Firstly, Hello everyone as I'm new to both golf and this site.

 Ok I've been playing for the last few weeks now and really enjoying the game and feel its about time I bought my own set of clubs. The problem is there is so much available for my budget (up to £200) so I was hoping you guys could help me out?

 The sets I've seen are the Wilson Stretch, Wilson TXF, RAM Concept 3G and RAM FX100 all for sale at golfonline. Can anyone recommend which will be the best for considering I'm a beginner.

 Any help will be much appreciated

Paul

For a full set my mate recently bought the Wilson 1200, I tried them and they are very good, the hybrids I really like!

Although for just an iron set, you can't lose with Mizuno MX-19's, I have this set and they are very good. I am relatively new to the game myself (started in May) and I really like them. As with anything in this business try and get a demo first, what works for some may be a nightmare to others.

If you're wanting an entire set with a bag, then the packages are pretty much you're best hope... but sadly most of these are of poor quality.

You could build your own set with bargains made up of better quality clubs. MD Golf are the Kings of Value - high quality clubs at a low price. Golfwarehouse sell MD gear at very good prices:

Blackhawk Irons - 4i - SW £115

You can pick up a putter for less than £20 quite easily.

Then all you really need is something to hit longer tee shots with - a 3 wood may be best for a beginner

MD EQL Fairway woods - £39.95

These woods are up there with the better woods on the market. 

Or maybe a utility wood (say 21 degrees) because they are useful for hitting out of rough, the fairway and off the tee. Very versatile and will complement your irons (same loft as a 3 iron). (Sadly GolfWarehouse are out of stock of the MD Equalisers which were £29).

So you've spent just over £170 there, so you can use the remainder to get a bag. If you get a 3 wood AND a utility (which would be ideal) then it's going to go over the £200 mark but not by much. You can always get the 3 wood or utility later.

That set would be vastly superior to any of the packages you mentioned. You may not get as many clubs, but the driver in the packages will be rubbish and I always feel a beginner is best avoiding using a driver until they can hit the other clubs anyway.

I agree with Niblick

When I started my local pro sold me a set of big bertha irons, 1996 vintage for £150 notes. While they are fine to hit, they are real chunky, my new MD ti2 irons cost £159 new and suit my eye far better, and I think there is a lot to be said for playing something you like the look of and are comfortable with! Seams to help your confidence on the course.

I also at first purchased second hand bargain woods & hybrids off ebay, all of which proved to be useless for me and my swing. Now I have MD hybrid clubs (£29 each) and an MD 3 wood (£40). All of which are superb.

However the real thing, especially with woods is to hit a lot of different models before you buy, each one is different and only that way can you find one that works for you rather than against you.

If I had my time over with hindsight I would have stuck longer with playing just my irons. The longer you play and read about golf the more info you pick up the info about the type of clubs that should suit you and the brands that offer quality at reasonable prices. Then you avoid ending up with two sets of clubs!

I totally agree with trying as many as you can before you buy... it's just when there's a £200 budget there isn't much choice.

It's also a good point about focussing on irons. I used to use my 3 wood to tee off when I started, which was ok (better than it would have been with a driver). My scores weren't great though... then I had the idea to tee off with my 5 iron. This saved me 8 shots per round immediately and probably was a crucial factor in my development as a player.

My driving has got so bad lately I'm thinking of returning to that idea as an 18 handicapper!

Spot on Nibbers!

For that money it doesnt matter "how good" those clubs are....you'll learn enough to get started and develop enough knowledge to make a more informed upgrade when needed!

Thanks guys,

 Niblick I think I'm going to go with your suggestion of the Blackhawk irons and MD EQL wood. However just a couple of questions ..

1.  Do the irons come with a Sand Wedge or just 3-PW?  (apologies but I didn't know if 3-Si included a SW?)

2. What's the difference / impact in head size on the putter here ... http://www.golfwarehouseuk.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1089

Thanks

Paul,

Putters are very much a "feel" item, and I would thoroughly recommend trying out as many as possible before you buy one. It's amazing how badly I can put with the wrong type of putter for me, i.e. feels to light, feels unbalanced, feels clunky off the face, etc.

Generally, if you have an out-to-in swing path (i.e. the putter arcs round when making your stroke), then a heel-toe weighted putter might be better. If you have a straight through path, then a face-balanced putter might be better.

Good luck and enjoy your golf!

Paul,

The terminology does take some getting used to. The Blackhawks come with all irons from the 4 iron up to and including a SW. The Sandwedge in the set won't be as good as one bought seperately, but I used a Sand wedge that came with my first irons quite happily for a while... it'll do for now!

Putters are an individual thing... hard to tell what you'll like using without trying some. You could just go to Sportsworld or JJB and try some dirt cheap ones there. They aren't great but one of those might do for starters (and they can be had for a few pounds so the risk is low). Don't pay more than £15-20 for one of those though- less if possible.

You can also buy cheap wedges (for about £5) at those stores which may be ok. Don't buy the woods, irons or packages from there though - they suck!

The EQL woods are great - I use the Superstrong woods (slightly older version) and have never been tempted to replace them. They'll do you fine for ages. But as said above, trying some out is worthwhile if you can do it.

Try before you buy is usually the best policy (not always easy with MD as they aren't widely available in retail outlets) but I bought my first clubs without trying - and they did me ok for quite a while. When you're buying bargain basement your options are limited.

ps I know a few beginners who bought the Blackhawks and loved them.

Hi Paul,

I recently put a set of MD Golf EQL Superstrong irons up for sale in the classifieds on this site for £110. They are hardly used (about 6 rounds of golf) and in excellent condition.

If you are interested just let me know, I live on the Wirral in Merseyside so if you live near there and can pick them up you can have them for £95.

Cheers

Sorry cotty I took Niblicks guidance and ordered the MD Blackhawk Irons and puter at lunch if not I would of snapped them up from you as I only live in blackpool.  Typical isnt it ;(  Oh well I just hope the Blackhawks feel right considering I've bought blind n that.

Don't blame me if they don't!! I did say you shouldn't buy blind!

 LOL, dont worry I wont Niblick.   I appreciate you did comment on not buying blind etc however the problem is I doubt I would know whats right or wrong for me.  Anyway they do seem to come highly recommended by a few people on a few sites plus as you said you know a few beginners who are happy with them and thats good enough for me.      I did take a trip to a local golf shop but they were intent on selling me the Hippo Giants at £179. I'll post back when i get a chance to swing them which will hopefully be on Monday

Your right Slugger if I dont like them i could always return them, at £115 it could of been worse as before I posted on this site I was seriously considering buying the full set of Wilsons

I can guarantee they'll be better than the Wilsons and the Hippos!

They are very good clubs and ideal for the beginner. Have fun - look forward to hearing what you think.

Right - where's that owner of MD gone... I think it's high time I got some commission!  

Niblick, received the irons yesterday and managed to get to the driving range to try them out. Must admit I'm very happy with them so far. I've been given lots of tips regarding my swing and approach etc so taking all that and the new clubs into consideration I feel I've improved if only be it slightly (although I at least hit the ball 95% of the time last night).

 Anyway I've decided to take the general advice from both yourself and from this forum and book a session with the local pro (which I have done for tonight). Hopefully he will give me some pointers on my swing then after a few weeks I'll be brave enough to post a clip of it on the forum