Golfers: Looking for input on beginner to midrange level club set.

[BillGates]

After a golfing hiatus, I have decided to start playing again, and the ghetto set I bought in grade school with paper route money at a local department store is starting to embarass me. I have hit much better with nicer sets and know that a new set would do me well.

I have started looking around and most of the local chain type sporting good stores seem to carry the same brands: Ram, Dunlop, Wilson, and Golden Bear. Has anyone heard anything good or bad about these sets?

I have also considered specialty shops but for some reason always feel like I'm getting ripped off at stores like that, even though they sometimes make you "deals" on things.

Finally, I considered places like "Play It Again Sports" (local chain?? not sure) which has new and used clubs, but I haven't checked them out yet. I just remember they used to have a lot from when I was younger.

I searched and found a thread where one guy was a custom club maker and swore by them as opposed to "OEM" sets. I do know that an OEM set is never going to fit you quite as well as a custom set, but customs may be a bit out of my price range.

Any comments?

BTW - My price range is $200-$300.

 

[vi edit]

I bought a used set of Ping Eye 2's (3-SW) from a pro-shop at a city course for $220.

Nice clubs for the money. For my drivers I just use the dirt cheap dunlops that I got with my starter set. I can hit just as well with them as guys with clubs worth 20x as much as mine

 

[vi edit]

BTW - we'll have to hit a course sometime this fall

 

[BillGates]

Why not this summer?

Anyhow - I'm just beginning to shop around for new sticks, so I'm just gathering input on brands, stores, etc. I'd MUCH rather have bling bling Pings over any aforementioned brands if I can get that type of deal!

 

[BAMAVOO]

I am still using a custom set I got for $200 over 5 years ago. They are DCI knockoffs and I hit them well. I really would like something a little bigger though. The cavity is small and almost blade like. Still I have shot a 36 with them, so I keep playing.

My all time favorites are still ping eye 2's though. Square groove if you can find them.

 

[BillGates]

Bump for the day crew. Thanks!