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The club families
- Driver: the longest club, used off the tee on longer holes.
- Fairway woods and hybrids: for long shots from the fairway or the tee. Many beginners find hybrids easier to hit than long irons.
- Irons: numbered clubs for approach shots. Lower numbers go farther.
- Wedges: for short shots, bunkers and chips around the green.
- Putter: for the green, and the club you'll use most.
How many do you need to start?
The rules allow up to fourteen clubs, but a beginner can play happily with fewer. A simple starter set might be a driver or fairway wood, a hybrid, a few irons, a wedge and a putter. Many brands sell complete beginner sets for this reason.
Smart buying tips
- Consider a complete starter set or a quality used set before custom-fitted clubs.
- Get your length roughly right for your height. Many shops will help for free.
- Spend on lessons before you spend on premium clubs.
- Get fitted later, once your swing is more repeatable.
At home, a net and mat let you practice with any club. See setups by budget.