Complete Golf bag sets. Yay or Nay?

[Rob Person]

I have a few younger coworkers who are starting to eye some interest into playing golf.

TL/WR: has anyone bought, played, enjoyed, any of the complete golf bag sets that cost less than a new 2024 driver? 

Back story

They are TRYING to stay economical,  as they dont want to blow a wad of cash on something they may not even enjoy.

But, they also have a bit of ego as well, and believe big $$ means they will play like pros. Also, they ignore advice like "go hit some demos, maybe hit the driving range, go just ride through a round of 18 holes in mid july" and so on.

I suggested they look into some of the complete sets offered up on websites like amazon, dicks, academy, RBG, Callaway,  etc etc to help ease them into it.  New 11/14 sets with bag range from $200-600.

I admitted to them that I knew nothing about these complete club deals,  other than for what some will pay for just their driver, you can get a whole starter set and move on from there.

I loosely explained all the other factors and expenses that come with golf. And seeing as I am a CAPP, I could guide them on how to play as cheap as possible,  and still have fun.

[Erin B]

17 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

I have a few younger coworkers who are starting to eye some interest into playing golf.

TL/WR: has anyone bought, played, enjoyed, any of the complete golf bag sets that cost less than a new 2024 driver? 

Back story

They are TRYING to stay economical,  as they dont want to blow a wad of cash on something they may not even enjoy.

But, they also have a bit of ego as well, and believe big $$ means they will play like pros. Also, they ignore advice like "go hit some demos, maybe hit the driving range, go just ride through a round of 18 holes in mid july" and so on.

I suggested they look into some of the complete sets offered up on websites like amazon, dicks, academy, RBG, Callaway,  etc etc to help ease them into it.  New 11/14 sets with bag range from $200-600.

I admitted to them that I knew nothing about these complete club deals,  other than for what some will pay for just their driver, you can get a whole starter set and move on from there.

I loosely explained all the other factors and expenses that come with golf. And seeing as I am a CAPP, I could guide them on how to play as cheap as possible,  and still have fun.

18 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

I have a few younger coworkers who are starting to eye some interest into playing golf.

TL/WR: has anyone bought, played, enjoyed, any of the complete golf bag sets that cost less than a new 2024 driver? 

Back story

They are TRYING to stay economical,  as they dont want to blow a wad of cash on something they may not even enjoy.

But, they also have a bit of ego as well, and believe big $$ means they will play like pros. Also, they ignore advice like "go hit some demos, maybe hit the driving range, go just ride through a round of 18 holes in mid july" and so on.

I suggested they look into some of the complete sets offered up on websites like amazon, dicks, academy, RBG, Callaway,  etc etc to help ease them into it.  New 11/14 sets with bag range from $200-600.

I admitted to them that I knew nothing about these complete club deals,  other than for what some will pay for just their driver, you can get a whole starter set and move on from there.

I loosely explained all the other factors and expenses that come with golf. And seeing as I am a CAPP, I could guide them on how to play as cheap as possible,  and still have fun.

I think it’s fine to buy a beginner set. Low investment to see if they like it.

[cnosil]

I think complete sets are a good way to get started.    Stix golf offers a complete set and bag for $699 and you can get $50 off first purchase.  Ive seen them and pretty sure I hit one of the irons; they seem decent. 

https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/first-look/first-look-stix-golf-play-series/

 

[Preeway]

Stix is a good brand for a mid-range starter set. If they are willing to spend a little more, check out a set of Takomo irons and maybe go cheap on a used driver and 3 wood. If they end up liking golf they’ll have a really good set of irons and can then focus their next big money drop on woods and putters. 

[Rob Person]

What about sets like the Strata, TopFlite, etc? Callaway had a deal on a bag set for 399 at dicks last week.

[Erin B]

54 minutes ago, Preeway said:

Stix is a good brand for a mid-range starter set. If they are willing to spend a little more, check out a set of Takomo irons and maybe go cheap on a used driver and 3 wood. If they end up liking golf they’ll have a really good set of irons and can then focus their next big money drop on woods and putters. 

Good idea

[TSauer]

6 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

What about sets like the Strata, TopFlite, etc? Callaway had a deal on a bag set for 399 at dicks last week.

I started with a TopFlite set myself. I wanted to be sure golf was something I'd enjoy and eventually just upgraded pieces here and there after I got addicted. I think it's a fine idea, unless they're absolutely wanting to spend more dough.

[Rob Person]

Just now, TSauer said:

I started with a TopFlite set myself. I wanted to be sure golf was something I'd enjoy and eventually just upgraded pieces here and there after I got addicted. I think it's a fine idea, unless they're absolutely wanting to spend more dough.

There in itself lies the issue. They care more about status and ego....on most things. but when I showed them what a new top brands set can truly cost, they all stared at me like I was the devil.

