The 10 best golf clubs for beginners reviews and buyer guide

So you’ve decided to take the leap and join the exciting world of golf. Congratulations! But now you’re faced with a mountain of options, I know… There are thousands of golf clubs on the market. With so many options, finding the best golf clubs for beginners can be tricky.

In recent years, technology has significantly improved golf clubs, and the industry has shifted its focus from the design of the club to the technology and performance. (Some will say the art has been lost, but we’ll leave that up to you.)

Golf is a game of skill and precision, not strength. As a beginner, you should pick a set of golf clubs designed for the task at hand. Choosing any golf club set can be intimidating, but selecting one for beginners is a bit more complicated.

Making the right choices in purchasing your first set can be difficult, especially if you are a novice player. You should be prepared and arm yourself with the knowledge of what to look for if you’re buying your first set of golf clubs.
The golf market is filled with a wide range of starter golf clubs - all the way from the basic to the ridiculously overpriced. That is why we have put together this guide to help you make an informed decision.

In this article, we will take a look at 10 of the best beginner golf clubs on the market to choose the most suitable one for you.

Check Also: Types Of Golf Clubs

Why do I need golf clubs specifically aimed at beginners?

Getting good golf clubs can create a massive difference in your game. Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of using the best beginner golf clubs:

1. It makes a better affinity as they have a high Moment of Inertia (MOI) and a low center of gravity.
2. It provides enhanced golf swings if you go for options equipped with higher handicaps.
3. It gives you a better depth into the game by laying out your foundations well.
4. By using the right set, you will be able to attain great training results.
5. Choosing the best amateur golf clubs with sufficient training will boost your confidence level.

In a perfect world, every golf club would be the same. Everyone would have the same weight, length, grip, shaft, face angle, swing weight, and perfectly balanced weight.

You and I know that this is not the case. Some golf clubs are better for beginners than others. So, what we have to do is to find out which golf clubs are better for beginners.

Every brand makes golf clubs that are specifically geared towards beginners, which all have the same thing in common: more forgiveness.

These clubs are typically made to compensate for the lack of precision and accuracy that beginners have. Without forgiveness, beginner golfers would have trouble hitting the ball correctly even when they do everything right.

Related: Best Golf Clubs For Kids and Juniors

What Do You Mean By Forgiveness?

Forgiveness in golf is a term that determines how well the club distributes the power you put into the ball and how well the club reacts to a miss-swing.

Playing golf is all about forgiveness, especially if you are a beginner. 

You are always looking for forgiving golf clubs that will give you a lot of room for mistakes. It won’t matter if you do not hit the ball that far. You will still be able to complete the hole.

You’d be surprised by how forgiving modern golf clubs are. This means that a beginner has a lot less to worry about when it comes to how they hit the ball.

Here is a great short video (3 minutes 46 seconds) from PING channel, where some of the best players in the game, like Bubba Watson, Harris English, Tyrrel Hatton, Andrew Ladrey, etc. talk about forgiveness in golf clubs.

While professional golfers might spend hours practicing nothing but their swing, a beginner doesn’t need to worry about that, yet. Instead, they can spend their time learning the smaller details that can be just as important when it comes to success on the course.

The general rule of thumb in golf is that one should always play to their handicap. This means that a 10 handicap golfer should always be looking for the clubs that will make their game easier.

Golf clubs for beginners are made explicitly with this in mind. They aim to make a game that could be frustratingly difficult into something that is fun and relaxing.

Which brands offer beginner clubs, and how do they differentiate themselves?

Nowadays, Several major brands offer a wide range of clubs for beginners, both individually and as complete sets. Some of them have been around for some time and have gained a good reputation. Others are just new to the industry and are offering something new. In contrast, others have a brand new design.

Some of the most forgiving beginner golf clubs are made by Callaway, Wilson, Precise, and Taylormade. In terms of design and technology, the main emphasis in beginners’ clubs is on forgiveness. What separates each manufacturer from the other is their approach to producing more forgiving clubs.

