Equipment to get started on the golf course:
GOLF CLUBS
The first and most obvious part of your golf equipment is of course the golf clubs. You can carry a maximum of 14 clubs during a round, but you do not need to have all 14 to start. The best way to start is with a half set or a pack set specifically designed for beginners. A set of four irons - a 3, 5, 7, 9 iron for example - along with a pair of wedges and a putter will be more than enough to get you started on the golf course. Add a driver, and you're ready to go.
Certainly, the more you play, the more frustrating you may find the clearance between these irons, and then you'll be ready to buy a full set.
When you are going to buy your first complete set, it is important to know that you do not have to immediately buy new products, because there is a good second-hand market. Manufacturers produce new golf clubs every year, so clubs that are one, two or even three years old are still very good and come at a fraction of the price of a brand new set.
Secondhand websites like Blocket have a wide range of used products at a good price. The most important thing to be aware of when buying used is that the clubs have not been customized for someone with different specifications than you. If you are an average height golfer, you don't want to choose a used set of clubs that were made for someone who is tall unless you are. Second hand club sellers will usually indicate if a club is longer, shorter or if its angle has changed drastically, so keep an eye out.
It is also important to choose the right type of iron club. While the bladed irons in the golf pro's bag may look nice, they are certainly not for golfers just starting out. Instead, aim to buy a set of game development irons with a cavity back for the most help to get the most enjoyment out of the game.
GOLF BAGS
The next step is to find the best golf bag to put your new clubs in. There is quite a bit of variety to search the market for which golf bag will suit you best. A standing bag is the easiest and most basic option to get started. It comes with two straps so you can carry it on your back and it stands on its own when laid down.
If you think you will be using a cart to get around the golf course, you can get a cart bag that sits exclusively on a cart. These golf bags are much larger than duffle bags, so make sure you are actually going to use a trolley, as these bags are very difficult to carry around if you don't. Some manufacturers make bags that are a hybrid of the two - they're stand-up bags that fit well on strollers. If you think you will be carrying and using a cart, this is an excellent option that means you have a golf bag for every occasion.
If you're starting with a half set as we recommended earlier, a pencil bag is a good option for something very light and easy to use that can easily hold six or seven sticks. Pencil cases usually have lower price points as well, and offer good value if you just want a small, lightweight bag.
Read more about our golf bags here
BALLS
When it comes to the equipment you need to start playing golf, you're obviously going to need some golf balls! There are quite a few options here as well. If you are serious about the game, you can pay up to SEK 500 for a dozen of the best golf balls. But if you're just starting out, there's no real reason to pay a lot for golf balls, and you'll hardly notice the difference in a cheaper dozen.
There are good options beyond premium balls for a beginner. First, you can choose a cheaper, new ball that is at the lower end of the price range. Second, buying used balls is a good way to get cheap golf balls at a fraction of the price. These are golf balls that have been lost, found again and then cleaned, making them ideal for beginners looking to get started with the game. Available on most golf courses.
See our selection of golf balls here
SHOES
If you are just starting out on the driving range, training shoes/jogging shoes will work and you don't need a special shoe yet. When you hit the golf course, however, the best golf shoes are essential pieces of equipment. When the grass is wet, it is very nice to have waterproof shoes.
There are a couple of options here as well. Spikeless golf shoes are great in the summer and are comfortable to wear off the golf course as well. Alternatively, you can choose shoes with spikes - often soft cleats in modern shoes - which offer a little more grip and are slightly more traditional when you think of a typical golf shoe.
Modern golf shoes are also available in many different designs. Gone are the days when the classic brogue shoe was the only option and now you can even get a Jordan basketball shoe in a golf version. We should also mention that most brands not only offer premium models, but also shoes that have lower price points. For example, the Adidas Tour 360 has 22, all the way down to the EQT, and both are excellent choices.
CLOTHES
When you're starting out, a pair of smart trousers and a polo shirt will be enough to ensure you look like a golfer on the course. As with everything else on this list, as you start to play more and get better, you'll want clothes that are more specific to golf.
There are many performance benefits of proper golf clothing. Jackets that keep you warm and dry in inclement weather and polo shirts that keep you cool will help you focus on your game and not the weather around you.
Finally when it comes to clothing, the golf gloves are important. You wear this throughout the round on the opposite hand to how you play - if you are right-handed you wear it on your left hand and vice versa for lefties. If you're new to golf, this may feel a little strange at first, but there is a noticeable difference in how easy it is to hold the club when you're wearing a glove. Again, there are many options in the glove market, from cheaper synthetic golf gloves to full leather gloves. If you are just starting out, a synthetic goof glove will suffice.
One last thing to mention when it comes to clothing and gloves is that due to the large number of different brands and models on the market you can always find a good deal somewhere, so it's all about looking around golf retailers and of course reading our buying guides. But start with us at 2 Gringos
ACCESSORIES
Now that you have all the big basics to get you started, there are some smaller accessories to add to your bag that will make the game a little easier and more fun.
First, golf clubs . There are lots of different sizes of pegs and they are often made from either wood or plastic. You will be using these at the start of each hole to hit with and it is important to have a variety of sizes in your bag to give you the opportunity to hit with different clubs from the tee. Longer clubs will be used when hitting with a driver and these will help you get the ball in the air, and shorter clubs will be used to hit irons off the tee if you are playing a short par 3.
Second, a marker pen. When playing, you should always mark your balls with an individual and easily recognizable mark, so if your ball ends up next to another ball, you can easily identify which one is yours. If you want it to be a little more fun, we have golf ball stamps.
Finally, a greenslayer . These are used to repair the depressions you make in the green where the ball has landed. There is nothing worse for a golfer than puttingt on an uneven putting surface, so repairing these depressions in the green will help your fellow players and keep the green in good condition for everyone to use.