The best golf club sets for beginners: your essential guide

Golf can seem intimidating when you're just starting out, especially with all the terminology and various equipment options. But don’t worry; choosing the right set of golf clubs for beginners doesn’t have to be as complicated as it seems. In fact, with the right knowledge, you can select a set that will help you improve your game, enjoy your time on the course, and make your learning experience smoother.

In this guide, we'll look at the best golf club sets for beginners, what to look for when shopping for clubs, and some of the top clubs and sets to consider. Whether you're shopping online or at your local golf store, we’ve got everything you need to know.

What to look for when buying golf clubs as a beginner

Before diving into the best golf clubs for beginners, let's go over the key factors you should consider when selecting your first set:

1. Club head design: Beginners generally benefit from clubs with a larger, more forgiving head design. The larger sweet spot makes it easier to make contact with the ball and get more consistent shots. Oversized drivers, hybrids, and cavity-back irons are common choices.

2. Shaft flexibility: Shaft flexibility affects how the club reacts when you swing. Beginners often benefit from a more flexible shaft (regular or senior flex), which helps generate more distance and makes shots easier to hit. If you’re unsure what flex to choose, try a few options to see what feels best.

3. Forgiveness: A forgiving club will help you get the ball in the air and in the right direction even when you don’t make perfect contact. Look for clubs with perimeter weighting and a low centre of gravity, which help with off-centre hits.

4. Club set vs individual clubs: If you're just starting out, buying a full set of clubs is often the best option. A complete set typically includes a driver, several irons, wedges, and a putter—all designed to work together. But if you prefer to pick out individual clubs, you’ll need to focus on the essential ones for beginners, like a driver, a hybrid, and a putter.

5. Budget: Golf clubs can get expensive, so it's important to think about your budget. Thankfully, there are high-quality options available for all price ranges. Keep in mind that as a beginner, you don’t need the most expensive set, but you do want something that’s durable and helps you play comfortably.

What are the best golf club sets for beginners?

For most beginners, buying a complete golf club set is the best approach. This ensures you have all the necessary clubs to get started without having to worry about picking individual pieces.

Here are some of the best golf club sets for beginners currently available.

* Please note that prices may vary between retailers and depending on offers.

MacGregor DCT3000 Golf Package

Price: £379

The MacGregor DCT3000 set is designed for high-handicap golfers, beginners, and casual players who are looking for a premium, high-performance set at an excellent value. With a focus on forgiveness, this set is built to help golfers improve their game.

Pros:

• Forgiving Driver, Fairway Woods, and Hybrids: The driver is a 460cc and designed with a deep face, making it incredibly forgiving. The fairway woods and hybrids are easy to hit and offer more distance and straight shots.
• High Launching DCT Irons: These irons feature perimeter weighting and a high launch design to help get the ball airborne with less side spin. This makes them more forgiving and gives better accuracy for beginners and high handicappers.
• Soft Feel Putter: The putter offers a soft feel and easy alignment, which helps beginners roll the ball smoothly and improve putting consistency.
• Premium Cart Bag: The DCT3000 has a durable, spacious cart bag that fits on all trolleys. It features multiple pockets for your gear and accessories, and matching headcovers for the driver, fairway woods, and hybrids to protect your clubs.
• Excellent Value: This package offers high-quality clubs and a durable bag at a reasonable price, providing great value for money.

Cons:

• Cart-Only Design: Since it's a cart bag, it’s not ideal for golfers who prefer carrying their clubs over trolleys.

TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Golf Irons

Price: £429

This club set is designed to help you hit the ball further and more accurately, especially if you're just starting out in golf. These irons combine new technology and smart design features to give you more forgiveness, a better feel, and extra distance on your shots.

Pros:

• Cap Back Design: The SIM 2 Max Irons use a unique Cap Back Design, which combines high-strength stainless steel with lightweight materials. This design helps to give you better distance, a more forgiving shot, and a softer feel, which is perfect for beginners still learning the game.
• ECHO Damping System: The ECHO Damping System helps reduce vibrations when you hit the ball. This gives you a softer, more comfortable feel.
• Inverted Cone Technology (ICT): This technology helps minimise side spin, which reduces the chances of hitting the ball to the right (a common mistake for beginners). It also increases forgiveness, so you’ll still get decent results even if you don’t hit the ball in the centre.
• KBS Max 85 Shaft: The irons have a lightweight KBS Max 85 shaft. This helps generate more ball speed and a higher ball flight, making it easier for beginners to control their approach shots and hit the green more often.

Cons:

• Price: This set is on the pricier side compared to some other beginner sets. While it offers excellent performance, it may not be the best option if you're just starting and have a tight budget.

Cobra Fly XL Men's 11-Piece Steel Golf Set

Price: £579

This set is ideal whether you’re a beginner or generally looking to take your game up a level. Offering a complete set of high-quality clubs, including a driver, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and a premium cart bag, this package is designed for maximum forgiveness, easy launches, and impressive distance.

Pros:

• Complete Set: This package includes 10 clubs and a premium cart bag, providing everything a golfer needs to start or improve their game.
• High MOI Design: The driver, woods, and hybrids feature a high Moment of Inertia (MOI) design, which increases the sweet spot and helps create more forgiving shots.
• Lightweight Construction: Using lightweight components in the driver and woods, this set promotes faster swing speeds and easier launches, making it easier for beginners to hit the ball higher and further.
• Perimeter Weighting in Irons and Wedges: The perimeter weighting in the irons and wedges improves stability, enhancing the accuracy of your shots, even on off-centre hits.
• Blade Putter: The set includes a premium blade putter that offers exceptional feel and control, helping you improve your putting performance and confidence on the greens.
• Cart Bag: The high-quality cart bag is designed to fit on any trolley and provides ample storage for all your golf essentials.

