How To Select Beginner Golf Equipment

For new golfers of any age, the golf clubs and other equipment will be one of the first things to purchase. There is no need to run out and buy the latest and greatest driver to start with, but as you continue to improve your game, you can slowly improve your golf gear, too.

To start with, however, you simply need the most basic set of golf clubs including: drivers, wedges, putters and irons. Make sure that you know which club is which, and what they are intended to be used for. Also, do not get caught up in buying all of the gadgets and accessories; there will be plenty of time for that later.

In addition to golf clubs, you will need good shoes, with or without cleats. Check with the course that you will be playing the majority of the time to find out what kind of shoes are and are not allowed. (While you are at it, you might want to check out their dress code as well.) Other important initial golf purchases to consider include books or videos to help you learn not only the mechanics of the game but the rules as well.

For the younger child, price should be a consideration for a number of reasons. For one thing, a child's hobbies change fast and often, and you do not want to get stuck with a ton of golf equipment when the hockey phase sets in. Also, children are still growing, and the clubs may be too short for proper use in a few months, again, leaving you with useless gear. And finally, unless the child is exceptional, they just do not take the very best care of their belongings. A used set should be perfectly adequate for a child to learn on- but make sure that they are properly sized for them. Too short and the stance will be all off, possibly leading to poor posture; too long and they will not have be able to have a graceful, powerful swing.

For the adult, the growth factor is not such an issue, and most adults know how to take care of their things with relative responsibility, but are you really going to be sticking with golf for a long period of time? Consider renting or borrowing clubs while you honestly gauge your actual interest in the sport- will you be playing often or will it be a once in a while kind of thing? Can you afford to pay top dollar for something that will have to be dusted off between each use?

Check with the local golf pro shop and get a general idea of what kind of clubs are right for your body type, stance and your swing. Crunch the numbers and decide what you can afford and what is out of your reach right now. Start with the basics and then upgrade as you go.