What type of golf clubs does a beginner need for a round of golf?

GRUMP: What type of golf clubs does a beginner need for a round of golf?
I just finished up a golf class last week put on by ESPN in which they gave you a set of Nike Ignite clubs to get started, namely; 4-9 irons, pw, 3-hybrid and a putter. I added a cheap driver (which I’m planning on upgrading to a Nike Summo) and a Wilson 58 deg sand wedge as well. I have played the past two months with this set and feel that I may need more fairway clubs especially for the 5 pars. I’m getting mixed up between some saying I need a 3 and a 5 wood while others say I need 5, 7 and 9 wood. As well, I’m mixed up whether I should get hybrids (like the #3 that I have) to take the place of the woods. Does anyone have suggestions on what I should get to complete my set? BTW, I do like wedges and would like to add either a LW or a GW to my set. Thanks!

Answers and Views:

Answer by Frank P
The ideal set for the intermediate golfer would start with Game Improvement irons. You still need forgiveness but you’d also like a little more feel and control. If you tend to hit your irons well you might be ready to consider a regular 4 iron, otherwise stay with your hybrid 4.

For your distance clubs add a little less loft on those fairway woods and hybrids to maximize distance. You might be ready to drop your 5 hybrid and replace it with a 3 hybrid.

Your driver is still oversized with about 10-12 degrees of loft to maximize distance and accuracy. Shaft selections may be the most important component. You want a shaft that matches your swing speed and ball flight requirements. Perhaps a draw bias to help get the drive moving a little more right to left.

Your wedges can be reconfigured. A gap wedge or a lob wedge are possibly good additions. If three wedges are your choice you may want to distribute the lofts from your PW to your LW (46, 52, 58 degrees). You may want wedges with less bounce so you can hit them off of tighter lies.

For a putter an intermediate you may have already settled on what works for you, but if you are ready to try something new, one of the new MOI maxed mallets would be a good choice.

Set configuration should be: Woods (1, 3, 5) Hybrids (3, 4) Irons (Game Improvement) (5-PW, SW, LW), Putter

Answer by jake d
well with a 58deg sand u really dont need a lob wedge as the come generally in 60deg. however a gap wedge would proberly be a good idea, especially as the gap in loft is so large between your PW and SW.
i wouldnt bother with a 3wood as they can be difficult to hit off of the fairway, however i would of recommended that you get aa 3wood to play off the tea! I would proberly reccomend you do get a 5wood or else and 18degree hybrid (personally i like the woods).
You dont need a 7 and 9wood as they replace your 4 and 5irons. If however you have trouble with those irons, and find you like to hit a wood off the fariway then make the swap!
I would also have replaced your 4 and possibly even 5iron with hybrids, however if you hit them well as it is dont bother.
Many golfers become equipment junkees! Just remember its you not the clubs which “ultimately” bring downs your score.

Answer by Spartan Golfer
Here’s what you need:

-Get the new driver
-Get a 3-wood, 15*
-50* wedge
-54* wedge
-Either keep your 58*, or get a 60* and have the 54* bent to 55*
-Putter

You don’t need a 5-wood or any higher woods. That’s because the loft of your 3-hybrid is around 19-20*, which is the same as a 5-wood.

Answer by GB
I am about two years into the game, and this is my set up.

Driver
3 wood
5 wood
Rescue (22 degree, same as most 3 irons)
5 – 9
SW
PW
GW
LW
Putter

That would be for any “copetitive/tournament” round.

In reality, if you can hit a 5 iron 150 yards then you can reach a par 5, 500 yard hole from the tee using ONLY the five iron in four (150, 300, 450). So, if you can control a 5, use it!

I love my rescue/hybrid as my true utility club (works pretty good as a chipper, a low trajectory missle laucher, off the tee, etc.)

For true simplicity, I say take ONLY your odd OR ONLY your even clubs out for the first year. Add the utility (forget the driver until you can feel 100 confident in it). The 3 wood is great, as is a 5. So a “beginers” set might be:

3 wood
5 wood
Hybrid
5
7
9
PW
SW
Putter

I have even heard of people using a Hybrid, a 5 iron, a Sand Wedge and a putter. Less to think about.