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Golf clubs for noobs

post #1 of 52
6/9/09 at 3:06am
Thread Starter 
I'm just in the process of learning how to play golf now. I've just been out to the driving range a few times and still have not been on a real golf course. Hopefully I'll get 1 or 2 lessons on the coming weeks.

2 weeks ago I picked up a set of Ram clubs, mainly because they're affordable. I didn't get a club fitting or anything, I figure I'm a regular flex and 5'9", so an off the shelf set should be tolerable for now.

Just out of curiosity... do expensive clubs make a difference for someone who's just learning the basics and still trying to master the basic swing?
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post #2 of 52
6/9/09 at 3:26am
Good clubs don't make up for poor technique. Master the techniques with what you have and you can appreciate and get the most out of the better clubs.
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post #3 of 52
6/9/09 at 3:53am
Like pole position said good gold clubs won't do anything for your swing and general performance (learning the different grips and balances etc.) that just comes from lessons and some hard graft on the range and course. You'll see the benefit from better clubs a you get better though ALOT. My starter set were ok clubs bought secondhand, when I moved up to the more expensive clubs I saw the difference in the ball connection felt alot smoother and the sweet spot seemed larger. My better putter gave me more feel around the green and my wedges had better grooves so I got more spin. Don't invest in great clubs straight away, go for them later when you will see a difference, plus if your crap with all the beat gear you'll just look like an idiot.
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post #4 of 52
6/9/09 at 4:04am
I would say golf is one of those activities that is least dependent on the quality of the gear. Find something that feels good in your hand, and odd as it may sound, a club that you like to look at.
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post #5 of 52
6/9/09 at 7:56am
To me, the main advantage of modern game improvement clubs is that the ball will tend to go straighter if you make a slight error on your swing. You'll know from feel of the contact with the ball and from the shorter ball flight that it was hit incorrectly, but at least the ball "will be in play" when you're on a golf course. This won't be of any help to you on a range. Good move starting with the cheaper clubs.
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post #6 of 52
6/9/09 at 11:52am
Get lessons, hit the range, take your time, and practice. Like everyone else has stated good clubs will not make a difference at first. Get a few seasons in with entry level clubs, then move up a bit. My first clubs were a set of Wilson Tour Irons, and mixed woods from my dads old bag. I played a few seasons, then moved up. I have a set of Ping irons, and Callaway driver/woods that I absolutely love. Moral of the story - Practice, then move up.
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post #7 of 52
6/9/09 at 12:06pm
Here's my personal experience.

Back in around 2000 I had the golf bug (since much much subsided). I was obsessed about it to say the least. I went out and bought lots of stuff, including a set of expensive clubs.

They were the most expensive I could find in the mega golf-store. They were the titanium, graphite shafted Calloway Hawkeyes. (I believe first generation).


Anywho, I couldn't hit the ball, with any consistency, worth a lick. The only difference I could tell was that the larger club face WAS more forgiving. Off-center shots had more a chance to go forward instead of staying on the grass.

But most importantly, I looked COOL with my Hawkeyes. I pitied the fools in their Wilson and somesuch Walmart cheapos.
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post #8 of 52
6/10/09 at 12:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pennglock View Post
Find something that feels good in your hand, and odd as it may sound, a club that you like to look at.

That's 90% of the reason I want one of these. I don't know if it'll make me any better, but it can't hurt.



Quote:
Originally Posted by skyman View Post
if your crap with all the best gear you'll just look like an idiot.

No one wants to be the guy known for the $1,000 clubs and the $10 game.
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post #9 of 52
6/10/09 at 1:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FidelCashflow View Post
No one wants to be the guy known for the $1,000 clubs and the $10 game.
More technologically advanced, properly fitted clubs do help but you'll get a lot more out of your money if you wait until your at least shooting in the low 90s consistently before ponying up for new gear. Then they will make a difference in terms of consistency and forgiveness, not to mention a little more distance if you get fitted correctly.
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post #10 of 52
6/10/09 at 1:44am
I shoot better with $100/set knock-off Chinese clubs than I do with my mid/high-end clubs. Golf is all about confidence.
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post #11 of 52
6/10/09 at 2:21pm
Since I just started picking up golf toward the end of college I didn't have a lot of money nor a ton of skill. I bought a set of clones online for about $250 total, including everything: 1, 3, 5 woods (Taylor Made R5 clones), 3-sw irons (Callaway X-18 clones), and putter. I just went to the range a couple times a week and tried to get my shots to be consistent. Learned to hit the ball straight, and then how to get the distance I want/need. Worked out pretty well the handful of times I actually hit the course. I haven't really been golfing since I graduated, but I don't think having the top end gear is going to make THAT much of a difference. Better off spending that money for some lessons and buckets at the range and then eventually greens fees.
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post #12 of 52
6/13/09 at 2:25pm
Thread Starter 
I need some more advice. Yesterday at the driving range, I put a huge dent in the bottom of my driver (about the size of 1/3 of a golf ball.) I'm still figuring out the basics of the swing, and have a tendency to hit the ball with the tops of my woods sometimes. It's a descending blow like with irons. Does this big ugly dent in the heel of my driver render it useless? The face is totally unaffected, you can't see the dent at address. I've heard some manufacturers will replace it for you if this happens. Is it worth checking if sport chek would do this with RAM clubs, or is this a service reserved for the more expensive brands? Also, when do all the clubs at the golf stores go on sale? Do they have some end of season blowout when winter starts?
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post #13 of 52
6/13/09 at 2:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FidelCashflow View Post
I need some more advice. Yesterday at the driving range, I put a huge dent in the bottom of my driver (about the size of 1/3 of a golf ball.) I'm still figuring out the basics of the swing, and have a tendency to hit the ball with the tops of my woods sometimes. It's a descending blow like with irons.

Does this big ugly dent in the heel of my driver render it useless? The face is totally unaffected, you can't see the dent at address. I've heard some manufacturers will replace it for you if this happens. Is it worth checking if sport chek would do this with RAM clubs, or is this a service reserved for the more expensive brands? Also, when do all the clubs at the golf stores go on sale? Do they have some end of season blowout when winter starts?

Stop trying to crush the ball and focs on keeping your head down and not picking it up to look at your shot. Take some lessons..trust me! Go to your local course and for about $35 per half hour you can learn what you are doing wrong. Good luck..and yeah get that club fixed!
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post #14 of 52
6/13/09 at 6:15pm
Have you gotten lessons yet? IMHO, you shouldn't even be trying to hit golf balls yet until you've had at least one lesson. Otherwise, doing so will only reinforce muscle memory for a poor swing form and make your lessons that much harder. Also, the only clubs you should be bringing to the range right now are your 9 or 8 irons. When you can consistently hit > 100 yards and control the general direction of where you want the ball to go, then you can worry about the longer clubs.
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post #15 of 52
6/14/09 at 12:05am
If you're just learning how to play, no amount of money spent on golf clubs is going to do you much good. Rather, invest in some lessons with a pro who has a good reputation as a teacher. I'd also recommend someone who is rather conventional in his approach to teaching golf. The money spent on lessons will provide you with a far better return right now than buying expensive clubs. My first set of clubs were some inherited 80s wilson blades, along with persimmon woods. When I finally replaced them around age 14/15, I was shooting in the mid 70s. Good equipment doesn't make you a good golf player.
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