What's in My Bag: The Weekend Golfer Starter Kit

When I started playing golf, I made the classic mistake: I bought a 14-club set because the rules said I could carry 14 clubs. Then I spent the next two years trying to figure out why I owned a 4-iron I couldn't hit to save my life.

Here's the truth nobody tells beginners: you don't need 14 clubs. You need clubs you can actually hit, a bag that doesn't fall over, and a few accessories that make the round more enjoyable.

This is the starter kit I wish someone had handed me on day one.

The Clubs

Driver

You need one. Just not an expensive one.

Grab a Callaway Big Bertha, TaylorMade Burner, or Ping G400 from two or three generations ago. These are wildly forgiving drivers that cost $100–150 used. The technology in modern drivers is excellent, but five-year-old technology is also excellent — and 70% cheaper.

Hot take: If you're shooting above 100, don't practice with driver. Use it on wide-open holes, but spend your range time on irons and wedges. You'll drop more strokes that way. If you do want to upgrade the big stick eventually, our best drivers for high handicappers will point you in the right direction. Once you're ready for something more serious, see how the Titleist GT2 stacks up against the Srixon ZX5 MKII — it's the classic premium-vs-value debate.

Hybrid (instead of 3-5 irons)

Long irons are hard to hit. Like, really hard. Even tour pros are moving away from them.

Replace everything below your 6-iron with hybrids. A 5-hybrid will give you 180–200 yards of distance with the forgiveness of a fairway wood and the playability of an iron.

I carry a 5-hybrid and a 7-wood. I couldn't hit a 4-iron if you paid me, and I'm okay with that.

Budget pick: Look for used Cobra F-MAX or Cleveland Launcher hybrids. $60–80 gets you into a club that actually launches.

Irons (6–PW)

Five irons that you hit consistently are worth more than eight you don't.

The set I recommend for new players: Cleveland Launcher XL Halo or Callaway Big Bertha. These are super game improvement irons designed for people who need help getting the ball in the air. Wide soles, huge sweet spots, and extremely forgiving.

Don't let anyone tell you they're "ugly" or "not for real golfers." Real golfers shoot scores, and these clubs help you shoot better scores.

Cost: $400–500 gets you a quality used iron set (6–PW). Skip the 3–5 irons entirely — that's what your hybrid is for.

Gap Wedge and Sand Wedge

You need two wedges to start: a gap wedge (50–52°) for full shots around 100 yards, and a sand wedge (54–56°) for bunkers and pitches.

Lob wedges are fun, but they add complexity that beginners don't need. Master the sand wedge first.

Budget pick: Cleveland CBX4 ($130) or Maltby TE Forged wedges ($45 per club if you want to save serious money and don't mind a lesser-known brand).

The key with wedges: newer is sometimes better because grooves wear down. If you buy used, make sure the face isn't completely smooth.

Putter

This is the one club you should take seriously, because you'll use it more than any other.

Don't overthink the style — mallet vs. blade is personal preference. What matters is that it feels comfortable and you can aim it consistently.

My pick: The Odyssey White Hot OG series is hard to beat. Classic feel, proven design, and you can find used ones for $100–120.

Budget pick: Believe it or not, Cleveland Huntington Beach putters ($90 new) feel nearly as good as the $200+ options. Great starter putter.

What That Looks Like

Here's the 10-club bag I'd build for a beginner with $500–700 to spend:

1. Driver (used, forgiving model) — $100
2. 5-Hybrid — $70
3. 6–PW Irons (game improvement set) — $300
4. Gap Wedge (50–52°) — $80
5. Sand Wedge (54–56°) — $80
6. Putter — $100

Total: $730 (less if you shop used carefully)

You could easily spend $2,000 on this same configuration buying new. Don't.

The Bag

Your bag needs to do two things: hold your clubs and not fall over.

Cart bag vs. stand bag: If you're primarily riding in a cart, a cart bag with big pockets is convenient. If you're walking or using a push cart, a stand bag is lighter and easier to manage.

