You're given 1000 dollars for "golf" and you need to start over

[SuperDave]

Well this is cool ---

 

 

First one's obvious - you need clubs to put in the bag or you can't play. If I'm a 20 I'd hit the Bay and find some SGI clubs of recent vintage that could be had at a very attractive price -- Wilson Staff Defy iron/hybrid set can be had new for under $300. If I wanted to spend a bit more I'd look for a used set of Bridgestone JGR hybrid irons.

 

Next would be driver, FW and putter - also on the Bay or a place like 2nd Swing in Minneapolis. They'll fit you for free when you buy something - you won't have your choice of shafts or anything, but they will help you sort out what driver might be best for you.

 

I'd set a budget of $600 to $700 on the sticks, the rest would go to lessons. If I could get sticks for less than $500, all the better...

Thanks, Barbajo! You saved me from writing all the same stuff you said, lol.

 

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[PMookie]

But being a beginner with a 20ish handicap, would it make a difference if you get a standard pro for $70 or the best of the best for $200?

Could be a guy at $70, if he's good and doesn't teach to one swing style... A lot of guys are "teachers", but very few actually are any good. Personally, I'd start with the "top teachers" list in your state. One can even call their "local" PGA section for recommendations.

 

 

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[numberonecoog]

Geez that was impressive... And not a bad bag at all!

 

I love golfing on a budget. I was actually impressed with some of these prices. That was kind of fun as well. Ive gotten some deals. 

 

The best part is most of these clubs have reached the bottom of their value so you should be able to resell them for pretty close to what you paid in a year or so to upgrade. 

[Dana]

 I did something like that 10 years ago. Took my clubs and went to a "club analysis, swing analysis, putting analysis , lesson" in White Plains NY.  At the time it was a $200 fee. When all was said and done they recommended  a few different sets of game improvement clubs to help my game.  I went with the Cleveland club set and it was a big improvement. I was joining a private CC and I was willing to spend some $ to make myself a better golfer, problem was I did not spend enough $.

 It was a very thorough fitting, even showed me where my putter was lined up when I thought it was lined up at the hole, it was off by 8" in 15 feet. { Laser set up}  My club fitter was a guy by the name of Andrew Stroukoff, yes really. He was a world class athlete and represented the USA in the 1976 winter Olympics.  Nothing like having a professional guide you thru getting the right equipment..

[HeathS16]

Clubs first: driver something used like a Ping G10 great older model and won't break the bank while still getting a good club.

Irons: spend a bit more here as more shots are hit here than anywhere. I'd go with titleist AP1 712s from 2013 great quality irons. For FW something like what Barbajo said, on the bay second hand prolly stick with ping. Putter I love the taylormade spider.

 

Just like Barbajo if I can get out of all that below $600-700 the rest is lessons.

 

That was fun. Wish I had $1000!

 

 

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[808nation]

I am rather athletic and for the most part self taught, so I would spend all of the money on equipment and nothing on lessons.

 

 

 

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Self taught yes, athletic no...spend $400 on fitness center membership to get fit with golf related exercises then spend the rest on used clubs at my local PGA SS or on eBay...now show me the money!!

 

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[GolfSpy Barbajo]

 My club fitter was a guy by the name of Andrew Stroukoff, yes really. 

 

Stroukoff?  As in "stroke off?"  Perfect name for a club fitter!  

[PlaidJacket]

Not sure if this has been done before but thought it'd be a fun little experiment.

 

Baseline:

-You have a bag and need clubs to put in it.  

-You are an average to below average player (~20hcp) and the clubs you own are junk that you're going to sell at your next yard sale.

-You have shoes, and all that other crap.

 

 

 

How do you spend your $ and in which order (clubs, lessons, fitting, new vs used etc.) ??

   ...you only have 1000 dollars... that's it !

 

 

I'd keep my "junk" clubs for the time being and plan myself a nice little golf trip. Spending $1000 on new equipment and lessons, etc. isn't going to make me any better immediately. But, I could take my existing hacker game immediately anywhere and come home with a bag full of great memories. You only live once.

[Dana]

Stroukoff?  As in "stroke off?"  Perfect name for a club fitter!  

 

  AHYUP 

[jbil8802]

This one is easy.