Check also: best time to buy golf clubs

It’s been said that forgiveness in a golf club is the most critical feature to consider as a beginner. But what does this mean? As opposed to spin rate and trajectory, forgiveness in golf club design is a little less precise. For most players, forgiveness means that the shape of the club makes it easier to make poor contact with the ball and still get a decent result.

There are two principal methods of achieving forgiveness in golf clubs:

• Clubs are shaped to make it easier for the ball to fly straight by making the area of impact larger, giving more moment of inertia. So that the head of the club automatically guides the ball into the fairway.
•  To manipulate the center of gravity position. The center of gravity is the point in a golf club where the club head’s weight is concentrated. Lowering the center of gravity will also make the club head more forgiving because it will be harder for the beginner golfer to mishit the ball.

While these are two of the main approaches to produce forgiveness in golf clubs, manufacturers are constantly working to find new ways and technologies to improve the quality of golf clubs and find the perfect one for their customers.

Detailed Reviews of the Top 10 Best Golf Clubs for Beginners

Buying Guide: Things to Look for in Golf Clubs As a Beginner

Golf clubs have a massive impact on the way you play this game of a lifetime. If you want to get serious about the game of golf, you’ll need to have the appropriate gear.

Although the purchase of a complete set of golf clubs can be quite a significant investment, investing in a high-quality set of clubs will allow you to play better and have more fun on the course. Golfers who transition from a set of low-quality clubs or who upgrade from starter clubs often wish they had done so earlier.

As you begin your journey to find the right clubs for your game, you will quickly notice many options out there.

When buying beginner golf clubs, you want to look for quality clubs that offer you good value, but many novice golfers are unsure how to spot a good set of beginner’s golf clubs from the bad. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the things to consider when purchasing your first golf clubs:

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a crucial component of any golf club because it ultimately affects your distance off the tee. While forgiveness in most golf clubs is a relative term because it depends on your skill level and ability to hit the ball consistently, you will want to steer away from irons with little forgiveness.

Beginner golfers should shop around for clubs that are forgiving of errant swings so that if you’re a beginner, you won’t be discouraged or injured from hitting the ball poorly.

Each club is made of different materials and has a different head shape and design, which means the degree of forgiveness varies from club to club. The most forgiving clubs also tend to have a larger club face, which means they have more of a “sweet spot.”

Golf Club Length

Are you a tall person? Do you find it difficult to get clubs with sufficient length? No one should struggle hard to make the perfect shot. You should find clubs that are specifically designed for short as well as tall individuals.

The golf club length is one of the most critical factors you need to consider when buying beginner’s golf clubs. To get the most out of your golf game, you need to choose golf clubs suitable for your height, weight, and golf swing.

If you’re trying to decide on the type of golf club to buy, first consider your height.

For Example, You would need a standard length driver if you are a tall individual six feet tall with a 35-inch wrist-to-floor measurement. If you are on the shorter side, five feet four inches tall with a 35-inch size, the club should be a quarter-inch longer.

Golf Club Weight

The weight of the golf club changes the effective balance and the swing arc, which affects the trajectory of the golf ball. The more weight added to the club head, the heavier it feels and the lower the center of gravity will be.

In general, the weight of golf clubs for beginners refers to their weight relative to their size. The golf swing weight describes how heavy a club feels during the swing. It is related not only to the weight of the club but also to its distribution.

The golf industry has a standard for what is considered a “normal” club weight. (Approximately around 25-30 pounds set of 14 clubs in a standard-sized golf bag.)

Weight is an important factor in golf clubs for beginners. While a light club is not necessarily more forgiving, it can help you generate more clubhead speed. A lighter-weight club will definitely help you achieve higher shots.

Shaft Material

As you’ve probably heard, the shaft is what determines how forgiving a club is going to be. If you’re looking for clubs for beginners, you’ll want to start with a shaft that is labeled as “Lady”, “Senior”, or “Junior”, otherwise known as “lofted”.

