Golf clubs are expensive, and they can make a great obstacle for those who are interested in getting started in the game of golf.
If you are a new player and wondering what you should spend on a new set of golf clubs, we have you covered.
It takes a little bit of time and research to find the perfect set of beginner golf clubs, but there are some really great options on the market.
If you are shopping for yourself or a friend or family member, here are some things you should know about how much to spend on a beginner set of golf clubs.
How Much Should A Beginner Spend On Golf 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.
However, if you are not yet sure if golf is going to be the sport for you, then it is not necessary to spend so much on your golf clubs.
Essentially, it makes sense to take your time and figure out your commitment level to the game before you go and make a purchase.
Beginner golfers are sometimes all in because they are ready to retire and spend their days on the golf course.
Others have just heard good things about the game and want to give it a try.
Depending on what type of commitment level you have, it could make sense to spend more or less money on beginner golf clubs.
There are also some factors here that play into whether or not a cheap set of clubs is worth it and how long they will last.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for a beginner set of golf clubs.
1. Premium Vs. Beginner Set
Beginner golf club sets are made for those that are new to the game and need all the help they can get.
With a beginner golf club set, you will be able to get the forgiveness and distance that you need to get a start in the game.
However, many beginner golf sets do not have the performance necessary for long-term success in the game.
For instance, beginner golf sets are going to help players hit the ball further, but they won’t necessarily have spin and control.
As golfers get better, they will look for things like the ability to draw or fade a shot as opposed to just hitting the ball straight.
The beginner golf sets come in a few different types, but the premium types can work for both beginners and intermediate golfers.
If you have the extra money to spend, the premium set may not need to be replaced nearly as soon as the beginner set.
If it turns out that you really like golf, you will move past your beginner set of golf clubs incredibly quickly and need to find something new to replace them.
This often gets rather expensive, even though a beginner set is something you should be able to sell.
2. Package Or Individual Clubs
There are two ways to purchase clubs for beginners, and that is through a package set or by purchasing individual clubs.
When you purchase individual clubs, you will notice that the clubs are going to be quite a bit higher in price, but the technology and the performance can be fine-tuned for the game.
The package sets offer a tremendous value and make it easier for players to afford their golf club purchases.
The ideal situation here is to be able to combine some premium golf clubs with the package set.
Maybe you purchase the package set but also find a really great driver or an extra wedge that you can include with the set.
Most of the beginner sets on the market do not have 14 clubs with them, so you will have room to fill in with some of the technology that you would like to try and work with.
Sometimes just one extra hybrid or fairway wood added in can make all the difference when it comes to the performance of the golf clubs.
Individual clubs and package golf clubs rarely overlap when it comes to technology and performance.
An entire set of beginner golf clubs may cost $350, compared to a new driver from Callaway or TaylorMade costing $500.
It’s hard to say which decision here is the better one, and again it will come back to our original distinction of being able to decide what your commitment level is.
3. Replacement Time Frame
How long do you think you will keep your beginner golf set?
If you plan on purchasing a set that will last you for a year and then you will replace it to purchase a premium set, then it makes sense to purchase a lower-priced golf club set.
However, if you need a golf club set for beginners that will last the next five years, it is really important to find something that is a bit more premium.
This really comes down to value.
When you purchase a more premium golf set or are able to put the golf clubs together to make a complete set, then the time frame for a replacement gets longer.
New golf clubs with premium technology can sometimes last ten years, and their technology will still be somewhat relevant.
The beginner value sets do not have the best technology to begin with, and therefore, they will be a bit outdated after just a year or two of use.
Try to consider how long you will have to keep the clubs in order to upgrade, and then think about the amount of money it makes sense to invest.
4. Golf Club Set Makeup
WILSON Golf Ultra Plus Package Set, Men's Right Handed, Regular Carry
The set makeup of the golf clubs that beginners choose is incredibly important.
Sometimes you will find that a beginner set of clubs only has about eight or nine golf clubs in the bag.
This is not necessarily a bad thing as the company has just decided that this is all beginners need to get started in the game.
Eventually, it is up to you as the golfer to decide which golf club set makeup is the best for your game.
We highly recommend that a beginner player has at least a driver, fairway wood, a hybrid, a few irons, wedges, and a putter.
The key for beginners is to learn how to use a variety of golf clubs so that they are prepared for any situation they may come across on the golf course.
For instance, if you only have a pitching wedge in your golf bag but you end up with a shot that is close to the green and stuck in the bunker, you will need some type of equipment to help you get out.
The golf club set makeup will vary from one manufacturer to another.
There is no perfect golf club set makeup, as you must find something that works for your game.
In the beginning, many of the golf clubs you purchase will go the same length.
Until beginners start hitting the ball closer to the center of the club head and getting plenty of consistency, it’s hard to get the exact distances for each iron.
