No, beginner golfers don't need a full set of golf clubs. Some teaching professionals even recommend starting with a set called short. You can start golf with a full set of clubs, but you don't have to. The fact is that until you start to improve, start learning your yards until you get to the point where you actually see some difference in the flight of the ball and the distance between, for example, hitting a 4 iron and hitting a 5 iron, there is really no need for a full set of sticks.
If you want to start with a full set, there is nothing wrong with that, and most people who decide to become golfers choose a complete set of clubs, whether new or used. But if you want to save a little money at first, give yourself some time to learn the game before investing in a full set, then a short set is a great option. Golf can be an expensive hobby, but you don't have to make it more expensive than it has to be. Again, it's perfectly fine to go with everything on golf clubs right from the start, or at least start with a full set.
Just don't feel like you have to. If you have fun and decide to become a committed golfer, you can upgrade to a better and more complete set of clubs later on. No matter your golfing experience, buying used golf clubs and used golf club sets is the most economical way to play golf. At GlobalGolf, we have a certified pre-owned vehicle process that thoroughly investigates the condition of each club used.
You can learn more about buying used golf clubs in a variety of playable conditions in our Buying Guide for Used Golf Clubs. Most boxed games come with all the clubs that the manufacturer believes a beginner golf will need to start playing golf. That means a driver, a fairway wood or two, some hybrids, some irons, maybe a sand wedge and a putter. The boxed set also comes with a golf bag, usually a stand-up bag, which is the most versatile bag for a beginner who wants to walk the course or ride a cart when playing.
The wedges have the highest lofts of all golf clubs, between 45 and 64 degrees, and are designed for the shortest strokes you play, including the chip set and the bunker. The good news is that you don't need a complete set to start and in this post I'm going to talk about how many clubs you should have and which ones I would recommend you start with. If there is one comment that golf club installers probably hear more often, it is that beginning golfers tell them that they are not good enough to adapt to golf clubs. In the 12 piece Strata set you have a driver, a fairway wood, a hybrid, irons from 6 to 9, a casting wedge, a putter and a bag to store everything.
And the choice of the number of clubs is just one thing for a beginner when it comes to that first set. I want to help those who have just started playing golf or those who need some inspiration to get out the door and hit the course. To this day, Joey suggests starting with half a set or two-thirds, starting with 3, 5, 7 and 9 irons and sticks of 3 and 5 woods. The most important thing you can do is to spend time, golf is an activity that requires practice and there are no shortcuts.
If you had to put together a solid set of golf clubs as described above, your golf clubs will last you a while as you learn more about the game. As every golf swing is different, golf manufacturers have responded by creating different types of clubs that can better serve that swing.
