The Masters 2026 has me ready to pick up golf for the first time — I asked Tom's Guide's golf expert for the 12 beginner essentials he swears by

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Just in time for Augusta

Golf essentials Masters 2026
(Image credit: Strata / Adidas / PGA / Stickit / vice golf / club champ sports / Edited by Gemini)

The Masters 2026 tees off this week at Augusta National, and like millions of people around the world, I'll be glued to my TV watching the world's best golfers compete for that famous green jacket. There's something about the Masters that makes you want to pick up a club and head straight to the nearest course — even if, like me, you've never actually played a round of golf in your life.

So I did what any sensible beginner would do: I asked my colleague Dave, Tom's Guide's resident golf expert, what I should actually buy if I want to take up the sport.

Below are Dave's top picks for any total beginner inspired by the Masters to give golf a go. No overpriced premium gear, no gimmicks — just the essentials you actually need to get started.

I'll be honest, I went into this thinking I'd need to spend a small fortune to take up golf properly, but Dave's list has me convinced you can get started without totally breaking the bank.

The trick is to focus on the essentials — a decent set of beginner clubs, comfortable shoes, and upgrade as you actually start improving.

So whether the Masters 2026 has inspired you to pick up a club for the first time like me, or you're shopping for a beginner in your life, this list should give you everything you need to get started.

The Masters 2026 runs from April 9th to April 12th. Stay tuned to Tom's Guide Golf Week 2026 for all your tech-filled golf coverage.

Gear up at PGA TOUR Superstore! Join Players Club Plus—the best membership in golf—for exclusive perks. Stock your bag with our Buy 3, Get 1 Free golf ball promo, and shop with absolute confidence thanks to our unrivaled 90-Day Performance Guarantee. Nobody else backs your game like we do!

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John-Anthony Disotto
John-Anthony Disotto
Collections Editor

John-Anthony Disotto is the Collections Editor at Tom's Guide, curating advice on the best products to spend your hard-earned cash on. An award-winning journalist and longtime Apple expert, he previously covered AI at TechRadar and served as How To Editor at iMore. When he isn't at his desk, he's probably trying to stop his French Bulldog Kermit from destroying his newest tech product.