game improvement' clubs from ebay for $95 and a bag from dicks for $50. Can't get much cheaper than that! The clubs retailed for $600 in 2009... funny how this stuff works.

I read this as a "bag of dicks for $50".

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Saw that you picked up a used set, so I am a bit late to the game.

But for future consideration, my 2c is that used clubs are a good buy, IF you can find a set that is appropriately sized/fit for you. I'm tall, so many used clubs would be too short for me. That means I would either: 1) have to bend over too far at address, resulting in poor form; or 2) deal with the fact that the toe of the club will likely impact the ground before the heel, resulting in errant shots.

Most new clubs are sized for players of average height, so there is less margin of error when buying a new starter set than there is buying a used set of clubs that may have been fit to another player.

That said, I don't think it matters one bit what brand or type of club you get as a starting gold player, because you will stink regardless of how much money you spend or what name is on the hosel. The key is to get clubs that are fit properly so that you don't jack up your swing from day 1 trying to correct for issues inherent to the length of the shaft or the angle of the club face.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

This is the best advice, the lie angle of the club can be the difference between enjoying the game and frustration.

If the heal digs in, the face of the blade will open causing the ball to go, or more likely, slice right.

Opposite if the toe digs in.

If the toe contacts the ground first, the heel of the club will advance in front of the toe causing errant shots to the right for a righty or to the left for a lefty.

If the heel contacts the ground first, the opposite often true, as many new players grip their clubs too tightly and "muscle" through the ball.

Regardless, the overarching point you were trying to make (and which I agree with) is that poorly fit clubs will result in errant shots.