Hi, I am new to Golf and have just started. I have no personal golf kit and am looking to buy one. I have done some catalogue search on the internet and with my limited knowledge of the game have shortlisted 3 sets.
Guys, please help me in deciding and am open to advise on better alternatives.
My budget is around 230 pounds.
The sets I liked are:
1. John Letters - T3 Plus Trilogy. Price 229
2. RAM Concept II Package set - Price 199
3. Hippo John Daly Complete Gents Right Hand (Graphite) Boxed Set - Price 229
Details are available on
http://www.golfing-zone.co.uk/store/dept.asp?dept%5Fid=3&dept%5Fname=Complete+Sets
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 The Letters stuff everytime Rajul. The Trilogy irons themselves are worth more than the £229 asking price, throw in 3 very competant woods & a bag and they're virtually giving them away!
The John Letters Trilogy 3+ irons (as with all Letters clubs) have the best feel of any cast iron I have used. On a par - if not better - than the Callaway X14's (which I've owned) and much better (in my opinion) than the Ping I3+ irons, which they were marketed against.
Throw in the fact that they are also one of the most forgiving irons on the market and you have yourself a perfect starter set that hasn't broken the bank.
The RAM stuff and Hippo stuff are good but they're simply not in the same league as the John Letters package, and, they're British - fabricated in the home of golf: Scotland.
I promise you, you will not be disappointed with the T3+ package. See if you can demo some John Letters irons at a local American Golf Discount, Nevada Bobs (don't buy them from there though), ClubGolf or the like. Most good golf stores stock John Letters equipment but like everything, you really need to try before you buy.
One tip though: if you're just starting out, no matter what set you buy, leave the driver (and possibly the 3 wood) at home for a while until you start to get comfortable with things. From personal experience I cannot recommend lessons enough.
Good luck mate. Enjoy the club hunt. Welcome to one of the most rewarding and frustrating sports around!
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 There is another set which has got excellent reviews and that is the Fazer Contender. See a copy of their latest review at this address
http://www.fazer.com/best_on_test--todats-golfer.html
Listed at £199 but shop around and you coudl get them cheaper. Well worth a look in my opinion. My partner is going to buy a set for her son after recommendation by his local pro.
Other than that I think all your choices would be fine as a starter set. It's really what suits you best.
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 My advice would be go to American Golf Discount and get a personal fitting and try out all the clubs you like.
I know they (AGD) are currently running an offer with the Ram clubs and they should be able to do you a great deal well under £200. The personal fitting is free.
Another possibility is considering a half set which might be really good value if you don't intend on playing very often.
Hope this helps.
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AGD are an authorised stockist of John Letters stuff and so can fit those too.
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 Rajul,
Firstly, welcome to golf and welcome to golf magic!!
IMHO of the sets you have chosen the John Letters are probably the pick.
There are also some superb new & second hand bargains available on EBAY (if you are comfortable buying off the net) and there are probably people on this forum that are selling good quailty, used irons.
I was just scanning through EBAY and these are some of the sets that you may want to consider:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1517&item=3676294987&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1517&item=3674607179&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1517&item=3676309707&rd=1
Any of these should be suitable - the Adams irons represent superb value at 139 quid. You can spend what you have saved on a fairway wood.
Hope this helps.
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Guys,
Thanks a ton!! you have been most helpful. This forum is certainly the best and that's because it has people like you who are so helpful.
Thanks a lot.
Rajul
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Guys,
I had written a mail to AGD, they have mentioned that I could also consider a Wilson package.
"We also stock a Wilson package deal which is in the sale reduced to £249 from £449. This deal does not come with a putter but you can buy a Wilson putter for around £20. This would be a good set to compare the other two sets with."
I have asked them for more details, but how would you rate a Wilson vis-a-vis John Letters.
Thanks in advance
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You don't mention what Wilson irons come with the set. Wilson do good kit - for sure - but the Trilogy 3+ irons were on sale in their own right for £349 last year, they're not a set of irons specifically designed to be part of a starter set.
The trilogy woods and irons were/are all available seperately as individual products from all of the major shops/retailers. The fact that you can get the entire set of clubs+bag simply represents excellent value for money.
Is the AGD store near to, so that you try the various sets that are available? There's nothing like hitting a few balls with a 7i of each make to get a sense of *feel* for the irons, even if it's into a net (although a store attached to a driving range would be even better).
