What Is Used to Play Golf?

Thinking about hitting the links for the first time? You're stepping into a wonderful game, and the first step is knowing exactly what you’ll need to play. This guide will walk you through every piece of the puzzle - from the essential clubs and balls to the right apparel and even the layout of the course itself. We’ll show you what's required, what’s helpful, and how to get started without feeling overwhelmed or breaking the bank.

The Core Equipment: Golf Clubs & The Golf Ball

At its most basic level, golf is played by hitting a ball with a club toward a hole. While simple in concept, the variety of clubs and balls can seem complicated. Let's break it down into simple, easy-to-understand parts.

Understanding Your Golf Clubs

The rules of golf allow you to carry a maximum of 14 clubs in your bag for any given round. As a newcomer, you absolutely do not need 14 clubs to start. A smaller, more manageable 'half-set' is perfect for learning the game. The different clubs are designed to hit the ball different distances and with different trajectories (how high or low the ball flies).

All golf clubs fall into a few main categories:

Woods (For Distance)

Despite their name, modern "woods" are made of metal (like titanium or steel). They are designed for your longest shots.

• The Driver: This is the "big dog" - the longest club in your bag with the biggest head. You use the driver exclusively from the tee box on longer holes (Par 4s and Par 5s) to hit the ball as far as possible down the fairway.
• Fairway Woods: These are numbered (3-wood, 5-wood, etc.) and have smaller heads than a driver. They're built for long shots from the fairway but can also be used off the tee on shorter Par 4s or tight holes where accuracy is more important than pure distance. A 3-wood is a very common and versatile club to have.

Irons (For Precision and Approach Shots)

Irons are the workhorses of your golf bag, designed for approach shots into the green from various distances. They are numbered, typically from 4-iron through 9-iron.

• Lower numbers (like a 4- or 5-iron) have less loft, meaning they send the ball on a lower flight path and make it travel farther.
• Higher numbers (like an 8- or 9-iron) have more loft, which launches the ball higher and shorter.

If you were to practice with just one club, a 7-iron is a fantastic place to start. It sits right in the middle of the set and is a great tool for learning the fundamentals of the swing.

Wedges (For the Short Game)

Wedges are high-lofted irons designed for short, delicate shots around the green, as well as getting out of trouble spots like bunkers.

• Pitching Wedge (PW): Typically follows the 9-iron and is used for longer chip shots and shorter approach shots that you want to fly high and stop quickly.
-

This is purpose-built with a heavy, wide sole to help you hit the ball out of sand bunkers. It's also a fantastic club for short, high shots around the green.
• Gap Wedge (GW) & Lob Wedge (LW): These are more specialized wedges that fit the "gap" in distance between other wedges. A Lob Wedge has the most loft and can hit the ball almost straight up. You don't need these when you're just starting out.

The Putter (For the Green)

Known as the "flatstick," the putter is used on the putting green to roll the ball into the hole. It has a flat face and comes in many different shapes and sizes (blades, mallets, etc.). Choosing a putter is incredibly personal, find one that feels balanced and comfortable in your hands.

What Should a Beginner Start With?

You don't need a full 14-club professional setup. Your best bet is to find a starter "box set." These complete packages come with a bag and a selection of beginner-friendly clubs (usually a driver, a fairway wood or hybrid, a few irons, a wedge, and a putter) designed to be more forgiving.

If building a setpiece by piece, a great starting lineup would be:

• Driver
• 3-Wood or a 5-Hybrid (Hybrids are a mix of a wood and an iron and are much easier to hit than long irons)
• 6-Iron, 8-Iron, and a Pitching Wedge (PW)
• Sand Wedge (SW)
• Putter

That little collection gives you a tool for every type of shot you'll face as you learn.

Choosing the Right Golf Ball

Spend a few minutes in a golf shop, and you'll see dozens of types of golf balls at wildly different prices. They are not all created equal, but for a beginner, the choice is simple. Look for a 2-piece, low-compression ball. These balls are designed for slower swing speeds, tend to fly straighter, and are much more affordable.

Listen, you are going to lose golf balls. Everyone does, especially at the start. Don't go out and buy a $50 box of premium Pro V1s. Grab a box of more budget-friendly balls like a Srixon Soft Feel, Wilson Staff Duo Soft, or Callaway Supersoft. They perform great for learners and won't hurt your wallet every time one flies into the woods or a water hazard.

