One of the things that puts people off starting golf is the sense that it requires a huge upfront investment. Walk into a golf shop and you'll find clubs costing thousands, shoes at £200, and enough accessories to fill a small warehouse.

The truth is much more manageable. You can start golf properly for a few hundred pounds — and much of that investment will last you years. Here's exactly what you need, in order of priority.

The Essentials: What You Need Before Your First Round

Clubs

You do not need a full set of 14 clubs to start. A half set of seven or eight clubs covers everything a beginner needs and is significantly cheaper than a full set.

A sensible beginner half set includes:

• A 3-wood or hybrid (for tee shots and long fairway shots)
• A 5-iron or 6-iron
• A 7-iron (the most versatile club in the bag — you'll use it constantly)
• A 9-iron
• A pitching wedge
• A sand wedge
• A putter

Many manufacturers sell beginner half sets as a package — Wilson, Callaway, and Titleist all make good options at reasonable prices. Expect to pay £150–£300 for a decent beginner set. Avoid the cheapest sets (poor quality, won't last) and the most expensive (unnecessary until you know what you're doing).

One important note: before you buy clubs, have at least one lesson. A PGA professional can advise on the right shaft flex and club length for your height and swing speed. Getting this wrong means playing with clubs that work against you.

Golf Shoes

Proper golf shoes make a real difference to stability and comfort. You need grip on wet turf, waterproofing for British weather, and enough support to walk four to five miles comfortably.

You don't need to spend a fortune. A mid-range waterproof shoe from FootJoy, Ecco, or Adidas will serve you well for years. Expect to pay £80–£150. Avoid playing in trainers — you'll slip on wet grass and your feet will be soaked within three holes.

A Golf Bag

A lightweight stand bag is ideal for beginners — it has legs that fold out so it stands upright on the course, and it's light enough to carry comfortably. Cart bags (designed to sit on a trolley) are better if you plan to use a trolley from the start.

Entry-level stand bags start at around £50–£80. You don't need anything fancy at this stage.

Golf Balls

Buy cheap balls to start. You will lose them — everyone does. A box of budget balls (Srixon Soft Feel, Callaway Supersoft, or similar) costs around £15–£20 for a dozen and is perfectly adequate for a beginner.

Save the premium balls (Titleist Pro V1, TaylorMade TP5) for when you're consistently making solid contact and not losing three balls a round.

Tees

Wooden or plastic tees to elevate the ball on the tee box. A bag of 50 costs about £3. Buy plenty — they break and get lost constantly.

The Important Additions

A Golf Glove

A glove on your lead hand (left hand for right-handed golfers) improves grip and prevents blisters. The FootJoy StaSof is the most popular golf glove on tour — cabretta leather, excellent feel, and available for around £26. A good glove lasts a full season with regular play.

Waterproof Jacket and Trousers

British weather is unpredictable. A waterproof jacket and trousers are essential from October through April and useful year-round. Golf-specific waterproofs are cut to allow a full swing — regular waterproofs restrict movement.

You don't need to spend a fortune here either. Mid-range golf waterproofs from Stuburt, Galvin Green's lower range, or Sunderland of Scotland offer good protection at reasonable prices.

A Pitch Mark Repairer and Ball Marker

A pitch mark repairer (a small fork-like tool) is used to repair the dent your ball makes when it lands on the green. A ball marker (a small coin or disc) marks your ball's position on the green so other players can putt. Both are golf etiquette essentials and cost almost nothing.

A Prompt Card

A reference card on your bag is genuinely useful when you're starting out — for rules situations you haven't encountered before, and for simple technique cues when your swing starts to drift. Fred & Ginger Golf Prompt Cards are designed exactly for this: practical, clear, and stylish enough to be proud of on the course. Browse the range →

What You Don't Need Yet

A few things that are often marketed to beginners but aren't necessary at the start:

A rangefinder or GPS watch. Useful once you're playing regularly and thinking about course management. Not necessary when you're still learning to make consistent contact.

A full 14-club set. You won't use half of them, and carrying more clubs than you need adds weight and confusion.

Premium golf balls. Until you're making consistent contact, the difference between a £1 ball and a £5 ball is irrelevant.

A trolley. Walking and carrying your bag is good exercise and keeps you connected to the game. Consider a trolley once you're playing regularly and want to reduce fatigue.

Expensive clothing. Golf clothing doesn't need to be branded or expensive. Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that allows freedom of movement is all you need.

The Total Cost

A realistic starter kit — half set of clubs, bag, shoes, glove, waterproofs, balls, tees, and accessories — will cost between £400 and £700 depending on where you buy and what brands you choose. That's a one-off investment that will last several years.

Add lessons (£30–£50 per session, typically) and club membership or green fees, and you have a realistic picture of what getting into golf actually costs.

It's not nothing. But for a sport you can play for the rest of your life, it's a very reasonable investment.

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Fred & Ginger Golf Prompt Cards are the perfect addition to any starter kit — practical, stylish, and genuinely useful from your very first round. Shop the range →