The type of material that the shaft is made from will also affect how forgiving the club is. For example, a club with a graphite shaft will be more forgiving than one with an aluminum shaft but may be more expensive.

You will also find shafts made using steel and graphite components. Steel options are mostly found among the top models across the globe. They are much heavier and generally preferred by players who are more used to them. As for the graphite options, they are comparatively light in weight. This, in turn, helps you to swing easily to make great shots.

Are steel or graphite shafts better?

While both steel and graphite shafts are designed to flex and “give” when you strike the ball, each has its own set of pros and cons that can affect your game.

Graphite shafts, for example, are often preferred by golfers with slow swing speed because they are able to absorb more of the shock associated with a slower swing and help golfers maintain their swing tempo better. On the other hand, Steel shafts are hard and can sometimes feel harsher during a swing.

New VS Used:

When you are buying golf clubs for beginners, you have to decide whether you will buy a used or new set. This decision is something you need to make based on your budget.

Both have their benefits. Used clubs can be purchased very cheaply and sometimes even complete with a golf bag and other accessories. You will be able to get a set for a very reasonable price if you look at online classifieds or do your research. The downside to used clubs is that you have no idea how well maintained they are.

The other alternative is to purchase a brand new set. This is often the best option as a new golf player. New clubs are going to be the best quality clubs that you could purchase. They will have a feel that is easy to learn with.

If you run on a low budget, used options would be much cheaper and appealing. However, it’s better for those who can afford it to get a high-quality club set that is brand new.

Frequently Asked Questions

The right golf clubs can make this sport all the more exciting and fulfilling. However, we are pretty sure that beginner golfers will have several questions lingering in their minds. Here we aim to answer some of the common questions most amateur golfers might have about these golf clubs.

How long should golf clubs last?

If you’re looking to get into golf, or you already play, and you’re looking for something to replace your old clubs, you might be wondering how long golf clubs should last. It’s a simple question with a complicated answer. 
Golf club lifespan is a tricky thing to calculate since there are so many different factors that can adversely affect a club’s durability over its lifetime.
A golf club’s lifespan may vary, depending on the frequency it is used. As a rule of thumb, a well-maintained and played-with golf club should last anywhere from 3 to 10 years, including an occasional beating and a full (re)grip every six months or so. However, a golf club can live a bit longer if it is only taken out once in a while for a round or two.
If you’re a very casual player, you can get away with playing with a set of clubs until they’re too old for you to use.

Should I buy expensive golf clubs?

If you are new to this, we usually do not recommend buying expensive golf clubs. Most of the golfers who want to start this sport are actually unaware that they need to consider the price range. And the best thing you can do is to read some of the reviews and get an idea of how much you should spend. On the other hand, if you still want to buy expensive golf clubs, you should know that it is always best to buy good quality as soon as you get better.
For many first-time golfers, golf clubs may be one of the most significant expenses associated with taking up the sport. But just how much should you spend on your first set of clubs when you are just starting out?
There are many things to consider, including the type of clubs you need, the brand, and the materials. And while there is a wide range of prices for golf clubs on the market, it can be tempting to buy the most expensive set you can find. Even if you can afford them, we don’t necessarily recommend you go for costly individual clubs or sets as a beginner.
Golf clubs are the most obvious expense, but you don’t necessarily need to buy the most expensive clubs to get started.
When you first start playing golf, you don’t know if you’ll like it enough to continue. (Even though the game is addictive). Also, as a beginner, you will need to practice often, and there’s a lot of experimentation necessary, too. Breaking expensive clubs is not fun.

What types of golf clubs will come in a beginner set?

A beginner golf club set usually comes with five clubs: a driver, irons, fairways, a putter, and Hybrids.
There are two main types of golf clubs used by everybody, with a couple of variations. The first type is the most commonly used: the “woods”, which are long-handled clubs used to hit the ball off the tee. These are also known as “drivers”. Most beginners’ sets contain a driver, a 3 wood, a 5 wood, a 7 wood, and an additional club called an “iron”. The other type of club is the “irons” (iron “heads”), which are used to hit the ball off the fairway. They are smaller than the woods, generally shorter, and they are typically numbered 1 through 9, with the higher numbers being shorter.
You also don’t need 14 clubs to start out as a golfer. The best way to learn golf is to start slow with a set of golf clubs that have the basic clubs needed to play the game.

