Conference 7.286::golf

	Hi Bob!!

	Here's a few pointers....

	Good Luck.
	Bob

	1.  Buy used

	I think that the best deal is to buy a used set of quality
	brand name clubs.  Clubs are like cars, as soon as you take 
	them out of the showroom their resale value drops considerably.
	There are a few exceptions, i.e. Ping, Tommy Armour, etc.   
	The nice part of buying used clubs versus a used car is that you 
	really can't damage golf clubs.  Sure they can have cosmetic bangs
	and bruises but it won't affect your golf game.

	Also a quality used set generally has quality shafts.  I think this
	is the biggest difference when you buy a set from a sports outlet 
	(i.e. Lechmere, Neveda Bob's etc).  They cut costs by using lesser 
	quality shafts.  I would recommend True Temper shafts.  Regular 
	or stiff flex depending on your preference.  

	2.  Buy 14 clubs 

	Buy the a full set.  The irons should be matched (all from the 
	same manufacturer, same model, same year).  This should give you 
	consistent shafts, consistent degree lofts between irons, and 
	consistent performance.  This will also maintain your investment
	if you decide to dump the game and sell the clubs to another 
	beginner.

	The woods and irons can be from different manufacturers.  This is 
	all personal preference.  I don't think that it is important to 
	have the woods and irons from one manufacturer.  Some people do.

	3.  Which clubs to buy...

		a.  Driver
		b.  Fairway wood (3 and/or 4,5)
		c.  Irons 3-9, PW
		d.  Sand Wedge (very important utility club)
		e.  Putter
	
	5.  Where to buy...

	Try some local pro shops.  Most accept clubs in exchange on new 
	purchases and have second hand clubs in inventory.  Consider custom 
	made clubs.  There are several members of this conference that offer 
	custom made look-like-brand-name clubs at an excellent price.
	
	A golf pro shop and a custom club maker will generally let you try 
	the club out on the golf course (the ultimate test) versus into a net.
	It is very important to try the equipment before buying and it is 
	certainly reasonable to request it (especially a used set).  Expect 
	to leave a deposit or even your driver's license until you return the 
	equipment.

	6.  How much to spend...

	Depending on the number of clubs and the quality, I would expect you 
	to pay $250 to $500 on a quality used set.  Anything less than that
	would probably compromise any recommendation I have made.

    
    
    do not forget to look in the news paper classified.
    
    lotsa good deals in there.
    
    dave

    re:1
    
    I agree.  Unless you know what you are looking for, go to a NEvada
    Bob's or  a pro shop and hit the used clubs they have.  Buy a name
    brand and you can always trade them in later.  I bought my first set
    used..a set of Ram Tour Grinds..for $175 and today. ten years later
    they are still worth $150.  My next and current set, used for $225 is a
    set of Berylium Copper Primas.  Both were "on Consignment" at a NEvada
    Bob's.  This means that someone brought them in and asked the store to
    sell them for them...the store makes a commission and the player gets
    his money...and I got great sets of clubs.  You can ask in any store
    about "clubs on consignment" and most of those stores you can hit the
    clubs also.
    
    SCD

    While it's reasonable that you can get a very good deal on used
    equipment, it's also likely that you can get a not so good deal.  I've
    seen people get excellent clubs at a great price but they couldn't hit
    the clubs because their ability was not yet up to the club.  Golf clubs
    are not like kids shoes, you don't grow into them!  You can get a good
    starter set (full or parital) from a club maker or pro shop.  If your
    in the eastern Mass/So. NH area try Gimme Golf.  I forgot the phone
    number (again) but I'm sure some good soul will post it. <eh Pat?>
    
    
    						KO

>.... I bought my first set used..a set of Ram Tour Grinds..for $175 and
>today. ten years later they are still worth $150.

Is that right?!  I can see (as .1 points out) that clubs don't wear out, but I
would have thought that technological advances would obsolete older clubs, or at
least diminish their value considerably.

    RE:5
    
    Classic clubs that are tour model blades are always in demnad, just as
    Pings are.  Turns out that the shafts (True Temper gold) or the
    frequency matched shafts designed by Ram are very popular.  Plus, the
    new models come out with cosmetic changes and jack up the price. 
    Actually, technology can hurt you, as does aluminum shafts...today of
    little value.  The steel shafts, especially on irons are the safe bet. 
    Many people mix and match the sand wedges and woods anyway, but few mix
    and latch a set of irons.
    
    When I got the set, I got them knowing I would not use them forever. 
    First, I knew I would never practice enough to be good enough to hit
    with a "blade".  Second, I wanted the instant feedback a blade gives
    you so I could analyze my swing and correct the problems.  Third, I
    wanted a resale value that would make a trade less painful...plus my
    wife would give me less grief if I could justify the purchase.
    
    Today, I am happy with the cast and perimeter weight design of the
    Primas and see that this design is also very much in demand, thereby
    preserving the value of my irons...although the Berylium Copper is not
    as much in vogue as it used to be...too expensive at retail($800+).
    
    SCD

    
    If you are buying a set of clubs just to find out if you are going to
    like the game , don't bother with the traditional style 'blade' clubs.
    They are difficult to hit WELL and the game will soon frustrate you to
    the point of tears. Buy cavity back/perimeter weighted clubs, they are
    the clubs for beginners, right up to people with single digit
    handicaps. You can get a set from k-mart,nevada bobs, etc; or if you
    have a few more dollars, opt for a set of custom made 'clone' clubs
    from one of the club makers in this conference or someone near you, i
    expect you could get outfitted with a full set of custom 'clones' for
    about $250(ask KO he'll know), vs the $120-$150 for k-mart clubs.
    
    	If you opt for the k-mart variety for your stated 2-year window,
    AND you still like the game after 2 years. Get yourself to a custom
    club maker and buy some clones, they work just as well as the wildly
    expensive variety and they're a whole lot cheaper.
    
    
    
    Dave G.