Golf Clubs for Beginners: How to Choose Your First Set

Package set or build your own bag?

A package set suits you if you want one purchase that covers the round: clubs, a bag and a putter chosen to go together. Building your own bag suits you if you already own a few clubs or want to spend more on the clubs you will hit often.

Not sure which? Build your bag asks a few short questions. It then suggests a package set, a half set or a bag built club by club, with the reason.

England Golf’s Get into Golf beginners guide says you do not need a full set to start: four key clubs get you round. England Golf states its aim is to “make things simple, friendly and pressure-free”. That is a sound yardstick for a first purchase as well.

For the clubs that make up a starter bag, see our guide to which golf clubs you need.

When a package set suits you

• You are starting from nothing and want clubs, a bag and a putter in one go.
• You want a clear price ceiling, such as under £200.
• You would rather not match heads and shafts yourself.

When building your own bag suits you

• You already own a putter, a driver or a few irons.
• You want more of the budget in the clubs you hit often, such as hybrids and short irons.
• You play left-handed and the set you like does not list a left-handed version.
• You are happy to buy used, which can stretch a budget further.

What makes golf clubs for beginners forgiving?

Good entry level golf clubs are forgiving and launch the ball easily. Forgiveness means a club keeps more of its distance and direction when you strike the ball away from the centre of the face. Easy launch means the ball gets airborne without a fast, precise swing. Larger heads, weight spread to the edges, wider soles and more loft all help.

Feature	What it does for you	Where you see it
Larger clubhead	A bigger area that still gives a usable shot on a mishit	Drivers, fairway woods, hybrids
Cavity back (weight moved to the edges)	Off-centre hits twist the face less	Irons
Wide sole	Glides through the turf instead of digging on a heavy strike	Irons, hybrids, wedges
More loft	Gets the ball up more easily and tends to curve less on a mishit	Drivers, woods, hybrids
Shaft flex that suits your swing	Easier to swing and to launch at moderate speeds	Every club

Two more checks matter as much as the design. Make sure the maker lists the club in your hand, right or left. And swap a 4 or 5 iron for a hybrid, which is easier to get airborne.

Shaft flex in plain words

Flex is how much the shaft bends during the swing. Makers label it with letters: L for ladies, A for senior (sometimes called amateur), R for regular and S for stiff.

A shaft that is too stiff for your swing speed can make it harder to get the ball up. If you are unsure, a regular or softer flex is a sensible starting point at moderate swing speeds.

Graphite or steel shafts

Shafts come in graphite or steel. Graphite is lighter, which helps at slower swing speeds; steel is heavier and usually costs less. Many sets are sold in both, and woods usually come with graphite shafts.

Check the shaft material on each maker’s page; the Ben Sayers M8 Driver, for example, is listed as a graphite model.

How do we choose the clubs on this page?

Affordable Golf Clubs picks come from published rules (skill band, forgiveness, launch, the golfer’s miss and budget split) and maker specs, not from who pays us. Skill band is the level a club is designed for. The golfer’s miss is the shot that goes wrong most often, such as a slice or a thin strike.

For this page we compared each set and club on the details listed on the maker’s UK page, checked on 14 Nov 2026. The rules are published in full on our how we choose page. They are a starting guide for your own choice. Read more on how we choose.

Affordable Golf Clubs is free to use. If you buy through a link, the retailer pays us a commission at no extra cost to you.

Which beginner golf sets suit each budget?

Under £200, a six-club starter kit with a bag covers the basics. From £200 to £400 you reach larger half sets and package sets. From £400 to £700 you reach complete package sets from Lynx and Wilson.

Above about £500, a session with a club fitter or golf professional is worth adding to the cost. At that price, length and flex matched to your swing protect a bigger outlay. Affordable Golf Clubs’ flex and length suggestions are a starting guide. The rest of this page refers back to this as the £500 line.

Beginner golf sets compared side by side

Set (maker page)	Sold for	Loft, forgiveness and draw bias	Clubs	Bag included	Left-handed	RRP, checked 14 Nov 2026
Under £200
Inesis First golf kit	Beginners	56° wedge; other lofts not stated by the maker	6 (driver, 4 hybrid, 7 iron, 9 iron, 56° wedge, putter)	Yes	Yes	RRP £159.99
MacGregor DCT4000 6 club	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	6	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	RRP £199.99
£200 to £400
Inesis 100 adult half set	Adults	Not stated by the maker	6	Yes	Yes	Not stated by the maker
MacGregor CG4000	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker
MacGregor CG3000 ladies	Women	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker
Wilson Profile half set	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Half set; number not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker
MacGregor DCT4000 12 club	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	12	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker
Ben Sayers M8 package set	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker
£400 to £700
Lynx Boom Boom men’s	Men	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker
Lynx Boom Boom women’s	Women	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker
Wilson Men’s Profile Complete Set With Stand Bag	Men	Not stated by the maker	10 (driver, 5 wood, 5 hybrid, 6 to 9 irons, pitching wedge, sand wedge, putter)	Stand bag	Yes	RRP £525
Wilson Women’s Profile Complete Set With Cart Bag	Women	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker	Cart bag	Not stated by the maker	Not stated by the maker

