Golf can be an overwhelming sport for people just getting started. The sheer amount of golf equipment options, available accessories, money needed to play the game and golf courses available can be a lot to take in. It’s only natural for beginners to wonder which golf clubs they need to get started in the game, especially when totaling all these costs together.

While there is no clear-cut answer to this question, I’ll offer a few options based on my experience in the game that has spanned almost three decades. At the end of the day, of course, it’s always best to choose the right golf club setup for you, regardless of skill level.

Golf Club Fundamentals

Golfers can carry a maximum number of clubs in their golf bag. According to the Rules of Golf, a golfer is allowed no more than 14 clubs in their bag when playing an “official” or competitive round. This number includes all different club types, including your drivers, irons, wedges, and putter. This maximum rule is in place specifically for competitive or tournament rounds. Most golfers will adhere to this requirement regardless of playing a competitive round or not, but amateur players who just like to play the game for enjoyment may have more than 14 clubs in their bag.

Other players, however, may choose to go the opposite route: playing with less than the maximum 14 clubs. This is perfectly acceptable and can be implored in either a competitive or recreational round of golf. There are pros and cons to this approach, of course, and each should be weighed carefully.

Newer players may benefit from playing with less golf clubs as they are learning the game. The benefits of this practice are many, including:

• Less options to choose from before hitting a golf shot, which can make things easier to understand in terms of club selection due to limited choice

• Pace of play is improved as less choices are available to the golfer, which otherwise could be confusing for the newer player just starting out

• Less clubs mean a lighter golf bag, which can be helpful if you are walking in your round of golf as opposed to using a motorized golf cart, meaning you become less fatigued less quickly

• Less money is needed to equip a golfer who is playing with fewer clubs

Players who are just getting started should consider playing with fewer clubs for other, more practical reasons as well.

Why Play with Fewer Clubs?

The game of golf is comprised of hitting a golf ball various distances throughout a round of golf. To help accomplish this in as few strokes as possible, a set of golf clubs is constructed with tools that hit a golf ball a different maximum distance. These differences in yardages are possible due to the different lofts on each golf club, which limit the possible distance a ball will carry after being hit with said club. Other factors – like course conditions, weather, golf shaft and materials – also impact the total distance of any golf shot.

For example, most 7-irons feature a loft of around 35 to 37 degrees, depending on brand and model. A player’s skill level, strength, and quality of strike will result in a golf ball traveling a specific distance through the air. The amount of backspin imparted on a golf ball after being struck also affects total distance and needs to be considered by the golfer. This distance can differ widely from on player to the next but will be a repeatable distance for that player.

The ability to predict how far a golf ball will travel when using a specific golf club (like a 7-iron) is one of the most critical elements to the game. This predictability allows a player to navigate a golf course strategically and increases their chances of shooting a low score. It also helps with club selection, and with identifying “yardage gaps” throughout a set of golf clubs.

Newer players may not be focused on shooting the lowest score possible, but rather to enjoy the game for the first time. Using fewer clubs and having fewer choices from which to choose makes every shot simpler and educates the player on how to make the most out of the tools at their disposal.

Which Clubs Should You Include in Your Bag?

While there are many ways to equip your golf bag within the 14-club limit, a reduced number of clubs should include those that can carry long distances, middle distances, short chips, and a putter.

For example, including a driver in your bag allows you to cover longer distances off the tee on holes that require more shots to complete, such as a par-4 or par-5. This club is usually hit off a golf tee and is built for hitting the ball as far as you can.

Next, you may want to include a longer hybrid or iron – such as a 4-hybrid or 5-iron – in your bag. These clubs are designed to hit the golf ball off the ground, but still a longer to moderate distance. Also including a middle iron – like a 6-, 7-, or 8-iron – allows you to cover distances around 160- to 140- yards. Finally, including a pitching wedge or a sand wedge allows a player to hit shorter shots around the green or out of a sand bunker.

There are multiple different options you can consider equipping your golf bag in addition to the recommendations above, and ultimately a golfer will need to decide based on their specific distance tendencies with each club.

Other Considerations

While it is definitely possible to play a full 18 holes of golf with fewer than the recommended number of clubs, whether or not you should is another story for another day. However, players just starting out in the game may find it beneficial to limit choice of clubs by bringing only a handful. This will allow a player to learn many different shots with each club, including half-swings, three-quarter swings, and others.