I've also noticed that pro shops (well the large ones at least) might be able to price match - but customise - a complete set for the same price as a pre-packaged set. I saw a bloke walk out of a shop with a new set of Dunlop Irons (couldn't tell the model), Dunlop LoCo Driver, 3W and 7W and a Bronte putter (don't laugh - my Bronte is great & I've tried them all including 2 balls, Monza's, Futura's, etc.) and a Titleist stand bag.
The price was £230 and pro "chucked in" a glove, a dozen LoCo balls a towel and a bag of tees. Ok, those things trade don't cost the pro much but *you* wouldn't get much change out of £20 for them if you had to buy them yourself.
There are options aplenty Rajul but - as has been stated several times above - you really need to try before you buy. If this is prohibative (due to location etc.), and you are still intent on buying a set then you really cannot go wrong with the Letters stuff. Letters equipment is well respected by club players, club pros and retailers alike.
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Chris,
Thanks a lot for your time. The AGD email did not mention which irons are included in the Wilson set. I have asked them for more information.
I live in India and golf sets can be very expensive here as most have to be imported.
Luckily I am in London on Sunday, 13th June, where I can pick one at a more reasonable amount.
Given that I have only one day, I am trying to do as much research on the net and taking advice from experienced golfers as yourself.
Which would be best place to shop in Central London for golf equipment? I know AGD has a store there.
Thanking in advance.
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I would recommend the AGD Superstore in London purely because they carry such a vast amount of stock. I'm certain that you will be able to source what you are looking for there.
Don't be afraid to ask to try things out. From my experience they're usually very willing to help. There are undoubtedly loads of very good golf equipment shops in the central London area but as I am from the North of the Country I don't know of any in particular (apart from the AGD Superstore that is). I'm certain that the good folks on this site who know the central London area can make some additional recommendations.
The only fly in the ointment being that as you only have a day, it's doubtful that you could get any set custom fit in that time (you can ask of course but it's unlikely). Be also aware that AGD and other shops may only be open from 10am to 4pm.
The addresses of the two London AGD shops I have visited are:-
Top Golf Game Centre, Bushey Mill Lane, Watford, Herts, WD24 7AB
...and...
12/14 Ashbourne Parade, Finchley Road, London, NW11 OAD
The Ashbourne Parade store is the nearest to the city centre. Hope this helps.
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Hi Guys,
Starting this thread again, I am facing a dilemma. I had almost set my mind to pick up John Letters Trilogy set from London.
Now I have checked locally here in Bangalore, India. As there are some other starter sets available at fairly competitive prices.
The sets available are:
1. Wilson X31 ? stell shaft irons, graphite shaft woods http://www.golfalltheway.com/product_info.php?products_id=361
2. Dunlop XTI package set ? all graphite shafts
http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/golf-clubs/dunlop-xti-package-set.asp
How do these stack up against the trilogy set? Buying locally has its advantages in terms of service. Or would the quality of John Letters out weigh the local advantage?
Also, would appreciate your views on whether graphite shafted irons are suitable for beginners?
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Both sets look good Rajul. I'd go down to the shop and try them out to see which ones *you* prefer (both performance and aesthetics). I can offer no personal comment on either as I've not used them but if you can get them fitted to you locally (at that shop even) then I would say that those will perform better than an off the shelf set of Trilogy irons - unless you are 6ft tall, standard build, with standard arm, leg and hand lengths.
Don't get me wrong, personally I would always opt for the Letters stuff, however Wilson and Dunlop make fine equipment and that coupled with fitting will make your golf experience all the more better.
Good Luck. Enjoy.
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Hi Chris,
As always you have been great help. Thanks a lot!!
Regards,
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Recently bought a new set of John Letters T3 Trilogy graphite shafted irons on ebay for £62.00.(Seller has now gone bankrupt!) but the clubs are great.
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 nice one John
Glad to see you got the clubs. John Letters are good clubs for learners. Benross are also V good for the rpice. I (tried to)buy some clubs on ebay and got ripped off! ebay offered me back £15 and square tade were no good as the guy wasent registred.
Tips for ebay buyers: always buy of someone who has at least 18months and over a dozen trades and 99% customer feedback rating
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