Budget Iron Set Suggestions

[JspartansC]

I am trying to find a nice "budget" set of irons. I am not a "good" or even "fairly skilled" golfer, so I do not need elite equipment. I am planning on playing more rounds, so may be in one or two years I can invest in a quality set....any suggestions? I am not looking to spend 1,000.00, or the wife will disown me at this time .

 

Thank you all!

[Mr_Theoo]

Check out global golf for a used set. They have pretty good prices on more current stuff.

[mizuno_lover]

I would suggest a second hand set to start with and you can pick up a set of game improvement irons like the Ping G 20 for ridiculously good prices on E Bay or through online sellers.  That way you can get excellent equipment for a good price, keep your marriage and fall in love with the game as well.  Good luck and I'm sure the other guys will have suggestions too.

[Blade]

Look for used, but good quality clubs. Callaway, Ping, TaylorMade, Cobra, etc. You can find great equipment that has nothing wrong with it that's just a few years old for a few hundred bucks. Get a game improvement set with wide soles and a cavity back. Don't get a blade type iron to start with. Whatever you do, don't bother with anything from Big 5, Walmart, or anything like that. It's not even worth it.

[Kanoito]

If you are OK with last season's model or last last season... new sets can be had starting from $300 at RBG

 

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/irons-ironsets.html

[fozcycle]

Go to Dick's, Global Golf or Sports Authority and you can buy a new set of Game Improvement clubs, for anywhere from $200 to $400.  I would suggest either the Powerbilt, Wilson or Top Flite starter Sets.  That way you are not trying to learn with worn out grips, etc.  The new starter sets will get you going and provide you with decent clubs and a bag....you could go online to rockbottomgolf.com/complete.html and get a complete set for $100 to $300 

[revkev]

These are all great suggestions I'm going a step farther and saying that you should be careful about what used set you buy.  I'm taking it you know Mr.Theoo - if that's the case perhaps he knows your game.  But go basic for now - a Game Improvement iron makes sense - For $1,000 you could get yourself a very nice set of Mizuno JPX's -

 

Best of luck!

[Kanoito]

Actually, if you provide more info, we could help you narrow it down.

What's your budget? Do you need some extra cash for woods and putter and bag?

How long have you been playing? What do you usually shoot? Just asking cause good and fairly skilled has different meaning for different people

Do you play graphite/steel?

[Mike Z]

This is one of those questions that its just difficult to truly help with even though it sounds like a simple question.  Its really not because there are so many ways you could attack the problem.

 

If it were me, I would got to a golf shop that sells new and used clubs.  But, watch the prices.  Some places sell used clubs that they get in on trade reasonably and some of the prices make no sense.  More than a couple hundred is a warning sign IMO.  In Columbus there has to be a shop something like that.  Schedule a time and take a lesson or have the pro watch you hit some balls to get an idea of where you are in your progress.  While you are there, get some advice for what clubs to buy.  Factor-in new grips if they are the least bit worn.

 

You should be able to try the clubs and compare them to a starter set or just a "cheap" set.  Talk about budget and how far you can grow as a player with them.  You want to get a few years out of them at least. 

 

If you don't have one you like, reserve some money for a putter.  Even though you are just starting out, there is no reason why you cannot develop a fairly decent to good putting game.  If you have one that fits your eye and you learn with it, it could be with you for a long time.

 

At this stage, as long as the equipment is adequate then money is better spent on lessons and playing.  You cannot really get better without playing.  You never mentioned what you are now using.  It could be that they already ARE adequate.

[Mike Z]

These are all great suggestions I'm going a step farther and saying that you should be careful about what used set you buy.  I'm taking it you know Mr.Theoo - if that's the case perhaps he knows your game.  But go basic for now - a Game Improvement iron makes sense - For $1,000 you could get yourself a very nice set of Mizuno JPX's -

 

Best of luck!

This is another option - instead of thinking in terms of a couple of years, If you decide its worth it a set like this could be in your bad for a long time. 

[JspartansC]

Actually, if you provide more info, we could help you narrow it down.

What's your budget? Do you need some extra cash for woods and putter and bag?

