What’s an appropriate set for a 15-year-old who’s enthusiastic about learning but realizes he could quickly outgrow whatever he buys? (I’ve diligently attempted to research this point, but most of what’s available assumes you know what you want, and the “advice” provided is limited to recommending places to get it.)
A 15 year old boy probably will never outgrow golf clubs. What I mean is he will probably use regulation size clubs from now on. The advice I would give is not to buy expensive clubs for a beginner. Golf is a very hard game and many people who try it simply quit or play only once a year or so when invited. So forget the Titleists or Pings or Hogans and get a cheap set for around $200 (including woods). Tell him when he breaks 90 (or 100 if your a softie) then he can shop for a nice set. Better clubs are meaningless to a golfer unless they’re shooting sub 90 anyway. You can acyually go to Golfsmith and they will custom build a set for him for pretty cheap. Or go used.
15 years old is old enough for a full sized set, unless he’s particualrly small for his age. They may be a bit big for him, but as you say, he’ll grow into them soon enough.
But, as Lamar says, don’t go wasting your money on the flashiest set you can get. A beginner’s set will do, or second-hand. It’s also worth considering buying a half-set, without all the clubs. A 15 year old might find the full set a bit much to carry around, and you can still complete a very reasonable round without every single club to hand.
…if you’re a softie…
I hate it when commit one of my own pet peeves.
You mean I’m supposed to shoot UNDER 100?
Let me be more specific about the “growth” issue. My son is 6’-3", and the most recent three inches of that growth occurred in the last 8 months.
Buy him a basketball instead.
If you’ve got a Sports Authority near, go posthaste. They have a full set (3-PW, 3 woods, putter) and stand bag with shoulder straps for about $139. We just bought a set for the SO’s nephew, who just turned 16 and is 5’10". Seem to be a pretty decent set, and should last him 'til he decides to keep playing and upgrade, or not, and we didn’t waste that much money.
Try asking the nearest High School golf coach. He will probably know where to get a good used set. There’s always a kid that couldn’t hang and has a set to get rid of. Same with musical instruments.
As a 6’5" golfer, I would think that your son will likely need to get clubs that are lengthened. It helps a lot. However, a lot depends upon how long the arms are.
Oh, another thing about the length of the clubs, basically the rule of thumb for clubs is that standard off-the-shelf clubs for men are designed for the height range of 5’10" to 6’1".
The size/length of golf clubs is not really by age so much as height. My 15 year old has been using full size clubs since he was 13. This is his fourth set of clubs. Itty bitty 3 to 6 year old clubs, then a junior set and then an off the shelf set. Now he has a much nier (not quite tip top of the line but very nice for his age and available funds) set that he bought used off of someone he met who was upgrading their clubs. In golf like many life situations networking can be a useful tool, with good manners and people skills your son can meet other people while playing that when they are buying new sets are happy to sell used sets for really reasonable amounts to other enthusiasts.
If your son is already 6’3 many off the shelf clubs will be too short. It doesn’t cost anything to take him to a pro shop and have him “fitted”; Once you know what length shaft he needs, I’d recommend you look at pawn shops and golf club repair places.
Abby, please explain your last remark about “fitting” and choosing a “length.” The length will obviously vary with each club. Is there a particular club that is used as the index, as to which all other clubs are sized commensurately? If so, what club is that? And what is the basis upon which that “index” club is sized? (As you can see, I know nothing about this.)
Make sure, if your son is going to be liking accuracy more often, to check the size of the grip itself. If his hands are anything like his frame sizewise, perhaps his hands need a bigger grip so the club will feel that much more solid. The pro shop will know more about this.
6’ what…you may have to ask the basketball coach instead.:rolleyes: Sorry, it’s late.
Since you’re looking for advice, I’ll move this thread to IMHO.
Costco right now has a set of Golden Bears, for about $279.99. It comes with 3 woods, 3-PW, a golf bag, and maybe some other crap I didn’t see when I walked by. That would do him right fine if the price is acceptable.
My first set was from Costco when I was 16. Although I dropped $600 on a set of Ping ISI-Ss the following year…
If I may, I’ll take a shot at this. If you take your son to a reputable golf shop or club builder, they’ll take his measurements (or just eyeball it) and have him swing different length clubs (usually a five iron) on a fitting machine (they should have one). The fitting machine will give stats like swing speed, angle, etc. Once they determine which club seems to be the best length, they can then cut each club in the set appropriately. If you go to a club fitter (and don’t buy the set there) be expected to pay $50-100 for the fitting and the spec’s. Once you have your son’s specs, you can shop online and order a set using the specs.
As you’re probably aware by now, buying a custom set of sticks, even the low end, is a pricey proposition. I just had a custom set made by a local reputable builder (saved up for this for a while), and 3-PW, irons only, ran $900. (This set should last me 5-10 years and I play 2-3 times a week) Do a google on golfsmith, and/or golf club builders, and you’ll get plenty of hits and professional advice.
Am I to understand that all “off-the-rack” clubs are sized the same way, and that if I am to get my 6’-3" kid clubs that fit him I will need to get them “custom-cut”?
The short answer is yes.
If you’re getting your son a set of clubs to go out with the folks once a month, I’d buy a set off the shelf. If y’all have aspirations of making the high school golf team, or if he wants to play serious to get to a certain level of competition (which will require lessons and a devotion to practice) then get him a custom set. It’s sort of like buying a bike, if he needs a bike to play with and get from point A to point B and beat the crap out of it, buy department store. If he wants to compete, and the bike becomes the focal point, then you buy a fitted bike from a good bike shop.