From: mccarty@add.itg.ti.com (Rick McCarty)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.golf
Subject: Re: Looking for club buying tips
Date: 21 Dec 92 18:36:50
Organization: Texas Instruments Incorporated, Austin, TX
NNTP-Posting-Host: aphid.add.itg.ti.com
In-reply-to: jeffrey@iti.gov.sg's message of Thu, 17 Dec 1992 07:52:34 GMT

In article <1992Dec17.075234.22056@iti.gov.sg> jeffrey@iti.gov.sg (Jeffrey Goh (Sch-NS KSL)) writes:

>	   I'm wondering if the golf-gurus on this newsgroup can offer
>	   some advice on _how_ to go about buying a set of clubs.  I am
>	   not particularly concerned about the specific brand or set
>	   recommendations per se, though these are welcome.
>
>	   What I am looking for are some general "rules of thumb"
>	   to go about looking for a decent set that I can start of
>	   with and yet be comfortable with for some time (say about 5
>	   years ? ).
>
>	   For instance, do the various brands have any _real_ difference
>	   between them ?  They all look pretty much the same to me.
>	   Cavity back, Perimeter weighting, etc.. seem to be in almost
>	   all the sets I have looked at.  What else should I be looking
>	   out for ?  

Jeff,

Five years is a long time...

My recommendation would be to look for a used set at a second hand shop.
The choice of ones clubs is a personal thing.  Before spending several
hundred dollars on a five year commitment to what is basically a guess,
I'd suggest getting used to the game enough to where you feel
comfortable making your own choice about what you want.  Getting a bit
of experience under your belt (and trying out various friend's clubs
from time to time) will give you a much better feel for what clubs you
want to play with for the long haul.

There are places around which specialize in used golf equipment, and
sometimes you can get a pretty good deal.  I got my first set of clubs
for $135, in pretty good condition, which included 3-9, PW (Some
Ping-alike made by Northwestern), 1,3,5 woods and a new, pretty decent
Miller bag.  I regripped the clubs myself for under $20 and made my own
Golfsmith TM II sand wedge (which I still play with) for another $20.
The set served me well for quite a while until I built my current set.
I have thought about consigning the set off to recoup most of my
original investment - I think I could come pretty close to getting back
my $135!

In terms actually selecting a used set, I'd offer the following guidelines:

	- Get a matched set of irons.  3, 5, 7, 9, PW would be my minimum
          set recommendation.

	- For a beginner, a 2 iron is usually a waste of money.  Don't
	  choose one set over another because it has one.

	- Usually one does not learn to hit a driver for a while.  A
          3 wood is probably more important for a beginner.  A 5 wood
          is also nice to have.

	- Select your own putter (you usually can buy a used one
	  you are comfortable with).

	- Check for bent shafts (you can generally take out slight ones
				 easily).

	- Plan on regripping (do it yourself - easy, cheap)

	- Assuming you're within the "standard" range, check with
	  the salesperson to be sure the clubs are standard men's
	  length.

        - You might want to wait until you've had a chance to scope bags
          out as well before making a long term choice.  So if you can,
          get a used bag in the deal.

	- Don't PAY too much!  I would not pay much over $100 for a
          complete set in pretty good shape (not including putter).
          If the set is less than complete, I'd pay less accordingly.

        - Ask the place if they'll take your clubs back for resale on
          consignment when you move on to a new set.  Many will, and
          you'll wind up with a VERY cheap learner set in the process.

When you do decide to get a new set of clubs, you should strongly consider
making your own.  I (and many of my friends) did, and I'm quite pleased
with my investment:

	Woods:  Golfsmith Speed Bumps 1, 3, 5 with TT Gold Plus shafts,
		total cost approx. $110.

	Irons:  Golfsmith Tour Model IV's w/TT Gold shafts, 3-9, PW, SW,
		total cost approx. $180.

So for under $300, I have a set that would sell for over, oh, $550 off the
shelf.  Pays for a few green fees...

Hope this helps.

--RJMc

===========================================================================
Rick McCarty                                      mccarty@add.itg.ti.com

My views do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.  But they will
someday!
===========================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.sport.golf