Equipment For A Newbie To Golf?

Hey guys,

I've recently picked up lessons for golf and my pro want's me to get my own iron for my private range practises.

However, i heard that you save a lot purchasing a beginner set instead as they seldom sell clubs individually.

Need your recommendations if i should get a affordable beginner set or just 1 club.

Looking forward to your replies,
oreocookie.

borrow some clubs from friends first, decide that u actually like the game and are serious about it, then buy your own set of clubs.

i recommend buying 2nd hand clubs for yr first set, cos chances are, u will change the set in few months time as you improve.

and another thing, i don't believe in beginner sets because most of the time they are just lousy knock-offs priced at an affordable price.. however, most of the time, these sets are so lousy that you wont even be able to enjoy the game properly even as a beginner due to the lousy construction of the club. i have previously had a similar beginner set, and it is now lying in some senoko waste disposal facility. as ashes.

mervyntan wrote:

borrow some clubs from friends first, decide that u actually like the game and are serious about it, then buy your own set of clubs.

i recommend buying 2nd hand clubs for yr first set, cos chances are, u will change the set in few months time as you improve.

and another thing, i don't believe in beginner sets because most of the time they are just lousy knock-offs priced at an affordable price.. however, most of the time, these sets are so lousy that you wont even be able to enjoy the game properly even as a beginner due to the lousy construction of the club. i have previously had a similar beginner set, and it is now lying in some senoko waste disposal facility. as ashes.

I'm trying to borrow a 7 iron from my friends. This will help in my driving range.

Should i like the sport, you recommend me getting a full set then? Or a set with the minimum number of clubs to play a game. ( this is my definition of beginner set )

thanks mervyn for your reply,

it really depends, i would recommend that you get an "adequate" set. not just the bare minimal, because u will learn alot about golf clubs through having different toys and different clubs to play with.

i could easily go play golf with a driver, a 7 iron, pitching wedge, and a putter but i don't.. reason being that each and every club offers numerous different options and there are many ways to play a club.. so having more clubs would allow u to learn the differences in each club, as well as help to improve your game faster.

alot of people say that they can only hit a 7 iron, or a pitching wedge, and cannot play a 8 iron, etc. reason is, they started learning with this, stuck with the club through practise, and eventually gets stuck with that single club and pigeonhole themselves into playing that club forever.

that's the reason i advocate getting a full set.

but most importantly, if you are looking to prioritise your purchases, i would recommend this.

1. 2nd hand set of irons, e.g callaway x22 or some game-improvement set
2. fairway wood
3. putter
4. hybrid
5. driver

then u start experimenting with changing shafts and all that nonsense... then u will fall down the slippery slope... hahaha..

Welcome to the madness bro! Soon it will be in your blood and this will be the start of a lifetime of golfing memories!

Anyhoo, I have a set of Maruman Proliner G1’s with graphite shafts that I used as my beginner set not so long ago that are now chilling on my rack. It was recommended by my golf pro and is light, in good condition and most importantly – forgiving.

Set has 5-PW and I paid $200 bucks for it and I could let you have for $100. I may have some random clubs lying around that I could throw in for you as well or let you have them for cheap. Think I have a putter, some woods, a couple of drivers and a utility.

Let me know if you are interested!

Cheers,
Merv
nine.ate.too.seven.tree.six.too.one.

welcome oreo

You can try opting for a half set if you are really keen on the game.
That's wat I did. Once u r are really into it then slowly build your own dream set.
But like MT said, its going to cost you some dough cos its really addictive.
Me now have trouble walking out of golf stores w/o trying to buy something

Enjoy the game

hey thanks guys for your replies.

i'll be heading down to bukit batok to have a look at the 2nd hand clubs. Just wanna have a feel of what equipment are out there in the market for beginners. I prefer an intermediate set as i'll probably use it for some time. Don't wanna keep changing.

Another question, which driving range has the cheapest price?

Anyone knows the price of bishan golf range?

Bro dont worry about getting an intermediate set for now. It will hamper your learning that is for sure.

Take me for example, a 6 mth old golf newbie. If you asked me to use an intermediate set like a forged, split cavity back, players cavity back set? I wont be able to hit anything consistently well enough at the range, never mind on green.

Likewise if you were to use a game improvement set of irons like I am now (steel shaft, R, Cleveland TA5's) then more than likely you wont be hitting consistently if at all.

A set like mine cost me only $350 second hand and was in really good condition as well. So I'd suggest that you visit Far East Shopping Centre, 2nd floor, where you will find a ton of shops selling second hand sets for around $100 - $200.

Best part is? Once you need to graduate to game improvement sets like mine? Then simply go back to the same place and leave your old set there on consignment and pick up another second hand set for cheap like I did.

As for Bishan Range, the price range there is reasonable and not overly expensive. During peak hours it can and will be pretty rammed tho.

I range at either Bishan, OCC or EGC so gimme a holler if you wanna just chill out and hit some balls!

Cheers,
Merv

i oso using beginner set.... so far use for 2 yrs liao... and not changing...

well... for me, i stay in the beginner level longer then others...
but i still enjoy my golf...

i use my beginner set for coming 5 years now.. =)

it's not the club(s)........... =D

true is not hte club...

but believe if u can reach to a certain skill level, then the higher ends clubs will be more suitable....

i think my clubs can stick with me for a long long time... unless it's broken... hehehe

joleelyn wrote:

it's not the club(s)........... =D

Don't tell my wife.

