If you are new to golf, you might be wondering what kind of golf clubs you need to start playing. You might have seen some ads or reviews for the best golf clubs for beginners, but how do you know which ones are right for you? How do you choose a set that suits your level, budget, and preferences?
In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will explain the basics of golf clubs, the different types and features, and the factors to consider when buying a set.
We will also review some of the best golf clubs for beginners available in the market, and give you some tips on how to use them effectively.
What are Golf Clubs and Why Do You Need Them?
Golf clubs are the tools that you use to hit the golf ball on the course. They come in different shapes, sizes, and materials, and each one has a specific purpose and function. You need golf clubs to play golf, because they allow you to control the distance, direction, and trajectory of your shots.
There are three main categories of golf clubs: woods, irons, and putters. Within each category, there are subtypes and variations that have different characteristics and uses. Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
Woods
Woods are the longest and largest golf clubs, and they are designed to hit the ball the farthest. They have a round head made of metal or composite material, and a long shaft made of steel or graphite. Woods are usually numbered from 1 to 7, with lower numbers indicating longer and lower-lofted clubs, and higher numbers indicating shorter and higher-lofted clubs.
The most common wood is the driver, also known as the 1-wood, which is used to tee off on long holes. The driver has the lowest loft (usually between 8 and 12 degrees) and the longest shaft (usually between 43 and 46 inches) of all golf clubs, and it can hit the ball over 200 yards.
Other woods, such as the 3-wood and the 5-wood, are also used to hit the ball from the tee or the fairway, especially on par-5 holes or long par-4 holes. They have higher lofts (usually between 13 and 19 degrees) and shorter shafts (usually between 41 and 43 inches) than the driver, and they can hit the ball between 150 and 200 yards.
Irons
Irons are the most versatile golf clubs, and they are used to hit the ball from various distances and situations. They have a flat head made of metal, and a shorter shaft than woods. Irons are usually numbered from 1 to 9, with lower numbers indicating longer and lower-lofted clubs, and higher numbers indicating shorter and higher-lofted clubs.
The most common irons are the 3-iron to the 9-iron, which are used to hit the ball from the fairway or the rough, depending on the distance to the green. They have lofts ranging from 18 to 43 degrees, and shafts ranging from 37 to 40 inches, and they can hit the ball between 100 and 200 yards.
Other irons, such as the pitching wedge and the sand wedge, are also used to hit the ball from the fairway or the rough, but they are mainly used for short and high shots, such as approach shots to the green, chip shots, and bunker shots. They have higher lofts (usually between 44 and 56 degrees) and shorter shafts (usually between 34 and 36 inches) than the 9-iron, and they can hit the ball between 50 and 100 yards.
Putters
Putters are the shortest and simplest golf clubs, and they are used to hit the ball on the green. They have a flat head with a low loft (usually between 2 and 5 degrees), and a short shaft (usually between 32 and 36 inches). Putters are used to roll the ball into the hole, and they require a lot of precision and touch.
There are many types and styles of putters, such as blade, mallet, center-shafted, heel-shafted, face-balanced, toe-balanced, and more. The choice of putter is largely based on personal preference and feel, as well as the shape and speed of the greens.
What are the Benefits of Buying a Set of Golf Clubs?
As a beginner, you might be tempted to buy individual golf clubs or borrow them from someone else, but this is not a good idea. Buying a set of golf clubs has many advantages, such as:
- You get a complete and consistent set of clubs that are designed to work together and complement each other.
- You save money and time, as buying a set is cheaper and easier than buying individual clubs.
- You get a golf bag and other accessories, such as headcovers, that protect and organize your clubs.
- You get a set that matches your level, as most sets are tailored for beginners and have features that help you improve your game.
What are the Features of the Best Golf Clubs for Beginners?
When buying a set of golf clubs, you should look for some features that make them suitable for beginners, such as:
- Forgiveness: This means how well the club performs when you hit the ball off-center or with a bad swing. Forgiving clubs have larger and more forgiving clubheads, wider soles, perimeter weighting, and cavity backs, which help you hit the ball straighter and farther, even if you make mistakes.
