Getting started with golf can be both exciting and almost a bit overwhelming. Especially when it comes to choosing the right equipment, there’s so much out there it’s easy to get lost.
One of your biggest decisions as a beginner in the game of golf, is what to choose for your first golf club set. Golf, unfortunately, isn’t a cheap hobby so this it’s important you get the investment in your first golf club set right. In this guide, we’ll explore the best golf club sets for beginners, highlighting key features, benefits, price and what to look for when making your choice.
What Do You Need in Your Golf Club Set?
Before we dive into the different sets out there and we start advising you what we’d get, let’s make it clear what you want to be getting in your first set. The last thing you want to do is invest in a golf club set and find out it doesn’t come with something you need.
So what clubs and equipment do we want from a golf club set?
Driver
The 2nd most important golf club in our opinion. The Driver. Every golf club set should come with a driver as it’s one of the most important, and fun, clubs in the bag. You’ll be using the driver off the tee on the majority of par 4 and par 5 holes. It’s important the driver is forgiving as it’s one of the hardest clubs in the bag to master, so a forgiving driver is important.
Fairway Woods and Hybrid
Next in the golf club set, is usually a fairway wood, a 3 wood or 5 wood. You’ll have a bit more control using these over the driver, it’s not uncommon for beginner golfers to use a 3 wood rather than the driver when starting out. As the name suggests the fairway wood can be used not just off the tee but on the fairway or rough as well, making it an important, versatile club.
One of the newer clubs that feature in most complete sets now is the hybrid. As the name suggests it’s a hybrid between an iron and a wood. Most beginners find it a little easier to use from the fairway that a 3 or 5 wood and it usually replaces the 3-5 iron in they bag which is a club even intermediate to advanced golfers can struggle with.
Iron Set and Wedges
Next up in your golf club set is your iron set. Usually depending on the other clubs in the set will be a 5 – 9 or 6 – 9 irons. Your irons and wedges will most likely end up being your most used clubs (other than maybe your putter), so it’s important you get on with them. Your irons will be used for approach shots, getting the ball on and around the green.
Your wedges are another key part of the golf club set, mainly used when you are around the green or within 100 yards of the pin. Most sets come with a pitching wedge (PW) and some come with a sand wedge as well or another wedge with more loft. Again these are preference, there’s a few wedges available and your preference will most likely change as you develop as a golfer.
Putter
The putter, for us, is the most important club in any golfer’s bag, especially for beginners. Often referred to as the “scoring club,” the putter is used more frequently than any other club during a round of golf. A reliable putter can significantly improve your game and increase your confidence by helping you reduce the number of strokes taken on the green.
And the Rest!
Now you know what clubs you need, what else is there? I know this post is just about golf club sets but we thought we’d best mention any other equipment you’ll probably need, usually these items won’t be included in a golf club set but bare in mind, you’ll need to get them sorted.
- Glove – You’ll need to get a glove bought, you’ll wear this on your non predominant hand. So if you’re right handed you’ll have a glove on your left hand to stop rubbing and blisters.
- Balls – Goes without saying, can’t play golf without some golf balls can you! We’ve got a few blog posts on golf balls so check them out here.
- Tees – Golf tees are essential, especially when using your driver.
- Marker – Maybe not as essential, but to fully follow the rules and etiquette you’ll want a marker, they can also help with putting, see our post on that here as well.
- Pencil – Pack a pencil or pen so you can keep track of your scores when playing a round.
Now you know what’s needed, let’s have a look at what makes a good beginner golf club set and Golfer Guide’s top picks when starting out.
10 Key Features to Look for in a Beginner Golf Club Set
While looking for the best beginner golf clubs sets, we’ve set out the 5 key features we believe these sets should be judged on. It’s not all about looks and price, although they are factors, there’s much more to judge a golf club set on, and that can be slightly different for beginners.
- Forgiveness: The main thing you want to be on the look out for when getting your first set is forgiveness. Opt for clubs with a larger sweet spot, as they’re more forgiving on mishits. This feature helps minimise the negative impact of off centre shots, allowing beginners to achieve better results and maintain confidence on the course.
- Shaft Flexibility: Beginners often benefit from clubs with more flexible shafts. Flexible shafts help increase swing speed and distance, making it easier for novice players to generate power and achieve greater distance, even with slower swing speeds.
- Club Composition: Look for clubs made from lightweight materials. Lightweight clubs are easier to swing and control, which is key for beginners who may struggle with strength and technique.
