Beginner Golf Gear Review: Top Clubs, Gloves, and Accessories for New Golfers

Beginner Golf Gear Review: Top Golf Clubs, Golf Gloves, and Golf Accessories for New Golfers

Introduction: Getting started in golf doesn’t require you to have the most expensive professional equipment, but having the right gear can significantly improve your game. In this beginner-friendly gear review, we will break down essential golf equipment for newcomers, including forgiving club sets, comfortable gloves, and useful accessories. We have focused on affordable products that offer good performance based on research and feedback from real players. The items listed below are frequently recommended for beginners and are popular in the golf community (indicating that many new golfers are seeking this information!). So, if you’re a rookie wondering which clubs to buy or which glove to choose, read on. Let’s prepare you for success on the course without breaking the bank.

A beginner’s golf set with a bag and clubs. A good starter set provides all the basics – driver, woods, irons, putter – in one package, offering great bang for your buck for new golfers

Best Beginner Club Set – Callaway Strata Complete Set

Callaway Golf Women’s Strata Complete Set

Overall Pick – $699.99

4.6 ★ (4,889)

Callaway Golf Men’s Strata Complete Set

Overall Pick – $699.99

4.5 ★ (10,041)

When it comes to clubs, beginners can’t go wrong with a complete set designed for high forgiveness. The Callaway Strata Complete Golf Club Set is a fan-favorite and often tops the lists of the best options for beginners. Why is the Strata so popular? For one, it’s affordable compared to buying clubs individually. You get everything you need in one package: a driver, a fairway wood, a hybrid (which is easier to hit than long irons), a set of irons, a pitching wedge, a putter, and a handy stand bag.

The clubs feature large sweet spots and cavity-back irons, making them more forgiving of mishits—perfect for newbies who are still building consistency. Many golfers and even golf coaches praise the Strata set for its value, stating it’s “one of the best cheap golf club sets money can buy,” offering plenty of bang for your buck (golfmonthly.com). In other words, you receive a lot of quality for the price.

The driver and 3-wood are lightweight, helping you get the ball airborne easily, and the hybrid is invaluable for long shots from the fairway. If you’re just starting out, a set like the Callaway Strata Men’s Golf Clubs (12-Piece Set) is a convenient and cost-effective choice. There’s also a Strata women’s set and larger 14 or 16-piece versions if you want a sand wedge or additional clubs later on.

In summary, the Strata set is designed by Callaway for beginners. While you will eventually outgrow it, it can confidently support you through your first few years of golf. Ready to dive deeper into selecting the perfect set? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Golf Clubs for in-depth tips, club comparisons, and fitting advice.

2. Best Golf Glove for Beginners – FootJoy WeatherSof Glove: New golfers often overlook the glove, but it’s a game-changer for your grip and comfort. A glove improves your hold on the club (especially on warm days or if your palms sweat) and prevents blisters. The FootJoy WeatherSof is the #1 selling golf glove in the world for good reason. It balances price and performance, giving you a durable synthetic glove with enough leather in key areas for feel. Fun fact: over 100 million WeatherSof gloves have been sold, and one in every five golfers in the U.S. wears one! That many golfers can’t be wrong. The WeatherSof is affordable and long-lasting; it stays grippy even if it gets a bit wet, hence the “all-weather” name. For a beginner, it’s perfect – you can even get a two-pack for under $20. Make sure to get the correct hand (right-handers wear a glove on the left hand, and vice versa) and proper size. A glove should fit snugly, like a second skin (no loose finger material). The WeatherSof comes in multiple sizes including cadet sizes (wider palm, shorter fingers) to fit everyone. It’s a great first glove to build your confidence in holding the club. Check it out here: FootJoy WeatherSof Golf Glove. Once you’ve got your glove, check out our full breakdown of grip nuances in 5 Simple Golf Grip Tips for Beginners to Improve Your Swing to make sure your hands never betray you on the course.

FootJoy Men’s WeatherSof 2-Pack Golf Glove

Overall Pick – $22.99

4.7 ★ (2,493)

Essential Accessories – Tees, Balls, and Rangefinder: In addition to clubs and a glove, a few accessories will complete your beginner kit:

Wedge Guys Bamboo Golf Tees

$13.99

Titleist TruFeel Golf Balls (2-dozen)

$39.99

Golf Rangefinder w/ Slope & Pin-Lock

$39.98

Lightweight Golf Stand Bag

$109.99

Golf Tees: Purchase a pack of basic 2¾-inch wooden or plastic tees. They are affordable and essential for your drives. If you have a larger driver head, consider using longer tees (3¼ inches). Tees help you hit the ball at the optimal height during drives, which is crucial for maximizing distance. There’s no need for anything fancy—a bulk bag of 50 or 100 tees will last you a long time.
Golf Balls for Beginners: As a beginner, you’ll likely lose balls frequently, so it’s best to choose value balls that provide good performance at a low cost. Some examples include Titleist TruFeel, Srixon Soft Feel, and Callaway Supersoft. These balls are designed for slower swing speeds, offering a softer feel and a bit more distance for new golfers. You can typically purchase a dozen for a reasonable price.

Pro Tip: If you’re on a tight budget, consider buying recycled or “lake balls” at a lower cost, as the performance differences are minimal for beginners.
Rangefinder (Optional but Cool): A golf rangefinder is a distance-measuring device that can help you learn your yardages. While it’s not essential for beginners, many find it enjoyable to use as they progress in the game. A great budget-friendly option is the TecTecTec Rangefinder. This laser rangefinder quickly indicates how far you are from the flag or any hazards, typically accurate within a yard or two.

Understanding your distances can accelerate your improvement, as you’ll start to learn how far you hit each club. The TecTecTec is often praised for its ease of use and is priced under $100, which is a solid deal compared to some devices that can cost $250 or more. If a rangefinder is too expensive for you right now, consider using free smartphone golf GPS apps as a starting point. However, as you become more involved in golf, a simple rangefinder can be a fun gadget that gives you the feeling of being a pro when measuring your shots.
Golf Bag & Others: The Strata golf set includes a decent stand bag, so you probably won’t need to buy a new one right away. Be sure to bring a towel (you can clip an old hand towel to your bag for wiping down clubs and your hands), some ball markers (coins work just fine) to mark your ball on the green, and consider carrying a divot repair tool (many courses provide these for free). These small items are useful for taking care of the course and playing by the rules.

With the gear mentioned above, you’ll be well-equipped to hit the course as a beginner. Remember, you don’t need to invest in a $500 driver like the pros use. Focus on forgiving, reliable equipment that helps build your confidence. As you improve, you can always upgrade your gear piece by piece.

For now, why not take your new set of clubs out for a spin? Head to the driving range or your local course to test out your new equipment. If you have questions or want more recommendations for beginner gear—maybe you’re considering a new putter or looking for golf shoes—feel free to drop a comment or check out our other reviews on ParSmith.com.

Happy golfing, and enjoy your new gear! Every great player started as a beginner with their first set of clubs. This is the beginning of your golf journey.