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Finding the best golf equipment can be challenging when you’re starting to play the game. Yes, the little while ball is just sitting there on a tee, but it’s surprisingly hard to hit it solid and get it to go where you want. On top of that you have to learn how to chip, how to putt, how to hit a bunker shot, and learn all the lingo and rules.
How many clubs do you need to purchase? Do you prefer a mallet or a blade putter? You will need a bag to carry your clubs. You need golf balls and probably a bunch, because new golfers tend to lose a few. A glove, special shoes, tees, a rainsuit, a rangefinder, a special umbrella, a pushcart, etc. – how can one sport require this much equipment?
Have no fear – everything you need to know to purchase golf equipment is here.
Golf Clubs
Any conversation about golf equipment has to start with your clubs. You can easily spend $2,500+ on a new set of sticks, but we wouldn’t recommend this approach to beginners or people just getting started with golf.
A couple things to keep in mind, you can build your set over time – you don’t need to buy 14 clubs at once (14 clubs is the legal max). Second, there is no shame in borrowing clubs from friends or family.
Let’s take a look at the different types of clubs you will need to consider.
Driver
A driver (aka 1-wood, big dog, etc.) is the club you will use to tee off on par 4s and par 5s. It’s the longest club in your bag; both in length and in the distance you hit it. You typically tee up your driver high and swing hard!
This piece of golf equipment has a large head and can have a large price tag ($500+) if you go for a brand new model, though you can save hundreds of dollars by purchasing a model that’s a couple years old (new or used) without sacrificing performance or technology.
Often overlooked by players is the driver shaft. This is a critical component for how a club will perform for you.
When you buy a driver, you’ll need to choose from shaft flex options: stiff, regular, senior, or ladies. The correct shaft depends on your swing speed and how hard you swing.
Best Golf Club Drivers
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Golf Club |
Specification |
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TaylorMade Qi35 Driver |
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Titleist GT4 Driver |
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Ping G440 Max Driver |
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If you purchase this piece of golf equipment from a store, they probably have a simulator and the salesperson can help you make the correct choice. A driver should be one of the first clubs you acquire, whether by purchase or borrowing from a friend.
Fairway Woods
The easiest way to describe a fairway wood is to say it’s a small driver, designed to be hit off the ground when you have a long approach shot to a green. The most common fairway wood is a 3-wood and it typically has between 15-17 degrees of loft. You’ll also see 4-woods, 5-woods, and 7-woods when researching golf equipment.
Best Fairway Woods
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Golf Club |
Specification |
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Callaway Elyte Fairway Wood |
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Wilson DYNAPWR Carbon Fairway Wood |
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PXG Black Ops Fairway Wood |
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As you start building your set, we recommend purchasing just one fairway wood – a 3-wood or 4-wood. You can always add a second one later as your game develops. Like drivers, you’ll save money by looking for models from previous years.
Irons
You’ll leverage your irons to hit approach shots or play par 3s. They’re designed to be hit off the ground and you want to hit the ground when you swing an iron.
A typical set of irons will include 7-9 clubs, everything from a 4-iron through pitching wedge. Each club has a different loft and is designed to travel different distances.
Best Golf Irons
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Golf Club |
Specification |
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Mizuno JPX 925 Forged Iron |
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Srixon ZXi7 Irons |
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Tour Edge Exotics E725 Irons |
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For beginners, we recommend starting with a reduced set containing just the essentials: a 5-iron, 7-iron, 9-iron, and pitching wedge. Half the clubs means half the price, and you won’t miss what you don’t have while you’re learning the game.
You may want to look for a set that includes “hybrids” for the longer irons. Hybrids are a relatively new type of golf equipment. They’re a combination of woods and irons and most amateur golfers find them easier to hit than a 4 or 5 iron, especially from difficult lies in the rough or fairway bunkers.
Hybrids
A hybrid club combines the best features of fairway woods and long irons, making it one of the most versatile pieces of golf equipment in your bag.
Designed with a larger, more forgiving clubhead than an iron but more compact than a fairway wood, hybrids are perfect for hitting from various lies, whether in the fairway, rough, or even light sand. Most golfers find hybrids easier to launch and more consistent than traditional long irons, making them an excellent choice for beginners and experienced players alike.
Best Hybrid Golf Clubs
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Golf Club |
Specification |
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Cobra DS-ADAPT Hybrid |
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Titleist GT2 Hybrid |
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PXG Black Ops Hybrid |
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Typically numbered 3-5, a hybrid will replace the corresponding iron (a 4-hybrid replaces a 4-iron) and can be a game-changer for your approach shots from 150-200 yards out.
