Beginner golfing thread

[Wastedyouth]

Hey guys,

I've decided to try to make a bit more of an effort to take up golfing. A lot of my friends do it, and while I have golfed more than a few times I haven't done it regularly. I am gonna change that.

Can any one give me some advice as to what I should be paying for a beginner set of decent clubs and what I should make sure I include in the set?

Thanks guys!

[Fuzz]

I'm no golfer, but I've been told the single best thing you can do is go get lessons. Probably before you buy clubs so they can give you advice on what works for you.

[2Stonedbirds]

I would check out kijiji and try to find a nice set of used clubs. Coming into fall there should be some good deals to be had. You won't be out as much if you decide golf isn't your thing down the road. If you have your eyes on some new clubs, waiting until the winter may be a good idea so you can take advantage of sales.

Lessons are a great idea as well. Have fun!

[Senator Clay Davis]

Even more than lessons, get your clubs fitted. Makes a big time difference to ensuring good quality strikes.

[cracher]

Originally Posted by 2Stonedbirds

I would check out kijiji and try to find a nice set of used clubs. Coming into fall there should be some good deals to be had. You won't be out as much if you decide golf isn't your thing down the road. If you have your eyes on some new clubs, waiting until the winter may be a good idea so you can take advantage of sales.

Lessons are a great idea as well. Have fun!

This year may be an exception. I've been hearing that due to the piss-poor CAD, the 2016 line-ups will be more expensive. As a result, the good 2015 stuff sells out earlier so the discounts won't be as good.

[arcfyr]

Any recommendations on where to get lessons? Maybe somewhere indoors, for lessons during winter?

[TSXCman]

Great timing, I'm looking for lessons as well. Just picked up some 2014 TM Speedblades at golftown with their 20% off sale, $420 after tax.

I'd recommend friends, family, or kijiji (with a friend that can help you pick) for used clubs to start

[darklord700]

National Golf Academy is a good 12 month golf lesson place.

It is impossible to buy a bad set of clubs nowadays. If you spend less than $300, Kijiji is the place. If you spend over $300, I would check Golftown's clearance section brand new set of irons for $400. Make sure you like the look of the clubs, they have to inspire confidence in you. Generally, oversize club head sets are good for beginner's confidence.

Be sure to buy golf shoes, it helps stabilizing your stance and improve your safety. Yesterday, I slip in a wet bunker landed on my elbows and butts. I was lucky to get out with just some bruises and I was wearing golf shoes already.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by darklord700

National Golf Academy is a good 12 month golf lesson place.

It is impossible to buy a bad set of clubs nowadays. If you spend less than $300, Kijiji is the place. If you spend over $300, I would check Golftown's clearance section brand new set of irons for $400. Make sure you like the look of the clubs, they have to inspire confidence in you. Generally, oversize club head sets are good for beginner's confidence.

Be sure to buy golf shoes, it helps stabilizing your stance and improve your safety. Yesterday, I slip in a wet bunker landed on my elbows and butts. I was lucky to get out with just some bruises and I was wearing golf shoes already.

Thanks! Excellent info, especially about you having multiple butts!

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Hey guys,

I've decided to try to make a bit more of an effort to take up golfing. A lot of my friends do it, and while I have golfed more than a few times I haven't done it regularly. I am gonna change that.

Can any one give me some advice as to what I should be paying for a beginner set of decent clubs and what I should make sure I include in the set?

Thanks guys!

This time of the year you can also start to look at Demo sets, sometimes they can be as much as 50% less then the same set new. Also year old sets (last years models) are always cheaper as well but at this point in time you may have/ want to wait until spring to pick up a suitable set. I would also hold off on buying a driver until you've hit a few, you can demo one or two every time you go out and find which one you like best.

As was already mentioned, for beginner/ novice golfers spending money lessons is money better spent then on expensive clubs.

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Even more than lessons, get your clubs fitted. Makes a big time difference to ensuring good quality strikes.

I would not recommend getting your clubs fit if you are a beginner as you only benefit from a club fitting if you have a consistent swing, which beginners do not have. Also, if you're planning on getting lessons, your swing will likely change.

When I worked in golf retail, I would recommend to people just getting into the game to not spend too much on their first set. You should be able to get a decent full set of clubs with bag for around $500. I use this as a guide because it is not a huge investment of money so if you decide you don't like golf you're not out a ton of money or conversely if you develop a fondness for the game and you want to upgrade, once again you're not out a lot of money.

As others have posted, second hand clubs are a good option as well. Golf clubs lose at least half their value when sold for a second time so you might be able to find a real bargain. Good Luck!

[pylon]

Recommendation?

Learn to play at a reasonable speed. Don't hunt for more than 2 minutes for a lost ball. And if you are crouching and using your hands to shade the brim of your hat to line up putts, you better have a handicap in the single digits.

Nothing is more infuriating on a golf course, than total noobs holding up play because they're imitating Rory, Tiger and Bubba, during twillight time at some $25 public course. Not playing ready golf should get you kicked off a course if you cannot produce a CPGA card with a handicap of 5 or lower.

[Yanda]

dont golf on courses with houses nearby. With the hail this year trees have taken a huge beating and alot of bad shots that are usually slowed down by trees are not.. and there "coming in hot".

I was at my parents place last weekend for my Nephews 1st birthday party and the house got hit and later in the evening my Father took one off the chest but luckily it was at a good angle and only grazed him.

If your a Beginner golfer its probably best to find the right course for you so you can Hook/Slice the ball and make corrections. You dont need to goto expensive courses in Kananaskis to do this, there are lots of Rural courses that are still relatively close to Calgary and if you do your research in Calgary still.