What type of golf clubs does a beginner need for a round of golf?

QUESTION:
I just finished up a golf class last week put on by ESPN in which they gave you a set of Nike Ignite clubs to get started, namely; 4-9 irons, pw, 3-hybrid and a putter. I added a cheap driver (which I’m planning on upgrading to a Nike Summo) and a Wilson 58 deg sand wedge as well. I have played the past two months with this set and feel that I may need more fairway clubs especially for the 5 pars. I’m getting mixed up between some saying I need a 3 and a 5 wood while others say I need 5, 7 and 9 wood. As well, I’m mixed up whether I should get hybrids (like the #3 that I have) to take the place of the woods. Does anyone have suggestions on what I should get to complete my set? BTW, I do like wedges and would like to add either a LW or a GW to my set. Thanks!

ANSWER:

Answer by Frank P
The ideal set for the intermediate golfer would start with Game Improvement irons. You still need forgiveness but you’d also like a little more feel and control. If you tend to hit your irons well you might be ready to consider a regular 4 iron, otherwise stay with your hybrid 4.

For your distance clubs add a little less loft on those fairway woods and hybrids to maximize distance. You might be ready to drop your 5 hybrid and replace it with a 3 hybrid.

Your driver is still oversized with about 10-12 degrees of loft to maximize distance and accuracy. Shaft selections may be the most important component. You want a shaft that matches your swing speed and ball flight requirements. Perhaps a draw bias to help get the drive moving a little more right to left.

Your wedges can be reconfigured. A gap wedge or a lob wedge are possibly good additions. If three wedges are your choice you may want to distribute the lofts from your PW to your LW (46, 52, 58 degrees). You may want wedges with less bounce so you can hit them off of tighter lies.

For a putter an intermediate you may have already settled on what works for you, but if you are ready to try something new, one of the new MOI maxed mallets would be a good choice.

Set configuration should be: Woods (1, 3, 5) Hybrids (3, 4) Irons (Game Improvement) (5-PW, SW, LW), Putter