What golf equipment do I really need to get started?

How to choose your golf equipment?

Your choice of equipment depends on several factors: your skill level, your body type, your budget, and how often you plan to play. If you're a beginner, it's recommended to choose forgiving equipment suited to your current swing rather than a long-term performance goal.

Golf remains a great way to meet people, get out and exercise, not to mention the competition or your health benefits, but you may be wondering what equipment you really need to share this passion without breaking the bank or making a mistake.

Two beginners of the same age can have very different needs depending on their size, flexibility, and anticipated playing frequency. A player aiming for one outing per month doesn't have the same priorities as a future club member who plans to train weekly: the former will benefit from sticking to the bare minimum and renting equipment, while the latter will sooner see the advantage of investing in a consistent and durable set.

The express version (30 seconds)

If your goal is to play quickly without over-equipping yourself, here's the smart minimum:

• The half-series (or a maximum of 6–8 clubs)
• A putter
• A wedge (pitching wedge or sand wedge)
• A iron 7 (the most "universal" club for learning)
• A hybrid (often simpler than a long iron or a piece of wood)
• A glove (non-dominant hand)
• Adapted forgiving balls + of tees
• A lightweight bag

Are you a beginner in Annecy? Equipment is available during Introductory session by reservation, offered every Sunday.

Buy or rent: the anti-mistake (and anti-unnecessary spending) strategy

The number one trap for beginners: buy too early. Initially, your technique is not yet stable, you don't know which clubs give you confidence, and your game will evolve quickly.

Result :

• You risk paying twice (impulse purchase then more suitable "buyback").

The simple rule that works

• Sessions 1 to 3 : try it, rent it or borrow it (you validate the desire and the sensations).
• From the 4th grade : buy gradually, starting with what really changes your comfort (shoes, gloves, a coherent set).
• Golf Fitting : yes, but at the right time (see dedicated section below).

Spending 10 minutes in the pro shop before buying often saves you months of unnecessary purchases.

Clubs: You don't need 14 clubs to get started.

Yes, the regulations allow up to 14 clubs. No, you don't need them right away. In fact, Fewer clubs = fewer decisions = more useful repetitions, and therefore faster progress.

The recommended core group (6–8 clubs)

• Putter : indispensable, and you will use it often.
• Pitching wedge or sand wedge : for simple approaches and exits.
• Iron 7 : your "Swiss Army knife" for learning contact and trajectory.
• Iron 9 : useful for slightly higher approaches and simple shots.
• Hybrid : very often easier to lift than a long iron.
• Option : the driver, later, when your ball contact becomes more consistent.

L'’hybrid is often the best "starting club" for a beginner player, as it is more forgiving of imperfect contact than a wood or long iron.

A helpful guideline if iron numbers seem abstract: the lower the number, the lower the trajectory and the longer the potential distance; the higher the number, the higher the ball goes and the shorter its travel. This is why the 7-iron is often used as a reference: it sits right in the middle of this hierarchy and allows you to quickly feel the effect of loft on the trajectory.

"Smart buying" chart: minimum, comfort, later

To avoid buying everything at once, here is a simple and logical progression to build your set without breaking the bank in the first season.

The advantage of this three-tiered progression is that it aligns each expense with a real benefit felt on the course, rather than buying equipment in advance whose usefulness you haven't yet fully grasped. Moving from the "bare minimum" tier to the "comfort" tier happens naturally as soon as you play more than once a week or when the Savoyard weather becomes a factor in your rounds.

Gloves and shoes: two purchases that immediately improve your comfort

The glove

Gloves reduce blisters, improve grip (especially if you're sweating or in wet conditions), and prevent you from gripping the club too tightly. Generally, one glove is enough: left hand if you're right-handed, and vice versa.

The shoes

Stability is your foundation. A slippery sole leads to compensations, and therefore bad swing habits.

At the very beginning, in dry weather, stable sneakers can suffice depending on the conditions. If you play regularly or on wet courses, golf shoes quickly become a worthwhile investment — our Complete guide to golf shoes details the essential criteria (heel support, lateral stability, traction).

There are two main types: spiked shoes, which offer better grip on wet or sloping terrain, and spikeless models, which are more versatile and comfortable for everyday walking. For a beginner who mainly plays in dry conditions, a good pair of spikeless shoes is perfectly adequate; for a regular player in all seasons, spikes provide a real boost in stability during the swing.

Golf balls for beginners: don't pay the "premium tax"«

When you're starting out, losing balls is part of the game — so there's no need to buy "premium tour" balls right away. Opt for a low or medium compression ball with a 2-piece construction: it will be more forgiving, easier to play with, and will reduce the cost of lost balls in the early stages of learning.

