I have just decided that I am going to start playing golf for the first time since I learned how in 7th grade (15 years ago). I am looking to buy an inexpensive set to see if I enjoy the game. Craigslist has three local listings. Would anybody recommend these? Thanks for the help.

- "A new set of lady's Dunlop Exceed clubs, 3-pw, 1,3,5 woods with head covers plus bag & putter. This is an excellent set for a beginer, $120."
- "LADIES MIZUNO WOODS & IRONS - FULL SET. GRAPHITE SHAFTS. GOOD STARTER SET. INCLUDES TAYLOR MADE GOLF BAG. $200 OR BEST OFFER."
- "Really nice...only used once, complete set. Foremost Tour 250 brand ladies golf clubs. 3 drivers, putter, "S" wedge, and 3 irons. Deal includes clubs, black and blue nylon bag, 9 new balls, and one ladies left-handed glove, used once (size small). $90."

Welcome to the board!
Well, of those 3 sets, Mizuno is the highest quality. No telling how old the set is. I'd check that one out.
2nd choice would be Dunlop.
Don't bother with the $90 deal.
Since you are in lovely SanDiego, playing in the winter isn't an issue, so you can then sign up for some lessons and get a good start!

Nuby,
Welcome to the board and glad you're going to take up the game again. Craigslist can be a good place to find a deal, just make sure they're in good shape. I agree with Aimee, the Mizuno's are the best made clubs of the 3 so if they're in good shape (no major cuts on the sole of the club, etc), they'd be the ones I'd recommend, followed by the Dunlop. But it might also depend on what clubs they're including as part of the deal.

You can also find good deals on eBay too. And while I haven't looked at the quality of ladies clubs, some of your local golf stores sometimes sell used clubs on consignment and you might find a nice deal there and be able to take the clubs out before buying. So those are just a couple more options.

let us know what you decide on and how you like them.

Welcome to the forum, Nuby!

Check out Golf Mart in San Diego for used clubs and to demo some clubs.
1231 Camino Del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 298-9571

Or Golfsmith
SD Mission Valley
824 Camino Del Rio N
San Diego, CA 92108
619.497.0568

Their sister branch is Roger Dunn Golf here in the south bay.

I started out with a set from Costco, and have moved on from there.

You also should contact PineMeadows for prices on a set of irons. Might be a better deal in the long run. They have a link on this site so you can find them pretty easily. Welcome to the site, and come back often and bring a friend next time.

Thanks everybody. I'll try to make my way to Mission Valley sometime soon. I want to start lessons next week!
This is the latest craigslist posting:
"NITRO GOLF CLUBS BRAND NEW IN BAG w/ Covers - $90 Brand new-with the bag and the velvet covers for selected clubs. These say Ladies or womens on some but it is a set of matching clubs. Photos will better explain. I was offered $60 by a golf reseller/pawn shop and he said that he would only be able to sell them for about $150."

Nitro is not a reputable brand like Mizuno or Dunlop.
Don't be so focused on getting the cheapest set, you usually get what you pay for.
As we've discussed with lots of other beginners in the same boat as you, starting out with inferior tools just makes it harder to learn and get a good start.

I agree with Aimee, my biggest concern is the quality of the clubs you'll get. Also, in reading the ad, it looks like the seller might not be quite sure what he has given they say "These say Ladies or womens on some but it is a set of matching clubs". If there were a true matching set of clubs, wouldn't they all be labeled the same?

Nitro was company that made inexpensive golf balls and its possible that as a promotion they made some inexpensive irons as well, or these could be manufactured by a small market company trying to latch on to the limited-popularity name of Nitro. But doing a Google search I couldn't find any other link to Nitro golf clubs other than the Craigslist ad which should tell you something.

I'd navigate towards a more name brand used set than be drawn in by the low cost of these. It's sort of like all those cheap deals you find on off-brand electronics gadgets during the holiday season: Ronco 7" portable dvd player .. $10... You usdually get what you pay for. But good luck either way and keep us posted on how the lessons go.

Nuby, you don't really need to have clubs to begin lessons. Many teachers will have some available for you to use. Can you borrow a friend's clubs for awhile? You don't need a full set to begin lessons. An 8 or 9 iron or a pitching wedge would do. If you can put this off for just a little while, you'll quickly have a better idea what clubs would be good for you, and your teacher can help.
Welcome!
Laney

I see ads for Nitro clubs all the time in the Big Five ad. Cheap clubs for around $100 a set. Not what I would ever recommend to anyone. Remember, a golf club is just a "tool". It you want to learn to play golf, get some decent "tools". Don't handicap yourself with poor quality tools. You also should know that some of those cheap sets come with alumimun woods and driver. Not much good and pretty much useless in fact. Alumimun is too soft, and you only get about 2/3 of the distance with an aluminum driver. Christmas is right around the corner and sales on golf clubs are all over the place, and it's only going to get better in the next week or so.