If you’re looking for beginner golf essentials for women, I have some opinions. Quite a few, actually. Especially for someone who spent twenty years swinging her husband’s Neanderthal clubs.

One of the first things I discovered when I started taking golf seriously in midlife was that there is a surprisingly disappointing selection of golf accessories.

And believe me, I’ve looked.

I’m a woman who can turn practically any new hobby into a shopping opportunity. Give me a new interest and I’ll find seventeen things I didn’t know I needed.

But golf? Apparently, we’re supposed to be satisfied with clubs, balls, tees, and the occasional towel.

Where’s all the cute shit?

Of course, there’s plenty of expensive equipment you could buy. But if you’re just getting started, most of it can wait.

And I say this as someone who spent approximately twenty years playing with her husband’s clubs.

Which brings me to my first piece of advice.

1. Start With Golf Clubs That Fit

For approximately twenty years, whenever I played golf, I used my husband’s clubs.

Twenty. Years.

His giant, heavy, Neanderthal clubs that I just assumed were what golf clubs were supposed to feel like.

Then I finally got my own set of women’s clubs.

Ladies, it was like swinging a Q-tip.

I genuinely couldn’t believe the difference. They were lighter, easier for me to handle, and suddenly the whole experience felt less like trying to swing a telephone pole.

So while I’m not going to tell you to run out and spend thousands of dollars on equipment before you’ve even decided whether you like golf, I am going to suggest finding clubs that actually fit you.

Borrow a women’s set. Try a few clubs at a golf shop. Look for used clubs. Ask about beginner sets.

Women’s clubs are often designed with lighter shafts, different flexes, and shorter lengths, which can make a tremendous difference depending on your height, strength, and swing.

Not every woman needs women’s clubs, but every woman deserves clubs that feel comfortable.

And for the love of God, don’t spend twenty years assuming your husband’s clubs are good enough.

Trust me on this one.

2. Golf Balls (Apparently, They Matter)

When I first started buying my own golf balls, I went straight to Amazon and ordered the cheapest, cutest ones I could find.

Because a golf ball is a golf ball, right?

Well.

Eventually, I started playing with slightly more expensive, name-brand golf balls, and holy shit, my shots started going straighter.

Now, before anyone comes at me with a lecture about compression ratings, spin rates, or the aerodynamics of a golf ball, let me acknowledge that this could have happened for approximately seventeen different reasons.

Maybe my swing improved. Maybe I was making better contact. Maybe the balls actually made a difference.

I have absolutely no idea.

What I do know is that I now believe those golf balls make me play better.

And since golf is approximately 99,000% a mental game, there’s no going back.

Am I suggesting that beginners need to spend a fortune on premium golf balls? Absolutely not. You’re going to lose plenty of them, and there are perfectly good affordable options from reputable brands.

But I am suggesting that if you find a ball you like, one that feels good coming off your club and gives you a little more confidence standing over a shot, there’s something to be said for sticking with it.

Even if half the magic is happening between your ears.

Especially then.

Luckily, I’ve since found golf balls that are both cute and seem to keep me in the fairway.

Do they cost a little more? Yes.

But here’s my theory: If I spend a little more on golf balls and subsequently lose fewer of them, am I actually spending more money?

Or am I saving money?

Of course, maybe I’m losing fewer balls because I’m getting better at golf. Or maybe I’m getting better at golf because I believe in my more expensive balls.

It’s a real chicken-or-egg situation.

Either way, I’ve found my balls, and I’m sticking with them.

3. Golf Tees (I Have Surprisingly Strong Feelings About These)

You know those free little wooden tees they give you at the country club?

I hate them.

Nothing is worse than getting yourself all situated, lining up your shot, finding your stance, taking a deep breath, and then accidentally knocking the ball off the tee before you’ve even swung.

Now you have to start the entire production over again.

No, thank you.

I use the tall plastic tees. They’re easier for me to set up, they’re practically indestructible, and they’re big enough that I can actually find them after I hit the ball.

I bought approximately 400 of them on Amazon, which, in retrospect, may have been an ambitious purchase.

Because I don’t break them. I rarely lose them. And at this rate, I’ll probably be buried with half a bag.

But I love them.

Are they going to revolutionize your golf game? Probably not. And you’ll still want a shorter tee for certain clubs and shots.

But if one tiny piece of plastic can eliminate even a single unnecessary frustration from my golf game, I’m all for it.

Especially when I already have enough things to think about before I swing.

4. Golf Gloves (Mine Stays On, Thank You Very Much)

Apparently, some golfers like to take their gloves off and put them back on between shots, like they’re pitchers on the mound preparing to throw the final strike of the World Series.

Not me.

I put my glove on at the beginning of the round, and that’s generally where it stays.

I wear mine on my left hand because I’m right-handed, and I’ve found that it helps protect my hand from blisters and gives me a more secure grip on the club. I don’t know if it’s technically necessary to wear it for all eighteen holes, but it works for me, and that’s good enough.

Golf already involves enough rituals. I don’t need another one.

Gloves are also one of the few golf accessories I actually prefer buying at the clubhouse.

For one thing, I want to try them on. A golf glove should fit snugly without feeling like you’re trying to squeeze your hand into something intended for a seven-year-old.

But more importantly, buying a new golf glove satisfies my constant desire to purchase golf-related merchandise without requiring a conversation with my husband about the credit card bill.

It’s a little treat.

Some women buy lipstick. I buy golf gloves.

And occasionally lipstick.

I’m a woman of many interests.

5. Golf Shoes (An Exercise in Self-Restraint)

Do you need special golf shoes to start playing golf?

I’m going to say no.

I have a number of athletic shoes and sneakers that I wear on the course, usually depending on my outfit, and I can honestly say I haven’t slipped once.