I changed from beginner set to R7 graphite within a year of playing. It's more to the itch of buying clubs than the need of the 'better' equipment. Then last month I changed again to MP52.... then my wife found out about it when there's so many clubs unused in the store room... kekekeke

daveaha wrote:

I changed from beginner set to R7 graphite within a year of playing. It's more to the itch of buying clubs than the need of the 'better' equipment. Then last month I changed again to MP52.... then my wife found out about it when there's so many clubs unused in the store room... kekekeke

That means you are rich.... it is not the club.

Perhaps you should take it a step at a time. Cos there are many ways to go about it depending on what is your eventual commitment to the game, your budget, and how much of an equipment junkie you discover yourself to be later. Better to stick with a borrowed game improvement 7 iron and whatever else is necessary for your lessons till they are over. Then wait a while to see if you've been bitten by the golf bug.

Many students have bought full sets while taking basic lessons only to abandon the game once their lessons are over. The enthusiasm tends to die once contact with other students and your instructor is over, so continued fellowship is important to keep the interest going and growing. Of course Golf Republic is a great place to know more new khakis.

Also important is how willing and able are you to re-structure your weekends (weekdays later) on a personal level, especially if you have a family.

Having said all that, I think Swerve has a great deal for you, wouldn't hurt to take a look. Plus he's throwing in some other clubs, might even end up with a full set (if ur lucky) for just a $100. Cannot find such a deal in 2nd hand shop even!

Buying Ur 1st golf set is akin to buying Ur first car right after getting Ur licence. First car for most is a 2nd hand lao pok chia. No point buying a Ferrari and telling Urself you'll let Ur driving skills grow to the point where you can handle the car right?

Victor3112 wrote:

daveaha wrote:

I changed from beginner set to R7 graphite within a year of playing. It's more to the itch of buying clubs than the need of the 'better' equipment. Then last month I changed again to MP52.... then my wife found out about it when there's so many clubs unused in the store room... kekekeke

That means you are rich.... it is not the club.

Hahaha... not rich definitely, but the urge of buying is always there... haahahah
You're right though, the problem is not with the equipment Bad bad bad...

hey guys! thanks for all the awesome replies.. much better than hardwarezone golf section hah!


ok some questions.

1. what is a game improvement set?
2. should i get steel or graphite clubs? my friend said steel as i'm still young, 20 this year and a guy.

I'll strongly consider your set swerve. My uncle wants to bring me to bukit batok first though.

I'll upload a video of my swing here after my next visit to the range. I just came back from OCC btw haha!

believe there are still kasco sets going for 899 or 999 at world of golf.

a gd way is to take credit card points and change them from there.

oreocookie wrote:

hey guys! thanks for all the awesome replies.. much better than hardwarezone golf section hah!


ok some questions.

1. what is a game improvement set?

!

In term of skill set, it goes like this:
super game improvement < game improvement < amateur < low hcp < pro < President cup

The physical part of golf is all about muscle memory bro. Nothing wrong with starting with steel shafts, especially if you are the big and strong body builder type, its just that much easier if you start off with the graphite shafts that's all.

Think of it as you going to the gym and starting with light weights as opposed to going for the heavy weights to start off with. You have to slowly build the muscles up to accept the heavier weights rights? Same principle here bro.

As for my beginner set, no worries bro its here if you want it.

Lastly, as for your question on game improvement sets, my personal opinion is that its any set that helps you improve your game at that point in time. For me it was a cavity back, steel shafted set of irons. For you it might be different. I’ve known of people who started learning the game on blades, but that's like learning how to drive with a Ferrari. Ultimately there isn’t any right or wrong in golf – just what suits YOU best at the time.

Ultimately what you can do is to get a steel shafted iron and a graphite one for a test at the range. Simply pick the one that helps you hit the ball better and that's the one for you at this point of your journey!

Cheers,
Merv

In general, game improvement set means those big chunky cavity backed irons
These will usually have large soles to keep the CG low to help launch the ball.

Cavity Backed irons are those irons which look like there is a lot of weight/mass around the perimeter of the club, thereby creating a "cavity" in the back of the irons.

The analogy is something like this:
If you take a dumbell put the weights towards the center ----||----- and roll this, then any slight hit to either ends will cause this to spin around or severly veer off it's original course
Now if you move the weights to the end of the bar like a normal dumbell ||---||, now if you roll this, off center hits will still cause it to go off it's original course, but much less than the first example.
So same with the cavity back golf clubs, any off center hit will cause less "twist", and less off direction ball flight..

Since you're a beginner, no need to get into other club design details like offset, etc.

In terms of shaft, if you can handle it, go for steel since you said you are a strong young man! There are good graphites, as good or even better than steel, but in general these are expensive.

Another better alternative, go meet up with the forumers on the MBGC gathering, can try others clubs, etc and exchange ideas, etc..

Happy golfing.

SS u r good..... no wonder u r my idol...

nb. i also write long thesis. why u no worship me?

mUAr_cHEe wrote:

nb. i also write long thesis. why u no worship me?

becoz TSS style is easiest to understand...

making the average ppl oso can understand.... the rest machiam only good players will understand...

dun fren u.