Best Beginner Setup for Under $500?

[Munschauer]

Hey guys!

I'm 21 years old and I am finally getting into golf. For the past couple of months I have been going to the range and the links with my friend to try and learn the sport and use his equipment.

 

I am finally ready to buy my first set of golf clubs. I was looking for any recommendations on what to look for when buying your first set of clubs.

 

Should I buy a set or go for individual clubs?

New or used?

Good cheap clubs?

 

Any tips would be a HUGE help!

 

THANKS!

[jimwgt26]

I think for $500 budget you can get a great set up of used clubs. I just helped a friend do the same. I would recommend a 3 wood, Hybrid, a sand wedge with at least 10 degrees of Bounce, putter, and 4 or 5 iron to PW (perimeter weighted). Stores like Golfsmith have a good selection of used clubs, but their prices are a little high. eBay is great. Watch a few auctions, and you'll quickly learn what a fair price is.

[Nihonsei75]

Welcome to the game, enjoy all the challenges!!!
Complete sets are a good way to start, this will allow to spend on other gear without busting the budget and are good to hang on to and pass down to the next that you may introduce to the game once thoroughly bitten and eager to share. http://www.wilson.com/en-us/golf/complete-sets/
I see your handicap is posted at 9, might want to check that out.
If you have a flea market that's a place for retro bags and recently older equipment, also Play It Again Sports. I just saw some steals in your local Craigslist if your in Buffalo. Keep in mind that you will probably want to buy new sticks as your game evolves so pace your purchases at the low end while you sharpen your skills b/c by next year, after dropping the easy strokes, you may be drooling with the rest of us over the fresh cycle of gotta have gear with swag. Hit'em Well bro!!!
Oh, last thing. just found this quote among, IDK if I can post it from a website, I won't... Check out Buffalo Sports, apparently they are amazing at saving the community money in sports. Be Well / One!

[justincredible04]

[quote name='Munschauer' timestamp='1401417172' post='9393661']
Hey guys!
I'm 21 years old and I am finally getting into golf. For the past couple of months I have been going to the range and the links with my friend to try and learn the sport and use his equipment.

I am finally ready to buy my first set of golf clubs. I was looking for any recommendations on what to look for when buying your first set of clubs.

Should I buy a set or go for individual clubs?
New or used?
Good cheap clubs?

Any tips would be a HUGE help!

THANKS!
[/quote]

It depends on how much time you want to put in. $500 is a lot for a beginning budget so you can actually get a really awesome set you won't outgrow any time soon. I was putting together a set for my buddy and it pretty much came down to the best deal we could get him. The only thing you really need to make sure is the flex. If you're beginning it's probably going to be regular, but if you're strong or any type of athlete it may also be stiff.

An arbitrary set would be something like:

Driver - Taylormade anything that is 2-3 iterations old. They make so many new drivers you can get a decent driver on eBay for less than $100
Fairway - Probably a Taylormade again just because of price. $50-100
Hybrid prob 19, or even a 22/24 degree - There was a super cheap half off deal with the Adams Super LS, I picked up two hybrids for $70
Irons 4-PW or even 5-PW - A set of MP60s will run you around $200-150. These may be a little too much club so whatever is comparable at that range
Wedges - probably only need a 52/56 and can pick a used cleveland up for $20-40
Putter - Doesn't really matter as whichever one feels the best to you. Hell Martin Kaymer won the US Open with a normal putter that's $100

I would just say make sure you get a hybrid and a wedge. Because other than your putter you will be using those clubs a lot. Taylormades are usually cheaper because a lot of people buy them and a lot of people sell them. Just make sure you get the correct shaft. The game will be really hard if you're playing the wrong shaft.

[leerob3]

I would check out your local sporting goods store for last year's closeout's. My Dick's is closing out complete sets of Adam's for 350, they also had a Cobra starter set that looked pretty killer for 399.