I am new to the Metroplex and I have played golf very little, and I have never had formal lessons. Where is the best place to get clubs and play as a beginner?

I haven't been there yet, but you might look for clubs at 2nd Swing. I'd encourage you to get used clubs. But before that, I might recommend that you call Golftec and sign up for a lesson package, and ask them what single club you need -- its either a 5 iron or 7 iron. Maybe they have a loaner you can use. Then, they can do a club fitting for you and they also sell clubs that would be custom fitted. At the least, you have a better idea what you need.

If for whatever reason you can't go to Golftec, I'd recommend you find a set of clubs used fairly cheaply. I don't think it would make much sense to buy a new set of clubs only to find out in 3 months or a year that you don't like them or want something different as your game progresses.

I play with Mizuno MP-33 blade irons. I'm not a scratch golfer, in fact, not really even close to that. However, I've played with blades since I started and I think thats the best way to learn the game. The so-called game improvement clubs don't "improve" your game. They may just mask swing flaws. That's fine for people who say, "I just want to play with the swing I have and deal with it." If that's your attitude, then get a set of Callaways and go for it.

Also keep in mind that 3-9 irons aren't necessarily the most important clubs in your bag. Wedges are very important and you may want different brand wedges (including sand and lob, if you want to carry those) from your irons. I use Titleist Wedges. In addition, fairway woods are important and I'd recommend you learn to use those as proficiently as possible before moving onto a driver. I know guys want to get a hot driver and rip it, but if you have a wicked slice that sends it into a lake, the driver won't do you any good. 225 yards on a drive, fairly straight, from a 3 woood would do much better and you'll get under 100 much faster (trust me on this -- I've put a fortune in balls in the water).

Before I went to Golftec (Bogart Golf is another, similar place -- both do video analysis), I took lessons from the Nike school. They have those (or did -- check the web) at various courses around DFW. I had a good teacher, but since it was a class, there were a lot of things he talked about that I didn't really pick up until later -- didn't understand them on the first time. Examples: spine angle, slot, etc. Regardless of where you start, you can not beat video lessons. What you THINK you are doing and what you are actually doing, especially when you start, are two VERY different things. If you see yourself on video, you likely will grasp things faster.

One thing you can do now, and without clubs, is stretch. Flexibility, including upper body, may make the difference in how fast you improve.

Good luck and have fun.

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it, I had heard of Golftech, but not 2nd swing, but I will check it out. You are the first person whom has told me to learn with blades, but what you are saying makes sense.

Whatever you do, don't start learning bad habits at the get go (i.e. turning the club head to compensate for a slice, turning your body because you have a hook etc.)Tough it out and learn the correct way. Drop a few bucks and enlist lesson from a local pro. I have a bunch of golfing buddies that have taken up bad habits and henceforth, their game has plateaued due to compensation techniques.

most people dont recommend starting with blades because they are very difficult to hit. They dont want you to get frustrated and quit before you ever get going. I've got my eye on a mixed set from Hogan, but I'm much better with my lower irons then my long irons. And dont get into the quick fix routine, it does nothing but cause problems. Also make friends with people that are on a range every day. They'll point out a hitch in your swing for free 9 times outta 10.

It isn't that much more difficult to hit a 7 iron blade than a cavity. At 5 iron, it gets tougher and 3 iron and higher (if you want to go higher) gets really tough. But since most blades are forged and most cavities are cast iron, a lot of people like me like the blades for the feel.

Ironically, I think Titleist vokey wedges have the best feel, and they are a cast. Also, an older set of blades, say a Titleist set produced in the early nineties or before can be had cheaper than, say, newer used Calloways, so as a first set for learning, I think its good. Most new golfers aren't going to be able to hit a 3 iron Calloway real well anyway, so what's the difference? Besides, with more and more using fairway woods (check my advice above on that), it marginalizes the longer irons and makes blades/cavities debate less important.