Start playing golf – 10 answers on the equipment you need as a beginner
Start playing golf is a magazine series for people who are new to golf and need answers to those initial questions that usually crop up when you first enter the world of golf. There’s a lot to keep track of in terms of equipment, rules and etiquette – but we’re here to help you. Daniel Runsten-Melander from Dormy Barkarby is on hand to look into 10 questions about equipment. Let’s go!
1. What does a good club set-up look like?
A good club set-up has variety, where all clubs perform a function. It’s important to feel that you don’t have several clubs that do the same thing. The clubs you include in your set-up will vary for everyone, it’s very individual. But a good base is a driver, a putter, a set of irons (pitching wedge, 9i, 8i, 7i, 6i, 5i) and two wedges – one wedge with a loft of 56 degrees or higher, primarily for bunker shots, and one wedge for shorter approaches and chips with a loft of around 52 or 54 degrees.
Would you like to try a custom fitting? Read more here!
2. You can have a maximum of 14 clubs in your bag, do you have to have that many?
Not at all! Every club in the bag must fulfil a function and in general as a beginner it’s easier to have fewer options so it doesn’t get too chaotic. When you find the need for more clubs later on, you can add them in, for example an extra wedge or woods.
3. How do you know which putter to choose?
A putter is all about feel and self-confidence! It’s easy to overthink your choice and be afraid of getting it wrong, but trust your instincts when it comes to choosing which putter to buy! There are so many parameters to consider when making your choice of putter, just like when you’re trying out irons or drivers. Of course, we’re happy to help you do this and to talk about the theory behind it. But as a general rule of thumb, a larger putter will always be more forgiving than a smaller one.
Also read The Ultimate Putter Guide, where we dive into even more details about putting.
4. What must you not forget to have in your bag?
– A pitch mark repairer, first and foremost! It's very important that we help each other take care of our courses and repair our pitch marks. Tees, which can also stand in if you've forgotten your pitch mark repairer, glove, marker, balls, and a water bottle. It might also be good to have some fruit or another snack to maintain focus all the way through.
5. Do you need golf shoes?
– No, you don't have to, but it is definitely preferable! Why should you wear golf shoes then? Golf shoes are designed to give you good traction on the ground, which is a major source of energy when we swing. They are also made for walking long distances and on hilly terrain, providing stability and grip.
In the article How to Find the Right Golf Shoes, we help you find the right shoes.
6. How should a golf glove fit?
It should fit snugly but comfortably. It will stretch over time, and you don’t want any excess material bunching up. In general, many golfers wear gloves that are far too big. Read the article How to Choose the Right Golf Glove, where we highlight different types of golf gloves.
7. Cart bag, carry bag or pencil bag, which one should I choose?
When it comes to bags, you need to think about how much you’re going to play and maybe what your home club looks like. If you mostly play at your home club, you might prefer a cart bag with more space in the bag for extra apparel and additional items. But there’s still the more flexible option of a carry bag, which is easy to take with your, and can also be put on a trolley if you’re feeling tired. A pencil bag is more for the relaxed approach, going out with a half set and taking it all more casually.
Read more here!
8. How do you choose the right ball?
– When it comes to equipment, it’s very much a case of trying it out. So the way to choose a ball is to try some out. Maybe buy a sleeve of a few different models and see if you like one type more than another. In the end the most important thing isn’t which ball you use, but that you play with the same or a very similar ball and don’t switch between different models. You can get super specific and detailed in your choice of ball once you start noticing a difference. But everyone benefits from a premium ball and a premium ball will always offer the best performance. You’ll see of course that premium balls are slightly more expensive, so you can look at some lower-priced balls and sacrifice a little on performance but still not miss out on too much.
Read our ball guide here!
9. What’s the difference between a hybrid and a fairway wood?
A hybrid is a more modern club. The word hybrid is a biological term for mixing so it’s a cross between an iron and a fairway wood. A hybrid has a slightly smaller head and slightly shorter shaft than a fairway wood and is better at helping a player get the ball up in air – the hybrid is therefore a very good club to use from the rough.
10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing with long irons rather than hybrids?
– Again, it depends on the player. Long irons generally require a lot of club head speed. A hybrid helps you get the ball up in the air and is an easier option for long shots, perhaps especially for someone with slightly slower swing speed. But the hybrid is also more forgiving at impact. So the disadvantage of a long iron can be that it’s difficult to play with and this can make it hard to get consistent results. While the advantage of a long iron, if we manage to get consistent contact and have decent club head speed, is that we get a bit more precision than with a hybrid.
Daniel Runsten-Melander, Dormy Barkarby