First time golfer

**Macy** · 02/07/2010, 10:53 AM

Personally, I'd ditch the woods totally and stick with the irons, especially with pitch and putt experience. I'm pretty crap, but I've finally realised that straight is more important than distance. A decent 5 iron (or even 7 iron) is better than a sliced or hooked 200 yard plus drive*. If you do end up playing semi regularly, get a forgiving set of irons designed for high handicappers, and a rescue club or two.

*giving this advice makes me feel ancient.

**thischarmingman** · 02/07/2010, 8:30 PM

Watch Happy Gilmore?

**elroy** · 05/07/2010, 9:36 AM

Well lads, thanks for all the help over the last few days. It went better than expected. Obvious and all as it is, think the best advice was not to take my eye off the ball at any time. Did so once or twice to very ugly consequences.

Started off ok, and then from about the 3rd to the 7th hole i could not hit a ball for love nor money. My driving wasnt too bad but my shots with the irons and the wedges were awful. Did some damage to the course!! Eventually copped on that i was hitting the ball too high and got the hang of it going down the last few holes. My putting was surprisingly good, the pitch and putt days perhaps saving me there. I did fess up that I hadnt played in a long time, not exactly the truth but near enough and also the other lad that came along was poor enough standard as well so it def helped that i wasnt the only one screwing up shots.. The fact it was a scramble as well was good as well, if it was stroke play Id still be out there!!!

Enjoyed it though so going to try and get started with it now. Anyone any recommendations on where to get a set of clubs to start me off?? Have heard that McGurks do good deals around the 200 mark for a set of clubs to start off with. Dont really want to be spending any more than that really.

**Macy** · 05/07/2010, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by elroy

Enjoyed it though so going to try and get started with it now. Anyone any recommendations on where to get a set of clubs to start me off?? Have heard that McGurks do good deals around the 200 mark for a set of clubs to start off with. Dont really want to be spending any more than that really.

I don't know about McGurks. I got my last set online (Nevada Bobs), however be wary of ebay as I believe there's a lot of fakes. There's clubs designed for high handicappers - weight low, deep cavity backs which are "forgiving". Now probably isn't the best time to be looking tbh, mid majors season..

**passinginterest** · 05/07/2010, 12:51 PM

JJB Sports had some very good deals when I was in there recently, full sets of Slazenger clubs for around the €200 mark. It might be worth checking out a few club shops and specialist shops, they can often let you try out the clubs and give advice on what suits. Places like Argos and Heatons tend to do cheap sets too, if you just want to pick them off the shelf, my Uncle bought a Dunlop set in Heatons and I've hit a few shots with the woods, they're very forgiving altough not the greatest for distance.

**OneRedArmy** · 06/07/2010, 3:51 PM

Don't buy new clubs. A good used set, even if they are scuffed will be 100 times better than a set at €200.

If you're worried they look old, get them re-gripped.

**Kingdom** · 07/07/2010, 12:22 PM

Best advice there from ORA. No need to get a new set, just a quality used set.

**passinginterest** · 07/07/2010, 1:02 PM

Anyone recommend a good place for quality used clubs?

**endabob1** · 07/07/2010, 1:20 PM

Go to your nearest club pro shop, tell them your a beginner on the look out for a decent set of second hand clubs, they normally will have a few from people upgrading.
As ORA said, avoid the cheap n nasty sets you'll end up replacing them or getting very frustrated with them. I spent 400gbp about 10 years ago on a set and they've lasted me really really well. In need of a bit of TLC now but you get what you pay for, a good second hand set will last longer than a cheap new set. Speak to a pro, get a couple of lessons and find out what you like and don't like by trying some out on a range.

As a beginner look for cavity back irons with a big juicy sweet spot, but a decent pro shop will set you right

**Kingdom** · 08/07/2010, 11:53 AM

Actually come to think of it, no harm to mix and match your clubs over time if you are thinking about taking the game seriously. For example woods, irons and wedges by the same company in a set will vary. A lot of the generic wedges around at the moment are disgusting, whereas one off wedges (Ping, Fazer,) that you might see outside of sets are pretty good. A few lads I play with have all sorts of different brands in their bags. Just something to consider.

**passinginterest** · 08/07/2010, 12:06 PM

I've been thinking of mixing and matching a bit for a while (I'm not a total beginner by the way I've been playing on and off since I was 12), I quite like my irons, they were imported from America by a cousin of mine and they're very nice to play with (apparently they were a copy of a Titleist set), they could do with a bit of work though, a few of the heads need to be re-set quite badly. It's the woods that seem to have dated badly and I've never been consistent with the driver, they're ProStaff woods and the sweetspot and head size is tiny compared to most of the modern woods. There's some good deals online (I've seen a Nike SQ Sumo for €90 brand new) but I'd be worried about spending over €100 on a driver, maybe more, only to discover I can't hit the thing at all.