How long have you been playing? What do you usually shoot? Just asking cause good and fairly skilled has different meaning for different people

Do you play graphite/steel?

 

I would want to stay, if possible in the 500-700 range, but if I can get around 400 for a decent set, I would love that as well. I do need new drivers, but I am ok with my game off the tee with the old drivers I have....baby steps for me .

 

I play an old set of GoldenBears (please laugh I know) circa 2006?? But since law school and working too much I have never had the time to golf enough to invest in new clubs, nor the cash flow.

 

I have participated in golf for 15 years, but have only "played" for about 3 years.

[Kenny B]

All good suggestions. It's really a matter of what look good to you over the ball and how they feel when swinging. I would say look locally to see what's available before as Mike Z said, be careful of prices. If it doesn't look like a good deal compared to online prices, look at Rockbottom, Global Golf and 2nd Swing. They have new or slightly used for reasonable prices. Make sure you check the condition of clubs being offered; should be Very Good or better.

 

I would highly recommend lessons early and often when just getting started. I made the mistake of just going out and trying to figure it out by myself. I was reasonably athletic but all I did was ingrain bad habits that took another year or so to eliminate. Bad habits are hard to replace with correct swing fundamentals. Start off right. The money spent on lessons is a better investment than top quality clubs.

[Bogey in The Woods]

I would head over to the Golfsmith there in Columbus on Easton Market. Look around in the used club racks. If they are even remotely like the two stores here in Austin, There will be more than enough GI sets to choose from. If you are actually wanting to put out 5-7 bills, you could get the best GI sets on the used racks. 

 

Pick two or three sets you like, take em into the bay and have one of the pros watch you swing. While they may be able to give you what they see, for me I just KNOW when I am hitting the right ones, cuz it just feels right. I bet you will know that feeling too. 

[Severtheties]

Lets schedule time and Theoo and I will go with you. Check out the TM SLDR irons too. You can find a set used for like 400 or new for 500. That's what I'm looking at.

[JspartansC]

Lets schedule time and Theoo and I will go with you. Check out the TM SLDR irons too. You can find a set used for like 400 or new for 500. That's what I'm looking at.

 

FIELD TRIP!!!!

[Fireinthehole]

So many options, I am almost speechless. 

 

+1 for globalgolf.

 

Get a cast set that will last, used set of Pings G- series like others have mentioned, can't go wrong with those.

 

But if you want really cheap, Taylormade rocketballz

[wbealsd]

Since you're in their area, get together with Theo and Servertheties and play a round with what you have before you buy anything.  They'll have YOUR best interest in mind instead of just making a sale.

 

For what I spent in my early years "fitting myself," I could own quite a few high quality sets by now.  You're fortunate enough to live in an area where there's a selection of fitters and those guys can help you find a reputable one.

 

You actually have a pretty decent budget to work with, particularly if you have any clubs in your bag that you like and decide to keep for awhile (Driver? putter?).

 

I suggest playing a round or two with the MGS'ers, then get a bag fitting (or at least fit for your biggest need, irons, driver, wedges, etc).  Even if you can't afford to replace your entire bag, you'll know what specs fit you best for loft, lie, shaft flex, etc. that you can then use when selecting some used clubs to purchase.  If the fitter takes trade-ins, they may even be able to provide you with used clubs and take yours in for trade.

 

If you know your specs, you'll be able to find affordable clubs in the used market with the money you have left over after a fitting.

 

The only reason I don't say "lessons first" is that most teaching pros I personally know, don't necessarily know that much about equipment fitting  Most of my lessons were taken with equipment that really didn't fit, so I still made adjustments to compensate for poorly fit equipment.

[toomanymatts]

Sounds like you are in Ohio. I know a custom maker there who could put together a set from Maltby or Hireko for great prices, have you custom fit from day 1...will pm you his contact.

[fozcycle]

This is a great deal!

 

http://store.powerbilt.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1553

 

 

Air Force One N7 Player Series Iron

Our Price: $249.99

 

PowerBilt Golf Exclusive offer

 

50% off â€“Limited time offer

 

Regular $499.99 - Now Net Price of $249.99 Plus free shipping Risk Free – for 60 Days

[BK in TEXAS]

This is a great deal!

