Golf equipment advice (1 Viewer)

[Ditkaless Wonders]

57 years old.  6'2", 245.  Golfed 10 rounds in one summer 30 years ago.  Golfed one round maybe 10 years ago.  Nothing before, nothing sense, nothing else.  Basically know nothing about the game but I do possess the hand-eye coordination to hit the ball.

Your recommendations if I want to take the game up casually.  Appropriate equipment, and lessons or self taught at the range.

 

[BowieMercs]

Take some lessons with rental clubs before you drop any significant $

 

[playin4beer]

Just copy this look.. nobody will care how you golf

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I did not know there were rental clubs. 

See, with me all advice, outside of shtick advice, is good advice since my level of knowledge is just that low.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Just copy this look.. nobody will care how you golf

I think I can make that happen.  What's in the glass, rum and coke?

 

[Mister CIA]

I think I can make that happen.  What's in the glass, rum and coke?

I think it's cologne.

 

[Quint]

Lessons - yes. find a driving range or golf course in your area and contact the teaching pro.

Practice - yes. lots of it if you have time. even if it's just chipping balls in the yard or spending five minutes in front of a mirror checking your swing.

Equipment - assuming you don't have clubs? find a Play-It-Again-Sports (or similar shop) and get some used clubs. as you progress in skill, you can upgrade as necessary.

Golf shoes - not a requirement, but might be helpful

Balls - get some "pre-owned" rocks from eBay...you should be able to get a whole mess of 'em at a decent price. unless you've got FBG $$$, there's not much sense in paying $50/dzn for ProV1s.

 

[joffer]

definitely start with a used set of clubs.

 

[avoiding injuries]

With your level of experience, I'd make whatever was on sale work for me. 

Golf galaxy allows you to test out their clubs on simulated "course" to see which clubs you hit the best. I'd start there, then look online etc. 

 

[Frank Drebin]

The only problem with used clubs at your size (specifically your height) is that standard clubs will likely be a bit too short for you. Even if you don't pan on buying, go to your local ****'s/Golfsmith/Golf Galaxy and get fitted for clubs. You can still find them used, you would just be able to have a better idea of what to look for.

 

[sbonomo]

Lessons - yes. find a driving range or golf course in your area and contact the teaching pro.

Practice - yes. lots of it if you have time. even if it's just chipping balls in the yard or spending five minutes in front of a mirror checking your swing.

Equipment - assuming you don't have clubs? find a Play-It-Again-Sports (or similar shop) and get some used clubs. as you progress in skill, you can upgrade as necessary.

Golf shoes - not a requirement, but might be helpful

Balls - get some "pre-owned" rocks from eBay...you should be able to get a whole mess of 'em at a decent price. unless you've got FBG $$$, there's not much sense in paying $50/dzn for ProV1s.




 




 

You have to be kidding right    DW:  As others have said, pick up a good used set on ebay, craigs list, played again, etc.  I am not sure if they have a golf smith in your area but they will normally have an indoor driving range where you can try the used clubs.  Go and spend an hour hitting a bunch of different clubs and see what feels good for you.  Find something with a large cavity back (see ping, cobra, etc).  If you end up liking the game your taste in clubs will change as your game improves.  Always remember when you are on the course to play "ready" golf and don't be afaid to pick up your ball if you are getting too far behind.  Have fun!  

 

[ProstheticRGK]

When I first picked up the game, I went to Costco and bought a starter set that came with a bag, and also bought a pair of shoes and a glove. They also sell multi packs of balls for a lot cheaper than most places. Since you've already played a few rounds, you know what your stance will be, make sure the set fits you. I'm only 5'11", though, so don't know if a standard set would fit you well. 

When I really got into it, I took lessons, then went to a place in Oregon with an indoor range, got specially fitted and spent more on a set of custom clubs than my car cost ('85 Chevy Caprice classic). By, then I knew my game and my swing were pretty well established, so the salesman could hone in on the different options that really benefitted me.

Be careful, the game of golf is a demanding mistress. You will find yourself thinking of golf to the exclusion of most everything else. You might even find yourself adding the golf channel to your list of favorite channels, or even sitting down to watch majors without intending to take a Sunday nap.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

When I first picked up the game, I went to Costco and bought a starter set that came with a bag, and also bought a pair of shoes and a glove. They also sell multi packs of balls for a lot cheaper than most places. Since you've already played a few rounds, you know what your stance will be, make sure the set fits you. I'm only 5'11", though, so don't know if a standard set would fit you well. 

When I really got into it, I took lessons, then went to a place in Oregon with an indoor range, got specially fitted and spent more on a set of custom clubs than my car cost ('85 Chevy Caprice classic). By, then I knew my game and my swing were pretty well established, so the salesman could hone in on the different options that really benefitted me.

Be careful, the game of golf is a demanding mistress. You will find yourself thinking of golf to the exclusion of most everything else. You might even find yourself adding the golf channel to your list of favorite channels, or even sitting down to watch majors without intending to take a Sunday nap.

I love napping through majors.  I don't want to lose that.

 

[needanap]

Look at Sports Authority for their going out of business sales.  You can get a whole set of decent clubs for under $200, which includes the bag.  Renting clubs will be expensive.

