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Seasoned golfers, I need your help

  • I've decided to finally take up golf when it starts to warm up. I understand completely what I'm getting into and it's okay, I'm only 23. Now, I've already started doing my research, reading everything I can. I'm going to be starting slow and not trying to bite off too much at once. I will be taking lessons and I'll be buying all of my equipment used when it comes to that time. I won't be buying whole sets and plan to start with the basics, most likely a driver, putter, SW, 6-iron, 8-iron, PW, and a fairway wood or hybrid (if you have any suggestions about this part let me know). I'll just piece them together over time, then add other clubs as my skill level increases. Here's the problem: I have now idea what brands or makers I should be on the lookout for. I know I need something that is tailored to beginners and is forgiving, but is still a quality club. I'm clueless as to which ones those would be. I've heard Ping, Cobra, and Titleist. Also, besides Ebay and Craigslist what are some good websites to look at? Help.

    signature image

    This is a Pallas’s cat. Their round pupils give them an odd human quality. They disturb me...deeply.

    Zeno ●

  • Welcome to the frustrating addiction of golf. You sound like you are approaching it properly. I would not even go to the course for a while. The range is where you belong to develop the muscle memory needed to replicate the proper swing. I would suggest a rescue over a fairway wood.

    As far a specific manufacturers, I've found that most Titleist products are tough to control. I feel like they are made for better players and are less forgiving. My two cents. Ping is very good at customizing clubs to fit your swing. That's great except you don't currently have a swing. I would look towards getting a fitting in a few years. You need an inexpensive, possibly used, set of forgiving clubs. This will allow you to not hate the game immediately. That will come later.

    signature image

    Formerly known as HolmesWest...

    Stumptown MSU ●

  • I use my driver on every shot.

    Jools Holland

  • Isn't every single RCMBer already a scratch golfer?

    FoDaddy

  • goodbar said...

    dude, I use my putter on every shot. weird.

    WE SHOULD PLAY IN A SCRAMBLE TOGETHER!

    Jools Holland

  • I didn't start until I was in my 30s so you can do it. My wife, 20 or so years younger than I never had played, but is a good athlete...bb, vb, sb...so has ability. I started her out with one club, a six iron. It is a good club to start with. After she mastered that club....had a repeatable and very solid swing controlled by her lower body/legs with a full turn and setting of her hands....I added a 9 iron, then a 4 hybrid followed by a 5 wood and a wedge. Now she has a full set of clubs...few of which match...and she is really good. she is a 7 handicap from senior, not women's tees...I am now a 12 but used to be a 4 10 or so years ago.

    My suggestion on clubs is buy some King Cobra II irons on ebay, with R graphite shafts. They are a forgiving club. I am self-taught and used a couple of keys. PGA...Posture, Grip and Alignment first; control the swing with the lower body and fully turn the torso...which will naturally turn the shoulders....relax the hands a forearms and don't "set" your hands but let them set naturally and stay relaxed. Make K's with your knees....and make sure you work on your short game as much as possible....chipping, pitching and putting....takes a lot of pressure off the full swing game if you can get up and down around the greens. My 2 cents worth.

    This post was edited by ancientspartan on 2/20/2013 at 3:35 PM

    ancientspartan

  • ancientspartan said...

    I didn't start until I was in my 30s so you can do it. My wife, 20 or so years younger than I never had played, but is a good athlete...bb, vb, sb...so has ability. I started her out with one club, a six iron. It is a good club to start with. After she mastered that club....had a repeatable and very solid swing controlled by her lower body/legs with a full turn and setting of her hands....I added a 9 iron, then a 4 hybrid followed by a 5 wood and a wedge. Now she has a full set of clubs...few of which match...and she is really good. she is a 7 handicap from senior, not women's tees...I am now a 12 but used to be a 4 10 or so years ago.

    My suggestion on clubs is buy some King Cobra II irons on ebay, with R graphite shafts. They are a forgiving club. I am self-taught and used a couple of keys. PGA...Posture, Grip and Alignment first; control the swing with the lower body and fully turn the torso...which will naturally turn the shoulders....relax the hands a forearms and don't "set" your hands but let them set naturally and stay relaxed. Make K's with your knees....and make sure you work on your short game as much as possible....chipping, pitching and putting....takes a lot of pressure off the full swing game if you can get up and down around the greens. My 2 cents worth.

    pics of wife?

