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Do beginners need a full set of golf clubs?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 24, 2026

You definitely don't need a full set of clubs when you're just getting starter. If you want to learn how to play and you want to get out on the course, here's what you need to get started: A driver or 3-wood: These are your tee shot clubs, at the very beginning I would recommend a 3-wood but you can decide.

How many golf clubs should a beginner have?

If you're a beginner golfer you should start with 10 golf clubs. You can golf with a fairway wood, iron, and putter but you're going to want to learn how to use more clubs if you want to be able to handle every situation.

Do you really need a full set of golf clubs?

While you're in the novice stage as a golfer, you don't really need a full set of 14 clubs (the maximum allowed by the rules). In fact, you're better off cutting that number down nine or 10, which will make club selection easier on the course and boost the quality of your practice.

Do golf clubs matter for beginners?

It doesn't matter what Clubs you use, as long as you striking the ball well, at the beginner's stage creating a solid consistent swing with good Golfing fundamentals like hitting the ball squarely in the Club face is what matters.

How many golf clubs do you really need?

There are several clubs you'll need including the putter, the pitching wedge, the sand wedge, the driver, the three, five, seven, and nine irons, and the three wood. These are the minimum that most golfers need to play the game.

24 related questions found

Do you need a full set of irons?

No. Some teaching pros even recommend starting with a so-called "short set." You certainly can begin in golf with a full set of clubs, but you don't have to.

What is considered a full set of golf clubs?

A full set of golf clubs consists of twelve clubs: three woods, one wedge, one putter, one hybrid, and six irons. But, do you really need all twelve, and can some golf clubs be downright superfluous for your golf game? Turns out you should use your full set of golf clubs for every game.

What golf club should a beginner start with?

Instead, start with a driver, a putter, a sand wedge (it's the club that has an "S" on the sole or a loft of 54 to 56 degrees) and supplement those with a 6-iron, an 8-iron, a pitching wedge, and a fairway wood or hybrid with 18-21 degrees of loft.

How do I choose my first set of golf clubs?

The following are some of the most important things to consider before buying your first set of golf clubs.

  1. Identify your personal goals. ...
  2. Decide whether to buy used or new. ...
  3. Learn about clubfitting and shaft options. ...
  4. Use the right golf clubs to make golf easier. ...
  5. Look at a variety of stores.

What clubs should I replace first?

Generally speaking, wedges and your golf driver will be the first to go from a set of golf clubs. For instance, wedges need to be replaced because the grooves will wear out, and drivers can lose impact if you hit them frequently on the range and course.

What clubs should a beginner use on a par 3 course?

Any number of these courses can be played with any number of clubs. In many cases, three or four will do: putter, wedge, perhaps a pair of mid-irons. You can clutch them in one hand like a quiver of arrows, and play creative shots when you don't have the just-right stick for the distance.

What 7 golf clubs should I carry?

Most golfers carry at least a 7-iron, 8-iron, 9-iron and pitching wedge. Going with less-lofted clubs after the 7-iron, some golfers choose to carry hybrids to replace their 6-, 5-, 4- and/or 3-iron. Hybrids are easier to hit from all lies and launch the ball higher.

Should a beginner use a 4 iron?

EQUIVALENT IRON / WOOD

A beginner should certainly not have a traditional 2, 3 or 4-iron in their bag. One option would be to choose a 3 and 4 hybrid and then add a 5-iron, 7-iron and 9-iron. Or alternatively 3 and 5 hybrid (with an option of a 4 hybrid also) and adding a 7-iron and 9-iron.

Is golf hard to learn?

GOLF IS HARD.

Learn from your mistakes, accept them, and most importantly manage your expectations. As a golf pro once told me when I was frustrated beginner having a mid-round breakdown: “You're not that good, to get that mad.” Golf is a game that can teach you a lot about someone.

What is the easiest golf club to hit?

On average the easiest golf club to hit is the 7-iron. 6-irons and 8-irons come close because these mid-iron clubs deliver high launch angles for all standards and their appearance gives confidence when players look down at them.

How do you know what size golf clubs to get?

The most common way of measuring your club is the wrist-to-floor measurement. For this, a fitter measures from the floor to the crease of your wrist. That reading is then cross-referenced with your height to get a more accurate length recommendation.

How far does Tiger Woods hit a 7 iron?

Tiger Woods is a legend of golf but on average, how long does he hit a 7 iron? Tiger hits his 7 irons approximately 172 yards. This is an average figure and there will times when Tiger hits the ball closer to 200 yards.

Are steel or graphite shafts better for beginners?

For beginner and high handicap golfers, you are going to most likely want graphite shafts. For scratch and low handicap golfers, a steel shaft might be better if you have the ability and desire to work the ball for your approach shots.

What does a set of irons include?

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE SET? Typical iron sets include seven or eight clubs: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 irons, as well as a pitching wedge and sometimes a gap wedge. Now, 8-club sets generally come with a gap wedge instead of a 3-iron.

What wedges should I carry?

To make it easy, a good rule of thumb is to have about four-degrees of loft between your wedges. So, if your 48-degree pitching wedge flies on average 110 yards, and your 56-degree sand wedge goes about 80 yards, you probably need a 52-degree wedge that carries around 95 yards to fill an important hole in your setup.

Does 14 clubs include putter?

According to the USGA, a golfer is allowed to have 14 clubs in his bag. This may include three woods (driver, 3-wood and 5-wood), eight irons, (3-9 iron and pitching wedge), and putter. These are the standard 12 clubs in many golf bags.

What golf clubs does Tiger Woods use?

Tiger Woods has used blade irons for pretty much his entire professional career, using models from Mizuno, Titleist and TaylorMade. His current set came into the bag back in 2019 as he shifted from the TW Phase 1 bladed irons to the P7TW Prototypes.

What clubs should the average golfer carry?

Most amateur golfers carry the same standard 12 clubs in their bag which are:

  1. (1) driver;
  2. (2) 3-wood.
  3. (3) 5-wood.
  4. (4-11) 3-iron through 9-iron.
  5. (12) putter.