Mar 11, 2023
POSTED BY: Nicholas Venditti

Can You Rent Golf Clubs?

Let's be honest, golf isn't always the cheapest hobby. Membership fees, green fees, those inevitable wardrobe additions - it all adds ups.

And that's before we even start discussing the cost of new clubs, which can sometimes run into the thousands. Indeed, purchasing a set of pre-owned clubs will likely set you back several hundred dollars. 

But fear not. Renting golf clubs is an excellent option if you're just starting out and want to wait to make a substantial upfront purchase. Even better, you can rent golf clubs through most golf courses and driving ranges. Let's get into it in this handy guide.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent Golf Clubs at a Golf Course?

Before we get into specifics, we'd like to point out one thing. While renting golf clubs is much cheaper in the short term, if you're renting several times a week, you'll probably want to start thinking about purchasing your own. All those rental fees will eventually eclipse the cost of a set. 

Renting a set of clubs at a course will generally cost between $50 and $100 depending on where you're playing - with more established, well-known courses costing more. Almost all golf clubs offer this service, with a few high-end exceptions.   

You might also see a price variation depending on the club's quality and the brands used. Courses or resorts will frequently have a pile of standardized clubs that an employee grabs from the back, but it's not unheard of to have better quality clubs that cost a little more than the standard. 

Do Golf Courses Rent Clubs to Non-Members?

Good question. Most golf courses will rent a set even if you aren't a member. As a business, offering services to curious newcomers looking to enter the game makes sense. And while there may be instances where rental prices are slightly cheaper for members, the differences are typically moderate. 

However, some prestigious or high-end courses won't offer rentals, so it's always worth checking ahead. Turning up to one of the US courses honored with platinum status and asking about cheap rentals won't get you very far. But then again, these courses are rare for non-members to play on, so it's probably not something you need to give too much thought to. If you're newer to the game, we recommend starting at a more accessible course for more comprehensive club options.  

Are Rental Golf Clubs Any Good?

You might already have a vision of a worn-down, battered set of clubs hired out by the course, but thankfully, that's usually not the case. Upmarket golf courses with higher fees often carry excellent quality golf clubs to rent, though their higher rental price will reflect this. Further down the ladder, quality can be mixed but rarely noticeably poor. Again, if you're offering a service, it only makes sense to provide equipment that meets at least a reasonable standard. 

Most golf courses in the middle will carry a mixture of good quality clubs and what we'll kindly call 'backup' clubs. The best will often go out first, so it may be the luck of the draw to see what they have. However, it's always a good idea to check rental clubs carefully before use. If you're unhappy with the selection, you can always return to the clubhouse and see if they have anything else. Most businesses want to see you succeed on the green with their clubs!

As with anything rented, you shouldn't expect the finest quality, never-been-used equipment. If that's what you want, we recommend purchasing your own clubs. Unless you're playing at a higher-end course, renting always comes with a degree of the unknown. Remember that these clubs are typically used by beginners looking to dip their toes in the game. Likewise, they may be used by those who have forgotten a club and need a stopgap. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If all of that information wasn't enough, here are some frequently asked questions on the topic. 

Can You Rent Golf Clubs at a Driving Range?

Yes! Most golf driving ranges will offer a rental service. You're looking at between $5 and $10 for a few clubs, including a driver and a couple of irons. Quality can sometimes be patchy at driving ranges, so we recommend inspecting your rental clubs before using them. 

Can You Share Rented Golf Clubs?

While acceptable at a golf range, rules may vary on a course or tournament. Official rules state that clubs are the only equipment that golf players cannot share. However, in foursomes, each pair can share clubs as long as their total number of clubs does not exceed 14. 

Need Golf Supplies? Shop Stitch Golf Today!

Whether you're toting your brand-new set of clubs or looking to rent a few for your first round of golf, it's essential to look the part while out on the green. Stitch Golf has supplied excellent, high-quality golf apparel, bags, and other gear since 2012. We're proud to be the shop of choice for several players on the PGA Tour. 

Golf needn't be prohibitively expensive - it's for everyone! We provide premium gear and reasonable prices, so whatever you need to complete that next rewarding round of golf, head over to Stitch Golf now.