- Variety: A well-rounded set should offer a diverse range of clubs like we’ve mentioned above. You want your clubs to cover all the different aspects of the game. From long distance would shots from the tee, to wedges and putter on and around the green!
- Price: We aren’t just looking for cheap, you want a quality set of clubs for a fair price. While affordability is important, it’s essential not to sacrifice quality for a lower price. We’ve found beginner golf club sets that offer a balance between affordability and performance. Investing in a quality set ensures durability and functionality, providing value for money in the long run.
Golfer Guide's Top 5 Picks for the Best Golf Club Sets for Beginners
Cobra XL Fly Complete Set
Overview: The Cobra Fly XL Complete Set is designed to provide beginners with a premium feel and performance. It’s an excellent choice for those starting their golfing journey with quality and style. It’s a fantastic set that isn’t your typical beginner golf club set, this could be used for years, even with intermediate and advanced golfers.
What’s Included:
- Driver
- 3 and 5 Wood
- 4 and 5 Hybrid
- 6 – 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge and Sand Wedge
- Putter
- Lightweight Cart Bag
- Headcovers
Benefits: The Cobra Fly XL Complete Set stands out for its advanced technology and high forgiveness. First as you look at this set, in our opinion, it looks incredible, the bag is fantastic, the clubs themselves look modern and feature a load of modern golf tech. We love this set. The driver and woods feature optimised weighting and aerodynamic designs to enhance distance and accuracy off the tee.
The hybrids and irons are engineered with a focus on forgiveness, featuring larger sweet spots, perfect for beginners and to help minimise the impact of off-centre hits, boosting confidence and performance. The blade putter is designed for precision and control, helping beginners in developing a consistent putting stroke.
Summary: This set really does perform as good as it looks, and it looks incredible, just look at the cart bag and club design in this set! The combination of advanced technology, forgiveness, and elegant design makes the Cobra Fly XL Complete Golf Club Set a top choice for beginner golfers aiming to improve their game while enjoying a premium experience on the course.
Callaway Strata Complete Set
Overview: The Callaway Strata Complete Set is renowned for its exceptional blend of performance and value, making it an ideal choice for beginner golfers looking to get on the course.
What’s Included:
- Driver
- 3-Wood
- 4 and 5 Hybrid
- 6 – 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge and Sand Wedge
- Putter
- Lightweight stand bag
- Headcovers
Benefits: The Callaway Strata Complete Set offers several benefits that cater to the needs of beginner golfers. Firstly, the clubs are designed for high forgiveness, one of our key features to look for. This means they feature larger sweet spots to minimise the impact of off-centre hits. This forgiveness factor helps beginners achieve better results and build confidence in their shots.
Furthermore, the clubs are constructed using durable materials, ensuring longevity and reliability, you could have these clubs for years. Additionally, the user-friendly design of the clubs makes them easy to handle and control, allowing beginners to focus on improving their skills without feeling overwhelmed by their clubs.
Summary: Callaway is a very reputable brand within the golfing world. The Strata Complete Set offers exceptional value, combining high-performance clubs with beginner-friendly features to provide an enjoyable and rewarding golfing experience at an affordable price.
Wilson Profile SGI Complete Set
Overview: The Wilson Profile SGI Complete Golf Club Set is our cheapest suggestion. It’s budget-friendly and designed to provide beginners with all the essential clubs needed to start their golfing journey. This set is well regarded for its blend of affordability and quality features tailored to the needs of beginner golfers.
What’s Included:
- Driver
- 3-Wood
- 5 Hybrid
- 6 – 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge and Sand Wedge
- Putter
- Lightweight stand bag
Benefits: This set really is a bit of a bargain! One of the standout benefits of the Wilson Profile SGI Complete Set is its custom fit options, allowing beginners to select the right set configuration for their height and swing style, unusual for beginner sets but crucial for developing proper technique and enjoying the game.
The clubs are constructed with lightweight materials, making them easier to swing and control, which helps beginners generate more clubhead speed and improve their distance. The forgiving design of the driver and fairway wood helps reduce the impact of mishits, while the hybrid and irons are crafted to provide consistent performance and accuracy for beginners. The putter is designed for precision, helping beginners to improve their putting skills and technique.
Summary: Overall, the Wilson Profile SGI Complete Set is an excellent choice for beginner golfers looking for an affordable set to get out on the course. This golf club set provides a comprehensive selection of clubs without breaking the bank, and although you’d probably want to upgrade in a couple of years, for a beginner golf club set, these are a great option!
