How to choose the right golf equipment to get started

For beginners as well as amateur golfers, having suitable golf equipment helps to improve consistency and comfort of play.

The right golf equipment is necessary to improve.

Expert advice: Don't look for the brand, look for the sensation. A club that's too heavy or too long will cause you to compensate with an incorrect stroke, and the habit is hard to break. Always try before you buy.

To start playing golf, half a set is enough. You'll need a driver or fairway wood, a hybrid, a 7-iron, a wedge, and a putter. Add a lightweight bag, balls, tees, a glove, and comfortable shoes. Expect to pay €250 to €500 used, and €400 to €800 new. A fitting comes later, once your swing is stable.

The right golf equipment isn't the most expensive; it's the equipment that matches your skill level. At the Belvédère driving range, you often see beginners equipped with overly demanding competition sets, and experienced players clinging to clubs that no longer suit their needs. This guide will help you buy at the right time, at the right price.

What is golf equipment?

Golf equipment includes all the gear needed to play: clubs, bags, balls, and comfort and performance accessories. It is divided into four categories:

  • The clubs : woods (driver, fairway wood), hybrids, irons, wedges and putter.
  • Transportation bag, manual or electric trolley.
  • Consumables : balls, tees, gloves.
  • Accessories : shoes, rangefinder or GPS watch, towel, ball marker, pitch repair tool.

Each club family has a specific role: woods are for distance, hybrids and irons for accuracy, wedges for short approaches and bunker shots, and the putter for finishing the hole on the green. Understanding this distribution prevents you from buying two clubs that play the same shot.

The rules of golf limit the bag to a maximum of 14 clubs. No player needs 14 to start: equipment is built up gradually, according to your progress.

What golf equipment do I need to get started?

To start, prioritize simplicity and forgiveness: forgiving clubs, a light bag, and a controlled budget. A half set of 5 to 7 clubs covers all the shots you need on a 9-hole course.

ClubRoleWhy for a beginner?
Driver or 3 woodStarting point for the long holesLarge striking surface, forgiving
Hybrid 4 or 5Long shots from the fairway or the roughEasier to play than a long iron
Iron 7Versatile shot, up to 100-130mThe Swing Learning Club
9 iron or pitching wedgeApproachesHigh and precise trajectory
Sand wedgeBunkers and small shots around the greenAdded after a few games
PutterOn the greenIt is chosen by touch

"Beginner" clubs have wider heads and better weight distribution, resulting in fewer penalties. Before investing, take advantage of your first lessons: the state-certified instructors at the...«Belvedere Golf School They advise you on the size, shaft and weight best suited to your body type.

Conclusion: Equipment that evolves with you

Choosing your golf equipment is a step-by-step process: a simple half-set to start, a full set to progress, and a fitting to fine-tune your game. The best equipment is what gives you confidence on the course. To learn more, see the Wikipedia page on the subject. golf club.

Are you hesitating between several clubs or would you like to try before you buy? Make an appointment with our instructors at the’Belvedere Golf School or move on to Proshop to try out clubs in hand.

FAQ: Everything you need to know about golf equipment

Can you start with second-hand equipment?

Yes, it's even recommended. Check the condition of the grips and clubfaces, and opt for "beginner" models. If you're unsure, ask a golf instructor for guidance.

No. Club fitting becomes useful when your swing is consistent. Before that, your clubs simply need to be the right size and weight for your body type.

A half-set of 5 to 7 clubs is sufficient. The rules allow up to 14 clubs, but more than that offers no advantage to a beginner.

The stand bag, equipped with retractable feet, is carried over the shoulder. The trolley bag, which is larger, is placed on a trolley. Choose according to whether you are walking with or without a trolley.

Rental options should be inquired about directly with the club: contact us to find out what is available.