Just started playing golf and want your first set of golf clubs? This is the ultimate guide to the best budget golf clubs for beginners.
You're new to golf and are looking for the best golf clubs on a budget, right?
I was there not too long ago! In fact, I bought my first pair of golf clubs this year! Since we all know I do not like to spend money unless I'm getting great value out of it, I did massive amounts of research on the best golf clubs to get for my playing level.
I scoured the internet for the best golf clubs at the best value so I'm paying it forward by saving you the time and sharing my list!
My criteria for a beginner golf club set was that I wanted to make sure I purchased quality clubs that would last me years to come, that would be easy to use in a game of golf, and that I could progress my skills with.
We'll walk through all of your questions to make this process of buying your first set of clubs as easy as possible.
This is the ultimate guide to the best budget golf clubs for beginners.
Best Budget Golf Clubs for Beginners
Golfing is intimidating…let's be honest.
If you're new to the golf world, knowing the kind of golf clubs you need can be a daunting task. There are so many shapes and sizes to choose from!
However, you're not alone. Golf has been growing more and more in popularity every year. In fact, in 2023, golf is reported to be more popular than ever before.
Here is a list of the best budget golf clubs for beginners:
1. Best Beginner Golf Set- Callaway Strata Golf Set
This beginner golf set is the best budget-friendly option for a complete set of clubs for beginner players.
It is probably the most popular beginner set of clubs on the market and has over 7,000 reviews alone on Amazon.
The price is extremely affordable and it offers everything you need in your first set of clubs.
It is designed for maximum performance and includes a 460 cc driver, fairway wood, hybrid, 6 – 9 Iron, PW, Putter, Stand Bag, and 2 Headcovers for 12 pieces in total.
2. Best Affordable Golf Set- Wilson Complete Golf Clubs
Beginner golfers need a solid, affordable set that is still high quality. These are the best clubs for affordability and forgiveness.
The beginner golf set is a reasonable price and includes a 10.5° Driver with graphite shaft, #3 Fairway Wood with graphite shaft, #5 Hybrid, Irons: #6, 7, 8, 9, Pitching Wedge, Sand Wedge, Putter, Carry Bag, and three Head Covers.
You can't go wrong with a Wilson set of clubs!
3. Best Performance Golf Set- Precise M5
This beginner golf set is a favorite among new golfers as it is a complete set.
It's made of performance materials for an overall great set that can grow with you as your skill set matures.
It comes with a 460 cc driver, #3 wood, 21 Hybrid, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW stainless irons, a putter, a deluxe stand bag, and 3 headcovers.
Men's Best Budget Golf Clubs for Beginners
1. Best Distance Golf Set- WILSON Men's Profile Platinum
This complete set of clubs is very popular as it includes 10 clubs and is engineered for longer, straighter shots that can go the maximum distance. Don't we love that!?
It comes with a Driver, 5 Wood, 5 Hybrid, 6-SW, and Putter.
The clubs are made of lightweight components, which allow for amazing distance.
2. Best Golf Package Set for Game Improvement- Wilson Men's Profile SGI
This set of golf clubs is designed to grow with you as you develop your skill set.
It is a budget-friendly set of golf clubs that also has advanced technology for better performance when playing.
It comes with a complete set, including a driver, fairway wood, hybrid, 4 irons, pitching wedge, sand wedge, putter, a carrying bag, and head covers.
What more could you need?
3. Best Value Men's Complete Golf Set- Tangkula
This Tangkula set of complete golf clubs is a fantastic value as it includes a driver, fairway wood, a hybrid, 5 irons, a putter, and 3 head covers.
This set of clubs wins best golf set for beginners as it is affordable, quality, and has great reviews!
Women's Best Budget Golf Clubs for Beginners
1. Best Value Women's Complete Golf Club Set- GoPlus
This complete set of women's golf clubs comes with everything you need as a new golfer.
It comes with a driver, a fairway wood, a hybrid, a putter, and 5 irons. In addition, it comes with head covers and is designed in an adorable pink color!
This set is the best value for a complete set of golf clubs at an incredible price!
2. Best Golf Clubs for Forgiveness- Precise M3
These women's beginner golf clubs are KNOWN for forgiveness with their large sweet spot. I considered this set of clubs as I need all the help I can get!
It comes with a full set of clubs and is designed for straighter shots. Yes, please!
New players to the game will fall in love with this set of clubs as it includes a Driver, Fairway, Hybrid, 7-PW Irons, Putter, Stand Bag, 3 H/C's
3. Best Performance Golf Clubs for Women- Aspire XD1
This set of golf clubs is a budget-friendly performance option for the ladies who plan to grow with their clubs over the years.
The set includes a Titanium Driver, Fairway Wood, Hybrid, 6-PW Irons, a Putter, a Stand Bag, and 3 headcovers. All clubs are made of Ultra Light High Modulus 100% Graphite Shafts making it easier to hit golf balls that soar!
