You’ve decided to embark on this journey and start golfing – welcome! We’re excited to have you as part of this community – one we’re somewhat new to ourselves. But, we’ve come a long way over the past few years – and have made it our mission to help brand new golfers set out on the right foot enjoying this game as much as we do.

And today, we’re going to answer one of the most common questions we get asked: what do I need to start golfing? And perhaps more specifically, what clubs do I need to start golfing?

This guide is going to go beyond the basics: golf clubs and golf balls. We’ll talk about what other gear you need to play golf, including tees, repair tools, a brush, clothing, shoes, the right attitude, and so much more.

We’ve got a lot to cover and don’t want to take up any more time than we need to. You’ve got some shopping to do, after all! So, let’s dive in.

What do I Need to Start Golfing?

What you need to start golfing is dependent on what you already have. Maybe you’ve got a nice polo and a hat already – so you’ve got most of the clothing covered. But for the sake of conversation, we’re going to assume you have absolutely nothing already in your arsenal. And we’ll start with the most basic requirement for getting out on the course: golf clubs.

What Clubs Do I Need to Start Golfing?

What clubs do I need to start golfing? This is step one in getting started with golf.

You know you need golf clubs to start golfing – but which clubs should you start with? There are so many possibilities here. Let’s first address the possibility of renting your clubs – because chances are, a course near you offers this service. 

If you’re not sure you’re going to stick with golf, by all means – go out and rent some clubs. Because let’s face it – golf clubs are expensive. To put things into perspective, I just dropped $2k on my new Callaway set. But the way I look at it, that set is going to last me the next 5-10 years. And I know I’m going to stick with golf – so it was worth it.

With that said, I definitely didn’t pay anywhere near that for my first set of clubs. As a matter of fact, I borrowed clubs from my buddy for my very first round of golf. It was just a casual par 3 course and we’re both lefties, so he was kind enough to let me use this set for the day. 

After that, I knew I was hooked. So, I went online to Carl’s Golfland and bought the best beginner set I could find. After careful research, that ended up being a set of Wilson Ultra clubs: driver through pitching wedge. The entire set was just under $300. 

In hindsight, I sort of wish I had spent a bit more on a more mid-level set than the cheapest one I could find. These clubs started breaking within 3-6 months – and I was forced to go to Play-it-Again sports and fill in the gaps. First, it was the 6 iron, then the 7 iron…at any rate, you’ll have to consider what sort of money you’re comfortable spending on this sport. 

From there, you can choose between buying new or buying used. Looking back, buying a used set may have gotten me more bang for my buck. I could have got some higher-end clubs at a good value on craigslist, Facebook marketplace, etc. See if that’s a possibility in your area – you might end up getting a steal!

We’re not going to get into which specific golf clubs I recommend you buy in this article – that’s an entire topic for another day. But what we will do is advise you against buying the latest and greatest technology for shot shaping or bombed drives. Your clubs should be optimized for beginners and offer the most forgiveness. This will make your bad shots a little less bad, and your good shots a little bit better. 

In saying that, I absolutely love my new Callaway Rogues – but I have friends that play Ping, Taylormade, and Titleist, and they love their clubs too. It all comes down to personal preference which is why eventually, you’ll want to schedule a custom fitting at a superstore where you can try them all. 

What Gear Do I Need to Start Golfing Besides Clubs? Balls, Tees, and More

You’ve got your golf clubs figured out – now the question is, what gear do I need to start golfing besides clubs? There are a few more obvious items you’ll need to pick up – like golf balls. 

As a beginner, go with cheaper golf balls. You don’t have the feel to shape shots or get them to spin on a dime – so the latest technology in a ball doesn’t matter to you. You need something that’s forgiving and won’t hurt the bank when you lose a sleeve of them on a single hole. Top flites are usually the cheapest, but you can find higher-end balls that still offer great value in Kirkland and Srixon.

Beyond golf balls, you’ll need tees as well. Don’t overthink this one – it really doesn’t matter at all. Some tees are said to last longer and may be better from a value standpoint, but your tees aren’t going to elevate your golf game – so choose between more expensive tees that last longer or cheaper tees that break sooner. Up to you.

