Buying clubs as a present

Hi everyone,
It's my dad's 60th birthday soon, and he's a keen golfer, but has been playing with the same set of clubs for years now. I thought it would be a nice idea to surprise him with a new set.

He plays once or twice a week, and I believe his handicap is in the 11-13 region. I'm looking to spend up to about 500 quid on a set. Can anyone give me any direction or advice on what I should be looking for, as I'm a total novice at golf myself.

It would be nice to let him choose his own, and get measured etc for them, but I know he wont let me spend as much money as I want to on them. Same thing with a store credit, he'd begrudge spending it on himself, the old tight wad haha.. But I don't want him to end up with something he doesn't want.

Hi
go and see a good pro and tell him what you want, he will set up a fitting for your dad to be measured for his new clubs and that way your dad gets to pick what clubs he wants too. fitted clubs are the way to go and not clubs off the shelf.
i know if i got up on xmas morning to find i had to go get fitted for new clubs i would be over the moon and excited too and would spend most of the day looking at clubs i could have.
you could always try and have him fitted saying you were going to have his old clubs adjusted for him and that way know his fitting for new clubs and if you know the make of clubs he likes then that way you could have the clubs xmas day.
best of luck.
bill.

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I'm with Bill. Go find a clubmaker, explain what you want to do. He or she should be able to ballpark a price for you - offer to pay him half upfront so that he knows you're serious.

Then just leave an 'appointment card' for your father with the fitter at your fathers' place.