Wedges
Wedges are your short-game specialists, the clubs you’ll use for shots around the green, out of bunkers, and for approach shots inside 100 yards.
While a standard iron set includes a pitching wedge, you’ll eventually want to add a sand wedge (typically 54-56 degrees) for bunker shots and a gap wedge or lob wedge for those delicate shots that need to fly high and stop quickly.
Best Golf Wedges
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Golf Club |
Specification |
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Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge |
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TaylorMade MG5 Wedge |
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Cleveland RTZ Tour Satin Wedge |
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The key to wedges is the loft angle, higher loft means higher trajectory and less roll. As you develop your game, having multiple wedges gives you more options to control distance and trajectory on those crucial scoring shots around the green.
Putter
The final piece of golf equipment you will need to complete your set is a putter. Even if you aren’t an avid golfer, you’re probably familiar with a putter – everyone has played mini-golf, right?
Putters are offered in numerous shapes and sizes, but at the end of the day you simply need one that feels good to you and allows you to roll the ball in the hole.
Best Putters
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Golf Club |
Specification |
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Wilson Infinite Bucktown Putter |
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Scotty Cameron Studio Style Squareback Putter |
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Kevin Burns 9307 Putter |
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Try borrowing a putter from a friend or family member before buying, if you know an avid golfer, they probably have a few extras in the garage.
When you’re ready to purchase, pick the model that fits your eye and gives you confidence. It’s worth testing a few on the practice green before committing.
Shop Golf Headcovers
Golf Bags
You have purchased your clubs, now you need a way to carry them to the driving range or the course. Should be simple right?
Par 3 Bag (Sunday Bag)
Super-lightweight and compact (usually 2-3 pounds), a par 3 bag is designed to carry a limited number of clubs (6-8) and your golf essentials. Perfect for quick range sessions, par-3 courses, or casual rounds where you want to travel light.
If you’re a casual golfer who values convenience and enjoys relaxed rounds with friends, this might be your perfect bag.
Mid-Size Stand Bag
Striking a balance between portability and storage, mid-size stand bags typically weigh 4-5 pounds and feature retractable legs for easy access to your clubs. They include essential pockets for balls, tees, and accessories without the bulk of a full-size bag. These are ideal for golfers who walk occasionally but don’t need maximum storage capacity.
Full-Size Stand Bag
Offering ample storage while remaining walkable, full-size stand bags weigh 5-7 pounds and feature multiple pockets for comprehensive organization. The retractable legs keep your clubs upright and accessible throughout your round.
These bags accommodate a full 14-club set and all your gear, making them perfect for serious walkers or push cart users who want maximum versatility.
Cart Bag (Tour Bag)
The largest and heaviest option, cart bags are designed exclusively for golfers who ride in carts. They feature extensive storage with 8-14 pockets, full-length dividers to protect each club, and premium materials.
While too heavy for carrying, they excel at organization and protection. These are your choice if you always ride or have a caddie.
Shop Golf Bags
Choose based on how you typically play: cart riders need cart bags, walkers need stand bags, and casual players might prefer a Sunday bag for its convenience.
Many golfers own multiple bags, a cart bag for regular rounds and a Sunday bag for range sessions or quick nine-hole outings. If you’re starting with a reduced club set, a Sunday bag makes an economical first purchase that you’ll continue using even after upgrading to a full set.
If you’re just getting started with golf, the first rule of buying golf balls is quantity over quality. You will buy the balls, but you may not own them for long. Your first rounds of golf will most likely involve lakes, creeks, woods, and potentially random yards of strangers. In other words, don’t get too attached.
Did you know that top-end golf balls cost $60 per dozen? You don’t want to lose $5 everytime you hit a wild tee shot.
The good news, there are plenty of options for you that cost a fraction of this price. You can choose from numerous brands and colors (white, orange, yellow, pink, etc.).
Best Golf Ball Brands
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Brand |
Description |
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Titleist 2025 Pro V1 Golf Ball |
Premium ball used by professionals. Very soft feel with excellent spin control around the greens. Great distance and consistency. Best for intermediate to advanced players willing to invest in quality balls ($50-60 per dozen). |
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Kirkland Signature 2025 Golf Ball |
Excellent budget option that performs surprisingly well. Good distance and feel at a fraction of the cost of premium balls. Perfect for beginners and casual golfers who lose balls frequently but still want decent quality ($1-1.50 per ball from Costco). |
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Callaway Chrome Tour Golf Ball |
High-performance ball with good distance and spin control. Soft feel around the greens with long, stable flight. Good option for improving players who want tour-level performance. Mid-premium price range ($40-50 per dozen). |
Other Golf Equipment & Accessories
You have your clubs, your bag, and plenty of balls – what additional golf equipment or accessories do you need to attack the course? For this section, we have provided a list of golf items and tagged them as either “Day 1”, “Recommended” or “Optional”.
