I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

...problem is, I know absolute zero about golf clubs, except you throw them when you run out of good curse words.
The one thing I found odd is that every time I say "I need a full set of clubs", everyone thinks that doesn't include a putter, woods, or half the irons.
What I need is all the clubs a guy would need, a bag, and whatever else I oughta have. Definately a place for cigars.

Will you guys please educate me, because I honestly know nothing of clubs. I couldn't even give you a list of what a fully comprehensive set of clubs consists of.
I'm supposed to go see a guy that's 45 minutes away to look at the ton of stuff he has. I'll take my neighbor to help, but I want to at least have a clue when I get there.
Anything you guys can do to give me a crash course would be HUGELY appreciated.
Then maybe you can show me how to hit the ball straight and make me up a list of curses that I may not have used yet. I'd like to have a list to hang on my bag for those moments when I'm totally speechless.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

I play golf, but am in no position to give advice. The blind leading the blind...

Buy used if you can.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

I would say that a set include a driver and a 3 wood, 3-9 or 4-9 irons, PW, SW, and a putter.

That would be good for starting. Also since your just getting started golfing, your probably going to want Regular Flex shafts on the driver vrs Stiff. Lots of people get caught up thinking they need Stiff flex cause it makes them feel more manly or something. Regular flex will be just fine, and you will need it until your swing speed gets much faster.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

Sounds like fun Scotty. I would recommend checking out your local Costco or Sam's Club. The ones out here have some pretty good sets of clubs. The sets include everything you will need from Driver all the way down to a Putter. Also includes the bag and other goodies.

If you would rather do some garage shopping at your buddies place Here's what I would get.

(You're "supposed" to carry 14 clubs at a time.)

Driver, 3 wood, 5 wood

3-9 Iron

PW, SW, LW

Putter

You can have many variations of that set up. I personally don't have a 5 wood or 3 Iron but instead a Gap Wedge and a 3 Hybrid. Everyone will have different suggestions but the one above is pretty solid for a beginner. The brand itself won't really matter at this time but do yourself a favor and get something a bit more current because it will make your life a lot less stressful:D

Good Luck Buddy

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

I'd go into your local golf store and look at some used sets that they have taken on trade. Usually they will have a place you can hit them and maybe even a pro to give some thoughts.

Used sticks are a good way to go, when you are first getting into the game. There is also the option of craigslist ect.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

:tpd: sporting goods stores also carry pre-made full sets with a bag and enough clubs to get you started, bought a set like that for my wife when she started taking lessons and playing

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

I should have said that I'm buying used.
I already found a guy 45 minutes away that answered my Craigslist ad. He has an original set of Pings and a bag of Taylormade(?) stuff. Both the Pings and Taylormade have bags, etc. He says he has all the extra clubs to make a real set. The prices he quoted were real fair, I thought.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

What's an LW, Gare-bear? Is a driver the same thing as a 1 wood?

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

I would definitely look at this if I were just beginning. The box sets you can get at places like Dicks are fine for a beginner. They will come with a driver and fairway wood, at least 3 & 4 hybrid (sometimes 5 too) and then the rest of the irons plus a sand wedge, putter and bag. You really can't go wrong. I would recommend the better quality sets though such as Adams Tight Lies. I think that will set you back like $500 or so but it would be worth it.

A LW is a lob wedge... not the easiest to hit. You definitely want a set with the hybrids for the long irons (3,4&5). They are soooo much easier to hit for the beginner.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

Lob Wedge

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

I think you will find that an original set of Pings are not going to be the easiest irons to hit compared to current irons. They have come a LONG way since they were current technology. I would probably opt for more of a 'Game Improvement' iron... one with a large sweet spot and fairly wide sole. That helps you get the ball in the air and gives you forgiveness when you don't strike the ball perfectly (which for me doesn't happen ofter).

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

Perfect.

Lob Wedge and Yes.

The LW is not really a necessity but I use the chit out of mine so I threw it in there. :D

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

:tpd:

Go to your local golf store or sports store. Those clubs are made for beginners. If you buy some advanced clubs your just going to make learning Golf not fun!

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

My :2
Get yourself a set (I think it has a special name-CRS) that consists of a driver, 3-wood, 3, 5, 7, and 9-iron, and a putter. Minimal investment until you develop some basic skills and learn how to use the clubs. If you find you take to the game, then invest in a 14 club set.
3 different wedges for a beginner? Not necessary.
A 2-iron? Reminds me of the joke about what to do if you are on the golf course and it begins to thunder and lightning. Stand in the middle of the fairway and hold your 2 iron straight up in the air. Because even God can't hit a 2 iron. :)

Flame suit on. :D
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Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

HA! Not even gonna go there.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

You beat me to it, brother, except I always heard it was a 1-iron. ;)

I agree that used is the way to go, for now anyway. Just make sure the grips are still in good condition.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

TWO WORDS, buddy......Pawn and Shop.

Times is tough right now, lotsa good clubs there. A bad player, and a good one, too for that matter,
can make a round with no trouble with a driver, putter pitching wedge, three wood and a 5 iron.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

We have a used sporting goods store around here called Play it Again Sports. I don't know where it's at, but I've been assured they have lots of stuff.
The guy I talked to in Sebring seemed to know what he was talking about, and I think I can get a good deal and all the stuff I need from him. He can use the money ( he said so), and I liked him. So if I can help him out and get stuff that's right for me, I'd rather throw money his way.