- Distance: This means how far the club can hit the ball. Distance clubs have lower and deeper centers of gravity, higher lofts, and lighter and more flexible shafts, which help you launch the ball higher and longer, even if you have a slow swing speed.
- Versatility: This means how well the club can handle different situations and shots. Versatile clubs have more loft options, hybrid clubs, and adjustable features, which help you adapt to different course conditions and challenges, and improve your shot-making skills.
How to Choose the Best Golf Clubs for Beginners?
Besides looking for the features mentioned above, you should also consider some factors that affect your choice of golf clubs, such as:
- Your budget: Golf clubs can vary in price, from under $300 to over $1,400, depending on the brand, quality, and features. You should set a realistic budget that matches your level and goals, and look for the best value for money. You don’t need to spend a fortune on golf clubs, but you also don’t want to buy cheap and low-quality clubs that will hinder your progress and enjoyment.
- Your skill level: Golf clubs can also vary in difficulty, from beginner to advanced, depending on the design and performance. You should choose a set that matches your skill level and helps you improve your game. You don’t want to buy clubs that are too easy or too hard for you, as they will either limit your potential or frustrate you.
- Your physical characteristics: Golf clubs can also vary in size, weight, and fit, depending on your height, strength, and swing. You should choose a set that fits your physical characteristics and feels comfortable and natural. You don’t want to buy clubs that are too long or too short, too heavy or too light, or too stiff or too flexible for you, as they will affect your swing and accuracy.
To find the best golf clubs for beginners that suit your budget, skill level, and physical characteristics, you should do some research and comparison, read some reviews and ratings, and try some clubs before you buy them. You can also get some advice from a professional or an experienced golfer, or get a custom fitting from a qualified fitter.
What are the Best Golf Clubs for Beginners in 2024?
Based on our research and comparison, we have selected some of the best golf clubs for beginners in 2024, based on different criteria and categories. Here are our top picks, with their pros and cons, and some tips on how to use them.
Top Pick: Callaway Edge
The Callaway Edge is our top pick for the best golf clubs for beginners, as it offers a great combination of performance, quality, and value. It is a 10-piece set that includes a driver, a 3-wood, a 5-hybrid, six irons (6-PW, SW), and a putter, plus a golf bag and headcovers.
The Callaway Edge is designed to give you more forgiveness, distance, and versatility, with features such as:
- A titanium driver with a large and aerodynamic clubhead, a low and deep center of gravity, and a graphite shaft, which helps you hit the ball farther and straighter off the tee.
- A stainless steel 3-wood with a fast and thin clubface, a low and forward center of gravity, and a graphite shaft, which helps you hit the ball higher and longer from the fairway or the tee.
- A stainless steel 5-hybrid with a high MOI and a low and back center of gravity, which helps you hit the ball easier and more consistently from any lie.
- Six stainless steel irons with a cavity back design, a wide sole, and perimeter weighting, which help you hit the ball more accurately and solidly from any distance.
- A mallet putter with a high MOI and an alignment aid, which helps you roll the ball more smoothly and accurately on the green.
The Callaway Edge is a great set for beginners, as it gives you everything you need to start playing golf with confidence and enjoyment. It is also a durable and high-quality set that will last you for a long time. The Callaway Edge is available in men’s and women’s versions, with different options for shaft flex, length, and grip size.
Pros:
- Forgiving, distance-enhancing, and versatile clubs
- High-quality and durable materials and construction
- Complete and consistent set with a golf bag and headcovers
- Affordable and good value for money
Cons:
- Limited loft and adjustability options
- May not suit advanced players who want more control and feedback
Tips:
- Use the driver when you want to hit the ball as far as possible, but make sure you have a good stance, grip, and swing. Aim for the center of the clubface, and swing smoothly and steadily.