Now, I’m sure there are plenty of very good reasons to invest in actual golf shoes. They’re designed to provide traction and stability, particularly on wet grass, uneven ground, and during your swing.

But for the casual golfer just getting started? A comfortable pair of sneakers with decent traction may be perfectly fine, assuming your course allows them.

Do I want an entire closet full of beautiful golf shoes?

Absolutely.

Have I spent an unreasonable amount of time looking at them?

Also yes.

But this is one department where I’ve managed to exercise a surprising amount of self-restraint.

I already own perfectly good shoes that work for me, and until I find a compelling reason to replace them, I’m going to keep wearing what I have.

Which is an incredibly mature and financially responsible decision.

Frankly, I’m surprised as anyone.

6. Golf Clothes (Absolutely Not a Polo Shirt)

Let me be very clear about something.

Fuck no to polo shirts.

I understand that golf has dress codes, and I’m perfectly happy to respect them. But I refuse to believe that the only way to look appropriate on a golf course is to dress like I’m working the register at a sporting goods store.

If a collar is required, I’ll find a cute ruffled one. Otherwise, give me a blouse, a comfortable full-button-down shirt, a patterned sweatshirt, or a quarter-zip.

I’m here to play golf, not audition for the PGA Tour.

As for pants, I will take barrel pants or Vuori joggers all day long. Comfortable, cute, and perfectly capable of accommodating a golf swing. Although you’ll want to check your course’s dress code, because apparently some establishments have very strong feelings about pants.

I’ve also experimented with a romper from Target that I believe was technically intended for tennis.

I wore the shit out of that thing.

It was comfortable, cute, easy to move in, and required absolutely no thought about coordinating a top and bottom.

There was, however, one extremely important consideration.

The zipper.

Ladies, if you’re going to wear a romper golfing, make absolutely certain the zipper is long enough that you can shimmy yourself out of it in a porta potty.

Because at some point, you’re going to find yourself in a tiny plastic bathroom on the seventh hole, and that is not the time to discover that your adorable outfit requires the assistance of another adult to remove.

Consider this my contribution to women’s golf fashion education.

Ultimately, my advice is to wear clothes you feel good in, can move comfortably in, and that meet the requirements of wherever you’re playing.

You don’t need an entirely separate golf wardrobe.

Although if you want one, I certainly won’t be the person to talk you out of it.

7. A Few Little Things That Make Life Easier

Once you start spending a few hours on a golf course, you’ll quickly figure out what belongs in your bag.

My beginner list would include:

• Sunscreen and sunglasses (I have an extra pair of progressives hanging out in my bag)
• A water bottle
• A small towel
• A ball marker
• A divot repair tool
• A few extra tees and golf balls
• A snack, because nine holes can take longer than you think

None of these needs to be fancy.

In fact, you probably already own most of them.

What You Absolutely Do Not Need Yet

Let’s save some money, shall we?

A rangefinder. They’re useful for measuring distances, but you can absolutely get by without one. I use the free version of the 18Birdies app, and it tells me everything I need to know about how far I am from the green. My husband also bought a fancy Bluetooth speaker with a built-in yardage finder, which actually comes in pretty handy. Is it where I’d spend my golf money? Probably not. But I’m certainly not complaining when he tells me how far I have to hit the ball.

An expensive golf bag. A basic stand bag is perfectly adequate. If you’re borrowing clubs, you might not even need your own bag yet. You can find a cute one for under $100.

A full set of premium clubs. My TaylorMade irons run from a 6-iron through pitching wedge, plus an approach and sand wedge. Throw in a 4-hybrid, driver, and a pretty sweet putter, and that’s my entire bag. Eleven clubs. You don’t need fourteen just because you’re allowed fourteen. Start with what you’ll actually use.

Every training gadget on Instagram. Some are helpful. Many will spend the next decade in a garage drawer.

A country club membership. Okay, I’m going to disagree with myself here. Our membership is probably the ONLY reason I’ve golfed as much as I have. If I had to pay every time, I’d find a reason not to go. I don’t need to play every course in the county, and I’m certainly not calculating how many rounds it takes to break even. I just know our family has played so much this year that the club is probably losing money on us. And the friendships and community we’ve found? Worth every penny. You don’t need a membership to start, but if you find a club you love and can afford it, don’t underestimate how much more you’ll actually play.

And most importantly?

You do not need to be good at golf to enjoy golf.

I cannot stress this enough.

Where I’d Actually Spend My Money First

If I were starting over, I’d put my money toward a few lessons before buying expensive equipment.

Not because you need to develop a perfect swing before you’re allowed on a golf course.

You don’t.

But learning a comfortable grip, how to set up to the ball, and a few basic swing fundamentals can make the experience significantly less frustrating.

A beginner group clinic is another great option. You can learn alongside people who are just as confused as you are, which is surprisingly comforting.

And once you’re ready, find a casual course, a patient friend, or a beginner-friendly golf league.

The goal is to get out there and play.

The Best Thing You Can Bring to the Golf Course

A sense of humor.

Seriously.

You’re going to miss the ball. You’re going to hit beautiful shots that surprise you and terrible shots that surprise absolutely no one.

You’re going to have afternoons when you wonder why you ever thought this was a good idea.

And then you’re going to hit one glorious shot.

One.

And suddenly you’ll understand why people keep coming back.

That’s the magic of golf, at least for me.

It gives you something to learn, something to laugh about, and a reason to spend a few hours outside with people you enjoy.

You can buy the fancy clubs later.

For now, just show up.

And maybe bring a few extra balls and a snack.

See you out there, hon. 🍑

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New around here? Read I Started Playing Golf in Midlife. Here’s What Nobody Told Me. for the story behind That’s a Peach, Hon.

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