Thanks for the comments on the beginner clubs, guys. I never knew there'd be any difference in the design that made playing easier. I just figured beginner clubs were cheaper so it didn't cost so much when you wrap them around a tree.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

Scott, have you played golf before? If not, I would suggest taking a few lessons as well instead of trying to be self taught. It'll help teach you the fundamentals and not looking like you're swinging a baseball bat.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

I do love to play, Peter. I could hit the ball a ton when I was a kid and played pretty often. The 12th hole of Boulder Creek is right out our morning room window, and I can literally walk on whenever I want. It's a short walk to go up and get a cart.
Lisa already has clubs and she'd love to go play. The only reason we haven't is cause I don't have any clubs.
From what I've seen, a set of $1000 clubs usually resells from the garage at $200, so it's not too big an investment to get started. I'll definately play, even if I only hit every other hole, cause all our friends and family play. Plus we can drive the cart right over here to beer up when necessary, they'll all appreciate that. ;)
It's good exercise and it'll force me to smoke some good cigars. I really can't lose. :tu

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

Good idea, Brad. I don't know where there is one around here, other than the gold/comic book shop up the street. I'm sure they're here, I just gotta find them.
I imagine there's probably used clubs at the clubhouse on the course, too. I never looked. Might even be ads for used clubs if there's a pinboard up there. I'll have to check.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

My next door neighbor is hardcore, Bob. I just helped him put up a new net in his garage a couple nights ago. He hits the ball constantly and he'll help me. My buddy Kenny has been a huge help, too.
I will definately consider lessons, especially if Lisa wants to take some. I have no desire to be world series, I'd just like to keep most of my balls out of the trees. If I could hit half as far and twice as accurate, I'd make that trade in a minute.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

When I started playing I went to Dicks and got one of the starter sets which included everything. No reason to spend a ton of money out of the gate until you decide if you like the game or not. You can always upgrade as you go along.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

There is something to be said though about buying a decent set to begin with. Just like when i was shopping for a guitar, if it was cheap and played like sh*t, it wouldn't do me any good to buy it, so I spent a bit more than I wanted but got a very nice guitar and it still didn't break the bank. Golf clubs are the same way. I'm not sure how far beginner club sets have come but i remember them being very low quality. If you're going to save $50-100 but can't hit the ball long or straight, it won't make the game much fun.

Scott, can your neighbor go with you to look at the set? If he's that hardcore, he can tell if it's a good set for you. Also, if there's a range close by, maybe you can arrange to go hit a small bucket. Feel's a very important part of the game and if you don't like the way the club feels you'll regret buying the set.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

Play it again sports is awesome. I have found tons of good clubs there and they usually have some nice sets.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

With any clubs I recommend hitting them before you buy them. Go to a local golfsmith or similar store and see if they have the set you are buying and try them out. One set may feel great to someone, while the exact same set will be terrible for you.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

Christos, unless one was giving me some sort of electrical shock and the other not, I'd not know a difference. I have no frame of reference.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

Another option may be to see if you have a local club builder. My last two sets have been from one of these shops. I would recommend a good fitting over any brand name. Plus these guys are usually cheap. For my last set I got 5-GW and fitting for $275. I'm a 6'2 so my irons are +1 inch and 2degrees upright. It made a huge difference.
I would recommend hybrids for anything under a 5 iron. eBay is your friend when it comes to golf equipment too.
Good luck and hit em strait. :2

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

Not a bad way to start. Plus by the time you've used this half set for a while you'll have developed some preferences and will have a good frame of reference when buying a full set. Heck you might just want to fill out the one you have, or go an entirely different direction. Either way your risk (cost) is minimal.

Good advice Peter.

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

A lady called me who has a set of Ricochet clubs. I tried to look them up and found no info online, my guess is that they're a sporting good store starter set like you guys mentioned.
There seems to be all the clubs there, she sent me some cellphone pics. I can make out a 1, 3, and 5 wood (they're metal), a 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and either one or two other irons, whatever they may be, plus a putter and a bag.
The condition of the clubs appear to be well used, so someone definately hit them for a good, long time.
She only needs 60 bucks for them, she has to fix her car. I think she just scored them at a garage sale or something. She's just about a half hour away on the other side of Akron, so it may be worth going to look.

I might give the first guy a call back because he was pretty vague the first time I talked to him. I already know a whole lot more about buying clubs than I did this morning, thanks to you guys. Maybe I can get him to send me pics. :tu

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

Then go after the best priced clubs :tu

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

I wish they made ones with great big rubber heads so you just gotta make contact with the ball and it goes the right direction. What I oughta do is put a baseball bat in my bag. That'd bring my game along by leaps and bounds. All I'd really need is one bat, a putter and a cart. :D

Re: I gotta buy golf clubs...
 

Someone said something about the earlier Pings and today's clubs being easier to hit. There is some serious truth there.

What do you need?
Woods: 1 - 3 - 5
Irons: 3-9, pitching wedge
Putter

Other clubs are nice, but those are the basics. Others that I'd consider are a 7 or 9 wood, a sand wedge, and maybe a lob wedge.

Play it again sports is another great place to shop. Nathan just got a set of irons, 3-PW for $25. Not bad clubs either.

Make sure they feel good to you when you swing them. That's more important than anything else.

Peace of the Lord be with you.