 

[Hooper31]

57 years old.  6'2", 245.  Golfed 10 rounds in one summer 30 years ago.  Golfed one round maybe 10 years ago.  Nothing before, nothing sense, nothing else.  Basically know nothing about the game but I do possess the hand-eye coordination to hit the ball.

Your recommendations if I want to take the game up casually.  Appropriate equipment, and lessons or self taught at the range.

Used clubs. Look into Craigslist. Don't spend more than $200 for a complete set of irons. Probably could find a full set with a bag and woods as well for that much money. There are tons of options available that are used.

You'll want to find "+1" clubs for a guy your height. That means the shafts will be an inch longer than the standard club. Sure, there are variations off that number, but you're more likely to find +1s than anything else and they should be fine. I'm 6'2" and am currently using +1s. 

I started playing about five years ago.  Played up through this year with 20 year old Ping Zing 2 irons. Got my handicap down to 10.5. Just invested $800 into new irons (Ping Gs). I can say with little to no doubt that the new clubs are helping only a tiny bit. Its not the clubs, Its the swing. Perhaps once a round I think the new clubs save me a shot with the forgiveness built into the face via new technologies, but mostly its still the swing.

Lesson needs are going to vary from person to person. I think it depends on "why" for each player. I want to screw up and learn from my mistakes. Trial and error is what I'm all about. The few "lessons" I've experienced haven't been helpful at all, but then again that's me. I may be an exception in that I'm all about learning from my mistakes. On top of that I'm fairly obsessed with the game now. I will easily get in 80 to 100 rounds this year. 

 

[ChiefD]

You will definitely want to buy ProV1 golf balls though. We need more guys out there spending 8 minutes hunting for a golf ball that they realized cost $4.25 apiece. 

 

[Gally]

Don't worry about spending a ton on gear until you get to the point where the gear is holding you back.  Invest more on the beverages during the round because it will make the round a lot more enjoyable...hahahaa

 

[Da Guru]

57 years old.  6'2", 245.  Golfed 10 rounds in one summer 30 years ago.  Golfed one round maybe 10 years ago.  Nothing before, nothing sense, nothing else.  Basically know nothing about the game but I do possess the hand-eye coordination to hit the ball.

Your recommendations if I want to take the game up casually.  Appropriate equipment, and lessons or self taught at the range.

This is your answer. These clubs will be perfect.

 

[Apple Jack]

Clubs - Unless you have unusually short/long arms for your size, or unusually short/long legs for your size, stock length shafts should be fine. Craigslist is your best bet. Don't get fit until you have something close to a repeating golf swing. Cast and perimeter weighted are the words you want to look for. 

Lessons - YES. Absolutely. Ask around who is good for beginners.

Ball - Anybody who doesn't have driver clubhead speed well over 100 mph AND hits the ball as solidly as a low single digit handicapper is a fool for paying for ProV1 and ProV1x. The cores are way too hard for most players. This is something that the public has been very slow to learn for some reason. Don't pay a bunch for balls and avoid high compression balls in the beginning.

Shoes - If you ever plan on playing on wet grass, def get a pair of soft spikes.

Practice - A lot. This helps if you have a practice buddy. Otherwise, I would rather do just about anything but practice.

Have fun. It's the most gratifying and humbling game there is.

 

[ChiefD]

Have fun. It's the most gratifying and humbling stupid and frustrating game where you pay a crap-ton of money to be mad all day until you hit that one good shot that brings you out there the next time.

Fixed for accuracy.

 

[Nugget]

Look for an Adams starter set - they have hybrids instead of long irons.  

 

[John Bender]

Good advice here I would just add one thing re: clubs.

Irons wise, it's not important to spend a ton, but it is important to get some clubs that have a lot of forgiveness to help your game.
Personally, I think you want to stay away from "blades" which are thinner irons and go for something with a cavity in the back. If you're unclear of what I mean, check google and search for something like "blades vs cavity: golf"

I also highly recommend just opting out of a set with a 3 and 4 iron altogether and replacing those with 1 or 2 hybrids. Most sets these days offer that as an option anyway.

I use Cobra everything and I'm very happy.

 

[sho nuff]

Lessons - yes. find a driving range or golf course in your area and contact the teaching pro.

Practice - yes. lots of it if you have time. even if it's just chipping balls in the yard or spending five minutes in front of a mirror checking your swing.

Equipment - assuming you don't have clubs? find a Play-It-Again-Sports (or similar shop) and get some used clubs. as you progress in skill, you can upgrade as necessary.

Golf shoes - not a requirement, but might be helpful

Balls - get some "pre-owned" rocks from eBay...you should be able to get a whole mess of 'em at a decent price. unless you've got FBG $$$, there's not much sense in paying $50/dzn for ProV1s.

Golf Galaxy and Edwin Watts also have good used clubs at pretty darn good prices.  Picked up an Adams set for $150 last year that I am playing with now (and will either give them or my old Armours to my son when he is big enough).

Balls (any dozen around $20 that aren't rocks would be better IMO).  Or at least the "refurbed".  Rocks suck and even a bad player can appreciate a bit softer ball.

 

[sho nuff]

Though, something to be said for learning to play on an early 80s set of Wilson Staff blades with worn leather wrapped grips.

I definitely knew when I mi#### one.

Edit: @ the language filter catching mis hit...only no space.