    Jools Holland

  • You can buy starter sets that have the clubs you discuss. That would be a good way to start. You can also buy used sets of irons and metal woods at places like Golfsmith. When you decide to get a full set, good brand names that are easy to hit are Ping and Callaway. Both can be pricey but not bad used. I play Ping irons and Taylor Made woods. Understand that nearly all companies make a variety of clubs, some for the better player which are less forgiving of mishits and others that are easier to use for higher handicap golfers.

    MSchott ●

  • Any of the major brands should be fine - Ping, Taylormade, Adams, Cobra, Callaway, Cleveland, Nike, Titleist, ect. Try to get cavity back irons, regular flex shafts, driver with a large head., and a mallet putter as these should be the most forgiving.

    It sounds like you're pretty committed to learning so it wouldn't be a bad idea to just get a whole set. You'll appreciate it in a year or so when you've improved.

    I started around the same age and it's one of the best decisions I've made. Golf is incredibly frustrating but it's worth the effort.

    signature image

    Players play, tough players win.

    Victory for MSU

  • Hit off grass. Those mats can make anybody good. I disagree with the poster who said to work on the range extensively for a while. You need to get out and learn the nuances around greens. Become a consistent player from 150 yards in and you'll be better than 90% of the weekend hackers in no time. Short game, short game, short game. Go to an actual course that has a nice practice green and range and hit chip shots, wedges, bump and runs, putts, until the sun goes down.

    ByTor20084

  • Start working on your swearing.

    It's still pretty cold out and golf shows run up until almost May. See if there's one in your area here in the next two months. They're reasonably inexpensive to get into (some are free) and they have all kinds of club pros/club dealers/reps from every make that would love to help you out with fitting or whatever. That's what they're there for. You can see what you like there without feeling the need to purchase a set right then and then go back online to eBay or Craigslist and see if what you liked is available out there, which it will be. They also have used clubs/sets in those golf shows that are reasonably inexpensive. My buddy got a used 3-9 Taylor Made Iron set for 75 bucks at the Lansing Golf Show one year and he still plays with them six years after buying them.

    Lunchables ●

  • ByTor20084 said...

    Hit off grass. Those mats can make anybody good. I disagree with the poster who said to work on the range extensively for a while. You need to get out and learn the nuances around greens. Become a consistent player from 150 yards in and you'll be better than 90% of the weekend hackers in no time. Short game, short game, short game. Go to an actual course that has a nice practice green and range and hit chip shots, wedges, bump and runs, putts, until the sun goes down.

    FUCK OFF!! I'm just kidding.

    I was just thinking it would be good for him to see a couple get in the air during his first foray into golf. After getting the basics of the swing then, I agree, getting to know the short game is so much more important than driving the ball. I wouldn't even pick up a driver the first season. All irons to start.

    This post was edited by Stumptown MSU on 2/20/2013 at 4:02 PM

    signature image

    Formerly known as HolmesWest...

    Stumptown MSU ●

  • ByTor20084 said...

    Hit off grass. Those mats can make anybody good. I disagree with the poster who said to work on the range extensively for a while. You need to get out and learn the nuances around greens. Become a consistent player from 150 yards in and you'll be better than 90% of the weekend hackers in no time. Short game, short game, short game. Go to an actual course that has a nice practice green and range and hit chip shots, wedges, bump and runs, putts, until the sun goes down.

    Obviously this is horrible advice. Working on your short game sucks and is incredibly boring - just pound drivers all day!!!!

    No but seriously, you are absolutely correct. If everyone had the patience for this we would all be a whole lot better.

    MSU all DayDay147034 ●

  • Play on a course but just be very cautious about slow play. Duff your drive 50 yards? Drop in the fairway 150 yards away. Shank your iron shot? Drop one on the rough and chip on.

    Also, golfwrx.com has a pretty incredible buy/sell forum. Most stuff is pretty high end so keep an eye out for inexpensive items.

    Classifieds- For Sale Forum - GolfWRX

    Classifieds- For Sale Forum: Please post wanted to sell items here.

    www.golfwrx.com
    signature image

    Players play, tough players win.

    Victory for MSU

  • Zeno said...