 

SLDR C Driver, Fairway and Hybrid - $200 total

 

Ping G20 irons - $180 (just got a set for a friend of mine)

 

Two Vokey SM5 wedges of the used rack - $80 (got these as well to go with the irons)

 

Cleveland Milled Putter - $100

 

Figure this leaves me enough cash to head to the bar and have some fun or at least forget that I actually own an SLDR C driver with Uncle Jack.

 

 

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This never gets old haha

[sp0rtsfan86]

I like the idea of getting a lesson first and find out what you should be looking for in a fitting along with it. Then you buy clubs (2nd hand) and then fit in as many lessons as you can. I know it's unoriginal but that's the smart way to go.

[HighFade]

I'd get a starter set (and immediately throw the driver out), and get lessons from a pro that I can trust. Pros are like restaurants - they sell the same thing, but some are far better than others. Ask around for the right one!

[Sschaffer24]

Great idea for a thread! I'm wondering if $1,000 is possibly too much budget.

 

My game plan would be to take a ride down to Blair County Golf and have a lesson with my pro, I'd demo a bunch of their used clubs (they have a huge selection) and eventually find something that fits my swing to the best of what the used stuff has to offer. I'd be hard pressed to guess that set would cost more than $1,000. Any leftover cash would be budgeted to have repeat lessons with the pro to groove the set and get some range time in!

[RookieBlue7]

A grand is too easy. Let's make it $500 and see what people come up with. I know where I'd go with a grand and likely have cash left

[StrokerAce]

A grand is too easy. Let's make it $500 and see what people come up with. I know where I'd go with a grand and likely have cash left

 

Interesting.  That begs the question - "how much does it cost to get started in golf with a quality set of sticks that are appropriate for your skill level?"  .... is a fitting required/needed/suggested ?  how about at least 1 or 2 lessons?  Lessons before or after the fitting?  Or is golf something that someone can just learn themselves like bowling or badminton?

[Sschaffer24]

I think having SOME basis of a swing developed before a fitting is important. It would be really wise to to take 2-3 lessons from a qualified professional and then get fit for a set of pre-owned sticks from their inventory. That's the best route.

As a new golfer buying a set of 2-3 year old (or older) clubs isn't a big deal. However them having the correct length/lie and shafts is very important!

[Kenny B]

Interesting.  That begs the question - "how much does it cost to get started in golf with a quality set of sticks that are appropriate for your skill level?"  .... is a fitting required/needed/suggested ?  how about at least 1 or 2 lessons?  Lessons before or after the fitting?  Or is golf something that someone can just learn themselves like bowling or badminton?

It depends on your natural ability, but I would say for the majority of new golfers DO NOT try to learn the game on your own.  Lesson starting out will save years of frustration later.  I know; that's the path I took.  I thought I was above average athletically having played baseball, softball, volleyball, but you know what golf can do to a confident male!!   I had to "unlearn" many bad habits after I went to my first golf school.  I had a few lessons before, but a good golf school will lead to faster improvement.  

 

As long as the clubs you have are a reasonable fit for length and lie, I would spend the $1000 on lessons and if possible, a multiple-day school.  Treat it like a golf vacation, and get better clubs later.  You will be better off in the long run.

[StrokerAce]

I think having SOME basis of a swing developed before a fitting is important. It would be really wise to to take 2-3 lessons from a qualified professional and then get fit for a set of pre-owned sticks from their inventory. That's the best route.

As a new golfer buying a set of 2-3 year old (or older) clubs isn't a big deal. However them having the correct length/lie and shafts is very important!

 

Just curious how you do this: " get fit for a set of pre-owned sticks from their inventory. "

 

Do you tell the fitter up front that you want some pre-owned clubs instead of new ones?  The fitting experience I had, I was fit into the newest model but I didn't say anything up front.

[Maverickping]

I bought my Ping ISI Becu in 1999, my first set with a zero swing. Went to Ping to get fitted and they told me to come back when I was better as the Becu could only be bent so many times and that is not much at all. I think having a "reasonable" swing (not great) is to your benefit first. 

[AH1980MN]

Just curious how you do this: " get fit for a set of pre-owned sticks from their inventory. "

 

Do you tell the fitter up front that you want some pre-owned clubs instead of new ones? The fitting experience I had, I was fit into the newest model but I didn't say anything up front.

 

At 2nd swing they will fit you into anything, new or used.