Cons:

• Price: This is on the higher end for beginner sets. 

Wilson 1200 TPX Golf Package Set

Price: £339

This is another fantastic option for beginners and golfers looking to improve their game. Combining stylish design with impressive technology, this set provides everything you need to get started. With a driver, wood, hybrids, irons, wedges, putter, and a bag, it’s an all-in-one solution to help you succeed on the course.

Pros:

• Graphite Woods and Hybrids: The woods and hybrids come with lighter graphite shafts that promote faster swing speeds for better distance and forgiveness.
• Steel Shaft Irons: The irons feature steel shafts with deep undercut weighting, helping to produce longer, straighter shots while improving accuracy.
• Matching Pitching and Sand Wedge: The set includes a matching pitching wedge and sand wedge, providing consistency and control around the greens.
• Easy-to-Align Putter: The putter’s design makes it easy to align, helping golfers quickly improve their putting skills.

Cons:

• Limited Options: This set may not have some of the more advanced features you might prefer to have as you become more experienced, especially if you need more specific club setups or adjustments.

Wilson Prostaff Profile SGI 10-Piece Set

Price: £289

This is an excellent option for aspiring golfers who are just getting started. With a focus on forgiveness, power, and ease of use, this set includes everything you need to improve your game, from the driver to the putter. The easy-to-launch clubs make this set perfect for beginners aiming for consistency and better performance on the course.

Pros:

• Driver with Graphite Shaft: The 460cc oversized driver is engineered with Super Game Improvement technology, making it highly forgiving and easy to hit. The graphite shaft adds flexibility, helping generate more power and distance on your shots.
• Forgiving Fairway Wood (Graphite Shaft): The 5-wood features a graphite shaft designed for easy launching, giving beginners the confidence to make better, more consistent shots from the fairway. 
• Steel Shaft Irons (6, 7, 8, 9): The irons feature deep perimeter weighting and a low centre of gravity to help you hit more accurate and powerful shots. 
• Pitching and Sand Wedge (Steel Shaft): The pitching wedge is ideal for approach shots, while the sand wedge features low weighting and a wide sole. Both offer better control around the greens and help you make more effective chips and bunker shots.
• SGI Putter: Designed with a focus on clear alignment, the SGI putter is easy to use, providing a solid feel and precision, making it easier to sink those crucial putts.

Cons:

• Limited Customisation: While this set is great for beginners, more experienced players might find the clubs too forgiving.

The best individual clubs for beginners

While a complete set is often the best choice, some beginners prefer to buy individual clubs. Here’s a look at some of the best golf clubs for beginners, focusing on the essential pieces that can help get you started.

1. Best Driver for Beginners: TaylorMade SIM2 Max Driver

Price: £249

A driver is one of the most important clubs in your bag, especially for beginners who need help getting the ball in the air and achieving distance off the tee. The TaylorMade SIM2 Max driver is designed to offer forgiveness, increase launch angle, and help generate speed.

Pros:

• Extremely forgiving with a large sweet spot
• Great distance off the tee
• Adjustable loft for different swing styles
• Sleek design

Cons:

• Expensive for beginners who are still learning the game

2. Best Hybrid for Beginners: Callaway Big Bertha B21 Hybrid

Price: £119

Hybrids are an excellent option for beginners, as they combine the best features of both woods and irons, respectively. The Callaway Big Bertha B21 Hybrid is designed to help players launch the ball easily and get it in the air with minimal effort.

Pros:

• Great forgiveness and ease of use
• Helps with ball launch and trajectory
• Suitable for beginners who struggle with long irons

Cons:

• Can be more expensive than other hybrids

3. Best Putter for Beginners: Odyssey White Hot OG 1 Putter

Price: £179

A quality putter is essential for beginners to develop good short game skills. The Odyssey White Hot OG 1 Putter offers a smooth, forgiving stroke and comes with a classic feel that can help you improve your putting consistency.

Pros:

• Excellent feel and feedback on the green
• Easy to align and use
• Forgiving with a great sweet spot

Cons:

• Slightly higher price than some other beginner putters

Key considerations when choosing a set of golf clubs for beginners

When shopping for golf clubs as a beginner, here are some final tips to keep in mind:

• Try Before You Buy: If possible, test out a few different clubs before making your decision. Many golf stores offer demo clubs, and some even have launch monitors that can help you see the impact of different clubs on your ball flight.
• Custom fitting: Consider getting a custom fitting to ensure your clubs match your swing. Some beginner sets come with pre-selected shafts and grips, but having your clubs fitted for your height, swing speed, and preferences can make a big difference in your game.
• Consider the terrain: Think about the courses you’ll be playing on. If you’re mostly playing at a course with wide fairways, you may want to prioritise distance. When playing on a smaller course, you may want to focus on accuracy and control.
• Look for durability: Golf clubs can be a big investment, so choosing a durable set will help you get the most out of your purchase. Look for clubs made from high-quality materials that will last.

Finding the best golf clubs for beginners

Choosing the right golf clubs can have a big impact on your experience and how much you enjoy the game. By focusing on forgiveness, ease of use, and getting a complete set that covers all the essentials, you’ll be well on your way to improving your skills.

Specialist golf insurance from Golf Care

Whether you’ve been playing golf for 30 minutes or 30 years, your golf clubs are your pride and joy. That’s why you may want to think about protecting them with specialist golf insurance.

With Golf Care, policies include Equipment Cover up to £7,500, Public Liability of up to £10m, and Personal Accident Cover up to £50,000. Get a quote online today to see what your peace of mind could cost.