Forum > General golf topics

Andy Lowe

Hey everyone, got a quick question for you all.

Ive recently begun giving golf a go at the local driving range and thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so that im booking a couple of lessons and also looking to pick myself up some clubs so i can attack the local 9 hole course! Now my question comes.....what to buy?

I seem to be getting mixed messages from friends of mine. Some are telling me to pick up a full set of clubs for around £50 (off ebay/sports world etc) whereas others are saying i should look to just buy a decent Driver or 3 wood, 5 iron, 7 iron, pitching wedge and putter as this should be more than enough to get me round a 9 hole course.

So what would you recommend? My budget is around £70, there are a few club sets on ebay for that amount but i cant help but think the quality wont be all that good! On the otherhand i dont have the fund to really splash the cash.

Thanks

Barry Harrington

Adam Baldwin

I wouldn't buy off ebay because the seller can easily tell you that all the clubs are in godd condition but when u come to use them they're might be something wrong with them.

You'd be better of going on direct golf or online golf or American golf as you can usually get some good deals on them if you spend a bit of time looking around.

John Pettitt

Wayne Santorini

Andy Lowe

Ive no plans to spend loads believe me, im just after enough which is likely to last a bit whilst i get to grips with the game but that is also decent quality too!

There was a Hippo set i saw on ebay which came to £60 with postage http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HIPPO-POWERSTRIKE-ALL-GRAPHITE-GOLF-IRONS-4-SW-/2904536665
64?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Golf_GolfClubs_JN&hash=item43a0633b0
4 which i thought was quite good. I already have a bag and a putter!

Darren Ramowski

Hi Andy, slowly compiling a list of online alternatives with some feedback from other members for online golf stores

http://www.golfshake.com/forums/view/6762/Help_others_Where_do_you_shop_re
commend_online_for_golf.html 

Loud Mouth b.a.

There are often great bargains to be had at general household auctions or giant car boot sales.

When I returned to golf a few years ago I got an almost complete set of clubs (with graphite shafts) and bag - all in excellent order - for £22 - from a local household auction.

Andy Lowe

The only worry for me with buying second hand is not knowing what i am buying! I dont know if it is good or bad or worth the money so i am a little tentative to buy second hand!

These are what are currently taking my interest, but im really not sure if they are any good! http://www.sportsdirect.com/ram-tour-grind-steel-irons-871175

Tim Hawkins

Dave Patrick

Andy

On your budget you should be able to get a good set of wilson fatshafts. Very good for a starter up to intermediate. Best of luck. I always buy off Ebay and if the clubs dont work you will get 90 % of your money back when you sell or upgrade.

Dave CAC handed Geordie.

Darren Ramowski

Andy if you are looking for second hand clubs check out http://www.golfbidder.co.uk/

I've not used but a friend personally knows the guy who runs the company.

http://www.golfbidder.co.uk/

Regards, Darren.

Graham Brown

I'm pretty sure the quality of clubs on golfbidder is better than ebay but they also ask a lot more money than ebay.

Andy for £70ish you should get a decent set of starter clubs on ebay, just make sure you get cavity backs and not blades. Names to look out for are, Ram, Wilson, Howson, Hippo etc. I've just sold my Wilson irons and I'm now back to playing my Rams and hitting it better than ever!

John Pettitt

Andy Lowe

Thanks very much for all the advice guys! Its really helpful. What ive decided for the time being is to pick a 5 iron up from Sportsworld in order to use down at the range, this along with the 3 wood i have should do me for the next month or two whilst im practicing. This will allow me to also increase my budget a little bit too, as i already have a bag so i am purely looking to purchase clubs.

Ill be speaking to a certain fellow from this site later today in order to discuss the possibility of lessons and from there will pick up some clubs.

When looking to buy second hand, what are the key things to look out for? I understand bent shafts are key, any markings around the club edge and face and obviously wear on the club face which shows they have been used quite significantly. Is there anything else i should bear in mind?

John Pettitt

Chris Perry

Andy,

I would second what Juhn has said above.  Lessons will make a big difference to your game.  I would also suggest that if you are going to buy a single iron that you get a 6 or 7 iron rather than a 5 iron.  There may not seem much difference, but they will be easier to hit and most coaches put a 7 iron in the hands of an absolute beginner as a starting point.

