[Melissa]

I did some searching online and found out the clubs I would need to start with as a beginner. I was just going to go have my brother or someone help me find some used clubs. But a friend of ours who's a pretty regular golfer said I should go to ****'s because they have a set of woman's clubs that would be good for me that would have everything I'd need plus a bag for $200 (looks like $150 on their website).

Any ideas?

 

[Lexis Mom]

If you had someone of similar height that plays golf & has an old set, I'd say see if you can borrow them.

When I decided to take up golf, I borrowed an old set belonging to my dad. I am only 1/2" taller, so the clubs were the right length for me. I did not buy a set of clubs until my second summer golfing.

If that is not an option, then your friend is right. I got my set for $150, bag included, at Dicks. My clubs are by Acuity & I really like them.

Same goes for golf shoes, you can wear sneakers at first before sinking money into a pair of golf shoes. I got very luck & scored a pair of FootJoy golf shoes for $10 on a clearance at Famous Footwear.

 

[Labs4life]

Take a lesson from a pro he will best determine what you'll need. Most people get discouraged early on with poor fitting clubs. Proper clubs give you a chance to enjoy

 

[Clanceycanuck]

Let the cursing begin ! Good luck in finding your set.

 

[Golfgirlrobin]

Also check Edwinwatts.com. It's my favorite golf website and the customer service is fantastic.

Browse starter sets, but be aware that a name brand set that is last years model can be a lot better longterm investment than a crappy starter set. A bad starter set can make the game a lot harder than it already is, and it's plenty hard to begin with. You don't want to be working against your equipment. If you go to Dicks, don't be afraid to offer less than what they're asking. Golf stores right now are hurting and they'll take almost anything to sell something.

I disagree on the shoes. Even a cheap pair is much better than going with tennis shoes. Tennis shoes just don't give you the stability you need, and once again you don't need to make the game any harder than it is. Make sure they have at least 7 spikes on each shoe; lots of times they put less on women's shoes. Don't buy what they call permanent spikes which don't need to be replaced. They wear out quickly and then you're screwed.

And the best advice of all; if you can't play well, at least play fast. Nobody minds playing with a beginner who hustles, but nobody wants to play with somebody who lines up every shot like it's the US Open. Be ready when it's your turn.

 

[dweck]

You could borrow mine but one of them is bent from when it got caught in the li'l windmill.

 

[Hunter]

I bought a set for my wife about 9 years ago. Only used twice.

Unless you are truly interested in golf, I would rent or borrow the first couple of times.

 

[Melissa]

Thanks, Robin!

I'm really short (5'2"). Am I going to have a problem finding something that works for me? I would imagine even the women's club are for taller people.

 

[Lexis Mom]

I disagree on the shoes. Even a cheap pair is much better than going with tennis shoes. Tennis shoes just don't give you the stability you need, and once again you don't need to make the game any harder than it is. Make sure they have at least 7 spikes on each shoe; lots of times they put less on women's shoes.

And the best advice of all; if you can't play well, at least play fast. Nobody minds playing with a beginner who hustles, but nobody wants to play with somebody who lines up every shot like it's the US Open. Be ready when it's your turn.

I was only trying to provide suggestions from the standpoint of not sinking alot of $ when you are just learning. What happens if, after her lessons, she hates golf. *poof* you are out couple hundred bucks, unless you are feeling inclined to try & sell the stuff. Even then you may not get what you paid for them, so you are still out $.

Where do you find cheap golf shoes? I seriously lucked out in scoring my FootJoy's for $10. Had I not, I was prepared to drop $50 or so on a good pair.

I do agree with your last statements about being ready to take your turn & keeping things moving. This would be along those lines as well, if your shot goes completely wrong, don't waste a lot of time searching for the ball. Drop another & chalk up to being a beginner.

Oh and one other thing, be sure to follow proper golf etiquette when out on the course. Fix your divots, remove your tees after you tee off, etc.

 

[Jimbo]

Rent or borrow at first, spend a lot of time on the driving range and as Labs4life mentioned, take a few lessons from the club pro.

 

[Labs4life]

I love/hate golf. Somedays I'm a 4 handicap and somedays I should have gone fishing.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy it. It's one of the few sports you can play for an entire lifetime.

 

[Lexis Mom]

Oh here's another thought, whatever your instructor (aka the Pro) teaches you during a lesson, take time to practice at home!! Seriously, it will make a difference. If you can't get out to a driving range, pick up some practice balls, they make them so they feel like a real golf ball, but will only go half the distance. Find an empty field & go hit them.

My mom took golf lessons many years ago, she never practiced between lessons & got very frustrated when she played with my dad. Now she rarely plays & her clubs are collecting dust in the basement.

 

[kaisdad]

Take a couple of lessons, let the pro advise you on the clubs you need, get golf shoes (they really do help), acquire the patience of a saint, be prepared to be frustrated. Regularly.

 

[kelli]

I only golf a few times a year.. usually with my mom.. i have to say, it's not as frustrating if you go in knowing you suck, instead of having some false sense of ability =)

 

[BucksMom]

I am in my third season for golf. So I am still in the early stages. But I love to go out there. When i started i found a used set in the newspaper ,we're talking vintage set complete with a red vinyl bag and real woods LOL. I still have them but they are in the garage. I bought a new set at the end of the first season Lopez, got them for half price $300. One of the reasons i picked these was because i am 5'2" and they had a petite length, that and the fact that it was the only blue bag in the store, everything else was pink. I bought shoes that same day. Everything here is half price in the fall. I wished i had bought the shoes sooner tho because wet mornings with running shoes is well squishy on the feet. When i first started to play, we chose smaller par 3 courses and i took 2 lessons. Last year i tried some longer courses and this year we'll try some even harder ones. I hope you enjoy it, it really is alot of fun.

 

[Melissa]

There's a par 3 with a driving range about a half mile from my house. My friend took lessons there a couple of years ago. I actually went to the driving range with a friend a couple weeks ago and that's what started this whole thing.

Thanks for all the advice, guys! =)

 

[Lexis Mom]

I only golf a few times a year.. usually with my mom.. i have to say, it's not as frustrating if you go in knowing you suck, instead of having some false sense of ability =)

Same here, just a casual golfer who gets out a handful of times each year. Any number of times, I will golf with my father and/or my nephew.

If you go out to have fun, it will be alot less frustrating. I admit I am not Natalie Glubis or Anika Sorenstam... so it makes a round of golf a lot more fun. Also, don't beat yourself up over poor shots. I can't even begin to count the number of flubbed shots I had at first.

Here's another tip, if & when you decided to tackle a regulation course, go when it is less crowded so you don't have the group behind you crawling up your behind. There is nothing more unnerving for a beginner.