Best Used Golf Clubs for Beginners
If getting a beginner set of golf clubs is getting to be too pricey, a great budget-friendly option for golf clubs is to find some used golf clubs.
People are constantly getting rid of their golf clubs so it will actually be fairly easy to find some used clubs.
Here are the best places to find good quality budget-friendly used golf clubs:
- Thrift Stores
- Craigslist
- Online Retails like Amazon or eBay
- Golf Retail Stores
- Facebook Marketplace
- Offer Up
- Golf Forums
- Garage Sales
How do I Choose Golf Clubs for Beginners?
When beginner golfers are looking for their first set of golf clubs, they'll want to think about several criteria to ensure they are suitable for their needs.
Thinking about these different factors will help you make the best decision for the ideal golf club set for you.
Let's run through a step-by-step guide on what to consider when shopping for golf clubs.
1. Decide on Your Budget
This will be the most important consideration when deciding on a new pair of golf clubs. You'll want to decide exactly how much you are willing to spend on golf clubs.
Come up with a maximum budget number you'd be willing to spend before even starting your search for clubs.
You'll want to consider value vs. quality when deciding on this budget.
2. Choose Your Preferences
There are so many different types of clubs to choose from so you'll want to decide on your preferences. Things to consider are:
- Club Length- What length do you need for your particular height?
- Club Loft- Higher-numbered irons are often simpler to use for beginners.
- Forgiveness- A larger club is better for beginners as there's a large club face to hit the golf ball.
- Colors- Do you have a preference for the color of the golf clubs?
- Weight- Is there a particular weight of clubs you want?
3. Think About the Use Case
Think about how you plan to use these golf clubs. Will they be used for family activities or for business?
Depending on the use case for the clubs, you may lean toward a particular set of clubs.
4. Complete Beginner Set or Individual Clubs
Decide whether you'd like to get a complete set of golf clubs or specific individual clubs to get you through the game.
Beginner sets of clubs will be more expensive, but if you plan to stick with golf, investing in a complete set would probably be a good idea.
If you just want to have enough clubs to be dangerous on the golf course, perhaps purchasing a few particular clubs will be of more interest to you.
5. Longevity
Think about how long you'd like to keep the golf clubs before replacing them due to your skill level or the age of the clubs.
If you plan on replacing the golf clubs as you get better, then go for a budget-friendly beginner set.
If you'd like the golf club set to last you for a lifetime, consider a nicer set that you can grow with.
I call it future-proofing.
6. Skill Level
What is your overall skill level? Are you a true beginner who has just learned to play golf?
Think about your skill level and how comfortable you are playing on a course. That will help you determine what type of golf clubs to go for and the amount of money to spend on them.
7. Analyze Your Commitment
Think about how invested you are and how often you plan to play golf.
Let's be honest with ourselves here.
Do you need the most expensive set of golf clubs when you're only going to be playing once a year? Probably not. If you're brand new to the sport and still trying to figure out if you like it, probably a budget set will be just fine for now.
On the contrary, if you plan to take lessons to play on a golf team or in business meetings each week, you'll want to consider more of an intermediate set of clubs.
8. Consider Trying them First
If you find a beginner set you like, see if the retailer will let you try them out.
It's difficult and expensive to choose a pair of golf clubs so trying them out will give you the confidence that you are making the right decision.
Not every place allows this, but at the very least, ask about the return policy!
What Clubs Do You Need to Play Golf?
When deciding on the best budget golf clubs for beginners, a new golfer would be well suited with a driver, a putter, some irons, and a golf bag to hold everything in. These items will be the most cost-effective way to start playing golf with your own set of clubs.
Let's review the 5 different types of golf clubs below:
- Driver- Drivers are used for long-distance shots off the tee typically on par 4 and above holes
- Fairway Wood- These clubs are also used for long-distance tee shots
- Irons- Irons come in various sizes and shapes used for different distances
- Wedges- These are used for short, crisp shots.
- Putter- Putters are used strictly for putting on the green at the hole
Based on the above types of clubs, you don't need to have everything as a beginner golfer, but a couple of types of clubs will suit you well in your rounds.
How Many Clubs Do You Need to Play Golf?
In a round of golf, a person is allowed to carry a total of 14 clubs.
However, this doesn't mean you have to by any means have all 14 clubs in your golf bag.
You can choose which clubs to carry based on your preferences, your skill level and the course you are playing on.
How Many Wedges Should You Carry?
There are several different kinds of wedges and the types new golfers will carry will depend on their skill level.
Here are the types of golf wedges:
- Pitching Wedge- Loft is 44 to 48 degrees.
- Gap Wedge- This may also be called an approach wedge or utility wedge. The loft is 50 to 54 degrees.
- Sand Wedge- These are designed for shots out of the bunker. The loft is 54 to 58 degrees.
- Lob Wedge- Loft is above 58 degrees and up to 64 degrees. This is often used around the green to get around obstacles.