Essential Accessories for the Course

Beyond clubs and balls, a few other items are non-negotiable for a day on the course. These tools help you carry your gear, follow the rules, and properly care for the course.

The Golf Bag: Your Mobile Locker

Your golf bag holds everything - clubs, balls, and accessories. There are two main types:

• Carry Bags (or Stand Bags): These are lightweight and have a built-in stand that pops out, so the bag can stand on its own on the grass. They also have straps for carrying on your back. This is the most versatile option and perfect for beginners who may walk the course or use a cart.
• Cart Bags: These are larger, heavier, and offer more storage. They are designed specifically to be strapped onto a pushcart or a motorized golf cart and don't typically have a stand.

Tees, Markers, and a Repair Tool

These small items live in the pockets of your golf bag and are used on every hole.

• Tees: You use a tee to prop the ball up off the ground for your first shot on every hole (the "tee shot"). Simple wooden tees are cheap, biodegradable, and get the job done perfectly.
• Ball Marker: When your ball is on the putting green, you need to mark its spot before you pick it up to clean it or get it out of another player's line. A simple coin works perfectly as a marker.
• Divot Repair Tool: When your ball lands on the soft green, it often leaves a small indentation called a "ball mark." Part of good golf etiquette is to fix this mark. A divot repair tool is a little forked instrument used to gently repair the green, keeping it smooth for all the players behind you.

Dressing the Part: Golf Apparel & Footwear

What you wear to the golf course matters - not just for your own comfort, but also because most courses have a dress code. You don’t need an expensive wardrobe, just a few key items that are both functional and appropriate.

Comfort and Function: Shirts & Bottoms

Generally, courses require a collared shirt. A simple polo shirt is the standard uniform for golf. Look for one made of a modern, moisture-wicking material that will keep you cool and dry.

For your bottom half, you'll need golf trousers (slacks), golf shorts of a reasonable length, or a skort (for women). Never wear jeans, athletic gym shorts, or cargo shorts, as these are typically not allowed. The same performance fabrics used in shirts are great for pants and shorts, providing stretch and comfort.

The Importance of Golf Shoes

You can't play in regular sneakers. Golf shoes are designed with special soles that provide traction and stability during the rotational forces of a golf swing. Spikeless golf shoes are the best choice for new players. They look and feel like a comfortable trainer but have a sole with molded rubber nubs and patterns that grip the turf, and you can wear them both on and off the course.

A Few Final Touches

• Glove: A golf glove provides a better grip on the club and helps prevent blisters. You wear it on your non-dominant hand (If you play right-handed, you wear a glove on your left hand).
• Hat or Visor: Essential for protecting your face from the sun during a long round.

The "Equipment" You Don't Own: The Golf Course

Finally, a big part of what's used to play golf is the course itself. Understanding the different areas of a golf hole will help you understand the goal of each shot you hit.

Key Areas of a Golf Hole

Each hole is a unique journey, but they all share common anatomy.

• The Tee Box: This is the rectangular mowed area where you begin each hole. You'll see several sets of colored markers (red, white, blue, black, etc.). Each color represents a different yardage and difficulty level, allowing players of all skills to enjoy the same course. As a beginner, it's advised to play from the forward-most tees (often red).
• The Fairway: This is the manicured strip of short grass that is the ideal target off the tee. Hitting from the fairway gives you the cleanest lie for your next shot.
-

This is the longer, thicker grass that borders the fairway. Hitting a shot from the rough is more difficult as the grass can grab the club and affect the shot's Aaccuracy and distance. -

These are sand-filled depressions that act as hazards. They require a special technique to escape from and are best avoided. Officially they are bunkers, although you'll hear many people call them "sand traps." -

This pristine, very short grass marks the end of the hole. It's where the cup and flagstick are located, and where you'll use your putter.

Final Thoughts

Getting into golf involves learning about the gear and the ground you play on, but it doesn't need to be complex. A simple half-set of clubs, some budget-friendly balls, a few accessories, and appropriate apparel are all you need to get out there and start swinging. Knowing what the fairway, rough, and green are will give you a real sense of purpose for every shot.

As you gather your gear and learn the lay of the land, remember that the most valuable asset you can have on the course is clarity. This is where we designed Caddie AI to help. When you’re standing over a tough shot or aren’t sure which club to pull, getting instant, expert advice right from your phone can make all the difference. Whether you need a simple strategy from the tee or help playing a difficult lie from the rough by taking a quick photo, Caddie AI helps remove the guesswork so you can swing with confidence and enjoy your round more.