I suspect that if they do start playing, they will all be buying the pricey and hottest trends to wear and look cool, but still be scowling at spending more than a few hundred on clubs

[Wheelieb]

First set of clubs were given to me, they were a set of top flite clubs. That included the putter. I played those for a good 3-4 months and the head broke off the 8 iron while at the range. Went so far as to buying myself used clubs from a Wilson Cortex driver and C300 irons getting hand me down wedges, and buying a Taylormade Juno putter that was probably not the best putter out there in the shop I went into, I had my own set I put together for less than a grand.

[BallsLeon]

As someone who bought a Wilson boxed set last year, I think they are not great but it is certainly convenient. If they catch the golf bug I suspect they’ll move past them quickly. The Wilson box set was marketed as SGI, but didn’t really have those properties other than bulky iron heads.

I wish I spent more time looking at garage sales/used clubs. Something older, made well, not going to fall apart on you, and likely feel better.

Edited March 27 by BallsLeon

[TSauer]

7 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

There in itself lies the issue. They care more about status and ego....on most things. but when I showed them what a new top brands set can truly cost, they all stared at me like I was the devil.

I suspect that if they do start playing, they will all be buying the pricey and hottest trends to wear and look cool, but still be scowling at spending more than a few hundred on clubs

Yeah, unfortunately you can't really do much about that. If they've never played golf before and want to spend $1,000 on clubs because $$$$$ = good golf, then I guess you can't stop them. If it fails, you may be able to snag some discounted clubs

 

[BreakfastBall15]

The first set I got myself was a set from Sports Authority and it was great for me considering in was playing blades from a garage sale before that. The quality wasn’t the best and several clubs broke within a year or 2 but I think I paid less than $250 for it (granted this was like 2007-2008). By the time they did break I was ready to get better clubs anyway. Rock Bottom Golf has some box sets that are pretty inexpensive. Plus with Facebook marketplace, eBay, callaway preowned, play it again sports, and other preowned sites they can build a decent set fairly inexpensive. 

[TG8]

My cousin just started and got the stix set and they look great. Also heard the costco or sams callaway edge set is great.   
most of us started with garage sale blades so id say anything modern will be nice. 

[Michael.Sandoval33]

From your explanation Rob it sounds like they are probably going to spend more than the price of a complete set no matter how you guide them. More than likely "Big New Driver" will be on their mind. So maybe, let them have that. And then get them into some DTC irons/wedges. Find a happy medium that might save them a grand. They are probably going to switch to a newer set next season if they are the "trend followers" but at least they will know if they want to golf by then.

[GolfSpy_APH]

My first set was a full bag set and it was a great way to get into the game if golf. Few years later I upgraded the iron, then the bug got me and I had a new driver and 3 wood shortly after.

Wedges and putter were the last to get swapped out.

For those wanting to get started into the game it is a great option and absolutely nothing wrong with them.

Companies like Cobra, Stix, BGD and more have very good full sets that are worth looking into and should perform well.

[TJ Hall]

It’s not a bad way to get into the game.  They could also look at used clubs that are a few years old to get a better price.

With your thrifting ability @Rob Person, I’m sure you can find them something that will fit their budget!

[GolfSpy_KFT]

I would agree with some statements above. If they want a full set there are many options that keep you under $1000 and plenty close to $600 that aren’t “box sets.”

If they are dead set on brands, global golf, CPO or eBay are the way to go and they can get some stuff 4-5 years old for a pretty good price. At the end of the day all you can do is recommend some options and then if they decide they wanna spend on all new gear with no research into it, it’s on them lol

[Rob Person]

I'm just trying to show them an affordable way to get introduced to golf. I've pointed them to MGS as well. Will they join? Hopefully!

I appreciate the feedback and options presented.

Also this topic can maybe help new members here who are just starting out or maybe have not even bought their first set can gain some insight to options available to them.

[FightingScot82]

Another strong set to consider is the Callaway Edge set exclusive to Costco. In store its about $549 without a bag, but right now Costco is selling a Sun Mountain bag for $129. Online they have more options like left hand, stiff shaft, women's, etc.

 

As some have said, component and build quality can be questionable even with some of the bigger name golf brands. The Top Flight and Wilson bag sets fit the price point and its hard for some to stomach used good over new meh if they don't know if they'll play again. A new set of super game improvement irons won't do much better for a first time golfer than that Top Flight bag set.

Edited March 27 by FightingScot82

[tdroma98]

17 hours ago, Rob Person said:

I suggested they look into some of the complete sets offered up on websites like amazon, dicks, academy, RBG, Callaway,  etc etc to help ease them into it.  New 11/14 sets with bag range from $200-600.

Great advice @Rob Person!!  Tell them to put their egos in their back pocket with their glove! 

[Bossfan]

I played one before I had time to play more. It was a low investment for something I didn’t have a lot of time or money to do. I also learned I liked the game using that set so when the time came when I had the money and time I knew I was spending money for something I enjoyed.