As a beginner golfer, you would be fine with one type of wedge.
What is the Ideal Golf Club Set Up?
There isn't a one-size-fits-all model for the best golf club setup. It will depend on preferences, skill set, etc.
However, a beginner golf club setup should have a driver, some irons, a wedge, and a putter with a golf bag to hold everything.
With those few items on a budget, you'll be ready to rock and roll on the golf course!
How Do I Find the Right Golf Club for Me?
After going through all of the criteria above, you'll want to consider testing out some clubs or doing a custom fitting.
Often, finding the right club is all about trial and error.
Consider signing up for golf lessons with a golf pro who will let you try out different clubs.
Check your local golf course for lessons. I'm enrolled in a bi-weekly golf lesson where I have full access to the coaches, 10 sets of golf clubs, and can hit unlimited balls any day I want. It's a great deal and helped me figure out what clubs I like best.
How Do I Choose Golf Clubs for My Height?
Choosing golf clubs that are appropriate for your height is one of the most important factors when choosing a new set of golf clubs.
You'll want to follow these steps to ensure you get the right clubs for your height:
- First, you'll want to measure your height as the clubs you get will be based on your height
- Next, take a look at the sizing charts on the golf clubs you are eyeing. This will help you determine the correct length of clubs based on your height.
- Test the clubs. I believe this is a really important step so ask if you can take them for a test run or ask about the return policy. Amazon offers free 30-day returns!
- If you're still unsure about the fit, you can opt to get a custom fitting. However, I will warn you, that these can sometimes be pricey and they really don't provide much in terms of value, in my opinion.
Is it Better to Have Steel or Graphite Shafts?
It depends on your preferences.
Steel shafts will offer greater control, but less flexibility.
Graphite shafts are more flexible so they can often reach greater distances due to the speed at which the club hits the ball.
When Should I Replace my Beginner Golf Clubs?
This is a great question! It's a good idea to consider replacing beginner golf sets due to a number of different factors.
Many people will replace their beginner-set golf clubs when one of the following factors occurs:
- Wear and Tear- When their beginner golf clubs begin to experience wear and tear
- Improvement in Skill Level- When their skill level improves and they need a more advanced set of clubs
- Technology- Technology changes over time and the newer clubs you find today have much better performance than clubs from 30 years ago.
- Outgrown Them- People often outgrow their clubs as they grow taller or get bigger
- Change in Preferences- When their preferences change on what they want in golf clubs
- Budget Change- People often upgrade their set of golf clubs once they realize their commitment to golf. Often people really enjoy it and want to upgrade their clubs.
Should I Join a Club or Not?
I definitely don't think everyone needs to join a golf club.
To decide whether or not you should join a club, consider how often you plan to play golf and how committed you are to the sport.
If you plan to play often, it may be a good idea to join a club. However, if you are just playing golf a few times a year, it may not be the best use of money to join a club.
Take a look at the pricing for the club you want to join to decide if it's a good value for you.
Why Learn to Play Golf?
Everyone has different reasons for learning to play golf.
I secretly took golf lessons for a year so that I could surprise my avid golfing dad with a round of father-daughter golf on his birthday. He was ecstatic!
However, I also knew I wanted to learn so that I could play in the business setting. In the industry I work in for my day job, everyone golfs. In fact, we have so many golf tournaments throughout the year that I either skip or take a seat at the bar.
Therefore, learning to play golf is actually a business asset to me as I can now join the guys on the golf course while we talk business. It has changed the game for me in terms of business rapport!
Reasons people may want to learn to play golf include:
- Family activity- It's a fun activity to do as a family.
- Exercise- Walking the course is a great workout!
- Business- They say a lot of deals are made on the golf course…and I'd say this is definitely true!
- Make friends- People make so many friends playing golf as you often play with strangers!
- Excuse from Work- I'm playing on this one, but really…it is. A lot of meetings are on the golf course.
- Business write-off- Having meetings on the golf course also means that you can often write it off at the end of the year
What is the Golden Rule in Golf?
It's a common phrase “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”
However, there are many rules of golf you'll want to be respectful of when playing a round.
Golf is definitely a game about respect and it shows in the way the golf course is taken care of, the types of people playing at the course, and the rules of the game.
You'll want to be quiet as there is a lot of concentration involved, move around the course at a good pace, repair any divots you make in the grass, rake out the bunkers after using them, and don't step on the putting green's line of play.
The bottom line is to respect others, respect yourself, and have fun!
Summary of the Best Budget Golf Clubs for Beginners
This was a comprehensive list of the best golf club sets on a budget for the beginner golfer. Considering your preferences, skill level, commitment, and your golfing goals will help you determine the best golf clubs for you.
At the end of the day, any set you choose is going to enable you to have fun with your family, spend time with coworkers, and soak up the sun. Don't think about it too hard and enjoy the process!
Learning to play golf is fun and a shiny new set of golf clubs will give you joy on the golf course!
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