Those who GOLF

[agathodaimon]

I'm just beginning to learn how to golf and I don't have any of my own clubs to use. I'm always borrowing someone's, so it's about time I bought a set for myself.
I am REALLY NOT GOOD at golf, I just find it incredibly fun to go out on the weekends occassionally with some friends and have a good time.

I'd like to spend AROUND $100 or so on a set of clubs, but need something that is good for a beginner like me... I also want something fairly nice, where the heads won't break off of the shafts after using them for a while.
When I say around $100, I mean it kind of loosely... If i can get something for $80.00 or $140.00, that would be ok.

I'm looking at this set right now, which looks like a good deal, but I really do NOT have a clue what brands are good and which ones I should avoid...

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...ductId=1254508

Anyone have any recommendations, opinions or used ones they'd like to sell me?

[Target]

That looks like a decent beginners set of clubs, and the price is about right since it also includes the bag.

Cavity backed irons with bottom weighting, and over-sized drivers were about all I was going to recommend, and that set appears to have them. Not sure why only the driver has a graphite shaft, but thats not a huge concern.

You might want to check some department stores as well. Surprisingly, the Kmart and Walmarts in my area have a good selection of what I would call full beginner sets that are in your price point.

[WingWizard]

For a beginner, that looks like a decent enough set for the price. If you can, find a used sporting goods store too and have a look, you might be able to find a few deals.

For future reference though, the quality companies are : titelist, taylor made, king cobra, callaway. Of course, for a new driver alone it'll cost you 300+ and an iron set will put you back 750-1200

Also, see if there are any proshop / driving ranges around. Sometimes they'll let you take the clubs you're thinking of getting out to the range and hit a small bucket with them before you buy

[Sweet]

Let me recommend looking in the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores. You might also check with your local pawn shops for a good deal on a very good set of used clubs. If you are serious about learning the game, you should look for a set that has at least the 1-3-5 clubs and the irons from 2 through 9, plus a pitching wedge and a good putter that fits your height. You can also pick up a decent set at Wally World or the Academy.

[agathodaimon]

huh, never even thought about the Goodwill or Pawn shops... I'll have to try those. We've got plenty of Pawn Shops around here.

Who would have figured that Wal-mart would have decent clubs too.

Thanks for the tips!

[SPEEDO]

Why Golf Courses Have 18 Holes

The following is not meant to offend hockey, tennis, basketball,
football or soccer fans. It is, rather, an attempt to put everything in its proper perspective.

Ever wonder why golf is growing in popularity and why people who don't even play go to tournaments or watch it on TV? These truisms may shed light:

Golf is an honorable game, with the overwhelming majority of players being honorable people who don't need referees.

Golfers don't have some of their players in jail every week.

Golfers don't beat up on each other during the game.

In golf you cannot fail 70% of the time and make $9 million a season, like the best baseball hitters (.300 batting average) do.

Professional golfers are compensated in direct proportion to how well they play.

Golfers don't hold out for more money, or demand new contracts, because of another player's deal.

Professional golfers don't demand that the taxpayers pay for the courses on which they play.

You can watch the best golfers in the world up close, at any tournament, including the majors, all day, every day for $25 or $30. The cost for a seat in the nosebleed section at the Super Bowl will cost around $300 or more.

When golfers make a mistake, nobody is there to cover for them or back them up.

The PGA Tour raises more money for charity in one year than the National Football League does in two.

Golf doesn't change its rules to attract fans.

Golfers have to adapt to an entirely new playing area each week.

Golf doesn't have free agency.

You can hear birds chirping on the golf course during a tournament.

Tiger Woods can hit a golf ball three times as far as Barry Bonds can hit a baseball.

Finally, here's a slice of golf history you might enjoy.

Why do full-length golf courses have 18 holes, and not 20, or 10 or an even dozen?

During a discussion among the club's membership board at St. Andrews in 1858, one of the members pointed out that it takes exactly 18 shots to polish off a fifth of Scotch. By limiting himself to only one shot of Scotch per hole, the Scot figured a round of golf was finished when the Scotch ran out.

Now you know.

[ZENYO]

Hey Speedo, Golf is my game but I think I'd have to disagree with some of your points (just for the fun of it ).

Golf is an honorable game, with the overwhelming majority of players being honorable people who don't need referees.
There's a course marshal on every hole. There always trying to get relief when they don't deserve one.

Golfers don't have some of their players in jail every week.
COLOR=blue]You're right there[/COLOR]

Golfers don't beat up on each other during the game.
They just through clubs at there caddy's

In golf you cannot fail 70% of the time and make $9 million a season, like the best baseball hitters (.300 batting average) do.
The guy in 50th place on the pga money list (Peter Lonard) has made $908,410 in only 16 events http://www.pga.com/tournaments/money...ey_leaders.cfm
These guys make a lot of money.

Professional golfers are compensated in direct proportion to how well they play. You're right again, and I wish the rest of the sporting world would follow suite.

Golfers don't hold out for more money, or demand new contracts, because of another player's deal. Tiger and the other top players haven't played Vancouvers Air Canada Open yet (and a lot of others) because the purse isn't big enough.

You can watch the best golfers in the world up close, at any tournament, including the majors, all day, every day for $25 or $30. The cost for a seat in the nosebleed section at the Super Bowl will cost around $300 or more. But that doesn't include trying to get there and the inconvenience when you get there, unfortunately most golf courses do not have the capacity to entertein the amount of people they get. But you're right, it's know where neer as bad as other sports

Golf doesn't have free agency. Golf isn't a team game

You can hear birds chirping on the golf course during a tournament. Ahh brilliant, it's a wonderful game aint it!

That looks like a good set agathodaimon. I bought my first set of clubs from a pawn shop. Worked out great until they got stolen.

[edwelly]

well, I just picked up golf this year and I bought a beautiful set of Tommy Armour 845's at a local golf shop for $125.00 - they were used clubs on consignment... At lot of Pro Golf shops have used clubs... maybe try that as well.

[daveleau]

I don't know what you have around you, but we had a Play It Again Sports near me where I got my set. I got a nice set of used clubs for under $100. My best 18 is 108, so you can see I am a really good player.

[agathodaimon]

yeah, checked out play it again... Not much going on there... Just new sets or build your own.
I'll find one... I did happen to find the set I linked to at Shopko for the same price though.