“Not stated by the maker” means the value is not in the maker details we hold, checked on 14 Nov 2026. Each set sits in the budget band given in our catalogue notes. Prices are makers’ recommended retail prices (RRP), not shop prices. Shops may charge more or less on the day you buy.

To see which of these fits your game, try Build your bag.

Under £200: who each set suits and its trade-off

• Inesis First golf kit: suits you if you want a small bag with a hybrid in place of long irons and a wedge for short shots. Trade-off: wider gaps between clubs, so some distances fall between two of them.
• MacGregor DCT4000 6 club: suits you if you want six clubs just inside a £200 ceiling. Trade-off: the maker details we hold do not state the bag or the hand, so confirm both before you buy.

£200 to £400: who each set suits and its trade-off

• Inesis 100 adult half set: suits you if you want six clubs and a bag, with a left-handed version listed. Trade-off: the same distance gaps as any six-club set.
• MacGregor CG4000: suits you if you want a package set in this band. Trade-off: confirm the contents and hand before you buy.
• MacGregor CG3000 ladies: suits women starting out on this budget. Trade-off: confirm the hand and contents before you buy.
• Wilson Profile half set: suits you if you want a half set from Wilson’s Profile range. Trade-off: fewer clubs means bigger distance gaps.
• MacGregor DCT4000 12 club: suits you if you play regularly and want more clubs. Trade-off: a heavier bag and more clubs to learn.
• Ben Sayers M8 package set: suits you if you want one box from the maker of the M8 Driver below. Trade-off: confirm the contents and hand before you buy.

This band also works well for building a bag rather than buying one box. As an illustrative worked example using the RRPs on this page, the Inesis First kit at RRP £159.99 leaves £240.01 of a £400 budget.

That remainder could go on lessons, an extra hybrid or fairway wood to close the gaps, or a used putter you prefer. For what each budget band typically buys, see how much golf clubs cost.

£400 to £700: who each set suits and its trade-off

• Lynx Boom Boom men’s: suits men who want a complete package set in one purchase. Trade-off: confirm the contents and hand before you buy.
• Lynx Boom Boom women’s: suits women who want a complete package set in one purchase. Trade-off: confirm the contents and hand before you buy.
• Wilson Men’s Profile Complete Set With Stand Bag: suits you if you plan to play regularly and want ten clubs plus a stand bag. Trade-off: at RRP £525 it sits just over the £500 line.
• Wilson Women’s Profile Complete Set With Cart Bag: suits women who want a complete set and use a trolley. Trade-off: a cart bag is made for a trolley rather than carrying.

To compare more package sets side by side, see our golf club sets guide.

Beginner golf sets for women

When comparing women’s sets, check four things on the maker’s page: overall weight, shaft flex (L is the ladies label), club length and loft. Lighter, shorter clubs with more loft are easier to swing and to launch at moderate speeds.

The table lists three women’s sets: the MacGregor CG3000 ladies, the Lynx Boom Boom women’s and the Wilson Women’s Profile Complete Set.

Half set or full set?

A half set is enough to start if you are learning, taking lessons or playing now and then. A full set makes sense once you play regularly and find your distances falling between clubs. Under the Rules of Golf, you must not start a round with more than 14 clubs. That is a ceiling, and a beginner can play well inside it.

This matches the small-bag start England Golf suggests, covered at the top of this page. Fewer clubs also means a lighter bag to carry while you learn.

What you give up with a half set

Fewer clubs means bigger gaps in distance between them. You learn to play part shots, such as an easier 7 iron, which is a useful skill in any case.

What a full set adds

More clubs give you an option for more distances, such as a fairway wood for long second shots. The cost is a heavier bag and a higher outlay.

Worked example: cost per club

Worked out from the RRPs in the table, the Inesis First kit comes to about £26.67 per club including the bag (£159.99 ÷ 6). The Wilson men’s set comes to £52.50 per club including the stand bag (£525 ÷ 10).

The bags differ, and so do the clubs in each set, so use it as a rough guide to value, not a shop price. For the full comparison, read our half set and full set guide.

