Golf can look like a gear explosion—14 clubs, multiple wedges, specialty balls, laser rangefinders, training aids… it’s easy to feel like you need a tour truck just to book a tee time.
The good news: as a beginner, you only need a simple core setup to get started and have fun. This guide walks through the essential equipment, nice-to-haves, and shows beginner-friendly sets and accessories from Amazon so you can see real-world examples.
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If you just want the quick answer, here’s what you actually need to take up golf and play real rounds:
That’s it. You can absolutely enjoy the game with this simple list—no need to fill all 14 spots in the bag on day one.
Most beginner sets are designed to cover all the basic shots you’ll face without overwhelming you with extra clubs. A common starter set might include:
| Club | What it’s for | Beginner role |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Longest club, used mostly from the tee on par 4s and par 5s. | Gets you as far down the fairway as possible when things go right. |
| Fairway wood / hybrid | Clubs for longer shots from the fairway or tee. | Backup plan when driver feels scary; great for long par 3s and tight tee shots. |
| Irons (usually 6–9 iron) | Mid-to-short range approach shots toward the green. | Main “aim at the green” clubs once you’re within reasonable distance. |
| Wedge(s) | Higher loft clubs for short shots and bunkers. | Used for chips, pitches, and shots near the green. |
| Putter | Used on the green to roll the ball into the hole. | Where your score really adds up—this one gets a lot of use. |
Many sets also include a couple of headcovers and, importantly, the golf bag itself. That’s why complete sets are such a good deal for beginners.
From our Amazon feed we pulled complete and package sets aimed at beginners, then sorted them by customer rating. Here are a few strong examples so you can see typical pricing and what’s included.
These sets are here as reference points—pay attention to how many clubs are included, whether the bag is part of the deal, and if they’re labeled as men’s, women’s, or junior.
| Set | Rating | Price* | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golf Clubs Womens Golf Clubs Golf Club Set with Head Cover Stand Bag Includes #1 Driver & #3 Fairway Wood & #4 Hybrid & #7#8#9#P Irons | 4.8 ★ (5) | $189.99 | View on Amazon |
| PGA Tour Youth Golf Club Set – Ages 3-5 (3’6”-4’1”) and 5-8 (4’1” - 4'8") Right and Left Handed Beginner Junior Golf Clubs with Lightweight Golf Bag, Mallet Putter, Driver by Golfgen | 4.7 ★ (274) | $199.99 | View on Amazon |
| Callaway Golf Women’s Strata Complete Set | 4.6 ★ (4985) | $399.75 | View on Amazon |
*Approximate prices from the feed. Always confirm current pricing, handedness (right/left), and flex.
Rating: 4.8 ★ (5 reviews)
$189.99
Look for notes on how many clubs are included, whether a bag is part of the set, and if it’s labeled as “beginner” or “game improvement.”
Rating: 4.7 ★ (274 reviews)
$199.99 $239.99
Look for notes on how many clubs are included, whether a bag is part of the set, and if it’s labeled as “beginner” or “game improvement.”
Rating: 4.6 ★ (4985 reviews)
$399.75 $499.99
Look for notes on how many clubs are included, whether a bag is part of the set, and if it’s labeled as “beginner” or “game improvement.”
Rating: 4.6 ★ (722 reviews)
$153.85
Look for notes on how many clubs are included, whether a bag is part of the set, and if it’s labeled as “beginner” or “game improvement.”
Rating: 4.6 ★ (85 reviews)
$209.99
Look for notes on how many clubs are included, whether a bag is part of the set, and if it’s labeled as “beginner” or “game improvement.”
Rating: 4.6 ★ (67 reviews)
$183.20 $219.00
Look for notes on how many clubs are included, whether a bag is part of the set, and if it’s labeled as “beginner” or “game improvement.”
Rating: 4.6 ★ (31 reviews)
$359.99
Look for notes on how many clubs are included, whether a bag is part of the set, and if it’s labeled as “beginner” or “game improvement.”
Rating: 4.5 ★ (10343 reviews)
$399.00 $499.99
Look for notes on how many clubs are included, whether a bag is part of the set, and if it’s labeled as “beginner” or “game improvement.”
Once you’ve got a set, you just need a few supporting pieces to actually play golf without feeling like you’re borrowing everything from the pro shop.
There’s no single “right” answer—just trade-offs:
If you’re fairly sure you want to give golf a real try, a complete beginner set is usually the least stressful way to get started.
It depends on how fancy you want to get, but many beginners can get fully outfitted—clubs, bag, balls, glove, and basic shoes—for less than the cost of a high-end single driver. Think in rough terms of a few hundred dollars, not thousands.
No. Start with affordable balls; losing a few in the woods hurts less that way. Once you’re keeping more in play and learning your distances, you can experiment with cheaper but consistent golf balls or move up if you want more spin.
Helpful, not essential. Many courses have markers and GPS in the carts. A simple rangefinder or GPS app makes club selection easier, but it’s not required for your first rounds.
Good beginner gear makes the game more forgiving and more fun, but it’s not a magic fix. Lessons, practice, and learning how far you actually hit each club (see how to judge golf club distances) will move the needle more than any single club.