Best Golf Clubs for Beginners 2024 (Recommended)

For someone new to the world of golf and with so many options, choosing the right set of clubs can seem a bit overwhelming. Great news for you is that you’re in the right place to get the information you need about the best golf clubs for beginners.

If you’re just starting out or have been playing for a little while, having the right clubs can make all the difference in your performance.

As someone who has experience in the game of golf, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of selecting the right golf clubs, especially for beginners.

Things To Consider for Beginner Golf Clubs

When it comes to selecting the best golf clubs for beginners, there are a few key factors to consider. 

1.) Choose clubs that are forgiving and easy to use.

As a beginner, having clubs that have more forgiveness and give you some room for error is especially a must. Clubs that have a larger sweet spot will help you achieve more consistent shots and reduce the chances of mishits.

2.) Keep the club’s weight and flexibility in mind.

It’s best for beginners to start with clubs that are easy to swing, therefore you’ll want to keep the weight in mind. This will help you develop a smooth swing motion. Also, having a more flexible shaft allows you to generate more clubhead speed to get a longer shot.

3.) Make sure you have the essential clubs in your set.

It’s so important to choose a set that includes the necessary clubs for a beginner golfer. The last thing you want is to not have the correct club you need to make a certain shot. Typical sets for beginners include a combination of drivers, woods, irons, wedges, and putters. Some sets may also include hybrids.

4.) Keep your budget in mind.

Establish your budget before setting out to shop for your clubs. This will help you have a clear idea of what you’re willing to spend and avoid overspending (it’s really easy to do that with anything). There are plenty of budget friendly options, trust me. Whether you have a tight budget or larger budget, there are options included in this blog to fit.

5.) Consider who you’re purchasing for.

Are you purchasing for yourself, a spouse, family, friends, or your children? This is important to keep in mind because there are clubs for all age groups. Different options for adults include men, women, and even seniors. For children, there are options for teens and smaller children.

Common Types of Golf Clubs for Beginners

1.) Putter

If you’ve ever played “Putt-Putt”, you’ve used this club before. Putters are specialized clubs used to make short accurate strokes. They are typically used on the last strokes on a golf hole to role the ball into the hole from a short distance away. The three most common type of putters are: mallet putter, blade putter, and the modern mallet putter.

2.) Driver

The driver club is designed to hit the ball the farthest distance off the tee. The long shaft and low loft angle also help increase clubhead speed, resulting in increased distance. Not only is it used for power and distance, but it also allows golfers to shape their shots.

3.) Wedge

A wedge club is specifically designed for short-range shots. The high loft angle allows golfers to hit the ball high with a short distance. The most common types of wedges are: gap wedge, pitching wedge, lob wedge, and sand wedge.

4.) Iron

An iron club is designed for precision and accuracy. The number on the iron indicates the length of the iron’s shaft. Lower numbers indicate a longer shaft, while higher numbers indicate a shorter shaft. 2 irons and 3 irons have longer shafts and are used for longer shots. 7 irons and 8 irons have a shorter shaft and are used for shorter shots.

5.) Wood

A wood club is designed to hit the ball the farthest distance off the tee. The head is traditionally made of wood, but modern versions are made with metal or other materials. The types of wood clubs include the driver and the fairway wood.

6.) Hybrid

The hybrid club is a cross between a long iron and a fairway wood, designed to bridge the loft gap between the two. It is very forgiving and offers the golfer a much larger margin for error. Even if the golfer doesn’t hit the ball perfectly, it helps minimize mishits to keep the shot on target.

