A well-chosen first set makes learning the game and playing your first rounds easier, while unsuitable clubs make getting started needlessly difficult. We explain how many golf clubs you really need as a beginner, when a half set is enough and how to choose the shaft, flex and length. You’ll also find out which mistakes to avoid when buying your first set and what else is worth buying with it.
What a complete golf set includes
A complete set, often sold as a package set, is a selection of clubs that lets you play the whole course, from the first shot off the tee to the final putt. Besides the clubs, it usually comes with a bag and headcovers. Individual golf sets differ in the number and mix of clubs, so always check the description to see exactly what is included.
| Club | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Driver | The first shot from the tee on longer holes |
| Fairway wood | Long shots from the fairway, or from the tee |
| Hybrid | Long shots; replaces the long irons and is easier to hit |
| Irons (usually 5 or 6 to 9) | Shots into the green from medium distances |
| Pitching wedge (PW) | Shorter shots into the green |
| Sand wedge (SW), only in some sets | Bunker shots and short shots around the green |
| Putter | Putting on the green |
A set contains a fairway wood, a hybrid or both. The clubs differ mainly in length and loft, the angle of the clubface: the higher the number of the iron, the shorter the club, the greater the loft, and the higher but shorter the shot.
In total, a complete set usually has 8 to 13 clubs. The Rules of Golf allow a maximum of 14 clubs during a round, so you have room to add to your set later, for example with another wedge.
Half set or full set?
A half set has 5 to 7 clubs and a lightweight bag that is easy to carry. It usually includes a wood or hybrid, a few irons, a wedge and a putter. The gaps between the clubs are bigger, so for a distance you don’t have a club for, you play a longer club with a shorter swing.
A half set is a good choice:
- for your first lessons and getting started in golf,
- for occasional play, when you don’t want to carry a heavy bag,
- for children who are starting out, although in a junior size.
A full set is worth it if you:
- want to play regularly and get out on the course,
- don’t want to buy more clubs any time soon,
- want a dedicated club for every distance.
If you’re unsure, decide based on how often you’ll play. For a few practice sessions a year, a half set is enough; for regular play on the course, go for a full set.
Shaft and flex: steel or graphite?
The shaft has a big influence on how a club plays. In sets, the woods have graphite shafts, while irons come with either material:
- Steel is often heavier than lightweight graphite in beginner sets, but the material alone does not guarantee greater accuracy or stiffness.
- Graphite comes in different weights and flexes. Lightweight versions may help with slower swings, but shafts for fast swings are available too.
The second important property is flex, which is the stiffness of the shaft. It is chosen according to swing speed: the faster you swing, the stiffer the shaft you need.
| Flex | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| L (Ladies) | Ladies’ flex |
| A (Senior) | Slower swings, often older players |
| R (Regular) | Most men who are starting out |
| S (Stiff) | Fast swings only |
A club that is too stiff and heavy is harder to play with a slower swing: shots tend to fly lower and shorter, and the game is more tiring. If you don’t know your swing speed, flex R is usually a safe choice for men and L for women. Only go for flex S once your fast swing has been measured. Weight, kick point and the other properties used to choose a shaft can wait until later, once your swing has settled.
The right club length
Choose set length using both your height and wrist-to-floor measurement, then check it in your natural address position. Being taller does not automatically mean you need an extra inch (2.54 cm); standard lengths and available options vary by manufacturer.
Arm length matters as well as height, so two players of the same height may need different club lengths. A club of the wrong length forces you to adjust your posture: you either hunch over or stand too upright. You can work out the exact length of your golf clubs from your height and the distance from your wrist to the floor; if you fall outside the ranges above, consider custom-fitted clubs.
Right-handed or left-handed?
A right-handed golfer stands with the left side towards the target and has the left hand at the top of the grip; for a left-handed golfer it is exactly the opposite. The side you play golf from doesn’t have to match the hand you write with: many left-handers play golf right-handed, and vice versa.
If you’re not sure, try a few practice swings from both sides and choose the one that feels more natural. A coach can also give you reliable advice at your first lesson. You’ll find left-handed sets using the “Dexterity” filter.
Men’s, women’s or junior set?
Women’s sets have lighter, shorter clubs with L flex, usually with graphite shafts in the irons too, and thinner grips. Men’s sets are longer and heavier and usually come with R flex.
What really matters, though, is height, strength and swing speed, not gender. A taller woman with a faster swing can opt for a men’s set, while a slighter man with a slow swing will appreciate lighter clubs with a softer flex.
Golf clubs for children are chosen according to the child’s height, not age. Junior sets have fewer clubs and are shorter and lighter; cut-down adult clubs are unnecessarily heavy and stiff for children.
