<p>S2 would like golf clubs for his birthday. He has played a few times and gone to the driving range quite a bit with S1 when they were younger, but is really a beginner.</p>
<p>Can anyone recommend a set of clubs that won’t break the bank (prefer under $200) but will be good enough for him to play up at school on the weekends?</p>
<p>He’s right-handed, slim and approx 5’9" if that matters.</p>
<p>Under $200 may be tough for new. Our local Golf Mart has equipment for one to swing and then will computer analyze swing and suggest appropriate clubs. Just tell them you have budget. They also have used clubs and will take trade ins. I think they also have 90 day return policy…</p>
<p>There are a lot of clubs for sale on Craigs list usually. Golfsmith and other golf stores have used clubs for sale that they are usually willing to make a deal on. </p>
<p>Great idea! Used would be fine.</p>
<p>Check out the stores that sell used. You would at least get someone who can advise re: size, something you won’t get on Craigslist.</p>
<p>Do you have a Dick’s nearby? That’s where I got my starter set. The people who work there really know their stuff and never try and oversell me. My level of golf wouldn’t require callaway’s for example. But you want the right grips and height. </p>
<p>When DS started playing golf, we bought his clubs through gigagolf.com. You can order exactly what you want, every club is customized. They have an online program that determines length and other factors depending on height/hand measurements and other parameters. They are very helpful if you call. The clubs are inexpensive and made with high-quality materials. </p>
<p>If son is a beginner, he might consider taking some group golf lessons from a teaching pro this summer. Many golf courses have lessons available for beginners, public community recreation depts. often offer group lessons too summertime. The teaching pro can hook him up with clubs, or a starter set of used clubs.</p>
<p>I would not buy used clubs. The reason being that technology has really improved golf substantially and he will be able to play easier with newer clubs. The new clubs are so much easier to hit and he will stick with golf longer. </p>
<p>I would go to Dicks or Golf Galaxy and they have plenty of starter sets. They both have “experts” to help :). I could be wrong but I think they are owned by the same company. My set came with a bag and everything I need. </p>
<p>I know people who bought used clubs and they had a lot of trouble hitting those clubs. The new clubs are bigger and have a much larger sweet spot. So much easier. When my H switched his clubs his game improved by a lot and he hit the ball substantially farther. </p>
<p>Newer clubs are not magic wands…a duffer with the newest clubs is still a duffer. I think for a beginner, money spent on some lessons is better spent than money on an expensive set of clubs. Get a handful of irons, a couple of woods, a putter…and practice. Get a more expensive full set of clubs after developing your swing.</p>
<p>Per my husband who, in his youth a very good golfer…the person who is playing must try out the clubs. Clubs are very personal (not necessarily expensive) item.</p>
<p>Happy Birthday!</p>
<p>I’m a good golfer (7 handicap) and only use pre-owned clubs. You can get last year’s model for half off or better. Try Callowaypreowned . com. I like Ping irons, especially for a beginner - they’re the most forgiving, IMO.</p>
<p>My son is 15 and a pretty serious golfer. He started with a set from Dicks. They often have very good sales and if you like what is on sale it is totally worth it. Also, Calloway pre owned are excellent. They even have their own website. </p>
<p>A young, 5’9" male is built perfectly for the budget stock set of clubs, regular flex shafts are perfect and no lie angle adjustments needed. Like many my age, I learned to play on a half set, 1 & 3 woods with 3/5/7/9 irons and a putter on a local 9-hole course. I later played tournament golf in my teens using a $116 set of Spalding Futuras.</p>
<p>Last year we set up my oldest with a decent set of irons, 5-PW set of overstocks from Callaway pre-owned, and filled it with a few used woods, but he is really strong and would break a cheaper club.</p>
<p>Make sure to keep it fun - teach the rules and courtesies but ignore them liberally. We would add things like a free kick and a free throw per nine. Play a hole only using your putter.</p>
<p>The most expensive top-line golf clubs go farther when you throw 'em and break easier when you snap 'em on your knee in frustration!</p>
<p>Check out globalgolf.com for used as well as starter sets. Starter clubs are fine for a beginner but he may quickly “outgrow” them.</p>
<p>Instead of going for a cheap set when the boys started actually playing golf, we just bought a good driver, a couple irons and a putter. Then built out the set for birthdays and Christmas, replacing them with clubs with longer shafts as they grew taller and hit varsity level. And yes, after a short time, they’ve tried all their friends’ clubs and have a pretty good idea of what they like. But they still raided H’s and my bag at regular intervals.</p>
<p>Magne - I played with my father growing up and we played for puts…that’s a great way to have a good time, not get too serious, level the playing field between a grown man and a young girl, but seriously learn how to put. </p>
<p>I would just buy him a starter set - if he’s still into this as a hobby in a year or two then get a new set. if he’s not yet done growing, he may need new clubs in a year or so anyway.</p>
<p>I have custom clubs that I got when I was about 16. I’m still the same height as when I was 16 (according to my drivers license!). They still fit me and still are great 15 years later. lately, i’ve been thinking about building myself a new driver, as the new ones have much bigger heads and supposedly carry further. Maybe I’ll ask for one @ christmas time.</p>