Best Golf Clubs for Men

Callaway Strata Men’s Complete Golf Set

What’s Included

Includes Driver, 3 Wood, 5 Hybrid, 6/7/8/9 Iron, Putting Wedge, Putter, Stand Bag, and 2 Head Covers

Deals

TaylorMade RBZ Speedlite Complete 13-Piece Set

What’s Included

Includes Driver, Fairway Wood, Rescue, Irons, Wedge, Putter, Cart Bag with 8 Pockets and Insulated Cooling Pouch

Deals

Precise M5 Men’s Complete Golf Clubs Package Set

What’s Included

Includes Driver, 3 Wood, 21 Hybrid, 5/6/7/8/9 PW Stainless Steel Irons, Putter, Deluxe Stand Bag, and 3 Headcovers

Deals

WILSON Men’s Complete Golf Club Package Sets – Ultra Plus

What’s Included

Includes Oversized Driver, 3 Fairway Wood, 5 Hybrid, 6-PW, Heel/Toe Weighted Putter, Carry Bag, 3 Matching Head Covers

Deals

Best Golf Clubs for Women

Callaway Strata Women’s Complete Golf Set

What’s Included

Includes Driver, 5 Wood, 5 Hybrid, 6/7/8/9 Iron, PW and SW, Putter, Stand Bag, and 3 Headcovers

Deals

WILSON Women’s Profile SGI Complete Golf Package Set

What’s Included

Includes Drivwer, 5 Fairway Wood, 5 Hybrid, 6/7/8/9 Iron, Pitching Wedge, Sand Wedge, Putter, Carry Bag, Head Covers

Deals

Callaway Golf Women’s REVA Complete Golf Set

What’s Included

Includes Driver, 3 Wood, 5 and 6 Hybrids, 7/8/9 Irons, Pitching and Sand Wedge, Putter, Cart Bag, and 5 Headcovers

Deals

Best Golf Clubs for Children

PreciseGolf Co. Precise X7 Junior Complete Golf Club Set

What’s Included

Includes 15 Driver, 22 Hybrid, 6/7 Iron, 9/P Iron, Putter, 2 Headcovers, and Stand Bag with Rain Hood Included

Deals

Best Golf Clubs for Teens

Callaway Golf XJ Junior Golf Set

What’s Included

Includes Driver, Fairway Wood, Hybrid, 7 Iron, 9 Iron, Sand Wedge and Putter

Deals

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing Golf Clubs for Beginners

1.) Buying too many clubs.

It’s a challenge for beginner golfers to understand what clubs they need. The great news is that you don’t need a whole bunch of clubs to start.

Afterall, golf does not permit players to carry more than 14 clubs in their bags. Around 9 clubs on average is a good starting place for beginners.

To avoid the hassle of figuring out which clubs are essential to your game, and potentially getting the wrong clubs, I recommend to start out with a complete set of clubs. Purchasing a complete set will ensure you have all the clubs you need.

2.) Purchasing a set not designed for beginners.

If there’s only one thing a beginner golfer should know, it’s this: Purchase a complete set of clubs specifically designed for beginners. The reason this is so important is because there are different club designs for different skill levels.

Some clubs are heavier than others, some have more forgiveness than others, some require more control than others, the list goes on. However, a beginner set will include clubs the average beginner can handle. This will also inspire confidence during your time playing.

3.) Getting clubs that are not suitable for your height.

When purchasing your new clubs, remember to check the sizing. There are club sizes for tall, average, and shorter golfers. While you’re purchasing, most of the time there will be options to choose “standard length” or “tall”.

A buyer’s hack I always use is reading reviews to give me an idea of what will work best for me. If you purchase and they’re not exactly what you want, most online stores offer a return or exchange window.

4.) Buying what the pros have.

It’s easy to look at experienced pro golfers and lean towards getting what they have, but that’s a huge mistake. Most experienced golfers continue to upgrade their clubs as they get better. Nothing will humble you like using clubs not suited for your level (I’m speaking from experience).

Embrace the journey and start right where you are. As you move from beginner to intermediate and so on, you’ll begin to learn more and upgrade your clubs as you go. Remember, experienced pro golfers once started as a beginner too.

5.) Overlooking recommendations and reviews.

Recommendations and reviews allow you to purchase with more confidence. Especially now during a time where we have access to online stores, reviews and recommendations are your friend so you use them.

Blogs, like the one you’re reading now, include recommendations. When you search these recommendations, look at the reviews to narrow the options down to your final pick.

Glossary: Golfer Terms for Beginners

This glossary includes terms you may come across while purchasing the best golf clubs for beginners. It will be a helpful resource as you navigate all the new golf lingo you will come across while researching, shopping, and even learning the basics!

