Before the detail
The junior equipment budget guide
A rough mental framework, not a rigid rule — what a family typically spends to get a child properly equipped at each level.
| Budget | Child's situation | Best route |
|---|---|---|
| £0–£50 | Just trying it out | Borrow from a club programme or buy second-hand |
| £50–£150 | First set, playing regularly | Second-hand or entry-level new (Ben Sayers, Cleveland, US Kids UL7) |
| £150–£300 | Regular junior, Stage 2–3 | New packaged set (US Kids, TaylorMade, MKids) |
| £300–£500 | Competitive, Stage 3–4 | Performance set (US Kids TS6, Callaway XJ/XT) |
| £500+ | Serious junior, Stage 4–5 | Custom-fitted (PING Prodi G, adult transition) |
01
Stage 1 · First Swing
Just starting out
Roughly 3–8 years old · under 125cm · trying golf for the first time
Must have
- 3–5 clubs (7-iron, wedge, putter, optional wood/hybrid)
- Lightweight stand or carry bag
- Glove (one, sized to grow into slightly)
- Soft compression balls
- Tees, sized for junior clubs
- Comfortable trainers or junior golf shoes
- Suitable clothing — nothing golf-specific required yet
Nice to have
- A towel for wiping clubs and balls
- A simple rain jacket
- Pitch repairer & ball marker, once playing on a course
Don't need yet
- A full 14-club bag
- A trolley
- Spiked golf shoes
- GPS or rangefinder
- Custom fitting of any kind
JuniorCaddie says
Don't buy a full set for a child who's had three lessons. Ask the club or coach if there's kit to borrow first, then buy second-hand on the marketplace once you know golf is sticking. The Ben Sayers M1i and US Kids UL7 are the standard entry points if you do buy new.
02
Stage 2 · Finding the Game
Playing 9 holes, building interest
Roughly 6–11 years old · 115–140cm · playing regularly, interest confirmed
Must have
- 5–7 clubs, correctly sized for current height
- A better-fitting glove
- Proper golf ball suited to swing speed
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Golf shoes — spikeless is fine at this stage
- Pitch repairer and ball marker
Nice to have
- A trolley, if regularly walking 9+ holes
- A second glove for wet days
- Basic alignment or putting practice aid
- A small towel and brush
Don't need yet
- A dynamic (motion capture) fitting
- GPS or rangefinder
- Multiple wedges or a 3-wood
- Adult-spec anything
JuniorCaddie says
This is the stage most families upgrade for the first time — check height against the sizing chart in our club reviews before assuming last year's set still fits. Static fitting off a chart is accurate enough; save paid fitting sessions for Stage 3 onward.
03
Stage 3 · On the Course
Handicap and first competitions
Roughly 9–14 years old · 125–150cm · getting a handicap, entering club and county events
Must have
- 7–10 clubs, properly fitted for height
- A trolley
- Competition-legal GPS or rangefinder (check Local Rule G-5)
- Spare glove, waterproofs, umbrella
- Golf shoes suited to typical conditions
- Towel, pitch repairer, ball marker, spare pencil
Nice to have
- A proper static fitting session
- Alignment sticks or a putting gate for practice
- A dedicated scoring/yardage notebook
Don't need yet
- A full 14-club competitive bag
- Adult-length clubs, even if tall for age
- A launch monitor or swing trainer
JuniorCaddie says
First competition nerves are usually about the round, not the kit — but turning up with the wrong gear adds stress that's easy to avoid. Check what's actually allowed under competition rules before buying a rangefinder; see our GPS & rangefinder guidance in the equipment reviews.
04
Stage 4 · Serious Junior
County level and above
Roughly 10–14 years old · 140–170cm · training with intent, competing at county level
Must have
- A properly fitted set, driver through wedges and putter
- Known carry distance for every club
- A reliable trolley or lightweight carry setup
- Tournament-legal rangefinder or GPS
- Wet-weather kit that's actually been tested
- Spare of everything — glove, ball marker, pencil
Nice to have
- A dynamic (motion capture) fitting session
- Practice aids specific to a known weakness
- A second wedge for gapping
Don't need yet
- A full adult-spec bag before physically ready
- Switching brands mid-season on a hunch
- Anything bought to match a pro's bag rather than fit
JuniorCaddie says
Many Stage 4 players begin transitioning toward adult-spec equipment. That decision should be managed with a coach and fitter — it's about physical development and swing speed, not a birthday. See PING Prodi G and US Kids TS6 in the full reviews for the two main premium routes.
05
Stage 5 · Transition & College Golf
Moving into adult equipment
Roughly 12–16+ years old · 150cm+ · adult or near-adult swing speed
Must have
- A proper custom fitting — shaft, length, lie, grip size
- Precise carry yardages for every club, kept current
- Tournament-standard waterproofs and shoes
- A bag built for a full round, not a junior carry bag
Nice to have
- A launch monitor session to confirm shaft fit
- A second putter to compare feel/weight
- Travel-specific bag cover for away events
Don't need yet
- Tour-pro spec equipment bought for the name, not the fit
- Cutting down an adult club instead of a proper build
JuniorCaddie says
The transition moment is when an outgrown junior set has its highest resale value — list it on the marketplace promptly and use the proceeds to offset the new adult set. This is the single most significant equipment investment of the junior journey, so don't rush the fitting to save time.
The bigger picture
Borrow → buy used → buy new → custom fit
That's the order, at every stage — not "buy something, then upgrade, then upgrade again."
Golf clubs are one of the few pieces of kit where the second-hand market is genuinely excellent, because children outgrow clubs long before the clubs wear out. A set bought used at Stage 2 and sold on at Stage 3 can cost almost nothing in real terms.
Coaching programmes often lend kit
Many club junior programmes have clubs juniors can borrow before a family buys anything. Ask before you shop.
True cost, not RRP
A £250 set bought used for £130 and resold a year later for £90 has cost the family £40 for a season of golf — factor resale in before you buy new.
Want an exact size, not just a stage? Enter your child's height in the sizing calculator for a specific set recommendation and typical spend.
Use the sizing calculator →
Wondering about shoes specifically? Spiked vs spikeless, waterproof or not, and when they're actually needed — our dedicated guide covers it.
See the shoes guide →
A note on independence: JuniorCaddie has no commercial relationships with any equipment manufacturer. No affiliate commissions. No sponsored placements. This checklist reflects our own editorial judgement, cross-referenced against our full club reviews. Prices are typical UK ranges as of 2026 and will vary by brand and retailer — always check current pricing. We recommend buying second-hand where suitable for your child's stage.