Benross HTX Steel Golf Package Set
Overview: The Benross HTX 16-piece golf club set is an excellent choice for beginner golfers or even those looking to upgrade to their first premium set. This comprehensive package includes everything needed to tackle the golf course, with a cart bag and matching vintage headcovers included.
What’s Included:
- Driver
- 3-Wood
- 4 Hybrid
- 5 – 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge and Sand Wedge
- Putter
- Lightweight cart bag
- Headcovers
Benefits: The Benross HTX golf club set offers numerous benefits for golfers. The titanium graphite shafted driver, with aerodynamic oversize head and large sweet spot, provides enhanced distance and speed off the tee. The stainless steel 3 wood and 4 hybrid are designed to improve launch and versatility, featuring a low centre of gravity and large sweet spots making them easier to hit from various lies. Both clubs are fitted with lightweight graphite shafts, enhancing overall performance.
Additionally, the steel shafted irons with deep cavity backs and perimeter weighting technology provide increased accuracy from tee to green and the putter, designed for easy alignment and balanced for consistent putting, further contributes to a more reliable game. The premium cart bag, has multiple pockets, 14-way top divider system, and built-in dual lift handle, ensures convenience and organisation on the course.
Summary: Overall, this is a fantastic offering from Benross, who have always been a more affordable golf equipment manufacturer. The set looks fantastic and is great quality. We don’t think you can go wrong with this set, having a 5 iron included in the set is also a bit of a bonus cause it’s not always a given.
Tour Edge Bazooka 370 Set
Overview: The Tour Edge Bazooka 370 Set is perfect for golfers seeking an all-in-one package that combines quality and performance. This set offers a well-rounded selection of clubs, making it a great choice for beginners and intermediate players.
What’s Included:
- Driver
- 3 and 5 Wood
- 4 Hybrid
- 5 – 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge and Sand Wedge
- Putter
- Lightweight cart bag
- Headcovers
Benefits: The Tour Edge Bazooka 370 Set offers a good mix of distance and control. Tour Edge might not be as well known as the other brands featured but it’s a great set non the less. The titanium matrix driver delivers long, straight drives, and the stainless steel woods and hybrids ensure consistent and accurate shots. The irons are steel shaft and designed for forgiveness and control, aiding in better approach shots. The mallet putter helps improve putting accuracy, contributing to lower scores.
Additionally, the set features a stylish design and solid construction, making it a reliable choice for beginner players looking to invest in quality equipment.
Summary: This golf club set provides a comprehensive package of high-quality clubs. It’s ideal for those seeking a balance of distance, control, and style. With its well designed driver, woods, hybrids, irons, and putter, this set offers solid performance and value. Making it an excellent choice for golfers at various skill levels.
Tips for Beginners on How to Use Their New Golf Club Set
You could, and probably will spend hours researching swing techniques, watching videos and reading advice. There’s so many resources out there and golf as a spot is growing rapidly. But we want to keep it simple, so here’s out 4 tips for when you make the decision and get your new clubs.
Practice Regularly: Consistency is key and consistent practice, helps you achieve that. So get to the range and become comfortable with your new golf clubs, improve your skills. Always remember to practice different shots to get a feel for each club’s capabilities.
Take Lessons: There’s no point practicing bad habits. It can be a bit expensive but we fully recommend professional guidance to accelerate your learning process and help you avoid developing bad habits. Consider taking lessons from a certified golf instructor who can provide personalised tips and techniques to enhance your game.
Join a Community: Playing golf with others makes the game and the learning experience so much more enjoyable! Join a local golf club or community group to meet fellow golfers, share experiences, and gain insights and tips from more experienced players.
Maintain Your Equipment: Keeping your golf clubs clean and in good condition is essential for optimal performance. Regularly cleaning the clubheads, grips, and shafts to prevent dirt and debris from affecting your shots. Store your clubs properly and inspect them for any signs of wear and tear regularly.
By following these simple tips, beginners can make the most of their new golf club sets and enjoy a fun, rewarding golfing experience.
Conclusion
Choosing the best golf club set as a beginner is a key step in your golfing journey. The right set can make learning easier, more enjoyable (which is the main thing) and set you up for long term success. Consider the options we’ve highlighted, check out the sets we recommend and keep in mind the key features that are important for beginners. Happy golfing and good luck!