Getting your first equipment - British Columbia Golf

Golf is a fantastic sport and a great way to spend time outdoors with friends. It is social, active, and very fun. However, it differs from other recreational sports in one key element: there is a lot of niche equipment needed to get started.

From drivers to irons to putters to soft goods like gloves and shoes, picking out and purchasing your first set of golf equipment can be a daunting task. This article is designed to make this task a little less intimidating and show you that there are options available at every price point.

Highest Price Point (Custom) Options

If you are willing to spend a little more on golf equipment, you can certainly do so (though it is not necessary to get started in the game). The highest-end option would be to get custom-fitted golf clubs. In British Columbia, we have multiple facilities that can do this, including:

Modern Golf
Club Champion
Golf Tec
Golf Town
Some golf courses also offer this service

The benefit of getting custom-fitted clubs is that players can go to the tee knowing 100% that they have the right clubs for them in terms of shaft, head, lie angle, loft, and set makeup. All players can benefit from playing with custom-fitted clubs, and there is certainly a reason that all professional golfers and top amateurs go this route.

New Off-the-Shelf Options

If you still wish to purchase the “latest and greatest” but want to spend slightly less money, you can always buy stock or “off-the-rack” clubs. These clubs are still top-of-the-line but will come with all standard options in terms of lie angles, grips, and shafts. Course pro shops will almost always have clubs like this for sale, but if not, the go-to place to buy them in Canada would be Golf Town. Here is a link to their website

Mid-Price Point Options

The mid-priced options would primarily be boxed sets from stores like Golf Town or high-quality sporting goods stores like Sport Chek. A full boxed set will typically run between $500.00 and $1,000.00 and usually includes 9–12 clubs (though sometimes it will include a full 14). The nice thing about these sets is that they are brand new clubs and come with a bag. The downside is that they typically only have one shaft flex option.

If you are going this route, this link would be a great place to start.

Kirkland brand clubs at Costco are also a great option here if you can find them in-store and have a Costco membership.

Budget Options

Your budget options for golf clubs would be boxed sets from stores like Walmart or Canadian Tire. These are similar in makeup to what you would find at Golf Town or Sport Chek but are typically lower in quality. These are still a fantastic way for a beginner golfer to get new clubs and start playing the game.

Another option would be to buy used clubs. This is great because you can often get older-name brand equipment for much lower prices. The best options for used clubs would be the pre-owned section at Golf Town, or Facebook Marketplace groups such as Vancouver Golf Buy, Sell, and Trade.

The Cheapest Option

If you are a new golfer and want to get some clubs to just try the game while spending as little money as possible (maybe a full set or just a couple of clubs), don’t neglect your local thrift store. Sometimes stores like Value Village will have a hidden gem or two for $5.00–$8.00 per club. Although these clubs are often well used, they are still a great way to get started in the game.

Juniors

For kids, the most important factor is getting the right length and weight of clubs. US Kids Golf is a top brand, sold at many BC pro shops, offering a fitting system for juniors: https://www.uskidsgolf.com/. Golf Town and Sport Chek also offer junior sets from various brands. Just ensure the clubs are the right size and weight for proper fitting.

Set Makeup for Beginners

This is all valid information on price points and where to get equipment, but you might still be asking yourself, "Which clubs should I get to make up my set?" I will do my best to break that down for you, and let me start by saying no, as a beginner golfer, you do not need a full set of 14 clubs.

Driver: The driver is arguably the most important club in the bag. The further and straighter you can hit it, the better you will score. Also, being able to get the ball in play is key.
Fairway Wood: I would recommend getting a fairway wood. For a new golfer, I would say a fairway wood with more loft, like a 5-wood, would be best.
Hybrid: Replace long irons (like the 4- and 5-iron) with hybrids, which are easier to hit and launch the ball higher.
Irons: I would recommend new golfers have a 6-iron as their longest iron.
Wedge: At least one wedge with more loft than your pitching wedge is essential. A 56° or 54° wedge is ideal. Consider adding a 50° and 54° or a 52° and 56° for more options.
Putter: A must-have in your set. It’s the most used club and can make or break your round.

Ideal 10 Club Set Makeup for a Beginner Golfer:

Driver, 5 wood (18 degree), Hybrid (24 degree), 6 iron – PW, 56° wedge, Putter