If you’re just getting into golf, you might be wondering if it’s possible to rent golf clubs. Given the cost of buying golf equipment, it’s a lot of money to invest in a new hobby if you’re not sure how things will work out!
Therefore, this article explains everything you need to know about renting golf clubs. We discuss where to rent golf clubs, how much they cost and compare renting to buying equipment.
So, let’s begin by looking at where you can rent golf clubs from and why it’s a smart move for some golfers.
Is it Possible to Rent Golf Clubs?
You can rent golf clubs from most golf courses and driving ranges, meaning you don’t have to buy your own set of clubs if you don’t want to. However, given the price of hiring golf clubs, it’s better to buy your own clubs if you end up playing regularly.
Before arriving at the course on the day of your game, it’s a good idea to call ahead to reserve a rental set of clubs. This is because some courses only have a few sets available for hire, and some might not even offer any at all.
If you don’t own golf clubs, another option is to borrow a set from a friend or family member instead of renting them from a golf course. Still, it’s entirely up to you, and renting golf clubs is certainly an option if you’re an infrequent player.
Read on to find out more about the process of renting golf clubs, as well as some of the things you need to think about before committing to a rental.
Renting Clubs vs. Buying
There are advantages and disadvantages to renting and buying clubs, and the option that you take depends on your personal circumstances. Here’s a list of things to consider:
Pros of renting
- Ideal for beginner golfers to test out golf before committing to the game.
- A great option for infrequent players (1-2 games per year).
- Excellent option when you’re traveling or on the road for work.
Cons of renting
- It can get expensive quickly – it typically costs upwards of $30 to rent clubs for one round.
- Lots of golf courses rent out poor-quality golf clubs that aren’t well maintained.
- When you rent golf clubs, it’s difficult to get a feel for the clubs before starting your round.
Pros of buying
- You can pick the best clubs suited to your game.
- There’s no need to worry about expensive rental fees.
- You can personalize your clubs in any way that you choose.
Cons of buying
- If you only play once in a while, buying golf clubs outright is expensive.
- It’s expensive to transport your own clubs, particularly when playing golf out of state.
- You need to find somewhere to store them, either at home or at the golf course.
It’s up to you whether you buy or rent golf clubs, and you can use the pros and cons above to help you come to your decision.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent Golf Clubs?
You can expect to pay anywhere between $30 and $100 per day/round to rent golf clubs. As you can see, things can get expensive quickly, particularly if you plan on renting golf clubs regularly.
But if you only play golf once or twice a year at different golf courses, then renting clubs is a decent option. Another thing to consider is the type of clubs that you’re hoping to rent.
High-end golf courses that offer excellent golf clubs are likely to charge much higher rental fees than local clubs that offer an old set of golf clubs for hire.
To avoid any surprises on the day of your game, we’d advise you to get in touch with the golf course ahead of time to request information about their rental fees. You can then decide for yourself if it’s worth it or not.
Renting Golf Clubs Whilst on Vacation?
You have several options when renting golf clubs on vacation. And given the cost of taking golf clubs on an airplane, renting clubs at the location is a good option.
The easiest way to rent golf clubs is to borrow them directly from the course that you’re playing at. You can do this by contacting the club in advance and reserving rental clubs alongside your tee time.
Alternatively, you can use a rental service like ClubHub to rent golf clubs. They have partnered with TaylorMade and offer you excellent rentals at a good price. They will also deliver the clubs to your chosen hotel or golf course on the day of your game.
This is a great option if you’re playing at different courses during your golf vacation, as you don’t need to borrow different clubs at each course.
Can You Rent Golf Clubs Direct at a Golf Course?
Yes, the vast majority of golf courses offer players the opportunity to rent clubs. They vary in terms of quality from course to course, and the golf clubs available for rent will depend on various factors.
For instance, high-end golf courses tend to provide top-quality golf clubs available for rent from brands like TaylorMade and PING. However, if you play at a local municipal course, the clubs available for rent could be a mismatch of clubs that the pro has put together!
As such, it makes sense to contact the golf course in advance to request information about their rental clubs before the day of your game.
If you’re not impressed with the rental options available at the golf course you’re playing at; you could always rent from a company like ClubHub. Either way, you can easily find golf clubs to rent for your upcoming trip if you don’t want to take yours with you.
Can You Rent Golf Clubs at Topgolf?
Yes, you can rent golf clubs at Topgolf. However, it’s probably more accurate to say that you can borrow clubs at Topgolf, as it doesn’t cost anything to rent them! When you arrive at Topgolf, the clubs will be in the bay, ready for you to use.
They have clubs for men, women, juniors, and even toddlers, so you can rock up to your event at Topgolf without your own clubs. That being said, you can take your own clubs if you prefer, and you can store them in the bay alongside the hire clubs.
The reason that Topgolf offers free club rentals is that they want to make the game as accessible as possible to all players. Their approach to golf is to ensure everyone has a fun and memorable experience, and they hope to attract as many people as possible.
Therefore, it makes complete sense for Topgolf to provide golf clubs free of charge to all players, and it’s something particularly impressive about their offer.
Can You Rent Golf Clubs at the Local Driving Range?
In most instances, you should be able to rent golf clubs at the driving range. But again, the quality is likely to vary from venue to venue, and you might find that you’re using pretty old clubs to tee it up.
But if you’re planning a trip to the driving range for the fun of it (as opposed to working on a specific aspect of your game), then there’s absolutely nothing wrong with using the clubs available at the venue.
Given that every driving range has its own terms and conditions, we’d recommend contacting the venue beforehand, so you can make sure they have clubs available for you to borrow or hire.
The last thing you want is to show up at the range with no clubs, only to be told that the range doesn’t have any clubs for you to use.
What About Buying Used Rental Golf Clubs?
If you can find a set of used rental clubs for sale online, the chances are that you will be able to buy them for a great price. You can look on sites like Rock Bottom Golf for used rentals, and they’re often super affordable.
Another option is to search eBay or Craigslist for listings of used rental clubs. But as is the case when you buy any used golf clubs, you need to consider the age and condition of the clubs before committing to a purchase.
But if you find some used rental clubs available for sale for a great price, the fact that they’re former rental clubs certainly shouldn’t put you off!
Conclusion
If you’re an infrequent golfer or if you regularly travel to play at different courses around the country, renting golf clubs is a good option for you.
However, if you play golf regularly, it’s better to buy a set of clubs outright, as the cost of rental fees gets expensive quickly.
Ultimately, whether you borrow them from the course you’re playing at or from a third-party rental agency, hiring golf clubs is a viable option that saves you from investing in a full set of clubs.