As you prepare to step up to the tee for your first time, you might wonder how many clubs you should be carrying or how many come in a set. Most standard golf sets come with 14 clubs, but you don't have to carry all of them during your round.
You'll typically use your driver to hit your longest shots off the tee, a fairway wood or hybrid for longer fairway shots, irons for shorter shots, and wedges for approach shots around the green. Most golfers carry at least one putter, which is designed to roll the ball along the green and into the hole.
So why 14 clubs? The United States Golf Association (USGA) sets the limit at 14 clubs per player, which is meant to prevent golfers from using an excessive number of clubs to gain an unfair advantage.
While you don't need 14 clubs to play golf, having a variety of clubs in your bag can help you make more shots and feel more confident on the course. So if you're just starting out, consider investing in a basic set that includes a driver, hybrid, 4-iron through to sand wedge, and a putter.
