Unlike other sports where you just need a few things to get you started, golfers need 14 clubs. Moreover, each golf club is different and is meant for a particular situation. The difference between the same types of golf clubs may be astonishing and are those such precise details that make one golf club “the right” golf club versus a regular club. Determining which clubs are best for you will depend on a myriad of things including skill level, the amount of overall club weight that your swing can handle and head size.
 
Skill Level

Beginner:  If you’re just learning to play golf, you will not know what you need and it is recommended that before buying a set of clubs to perfect your game and more fully understand your options. There are various ways to learn more about your golf club options. Rental clubs, borrowing friend’s clubs or using a half set of golf clubs are some of the best ways to experience different types of clubs. A half set of clubs includes a 4, 6, 8, a pitching wedge, sand iron, 3 and 5 woods with a putter.  A half set does not include a driver because that is considered the most challenging to control. To test various drivers, renting clubs is the most viable option. In general, beginners will find perimeter-weighted clubs their best bet as they are quite merciful.  

Intermediate:  Luckily for intermediate players, there are many options. Most clubs are designed for intermediate players as they are the majority.  At this point in your game, getting custom-fit for irons will ensure you get the ideal clubs for your game. Most golfers actually fight their clubs on their swings because of an excessively stiff shaft, during a custom fitting this can be worked out. The custom fitting is also beneficial for the use of the lie board, a mat that leaves a mark when you shoot balls off it and indicates how to adjust the lie.   

Club Weight
   
Regardless of skill, those with low swing speeds will find that club material is a very important factor in deciding on clubs. The material of the clubs is directly correlated with the club’s weight, which if too burdensome will negatively impact anyone’s swing. The lightest shafts are graphite while the lightest heads are made from titanium. A titanium head is great for beginners because the head can be larger without making the club too cumbersome.  Titanium heads are pricey and if they are beyond your budget, then cast iron is the way to go. Cast iron is a tougher material and a better alternative than a steel head.

There are golf clubs designed specifically for women, however not all women will find these to fit them. Clubs with graphite shafts are lighter than steel and consequently favored by women because they improve their game.
 
Head Size

Head size is debatable. The larger the head, the larger the surface area for hitting the ball which means a more forgiving club. Although a forgiving club is a big upside for the starting golfer, the larger heads are notoriously harder to control. For those just learning, a medium sized head provides the larger surface area without the difficulty in control associated with oversized heads.   
 
The way the irons are manufactured, either by casting or forging, also impacts the decision process. Cast irons are the more forgiving club of the two because they have larger “sweet spots” on their club faces and are consequently favored by those still learning the game. Advanced players may prefer forged irons because they allow players to have more control over their shots and trajectory angles.
 
Selecting your golf clubs should not be a haphazard decision as the right clubs for you will keep you on the fairway and may cut down on your strokes per game. A set of clubs can be a pricey purchase, however the most expensive clubs do not necessarily mean they are the best clubs—in fact, they may be the worst clubs for you. Most golfers are not playing at Tiger Wood’s level, make sure that the clubs you are thinking of buying are meant for your skill level by getting them professionally fit. Without a custom fitting, you might not be using the clubs to their full potential and consequently your game suffers.