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How to play golf: Building a bag for your skill level

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When it comes to learning how to play golf, putting together a set of clubs is a vital step. The best way to do so will always be to see a fitter and go through the process of getting everything dialed in.

The problem for many golfers is this process can be both cost and time prohibitive. So to help you simplify your bag, we have put together an easy to follow guide, as well as a link to some of our most recent pieces about selecting clubs to put in your bag.

How to play golf: Building the right bag for you

Beginner/Casual golfer/Lower swing speed

how to play golf beginner set

This is where most new golfers fit in, and the biggest goal when putting together a set for a player in this category is to make the club selection process on the course easier and use clubs that provide the most confidence.

A typical set for someone just learning how to play golf will include but not be limited to

  • A driver with a fixed hosel and loft between 10.5 and 12°.
  • Fairway wood, generally a single (18°) 5-wood to be used all over the course. One of the hardest clubs to hit even for skilled players is a 3-wood, so even if one comes with your set, maybe set it aside for a while.
  • Hybrid clubs to replace hard to hit long irons, which can also be helpful with chipping around the greens.
  • Cavity back irons offer the greatest amount of forgiveness, and for beginners and slower speed players their perimeter weighting and a lower center of gravity help get the ball in the air.
  • Sand wedge. Having a single wedge (after the pitching wedge) for around the green will help simplify the decision-making process and for new players. Getting comfortable with a single club around the green for different shots can help quickly lower scores.
  • A putter that is the right length and has a comfortable grip should be all you’re really focusing on at this point. Try not to get too caught up with a certain design, but keep in mind larger mallet putters can be easier to line up and can really help nail down the basics.
  • Value two-piece golf balls to help reduce spin, keep shots more on line, and save a few dollars—because over the course of a round of golf this player is likely to lose a few.

Intermediate/Occasional golfer/Average swing speed

This is the largest part of the golf population and simply having the right clubs can vastly improve scoring and consistency. It is at this level when most golfers start to build preferences towards certain styles of clubs, particularly putters, and it becomes a lot more important to have a number of properly gapped wedges.

  • An adjustable driver can help correct for misses and a changing golf swing.
  • Multiple fairway woods including higher lofted options like a 7 or 9-wood can help with longer approach shots and getting out of the rough.
  • Hybrids are another option for long shots because of their increased forgiveness and ease to launch – for golfers in this category looking for irons sets, hybrids are often included.
  • Cavity back irons are still going to be the best option but as mentioned above. Finding a combo set with hybrids included can help with gapping and keep costs down too.
  • Multiple wedges after the pitching wedge, most importantly a gap wedge before a sand wedge can tighten up distance gaps with shorter clubs and help prevent the dreaded “in-between clubs” situation.
  • Using a multi-piece ball that offers more spin and a softer feel around the green or a urethane “tour” ball will help tighten dispersion and control around the green and can assist in turning bogeys into pars.

Low Handicap/Regular golfer/Higher swing speed

It is at this level where getting fit becomes vital in being able to maximize potential and scoring. One thing to keep in mind—not all low handicap golfers have high swing speeds, so make sure you select clubs with the right shaft flex and weight. The general setup for this golfer is as follows

  • An adjustable driver can optimizing trajectory and flight and will maximize potential distance while reducing dispersion.
  • Multiple fairway woods that offer proper gapping to approach longer holes or lay back off the tee.
  • Hybrid or driving iron—because everyone can need help hitting longer approach shots.
  • Irons with a smaller profile are a favorite of lower handicap players, and one of the most common setups involves a combo set to increase control.
  • Multiple (specialty) wedges assist in saving shots and this means selecting the right ones for different situations based on playing style and course conditions.
  • A putter that matches stroke style, as well as a golfer’s eye, will provide the most confidence and consistency.
  • Using a multi-piece urethane “tour” ball will offer the most control and help with short game scoring.

The half set 

Using a half set is the great equalizer. Regardless of swing speed or skill level, it is still one of the best ways to enjoy the game. It makes clubs selection simple, it promotes creativity and can speed up play. Add on the fact that you are potentially carrying half the weight you would normally carry during a round of golf, and it’s a recipe for fun.

Don’t just take my word for it either, a few months ago Rory McIlroy said this on the McKellar Podcast

“I think it’s one of the best ways to practice, I do it quite a bit… because when you have only half your clubs you are always in between clubs and you have to do something…I tell junior golfers to learn to hit a 7 iron 140 yards (implying hitting it much shorter than a stock shot) because it teaches artistry, which is something they don’t do enough of in the modern game.”

Other GolfWRX resources for selecting clubs

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Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. david kupsick

    Aug 2, 2020 at 7:22 pm

    Spend a few hundred dollars on instructions from PGA professional.

    You’ll enjoy the game sooner.

  2. Mike Singleton

    Aug 1, 2020 at 4:35 pm

    Your 1/2 set suggestion has merit for every golfer. Learning to control your club speed & distances with various clubs, some not your typical pulls for the shot at hand, teach you how to play golf…manipulate the balls flight-speed-spin-carry….then you become a scoring threat !

    Learned this a long time ago….even suggested to many Golf Equip. Mfgrs. Reps. to have their companies spread lofts to 5-6 degrees between clubs as this makes you consider these factors ( above ) and create shots that provide satisfaction to the better player. Remember, Ben Hogan said,
    ” On my good days, I only hit maybe 6 shots exactly as I planned….after that, it’s managing your miss hits “

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Whats in the Bag

Russell Henley WITB 2024 (March)

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  • Russell Henley WITB accurate as of the Cognizant Classic.

Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX

3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT Hybrid 100 TX

Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S, @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron T5 Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

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Whats in the Bag

Vince Carter WITB 2024 (March)

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  • The NBA legend was teeing it up in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am.

Driver: Ping G430 Max 10K (9 degrees)

3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees)

7-wood: Ping G430 Max (21 degrees)

Irons: Ping i230 (4-PW)

Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 (50, 54, 58)

Putter: Ping

Ball: Renegade Mbu

Check out more photos of Vince Carter’s WITB here.

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Equipment

From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations

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In our forums, our members have been discussing the most forgiving irons currently on the market. WRXer ‘TheShark1’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons, saying:

“Currently gaming the Mizuno Pro 225’s but think I need more forgiveness in my irons. My well struck shots are real nice, but my mishits are not performing as good as I had hoped anymore. I really like hollow body irons so if I could find something more forgiving in a hollow body iron that would be great.

Open to any and all recommendations other than Ping. Can’t hit Ping irons at all.”

And our members have been sharing their best suggestions in our forum.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • AvidSwampThing66: “Another vote for the super forgiving and fast Paradym irons.   They look really good for being a GI iron.”
  • bobfoster: “I just went from MP20 MMCs to the new 245s in my scoring irons (just played my first round with them today). If you have a chance to try them, you might find them worth a serious look.”
  • vman: “Shoot me down, but spend the money on lessons.”
  • J_Tizzle: “i525s are great off the heel in my opinion.”

Entire Thread: “From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations”

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