I want to start going to the driving range this summer during my free time for some practice and to get into golf more seriously. What's a good driver and iron to purchase these days? Im not sure if height and weight should be considered, but if its important im 5'2'' 100lbs.

 

go to dicks sporting goods and just try out clubs in there inside test driving range. you can swing the clubs towards an interactive screen that tells you how hard and far you hit it, as well as trajectory.

a great way to try out different clubs to see what fits for you.

I love callaway woods and titleist irons but that's just me. other people will swear by other makes as well but i do know that taylor made, titleist, king cobra and the new nikes are very popular

good luck bro you'll be addicted before you know it just practice a crap load at the range

 

what's your budget?
if you're just starting out, try getting some used clubs and spend your money on lessons. when you do get a set, get professionally fitted.

another thought to consider is espn golf school.

 

Do this and thank me later.

Skip all the big name sporting goods stores. Go to a reputable golf specialty shop that will fit you for clubs. Clubs off the rack are for the standard height and arm length person (i.e someone 5'10"). This would be horrendous for your game.

It will cost you initially, but the pro shop will probably take something off should you purchase clubs through them. The reason I say to get fitted is this....it will take one factor out of honing your skills (i.e. the clubs since it will fit your height and swing speed, lie angles, etc). Clubs that do not fit your swing profile will lead you to frustration on the course. A good shop will have a swing analysis machine that will take into account your swing speed, ball speed, spin, trajectory. Also, the pro will measure your wrist to floor, where the iron is striking the ground (lie angle) and the size of your hand for a proper fitting shaft and grip.

Secondly, stay a way from bladed-type irons. Those are for the more highly skilled golfer. A nice forged cavity back iron is what you should be looking for. I suggest Mizuno MP-60s. They are really nice...and JDM to boot Only order irons from PW-4 iron. Don't go for the 3 iron. More on that later.

For a driver, honestly, I love my Nike SQ. For me it was the holy grail for straight, long distance drives. I got mine fitted with a Fujikura shaft and I hit 75 - 80 percent of my fairways now in a typical round. I would go with that as well. There are a lot of top pros that use Nike...not just Tiger. For a 3 and 5 wood...do the Sumo too.

Also, to make life easier....drop your 3 and 4 iron out of the bag and pick-up hybrids to replace them. Here there are a ton of options. I have a Nike Slingshot Tour 21 degree and Cleveland Halo Hybrid 24 degree. They replaced my 3 and 4 iron. With these clubs I improved my handicap by 3-4 strokes. Long irons are traditionally hard clubs to hit for amateurs. Hybrids are easy and versatile. You can even use them to chip around the greens and such.

Lastly, if you can take some lessons with a reputable pro, I would recommend that as well. ALso, if you like to read....buy Ben Hogan's "Five Lessons". This book also improved my handicap. Feel free to pm me if you have any other questions. Golf is a great game.

 

Great advice from GPMike.

I'd just like to add that my experience with Titleist equipment has all been positive. I was custom fitted and picked up some Titleist 704 cavity back irons. I hit them great, well atleast when I play regularly which I haven't in a while. I went with Taylor Made for my driver and love it. Although Titleist once again makes great drivers.

For wedges, I'd suggest you pick up a 52 degree and 58 degree. Either that or a 54 degree and 60 degree but the 60 might start to get a little tricky. Again here I went with the Titleist Vokey wedges, 52 and 58. Either pick up Titleist or Cleveland wedges if you can.

Lastly a putter. Probably the most important club in your bag. Make sure you try a lot of different types, and get the one that feels the best in your hands when you make contact with the ball.

Hope this helps you somewhat.

 

I like free, so I use my dad's

 

[QUOTE=GPMike,Apr 28 2008, 09:27 PM] Do this and thank me later.

Skip all the big name sporting goods stores.

 

For the most part I agree completely.

First off, don't get MP-60's. While there is a cavity there, it's still designed for the better player. Forged isn't going to make a difference to you now (down the road maybe, forged ends up being softer, shots feel better, etc...truly at this point you WILL NOT feel a difference between forged and cast) and cast clubs are usually cheaper.

And yes, forget that a 3 iron exists. Maybe even a 4 iron too. Hybrids are awesome, and easy to hit. And yes, you will PROBABLY need different length clubs. At 5'2 your wrist to floor measurement is probably different than mine (I'm just a hair under six feet, but "standard" clubs fit me to a T, as they do about 80% of golfers) and you will probably need slightly shorter clubs. A local golf shop can tell you that.

As far as wedges go, I'd go with cavity backs for those as well (so not Vokeys, Taylormade's or Clevelands), the Ping iwedge is easy to hit, and that's the key.

All depending on your budget ebay is not a bad way to go. Picking up a set of clubs that's 18 months old means you are hitting something that was used on tour last year, and instead of $800 for the set of irons, you're spending roughly $150-250 for what amounts to a few scratches. Are the newest clubs out there the best? Sure. Are they much better? Not a chance. Golf is HUGE as far as marketing goes. As long as you are buying a club that's within the last 2 years you are getting a club that is 98% as good as anything else. If you do go ebay, you can always have a golf shop cut your clubs down if you do end up needing shorter shafts. They will do that from the butt end (where the grip is) and as long as they aren't taking huge amounts, it won't play around with the flex characteristics of the shaft. If they trip the tip (the end that goes into the head) then the shaft will play completely different. Any competent golf shop knows that though.

Hogan's book is awesome, read it. If you want any more reading, Bob Rotella's Golf Is Not A Game of Perfect pretty much changed my life. It makes you think about situations completely different. I HIGHLY recommend it.

And getting lessons as soon as possible is good. Otherwise you are going to be beating balls on the range starting bad habits, and then the pro will have to spend time with you first to get away from the bad habits. Golf schools aren't bad per se, but most people don't take in all of the information presented to them over a couple days. Best bet, take a lesson, then don't see your instructor for at least a week, and ideally you've hit balls 2 to 5 times between lessons. I've dealt with so many clients that would want a lesson twiced a week and I'd usually steer them away from that (even though it meant less money for me) because in the end they don't absorb it all.

Lastly, remember it's for fun, and truly EVERYONE SUCKED WHEN THEY STARTED. I've seen dozens of people get fed up with the game early on, and really struggle with it. It's not a natural thing. Tiger wasn't a natural, he just started a lot earlier than everyone else, so by the time he was 7 it was a comfortable thing. Focus on contact to start with, distance will come shortly thereafter.

Good luck, have fun, and enjoy.

 

I smell an S2ki.com golf outing!

 

callaway x-20s are good for beginners.

i agree with J3ffro.. focus on contact and accuracy. Distance will come later.

short game and putting is really important too so work on them.