What are your thoughts on buying used clubs?

I've been playing with the same set since high school and I figure now that I've entered the working world it's about time to make a solid investment. I only get to play a few times a month so I was hoping to get some opinions on whether it was worth buying new clubs, or getting a nice set of used clubs. I'm just a hacker but I'd like to see some game improvement now that I'm getting out to play more.

If I should go with a used set, where's the best place to look? Also, any thoughts on taking lessons? Are they worth it?

callawaygolfpreowned - have heard good things about it.
golfsmith - has a good selection of used clubs

the good thing about these place is that you know that they are guaranteed good used clubs.

I am about to pick up a set of Ping i3 oversized. I have heard good things about these, and for around $300 you can't beat it.

Clubmakers like TaylorMade are constantly putting out new products, so you can get some great deals on used clubs or last years models.

Callaway golf preowned is excellent. Great selection of versions and conditions.

Still play X14 irons, and you can find them very inexpensive. Also, some really good players really like them and say they are still remarkable for their forgivness, but yet incredibly workable in both direction and distance with the club.

Drivers, with the new technology are different, solely up to the swing at the time.

X-14's are great and so are the X-18's. Callaway makes some very good irons that can help the beginner and also let you work the ball a little bit if thats your thing.

Golf club selection is changing so that iron selection is less important than the mix of fairway woods and/or rescue/hybrids and irons. This is why buying used irons is really the way to go.

I play with Mizuno forged irons. I like the feel of them. If you play with only the 5 (or 6) iron on down, you don't really need so-called forgiving irons. But remember that your scoring clubs are your wedges and putter. Put your practice time and expense into those clubs.

My suggestion would be to hit the new models of the top proline club makers (callaway, taylormade, mizuno, ping, etc.) and then just buy them used on ebay or whatever. You will save $100-$300 right off the top. Your "new" clubs will be used after your very first round anyhow. You can tell by the ball markings on the clubs how gentle or rough the previous owner was on them.

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Callaway makes some very good irons that can help the beginner and also let you work the ball a little bit if thats your thing.

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Not to get off subject, but in your experience do you really believe this? I haven't hit a Callaway in 4-5 years, but I find them completely un-workable. They can make you move the ball right to left, but they all seem to have such a draw bias that it's almost impossible to do anything but hit a draw.

Just curious.

(in the sense of full disclosure I really like to work the ball and I play Mizuno blades)

[This message has been edited by Sean98 (edited 9/16/2008 1:48p).]

Oh, and on subject, I do not think there is anything wrong with buying used clubs. Just be conscious of length/lie on your irons.

Another suggestion (and this was the route I went) would be to check out Gigagolf.com www.gigagolf.com

Granted most clubs they sell are knockoffs of major name brands, they still allow you to input information (height, measurement of wrist to ground, distance you hit a 7-iron) that will ultimately result in an inexpensive set of "custom fit clubs".

I've had mine for at least two years (Nike Slingshot iron knockoffs, Ignite fairway wood knockoffs and the first Sasquatch driver knockoff) and have really enjoyed them. FYI - Sasquatch not to be confused with the "Texas bigfoot encounters" post

Ultimately, they make good clubs for someone who doesn't play all the time but would still like to improve their game without spending a tremendous amount of money on name-brand clubs.

I am a PGA Golf Professional and have no problem recommending used clubs for someone wanting to save a little cash. Depending on your preference, a used set of Ping, Callaway, Titleist, Cobra, Mizuno,...is much better than a new set of knock-offs from Target. I also highly recommend that you take the time to find out what your custom specs would be. Whether you plan on buying new or not, it is worth the money to go through a club fitting. The information that you receive will allow you to purchase the right set for you. It is also my opinion that you can not be properly fit hitting a ball in to a net. You will need to see the ball fly to determine if the shaft you have chosen is producing the proper trajectory. If you have decided what type of clubs you want, the company web site will have information for the club fitting accounts in your area.

Good Luck.

Thanks for all of the help. I found a great deal on a used set of X-20's and they are in the process of being fitted for me. Can't wait to take them out!