Starter Set for Teenager?

[DoubleDrops]

My son has expressed some interest in golf and I'm looking for a complete set for him possibly for Christmas this year. He's 13 and is pretty small for his age. I don't want to spend over $300 on this set because I'm not sure if he'll end up sticking with it. Would you recommend a junior/teen set of clubs or is it better to go with an adult set and just choke up on the clubs?

[Kcct82]

Hard to say without knowing his height and weight. Perhaps look for a used set of US Kids on eBay. 

[wildcatden]

https://thejuniorgolfer.com/best-kids-golf-clubs/

[MRx747]

100% find something use online!

[tiger1873]

13 year old boy you should be looking at adult clubs for him. If he hasn't started shooting up he soon will.  Has he ever played golf?  You can rent a set at most golf courses if he hasn't.

 

If your not even sure he likes golf I have to say go out and buy a boxed set at Costco or another store that sells clubs.  Take your pick there all kind the same.  They are not great sets but there prefect for someone who just wants to see if golf is for them.  He will be able to get around the course and play a few rounds.

 

If you do go this route if he shows some interest go out and buy him a good set and spend a little money on him. 

It's impossible for anyone including a fitter to figure out someone who just started golf. Those boxed sets are for the new golfer who has no idea if they like the sport.

Edited November 19, 2021 by tiger1873

[RmoorePE]

What I did was find a used set of irons. Get a name brand, in the game improvement range. Even 10 years old clubs are fine ($150). Buy a 15 pack of grips on Ebay - my kids love Winn Dri-Tac and install them ($50 if you get the weird colors). Get them a flashy driver, 5 to 10 years old ($150), re grip and put on a cool head cover ($30). Same program for a fairway wood or two, depending on budget ($100). Give one of your old putters, and put a new head cover on it ($20). Then a Ping Hoofer Lite stand bag (2021 model). I bought two at Golf Galaxy last spring for $150 each.

 

If you are cagey you can get all of this under $600. This set is something he can take any direction replacing piecemeal, but will be serviceable for a long time.  The irons probably come out first. As long as the whole thing looks cool, you win on Xmas morning.

 

 

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

The top flite complete set from Dicks sporting good.  Brought one for my son when he was first starting out. 

[ChipNRun]

In summer before high school, I was a caddie and wanted my own set of clubs. I bought a used men's set of Spalding Synco-Dyned irons, R-flex. Most of the other guys my age, if their dads weren't golfers, bought men's clubs.

 

The littlest caddie our age talked to the golf pro, and got a used set of women's clubs, fitted for a shorter woman. The next two years, little guy kicked out butts playing golf. He got better contact with the clubs - especially irons - than those growing into adult clubs.

 

I would suggest a 5i-PW, a sand wedge, a high-launch driver and a 4 Hybrid, and one of your old putters. Many of the major manufacturers make women's iron sets that have the same color pattern as the men's irons.

 

You can save $$ if you get used irons and long clubs. And, he can hit them in shop to make sure the are not a bad fit for him. (I'm talking a static fitting: just make sure the clubs are something he can swing comfortably).