A commonly asked question: why would I benefit from a fitting when I can get the same clubs on the second hand market for cheaper? Does that sound familiar? The honest answer is both are right.
Why go to the second hand market
If you're just starting out as a golfer, the second hand market is a great place to begin. You can look in multiple places, Facebook Marketplace, specialist retailers such as Golf Clubs For Cash, and similar, and find a quality used set. Quite often these retailers can give you advice on what would best suit you, and with how broad the market is, there's a high chance you'll find quality clubs in the specs you need to get started.
It's also worth having a lesson and asking your coach's opinion on what clubs would suit you. Coaches have a wealth of knowledge and experience in what could best suit your swing. Alongside this, going for a genuine fitting can give you a good grounding on which direction to take. Many high street golf shops offer a free fitting where you can get your specs, or you can go to your local golf club and pay a fitting fee to get fitted properly. The added benefit of getting it done at your local club is that your own coach can often be involved in the fitting. They already know your swing better than anyone, since they're the one coaching you.
Once you've got your specs, finding the right clubs becomes much easier, and there's often someone local who can alter second hand clubs to match your specs. Compared to buying a brand new set, this whole process is ultimately a lot cheaper.
"Starting out on second hand clubs for the first few months isn't a bad idea at all. It really is personal preference."
Where new clubs have the advantage
While second hand clubs can work out cheaper in the long run, the process can be quite lengthy. It's not always easy to find the exact clubs you need, and the quality you receive isn't always guaranteed. We've all got a mate who swears his old three iron is still "tour spec" despite the state of it.
This is where buying a brand new, properly fitted set has its advantages. Having the fitting done in one place means you can go back if anything goes wrong, whether the head becomes loose, the shaft isn't performing as expected, or the specs simply aren't quite right, it's straightforward to return to where you bought them.
In my own experience buying new clubs, one of them broke, and because it was still under warranty I received a brand new replacement free of charge within a matter of weeks. I can't say this is true of every manufacturer or exactly how long warranty periods last, but having a warranty included with a new set of clubs is a genuine perk, particularly as you improve and start pushing your equipment harder. Depending on where you buy from, some retailers will check you're happy with your clubs straight after your first hit, then follow up again a few months later to see if anything needs adjusting.
There are genuine perks and pitfalls to both routes, and ultimately it comes down to you as the player. Starting out on second hand clubs for the first few months isn't a bad idea at all, then once you've played for a while and your swing becomes more established, looking at a properly fitted new set could be worth putting on the agenda. It really is personal preference.