- Use the 3-wood when you want to hit the ball high and long, but not as far as the driver. You can use it from the tee or the fairway, depending on the distance and the layout of the hole. Swing slightly steeper than the driver, and hit the ball slightly below the center of the clubface.
- Use the 5-hybrid when you want to hit the ball easily and consistently, especially from difficult lies, such as rough, sand, or uneven ground. You can use it to replace the 3-iron or the 4-iron, depending on your preference and comfort. Swing like an iron, and hit the ball slightly above the center of the clubface.
- Use the irons when you want to hit the ball accurately and solidly, from various distances and situations. You can use them to approach the green, or to get out of trouble. Choose the right iron for the distance and the trajectory you want, and swing with a good tempo and balance. Hit the ball first, then the ground, and follow through.
- Use the wedges when you want to hit the ball short and high, such as when you are near the green, or in a bunker. You can use them to land the ball softly on the green, or to get out of hazards. Choose the right wedge for the distance and the loft you want, and swing with a controlled and relaxed motion. Hit the ball with an open clubface, and use your wrists and hands to create spin and height.
- Use the putter when you want to roll the ball into the hole, on the green. You can use it to finish the hole, or to get close to the hole from a short distance. Choose the right putter for your style and feel, and align it with the target. Swing with a smooth and steady stroke, and hit the ball with the center of the clubface.
Runner-Up: Wilson Profile SGI
The Wilson Profile SGI is our runner-up for the best golf clubs for beginners, as it offers a similar performance, quality, and value as the Callaway Edge, but with some differences and trade-offs. It is a 10-piece set that includes a driver, a 5-wood, a 5-hybrid, six irons (6-PW, SW), and a putter, plus a golf bag and headcovers.
The Wilson Profile SGI is designed to give you more forgiveness, distance, and versatility, with features such as:
- A titanium driver with a large and lightweight clubhead, a low and deep center of gravity, and a graphite shaft, which helps you hit the ball farther and straighter off the tee.
- A stainless steel 5-wood with a low-profile clubhead, a low and forward center of gravity, and a graphite shaft, which helps you hit the ball higher and longer from the fairway or the tee.
- A stainless steel 5-hybrid with a high MOI and a low and back center of gravity, which helps you hit the ball easier and more consistently from any lie.
- Six stainless steel irons with a deep cavity back design, a wide sole, and perimeter weighting, which help you hit the ball more accurately and solidly from any distance.
- A heel-toe weighted putter with an alignment aid, which helps you roll the ball more smoothly and accurately on the green.
The Wilson Profile SGI is a good set for beginners, as it gives you a similar experience and outcome as the Callaway Edge, but with some variations and options. It is also a durable and high-quality set that will last you for a long time. The Wilson Profile SGI is available in men’s, women’s, and senior’s versions, with different options for shaft flex, length, and grip size.
Pros:
- Forgiving, distance-enhancing, and versatile clubs
- High-quality and durable materials and construction
- Complete and consistent set with a golf bag and headcovers
- Affordable and good value for money
Cons:
- Limited loft and adjustability options
- May not suit advanced players who want more control and feedback
- Driver and 5-wood may be too similar in distance and loft
Tips:
- Use the driver when you want to hit the ball as far as possible, but make sure you have a good stance, grip, and swing. Aim for the center of the clubface, and swing smoothly and steadily.
- Use the 5-wood when you want to hit the ball high and long, but not as far as the driver. You can use it from the tee or the fairway, depending on the distance and the layout of the hole. Swing slightly steeper than the driver, and hit the ball slightly below the center of the clubface.
- Use the 5-hybrid when you want to hit the ball easily and consistently, especially from difficult lies, such as rough, sand, or uneven ground. You can use it to replace the 4-iron or the 5-iron, depending on your preference and comfort. Swing like an iron, and hit the ball slightly above the center of the clubface.