What is the right golf club head size for beginners?

Before you can even think about purchasing a golf club, you need to know what size golf club head you need. While some beginning golfers may assume that the bigger the club head, the better, that is not always the case. Oversized golf club heads give you more room for error when it comes to swing path, but the more room you have to miss, the more likely you will miss. Not only that but the bigger the club head, the heavier and more unwieldy it becomes.
To have a good golf swing, you need to have a good golf club head. It doesn’t matter what type of club head you have, but for beginners, the essential things to consider are club head size, weight, and the angle of the club head face.
You should know that the shape of the club head is vital in creating ball height as well as the backspin. If your club head has more loft, you will be able to hit the ball a lot higher off the ground. If you want more backspin, you can choose a club head with a smaller face.
So, what is the “correct” golf club head size for a beginner? The best bet is to start with a mid-size, forgiving golf club head. Companies like Callaway Golf and TaylorMade have developed their fair share of irons, and wedges explicitly made for beginner golfers.

How to Maintain the Golf Clubs Clean?

Golf clubs must be periodically cleaned. For this, you need to get a plastic bucket, mild dishwashing liquid, a toothbrush, and a towel. Pour warm water into the bucket and mix the dishwashing liquid and into it. Make sure that the level of water is sufficient enough to cover the iron heads. Place the irons in the water and soak them for a few minutes.
Submerge only the club heads of the iron in water and not the ferrules. It is the plastic cover portion where the shaft meets the clubhead. Once the irons are entirely soaked, take each of the clubs and scrub the grooves using a toothbrush. Get rid of all the dirt and debris between the back and sole of the clubhead. Rinse it under running tap water and tap it dry using the towel. Avoid splashing water towards the shaft.

Check also: How to clean golf clubs properly

Should a Novice Golf Player Opt for an Individual Club or a Complete Golf Club Set?

The best option would be to go for a complete set of golf clubs that is quite simple and not too expensive. It is because to play golf at the primary level, you need a putter, irons, driver, and a few wedges. Also, as an amateur player, you have to increase the speed of your swing. For this, you would require clubs that are light in weight with proper shaft flex. Moreover, a complete set is more affordable than an individual golf club.

How Many Golf Clubs Can You Carry in a Golf Bag?

As per the USGA, the golfer is limited to have up to 14 clubs in his bag. This may include three woods (conductor, 3 woods, and 5 woods), eight boards (3-9 iron wedge and pitch), and putters. These are the 12 standard clubs in many golf bags. If the golfer starts with a number of clubs in his bag of less than 14, he can increase the number of clubs to 14. Golfers are allowed a maximum of 14 clubs in their bags during tournament rounds. This is in accordance with the rules. You can bring less than 14 clubs but no more than that.

Final Thoughts

In its simplest form, golf is a game that involves hitting a ball with a club into a hole in the ground, but it’s also an entire sport, a way of life, and a favorite pastime of millions of people around the world.

For many, the first club they buy is a driver. It’s the club that gets the ball going the fastest and longest, but it’s also the most difficult to control and the one that gets beginners into the most trouble.

Many beginners shy away from drivers with their oversized heads and pro-level shafts, and they’re not willing to take the time to learn how to use them.

There is no better place to start than with a set of nice beginner golf clubs if you are new to the game. Easy to hit, forgiving, and versatile, these are the clubs that will help you learn the game the right way while also ensuring that you have a lot of fun.

Selecting the best golf club can be a daunting task for beginners. It is because you hardly have any idea as to what makes a good club. However, once you get your hands on the best golf set, you will be able to enjoy a great golfing experience.

We hope the above reviews helped you in choosing the best option. If you already have one, do share your feedback with us. Don’t forget to share this post with your fellow golfers.

Happy golfing!