how to select first set of golf clubs

Buying Your First Set Of Golf Clubs? Remember These 5 Things!

• Identify your personal goals. A good place to start is to identify your goals for the game of golf. This will help make shopping for clubs much easier.
• Decide whether to buy used or new.
• Learn about clubfitting and shaft options.
• Use the right golf clubs to make golf easier.
• Look at a variety of stores.

Full Answer

How to choose the best golf clubs?

Here's how to choose your golf clubs and get the best golf club sets possible. 1. What's Your Handicap? Even if you don't have an official handicap, you'll have some idea of your skill level. If you're a beginner, keep a note of your scores. What number are you tending to shoot over 18 holes?

Why buy a beginner set of golf clubs?

And that's why beginner sets offer plenty of forgiveness; they're manufactured in a way that means even when you don't strike the ball perfectly, you can still get the ball up in the air and shift it a good distance.

How much does it cost to buy a set of clubs?

Beginner golfers can start with a driver ($75 or less), an inexpensive iron set ($200 or less) and a putter ($60 or less). Add a basic bag ($60 or less), and you'd have enough to get started for under $400. Here is a set of 14 golf clubs in a golf bag. We also offer complete club sets starting at $199.99.

Do you need all 14 golf clubs to get started?

However, if you're new to the game, you don't really need to get all 14 clubs. Beginner golfers can start with a driver ($75 or less), an inexpensive iron set ($200 or less) and a putter ($60 or less).

Should you get fitted for your first set of golf clubs?

Beginner golfers should get fitted for golf clubs because they have the most to gain from playing the right clubs for them. All golfers adapt their swing to their clubs so if beginners choose clubs which are not well suited to them they will immediately form bad habits that become hard to break.

Which golf club should I replace first?

Generally speaking, wedges and your golf driver will be the first to go from a set of golf clubs. For instance, wedges need to be replaced because the grooves will wear out, and drivers can lose impact if you hit them frequently on the range and course.

How much should I spend on my first set of clubs?

Beginner golfers should spend anywhere from $350 to $1,000 on a set of golf clubs. The more money you spend, the better the technology you will get, and the easier it will be to transition into being a great player.

What order should my golf clubs be?

Always arrange clubs from left to right. Then arrange the irons in the next row. Again, follow the same rules. The longer ones on the left and shorter ones as you move towards right.

What is the most important club to get fitted?

Even if you don't want to invest in a full bag fitting at this time, you should still get the two most important clubs fitted, the putter and driver, so you are set up for success.

Do golf irons lose distance over time?

What is this? Golf irons will wear out over time. The clubs that you most often will be the ones to wear out first. This is because they are getting hit the most.

How many golf clubs should a beginner have?

If you're a beginner golfer you should start with 10 golf clubs. You can golf with a fairway wood, iron, and putter but you're going to want to learn how to use more clubs if you want to be able to handle every situation.

Do expensive golf clubs make a difference?

Probably not, no, as your golf skills will be constantly improving and you probably won't have these clubs for very long. You will outgrow them and need a new set after only a couple of years so there is no real need to splurge as a beginner. You also won't be able to appreciate the extra quality.

How much is a decent set of golf clubs?

The Costs of Complete Sets of Golf Clubs Complete sets or packages of golf clubs aimed at the average golfer can range anywhere from around $100 to $1,200 (less than £100 to around the £1,000 mark).

What clubs should I use for what distances?

Generally speaking, a 3-wood is used for a shot in the range of 210 yards, while a 3-iron is used for a shot in the range of 180 yards. A 5-wood is used for a shot of about 180 yards, while a 5-iron is used for a shot of about 160 yards.

How do you organize a 14 way golf bag?

How to Organize A 14 Slot Golf Bag. 14 slots, so that means 1 slot/divider for every golf club. The driver, since it's the longest club in the set and has the largest head, goes right in the top slot. Then your hybrids and then irons followed by wedges and your putter.

How do you organize clubs in a 14 bag?