Keep the same model for several weeks to stabilize your distance cues and putting stroke. For more information on selection criteria, see our beginner's guide to golf balls.

A simple guideline: buy your first golf balls in packs of 12 to 15, in an entry-level or mid-range model. This will prevent you from regretting losing a €6 ball in the bushes on the 4th hole, while maintaining a consistent feel from one round to the next.

The outfit: what you really need to play comfortably

Contrary to popular belief, clothing is not part of the mandatory golf equipment, but it directly influences your comfort and enjoyment of the game, especially in Haute-Savoie where the weather changes quickly.

• A polo shirt or a technical t-shirt : avoid pure cotton, which retains moisture.
• A lightweight and breathable rain jacket : almost indispensable for a good part of the year in Annecy.
• A cap or a hat : sun protection, especially in summer on a route with little shade.
• Loose-fitting trousers or shorts : opt for a stretchy material that doesn't restrict the swing.

No need to invest in a complete technical outfit in the first month: start with what you already have, as long as it doesn't hinder your movement, then adjust according to your feelings on the course.

The bag and transport: don't sabotage your motivation

A bag that's too heavy or poorly balanced can discourage you faster than your first bunker shot. Aim for a set that makes you want to play, not one that "punishes" you.

• Tripod bag : ideal if you wear it.
• Lightweight bag + trolley : ideal if you walk without carrying.
• Priorities: lightweight, stable, useful pockets (water, balls, clothing).

If your course is hilly or you often play 18 holes on foot, a golf cart (manual or electric) can dramatically change the end of your round: you'll arrive fresher on the final holes, where fatigue costs you the most points. However, it's not a priority purchase for your first few rounds.

Accessories: useful, but only the right ones (and at the right time).

Useful accessories early on

• Golf towels
• Ball marker + pitch repair tool (if you are playing the course)
• Hat + sunscreen
• Lightweight rain jacket

Accessories to buy later

• Rangefinder or GPS watch
• Additional specialized wedges
• Multiple training gadgets (often more distracting than effective)

The general rule: an accessory deserves its place in the bag if it solves a real problem encountered on the course (slipping hands, lost sight of ball, sudden rain), not if it promises a theoretical improvement to your swing.

Fitting for beginners: when it's useful, and when it's too early

A fitting involves adapting clubs to your body type and playing style. It's very useful for finalizing your golf equipment, but timing makes all the difference—check if a fitting is right for you and when to schedule it.

The fitting is worthwhile if…

• Your body shape is very far from the standards (height, arm length).
• You play regularly, for example 2 to 3 times a month.
• You want to avoid buying a set that is incompatible with your preferences.

It's often too early if…

• Your swing changes from session to session, which is normal at the beginning.
• You are looking for a "magic solution" instead of building regular contact.

In both cases, a light fitting (length, lie, grip) at the time of purchase costs little and avoids the most frequent mistakes; the complete fitting, more thorough and more expensive, remains fully relevant once your swing has stabilized.

Buying second-hand: an excellent strategy, if you avoid 3 pitfalls

Buying used can be an excellent shortcut to starting out, provided you stick to forgiving clubs in good condition.

If you have any doubt about the actual condition of a used club, the simplest solution is to have it checked by a professional before buying it: a few minutes is enough to spot a worn face or a shaft unsuitable for your swing.

2026 Budget: 3 realistic baskets (and without fantasy)

1) Smart budget (≈ €150–250)

Second-hand or entry-level half-set, glove, affordable balls, tees, simple bag.

2) Comfort budget (≈ €300–500)

Decent half set + hybrid, golf shoes, stand bag or cart bag depending on preference.

3) Budget "I'm going to get serious about it" (≈ €600–900)

Consistent clubs with grips in good condition, light rain shoes and clothing, proshop advice and light fitting if relevant.

These three baskets aren't mandatory: many players remain very well-equipped in terms of "smart budgeting" for several seasons. The important thing is to match your investment to your actual playing frequency, not to the frequency you imagine you'll have in six months.

Proshop vs. online: how to decide simply

The best compromise is often the following:

• Online : consumables (balls, tees, gloves).
• Proshop : clubs, shoes, bag — everything depends on your body type and how you feel.

In 10 minutes, the team from proshop can offer you a realistic shortlist based on your budget and skill level, to avoid making a mistake on your first golf equipment.

Starting out near Annecy: the simplest plan (test → practice → decide)

To improve, you need consistent repetition: practice, short game, then application on the course. The most effective approach is:

• Book an introductory session to try it out without buying.
• Do 2 practice and putting sessions to work on contact and simple trajectories.
• Play a 9-hole course to apply and progress in a real-world situation.