May 6, 2025 8:55 am

So, you that have been to the range a few times and are now getting a little hooked on the game. You are starting to think about buying some golf clubs so you can take that next step of going out onto the golf course. But you don’t want to spend a King’s ransom on them. Here is my suggestion of the bare minimum requirement to play golf.

You need a wood for bashing the ball off the tee. At this early stage, although the driver – the number 1 wood – is a lot of fun, discretion may be the better part of valour. I’d recommend you first purchase a number 3 wood. It’s a little shorter, a bit smaller and therefore a bit easier for the novice golfer to swing.

What about irons? I recommend that you start with a 7 iron. As well as giving your reasonable distance on the fairway, you can also use it for chipping onto the green from close range.  If you come across any of those pesky bunkers on your chosen course, then the acquisition of a sand wedge is also essential. And once you have splashed out (hopefully first time!), of course you need a putter to finish off the hole on the green.

Start with as little as four clubs

That’s it. You can play your first round with as little as four clubs.  Not as hard on the pocket as you might have imagined.  After this, I’d suggest you go for a hybrid club, in my view one of the greatest inventions in the game of golf. The hybrid is a cross between a wood and an iron and a very nice club for beginners to get comfortable with. Put a number 4 or 5 on your birthday/Christmas wish list.

From there, as you get more confident and competent, maybe treat yourself to the big stick, the driver, and have some fun.

Categorised in: Tip of the month, World of Golf London