Beginners golf guide · Express Golf, Bradford
Start golf Without the jargon
What you actually need for your first round, how to choose a starter set, steel or graphite, and how much to spend. Written by the team in our Bradford golf shop.
The short answer
What do beginners need to start golf?
Most new golfers only need four things. Everything else can wait until you know you're hooked.
1
A starter package set
Driver, fairway wood, hybrid, irons, wedge, putter and a bag in one box. The cheapest way to get a full, matched set.
2
Golf balls
A dozen distance balls. You'll lose a few while you're learning, so don't start with premium tour balls.
3
A glove
One synthetic or all-weather glove, worn on your lead hand (the left hand if you're right-handed).
4
Golf shoes
Not essential on the driving range, but you'll want grip and waterproofing once you play a course.
5
Some lessons
A few lessons early on stop bad habits forming and make the game far more enjoyable.
Starter package sets
How much should a beginner spend?
A full adult starter set costs roughly £300 to £1,050. Every set below has stainless steel cavity-back irons, which are the forgiving kind. Spending more mostly gets you a better-known brand, a lighter bag and clubs you won't outgrow as quickly.
Getting started
Best valueAround £300 to £350. Ideal if you're not sure how often you'll play.
MacGregor CG4000 11-pieceSteel or graphite, stand or cart bag, ladies version too
£319
Wilson X31 AdvantageMen's set with stand bag
£339
Wilson 1200 TPXMen's set
£339
Step up
PopularAround £400 to £600. Better clubs and bags that will see you through your first few seasons.
MacGregor ZT1 13-pieceSteel or graphite, stand or cart bag
£399
Cobra Fly-XL 2 11-pieceMen's steel, stand bag
£599
Big brands
Around £950 to £1,050. Tour-brand sets for beginners who want clubs to grow into.
TaylorMade RBZMen's steel or ladies graphite
£1,029
Callaway XR 13-pieceSteel, two colours
£1,049
Juniors
Junior sets are sized by age and height. Buying the right size matters more than the brand.
MacGregor V-Max JuniorAges 3 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to 12 and 12 to 14
£129
Callaway XJ junior setsXJ-1, XJ-2 and XT, by height
£229
Prices checked October 2026 and shown as the lowest price for each set. See the shop for today's price and stock. View all package sets.
Shafts and flex
Steel or graphite? And which flex?
The flex matters most, and it comes from how fast you swing, not your age or gender. Steel or graphite is mostly about weight and feel. Most beginners end up in senior or regular flex.
Lightweight steel
Most setsBeginner and game-improvement sets now use lightweight steel, far lighter than the heavy steel shafts of a few years ago. It suits most adults with an average or quicker swing.
- Cheaper and very hard-wearing
- Slightly lower, more controlled flight
- Suits average to quicker swings
Graphite
LighterLighter again, so it's easier to swing and helps the ball get airborne, and it takes the sting out of off-centre hits. Modern graphite isn't just for seniors. Fitters now put plenty of stronger players in it too.
- Easier to swing, higher launch
- Softer feel, kinder on the joints
- Usually costs a little more
Which flex?
Start hereMatch the flex to your driver carry (how far it flies before it lands) or your swing speed.
LadiesDriver carry under about 150 yds, swing under 72 mph
L
Senior / liteCarry about 150 to 200 yds, swing 72 to 83 mph
A
RegularCarry about 200 to 235 yds, swing 84 to 96 mph
R
StiffCarry about 235 yds or more, swing 97 to 104 mph
S
Extra stiffSwing 105 mph or more. Rarely right for a beginner
X
Flex isn't standard between brands, so treat this as a starting point. Too stiff and the ball tends to fly low and right; too soft and it balloons or goes left (for a right-hander). Drivers, woods and hybrids come with graphite shafts almost every time. Not sure of your numbers? Hit a few drivers on our Toptracer range, which shows your carry on every shot, or book a fitting and we'll measure your swing speed on TrackMan.
Piece by piece
What each club and accessory is for
Driver and woods
The driver is for your tee shot on longer holes. Fairway woods hit long shots off the grass. Starter drivers usually have 10.5° or more of loft, which is more forgiving.
