I’ll be honest: Up until now, golf was never my thing. The idea of schlepping around a course for hours swinging a club just didn’t appeal to me — even though my husband and many close friends were constantly booking tee times (I’ll be by the pool). But as I got older, the idea of finding some outside exercise, while hanging out with friends and family, started to sound a lot more appealing. And it doesn’t hurt that I recently caught billionaire Steve Cohen saying he was investing in a golf league to take advantage of our incoming free time as some companies explore moving to a four-day work week. The fact is, I was tired of sitting on the sidelines, and I decided it was time to get started.
As I began to look into this ultra popular pastime, one thing became obvious: Learning to play golf is not easy. In fact, ask any golfer in your life, and they’ll probably tell you that it’s never easy — no matter how long you’ve been swinging. From the equipment you need, to the lessons you’ll have to take, to the time you need to commit to get anywhere near good — golf can be a real challenge — mentally, physically and economically.
Why golf and why now?
According to Mike Stankowski, head golf professional at the New Jersey National Golf Club, golf membership and play was stagnant at best leading up to 2020. “Covid was really the trigger to the current wave of interest,” he says. “Getting outside playing a game was a silver lining of sorts during an otherwise uncertain and traumatic time for all of us.”
David Jarry, general manager at the PGA Tour Superstore in Paramus, New Jersey, believes that people’s perceptions for golf have changed for the better. “They are playing to have fun and realize the wellness benefits the game offers versus thinking they are not good enough to play,” he says. “By its very nature golf brings people together. Whether a casual round with friends and family or a competitive tournament, golf provides a perfect setting to establish meaningful connections.”
Not only is golf a great reason to be out of the house, but Stankowski feels that a good amount of self-reflection during that time continues today, allowing many to choose a better work/life balance going forward. Golf, it seems, is one of those choices. And according to the National Golf Foundation, it’s not just me who’s looking to learn the basics. A February 2024 study found that in addition to the number of golfers increasing for six straight years, the demographic makeup of the base is also gradually changing — with a younger and more diverse representation (age, gender, race and ethnicity) overall.
Beginner golf can be overwhelming if you don’t have a plan. After tagging along for 18 holes with an extremely patient friend one day (I won’t lie, the bar cart was a better help than my golf clubs), I decided to start at the beginning and get myself a lesson. Because I live in New York City, and space is limited for sprawling golf courses, I headed to a simulator at Five Iron Golf. I booked a lesson with a pro at the Grand Central location and was lucky enough to get hooked up with Mike Doyle, coach and co-founder of Five Iron, who went over all the basics with me — from stance to grip to swing.
In addition, we talked about what golf clubs I’d need in order to start my journey, with a typical set holding 10 to 12 — though USGA rules allow you to carry up to 14. “You, starting out playing golf however, could probably get around a golf course very functionally with five or six,” Doyle says. “The difference between a 7 or an 8 iron is unimportant to beginner level.”
And then, of course, I swung. And I swung and I swung. And it was hard, and it was fun and man, was it frustrating. But darn if I wasn’t instantly addicted. I could go on and on about all I learned that first day — from my grip to how important setting up is before you swing to finding the sweet spot of your club to learning what a slice is (and which way I sliced the ball, because boy did I ever) — but that would take paragraphs. Maybe even pages. So I’ll spare you the rest. But what I can tell you is that you’re going to need a few lessons. And you have to promise to be kind to yourself because it’s going to take a while to get better. And if you’re type A like me, you better stop pretending you have any semblance of control because you are now simply a pawn of the wicked golf gods.
So what do you need to hit the course? “Every manufacturer these days is making equipment for every skill level,” Jarry says. “Golfers today are no longer a one-dimensional group like they were just a few years ago. Golf has become a game for everyone.” And with that, I heartily concur. So, before you book that tee time, take it from me — here’s what you’ll need to get started.
Though there are starter sets out there that come with six or eight clubs and a bag, they do not have the “game-improvement” technology that can help a flawed beginner’s swing, says Stankowski. A solid beginner set of at least 10 clubs are technically crafted for those just starting out. Whether you want to make an investment or begin with a lower-cost set, here’s a few to choose from.