**Wolfie** · 08/07/2010, 12:27 PM

Could be a gap in the Forum market appearing..............................Putt.ie anyone????

**Real ale Madrid** · 08/07/2010, 2:49 PM

If you are looking for cheap quality stuff check out this website:

http://www.direct-golf.co.uk/golf_packages/

Some great deals on there from time to time.

**elroy** · 08/07/2010, 10:18 PM

Right this is probably an embarrassingly stupid question but i am a complete novice in the golfing world, but how would you notice the difference between sets? Not looks wise more so when actually playing.

I presume the cheaper sets with cavity backs will be more forgiving but not so good on distance. I have heard from a good few mates who have started taking it the game more regularly in recent years that they start off with a cheapish set around the €200 mark and then upgrade the driver etc as they progress in skill.

**Real ale Madrid** · 09/07/2010, 9:49 AM

It's definitely a personal choice.

Try and practice with a few different sets when you buy and just see what feels right for you. The cavity backs are a must for a beginner i would say and if you have an nice easy swing then you could try graphite shafts which give you a bit extra distance, (as a beginner id forget about trying to hit it too long anyway) - but these are more expensive. Hybrid clubs are also very versatile and great for beginners and pros alike, they are good for tee shots, long irons and are easier to hit out of the rough. Id try get a nice beginner set for about 2-300 and just go from there. Only if you start playing regularly and improving are you going to even need a better set.

Spend a few bob on a nice comfy pair of golf shoes would be the best advice. Get a nice big umbrella and good rain gear also if you can - the extra bits an bobs make you feel more comfortable - nothing worse than trying to concentrate on a 5 iron to a green surronded by water and a trickle of rain water comes down your neck, or if you're feet are soaking after 6 holes - disaster!

And keep playing the pitch in putt - will improve your short game no end. More in terms of feel and experience of putts etc not so much in terms of technique maybe.

**Kingdom** · 09/07/2010, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Wolfie

Could be a gap in the Forum market appearing..............................Putt.ie anyone????

www.pitchandputtforum.com

excellent forum.

**elroy** · 27/07/2010, 1:11 PM

Right well think im up and running with clubs. By a stroke of luck a mate of mine won a set (not a full set) of clubs and didnt want them so gave them to me for nothing. Have a 7,8,9 iron, a sand wedge, another wedge (havent figured out which one yet, just W written on the base)), 3 iron (21 degrees) and 4 iron (24 degrees)

Am thinking of adding a driver, a putter, maybe a 3 wood, a rescue club and a 5 iron to the above. What ye reckon??? What kinda pricing should I be looking at? Not going to go too expensive seeing as Im a beginner. But with a bag, say around 200?

**osarusan** · 27/07/2010, 1:23 PM

I'd go for putter, driver, 5 iron.

That's enough, you won't need the three wood unless you're using a wood on the fairway, which I wouldn't advise. In situations where you'd be thinking of using a rescue club, I'd advise you to just get out of the rough as easily as possible, which means a 9 iron or wedge to just chip out a few yards.

Lifestyle sports have some decent offers on clubs and especially bags at the moment, though it may just be in Limerick.

Instead of the clubs, buy yourself a little trolley to wheel your bag round on, or get a bag with a built-in stand. They're invaluable in Ireland's wet weather.

**passinginterest** · 27/07/2010, 2:06 PM

I'm not so keen to change my clubs now, played in my 3rd outing with the society last Friday, which happened to be the President's prize, and won it with 38 point off a handicap of 17. I've never hit the ball as straight all day, just stuck with the 3 wood off the tee and played with patience the odd time I got into a bad spot, 23 points on the back 9, easily the best I've ever played, but it'll be bye, bye to at least 2 shots on the handicap

Hollywood lakes was the course, some fantastic views and very tricky greens but fairly open fairways make it a nice spot for a round if anyone is out that way.

Elroy - I'd probably agree with you and go for something like a 3wood or driver, rescue club (maybe even use this to replace the 3 and 4 iron, which can be very hard to hit) 5 iron and putter. Getting a trolley is not a bad idea, although you can hire them most places for €3 so it depends how much you plan to use it.

**elroy** · 27/07/2010, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by passinginterest

Elroy - I'd probably agree with you and go for something like a 3wood or driver, rescue club (maybe even use this to replace the 3 and 4 iron, which can be very hard to hit) 5 iron and putter. Getting a trolley is not a bad idea, although you can hire them most places for €3 so it depends how much you plan to use it.

Cheers, had another look at them this evening, and the 3 iron and 4 iron are hybrids which are def good news for me being a beginner, much easier to hit. Then have a 5,6,7,8 and 9 iron as well as a pitch and a sand wedge. So think ill just add a driver and putter for the time being.

Just had a look at Hollywood, circa €40 green fees isnt bad if its a decent course. Any of ye played in carton house?? Playing the Montgomerie course in a few weeks, meant to be far less forgiving than the O'Meara.