- Use the irons when you want to hit the ball accurately and solidly, from various distances and situations. You can use them to approach the green, or to get out of trouble. Choose the right iron for the distance and the trajectory you want, and swing with a good tempo and balance. Hit the ball first, then the ground, and follow through.
- Use the wedges when you want to hit the ball short and high, such as when you are near the green, or in a bunker. You can use them to land the ball softly on the green, or to get out of hazards. Choose the right wedge for the distance and the loft you want, and swing with a controlled and relaxed motion. Hit the ball with an open clubface, and use your wrists and hands to create spin and height.
- Use the putter when you want to roll the ball into the hole, on the green. You can use it to finish the hole, or to get close to the hole from a short distance. Choose the right putter for your style and feel, and align it with the target. Swing with a smooth and steady stroke, and hit the ball with the center of the clubface.
Best Budget: Precise M5
The Precise M5 is our best budget pick for the best golf clubs for beginners, as it offers a decent performance, quality, and value for a low price. It is a 9-piece set that includes a driver, a 3-wood, a hybrid, five irons (5-PW), and a putter, plus a golf bag and headcovers.
The Precise M5 is designed to give you more forgiveness, distance, and versatility, with features such as:
- A titanium driver with a large and aerodynamic clubhead, a low and deep center of gravity, and a graphite shaft, which helps you hit the ball farther and straighter off the tee.
- A stainless steel 3-wood with a low-profile clubhead, a low and forward center of gravity, and a graphite shaft, which helps you hit the ball higher and longer from the fairway or the tee.
- A stainless steel hybrid with a high MOI and a low and back center of gravity, which helps you hit the ball easier and more consistently from any lie.
- Five stainless steel irons with a cavity back design, a wide sole, and perimeter weighting, which help you hit the ball more accurately and solidly from any distance.
- A mallet putter with a high MOI and an alignment aid, which helps you roll the ball more smoothly and accurately on the green.
The Precise M5 is a good set for beginners, as it gives you the basic and essential clubs you need to start playing golf with confidence and enjoyment. It is also a durable and high-quality set that will last you for a long time. The Precise M5 is available in men’s and women’s versions, with different options for shaft flex, length, and grip size.
Pros:
- Forgiving, distance-enhancing, and versatile clubs
- High-quality and durable materials and construction
- Complete and consistent set with a golf bag and headcovers
- Very affordable and good value for money
Cons:
- Limited loft and adjustability options
- May not suit advanced players who want more control and feedback
- No sand wedge included
Tips:
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- Use the driver when you want to hit the ball as far as possible, but make sure you have a good stance, grip, and swing. Aim for the center of the clubface, and swing smoothly and steadily.
- Use the 3-wood when you want to hit the ball high and long, but not as far as the driver. You can use it from the tee or the fairway, depending on the distance and the layout of the hole. Swing slightly steeper than the driver, and hit the ball slightly below the center of the clubface.
- Use the hybrid when you want to hit the ball easily and consistently, especially from difficult lies, such as rough, sand, or uneven ground. You can use it to replace the 3-iron or the 4-iron, depending on your preference and comfort. Swing like an iron, and hit the ball slightly above the center of the clubface.
- Use the irons when you want to hit the ball accurately and solidly, from various distances and situations. You can use them to approach the green, or to get out of trouble. Choose the right iron for the distance and the trajectory you want, and swing with a good tempo and balance. Hit the ball first, then the ground, and follow through.
- Use the pitching wedge when you want to hit the ball short and high, such as when you are near the green, or in a bunker. You can use it to land the ball softly on the green, or to get out of hazards. Choose the right wedge for the distance and the loft you want, and swing with a controlled and relaxed motion. Hit the ball with an open clubface, and use your wrists and hands to create spin and height.
- Use the putter when you want to roll the ball into the hole, on the green. You can use it to finish the hole, or to get close to the hole from a short distance. Choose the right putter for your style and feel, and align it with the target. Swing with a smooth and steady stroke, and hit the ball with the center of the clubface.
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That’s the end of the article. I hope you liked it and learned something from it.