Backswing

The part of a golfer’s swing where they draw the club back behind them before hitting the ball. The backswing sets the foundation for a successful shot because it determines the trajectory and distance of the ball.

Blade

A blade refers to the type of clubhead design. Most irons typically have a blade design. Skilled and experienced golfers use blade designed irons because they require more precision when hitting the ball.

Carry Bag

As the name suggests, carry bags have a special design that allows golfers to carry them. It typically has two shoulder straps and is lightweight. This makes it a perfect match for those who prefer to walk the course rather than ride a golf cart.

Cart Bag

The cart bag’s design allows golfers to use it with a golf cart or pushcart. Cart bags are often much larger and heavier than carry bags since they’re meant for transport on wheels. These bags are known for their storage, with multiple pockets, compartments, and space to hold a full set of clubs. Some cart bags feature cooler pockets for golfers to store their drinks to keep them cool in the heat.

Cavity Back

Cavity back refers to a type of clubhead design often found in irons. The design has a hollowed-out cavity on the back of the club. This helps redistribute weight to the perimeter of the clubhead, resulting in accuracy, forgiveness, distance, and trajectory control.

Clubhead

The clubhead is the part of the gold club that makes contact with the ball. They are typically made from a variety of materials, such as titanium or stainless steel. Clubheads come in many shapes, sizes, and designs. These factors will vary based on the type of club and its use.

Driving Range

A driving range is like a physical place where golfers can improve their game. It’s a great place for practice or fun for golfers of all skill levels.

Fitting

A fitting is a personalized session where a professional in the world of golf analyzes several attributes of one’s swing and playing style. With this information, they make recommendations on customizations for golf clubs, including the type of shaft, clubhead design, grip, etc. Golf stores, golf courses, or other golf-related facilities may offer fittings at their facilities.

Forward Swing

The forward swing refers to the part of swinging the golf club where the golfer brings the golf club down towards the ball. This motion is all about coordination and timing to generate maximum power and control.

Graphite Shaft

A graphite shaft refers to the shaft of a golf club being made of graphite material. The other option is steel. Graphite is a lightweight, flexible, and strong material that allows golfers a greater swing speed. Graphite shafts have gained popularity in clubs like drivers and fairway woods.

Green

The green refers to the area of low-cut, green grass closest to the actual hole. This area may also be referred to as the putting green. This area is often where the golfer will use a putter for the final shots to get the golf ball into the hole.

Grip

Grip refers to the way the golfer places their hands to hold the golf club. A golfer’s grip makes all the difference in their performance. There are also golf club grip attachments that can be purchased to personalize one’s golf club.

Grooves

Grooves refer to the indentations on the faces of golf clubs. These are found on irons and wedges. The grooves on a golf club play a huge role in controlling the spin and trajectory of the golf ball. They create more friction between the black and clubface, which results in more control and accuracy.

Heel

The heel refers to a specific area of the golf club. It’s the part of the clubhead that’s closest to the golfer’s body when in position. Hitting golf balls with the heel can send them veering off in an unfavorable direction. When hitting the ball, golfer’s aim to hit in the middle of the clubhead.

Hosel

The hosel is the part of a club where the shaft meets the clubheads. It’s responsible for allowing the club to perform its intended purpose by connecting these two essential components together. 

Lie Angle

If we’re looking at the club lying on the ground, the lie angle refers to the angle between the sole of the club and the shaft. This small angle impacts the direction and accuracy of shots. Having the right lie angle is essential to a golfer hitting straight, consistent shots.

Loft

The loft refers to the angle of the clubface on the club. A higher loft means the clubface is angled more upwards, resulting in a higher trajectory for your shot. On the other hand, a lower loft means a flatter angle, making the ball travel lower and potentially longer distances.

Offset

Offset refers to the position of the clubface in relation to the hosel. This means the leading edge of the clubface is set back from the hosel and creates a slight curve. The offset promotes a straighter shot by delaying the closing of the clubface, which reduces slices and hooks. 

