Started Apr. 13th 2011
Made Legend Aug. 6th 2011
Probably spent $120-$150 on clubs and balls. The only wasted money was on the Spider and Anser putters.
I bought the Tour Plus full set @ L6 and that lasted me until L48, when I bought the Rapture full set, which lasted me to L62. At 62, I bought the G10 Irons and R9 Driver and 3W. At 79 I bought the Burner 2.0 Irons. At 85 I bought the R11 3W and at 88 I will buy the R11 Driver.
At L38-39 I bought the Satin wedges (56, 60, 64) and dropped my hybrid. At L76-80 I upgraded to the top Cleveland wedges (same degrees).
At L19 I bought the Spider putter. At L28 I bought the Anser and sold back the Spider. At L29 I bought another Spider, and sold back the Anser. At L44 I bought the Redwood. At L55 I bought the Rossa. At L72 I bought the 2010 Redwood, and at L86 I downgraded to the L66 Ghost Spider when it came out. At L92, I suspect I will buy the top Ghost Spider.
And as soon as I could, I started playing Callaway balls and have not looked back. I play the Legend (z) now.
The keys... get good wedges and learn to wield them like a surgeon does a scalpel. Then find a putter you like and practice, practice, practice. If you can refine your short game and green game, the rest comes easy.