I've been having lessons for a couple of months now, and would like to have a go at playing the course, and be able to practice in my own time. I'm looking at getting a set of irons, a 3 wood, and a putter as a start. I've seen the following:
Any comments are appreciated. Would these be a decent set of clubs for starting off? I've heard nothing but good news about the MX-15s, but I'm not so sure about the others. If not, could you recommend some other clubs, bearing in mind a total budget of roughly £250?
James, I'm quite the beginner too (maybe 6 months ahead of you?) and after buying a Hippo Hiptec set for £160 to basically smash up while I learnt to hit the balls (not the floor, walls etc) and deciding I'm really REALLY going to do this new hobby for a while, started replacing this kit with something more permanent.
I've gradually started replacing that kit with what I think are called 'improver' equipment that I hope will take me from the 100+ strokes a round down to the 'under 90's'. Frankly, practice will do this too, but I got a reasonible bonus over Christmas, and thought if I don't buy something I'll just waqste it on crap...
A 'set' like this will get you a bag, driver, fairway wood, hybrids, Irons and a putter... All you need to start and the kit is quite good, The drivers and reascues are graphite, the drive is Titanium 460cc, and the putter has a poly insert (so while not quite up there with the big-boys, it's not totally shit)
There are others who I'm sure can give you better advice, but that's the way I've gone about it.
I can personally recommend these Wilson Deep red irons for £300, which have 2 hybrids, Cavity irons, and 2 wedges that are blades (very handy!).
I also replaced my driver with a Ping G10 which is also awesome (in a way words fail me to describe), but it was £200.
What EVERYONE will tell you though is TRY the clubs you're buying and get fitted, it's worth more than you know right now!!!
Some nice looking kit you've chosen there, you wont go far wrong with Mizuno's although I would say see if you can have a whack with them first.
Personally I don't think going down the road of custom fitting is quite worth it just yet, not until your swing has developed a bit more anyway but I'm sure I will be corrected on that by the masses. Good luck and welcome to your new golf addiction, there is no cure so be warned
Thanks for the comments. Just got off ebay and won a set of Mizuno MX-15s for £95 incl. P+P which I think is great. I have already tried the MX-19s and really liked them, and my pro said the MX-15s were very similar.
I've also got my eye on a TaylorMade R5 Dual which looks very good for the money. Anyone got it, or knows anything about it?
This just leaved the putter, and considering my success on ebay I think I will continue to look there. I won't rush into that though, as I know the importance of choosing a putter that suits you.
Carlo, I had previously looked at getting a full set, but I was told it wasn't worth it, as within no time at all I'd be wanting to improve it, hence why I went for individual clubs.
great starting kit. i got a benross 5 wood which cost £40 new! and the mizunos are a good buy. prob best to get half decent gear to start if your like me, if your not completely satisfied, you'll only want to buy something different a week later!
I tried out the MX-15's yesterday at Direct Golf 'in' Cambridge. I 'hit' about 30 balls, but oly the 2nd and last ones actually went anywhere! I'm gutted cos I love them to look at, but can't play the bloody things!
I'll have to stick to my Lynx parralax's which cost me £15 from the same shop!
Don't give up on them BB. Sometimes it takes a little while to get used to a new set of clubs. The Lynx Parallax where always a good set anyway so I wouldn't necessarily expect dramatic changes from them.
Try out the MX15s again, you can´t go wrong with them honestly. Alternatively look at the DG Hippo sets for around 60 squid. I reckon they are among the best brands for the beginner golfer. The other clubs just get help to get you specs right (-ish), shaft flex, driver loft etc, and then try out loads of putters to decide what style suits you best, heel-toe, two ball, mallet, centre shaft etc etc plus length. Practise a bit and then off to your first comp as a bonefide member of the bandit club!!
Rest assured that any shortfall in performance will be 99% due to you and not those clubs, for a couple more years at least (ten for the Mizzys)!
If I were you I'd definitely add a hybrid to your original set - the Benross V6 is currently great value and might be a great help if you struggle with the longer irons as most beginners (and many longer-term golfers!) do. The TM one is probably nicer, true enough - but beware if buying through FleaBay as a fair proportion of the TM gear on there is dubious.
The only other comment I'd make is that if you're under 6' tall (and maybe even if you aren't) you should try to test a shorter putter as a lot of people find it helpful. The best way to try that might well be to buy a dead cheap one like this or this and spend a fiver or so getting your local shop/pro to chop 2-3" off it.
Whilst they are a very personal thing, I do not think that you will go far wrong with the Benross putter. I have just bought an SR VMC as it was a bargain at £28.00 and was looking for a change and it is superb. Has replaced a Ping UGLE in the bag and that has been sent off to ebay.
Can also agree with the support for the V6 woods. I was looking for a 3 wood as had room in my bag and needed something longer off the fairway. Bought a V6 Trimass for under £40.00 and have been very impressed. Easy to hit and made with top quality components.
Thought I'd follow this up just in case anyone is interested. The MX-15s are great, I'm hitting most of my iron shots straight and lofted, even the 3 and 4. They are a joy to use.
I got an R7 Steel 3 wood for ~£70 in really good nick off ebay, which I tried out this morning. Need a bit of practice with it I think, cause I keep topping it unless its on a tee. Could be cause I don't want to damage it.
I also have an Odyssey 2-ball SRT coming which I found for £65 which I'm looking forward to using. So far I'm really impressed with what someone could find for a fairly tight budget.