Day 1 Golf Equipment
Acquire These Before You Head Out To Play
- Golf Tees – they will cost you very little and some courses offer for free.
- Ball Mark – you can use a coin or your favorite poker chip – once your ball has reached the green, you should mark it until it’s your turn to putt.
- Golf Bag Rain Hood – you simply never know when a rain shower may pop up. Don’t let your clubs get wet and potentially ruined. Invest in a golf bag rain hood that is designed to fit your golf bag of choice.
- Golf Valuables Pouch – Clip it to your bag and use it to carry your keys, wallet, cell phone, extra tees, etc!
- Divot Tool – take care of the course – when your ball hits the green it’ll leave a mark (a divot) – if you don’t have a tool, you can fix with a tee.
- Golf Towel – use to keep your hands dry or clean dirt/mud off your ball.
- Sunscreen – stay safe – don’t let you day on the course be ruined by a burn.
Recommended Golf Equipment
You Can Play Without These Accessories, But Why Would You?
- Golf Glove – keep you grip secure on hot and humid days.
- Golf Hat – pick a golf manufacturer or wear the hat of your favorite PGA professional.
- Club Brush – give you clubs a quick brush between shots – designed to attach to your bag for ease of use.
- Golf Shoes – designed for comfort on the course and with spikes to help you stay on balance – you can play in any athletic shoes, but golf shoes have advantages.
- Golf Umbrella – if you play golf, you will get stuck in the rain – golf umbrellas are lightweight and designed to keep you and your golf equipment dry.
- Golf Headcovers – protect your investment! Headcovers prevent your clubs from banging against each other during transport, keeping them free from scratches and dings.
- Golf Club Groove Sharpener – maintains peak club performance by cleaning and sharpening the grooves on your irons and wedges.
Optional Golf Equipment
You’ll Probably Want To Add These Items To Your Golf Equipment As You Become A More Experienced Player
- Push Cart – if you enjoy walking the course, but want to save the back.
- Rangefinder – an expensive device, but allows you quickly determine distance to the pin or any other object you plan to aim towards.
- Ball Retriever – do you hate losing balls you can see, but can’t reach? Ball retrievers are not for everyone.
- Rain Gloves – do you play regardless of the weather forecast? Golf rain gloves allow you to grip your clubs even if you and your clubs are soaked.
- Hand Warmers – inexpensive to purchase and they’ll make your round much more enjoyable on a cold day.
Shop Golf Accessories
Best Golf Equipment FAQs
What is the lifespan of a Titleist golf ball?
Unused Titleist golf balls can last 5–7 years if stored in a cool, dry place. Once you start playing them, lifespan depends on wear. If the cover is cut, badly scuffed, or the ball feels “dead,” it’s time to swap it out.
Can I use 10 year old golf balls?
Yes, but expect a drop in performance. Older golf balls can lose compression over time—especially if they’ve been stored in heat or humidity. They’re fine for casual rounds, but newer balls will feel better and fly more consistently.
Should I buy expensive golf clubs?
Only if they fit your game. High-end clubs often offer better materials and customization, but they won’t fix a poor swing. Most golfers benefit more from properly fitted, mid-priced clubs than top-tier models that don’t match their skill level.
What is the lifespan of golf clubs?
Most golf clubs last 8–15 years, depending on how often you play and how well you care for them. Irons and putters tend to last the longest, while wedges and drivers wear out faster due to face and groove wear.
How often should you replace a golf bag?
A quality golf bag usually lasts 5–7 years. Straps, zippers, and stand mechanisms are the first things to go. If your bag is uncomfortable, unstable, or falling apart, upgrading can make walking and playing noticeably more enjoyable.
Purchasing All Your Golf Equipment
Building out your golf equipment is part of the fun of enjoying this great sport. You don’t need to buy everything at once and you can definitely use techniques to find discount golf equipment. Enjoy the process of finding the products that work the best for your game.
Golf is a game you can play for the rest of your life, so don’t feel rushed. Take your time. Find the equipment that fits your approach to the game. Enjoy your strolls down the fairway. Play well and hit ‘em straight!