Your seven iron and your eight iron may go the same distance, and that is to be expected until you become a better player.
Once you start establishing more accurate and consistent distances for each of your shots, then you can add more golf clubs to the bag.
If that means throwing in an extra hybrid or fairway wood to help you cover more distances, that is completely understandable and a smart option to consider.
When you shop for beginner golf clubs, do not be worried if the set does not have all 14 clubs.
In many situations, this is a good thing, and in the end, you can always add to the set to make it a better solution for your golf game.
5. Used Or New
Both used and new golf clubs can make a good choice for beginners.
If you plan on going the used route, we highly recommend that you look for something of higher quality.
If you choose higher quality, you can expect to get more for your money and easier performance.
For instance, purchasing a set of used beginner golf clubs that were produced ten years ago may not be a good idea.
It’s a really good idea to take advantage of the premium technology offered at a lower price.
In addition, sometimes you can find something that is just two or three years old that is offered for a tremendously reduced price.
If you decide to purchase used golf clubs, look for brand-name clubs that are designed to last for quite some time.
Sometimes like, a Callaway or TaylorMade set of irons is going to last for quite some time and be a really good investment into your game.
When you purchase knock-off brands or lesser-known golf clubs used, then you will likely be having to replace them before too long.
What Golf Club Should A Beginner Start With?
If you are not sure you want to jump fully on board and purchase a full set of golf clubs, there are some other ways that beginners can get involved in the sport.
Many beginners will purchase one or two golf clubs and just start taking them to the driving range.
If you practice with these golf clubs long enough, you may get confident in your ability to use them and be ready to move on to another set of golf clubs.
The beginner golf clubs that are typically recommended for starting the game are the seven iron and the pitching wedge.
With these two golf clubs, you can learn the basic golf swing and then start to practice some chipping and pitching techniques.
These are things that all golfers will need at some point in their career, and it makes sense to learn them sooner rather than later.
The beginners who want to start with a full set of clubs are more than welcome to do so, but in the beginning, just focusing on one club and getting the technique down can be a much more effective strategy to learn the game.
As always, beginners should consider taking golf lessons and incorporating this into the costs to learn to play the game.
The more you practice and learn about golf, the easier it is to become a lifelong player.
How Much Should I Spend On Golf Clubs?
Golfers should look to spend between $500 and $2500 for a set of golf clubs.
As technology is improving, the golf clubs on the market are getting a bit more expensive.
For players who are looking to get more for their money, used golf clubs can sometimes make the best choice.
The key to finding the best set of golf clubs is more about feel and performance than it is about the cost.
Even the best players in the game will tell you that sometimes there is a club that works well for you, and it keeps a spot in the bag year after year.
When a golfer goes out and tests a new driver, they bring along the one they are currently playing with.
If the performance of that new driver is not as good as the old one, for some reason, or only slightly better, it doesn’t make sense to spend the money.
Over time, you will notice that golfers spend money on the clubs that matter and those that perform instead of just purchasing the highest quality golf clubs on the market.
Overall, the clubs with the highest price tag may not be the best for your game.
Golfers who are concerned about which clubs they should be playing with should look at the launch monitor results or go for a custom club fitting to make sure it makes sense to upgrade their equipment.
Those with a big budget certainly have an advantage when it comes to purchasing new golf clubs, but this does not mean that those on a budget can’t get started in the game.
If you are serious about wanting to play golf, there are ways to get it done.
How Many Golf Clubs Should A Beginner Carry?
A beginner should carry around nine or ten total golf clubs.
One of the best set makeup for a beginner will be as follows:
- Driver
- Fairway Wood
- Hybrid
- 5-PW
- SW
- Putter
The set can be expanded over time as you find more equipment that could be a fit for your game.
Many players will add in a lob wedge and then an extra hybrid or fairway wood to produce some different yardages.
The long irons tend to be a problem for beginners because they are harder to hit and require a higher swing speed.
If you are new to the game, you may want to consider the hybrids in the long irons as opposed to going all the way to the 5 iron.
The beginner that thinks they need 14 golf clubs just to be able to go play the course is wrong.
This is not necessary and will likely end up being a waste of money.
Chances are you will not use all 14 of these clubs, and then you will end up replacing them because your game progresses to the next level.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now feel as though you have a better idea of what a beginner should spend on golf clubs.
Golf clubs require a large initial investment, and it is important to get a set that is a good fit for your skills.
Many players find that the beginner sets on the market are a good fit, while others will want to put a set together based on specific preferences.
Whatever you decide to do with your beginner golf club purchase, you must consider your commitment level.
If you are not committed to the sport and not going to play seriously, then it doesn’t make sense to spend a great deal of money on the clubs.
This is a situation where you should purchase a cheaper set and make it last for a year or two while you decide if this game is for you.
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