Better starter set than Tommy Armour 845s for under $100?

[Jack Pearsall]

a GI set that won't break the bank and he can grow into

He has wanted to learn - at 52 - how to play the game. I play blades, so my odds and sods are not a good fit. I got him to agree to some lessons, which he has purchased but not gone to yet.

I remember playing Tommy Armour 845s cavity back irons for a few years, and they seemed to be rather nice cast clubs for the price.

But the time of 845s was a long time ago.
Can you think of a better starter set (new or used) for a golf noob that cost $100-150?
I appreciate your help. Thanks.

[MB GOLF]

Great set of irons...as long as there are grooves left.

They have a little offset to assist hand position, but not too much if you decide later to move to a blade of some sort.

When they came out, MANY professionals and beginners had them in their bag.

Being cast, there is not the ability to "tweak" the lies and loft, but if you are of average height and size... they should be a GREAT club for someone in your position.

Good Luck!

[MJP22]

I was a fan of the TaylorMade RAC OS2. Should be able to find a set of these irons on the 'bay for that price range.

[darkhelmet]

[quote name='MJP22' timestamp='1331827982' post='4513395']
I was a fan of the TaylorMade RAC OS2. Should be able to find a set of these irons on the 'bay for that price range.
[/quote]


+1 on the RAC OS/OS2. Also, Callaway X-16 or X-18 (not the pro series, just the regular x irons) would be a good fit. Some of the big-box stores carry lots of used irons these days -- I would take him there and have him hit a few of these to see what looks/feels best to him. Let him make the choice so that he feels more confident in the clubs, but make sure you keep him away from irons that are too blade-y or too SGI.

[duffer888]

Looking back, when I started playing, I wish someone told me to just get a set of Ping Eye2s and play them until you get down to the mid-80s. Would have saved me alot of money.

[raidernut1234]

Adams A7 irons or Pro Gold's can be had for that budget, also consider...
Cleveland TA7 pro
+1 on Taylormade Rac's but find the LT's.
good luck

[Jack Pearsall]

[quote name='darkhelmet' timestamp='1331829443' post='4513515']
[quote name='MJP22' timestamp='1331827982' post='4513395']
I was a fan of the TaylorMade RAC OS2. Should be able to find a set of these irons on the 'bay for that price range.
[/quote]


+1 on the RAC OS/OS2. Also, Callaway X-16 or X-18 (not the pro series, just the regular x irons) would be a good fit. Some of the big-box stores carry lots of used irons these days -- I would take him there and have him hit a few of these to see what looks/feels best to him. Let him make the choice so that he feels more confident in the clubs, but make sure you keep him away from irons that are too blade-y or too SGI.
[/quote]

That's a nice insight about him picking the clubs. Thanks.

[HackerVance]

You are correct on the 845s. They are cheap, usually under $50. I've paid $34 and $25 for full sets. I have often thought that there is no better deal on used irons around. They are also very good irons.

[MadGolfer76]

No PING Eye2 suggestions yet?

You could also look for a set of Hogan BH-5's. Offset or otherwise.

[junkfry]

Check into the 855s Golden Scots. Super-easy to hit with graphite shafts. At 52 this would be a good match.

[coachwalls]

Ping i3 Osize. He might spend a couple dollars more but not a lot. He'll never have to buy another set though. For an older beginner JZ cushion regular flex would probably fit very well. Graphite might be okay but I would want to see the shafts in person before buying to make sure there weren't any nicks in them.

845's tend to have a swing weights on the light side and shafts that are way to stiff. Tons of offset too which can make alignment harder for a beginner even though offset is supposed to help beginners.

[quote name='Jack Pearsall' timestamp='1331826751' post='4513267']
He has wanted to learn - at 52 - how to play the game. I play blades, so my odds and sods are not a good fit. I got him to agree to some lessons, which he has purchased but not gone to yet.

I remember playing Tommy Armour 845s cavity back irons for a few years, and they seemed to be rather nice cast clubs for the price.

But the time of 845s was a long time ago.
Can you think of a better [b]starter set[/b] (new or used) for a golf noob that cost $100-150?
I appreciate your help. Thanks.
[/quote]

[DigDugDig]

Really can't go wrong with Ping Eye 2's...

BIG THEORETICAL LEAP: See if you can find some with gold or brown dots so he learns to swing in a more rotary way.

[Joe9977]

Looking back, when I started playing, I wish someone told me to just get a set of Ping Eye2s and play them until you get down to the mid-80s. Would have saved me alot of money.

 

Agreed. If you're looking for a great set of forged irons, check out Bridgestone. Best clubs IMO, check out j33, 36, etc.

[ezmorningrebel]

Mizuno MX-23s

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Agreed on the RAC, that's what I bought my son for his first adult set of irons. If, and when he plays more seriously we can upgrade them.

[dmarch]

Another vote for the rac OS. Both of my sons had these as their first 'real' set of irons. Number 2 son still plays them.

[oakhill]

Any of the Wilson Staff Di or Ci series....Criminally underrated !

[chrismikayla]

Any Callaway x series irons from x-12 to x20. Adams A4R or some of the Cleveland TA series.

[MtlJeff]

There's any number of decent irons sets from 2003-2007 or whatever that you can find on racks now for minimal dollars

 

Plenty of good golfers have started with Tommy Armour 845's though

 

Myself being one of them!!!!

[cgasucks]

They're still my gamers....had them when I first started golfing in 2000...sold them...went through a few sets (which I still have) and back to them again...for $100 for 1-SW off of Craigslist

 

Tremendous value for a tour proven set of irons

[TUGolfer06]

I still play my nearly 20 year old Taylor Made Burner Oversize irons 90% of the time. (Other set are Cobra Carbon CB's) They are "Oversized" in name only by 2016 standards. They were the perfect compromise between the Burner Tour and Burner LCG's when they were released.

 

My set is still in great shape and almost always a conversion piece on the first tee. IMO, these are among the best irons ever made.

[martinbns]

845's are great, my memory of them was DG shafts, so 130 grams. Too heavy for me at 53.

 

If you could find a decent set of Taylor made r7 irons, they are nice or a set of Mizuno JPX 800's.

[bstring]

Shaft weight is going to be very important for a beginner in his 50's. He hasn't got years of "Golf" muscles built up. A number of the older 845's or eye2's, etc will be fine. (oooh Cleveland TA5's. Killer beginner to mid 80's clubs) The big thing I believe is shaft weight. Find him something with light weight steel or quality (if older) graphite shafts. It can be really fun helping people start playing Golf. Especially when they learn correctly from the start. Less bad habits

[boggyman]

Any of the Wilson Staff Di or Ci series....Criminally underrated !

Yes indeed!!