Your clubs should follow an ascending order from the back right to the back left. In other words, your driver is at the back left, while your wedges and putter are to the right from there. As I mentioned, some bags position their putter well at the back of the bag.

Why do you need a half set of clubs?

Half sets of clubs will enable you to improve your swing without having to spend much more on a complete set of clubs. When you are ready to take the next step, either choose a half set to which you can add more clubs as you become more adept, or trade it in.

Why use graphite shafts in golf clubs?

Although they are more expensive that steel shafts, graphite shafts are ideal for the beginning golfer. Because they are lighter, more of the club's weight is in the head making it easier for you to swing ...

How many irons are in a half set?

Most half sets consist of five irons--a four, six, eight, pitching wedge and sand iron as well as a three- and five-wood and a putter. Missing are the driver and two, three and four iron that are particularly hard for a beginner to hit. Not only are half sets easier to use, they make selecting a club much easier.

Can you return golf clubs if you buy them online?

While you can spend less on your golf clubs by going online, in most cases you cannot return the clubs if they are not suited to you.

How many clubs are in a golf set?

Golf club sets are composed of 14 clubs which is the maximum legal amount allowed by the USGA. In a beginner golf club set you should look for a good mix of drivers, woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and a putter. Most importantly, you want the golf clubs to cover your distance gaps.

How to hold onto a golf club?

In order to hold onto a golf club, there is an eight-inch rubber grip that is glued onto the steel or graphite shaft of each golf club in your bag. This gives your hands something to hold onto so the club doesn’t slip out of your hands as you are swinging 80-120 mph.

What is loft in golf?

Clubheads are designed for launching the golf ball into the air when they make contact with the ball. Loft is ultimately what controls your ball’s flight trajectory. Different components of the clubhead can be summed up in this image of this driver but they also apply to woods, hybrids, and irons.

Why use wedges in golf?

Wedges are designed for improving your scoring as you get close to the green. They are created with higher loft that produces more accuracy and higher spin to help you get more control over the golf balls distance. Bounce is another factor to consider when picking out wedges in your club set.

Why are irons important in golf?

Irons are important for scoring well in golf. Golf course’s design most greens to be quite small and with various ridges and slopes. This makes it tough for a golf ball to stay on the green if you hit a line drive with a wood or driver, for example.

Why do you need thicker grips on putters?

Or on the putter, for example, thicker grips are common to help golfers keep their hands and wrists less active during the putting stroke. Grips also come in many textures, colors, and designs.

What is the most coveted club in golf?

A driver is often the most coveted club in the golf bag that players put most of their focus on when buying golf clubs. This is largely due to the distance it can hit a golf ball and the golfer’s ego pushing them to try and hit the ball as far as possible.

How to make golf easier?

Use the right golf clubs to make golf easier. Making the right choice of clubs can make the game easier for a novice golfer. While there is not club that can make a perfect golf swing, the right clubs can drastically lower your handicap. Do not purchase the same set of clubs as tour professionals. Their clubs often have a lower center ...

How tall are golf clubs?

It is important to have golf clubs that match your body type. The standard department store golf club models are designed for males that stand 5’ 10” tall, so your game may struggle if you are taller or shorter. Be sure to find clubs that fit your body type, as manufacturers make sets for men and women of all sizes.

Why is it important to get golf clubs?

It is important to get golf clubs that will help you develop your game with each round played.

How long does it take to do a clubfit?

Many pro instructors are willing to do an in-depth clubfitting for their students. The clubfitting process can be completed in approximately 30-45 minutes. If this isn’t an option, ask to get measured at a pro shop.

Where is the Academy of Golf Dynamics located?

We are located at 1700 Kahala Sunset Dr in Spicewood, TX near Austin.

Is metal shafted golf club better than graphite?

Metal shafted clubs can be much cheaper than graphite. Because of this, metal shafted clubs may be ideal for a novice golfer’s first set. Clubfitting is a wise decision for all beginners before they head out onto the course for the first time. It is important to have golf clubs that match your body type. The standard department store golf club ...

