$1,750 Ping Vouchers for free - what clubs to buy? - Beginner

[IcyPhilosopher]

In Japan there is a tax scheme whereby if you pay your tax early you can earn free gifts from a local district. As a result I have 125,000 yen ($800) in Ping vouchers, and I can apply for a further 150,000 yen ($950) in vouchers this year for Total $1,750.

In others word I received $1,750 Ping vouchers for free.

 

I'm a beginner looking to build a bag and so looking to maximise the voucher to of course spend real money instead on lessons

 

If you had $1,750 in Ping vouchers to start a bag for a beginner which clubs would you buy and in what order? The vouchers can only be used on G440 models and include a free fitting.

 

For reference Japan pricing for each club in $ is: Driver $690, Fairway Wood $430, Hybrid $370, Iron/Wedge $205

 

Thinking 7 clubs to start a bag, already have a putter and can be topped up with 2nd hand clubs (and recommendations for these are welcome) - what would you do?

(In Jan 2026 I could also get another $950 in vouchers...)

[Volnut]

Is there an option nearby to get fitted? 

 

Also, I'd look at the 430 stuff as it should be discounted now, which may allow you more clubs than 7. No offense, but you won't be able to tell any difference in the 430 vs 440 gear (nor would most players). There are marginal improvements at best generation over generation. I read somewhere earlier that the average golfer buys a new driver every 6 years (or something to that effect). The 440 isn't for the guy that already has a 430, WRXers aside of course. 

 

Best of luck. Keep us posted. 

 

 

[hook_or_slice]

17 hours ago, IcyPhilosopher said:

In Japan there is a tax scheme whereby if you pay your tax early you can earn free gifts from a local district. As a result I have 125,000 yen ($800) in Ping vouchers, and I can apply for a further 150,000 yen ($950) in vouchers this year for Total $1,750.

In others word I received $1,750 Ping vouchers for free.

 

I'm a beginner looking to build a bag and so looking to maximise the voucher to of course spend real money instead on lessons

 

If you had $1,750 in Ping vouchers to start a bag for a beginner which clubs would you buy and in what order? The vouchers can only be used on G440 models and include a free fitting.

 

For reference Japan pricing for each club in $ is: Driver $690, Fairway Wood $430, Hybrid $370, Iron/Wedge $205

 

Thinking 7 clubs to start a bag, already have a putter and can be topped up with 2nd hand clubs (and recommendations for these are welcome) - what would you do?

(In Jan 2026 I could also get another $950 in vouchers...)

 

Get as many irons as you can.

Start with the sand wedge and work your way up. Looks like you can get 6-SW.

 

If you can get fitted try to do that. If not do Ping's online webfit.

 

Get a used driver, 5 or 7 wood and a 4 or 5 hybrid used.

[IcyPhilosopher]

It includes a free Ping fitting

 

Using the vouchers you cannot get G430s. Only latest models such as G440 and G730 etc.

I did get the voucher orginally thinking I could get G430 with the price decrease but it was refused.

[NRJyzr]

2 hours ago, hook_or_slice said:

 

Get as many irons as you can.

Start with the sand wedge and work your way up. Looks like you can get 6-SW.

 

If you can get fitted try to do that. If not do Ping's online webfit.

 

Get a used driver, 5 or 7 wood and a 4 or 5 hybrid used.

 

100% agree with this 

 

[Ca3l]

I don’t think there’s an obvious best answer here. You’ll be happy with whatever route you take.

 

For a complete beginner, I’d probably recommend getting irons and wedges though. Three main reasons:

1.) the pricing/value is better on the irons and wedges than the rest (at least compared to how pricing is in the U.S.)

2.) ping makes a great beginner friendly iron set (g series)

3.) it’s possible (probable?) you’ll put some sky marks on your driver and fairway woods while you’re learning. Start off with a cheap second hand one that you’re not worried about damaging so you can swing freely, then buy the new one with your credit in a year or two. You’ll get a better quality fitting once you’re out of the complete beginner phase, too.

Edited February 2 by Ca3l

[GoldenAges]

I'd go in open minded. If you really like the driver and fairway woods/hybrids you could get D, 3w, 5w or hybrid mix and get second hand irons and wedges. Take your time to determine if you prefer fw or hybrids.

 

If you really like the irons and wedges, you can get those and Ping has good putters, too. You may find you like the driver, irons and putter and fill in the rest. 

 

Things to consider financially, a good used Ping putter is good value, although may need 2 strips of lead tape across the sole. My buddy just bought two new in wrapper TaylorMade SIM2 FW woods for $200 each from ebay I think. Wilson, Mizuno and Srixon metal woods are great value. TaylorMade, Ping and Titleist are quite popular throughout all their clubs. It's always good to try before you buy, if possible to give you a good idea of what you like and dislike.

 

I've got a 7 year old Titleist TS2 fw wood I've had for about a year that was great value and does exactly what I want it to do. If I bought new it would've been $$$ more and I prefer this club over everything else I've tried to date. 

[hammergolf]

On 2/1/2025 at 7:34 PM, IcyPhilosopher said:

It includes a free Ping fitting

 

Using the vouchers you cannot get G430s. Only latest models such as G440 and G730 etc.

I did get the voucher orginally thinking I could get G430 with the price decrease but it was refused.

I would get a full set of irons. Then you can add the woods as needed later

[is1ander]

On 2/1/2025 at 1:26 AM, IcyPhilosopher said:

In Japan there is a tax scheme whereby if you pay your tax early you can earn free gifts from a local district. As a result I have 125,000 yen ($800) in Ping vouchers, and I can apply for a further 150,000 yen ($950) in vouchers this year for Total $1,750.

In others word I received $1,750 Ping vouchers for free.

