Can You Borrow Golf Clubs at a Driving Range?

Thinking about hitting some golf balls but don't have your own set of clubs? The great news is that yes, you can almost always borrow or rent golf clubs at a driving range. This article will walk you through everything you need to know, from what kind of clubs to expect and how to ask for them, to how to make the most of your session even with unfamiliar equipment.

Yes, Most Driving Ranges Have Clubs You Can Use

Walking up to a driving range for the first time can feel a little intimidating, especially if you arrive empty-handed. But rest assured, driving range owners know that a good portion of their customers are beginners, travelers, or people looking for a casual activity. Because of this, the vast majority of facilities keep a collection of "loaner" or "rental" clubs on hand specifically for this purpose.

At many standalone driving ranges, you can often borrow a single iron for free with the purchase of a bucket of balls. They do this because it's good business, it removes a major barrier for new players who are just trying to see if they enjoy the game. At larger golf complexes or courses with high-end practice facilities, there might be a small rental fee, perhaps $5 to $10 for a couple of clubs or more for a full bag. If you're visiting a premium course, you can even expect to find high-end rental sets from brands like Titleist, Callaway, or TaylorMade, though these come with a much higher price tag.

Who Typically Rents Clubs at a Driving Range?

Rental clubs serve a wide variety of golfers, each with a different reason for not having their own sticks:

• The Absolute Beginner: If you've never swung a golf club before, renting is the perfect, no-commitment way to get a feel for the movement without investing hundreds of dollars in a new set.
• The Curious Friend: Maybe you're joining friends for a casual outing. They all have clubs, but you don't. Renting allows you to participate in the fun without any fuss.
• The Traveler: Hauling golf clubs through an airport is a major hassle. Many golfers on vacation or a business trip prefer to leave their set at home and rent at their destination.
• The "Try Before You Buy" Golfer: Some players use rentals to test out different types of clubs if the range has a decent selection, though specific model availability is often limited.
• The Forgetful Golfer: It happens! You get all the way to the range only to realize your clubs are still sitting in the garage. A rental club saves the trip from being a total waste.

What to Expect from Driving Range Rental Clubs

It's important to set realistic expectations. The free loaner 7-iron you grab from a bucket at the counter isn't going to be the a latest-and-greatest model. It's built for function and durability, not peak performance. Think of it as a tool for practice, not a fine-tuned instrument.

Types and Condition of Clubs

The most common club you'll find for loan is a 7-iron. As a coach, this is the exact club I'd want a new player to start with. It has enough loft to help get the ball in the air easily but is short enough to feel manageable and controllable. It's the perfect club for learning the fundamentals of the golf swing.

Beyond a single iron, many places will also have a driver available. You might see a few other irons (like a 5-iron or 9-iron) or maybe a fairway wood to choose from. It is very rare for a standalone driving range to offer a complete, matching set of 14 clubs for a simple bucket of balls. Those partial or full sets are usually reserved for green fee-paying players at an actual golf course.

Here’s a breakdown of what you'll likely encounter:

• Shafts: The large majority of rental clubs will have a standard "regular" flex shaft. These are designed to suit the average male golfer's swing speed. Ladies, senior, or stiff flex options are much less common in the general rental pool.
• Grips: Prepare for grips that are well-worn, slick, and perhaps a bit dirty. These clubs see a lot of use from a lot of different hands. A less-than-ideal grip can make it harder to hold the club securely, but for a first-timer just getting a feel for things, it’s not a dealbreaker.
• Handedness: Every range will have right-handed clubs. Left-handed clubs are also almost always available, but the selection will be far more limited. If you're a lefty, this is another good reason to call ahead.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting and Using Rental Clubs

Feeling prepared can make your first visit much smoother. Here’s a simple process you can follow to walk in with confidence and have a great practice session.

Step 1: Always Call Ahead

If it's your first time visiting a particular range, a quick 30-second phone call can save you a lot of time and potential disappointment. It's the single most important step. Simply ask, "Hi, I'm thinking of coming by to hit a bucket of balls. I don't have my own clubs, do you have some I can borrow or rent?" This confirms availability, lets you know about any potential costs, and is especially important if you are left-handed or need a ladies' or junior set.

Step 2: Ask at the Pro Shop or Counter

When you arrive, head to the main desk where you buy your token or basket for the range balls. This is where you'll ask for clubs. More often than not, the attendant will either pull one from a rack behind the counter or point you to a large, repurposed golf bag or barrel filled with various loaner clubs for you to choose from.

Step 3: Choose the Right Club (Hint: Start with the 7-Iron)

If you're faced with a bag of options, resist the temptation to grab the driver immediately. The driver, or "1-wood," is the longest and most difficult club in the bag to hit consistently. Starting with it often leads to frustration.

Look for a club with a number 6, 7, 8, or 9 on the bottom. A 7-iron is the gold standard for your first time out. Why? Because the goal of your first session should not be to hit the ball a mile. The goal is to learn what a good golf swing feels like: a smooth, rotational motion. From my experience coaching, the golf swing is a rounded action, where you turn your body and let the club swing around you. It's not an up-and-down chopping motion. A 7-iron has enough loft to help get the ball airborne without you feeling like you have to "lift" it up, allowing you to focus on simply turning and making solid contact.

Step 4: Your Goal: Focus on Contact, not Perfection

Now that you have your bucket of balls and your loaner club, head to your hitting bay. Don't worry about looking like a pro. Everyone in the other bays was a beginner at one point, and they are far more focused on their own shots than on yours.

Take your time. Start with a few gentle, half-swings just to get a feel for the weight of the club. When you're ready to hit, think about your setup. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, lean over from your hips while keeping your back relatively straight, and let your arms hang down naturally. This athletic posture is what allows your body to turn effectively.

Your only M.O. for this session is to make centered contact. Try to swing the club and have the ball simply "get in the way." If you miss it, no big deal. If you hit it, great! Pay attention to the feeling. Trying to practice this simple, rotational movement is a much better use of your time than trying to blast every ball as far as you can.

Making the Most of Your Session with Borrowed Clubs

Using rental clubs frees you from any expectation of results. Since the club isn't fitted for you, you can't blame yourself for an imperfect shot. This is actually a huge mental advantage! It allows you to focus purely on the fundamentals of the motion.

Instead of worrying about where the ball goes, concentrate on these three things:

1. Setup: Before every swing, check your posture. Are you leaning forward from your hips with your bottom pushed back slightly? Are your arms hanging loosely? A good setup puts you in a position to succeed.
2. Rotation: Feel your shoulders and hips turn away from the ball on the backswing and then unwind towards the target on the downswing. The power comes from your body's a turn, not from your arms alone.
3. Rhythm: Try to maintain a smooth, even tempo. A good swing feels more like a "whoosh" than a "hit."

Forget the back of the range, your only target is the golf ball. Your session is a success if you leave with a better understanding of what swinging a golf club feels like.

Final Thoughts

So, can you borrow golf clubs at a driving range? Absolutely. It’s a convenient and affordable way to experience the game for the first time or get in some practice without your own equipment. Just call ahead, start with a mid-iron like a 7-iron, and focus on the feeling of a good quality swing rather than the results of any single shot.

Once you get more comfortable on the range, the real game begins out on the course, which presents a new set of challenges like choosing the right club and strategy. That's a place where Caddie AI can become your go-to guide. For any shot you're facing, you can get an instant recommendation on how to play it. If you ever find yourself in a tough spot - like a bad lie in the rough - you can even snap a photo, and I'll give you clear advice on the best way forward. It's like having a 24/7 coach in your pocket, helping you take the guesswork out of golf so you can play with more confidence.