What is the best shaft for a golf swing?

These shafts are lighter, which allows you to maximize your swing speed. Though they can be more expensive, graphite shafts are the most popular shaft type because the material is higher quality. Those with moderate to slow swing speeds play with graphite golf shafts; typically these shaft flexes are softer as well.

How many clubs can you carry in a golf bag?

According to the United States Golf Association (USGA), the governing body of golf that writes all the rules, you are allowed to carry up to 14 clubs in your bag. A typical 14-club set consists of the following:

What is hybrid golf?

Hybrids carry the loft of an iron with the distance of a fairway wood, hence the name. These clubs tend to be easier to hit than fairway woods, especially out of the rough, and can replace fairway wood options in your bag. Depending on your preference, you may only have one hybrid in your golf bag.

What is the biggest role in golf?

Golf Putters. Putters may play the largest role in golf. You use putters after using all the clubs above to get the ball in the hole on the green. There are plenty of styles to choose from -- blade putters, mal let putters, mid-mallet putters and more.

What are wedges in golf?

Golf Wedges. Golf wedges are an extremely important part of the game. These are the clubs you use around the green and in the sand bunkers to get onto the green. You can hit a variety of shots with wedges, from bump-and-runs to chips to pitches to flop shots. They come in different degree lofts, though the most popular are pitching wedges ...

How many woods are in a golf bag?

Most golf bags contain two fairway woods.

How many drivers do you need for a golf bag?

Golf Drivers. Also known as a 1 Wood, the driver goes the furthest distance and is used to tee off at the beginning of the hole. You only need one driver in your golf bag, and you can choose from a variety of driver lofts depending on your desired ball flight.

How many clubs can you use on a golf course?

You’re allowed to use a maximum of 14 clubs on the golf course, but if you’re a beginner, it’s not essential to get all the gear at the start of your golfing journey.

Is golf an expensive sport?

Golf can be an expensive sport to take up, and if you’re a beginner, there’s a fair chance you won’t want to spend a large amount of money, especially if you’re not 100 per cent sure you’re going to stick at it, or play regularly enough to justify the expense.

1. Irons first and look for sets that include hybrids

Your irons should serve as the foundation that you build your whole 14-club set upon. Most irons come with a pitching wedge and a handful of numeric clubs, usually ranging from 9-iron down through to a 5, 4, or even sometimes a 3-iron.

2. Beginner sets are the way to go at first

Beginner sets, sometimes called boxed sets, typically come with everything you need to get started playing golf. You can find some that include a driver, irons, a wedge, a putter and a bag.

4. And maybe splurge on a driver, too

For years we recommended that new golfers don’t really need a driver because they take a while to learn how to use. That’s hardly the case anymore—today’s drivers are behemoths and with the right configuration, can be a blast for almost anyone to hit.

5. Buy the right golf balls

We’re only saying this because we see it happen all the time—beginners have no need or reason to buy premium-priced golf balls.

How to choose golf clubs: Be realistic

Even if you don't have an official handicap, you'll have some idea of your skill level. If you're a beginner, keep a note of your scores - what are you tending to shoot over 18 holes?

Know Your Strengths And Weaknesses

Your handicap, if you have one, gives you a broad idea of where you are ability-wise, but you should break your game down a bit more before committing to a purchase.

Read Our Reviews

You wouldn't buy a car without reading the latest reviews, would you? It's the same when considering how to choose golf clubs - and you can start by reading the very latest Golf Monthly reviews.

Get Custom Fitted

We're all different shapes and sizes, and everyone has different swing characteristics - which makes a golf club custom fitting crucial. If you're going to spend a chunk of money on clubs, then it makes sense to take that extra step and get them dialled in for your game.

Finding A Deal

Whilst we would always recommend getting a custom fitting, if you know what you want and you're happy buying clubs straight from the shelf, shop around. At Golf Monthly we find the best deals for you so whatever you are looking for, you can complete your golfing set-up exactly the way you want it.