Are you new to golf? Wondering how to choose the right equipment? Choosing golf clubs for beginners is not easy. You may wonder what to put in your bag. How many clubs should you choose? What not to bring on the golf course et cetera? Should you buy your first club outright? Or rent it? Borrowing can be a feasible option as well. Well, this guide will help you choose your beginner’s club easily.
A Beginner’s Club’s Key Features
Today, every 7th American was playing this sport in 2022. There are 3 million junior golfers among them as well. So, if you want to commence a golfer’s journey in 2025, you should remember one key fact, i.e., when you’re new to golf, focus on learning the fundamentals instead of struggling with equipment made for pro golfers. Enjoy it. Don’t bother too much with equipment selection.
- Forgiveness: It is your club’s ability to minimize the impact of off-center hits. Clubs with large “sweet spots” and perimeter weighting will keep your shots straighter and longer.
- Balance: Well-balanced clubs are easier to swing and control. You should look for clubs that feel comfortable and natural in your hands. So, you can maintain a smooth, consistent swing.
- Ease of Use: Golf clubs for beginners launch the golf ball easily into the air so it travels a good distance without the need to exert excessive force or perfecting your technique like a pro golfer.
You may also choose clubs with specific design features. The right golf equipment speeds up your progress on the course. Forgiving clubs give you better results when you’re still developing your swing. So, you can keep practicing and improving and reach newer heights of success in your favorite sport.
- Oversized Heads – Give you a larger hitting area so you can make solid contact and avoid mishits
- Cavity Backs – Redistributing weight to your clubhead’s perimeter for more forgiveness and stability
- Graphite Shafts – Lighter than steel shafts, letting you generate clubhead speed and launching the ball higher
First Golf Set
You may think you need to procure a full set of 14 clubs to get started. Well, that’s incorrect. Instead, an easy-to-carry, streamlined set of essential clubs will be more manageable, letting you hone your basics. Your first golf set should have these seven items:
- Driver: You’ll use it to tee off on long holes since the driver is ideal for longer distance.
- 5 or 7 Wood: These fairway woods are versatile clubs for long shots from the tee/fairway.
- A Few Irons (6 to 9): You’ll use mid-range irons to approach the green, getting a great balance of distance and accuracy.
- Pitching Wedge: You can choose this wedge for shorter approach shots and also shots around the green.
- Putter: Use this tool on the green to roll the ball into the hole, making the putter arguably the most important club in your bag.
- Hybrid: A hybrid club combines the features of a wood and an iron; you’ll realize that it makes it easier to hit than a traditional 3 or 4 iron.
- Sand Wedge: Use this wedge to hit the ball out of sand traps and hit shots around the green.
You should investigate if you want to buy a full set or build one club at a time. Full sets are convenient and cost-effective for new golfers on a budget. But building a club at a time gives you ample time to customize your golf bag to your specific needs and preferences.
Buy, Rent, or Borrow?
We can see that over 28 million Americans golfed in 2024 (the most since 2008). So, a question arises in people’s minds: should beginner golf clubs be bought, rented, or borrowed? It’s a common dilemma for golfers in Bend, Oregon. Each option has its unique pros and cons. We’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of each option:
1. Buying
Most beginners will go with this option. They like to purchase a complete set of new sets of clubs. So, they can familiarize themselves with their equipment. Owning your clubs gives you consistent shots as well. But it’s a major investment for someone who’s not a frequent golfer.
2. Borrowing
The most affordable option is to borrow someone’s golf clubs, such as a friend or family member. But this option isn’t ideal in terms of fit or performance.
3. Renting
A middle ground between buying and borrowing lies in renting your golf clubs. This option is suitable for players who are just testing the sport. Or who don’t want to commit to buying a full set. It’s also perfect for traveling golfers who don’t wish to lug their clubs across the country.
We offer rental clubs for beginners and visiting players at River’s Edge. Renting from our course is a fine way to try out quality equipment on the very course you’ll be playing. It will give you a realistic sense of how the clubs perform practically.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Clubs Early On
Now, you’ve chosen your first golf club. It’s time to start learning how to use it effectively. You need to keep the following tips in mind if you want to get the most out of your clubs early on:
- Learn basic swing fundamentals before customizing your clubs.
- Instead of buying expensive gear right off the bat, develop your skills.
- Take lessons from professionals to learn how different clubs behave differently.
- Never neglect your short game; putting and chipping are just as important as long drives.
If you want to lower your scores successfully, read the table we’ve created below:
Feature |
Golf Clubs for Beginners |
Golf Clubs for Advanced Players |
Clubhead | Large, forgiving, and cavity-black | Small, precise, and blade/muscle-back |
Materials | Standard steel, cast | Forged steel, premium materials |
Shaft Flex | Lighter, more flexible (regular/senior) | Heavier, stiffer (stiff/extras stiff) |
Loft | Higher for easier launch | Lower, often adjustable |
Set Makeup | Fewer clubs, more hybrids | Full set, specialty irons/wedges |
Forgiveness | Maximum, reduces mishits | Minimal, rewards skill |
Customization | Minimal, off-the-rack | Highly customizable |
Start Strong with the Right Clubs and Support at River’s Edge
We at River’s Edge help you play your 1st game confidently. Doesn’t matter if you’re renting golf clubs or bringing your first set on the course; we have experienced professionals here to provide guidance along with guidance and support, so you can choose the right equipment and develop your skills. You can:
- Take a lesson from our instructions to learn the basics of swing and using different clubs
- Practice your swing speed on our innovative Top Tracer driving range
- Ask our pros for suggestions and personalized recommendations based on your skill level
- Test a rental set before investing in a new set of clubs to see what feels best in your hands
Book a tee time or beginner lesson at River’s Edge, a supportive, scenic course perfect for new players. With the right clubs and the right support, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a lifetime of golf.