DriversHybrids
Hybrids replace the long irons (3, 4 and 5), which are the hardest clubs to hit. Most beginners carry one or two.
HybridsIrons
The clubs you'll use most. Look for stainless steel heads with a cavity back and a wider sole, so off-centre hits still go somewhere sensible.
IronsWedges
A pitching wedge and a sand wedge cover short shots and bunkers. Both come in most starter sets. Specialist wedges can wait.
WedgesPutter
The putter in a starter set is fine while you learn how the ball rolls. Once your stroke is consistent, a putter fitting is worth doing.
PuttersGolf balls
Choose a low-spin distance ball. It flies straighter and costs less to lose. Once you find one you like, stick with it so every shot feels the same.
Distance ballsGlove
An all-weather glove lasts longer than leather and copes with rain. It should fit snugly with no loose material at the fingertips.
GlovesShoes
Comfort first, as a round can mean three to four hours on your feet. Waterproof golf shoes are worth having in Yorkshire.
Golf shoesBag
A stand bag is for carrying; a cart bag sits on a trolley. Package sets come with one or the other, so pick the set that matches how you'll get round.
Golf bagsTrolley
Optional for nine holes, but a push trolley saves your back on a full round. Pair it with a cart bag rather than a stand bag.
TrolleysTees and bits
A bag of wooden tees, a pitch-mark repairer and a towel. Cheap, but you'll want them on your first round.
TeesWaterproofs
A waterproof jacket you can swing in keeps you playing through a Yorkshire shower. Worth buying before your first winter.
WaterproofsGet started at Express Golf
Everything a new golfer needs in one place
At The Fairways in Bradford you can practise, have lessons, play nine holes and pick up your first set, all on one site.
Driving range
32 floodlit Toptracer bays. No booking needed, just turn up and get a bucket of balls at reception.
Driving rangeLessons
PGA professionals teach all levels, including beginners' group lessons. A 30-minute lesson is £35, or £30 for juniors.
Golf lessons9-hole course
Nine holes with no membership needed. It's the ideal next step after the range.
Golf courseGolf shop
Try starter sets before you buy, and ask our team about steel or graphite and the right junior size.
Golf shopCustom fitting
Not essential for your first set. Worth it once you're playing regularly or if you're particularly tall or short.
Custom fittingExpress Cup
A free weekly closest-to-the-pin competition on the Toptracer range. Open to all abilities.
Express CupQuestions
Beginner golf questions
What are the best golf clubs for a beginner?
A starter package set with stainless steel cavity-back irons, a high-lofted driver and at least one hybrid. Sets such as the MacGregor CG4000, Wilson X31 Advantage and Cobra Fly-XL 2 are built for exactly this. Pick the flex that matches your swing speed first, then lightweight steel or graphite irons.
How much should I spend on my first golf clubs?
A good adult starter set costs around £300 to £350. Around £400 to £600 gets you better clubs that last longer, and big-brand sets from Callaway, TaylorMade and Cobra are around £950 to £1,050. Junior sets start from around £130.
Should I get steel or graphite shafts, and which flex?
Choose the flex first: it should match your swing speed, and most beginners suit senior or regular. For irons, lightweight steel suits most adults with an average or quicker swing, while graphite is lighter, easier to swing and kinder on the joints. Drivers, woods and hybrids nearly always come with graphite shafts.
Do I need to be custom fitted as a beginner?
Not usually. A standard starter set is fine while you learn, unless you're particularly tall or short. Custom fitting is worth it once you're playing regularly and your swing has settled.
How many clubs do I need?
The rules allow up to 14 clubs, but beginners rarely need that many. An 11 to 13-piece package set covers everything: driver, fairway wood, hybrid, irons, wedges and putter.
Should I have lessons before buying clubs?
You don't have to, but a few lessons early on help a lot. Our PGA professionals at Express Golf teach all levels, including beginners' group lessons. They can also tell you whether steel or graphite suits your swing before you buy.
Ready to start
Pick your first set
Order online with free next-day delivery, or come and try them at The Fairways, Bradford BD9 6BR. Call 01274 491 945.
