Need help buying golf clubs

[SoCal Sam]

New Instructor-Recommended Set:
I stopped by the golf shop where he takes lessons and the Tour Edges are in stock. They actually seem to be a pretty good set from what I read online (https://southamptongolfclub.com/tour-edge-bazooka-370-golf-clubs-set-review-vs-alternatives/). The whole thing for irons/drivers/putters/bag is $579 at the Pro Shop. Part of me is tempted because it is a uniform set and it's just turnkey (lifetime guarantee on all clubs also). Pricewise, I see what I think is the same set (https://gearoutland.com/tour-edge-b...6bsJ29FI3zFWPzDSwqxT1t0m3YXOJN4BoC_HQQAvD_BwE) for $409 shipped and for $479 on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Tour-Edge-Ba...azooka+370+complete+set&qid=1630095781&sr=8-2).

I expected the pro shop price to be pretty high relative to online, but complicating the plot a bit (because I'm still thinking about buying used) I see that 2ndswing has the same set for $599 (https://www.2ndswing.com/tour-edge/complete-golf-club-set/bazooka-370-mens/?facet=Condition:0#used) -- highest of all.

Buying Used:
His wrist height is 33.75" and his height is between 5'11" and 6', so the Ping chart says "standard length" block dots. Looking at the Titlest AP1 and AP2 reviews, it sounds like the AP2's are worth the extra price. The comparable Ping club seems to be the Ping i200 (apparently the AP2 creates a bit more spin for more control and the i200 will go a little farther with less spin control).

The Ping i200 steel seem to be about mid-$500 for 4-PW irons only (https://www.2ndswing.com/search.aspx?searchterm=Ping+i200) in below average to average condition. Shaft lengths range from 37.5 to 38.25", not clear to me what "standard length" from Ping chart means in inches.

The Titleist AP2 looks range from about $400 for unnumbered AP2 to $500 range for 712/716 for 4-pw (https://www.2ndswing.com/search.aspx?searchterm=titleist+AP2+iron+set). Shaft lengths range from 37" to 38.5".

Of course, the above is for "irons only", then I need drivers/bag/putter. Really torn whether to be "done" with the Tour Edge set or go for something better.

These are the Tour Edge 370's in the pro shop:

View attachment 2326699

Standard length is usually taken from the 5 iron and ranges from 37.75 to 38 inches depending in manufacturer. In a previous post, I recommended Pro Line brands for a reason. They are proven, popular, and in demand so there is always a market for them. Off brands such as Tour Edge are not in demand so you will take a hefty loss when it comes to selling. (It must be said, Tour Edge are decent performers and well made.) Let's say you buy a set of Titleist AP1 or AP2 from ebay. You play them for several months and then decide they are not for you. It is likely you can get the market price for them and only lose shipping and sales tax. Not a bad hit for being able to give clubs an extended tryout. Some other brands to consider are Taylormade, Mizuno, and PXG. Taylormade R7 and R9 irons are a good place to start. The other reason to go with Pro Line is that kids always look at what is in the other kid's bag. Pro Line shows commitment to the game, something your son's mates will pick up on. Lastly, Golf bags are where you can save big bucks by thrifting. I imagine the son is energetic so get him a stand bag so he can walk and carry. Cart bags are for old men.

 

[Redtide]

I like the idea of getting all the clubs at once so that there is hopefully some consistency in the shafts, plus the bag is a bonus. It doesn't look like a golf cart bag to me - it seems like there is a nice shoulder strap in the front. For sure you want a stand bag that you can easily walk a course with. It seems like a good deal to me, and the person selling him the clubs seems to know that they fit him ok.

Putters take a while to find out what you like.

With my current set, I bought the irons as a set, and added woods, hybrids, and drivers after (or what I already had), and even though the shafts on the hybrids are graphite and regular flex (the same as my irons), the shafts feel softer than my irons, so I have to swing slower with the hybrids otherwise I get a wicked hook. There isn't any industry standard on what a "regular" flex shaft is.

Guys kind of fixate on equipment, so this set won't be his last if he sticks with it for a couple of years, by which time hopefully he is buying his own gear, and has a better idea what fits him when looking for used clubs. I imagine the driver is the first thing a 21 year old will fixate on.

 

[Bill S]

I've built many clubs in the day. Contrary to popular belief, a cavity back set of irons with a radius sole isn't all that different from the ones sold 20 years ago. True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts are still prevalent and aome new grips to fit the hand and you're good. The advancements have been in drivers and fairway woods with large, thin faced heads and light graphite shafts.

Used to be you could select from 3 or 4 makers of clubs that were pretty nice. Golfsmith, one of the biggest, went under and was bought out. I recenty looked and there aren't many choices for club components. I could make a nice set of irons for $300 or less. Now, you're probably better off with a complete used set. Get them regripped to fit his hands. Don't fret the brand - its all marketing.

 

[peterp1]

Thanks for all the feedback and sorry for no updates, but the only real update happened today. I've continued to watch the market, but I ended up buying the Tour Edge set today from the golf shop where he is taking lessons. The more I looked into it, the more positive things I found about Tour Edge (as a starter set), and what the shop told me about Callaway's low-end Strata being made from cheap metal was echoed by reviews. In the end, getting a good coherent set, with a nice "stand" bag included won out over trying to get a better set. I wouldn't even have known to look for the stand bag without AK feedback.

He has been using a "throw-away" Sounder brand 7-iron loaned from his instructor this whole time. After his lesson today with the Sounder club, he did hit quite a bit farther/better with the Tour Edge 7. His instructor wants him to only hit 7's, 8's, 9's until his form is consistent. He's thrilled to have the Tour Edge set and I'm happy I don't have to worry that I inadvertently bought something that wasn't ideal for him. All of the Tour Edge reviews says the titanium driver and the putter are both standouts.

Amazon had the full set listed for $439 for a long time, versus $579 in the shop, but the Amazon listing was a little fishy in that you couldn't tell whether it was the men's set or the senior set. Some other online shops were even less, but I just decided to buy it in the shop at $579. The clubs have a lifetime guarantee, so you can just bring them back to the store if there are any issues.

Thanks again for all the feedback -- I legitimately did not have any idea what set to get going into this, and the feedback from AK gave me enough info that I now feel confident that I made the right decision with Tour Edge.