 

http://store.powerbilt.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1553

 

That is a good deal.  So is the the complete hybrid-iron set for the hybrid crowd.

[Sluggo42]

I am trying to find a nice "budget" set of irons. I am not a "good" or even "fairly skilled" golfer, so I do not need elite equipment. I am planning on playing more rounds, so may be in one or two years I can invest in a quality set....any suggestions? I am not looking to spend 1,000.00, or the wife will disown me at this time .

 

Thank you all!

All decent suggestions...

You say you basically have 0 skillz at this point in time, plan on (maybe) playing more rounds, and then (maybe) invest in a decent set....

 

In my humble opinion, you should look in garage sales, or Craig's list. You could get a killer set of some older "shovels", in any of the major brands. Like a set of some old titleist DCI's, or Callaway X-12's, etc.

 

You should be able to find a full set including drivers, irons , wedges, and a putter, for less than $100

Yes, one hundred dollars or less easily. Any "store" is going to make you pay a lot, and you'll never get rid of those clubs for what they make you pay.

 

You don't need brand new anything yet. You till don't know if you really want to be a player. Keep in mind, most everyone in here is a golf addict, and their brains are spinning when they hear somebody ask, "what should I buy"?

 

So, you buy an old used set, and you then go right to your local track and sign up for lessons. What might even be a better option for your first lessons are if you have a golfsmith nearby with certified instructors. You can then get a pretty decent idea of how to hit a ball correctly, and they let you practice there to groove a swing.

 

Then go hook up with some of the boys on site here, and play a bit. Get a few months in and get a realistic view of how much you really are going to play, and if you might have any real skills that would actually be enhanced with a "better" club.

 

Getting lessons FIRST will actually save you money in the long run, and will make everything clearer down the line.

 

What's the point of walking up the the first tee with some shiney groovey gear, then shanking /slicing/ dribbling/missing/ skying/ and so on, your first 10 shots? Then being pi$$ed off and embarrassed for the remainder of an excruciating 4 hours of flogging?

 

Wouldn't it be cooler to roll up with some non-remarkable clubs, and stroking your first ball 230 yards down the middle? You don't need a fancy $300-$500 set to do that.

Money spent on lessons will last a lifetime... And the game will be MUCH, MUCH more enjoyable...

 

Just my $.02

[ZenGolfer]

Id just go to a big box store and get a set of Wilson, Top-Flite or Walter Hagens for $200-$300 and call it a day.

You could buy a used name brand set if you want but you dont need to and unless you really want a name brand set, there isnt any advantage to them.

[mizuno_lover]

Hey Badger what a great avatar pic mate!

[JspartansC]

Thanks all for the suggestions and advice. I, along with severtheties, met with he and Mr.Theoo's "go to guy" Jason, in Delaware, Ohio, for an iron fitting. I went in thinking I was going to walk out with a set of Callaway X2 or XRs or a set of Taylormade Speedblades.

After the fitting process, and the feel of heads, shafts, etc., I walked out with a nice set of Ping G30s (well on order that is). It is crazy to think I have been playing with clubs that were about 3/4" too short. Ill get them next week and hopefully over the weekend of the 4th I can get a round in to see the results. It was crazy but when we found the right combination, I could feel it, hear it, and see how it was the perfect setup for me.

Honestly, the fitting was well worth it as the cost of the fitting and clubs was the same as if I had simply ordered a set on my own and did the guess work, or went to Golf Galaxy/Golfsmith and took a risk on their fitting process. I figure once I get the iron game down, I can move on to properly fitting and upgrading my driver and putter.

[Kanoito]

Nice, how much did you end up dishing out?

Not that it's important, but just to see how far/close it was from the original budget

[JspartansC]

I will spend about 750 total with upgraded shafts. He included the fitting though in that, so that was 150 free (and even if I had to pay, would have been WELL worth the 150).

 

Cant wait to get em next week!

[apprenti23]

Wow! Very cool that some of the local members got together to help out a newbie! Alright MGS!

[Mr_Theoo]

What shafts did you get?

[JspartansC]

What shafts did you get?

KBS tour V 110g stiff