Oversize Clubhead

An oversize clubhead refers to a larger size clubhead compared to traditional clubhead sizes. Having an oversize clubhead allows for more room for error and a higher chance of making contact with the ball. Golfers with an oversize clubhead can expect to achieve more distance with ease.

Rain Hood

A rain hood is a protective shield for a golfer’s golf bag. It keeps it dry and safe from those rainy days on the course. Rain hoods are waterproof and fit snugly over the golf bag to ensure all the clubs and equipment inside stay dry.

Shaft

The shaft is a part of the golf club. It’s the longest part that connects the clubhead to the grip. The shaft comes in different materials, like steel and graphite.

Shaft Flex

Shaft flex refers to the amount of bend or stiffness in the golf club’s shaft. This impacts the way the clubhead interacts with the ball at impact. If the golfer has a faster swing speed, they’ll want a stiffer shaft to allow for better control. If they have a slower swing, they’ll want a more flexible shaft to help generate power.

Sole

The sole refers to the part of the golf club that comes in contact with the ground when a golfer is in position. It can be thought of like a sole on a shoe. Soles come in both narrow and wider sizes. A wide sole allows forgiveness, whereas a narrow sole allows for better turf interaction.

Steel Shaft

A steel shaft refers to the shaft of a golf club being made of steel material. The other option is graphite. Steel is a stronger, heavier material that influences the overall feel of the club.

Tee

A tee is a small peg made of either wood or plastic. It lifts the ball off the ground to give the golfer better height for their swing.

Toe

The toe refers to the outer edge of the clubhead. When a golfer is in position, it’s the part farthest away from the golfer’s body. If the ball is hit with the toe of the club, it can reduce the distance and accuracy of the shot.

Final Thoughts

As we wrap up, I can’t help but feel a burst of excitement for all aspiring golfers out there! Finding the best golf clubs for beginners is not about getting the fanciest set available on the market. It’s about selecting clubs that will give you confidence in your swing as you develop your skills.

From drivers to irons to putters, there are so many options available for beginner golfers to choose from. That’s why starting with a set of clubs is the best and easiest option to have everything you need, without the hassle of buying clubs individually, which can sometimes even be more costly.

Keep in mind the things to consider when buying a set of clubs. For beginners, the most important is choosing clubs that are forgiving and easy to use. This will make your life so much easier when learning.

The world of golf is an amazing journey, and if you have the right set of clubs, it will make all the difference in your experience. So grab those clubs, hit the green, and let the golfing adventures begin!

FAQs

How do I choose golf clubs for beginners?

The best way to choose the best golf clubs for beginners is starting with a set of clubs, rather than purchasing clubs individually. Most sets will come with all the essential clubs you need, so you won’t need to stress! Additionally, seeking out opinions of those who have experience, such as this blog, can also help guide you in making a decision on which clubs to purchase.

Should beginners use graphite or steel shafts?

Graphite shafts are typically a better option for beginners because they’re lighter in weight. This allows the club to have more whip and greater clubhead speed. Steel shafts are heavier and offer less flexibility, which can be a challenge for beginner golfers to use.

Where should a beginner start golf?

A great place for beginners to start golf is learning the basics. Secondly, beginner golfer can learn the basics by taking in-person lessons, or self-teaching with online instruction through a course or YouTube videos. Aspiring golfers can also start by getting a great set of clubs that are designed for beginners and find a golf course close by.

How do I know what golf clubs to buy?

Trying to figure out which clubs to buy individually can be a challenge, especially for beginners. That is why I recommend starting of with a set of golf clubs because most will include all the essentials you need.

How long do irons last?

Typically irons last about an average of 5 years, which is also when most golfers begin looking for new equipment. However, the lifespan depends on other factors like how often the golfer is using the irons and how they are caring for them.

What golf clubs should I replace first?

The first golf clubs that golfers typically replace are their driver, wedges and putters. These are some of the most important clubs in your bag and the most used, so you’ll want to look at replacing these first, if needed, or whenever you’re ready for an upgrade.

What is the best golf clubs set for beginner golfers?

Overall, the best golf clubs for beginners to use are the Strata Men’s Complete Golf Set. Though it’s labeled for men, this set has proven to be suitable for women also. View at Callaway View at Amazon