Which individual golf clubs help beginners most?

Hybrids, a forgiving driver with plenty of loft, a sand wedge and a putter you like help a new golfer most. Hybrids replace long irons, which need a fast, precise strike to get airborne. A lofted driver or fairway wood makes tee shots more forgiving, and the wedge and putter cover the shots near the green.

Hybrids instead of long irons

A hybrid has a wider, hollow head that sits low behind the ball, so it launches more easily than a 4 or 5 iron. The Inesis First kit includes a 4 hybrid and the Wilson men’s set a 5 hybrid.

A forgiving driver for building your own bag

Look for a 460cc head, the largest the R&A’s Equipment Rules allow, and a loft of about 10.5 degrees. Pair it with a shaft flex that suits your swing speed.

The Ben Sayers M8 Driver is one example. The maker lists it as a men’s, high-launch driver with 10.5 degrees of loft and a regular (R) flex shaft. Its page does not list a left-handed version.

Ben Sayers lists the M8 at RRP £59.99 (maker’s price, checked 14 Nov 2026). If the driver feels hard at first, teeing off with a hybrid or fairway wood is a fine option. Compare more in our guide to forgiving drivers for beginners.

Irons

A handicap is a number showing roughly how many shots over par you score, so a higher number means more shots. Cavity-back irons with wide soles are designed for higher handicaps. Compare options in our guide to irons for high handicappers.

Wedge and putter

A sand wedge helps from bunkers and for short, high shots near the green. The putter is a personal choice: pick a shape and length that feel comfortable. You will use it on every hole, and a used putter is an easy saving.

New or used clubs for a beginner?

Used clubs can stretch a beginner’s budget further, as long as you check their condition and that the hand and shaft flex suit you. New clubs give you a known starting point with no wear. A sensible middle path is a new starter set with used additions, such as a hybrid, a wedge or a putter.

What to check on used clubs

1. Hand: confirm the clubs are right-handed or left-handed to match how you play.
2. Grips: worn, shiny or cracked grips slip in your hands; allow for replacing them.
3. Shafts: look along each one for dents, cracks or bends.
4. Faces and grooves: heavy wear on irons and wedges reduces spin.
5. Flex: read the letter on each shaft and check it matches across the set.
6. Length: if you are particularly tall or short, ask about length before you buy.

Upgrading later? See our guide to selling your golf clubs.

Mistakes to avoid when buying your first clubs

The costly mistakes are buying too much club too soon, choosing the wrong hand or shaft flex, keeping long irons you cannot launch, and passing the £500 line without advice. Each one is easy to avoid with a few checks before you pay.

1. Buying a premium full set before you know you will keep playing. A half set or starter kit lets you find out first.
2. Choosing a shaft that is too stiff. See shaft flex above.
3. Missing the hand. Check the maker’s page lists a left-handed version before you commit; the Ben Sayers M8 Driver page, for example, does not.
4. Keeping long irons you cannot launch. Swap a 4 or 5 iron for a hybrid.
5. Buying on the badge. Forgiveness, launch and flex tell you more than the name on the head.
6. Forgetting the putter and wedge. You use the putter on every hole.
7. Spending more than about £500 without advice. See the £500 line in the budget section.
8. Buying adult clubs for a child. Junior sets are a separate choice; see our junior golf clubs guide.

Room for disagreement

If you would rather buy a complete set once and grow into it, that can work, especially if you already play regularly or have had lessons. The complete sets in the £400 to £700 band suit that approach. The risk is paying for clubs, such as long irons, that you rarely hit while you are learning.

In short

Buy forgiving clubs, start small, choose hybrids before long irons, and check the hand and flex on every club. Under £200 a starter kit with a bag covers you; from £400 to £700 a complete package set is an option.

How does Build your bag work?

Build your bag is a free Affordable Golf Clubs tool with no sign-up. It asks a few short questions and gives a plain reason for every pick.

What adults get

The questions cover who the set is for, experience, hand, height, 7 iron distance, your most common miss, how often you play and your budget. You first get a choice of a complete package set, a half set or a bag built club by club, with the reason.

You then get a top pick for each club, each with a plain reason. Prices show as the maker’s RRP, labelled RRP. Used options are not listed yet.

It also suggests a shaft flex and club length. Those suggestions are a starting guide; if you plan to spend more than about £500, book a session with a club fitter or golf professional first.

Budget bands run from under £200, £200 to £400, £400 to £700 and £700 to £1,000 to over £1,000.

What juniors get

Juniors get one junior set sized by the maker’s height range. Age bands are 3 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to 12, and 13 and over. For more on sizes, see our junior size guide.

For picks matched to your game and budget, try Build your bag.