Best Golf Club Sets Under $500 for Beginners [2024 Guide]

Golf is arguably the best game ever invented. But it also can be one of the most expensive. With manufacturers releasing new ranges every year, from $600 drivers to $1500 irons, the game of golf can really add up if you’re a sucker for savvy marketing. But that doesn’t have to be the case. You just have to know where to look, especially if you’re new to golf. Thankfully, you don’t have to look far, as we have put together this guide on the best golf clubs under $500 for beginners.

Within this club buying guide you’ll find out our favourite golf club sets, what to look out for when choosing yours and what you should expect performance-wise. This guide was put together with the aim of making the game more accessible. Not only to those restricted by budget, but also those who get overwhelmed by some of the technical terms that get thrown around. 

Why Trust a Seventee2 Review?

Seventee2 is made up of a group of mid-to-high handicappers with a passion for the game of golf. Our years of experience attempting to master this game coupled with extensive research, we are able to form some of the best-quality guides, reviews and how-to’s to help you improve your game. We were all, or still are, beginners at one point, so we know exact questions folks new to the game might be asking, so trust us when we say you’re in good hands with our advice.

We get it, it is incredibly easy to spend upwards of $800 on golf in the beginning, and that’s before you even get to choosing a shiny new driver and putter. We know as beginners, you’re not going to want to spend loads of money to find out whether you actually enjoy the game or not. 

Don’t Forget to Complete the Set

Most golf club sets don’t come with golf balls, so make sure you pick some up before you head out for your first round. If you’re not sure which golf balls suit your game, take a look at our guide on the best golf balls for high handicappers.

Our Picks for the Best Golf Club Sets Under $500 for Beginners

Buying Beginner Golf Clubs – FAQs

When you’re completely new to the game of golf, it is natural to have a lot of questions around the equipment to play the game. We’ve collated some of the most commonly asked questions when buying beginner golf clubs and answered them in a way beginner golfers will find clear and concise. Browse our FAQs below. 

Do Golf Clubs Make A Difference For Beginners?

Generally speaking, better clubs do tend to make a difference, especially for golfers who are progressing from more standard versions of clubs. When it comes to being a beginner golfer, you have to consider how much of the high tech features in premium clubs you’re going to be able to utilise. You will find that a lot of the golf sets featured above will be able to take you to a decent level before you should start considering premium clubs. 

At the end of the day, whatever feels best to swing and produces the best results,is the right set of clubs for a beginner. You could spend a lot of money on a premium set, but a beginner may find them difficult to master for large periods until your game improves.

What’s Included In A Beginner Golf Club Set?

Typically, a beginner set of golf clubs will include 12 golf clubs. These 12 clubs are usually made up of:

• 1 x Driver
• 1 x 3-Wood
• 1 x 5-Wood
• 1 x 3-Hybrid/Rescue
• 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 Iron
• 1 x Pitching Wedge
• 1 x Sand Wedge 
• 1 x Putter

You will find that most club manufacturers will give you the options to customise what selection of clubs you want. The customisation is especially prevalent when it comes to which irons you want, with many offering down to a 3-iron. However, a beginner is unlikely to get full use out of a long iron, so it would be wise to steer clear of them.

Is There A Big Difference Between Cheap And Expensive Golf Clubs?

The short answer is yes. Expensive golf clubs tend to justify their price tags with impressive performance and ball control – something many golfers crave. Premium golf clubs tend to be engineered to within an inch of their life, giving the user all the latest technology to improve even the smallest aspects of their game. 

With that being said, this doesn’t mean the cheaper clubs should be completely ignored. In the past 10-5 years the standard of technology present in these clubs has improved dramatically and will suffice for beginner golfers. It is important to note, throwing cash at your game will not fix/improve it, unless with the guidance of a pro to fit your clubs.

What Golf Club Should I Replace First?

It’s usually a sensible idea to not mess with something that isn’t broken. However, as a beginner, you will find you need to replace certain clubs in order to progress and reduce your handicap. The area you’re likely to see the biggest improvement when replacing your club is putting. While it is different for everyone, we would recommend investing in a quality putter that improves your consistency and aim on the greens. 

If you’re not sure which putter is right for you, fret not! Read our guide on the best putters for high handicappers.

Is It Worth Upgrading Golf Clubs?

If you’re making solid progress with cutting your handicap down, but you’ve now hit a wall where you appear to have plateaued, then it may be time to upgrade the clubs in the bag. When you’ve got the fundamentals down, especially while playing standard clubs, upgrading to premium clubs will certainly make a difference to your game. The technology that the high end clubs are fitted with make all the difference to players with solid golf games.

It is especially worth upgrading your driver if you’ve noticed your buddy is starting to out-drive you after putting a new driver in the bag! We can help you find one to reestablish your dominance, check out our guide on the best drivers for high handicappers.

Should A Beginner Get Fitted For Golf Clubs?

There are two ways to look at getting fitted for golf clubs as a beginner. A fitting is designed to help you get clubs that match your height and other body characteristics, in a bid to reach optimal performance. It is worth getting a fitting from the perspective that your height isn’t going to change, but that is the only argument for getting fitted.

However, on the flip side of this, as a beginner you’re unlikely to have established things such as your preferred swing etc. If you struggle to hit the ball, suffer from a dreaded case of the ‘shanks’ or any other mishit, you’re unlikely to benefit from a fitting as a beginner. 

Should I Buy Cavity Back Or Blade Irons?

As a beginner, the answer is very simple. Buy cavity back clubs. These are irons designed to give you added distance and forgiveness for when you mishit the ball (which could be quite a lot). Blade irons are designed to give extra distance and feel for players who regularly and consistently hit the middle of the club face. As a beginner, your experience of blade irons is likely to be very unpleasant. You will see that all of the sets in this best golf clubs under $500 guide are cavity back. This is for good reason. 

Should I Buy A Set Or Individually?

If you have cash and time to burn, buy individually. You will be able to pick and choose from your favourite brands and build your dream bag. However, as a beginner, you’re unlikely to benefit fully from a fully customised bag, so we would say save yourself the time and money and buy a set. Like we mentioned before, the standard of these sets have come a long way. You will get far better value for money when you buy a set.

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