If you're ready to buy some golf clubs, it's a good idea to begin with a basic half- set. This should consist of three- and five-woods; four-, six-, and eight-irons; a pitching wedge; and one putter. You'll get a good blend of fairway woods plus medium-, long- and short-distance irons.

You have a choice of materials in both irons and woods. If you're a beginner, choose cast irons. These are based on a design that allows a larger sweet spot on the club face. Beginners need this "forgiveness." You can buy either wood or metal woods. (I know it's confusing, but remember that woods is a category of club, not just a material.) Metal woods are like cast-iron irons: The generous weight distribution gives them an edge over real wooden ones for distance, and they are more forgiving to poor hits. Wooden woods have a smaller sweet spot, hence a smaller margin of error. Stick with the metal version.

Clubs are available in five types of shaft flex: extra stiff (for professionals), stiff (for low-handicap and younger players), medium (for the average club golfer of all levels), whippy (for older golfers and taller women) and ladies' flex, which, as its name suggests, was designed for female golfers. Waggle a club in front of you. Can you feel the weight of the head responding? If so, that flex should suit you.

Putters are also available in five main types: traditional blade, heel-toe- weighted, center-shafted, mallet-headed and wacky. Take one that suits you for length -- taller golfers need longer clubs. These putters vary in length from 34 to 37 inches, but broom-handle clubs are much taller. Check how the putter feels when you hold it in position. You should feel comfortable with the way it fits against the ground (what's called the lie of the club). Putters often have a visible sweet-spot line or dot to guide your stroke.