Beginner or Novice Golfers: Start with a Pre-Owned set of Golf Clubs
As a beginner or novice golfer, you want to avoid the expense of purchasing a "New" set of
golf clubs, and concentrate your efforts on finding a good set of "Used" golf clubs (also know
as "Pre-Owned".)
Major golf club manufacturers introduce new lines of clubs almost every
year. With the yearly advances in golf club technology, many golfers regularly upgrade their
existing golf sets in pursuit of improving their game and lowering their handicap. This leaves
the golf club market flooded with high quality, bargain sets of golf clubs. The trade-in
market has become so huge, that a few major golf club manufacturers have launched their own
sites to meet the demand, like "Callaway Golf" (www.callawaygolfpreowned.com.) The question is
where, and how, do you find the best set of clubs for you?
Online is a great place to
start. You want to get a feel for the market by comparing the prices of the "Pre-Owned" clubs
offered by the thousands of sites advertising the sale of used clubs (Searching "Google" alone
will bring up about 700,000 sites.) Surf a few sites and compare the quality and prices of
numerous club sets. While you are on the internet, E-bay may also prove to be beneficial in
searching for your set of used golf clubs. The selection and variety of clubs available
changes daily, so you will have to keep a close watch to find the best deal for your golf
clubs.
Also, you may want to look for a "Beginner" golf set, which usually consist of
the #3, #5, #7, and #9 irons. Beginner sets of clubs normally include a "Wood" or two, and a
"Putter" as well. At this point in your golf career, you really don't need to purchase a
"full" set of clubs. Mainly, because you may not be playing golf very long or very often. The
best choice may even be a "Pre-Owned" beginner set of clubs. Don't confuse a set of "Beginner"
golf clubs with "Kids" golf clubs, which come in smaller sizes and/or lengths for kids. If you
feel like you are bending over too far to swing the clubs, they are probably too short. You
should be able to stand fairly straight, with your knees slightly bent, and your arms should
hang freely as you grasp the club.
Your local newspaper is also a great place to look
for a set of clubs. All year-round you will find bargains on some quality sets of golf clubs.
This also gives you the opportunity to see and swing the clubs. It helps to get a feel for the
clubs before you buy the set. Check out the condition of the grips, shafts (steel or
graphite), and the club heads. Compare them to other clubs you have seen for the same price.
Many people are selling some very nice clubs because they have either updated their own set of
clubs, or have given up the game of golf.
Local golf stores and sporting goods stores
are a good place to shop for a "Pre-Owned" set of golf clubs. Many are now accepting trade-
ins, toward the purchase of a new sets of clubs, and re-sale the use golf clubs at good
prices. Many have an in-store practice tee or net for you to try the clubs before you buy
them. Your nearest driving range or pro shop may also carry "Pre-Owned" sets. They might even
give you a free bucket of balls while you try the clubs. They can also advise you on how the
clubs fit your body type and swing.
Last, but not least, check with friends, relatives,
co-workers, or any contact of yours (and your spouse if you have one.) Golf popularity is at
an all time high, you might be surprised who you know that plays golf. Odds are, if they have
been playing for awhile, they have an extra set or two in the garage that they might be
willing to sale. They might even let you try them out for free, to see if you like the game.
And wouldn't that be the best bargain of all!
