This page collects our golf club guides in one place, from wedge lofts to shaft flex to regripping. If you are new to the game, start with golf clubs needed for a beginner. We do not test clubs ourselves, so the guides summarize published specifications and named sources.

The rules that shape every set

You can carry a maximum of 14 clubs. In stroke play the penalty is 2 strokes for each hole where you break the limit, up to 4 strokes. In match play you lose 1 hole for each hole of the breach, up to 2 holes. Any club you use to make a stroke must also conform to the Equipment Rules. Both points come from Rule 4 of the R&A Rules of Golf, including Rule 4.1a.

Illustration · Rule 4.1b
The 14-club limit
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
14 clubs: allowedThe 15th is a breach
Stroke play
+2 strokes
for each hole where the breach happened, up to 4 strokes in the round.
Match play
−1 hole
for each hole where the breach happened, up to 2 holes in the round.
Source: R&A Rules of Golf, Rule 4. A player must not start a round with more than 14 clubs, or have more than 14 during the round.

Two facts help when comparing clubs. Shaft flex letters (L, A, R, S, X and TX) are not standardised across brands. As Kris McCormack of True Spec Golf told GOLF.com in November 2021, "there's no industry standard for flex in a shaft." And wedge lofts typically run 43 to 48 degrees for a pitching wedge, 48 to 52 for a gap wedge, 54 to 58 for a sand wedge and 58 to 64 for a lob wedge, spaced 4 to 6 degrees apart, according to GOLFTEC (updated June 2026).

Start here

Begin with what a first set needs and how many irons a set contains.

Wedges

Wedges are where loft gaps matter most, so these guides cover each wedge and how to space them.

Chart · Typical wedge lofts
Where each wedge sits
Pitching wedge43° to 48°
Gap wedge48° to 52°
Sand wedge54° to 58°
Lob wedge58° to 64°
40°45°50°55°60°65°
GOLFTEC’s rule of thumb: keep 4 to 6 degrees between each wedge.
Source: GOLFTEC, updated June 2026. Ranges are typical, not exact: every maker sets its own lofts.

Irons (types and specs)

These cover iron designs and the published specs for individual models.

Hybrids and woods

Hybrids replace long irons, and these guides compare lofts and choices.

Distances

Distance depends on the player, so these pages look at particular clubs.

Shafts and sizing

Flex, weight and length all change how a club plays.

Scale · Shaft flex letters
From soft to stiff
The letters run from softest to stiffest, but with no standard, the same letter can differ from brand to brand.
Source: GOLF.com. Step heights are illustrative. Kris McCormack of True Spec Golf: “there’s no industry standard for flex in a shaft.”

Fitting

A fitting uses a launch monitor to capture swing speed, launch angle, spin rate and carry distance, as Mississippi State University Golf describes it.

Maintenance and care

Golf Monthly suggests regripping about every 12 to 18 months or 30 to 40 rounds, and sooner if you play a lot. The guides below cover that and the rest of club care.

Stats · How often to regrip
When grips wear out
Typical interval
12 to 18
months
Or by rounds
30 to 40
rounds of golf
If you play a lot
6 to 9
months
Source: Golf Monthly. These are a guide: frequent players should regrip sooner.

Buying and brands

Questions about cost, value and specific brands.

Handicap and getting on the course

Many courses and events ask for a handicap once you play regularly.

Travel with clubs

Airline rules differ, so start with our airline golf club policies comparison and check your carrier.

How we keep this page current

We add new club guides here as they publish. Last reviewed 7 October 2026.