For most beginners, I recommend a stand bag because it's more versatile. The Ogio Fuse and Sun Mountain 2.5+ are solid options around $150–180. They're light, they stand on their own, and they have enough pockets for what you actually need.

Budget move: Buy a used bag. Golf bags don't wear out the way clubs do, and a $200 bag that someone used for a season costs $80 on eBay.

The Essentials

Golf Balls

Stop buying Pro V1s. I'm serious.

At this stage, you're going to lose balls. A lot of balls. There's no reason to feed $5 Pro V1s to the pond when $2 balls perform 95% as well for your swing speed.

My picks:

• Kirkland Signature (if you have a Costco membership) — $28 for 24 balls, performs like a ball twice the price
• Callaway Supersoft — $23 for a dozen, soft feel, easy to launch
• Vice Drive — $15 for a dozen when you buy in bulk, solid budget option

You can switch to premium balls once you're consistently keeping them in play.

Glove

You need one. Don't overthink it.

FootJoy WeatherSof ($15) is the industry standard — durable, fits well, works in any weather. Buy two so you have a backup when one wears out mid-round.

Some people wear out gloves fast. If that's you, consider the MG Golf DynaGrip glove — $7 per glove when you buy in bulk, and the quality is surprisingly good for the price. For more picks, see our full guide to the best budget golf gloves under $20.

Tees

Wooden tees. Whatever's on sale. Doesn't matter.

If you want to get fancy, the Pride PTS tees (the ones with the markings for different clubs) are helpful for consistency.

Ball Marker

Use a coin. A quarter works perfectly.

If you want something nicer, Pitchfix makes good combo tools with a ball marker built into a divot repair tool. Two birds, one purchase.

Divot Repair Tool

Fix your pitch marks on the green. It takes five seconds and keeps the course playable for everyone.

Any switchblade-style repair tool works. Just keep it in your pocket and use it.

What You Don't Need (Yet)

• Rangefinder: Nice to have, not essential. Your phone has free GPS apps. Use those until you're serious enough to invest $150+. When you're ready, the Blue Tees Series 3 Max is the best entry-level pick with slope — direct from Blue Tees for best price.
• 14 clubs: You're allowed 14. That doesn't mean you need 14.
• Club covers for every iron: Just the driver and woods. Nobody's impressed by matching iron covers.
• Expensive push cart: Walk with a bag or ride in a cart. Upgrade to a push cart once you know you like the exercise.
• Swing aid gadgets: Learn to hit the ball before you start analyzing your swing plane. Fundamentals first.

Ready to Play with Your Crew?

Getting your gear together is just the first step. Our free Golf Crew Season Kit provides essential tools like printable bet sheets, season trackers, and scorecards to make your first rounds with friends smooth and fun.

Equip yourself for effortless group play from day one.

👉 Download Your Free Golf Crew Season Kit Here

The Philosophy

The goal isn't to have the nicest bag on the course. The goal is to have equipment that lets you play, have fun, and get better without thinking about gear.

Every dollar you don't spend on the latest driver is a dollar you can spend on range balls, lessons, or green fees. Golf is expensive enough without overspending on equipment that's beyond your skill level.

Build a simple bag. Play a lot. Upgrade when you know exactly what you need — not before.

For a club-by-club breakdown of what each stick actually does in the hands of a regular golfer, check out the honest weekend golfer's bag. And when you're ready to work on the game itself, our guide to how to break 100 will get you there faster than any equipment purchase.

Compare Before You Buy

Researching your first clubs? These head-to-head comparisons can help:

• TaylorMade Qi10 vs Ping G430 Max (drivers)
• TaylorMade Qi10 vs Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke (drivers)
• TaylorMade P790 vs Callaway Apex (irons)
• Callaway Apex vs Ping G430 Irons (irons)
• Odyssey White Hot OG vs Scotty Cameron Special Select (putters)
• Titleist Pro V1 vs Callaway Chrome Soft (balls)

updatedAt: "2026-03-15"

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