Overview
This summary explains the main types of golf clubs in a beginner's bag, their characteristics, and recommendations for those new to the game, focusing on playability, forgiveness, and suitability.
Drivers
- Drivers are the largest-headed club, designed for maximum distance off the tee.
- Loft ranges from 7° (fast swings) to 12° (slower swings); beginners should use higher lofts (11-13°).
- Shafts are almost always graphite and come in various stiffnesses based on swing speed.
Fairway Woods
- Fairway woods (3, 5, 7) are the next longest clubs after driver, with progressively shorter shafts and higher lofts.
- 3-wood is challenging for beginners; 5-wood and especially 7-wood are more user-friendly.
- Shafts are graphite and ease of control increases with higher loft and shorter length.
Hybrids
- Hybrids replace long irons (#2-5) due to easier launch and forgiveness.
- Feature a blend of wood and iron characteristics, usually with graphite shafts.
- Highly recommended for those who struggle with traditional long irons.
Iron Sets
- Super game improvement irons have hollow backs and fat soles to help get the ball airborne and are most forgiving for beginners.
- Cavity back irons offer some perimeter weighting for forgiveness; muscle back/blade irons are for advanced players and not advised for beginners.
- Irons are numbered (4–PW usually), with loft increasing and length decreasing from long irons to pitching wedge.
- Beginners should look for cavity back or hollow irons and may choose graphite or steel shafts.
Wedges
- Wedges include pitching wedge (~45°), gap/approach wedge (48–52°), and sand wedge (~56°).
- Sand wedge is essential for bunker shots and higher lob shots.
- Avoid 60° lob wedges as they are very technical and not beginner-friendly.
Special Clubs
- Chippers behave like putters but help with short chips near the green; useful for those struggling with chipping.
- Easy-to-hit sand wedges (e.g., Cleveland S) are suggested for short game improvement.
Putters
- Blade putters suit arcing strokes and require precise alignment; less forgiving.
- Mallet and high MOI putters offer more forgiveness and are easier to align.
- Match putter style to your stroke (arc for blades, straight-back for mallets); professional fitting is recommended.
Recommendations / Advice
- Beginners should prioritize forgiving, game-improvement clubs: high-lofted drivers, 5- or 7-woods, hybrids, cavity back or hollow irons, and basic wedges.
- Avoid blade irons, low-lofted drivers, and specialized wedges until more experience is gained.
- Seek professional advice to match putter type to personal putting stroke.