A set, individual clubs or second-hand?
A complete set is a sensible choice for most beginners. The clubs are matched in length, flex and loft progression, and the bag comes with them. Complete sets are available from brands such as Wilson, Callaway, TaylorMade and Cobra.
Individual clubs make sense if you already own some, want to add to a half set or know exactly which model and specifications you want. As well as the golf clubs you choose, you’ll also need a golf bag. Without experience, putting your equipment together piece by piece is more complicated, because you have to keep an eye on flex, length and the gaps between clubs yourself.
Second-hand clubs can do the job if you just want to try golf, but you won’t know exactly what you’re buying. Check the flex (usually marked on the shaft), the length relative to your height, the condition of the grips and the type of clubheads. Worn, hard grips can be replaced, but a new grip won’t fix an unsuitable flex or blade irons.
Common mistakes when buying your first clubs
- Stiff, heavy hand-me-downs from a friend. Clubs that suited another player may have a shaft that is too stiff, too much weight or the wrong length for you. Before you take them on, check at least the flex and length.
- Blade irons. They have a thin head and are much less forgiving of shots struck away from the centre of the face. Beginners are better suited to forgiving irons with a cavity in the back of the head (cavity back), a wider sole and weight spread around the perimeter; these are often labelled game improvement irons.
- Too many clubs. The long 3 and 4 irons are hard for a beginner to hit, and a hybrid makes long shots easier. Fourteen clubs straight away means a heavier bag and needless hesitation over which club to choose.
- An expensive driver as your first purchase. The driver is the longest club in the bag, usually the hardest for a beginner to hit, and it is normally only used from the tee, and not on every hole. To begin with, the driver in your set is enough. If you can’t hit it well yet, you can also tee off with a fairway wood or hybrid.
When to move on to custom-fitted clubs
After one or two seasons of regular play, once your swing has settled, it makes sense to consider custom-fitted clubs. During a fitting, a launch monitor measures club head speed, angle of attack, spin and carry. Based on the results, the head type, shaft, length, lie angle and grip are chosen, and the clubs are ordered directly from the manufacturer.
You don’t have to change everything at once; you could start with a set of irons, for example. A fitting can also make sense earlier if you are considerably taller or shorter than the standard club length is designed for.
Our experience from the fitting studio is that measured data makes the choice easier: the TrackMan iO and Uneekor EYE XO simulators show club head speed, carry and spin, so the right flex and shaft material are easier to pick.
What to buy with your set
- Balls. You’ll lose a lot of them at first, so cheaper, durable two-piece golf balls are all you need. There’s time for more expensive multi-layer balls later.
- Glove. It is worn on the top hand, so a right-hander wears it on the left. It improves your hold on the club and protects your palm from blisters. Choose from men’s or women’s gloves and check the size carefully: a glove should fit snugly.
- Shoes. You can buy golf shoes later, once you play regularly. They give you better stability during the swing, especially on wet grass.
Summary
- A complete set usually has 8 to 13 clubs, a bag and headcovers; the rules allow a maximum of 14 clubs.
- A half set with 5 to 7 clubs is enough for your first lessons, occasional play and for children.
- Choose iron shafts by weight, flex and the results of trying them; material alone or the player’s gender does not determine the right choice.
- Flex R suits most men who are starting out, L suits women, A suits slower swings and S suits fast swings only.
- Check length using height, wrist-to-floor measurement and posture; an extra inch is not automatically right for every taller player.
- Avoid blade irons, stiff hand-me-downs and an expensive driver as your first purchase; after one or two seasons, consider a fitting.
Once you know what you need, browse the golf sets and choose the one that suits your height, your swing and how often you want to play.
Frequently asked questions
How many clubs do I need?
For your first lessons and occasional play, a half set with 5 to 7 clubs is enough. If you want to play regularly on the course, go for a full set with 8 to 13 clubs. You may not carry more than 14 clubs during a round.
Women’s or men’s set?
Height, strength and swing speed are what count. Women’s sets are lighter and shorter and have L flex. A taller woman with a faster swing can choose a men’s set.
Is steel or graphite better?
Graphite is common in woods. Either material can work well in irons: what matters is the specific weight, flex and how you play with the club. Steel alone does not guarantee greater accuracy, and graphite is not limited to slower swings.
How much does a beginner golf set cost?
The price mainly depends on the number of clubs, the shaft material, the bag and the brand; within the same range, a half set costs less than a full set. You’ll find current prices on the individual sets. When you’re starting out, clubs that fit you in length and flex are a better investment than an expensive driver.
You’ll find more topics in the overview of our golf guides.