 

I'm a beginner looking to build a bag and so looking to maximise the voucher to of course spend real money instead on lessons

 

If you had $1,750 in Ping vouchers to start a bag for a beginner which clubs would you buy and in what order? The vouchers can only be used on G440 models and include a free fitting.

 

For reference Japan pricing for each club in $ is: Driver $690, Fairway Wood $430, Hybrid $370, Iron/Wedge $205

 

Thinking 7 clubs to start a bag, already have a putter and can be topped up with 2nd hand clubs (and recommendations for these are welcome) - what would you do?

(In Jan 2026 I could also get another $950 in vouchers...)

 

Driver and irons Pw to 7, 5 hybrid or 9w and a 56 degree wedge. A good golfer can shoot 80s or 70s with just those clubs. An expert golfer can shoot 60s.

 

[JAMH03]

Quote

If you had $1,750 in Ping vouchers to start a bag for a beginner which clubs would you buy and in what order? The vouchers can only be used on G440 models and include a free fitting.

 

For reference Japan pricing for each club in $ is: Driver $690, Fairway Wood $430, Hybrid $370, Iron/Wedge $205

With those prices I can see why people are saying get as many irons as possible, it'll take a few years of tax returns to get 14 sure fire starters and favorites.

Still though, I'd get a fitted Putter, Driver, Wedges, the sauciest bag I can afford,  utilitarian irons. Then add and upgrade as needed.

This is a do as I say not as I did for sure but here's my reasoning.

A putter fit to you will have better misses, you'll get better return on your practice time. You'll use it on nearly every hole. It can grow into your "old faithful"
saving you both $$$ experimenting and time improving.

Same w/driver and wedges. I absolutely wouldn't chase the newest driver but get something good.

The reason everyone else is advocating irons might be irons are more likely to last and people tend to be more fickle in their tastes w/other clubs.

But in JP their are used tour level irons available used for reasonable prices. So in my imagination I can imagine doing things this way can get you everything you need to score well, look good while setting a foundation for future enjoyment via improvement.

Putter, Driver, wedges, bag.

Please let us know what you ended up with and how you're enjoying them @IcyPhilosopher

[HGLucky13]

I would go for the top of the bag. Get the best fit driver, a fairway wood (maybe a 4 or 5 wood) and a Hybrid to round out the top of your bag. For irons you can get an older set that will still be about as good as a newer set and save a bunch of money. I think the drivers/woods benefit from newer tech more so than the irons. 

[HudsonSalyers]

i would start with getting a good driver, 3 wood, and hybrid. i would then head to putter because in my opinion ur tee off clubs and putter are most important so i would look for irons and wedges last.

[joe perry]

If you are a beginner don’t get a 3 wood 

 

get a 5 wood or 7 wood based on what your fitter says is a better fit for you swing speed and launch characteristics 

[stratgolf]

On 2/1/2025 at 6:26 PM, IcyPhilosopher said:

In Japan there is a tax scheme whereby if you pay your tax early you can earn free gifts from a local district. As a result I have 125,000 yen ($800) in Ping vouchers, and I can apply for a further 150,000 yen ($950) in vouchers this year for Total $1,750.

In others word I received $1,750 Ping vouchers for free.

 

I'm a beginner looking to build a bag and so looking to maximise the voucher to of course spend real money instead on lessons

 

If you had $1,750 in Ping vouchers to start a bag for a beginner which clubs would you buy and in what order? The vouchers can only be used on G440 models and include a free fitting.

 

For reference Japan pricing for each club in $ is: Driver $690, Fairway Wood $430, Hybrid $370, Iron/Wedge $205

 

Thinking 7 clubs to start a bag, already have a putter and can be topped up with 2nd hand clubs (and recommendations for these are welcome) - what would you do?

(In Jan 2026 I could also get another $950 in vouchers...)

 

I would try and get fitted for irons, come back and get woods later.

[NNJ]

On 7/15/2025 at 5:06 AM, stratgolf said:

 

I would try and get fitted for irons, come back and get woods later.

I agree re: irons and maybe a putter

 

people who like the G series irons keep them for 5-10 years, even as handicaps drop (check the G-Men thread). Case in point, there are low single caps on this forum still using G series clubs. Worst case you may need to swap shafts out in a few years if you start swinging faster. If you find a putter you like grab that too.
 

With Japan’s used club scene being as great as it is, I’d grab used woods until your game improves (but def use your fitting to see what kind of lofts, shafts, lie angles etc work for you).

 

Love ping wedges but I am not sure if I’d use that money on a wedge when you can sometimes find brand new forgiving wedges on Golfpartner from a few years ago, still in plastic, for pennies on the dollar 

[Trouble_shooter]

Irons, ping makes great irons that will stay in your bag for years to come. 

[ShortGolfer]

Stay away from the 3 wood.  Folks carry it around in their bag and never use it.

 

First clubs should be driver and putter.  I assume you will be learning golf on a range.  You can learn to use the putter in your apartment with a putting mat.  The putting mat in front of my TV gets more use than the TV!

Next club should be a 7 iron.

If you get a Sand Wedge you will have enough clubs to get around a golf course.  Four clubs for a very basic set.

 

That said, I bought a 3HL for my minimalist lefty set, as I now have years of practice swinging a golf club.  l also have better fine motion skills on my left side.  My right side is stronger because I live in a right side dominated world.  The 3HL can be used off the tee and fairway with more difficulty than driver.  But driver is really the club you want to bring to a range.

 

I would not buy used clubs in Japan.  The whole idea behind the vouchers is to power the economy with purchases of new stuff.

 

Similarly, golf courses provide a lot of good jobs where I live. I treat the workers with respect for the good work they do.

I don't think it was an accident that I was the one to finish a round before they turned on the sprinklers the other day on the last hole, the 9th.

Edited July 24 by ShortGolfer