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Original poster

Anyone know anything about golf?

17 replies

ThatsNotMyReindeer · 26/09/2021 08:08

My husband wants a new set of golf clubs (his are a mish mash of odd ones he picked up from various places in his student days) but he'd never buy a new set himself as it would pain him to part with a large chunk of cash, despite the fact that we can more than afford it.

I'd say hes an enthusiastic novice, who wants to get a little bit more serious about his game, would like some actual lessons and to play more frequently.

I'd like to buy him a set of clubs for Christmas or his birthday. What do I need to know? Would a good beginner set be appropriate? Or are they too specific that it is a stupid idea and I'm better off giving him a bundle of cash to pick his own?

OP posts:
Brogues · 26/09/2021 08:12

DH said it’s a very personal thing. He’d need to get fitted so they’ll test his swing speed act and get the right shafts. Most pro shops or American Golf etc will do a fitting for around £50-£100. A website called Golf bidder sell full second hand sets so once fitted you can buy a cheaper set to begin with.

Brogues · 26/09/2021 08:13

ETA: DH is not a pro golfer and has made many mistakes with clubs in the past.

Focalpoint · 26/09/2021 08:13

Give him a voucher. He'd be better with clubs that suit him - length, weight, feel etc. Also he may like some of his existing but want a smaller number of better quality new club.

Original poster
ThatsNotMyReindeer · 26/09/2021 08:14

Thank you @Brogues for asking Smile does it really make that much of a difference for a relative beginner? (He currently plays around once every 2 months but wants to increase that, never had any lessons or anything yet)

OP posts:
Chemenger · 26/09/2021 08:16

I think it would be really difficult to buy clubs for someone else, even if you knew a lot about golf. I got my last set for my birthday, probably in about the same standard as your DH. I tried a few out at the range and one set suited me better. This is especially true of drivers, which usually get bought separately. There are a lot of variations of the same club, different shaft lengths and lofts.

I would suggest giving him a lesson package somewhere that they also have a good shop selling clubs. Then he can get advice about clubs then buy them when he sees the benefit of the lessons. So maybe lessons for Christmas than clubs for his birthday. In my experience a good pro shop will listen to budget and find something that suits. Good second hand clubs are a good buy. You can get clubs fitted and customised but I don’t think that’s so important and his level.

Wideawakeandconfused · 26/09/2021 08:17

Yep, agree with other OP; if he’s keen to progress then he needs to go have a set fitted. They assess his swing etc, as well as measure for hight and grip. American Golf are good but our local independent golf shop has a larger range.

Is he a member of a club? If so, arrange for some lessons with the Pro too.

Shrimpseyelashes · 26/09/2021 08:22

Yes, def agree with other posters- golf clubs are really personal. If there is a pro shop at his golf club they are a good place to start for advice and maybe a session to trial various clubs.

Original poster
ThatsNotMyReindeer · 26/09/2021 08:24

Is he a member of a club? If so, arrange for some lessons with the Pro too

He's not, I had lessons booked for him 2 years or so ago but they got cancelled as we'd had awful sustained rain and the course was closed, and then it was just as the initial Covid restrictions came in so he never had the lessons. Hes also not a member of anywhere. I wonder if a years membership would be a better option? He'd certainly go more often then

OP posts:
Chemenger · 26/09/2021 08:25

I don’t think there is much point doing swing analysis and fitting for a novice intending to take lessons. It’s very likely the lessons will change his swing.

BarbaraofSeville · 26/09/2021 08:29

I agree with the others, it has to be personal. I'd suggest that you could get him a voucher for a golf shop or club, but with so many shops going bust that's a hell of a risk these days.

I'm sure American Golf has gone bust in the past, but must have come back, but often vouchers cease to be valid in these circumstances.

Maybe get him the lesson and advice session as a voucher from a club or shop, but the money for the clubs put on a prepaid debit card or similar with a card telling him to use the money to buy the clubs?

VanCleefArpels · 26/09/2021 08:34

I’m a golfer

Buy him a set of lessons like others have said. Once he progresses a bit then he can talk to the Pro about suitable clubs. Your local club might have a special Academy membership which includes a certain number of lessons. Clubs are amazingly expensive (my putter cost £300 😳) and a real waste if for whatever reason your husband decides after putting some time in for lessons and practice (vital!) that golf is not for him.

Chemenger · 26/09/2021 08:41

Putters are very personal, you definitely can’t buy one as a gift, unless the person has chosen it. I changed putter and went from being useless at putting to at least average, excellent on a good day.

Original poster
ThatsNotMyReindeer · 26/09/2021 09:19

Ok, so I think my plan now looks like...

Christmas: lessons to improve play
Birthday: membership to increase play
Next year: think about clubs

Thanks everyone, very helpful!

OP posts:
SourMilkGhyll · 26/09/2021 09:26

Christmas: lessons to improve play
Birthday: membership to increase play
Next year: think about clubs

Excellent plan. He needs to be playing more before you splash out on some decent clubs.

When he does want clubs, try here.
golf clubs 4 cash

Wideawakeandconfused · 26/09/2021 10:19

Great plan! Does he have anyone to play with? Golf clubs are really social so joining would really up his play time…something you might want to consider when he starts playing 2 or 3 times a week 😬😆

Also, clubs don’t have to be expensive. My DH has played with a second hand set for years and his handicap is 5. He’s never had a new set because whenever he’s done the swing analysis, they concluded that the set he has is the best for him. He has added a nice putter and driver over time but the irons are old.

Original poster
ThatsNotMyReindeer · 26/09/2021 10:58

@Wideawakeandconfused

Great plan! Does he have anyone to play with? Golf clubs are really social so joining would really up his play time…something you might want to consider when he starts playing 2 or 3 times a week 😬😆

Also, clubs don’t have to be expensive. My DH has played with a second hand set for years and his handicap is 5. He’s never had a new set because whenever he’s done the swing analysis, they concluded that the set he has is the best for him. He has added a nice putter and driver over time but the irons are old.

He normally plays with a group of mates and I think that's partly why they play so infrequently- trying to find a day they can all do!

Theres a club near us that a couple of his friends are members of so will get a membership for there. It's also the closest although he is limited to weekends as we both work full time, hes 9-5 and I work shifts that means he has to do the nursery pick up each day.

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 26/09/2021 11:01

There’s a reason why the vast majority of golf clubs are populated by retired people or older spouses of people who earn a lot - it’s an extremely time consuming sport and not that compatible with working full time and/or dealing with small children.

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