Test
 

If I were starting anew I think I'd find a place where I could experiment with a variety of clubs and brands. Lots of variables. Some clubs will likely "fit your eye" better than others. You might at least be able to rule out the types that you *don't* like.

I've run across a couple of stores in recent times that have a net and launch monitor set up that can at least show you the trajectory of your shots. I remember asking at at least one outdoor driving range if they had a club that I could use - and they did. No real idea how far that can be taken, but if the facility also sells clubs. . .

I’m 5’9. Play senior mens clubs. The mens part is length, the senior part is a more flexible shaft. I don’t think a fitting for a new player would be helpful, IMHO. But changing length after playing for awhile will be harder.

Personally I'd suggest getting fitted. A pro can play golf with a shovel and rake, but amateurs need more help and properly fitted clubs can give you that extra help. You can go to Sarasota for example, and for $25. get fitted for shaft length, flex etc with no obligation to buy. You can then use that info to purchase clubs that fall into your profile either new or used from multiple outlets. Good luck in finding your magic sticks

Lessons first
 

You learn how to drive before you buy a car............money spent on golf lessons now will pay dividends later. And take you out of the spiral of buying clubs.......... all clubs work if you know how........ that being said, any PGA instructor will advise on club specs once he or she sees you and your needs.........the big ones being length, shaft flex, grip size,

Lot of good comments here but bust size also fits into the equation. As they said in the old days, you must, you must, swing over your bust.

The golf swing is about controlled movements...... you need to learn those movements or your golf life will just be like swatting at flies.

Take some lessons first, everything will flow from there.......start your golf path correctly or be doomed to watching others swing and advise you, print media, and or u-tube.........just dumb

As they also used to say, you ain't got no zing if you aint got a swing...........do wap, do wap,
Get Smart and really enjoy the game of a lifetime............BUT, they are a lot of people enjoying golf who have not a clue, it's your choice..........learn to enjoy it more............:BigApplause:




you don't need a fitter until you have a swing.......

I just got fitted, I am 6’ tall, standard length was recommended. The fitter was 5’9 and needs 1/2” longer. He called them alligator arms. He said Michael Jordan plays with regular length as his wingspan is huge.

Mens/Womens sets of clubs… since the place in Brownwood does fittings for free, I would at least talk to them… I have seen way to many misinformation in this post. Grip size is important, shaft flex is related to clubhead speed, length is distance from hand to ground. At 5’10, probably need mens standard length but as a beginner, a more flexible ladies or senior shaft, grips are easily changed based on your hand size. If you played the piano all your life, you just might need mid size grips or standard or even small ladies grips.

I hear people say the weight of the club… I just stuck a new shaft in my driver, went from stiff to regular flex and the shaft was the same weight… club felt heavier when I swung it… it was the grip. The standard grips are lighter than the mid size I’m used to so the club “felt” heavier. As soon as I replaced the grip, the feel came back and hence feeling lighter gave me more speed at impact.

Here's the first golf lesson I gave my wife:

No one cares if you suck. They only care if you're slow.

This is correct. For 99% of humans, the parts of our bodies are in proportion to each other. Thus, a tall person will have longer arms and a short person will have shorter arms. For that reason, the first measurement made when fitting golf clubs is to have the person stand erect, wearing normal shoes, with their arms hanging naturally at their sides. The club fitter then measures the distance from the tips of the person's fingers to the floor and uses that number on a chart to see if the person falls within an accepted range. In recent years, many fitters are using a measurement from the crease on the inside of the person's wrist to the floor. You can do a Google search on club fitting and learn all about this method. You can test this by standing beside a person much shorter or taller than you to compare where your hands fall

That said, the most important thing in golf is being able to hit the ball squarely and consistently. This is best accomplished by using shorter clubs and is regularly proven by the fact that a beginner will be able to hit the ball with a 9 iron, but not with a driver. Using a driver with a length of 45" and a 9 iron of 36", and an arc of the swing of 270 deg, the head of the driver travels 43" further then the head of the 9 iron before striking the ball. (Now you know the reason you can't hit a driver!).

For this reason, buy a set of women's clubs, preferably with steel shafts as most women's graphite shafts are far too flexible. You can look for a set of used clubs at Birdie's, Golf Central, or Edwin Watts or search on eBay. If you want a new set, Golf Central sells the Naples Bay brand, which makes quality clubs at a reasonable price. As a beginner, you do NOT need 14 clubs; a 3 and 5 wood, and 5,7,9, PW,SW, putter will be more than enough. If you buy a full set, leave the driver and the others in the closet until you are comfortable with the ones you take to the course.

Spend the money you save on clubs on lessons. Find a teacher who uses a video camera to record your swing and to show you what you are doing that is right and wrong. The problem with golf teachers is that they speak in a foreign language that ordinary people do not understand ("you need to get the clubhead in the slot"; "you are casting"; "you have a reverse pivot"). If you can see what it is they are trying to tell you, there is a chance you will learn something. Finally, never listen to your husband or significant other. That is a sure way to damage a relationship.

Enjoy! Golf is the greatest of all games and the most challenging.

Take lessons, not from a friend ! Maria Brooks is a wonderful teacher, she will be able to help you.....learn from a woman....
She will make sure you have fun, and don’t annoy the golfers around you.
If you are not having fun, why are you golfing ?
When I started to golf, people would always ask “ are you having fun ? “ and we’re very supportive. It made me love the game !

I’m 5’8” and use men’s. My husband ha chosen a set of Cleveland hybrids that he wanted and I gifted him with them. I’d just started learning to play golf with his old clubs and he decided that he didn’t like the hybrids, so I took them. I’m like them and am playing pretty well (hit from gold tees). I had a driver that someone gave me (women’s club). I tried my husband’s Ping Driver and 4 Wood, loved them, found an online store that sells used clubs and bought the exact ones he had for a couple hundred dollars or so. I also had the larger grips put on since the others didn’t feel good to me. Happy camper!

Totally agree! A female instructor understands the “obstacles” that we have (boobs) that a male instructor doesn’t get. I got “blessed” in that department and my husband simply couldn’t understand why I couldn’t hold my club closer, as he did. I strapped on one of my sports bras with apples in them and asked him to try to swing the club like he always did. He FINALLY got my point! :spoken::bowdown:

Yes, Get professionally fitted
 

I agree with that Wilson fellow. Get professionally fitted at one of our many fine retailers. I, like him, have had good luck at Golf Central in Brownwood. See JIm. Tell him I sent you. There is so much more to a proper club purchase than just your height. Swing speed, launch angle, shot shape...get fitted.

The Poster has never played golf before.

She doesn't yet have a "swing speed, launch angle or shot shape". What she has at this point, are the physical characteristics of her body.

That's helpful, thanks.....

Oohh, that's funny, but true.....

Biceps
 

Sound like perfect guides for ideal biceps/elbow placement.