re: How old is too old to pick up golf, and what sort of up front cost can be expected?

I'm 33 and haven't played in 15 years. Got a better set to start up then what I had then.

New cobra F9 ($230) eBay
New Taylormade spider with superstroke ($103) eBay
Like new callaway Mack daddy 4 56 wedge ($56) callaway pre owned
Good Mizuno jpx 850 forged 4 - GW ($260) callaway pre owned

I played baseball all my life and play beer league softball now. I can only attribute it to having a lot of reps swinging a stick at a ball

Been watching a ton of videos, started Hogan’s book, and have logged at least 1,000 swings in the last two weeks.

Today however, was the first day that I really gave it a go with the driver. Honestly, and I hate to say it, I’ve been a little intimidated by the damn thing. The course I’m playing is closed but maintained, so free golf. It’s a short course, and honestly most of those swings have come on the driving range. I’ve been trying to become somewhat proficient with the irons. Probably not the best way to learn golf, but it’s just how I started. In the last two days I’ve actually ventured off the range and onto the course, with mixed results.

I digress, after I played around 12 holes this afternoon (and hit a lot of extra shots from 20-40 yards out with wedges) I walked back to the range and busted out the driver. I probably hit around 12-15. Got them all up and out, but most of them sliced towards the end. I felt like I really got ahold of two of them. Just felt like I blasted them 300 yards. Everything about the swing and contact felt clean, and they both went straight. Minimal bounce though. Satellite imagery says it’s between 220-230

Is that all the power I’ve got, and can I work with that on a par 5 course?

Doubtful that’s all the power you have for relatively young and athletic dude. Golfs more about smooth precision more than overpowering the ball. So I’m sure you’ve got some baseball or other non-golf move in your swing holding back some distance. (Plus most driving ranges dumb down their golf balls for distance so don’t take driving ranges accurately)

It will smooth itself out over the next year or so.

But to your last point, you could literally play a round with only a 7iron honestly (I’ve done it) and not notice a huge improvement (unless you’re an excellent golfer), so yes you could definitely play a full length course with 230 off the tee.