I started my golf journey with a set of women’s Cobra Air-X clubs and felt lucky to have something so lightweight and forgiving. Because they are not as heavy as more traditional clubs, I was able to swing faster and hit the ball longer — which always makes a beginner feel that much better. You can get them in men’s as well, and both come with 10 AIR-X clubs, a premium putter and a cart bag.
Not ready to drop the cash on a pricey set of clubs? This Wilson Profile set will give you what you need for less. You’ll get 10 clubs with this set, including the basics: a driver, a fairway wood, four irons, two wedges and a putter. Plus, it comes with a stand bag with adjustable shoulder strap to help you get used to all that lugging. That’s a pretty good deal for those who aren’t ready to fully commit just yet.
When it comes to golf balls, beginners should always look for something soft, according to Jarry, though you can’t go wrong with a classic, standardized ball.
For overall performance and distance, these popular Pro V1 balls from Titleist are the gold standard and used by pros like Max Homa and Jin Young Ko. The newest Titleist ball iteration is crafted for enhanced alignment and is extremely helpful when working on your putt.
Women don’t have to spring for different balls, but if you want all the help you can get as a beginner, these Lady Precept balls come with a softer core, which offers more control and a higher flight. Both happily accepted on the course, thankyouverymuch. Plus I loved not having to search as hard for my bright pink ball in the grass.
“Being comfortable is important when playing golf,” Jarry says. And because you’re on your feet for multiple hours, Jarry advises that beginners should opt for comfort over technicality when it comes to shoes.
Ultraboost shoes have always been my go-to for comfort, so I was thrilled to take their cushioning and lightweight knit onto the golf course. These unisex shoes are spikeless and water resistant so even if you’re playing in the morning dew or in light rain, your feet will be covered. And even after my initial nine holes, I was thrilled with how comfy my feet felt.
Looks like a sneaker, feels like a golf shoe. These super comfy, waterproof UA Phantoms may have some directional rubber studs to help with traction, but you can easily go from green to clubhouse — and beyond — with no problem. Style and substance abound here and they come in men’s and women’s sizes.
Gloves are essential, but Jarry believes they are very much based on individual preference. “Just find something that fits and that is comfortable,” he says.
At the lower end of the spectrum is this super affordable glove from well-respected TaylorMade. A mix of leather and water-resistant Hypertec material, which stretches to fit any hand.
This is not your dad’s golf shirt. Lululemon takes a classic and gives it a trendy twist with this polo, which comes in seven different colors. Not only does it look fly, but the material is sweat-wicking and is infused with technology that helps keep those nasty odors at bay while you traverse the course.
We love these 8-inch golf shorts because they are both comfortable, lightweight and sharp enough to spend a few hours in the office for dress down Fridays before you hit the course. Though we appreciate this length, you can also pick them up with a 10-inch inseam, and they come in a whopping 15 colors.
When I told my golf-loving friend that I was ready to play with her, she was thankful I had finally gotten clubs, but what she really wanted to know was if I had some cute outfits to rock. And thankfully, this adorable, stretch shorts romper from Adidas does the trick. Not only does it throw off the retro vibes, but it’s ridiculously comfortable — and it’s made from 70% recycled materials.
The first time I went to a golf club, I realized I didn’t have a single collar shirt. So when I started looking around, I wanted one with a little extra style. This sleek white polo is made from super soft breathable cotton, which has been great in the warmer weather, but also looks neat with the navy trimmed collar and embroidered applique.
When it came to donning a golf skirt, I went for a simple one. This Drive Skirt from Under Armour is cute, classic, allows me to move easily and is even imbued with UPF 40 for extra protection. I got it in white but it comes in four different colors — and it didn’t break the bank.
Though as a beginner, you won’t need anything too fancy, like this Shot Scope X5 golf watch, but I was psyched to have some basic choices when it came to GPS, steps and fitness.
From its famed Activity Rings to tracking your steps, the Apple Watch Series 9 is a perfect companion on the course (and especially good with this $100 discount you can grab right now). But if you want to step it up a notch, I also loved playing with this GolfShot app, which uses the watch’s high-frequency accelerometer and gyroscope to track your shots and lets beginners see tons of stats about their swing.
The Fitbit Charge 6 may not be dedicated to golf, but it is an easy way to get your stats through its GPS-enabled golf-tracking mode. And of course, you get to track your steps — though you’ll have to consider getting off that cart to get your full workout in.