    I've decided to finally take up golf when it starts to warm up. I understand completely what I'm getting into and it's okay, I'm only 23. Now, I've already started doing my research, reading everything I can. I'm going to be starting slow and not trying to bite off too much at once. I will be taking lessons and I'll be buying all of my equipment used when it comes to that time. I won't be buying whole sets and plan to start with the basics, most likely a driver, putter, SW, 6-iron, 8-iron, PW, and a fairway wood or hybrid (if you have any suggestions about this part let me know). I'll just piece them together over time, then add other clubs as my skill level increases. Here's the problem: I have now idea what brands or makers I should be on the lookout for. I know I need something that is tailored to beginners and is forgiving, but is still a quality club. I'm clueless as to which ones those would be. I've heard Ping, Cobra, and Titleist. Also, besides Ebay and Craigslist what are some good websites to look at? Help.

    Go get a part time job at a course you can play for free the entire summer. You will likely have a range and putting green there. Use the job to get a discount on clubs. Get out 4-5 times a week. Play multiple balls and skip around the course if busy. They may have a pro there who can help you with lessons. By the end of the summer you will not be an embarrassment.

    ErnieMcCracken

  • get a 5 and a 7 instead of a 6 and 8. 7 is the easiest club in the bag to hit and has a wide range of uses. 5 is just long enough that you'll need it more than a 6.
    And I almost never use my fairway woods now that I have a hybrid club.

    manofthewild07

  • Take a few lessons and when you start to develop some basics get some advice from the pro what to get for yourself. They will know after a few lessons what you may need now and are likely to need over the course of the next year or so as your game develops. Try to get a handful of recommendations so that it will be easier to find an inexpensive deal. If you know someone who used to play but quit or doesn't play much, you might even be able to borrow a set for a while.

    You can get used sets on ebay and at some local golf shops ridiculously cheap once you have an idea what you ought to have. I would advise against "starter" sets unless your pro says that's what you need. Depending on your ability and how hard you plan to work, you might outgrow them pretty quickly but before you are ready for a fitting and a set tailored to you.

    i will say this: golf can be infuriating and can be difficult. It will be very beneficial to your enjoyment of the game to keep in mind its a game while you are learning it. Make sure you keep it fun and develop that mindset going forward. You can want to and work to be good without taking it so seriously you lose the fun.

    signature image

    Tullamore Dew

  • Golf is a waste of a perfectly good walk.

    -Mark Twain

    LoneWolfSparty

  • LoneWolfSparty said...

    Golf is a waste of a perfectly good walk.

    -Mark Twain

    "Golf is a good walk spoiled." is the Samuel Clemens quote, I believe.

    ancientspartan

  • 3balls golf

    ComeDependState

  • FoDaddy said...

    Isn't every single RCMBer already a scratch golfer?

    No.

    I'm a 4.

    Bronco_Bahma ●

  • Victory for MSU said...

    Play on a course but just be very cautious about slow play. Duff your drive 50 yards? Drop in the fairway 150 yards away. Shank your iron shot? Drop one on the rough and chip on.

    Also, golfwrx.com has a pretty incredible buy/sell forum. Most stuff is pretty high end so keep an eye out for inexpensive items.

    Let people play through. Why in the hell would you drop 100 yards from where you hit your shot?

    ComeDependState

  • Never start with a graphite shaft, ever. There is almost zero feedback for a novice. You need to feel your mishits.

    Plus, like most, you will likely overswing to start...Steel shafts only.

    Droppedbyadime ●

  • ancientspartan said...

    "Golf is a good walk spoiled." is the Samuel Clemens quote, I believe.

    "golf is a lot of walking, broken up with disappointment" -Abraham Lincoln, is the real quote I believe

    "golf and sex are the only things you can enjoy without being good at them"

    This post was edited by manofthewild07 on 2/20/2013 at 5:24 PM

    manofthewild07

  • First, work on attitude. You're going to suck. For a while. Accept it and take baby steps. Resist hitting your driver as much as possible because you then just want to hit it farther, and then you'll overswing and wreck your game. Buy only game improvement irons from any brand. I'd stay 150 yards and closer for like a month. Repetition on mid and short game will pay big dividends later.

    Strive to be the kind of player who acts the same whether theyre having a bad or good round. Its not easy.....but no one remembers your score, but they remember if you were a dick on the course.

    Tupes ●

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