Buying golf clubs is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make as a golfer. Get it right, and you’ll have equipment that genuinely supports your game. Get it wrong, and you could end up with a bag full of clubs that don’t support your swing, ability or budget. But don’t worry, this guide from the experts at Clarkes Golf covers everything you need to know before you buy, so you can shop with confidence.
The Four Types of Golf Clubs, and What They Do
There are four main club categories, and understanding what each does is the right place to start. We could go into great detail on this, but here’s an easy breakdown if you’re just starting out:
- Your golf driver and fairway woods are your distance clubs, built for tee shots and long fairway plays.
- Golf irons are for mid-range distances and are the workhorses of your bag for approach shots.
- Golf wedges handle the short game: bunker shots, chips and pitching.
- Golf putters are the gold standard for the green and are statistically the most used clubs in the game.+
How Many Golf Clubs Can You Carry, and Which Do You Actually Need?
The rules require you to carry a maximum of fourteen golf clubs, but you don’t need to fill all the slots in your bag if you don’t want to. We've written a full breakdown of how many clubs you can carry in your bag and which ones to prioritise at different stages of your game.
Most recreational golfers do well with a couple of fairway woods (or a hybrid), a putter, some irons (short to long), some wedges and, of course, a driver. That’s a solid club setup that covers you for most, if not all, instances you’ll run into on the golf course.
How Far Should Each Golf Club Go?
Your distances are largely influenced by your swing speed, power and overall technique. However, each club is designed to perform different functions and, ultimately, carry the ball different distances – you’d never expect to use your putter at the tee, right?!
Our guide to golf club distances and how far each club hits the ball gives you realistic yardage ranges to work from. If you want a useful starting point, check our post on how far you should hit your 7-iron. Most mid-handicappers carry theirs between 140 and 165 yards, and from there, you can map out the rest of your set.
Package Set or Build Your Own?
This depends on where you are in your game. We've explored both options in our post on whether you should buy a package set or build your own. But here’s a little overview for you…
Package sets are incredibly convenient for those just starting out. They contain everything you need to head to the first tee and get started.
However, building your own set has some advantages if you’re a more experienced player; you’ll be able to tailor your set to your specific ability, needs and preferences. A good example is that you could choose an adjustable driver, or alternate between brands among your irons. Take your knowledge and experience and set your own.
Still struggling? It's worth working through the key questions every golfer should ask before buying a new set. Knowing what you actually need will save you money!
Steel or Graphite Shafts?
Shaft material makes a genuine difference to how a club feels and performs. Our guide to graphite irons vs steel irons covers the differences in detail.
Steel shafts are heavier and more consistent, generally preferred by more experienced players with faster swing speeds. Graphite shafts are lighter, which helps golfers with slow swing speeds boost their clubhead speeds. They also absorb vibration better, which is worth considering for those of you with joint issues.
What Shaft Flex Do You Need?
Shaft flex is how much the shaft bends during your swing, and the right choice depends on your swing speed.
- Regular flex covers most recreational golfers with a driver swing speed under 90mph.
- Stiff flex is for faster swingers, typically 90 to 105mph. Having a shaft that’s too flexible at higher speeds can leave the face open on impact.
- Senior flex suits players below around 75mph, helping to maximise club head speed and launch angle.
Is Custom Fitting Worth It?
The short answer is… yes! We’ve looked at this properly in our post on whether custom fitted golf clubs are really worth it, and the case for fitting is a strong one. A session measures your swing speed, launch angle and ball flight, then matches those numbers to the right shaft, loft, lie angle and grip size. You can book in your custom club fitting with Clarkes Golf today. Club length is something many golfers overlook. Our guide on how to measure your ideal club length walks you through what to check.
Custom fitting isn't only for elite players. If anything, higher handicappers benefit more from it, because poorly fitted clubs can reinforce bad habits that have nothing to do with technique.
New vs Second Hand Golf Clubs
There’s no rule that says you have to buy new. We’ve covered this in our post on whether you should always buy brand new golf clubs over second hand ones.
The used market is full of excellent equipment, often from just a season or two ago, at a fraction of the original price.
The main things to check are face wear (especially on wedges), shaft condition, and grip wear. Grips are cheap to replace. Face wear on wedges affects spin and control in ways that can't be fixed, so look carefully before you buy.
How Do You Know When Your Golf Clubs Need Replacing?
Our post on how often you should replace your golf clubs gives you a clear framework for this. As a general guide, irons can last many years with proper care. Wedges wear faster and most serious players replace them every one to two seasons.
Beyond time and use, there are specific warning signs worth knowing. We've touched on the 3 distinct signs you need new golf clubs in detail: worn wedge grooves, a shaft that feels off, and clubs that simply don't match where your game is now are all good reasons to consider an upgrade.
Find the Best Golf Clubs for You at Clarkes Golf
Take your time, work out what you actually need, and don't be afraid of the used market if you're building on a tighter budget.
Browse our full range of clubs online, or get in touch with the Clarkes Golf team for honest, no-pressure advice tailored to your game. We're always happy to help.