To buy or not to buy yet Golf Sets

Hi all,

Here to seek for more opinions on golf sets.
I am a newbie Golf learner. Currently taking lessons from Bishan and the coach is nice to borrow me a
Ping 7. Now as of maybe about 6 to 7 lessons, I feel that Golf is really an enjoyable game especially seeing shots launching high up etc. My uncle taught me a little on Putting and brought me to Mandai exe golf course for some games.

Armed with iron 7, 1 driver and putter i went down to play the course with gaining experience as my goal. Of course my driver shot is bad shot but well at least tried. Ok equipment list. My uncle had pass me an old full set of unknow brand iron with driver is some Fireball (Old bag). However when i tried to bring down the set to practice the 7, my coach commented that the head is coming out anytime soon.

Ok, my uncle advise me to whack the old set first, which means i buy a used iron7 to complete the set.

My friend advise me to buy a cheap and good set ranging $300 + to $400+ and after that if my swing is better than buy a better set.

My dad was telling me get a good one for me to last.

What do you all think? I recently went to Far east Shop and some nice sale was recommending me Taloymade set for me.

if budget is not a problem ( as per ure dad advice ), i wld say go to a custom fitter.

Be fitted correctly, and the set will be with u for at least a while.


Once u get past the beginner and intermediate stage, den maybe u will start looking for new clubs, or also wont change at all.

If theres a budget, i say go for the old burners from TM.. burner SL for eg, very forgiving.
Iron set will set u back ard $399-$4xx .. brand new.

alternatively, check for buy/sell thread in the forum, a lot ppl selling their used iron sets.

Lastly, nothing against beginner sets, but u really don want to feel that u cannot progress further/faster becoz of the clubs. great deal tjhough.. $299 for full set, from 4i to driver, putter and bag.

rent a set from nrafee. the rental fee goes to charity. once you are comfortable, then go and buy a set

Gray wrote:

rent a set from nrafee. the rental fee goes to charity. once you are comfortable, then go and buy a set

pizzaboi wrote:

if budget is not a problem ( as per ure dad advice ), i wld say go to a custom fitter.

Be fitted correctly, and the set will be with u for at least a while.

fitting is not cheap and if swing is not stable, get fitted also no use cos swing will change too frequently and money spent on fitting will be wasted.

fitter will also not be able to fit properly

Gray wrote:

rent a set from nrafee. the rental fee goes to charity. once you are comfortable, then go and buy a set

Thank you for spreading the word. Yes, please check out project 2nd chance to see if there anything you like.

if u r sure that u will continue to golf then shd buy a beginner set. beware of bogus salesman. my friend, a beginner was recommended to buy a set of irons of steel shaft by a golfshop salesman who insisted that beginner can handle steel shaft.

Beginner set shd be cavity back, graphite shaft irons and shd include a putter, fairway woods, hybrids and driver. no muscle back or blade irons!

How about rent the Maruman Verity set for 3 to 6 months. If like it can buy. if not just return for resale. Graphite and cavity backed. Perfect for beginner

Simon, I suggest that you get a second-hand cavity back graphite iron set (e.g. Callaway X series) plus one hybrid. Get a second-hand 460cc driver (regular flex) which is forgiving and usually costs $80 ~$100. You don't really need the fairway woods.

Most importantly, bring a knowledgeable friend along.

I spend around $400 for my driver + iron set (steel shaft) and have been playing with them for a few years. No real need to upgrade. 'Invested' more in a hybrid because I needed something forgiving and easy to hit for distances from 150m to 175m.

poresia wrote:

if u r sure that u will continue to golf then shd buy a beginner set. beware of bogus salesman. my friend, a beginner was recommended to buy a set of irons of steel shaft by a golfshop salesman who insisted that beginner can handle steel shaft.

Beginner set shd be cavity back, graphite shaft irons and shd include a putter, fairway woods, hybrids and driver. no muscle back or blade irons!

What's wrong with a steel shaft in a beginner set? As long as it's not too stiff, I can't think of any reason why a beginner should not be able to handle it.

musashi75 wrote:

poresia wrote:

if u r sure that u will continue to golf then shd buy a beginner set. beware of bogus salesman. my friend, a beginner was recommended to buy a set of irons of steel shaft by a golfshop salesman who insisted that beginner can handle steel shaft.

Beginner set shd be cavity back, graphite shaft irons and shd include a putter, fairway woods, hybrids and driver. no muscle back or blade irons!

What's wrong with a steel shaft in a beginner set? As long as it's not too stiff, I can't think of any reason why a beginner should not be able to handle it.

Before the days of graphite, the only choice was steel? I have been using steel shafts since I started and I found it much easier to hit it quite straight but I lose about 10 ~15 m.

but no matter what, dont use the iron if the head is gg to drop out, It is very dangerous. not only u can hit someone on the upswing, u can also hit someone on the backswing in the driving range

musashi75 wrote:

poresia wrote:

if u r sure that u will continue to golf then shd buy a beginner set. beware of bogus salesman. my friend, a beginner was recommended to buy a set of irons of steel shaft by a golfshop salesman who insisted that beginner can handle steel shaft.

Beginner set shd be cavity back, graphite shaft irons and shd include a putter, fairway woods, hybrids and driver. no muscle back or blade irons!

What's wrong with a steel shaft in a beginner set? As long as it's not too stiff, I can't think of any reason why a beginner should not be able to handle it.

beginners may tend to top or hit fat shots more than seasoned golfers.

if u hit fat shots with a graphite shafted irons, the graphite will absorb part of the impact while your elbow will take the rest.

for steel shaft, your elbow will take almost 100% of the impact when club hit ground before ball and soon you will have tennis or golf elbow.

in addition, graphite shafts are lighter, btw 50-55 grams as compared to steel 85-95 grams. a beginner usually cannot generate enough club speed to launch the ball with a steel shaft to its ultimate distance.

again, as long as u can handle steel, no one can stop you but that's what i think will make your learning process a pleasant one.

can try burner sl. very easy club to use

Enjoy your journey just like I'd did.