Next up is the golf glove – and yes, glove as in singular. You only need one. We have got to stop the abomination that is people wearing two gloves on the course. You’ll wear one on your dominant hand – for most people, that’s the right hand. For me, it’s my left. I recommend picking up your golf glove in person so you can try it on first – proper fit is key to maximizing the benefits of your glove, which is grip in case you didn’t know.

From there, you can round out the gear in your bag by picking up a ball marker and a repair tool for your ball marks on the greens. You’ll be able to find two-in-ones online or at any golf pro shop. You may also want a towel so you can wipe down your club faces after hitting shots and keep dirt and grass from affecting your next shot.

For your first round of golf, that’s all you need – but there are other things you can snag that are really nice to have and elevate the golfing experience. One of these is a portable speaker. Nothing beats a few good drinks (maybe something to smoke) and some music on the course – just keep the volume at a respectable level. 

You may also want a range finder when you get better, but you don’t even know what yards you hit each club at first – so don’t worry about that just yet. Beyond that, here are a few other items you may want in your bag depending on the weather and your personal preferences:

• Sunscreen 
• Umbrella 
• Snacks
• Water bottle
• Pencil 
• Lighter 
• Bottle opener

Get the Proper Clothing & Shoes

You probably already know that golf is a gentleman’s sport – and as such, there is a course dress code to follow. At least most of the time. This is way more relaxed at par 3 courses and driving ranges. But if you’re playing an 18-hole championship golf course, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper attire. For men, that includes: 

• Collared shirt: A collared shirt, such as a polo shirt, is a standard option for golf attire. Light colors are preferred during warm weather, and darker colors during cooler weather.
• Slacks or shorts: Golf slacks or shorts in neutral colors such as beige, khaki, or navy are appropriate. Shorts should reach at least mid-thigh in length.

Women’s attire is a bit different:

• Collared Blouse or top: A collared blouse or top in a light color is appropriate. Tank tops and halter tops are generally not acceptable.
• Skirt or dress: Golf skirts or dresses in appropriate lengths (at or below the knee) are acceptable. Shorts are also acceptable, but they should reach at least mid-thigh in length.

You also need the right shoes. There are golf-specific shoes that have soft spikes – which offers added balance and traction during the golf swing. If you don’t want to shell out another $100+ for fresh kicks, you can wear some old tennis shoes you have if you’re ok with them getting dirty and beaten down.

To round it all off, add a hat or visor to protect yourself from the sun and keep your hair out of your face. At this point, you’re just about all set to hit the course. There’s just one more thing to make sure you have…

Have the Right Attitude – and You Should Be Ready to Hit the Course!

To start any new hobby, sport, or skill on the right foot, you need the right attitude going in. but it seems that for golf, this is even more important. 

Maybe you’ve heard already what a mental game golf is. As someone who grew up playing hockey, competing in powerlifting, and undertaking a myriad of other hobbies and sports – let me tell you, none of them compare to the mental battle of golf. You’re going to learn a lot about yourself through this new sport.

And that’s part of the fun of golf – becoming stronger mentally. But we are telling you all this as a warning – don’t go into golf expecting to play great and shoot low scores quickly. If you’re too emotionally attached to the score you shoot, you’re going to be miserable. 

Early on, your goal should be on having fun and looking to get a little bit better at something each round. Celebrate the small wins you encounter on the course – whether that’s simply hitting the ball well and making good contact or dropping a putt outside of your comfort zone. 

You absolutely need the right attitude to start golfing – keep your target on having fun and hitting the best possible shot every time you approach the ball. 

Final Thoughts on What You Need to Start Golfing

That concludes our discussion on what you need to start golfing. Hopefully, you have a clear understanding of your next steps after reading this article:

• Get some clubs
• Grab the rest of your gear
• Do some clothing shopping
• Develop a good attitude

You can learn more about pricing in our guide to the cost of golfing. We also recommend you read some of our other resources, like our guide on how to start golfing or the best way to learn how to play golf.

We also have an article on beginner golf terminology slang you need to know to fit in. You can also learn whether you should get golf lessons or not in our guide on how much golf lessons cost. You can also discover how many golf lessons you need.

From there, you can hit the course and experience all that the world of golf has to offer. From excitement to mental growth, new friendships, and more – you’re embarking on a life-changing journey. See you out there!