Dave ley

Matthew Wabe

I started with a set of Dunlop's last year from Sports Direct. They did me nicely until I knew it was something I really wanted to progress with and so I upgraded.

In the grand scheme of things, £70 for a full set of clubs isnt bad at all. It will keep you hacking away for as long as you want!

Gary Humphreys

Something that may well help everyone out for bargain clubs.....Now when something seems too good to be true it usually is but I have found a website with a UK ip, UK phone number and even live help that seem to sell clubs at unbelievably cheap prices - it is www.wgbuy.com w w w . w g b u y . c o m (just in case the link does not show up)

 Now I cant quite bring myself to part with my hard earned as I am not sure about the validity.

 Has anyone ever bought/ordered off here - good news? bad news?

 Any help would be extremely appreciated!!

Chris Perry

Now let's see Gary.  You're new to the site.  You have posted two other threads with different titles but very similar content as your post above.  You are linking to website saying that they "sell clubs at unbelievably cheap prices".  Call me cynical, but I heavily suspect the work of a spammer. 

For what it's worth, I know there are a couple of websites out there that are UK based that are selling clubs 5-10% below the RRP.  As the price is so close to the 'normal' price, buyers are less suspicious.  However, these sites are selling cheap Chinese copies.  Just because a site has a "UK ip, UK phone number and even live help" does not mean the clubs are genuine.

Gary Humphreys

Well Chris, your assumptions are very wrong, I am not a spammer.

 The reason I have put the threads on other forums are due to the fact different people go directly to different posts etc and I am keen to find out if any one has in fact bought anything from this site.

 My gut feeling is very similar to your thoughts i.e. copies - but if in fact they aren't I would gladly purchase them!

Take the Callaway X22 (which I am keen on purchasing) American Golf sell them for 399 where as 118 as well as some others (reputable sellers) are selling them for 299 and this site is selling them for 209 so I am massively tempted but extremely cautious.

Andy Lowe

Hmmmm, just from looking at the front page would have me think this hasnt been set up at all by an English speaking person.

'What are you think for?' is obviously gramatically incorrect!

Simple spelling mistakes such as bebefits!

Also the postage indicates they are not being dispatched from the UK! I will be remaining clear of the website and will be looking to purchase from elsewhere!

Anyways, some lessons first before i invest in clubs! Apart from the 7 iron i own!

Gary Humphreys

Yeah - point taken.

 Like I said offers as such are usually too good to be true!!

Darren Millichip

I have seen your other posts gary and have taken the liberty of emailing the company  asking questions to the validity of the clubs being genuine articles

here is the response i recieved

"Hello,

Thanks for your question. All our clubs are from the original factory, with the same high quality and excellent performance as the ones you could get from your local pro shop and the official website.  They are also brand new.

You can make an order directly on our website. Any further needs, please let me know.

Best Regards!

Marita Smith
wgbuy customer service"

now i know it could just be words, but if they were not genuine clubs then surely you could have a case against them!!!

darren

Chris Perry

Wayne Santorini

Darren Millichip

LOL

SORRY

duplicates deleted

Chris Perry

Gary Humphreys

Yeah I agree - Chris you are spot on there.....they are playing on words without a shadow of a doubt!

 I think I will give it a miss this time round and just stick to authorised dealers....there go my X22's for 209 quid!!

David Lythgoe

Chris,

But which factory? Most genuine Club Manufacturers say WAREHOUSE. They say this because the none UK Clubs are shipped in pieces.

TheLyth

Gary Humphreys

Andy Lowe

Ive managed to get some clubs which will get me by for the time being! My step dad had a set in the loft, nothing special just some old Donnay irons but for the time being will get me through till next year!

Now on another note......balls!

Is ebay the best place to pick up some balls? I saw i think it was 100 balls Grade A/Pearl for around £32 which included postage. Is it worth buying these 2nd hand, recovered from courses balls?

Darren Millichip

Hi Andy

i get most of my balls from these guys

http://www.aforedablegolf.com/

Wayne Santorini

Robert Jess

Agreed that eBay is a great place to buy second hand golf equipment. The Longridge brand of products are very reasonably priced, as are North Western.