For those wishing to start playing the game of golf, searching for a set of clubs can be an overwhelming experience.
There are many manufacturers, all with a copious variety of products boasting certain attributes at different price points.
Bluffer's Guide: Golf's key terms
Golf, as you will find out, is hard. For that reason, at the start, and probably for some years to come, a beginner wants a set that offers maximum forgiveness at a good price.
To help you make an informed choice, we've collated 10 of the best beginner sets on the market today.
Wilson Ultra Package Set
This beginner set offers heaps of forgiveness and distance to boot. The forged titanium 460CC driver boasts a light graphite shaft, and high MOI for forgiveness on off-centre hits.
The steel-shafted irons have a cavity in the back and boasts perimeter weighting for assistance. The putter has a soft polymer insert for improved feel and accuracy.
Includes:
Driver
Fairway wood
Hybrid
Irons 5,6,7,8,9,PW,SW
Putter
Stand bag
Head covers
Price: £279.99
Adams Golf Idea a12 OS
It's no surprise hybrid specialist Adams Golf has waded into the beginner market. As hybrids are more forgiving than irons, it makes sense to produce a set brimming with rescue woods for those learning the game.
The brand's famous Velocity Slot Technology is used in its hybrids for increased forgiveness and distance, while a low centre of gravity promotes a high ball flight.
Perimeter weighting in the irons and a deep heel and toe in the irons and wedges creates maximum forgiveness.
The hybrids comes with graphite shafts, while the irons come stocked with steel shafts.
Includes:
Hybrids 4,5,6
Irons 7,8,9, SW
Price: £249
Callaway Strata
Famous for their clubs for better players, Callaway also produce kit for those looking to get into the game.
The 460cc driver has a large sweet spot and the 3-wood has an aerodynamic shape allowing maximum swing speeds.
Forgiving hybrids are coupled with stainless steel irons boasting control.
Includes:
Driver
Fairway woods
Hybrids 5
Irons 6,7,8,9,PW
Putter
Stand bag
Head covers
Price: £179.95
Top Flite XL
Famed for their competitively-priced balls, Top Flite also produce cheap clubs for beginners.
The set is available with steel or graphite shafts, and is designed for maximum distance and forgiveness.
The titanium driver has a large head, and irons boast wide soles and perimeter weighting for maximum forgiveness.
Includes:
Driver
Fairway wood
Hybrids 4,5
Irons 6,7,8,9,PW
Putter
Stand bag
Head covers
Price: £135
Dunlop Tour
If you're looking for cheap, yet effective set of beginner sticks, then the Dunlop Tour range will be more than suffice.
The company's 460cc driver boasts forgiveness, while perimeter-weighted irons allow for balance and help on off-centre hits.
Includes:
Driver
Fairway Wood
Hybrid
Irons 5,6,7,8,9,PW,SW
Putter
Stand bag
Headcovers
Price: £120
John Letters Swingmaster
You'll need to bench some of this set before you head out to the course, as John Letters Swingmaster is a 19-piece package.
The forged titanium driver has a low CG and flat lie angle to help you get it down the middle of the fairway.
The irons boasts large undercuts and a low CG for maximum forgiveness and distance.
Includes:
Driver
Fairway Woods 3,4
Hybrids 3,4
Irons 5,6,7,8,9,PW,SW
Putter
Stand bag
Headcovers
Price: £299
Confidence Power II hybrid
Let's face it, most players getting into golf are just testing the waters, and don't want to be burdened with debt after shelling out for their first set.
Only this get-up shouldn't break the bank at £89.99.
The oversized driver and iron is designed to offer the player maximum forgiveness, as is the heel-and-toe balanced putter.
For the price of two rounds, you could kit yourself out with a great starter set.
Includes:
Driver
Hybrid 5
Irons 6,7,8,9,PW
Bag
Headcover
Price: £89.99
Wilson X-31
Boasting a graphite reinforced driver shaft, perimeter-weighted stainless steel irons, and a putter with a milled polymer face, the Wilson X-31 boasts advanced technology for a beginner.
Not on the same level as the Wilson Ultra Package, which is reflected in the price, but still a quality set of golf clubs.
Price: £195
Nicklaus Golf Golden Bear Instinct
When an 18-time major champion puts their name to a set of golf clubs, it instils confidence. Jack Nicklaus, known as the Golden Bear, lent his name twice to this package.
Boasting asthetics more akin to mid-handicap golf clubs, the set are designed to provide forgiveness as distance - as all sets in this market do - but also feel.
An ultra-light graphite shaft is used in the driver to maximise swing speeds, hopefully equaling distance.
Includes:
Driver
Fairway wood 3
Hybrid 4
Irons 5,6,7,8,9,PW
Putter
Bag
Headcovers
Price: £130
Nike Slingshot hybrid irons
Nike may sponsor two of the best golfers to have ever picked up a club - Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy - but it caters to those at entry level as well.
The Slingshot range follows on from the immensely popular original line, and the latest line is billed as "easier to hit and more aesthetically pleasing."
The oversized irons boast Nike's "Powerbow" weighting technology, position the CG low and back for maximum assistance on off-centre hits.
Includes:
Hybrid 4
Irons 5,6,7,8,9,PW,SW
