What Golf Equipement Should I Buy?!

I am new to golf and only started playing around 7 months ago, collecting the typical handful of clubs that a beginner usually does (the cheap ones!)

Now, after looking around the web and in several stores I am still finding it hard to figure out what would be the best buy for me now that I am fully commited, ready to take the game more seriously and improve as much as I can.

I have kind of figured out what the best manuafactorers are, but I (or rather my wallet) are not really ready for those prices and am still happy to look at the lower end of the range.

Now here is my problem - Do I go out and buy one of the "package sets" like the ones that Ram, Wilson, and Ben Sayer ones (normally range from £150 - £199) which normally include a Driver, 5/5W then 5iron down to sW (onlinegolf etc)

or

Do I keep the bag that I currently have (nothing wrong with it) and then buy a collection of clubs individually of better quality of around the same price (Total £150-£200?) And then which ones ( i gather the minimum would be 5 Wood, 5iron, 7iron, 9iron, PW, SW, Putter.

Anyway I hope that you guys have a few views on this as I would think that alot of new people to the sport are probably in the same situation as me.

Thanks

Hope you know what you're getting yourself into Rob!

The first set of clubs I was given were Rams and on the strength of that I bought a Ram Concept II graphite set.  Although I now (attempt) to use a set of custom built clubs, they were (and still are) really good value for money, the only duffer really was the driver.  I still use the supplied Zebra putter and have gone back to using the carry/stand bag which has outlasted two brand new ones.  The newer sets have hybrids instead of long irons so should be ideal.  I'd certainly recommend them, just get yourself some decent balls (Srixon soft feels worked well with them).

Don't suppose you want them?

Keep the clubs you have and invest in some good wedges or a decent putter. I find being a high handicapper that i recover my shots close to the green and everybody knows that putting is where you loose or gain shots the most. Get one of your more experienced golfing buddies to hit your irons and show you what they are capable of. When you can hit thema as well as they can then you should think about getting some new ones.

Bags are a personal thing and you will realise in time what you require from one. If you are happy with the one you have then stick with it and spend the money on increasing the arsenal of shots you store in it.

hi for my tupence worth,

Depending on what irons you currently have, i would advise that you look into getting a good set of cavity backs from a known club manufacturer, by this i dont mean an expensive name either, the likes of Wilson, Adams or MD golf make very good clubs and for the beginner you cant go far wrong.

But as said above, one of the best things to do is to got to one of the local superstores, american golf, nevada bobs etc, and give the irons in your price range a good practice. Dont feel presured into buying leading brands but buy what you feel comfortable with. Also like everything sont be put off by second hand irons, you can get some realy good deals for good condition irons with plenty of life left in them.

What ever you go for, make sure they feel right and most of all enjoy!