I've helped dozens of people buy their first set of golf clubs. Here are the 5 mistakes I see over and over:

1. Buying a full 14-club set right away

You don't need 14 clubs. You need like 7. A driver, a hybrid, a 7-iron, a 9-iron, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, and a putter. That's it. You'll add clubs as you figure out your game.

2. Spending $500+ on a driver before you can hit straight

That $500 TaylorMade isn't going to fix your slice. A $150 used driver will perform nearly identically for a beginner. Save the upgrade for when your swing is consistent.

3. Ignoring used/pre-owned clubs

Callaway Pre-Owned, 2nd Swing, GlobalGolf — these sites sell clubs in great condition for 40-60% off retail. There is zero reason to buy brand new as a beginner.

4. Skipping a fitting

Even budget club fitters will measure your height and wrist-to-floor to get the right shaft length. Playing the wrong length clubs builds bad habits from day one.

5. Forgetting about the bag, glove, tees, and balls

Budget $50-75 for accessories. A decent stand bag, a glove, some tees, and a couple dozen mid-range balls (Kirkland Signatures are incredible for the price).

The bottom line: You can get fully set up to play real golf for $200-400 total if you're smart about it. Inside Starter Clubs, I break down exactly what to buy at every price point.