I think rather than rushing out to getting your Irons, wait for a while and continue using the loaned set first at least until your fundamentals are sound (which means you can hear The Click about 75% of the time and you're shooting at least a consistent 100 - 110 yards for your 7).

When you are beginning to get consistent, start up on golf literature. Understand the various lofts of the Irons and the technology. Learn to look beyond all the big marketing buzz and understand what you'll be looking for. For a beginner, cavity soles for your irons is preferred as it increases the sweet spot of the clubface. Of course, I'm not stopping you if you find blades very attractive looking but you ought to have the determination to master your clubs thoroughly. Brand names doesn't really matter since its a matter of personal preference. Some prefer the traditional names of Taylormade & Callaway. Some like Puma. Some like Bridgestone or Miura. Some like Nike. But as Golf is concerned, I take it with the same philosophy as photography - "Cameras gives you the small bells and whistles to stand out, at the end of the day, the photographer needs to be present to press the shutter (and press it properly)."

Steel or graphite shafts doesn't really matter. I was using graphite shafts initially and liked that whippy feel but having my own set now (with steel shafts), realised that there's a small level of control and higher level of feedback I can have with steel. Short of hitting bad shots that gives a jarring shock, it also serves as a wakeup call "Don't do that silly smack again!". Think of it as a rubber band snapping your wrist. The better you play, the less shocks you get.

If weight of steel worries you, I believe there are lighter steel shafts available these days, like N.S Pro 750 that weighs like 75g or thereabout. Of course, regardless, graphite will always be lighter. My suggestion is to try both and see what you personally prefer. What you like is most important. Its like buying underwear. Your girlfriend may know your size, but she may not know what fabric you like.

got Golf Direct, why worry?

If got some budget get the Burner 1.0, think they still have the Callaway X-20 (NG)

Driver? TM SuperFast at $189!!!!

Putter got lots of cheap putter, TM Corza Ghost $99, a very good putter and easy putter, the Spider at even cheaper price!!!

All TM stuff have good resale value but you may even use the above for a while (rather than a beginner set which u will give away for free in a few months)

my beginner advise is get a new set. I have a vintage blade, no name early 90s graphite set, a no name super game improver graphite set and the burner 1.0 steel (85 grams steel shaft). The technology (light steel shaft, cavity etc) in the Burner (even that set is not so new liao with the Burner 2.0) really makes it easier to play and easier to improve.

Those hand me down sets are really more difficult to play.

Hi,

My uncle actually did gave me an old golf set complete everything except iron 7 with head about to drop off. The brand of the iron is Aeromax and from what i heard from some shop is worthless n obsolete to trade in.

I have to admit that when i see the condition of the iron and woods, it really very run down making me try not to use them.
Brought along to play and my coach commented heavy for me.

Actually, my mind was telling me to get a new iron set from taylormade or ping but alot of my friends tell me to get a used one or cheap beginner sets.

So if you are in my shoes, just use the iron6 to practice to get my swing right consistent or get a new set from taylormade or ping?

simon1982 wrote:

Hi,

My uncle actually did gave me an old golf set complete everything except iron 7 with head about to drop off. The brand of the iron is Aeromax and from what i heard from some shop is worthless n obsolete to trade in.

I have to admit that when i see the condition of the iron and woods, it really very run down making me try not to use them.
Brought along to play and my coach commented heavy for me.

Actually, my mind was telling me to get a new iron set from taylormade or ping but alot of my friends tell me to get a used one or cheap beginner sets.

So if you are in my shoes, just use the iron6 to practice to get my swing right consistent or get a new set from taylormade or ping?

I think having both a consistent swing and a good set are equally important. A good swing demands that you put in the time to practice. Beginner clubs are built to be easy to hit but may not help you develop a good consistent swing.

Much also depends on your approach to the game. Are you serious about the game as a leisure pursuit or do you think you will get seriously hooked? I take it that you have taken lessons. What do you feel about the game so far? That will guide your next step.

I was fortunate to have gotten a fairly decent set of S-yard irons & jap spec woods from a good friend for a very reasonable price. Although they were challenging for me to hit well when I first started off, I have realised the value of having some good clubs. More so when I compared the set I have to a good starter set that another friend had. Although the starter set was easier to hit, there was less satisfaction as there was no feel or satisfaction when I struck a half-decent shot. As many who play will tell you, it's all about feel and if the feel is pure, you will get hooked on the game.

Anybody with cash can run out and get a set of top notch brand name clubs but whether they stick with them is a different story altogether. A lot of people cannot afford the time it takes to practise a lot to get a consistent swing and that is why a forgiving set will help a lot.

In my humble view, I feel that a good set of cavity-back forged irons will provide sufficient forgiveness and the right feel to educate someone new on how to swing and strike a ball. The rest I'm afraid, is still how much work you want to put into practice.

Both Ping and TM are decent brands and would have something suitable for you. Stay away from Titleist irons for the moment as I personally find those very challenging to hit.

Whether you decide to improve your swing or get better clubs, I hope whatever decision you take works out for you!

Oh one more thing, it steel isn't too heavy for you, I say go with steel! You will learn v fast how to swing because if you don't, it HURTS after a while. I also suffered at the start because I was swinging wild and too fast. After a while, I learnt that pain meant I was swinging the club wrongly! Unfortunately, it took me a lot of pain before I figured it out!