While the object of the game of golf is to learn the skills necessary to accomplish the goals of moving that tiny ball down those magnificent greens, many times new golfers get far too distracted by buying the cool stuff of golfing and don't focus on their game. But it's a mistake to run out and by top of the line golf clubs suitable for world class golfers when you are still trying to figure out what all the clubs are called. So for the first year of golfing or at least until you are sure you are going to stick with the game, used clubs might be a better approach for your first set.



Buying used clubs reduces the financial impact of getting into golf. You can continue to experiment with the game to see if you are going to be a lifelong golfer or if this is just a temporary fixation that will pass. And if you do cool on playing golf, your investment isn't so huge and you can pass the clubs along to the next new golfer to give the game a try. Maybe more importantly, as you learn how to play golf, you will get a better feel for what is important in buying the golf clubs that will be your long term set and then when you make that larger investment, you know what you are doing.

It's smart to use borrowed or rental clubs for a few weeks or months as you first start golfing even before you buy a used set of clubs. It's possible to work out a deal with a golf shop to rent you a set for a few weeks or longer so you use the same set as you get to know the game and are not always breaking in new clubs. Not only is this an important time to start understanding golf but using that borrowed set will help you develop opinions about what to look for in a good set of golf clubs. And a little tip to keep in mind is that cultivating a relationship with the golf shop that rented you the clubs is smart because they often sell off used clubs at great prices so you might luck out and find a great deal that way.

Even when you start shopping for a used set of clubs to make your starter set, it's a great idea to seek out some wise counsel about the purchase. Knowing how to evaluate clubs will help you avoid the disaster of paying money for clubs that are a terrible fit to your style of play. So work with your golf instructor or pros at the shop you are familiar with because he can give you a list of criteria so you have some guidelines when you shop for your first set of clubs. Then when you do buy, you will feel like you were an informed consumer rather than buying out of ignorance.

A hands on shopping experience when looking even for used clubs is crucial because how the clubs feel when you test swing them is very important for that purchase decision. That is why when you are in golf shops, you always see people who know what they are doing using the clubs and trying out a putt or a swing with them to get that feel for how they would serve on the golf course. But the first order of business for you as a rookie golfer is to know how they should feel in your hands in the first place. When you hold the club for a drive or a putt, it should be a comfortable fit to your grip and your size and you should not feel strange or uncomfortable in your hands. This is the value of renting clubs because you can understand what feels right and what doesn't.

The quality of materials in a good set of golf clubs will make or break your game. The heads of a good set of used clubs should be stainless steel and not an alloy that will not perform well in play. Good designs for golf clubs especially at the beginner level are what is called perimeter weighted clubs, cavity backed clubs which means they are hollow near the back of the club or clubs with larger or oversized heads. Buying clubs with larger heads gives you a bigger striking surface which means more of your shots will perform well as you learn the game. Then once you are accomplished at golf, you can buy conventional sized golf clubs to use long term.

Obviously other parts of the club like the shaft and the grip are important to your game as well. The club should feel light and comfortable in your hands and the shaft is a big part of that balance. Graphite makes a good golf club shaft material for this reason. But when you are evaluating used clubs, you will be naturally drawn to look at the grip because how you hold the club is so important to a good shot. Don't panic if the grips are a bit worn out on the used clubs you like because that can be easily repaired and made good as new for you. By evaluating all of these parts of the club as a unit, you can decide if this is the set of starter clubs you want to buy.

Shopping for this first set of clubs is both exciting and intimidating. By getting some criteria such as we have described here and with your check list from the golf pro in hand, you will be a smarter shopper. And when you take each club out and put it through its paces as part of the evaluation process, you will feel better about your ability to ask questions and interact with the club owner and about your final decision whether it is to go ahead and buy the clubs or keep on looking.