What do I need for first time golfing?
William Rodriguez
Published Jan 14, 2026
You don't need to be fully accessorized to enjoy golf at first but here's what you should have. A set (or half set) of clubs that includes a couple woods, various irons, a wedge and putter. Rules stipulate you can have 14, but you'll be fine at first with seven. Or, just bring a putter, wedge and wood.
What does a beginner need to golf?
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.
What do you need for your first round of golf?
The basics you'll need are a driver, putter, sand wedge, 2 irons, pitching wedge, and a wood. Depending on the distance from the hole and the strength of your swing, you may need to utilize all of your clubs during the round.
What should I know before playing golf for the first time?
Etiquette for Your First Round of Golf
- Take the Right Equipment.
- Make a Tee Time, Then Make the Tee Time.
- Dress the Part.
- Arriving and Teeing Off.
- Honors, Away and Ready Play.
- Play It as It Lies.
- Out of Bounds and Lost Balls.
- Keep up the Pace.
What items do you need to play golf?
A set of clubs, golf bag, golf shoes with non-metal cleats, a couple sleeves of balls, a handful of tees, a divot tool and away you go.
39 related questions foundHow 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.
Are there any special skills required to play golf?
Necessary Golf Skills
The skills involved for golfing range from grip, stance, and swing, to strategies. Grip is where it begins with the skills needed for golf. The correct grip is what allows someone to develop a solid swing. The grip will translate into feeling consistency and fluidity within the swing to follow.
Can a beginner play 18 holes of golf?
It can be very daunting for a beginner or casual golfer going out to play 18 holes, particularly if it's a course they are playing for the first time. Most beginner golfers or golfers who play to a high handicap are likely to have their focus on hitting the ball properly.
What is a good score for a first time golfer?
Scoring for Adult Beginners
According to National Golf Foundation data, 45% of all golfers average more than 100 strokes per round. With that said, it is believed that a 108 is considered to be a good score for a beginner golfer, which equates to double bogey on each hole of a par 72 course.
Is it OK to wear shorts to play golf?
Shorts are okay, but not too short.
Although wearing of shorts is allowed, you should always remember that it should not be too short nor too tight. Also, your shorts should be tailored like casual trousers and should be just above the knee. Like your golf pants, they should also have belt loops.
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.
How do you hit a beginner driver?
The degree of your driver is massive when you're trying to get the right form down. For beginners, you should be using a 9.5° to an 11° club head. This helps with backspin, and towards the beginning of you learning golf, you're more likely to down on the ball instead of swinging towards it.
How do I prepare for a round of golf?
8 Things You Need To Do Before A Round Of Golf
- Clean your clubs. ...
- Get a good nights sleep. ...
- Plan your day. ...
- Build a strategy for the course you're playing. ...
- Eat and drink properly. ...
- Stretching. ...
- Hitting golf balls. ...
- Chipping + Putting Green.
Does a beginner golfer need a driver?
You do not require a driver to play golf. Many golf instructors recommend that beginners start with a 3-wood for swinging off the tee. The longer shaft and lower loft of the driver are often difficult for beginners to handle. The lack of control may cause the ball to land far off the fairway or green.
Can you learn golf by yourself?
You absolutely can teach yourself golf. Anyone can swing a club, play a chip shot or make a putt with a little practice. But if you want to excel at golf, or become a low-handicap player, it's likely you will need lessons with a professional golf instructor to fine-tune some of the technical aspects of your swing.
Should a beginner golfer use blades?
A beginner should not use blades, they are thinner and have a lower sense of gravity than cavity back irons having far less margin for error due to a smaller clubhead sweet spot.
Is 87 a good score in golf?
Good, based on what is average, is 90 strokes for every 18 holes played. This “good” golf score is based on playing a round of golf on an industry standard par 72 course. If a golfer stays within (assuming they are an amateur) scoring a 90-108 stroke (maximum), they are within the 'good golf score' range.
Is 70 a good score in golf?
Golf courses normally have a par that ranges between 70 and 72; any score that is at par or under par is considered good.
How far should you hit a 7 iron?
A standard amateur golfer can hit a 7 iron from 128 yards to 158 yards. The lower range will be for women and senior golfers. To hit the ball over 150 yards in total distance with a 7 iron club, an amateur golfer will have to have a good swing and be physically fit.
How do you hit a golf ball for beginners?
Start by setting and bending your knees slightly and putting most of your weight on the balls of your feet. Once you've done that, hold the club in front of you and begin to hinge at the hips, until the club reaches the ground.
How do you hit an iron off the tee?
How do you hit long irons off the tee?
- Widen your stance. The longer the club, the wider your stance should be to allow a full shoulder turn.
- Place the ball toward the front center of your stance.
- Don't go crazy on the backswing. Focus on making solid contact and let the iron do the work.
What does PAR mean in golf?
For golf purposes, the USGA defined "par" as, "the score that an expert player would be expected to make for a given hole. Par means expert play under ordinary weather conditions, allowing two strokes on the putting green."
Do you need lessons to be good at golf?
The truth is it's not possible to play better golf or perform a consistent golf swing without some form of lessons. However, you can make significant improvements just by understanding some proven golf swing basics and fundamentals that any golfer can learn and implement.
What mental skills does golf require?
The 7 Most Important Mental Skills For Golf
- 7 Essential Mental Skills For Golf. ...
- The Ability to Focus and Concentrate. ...
- Awareness and Being Present. ...
- Being Able To Stay Calm. ...
- Confidence. ...
- Attitude/Mood/Optimistism. ...
- Mental Imagery. ...
- Goal setting.
How do I get good at golf?
Here are eight tips to lower your scores and improve your golf game.
- Set Goals. ...
- Get Fitted. ...
- Experiment with your swing. ...
- Swing more. ...
- Focus on Fitness. ...
- Create a Routine. ...
- Hold your pose after every shot. ...
- Play more practice rounds.