The honest equipment guide
The Gear
What a junior actually needs in the bag, what's a sales pitch, and how to tell the difference before you spend $400 on a wedge.
A field guide
Eight things to know before you buy.
Junior golf equipment is a market with strong opinions and weak data. This is the version of the conversation we wish we'd had at year one.
01
Fitter vs. seller
How to spot an independent fitter vs. a shop with inventory to clear. What a real fitting looks like and the red flags to know.
02
"There's a gap in my bag"
What "a gap in the bag" actually means, whether it matters at their level, and the cheap fixes to try before a $400 purchase.
03
What a junior actually needs
The realistic 12- or 13-club tournament bag. What's necessary vs. nice to have — and why a tour-style 4-iron is wrong for most 14-year-olds.
04
When to upgrade
The real triggers for upgrading — and the bad reasons (new release, tournament loss, friend's new bag).
05
Club differences, explained
Irons vs. hybrids vs. utility irons in plain English. Why shaft choice matters more than the head for most juniors.
06
What to pack tournament day
The 36-hole summer bag. What seasoned parents stop bringing — and what they wish they'd had on day one.
07
Rangefinders
What's allowed, what isn't, and the difference between a $200 and $500 unit at this level.
08
Dress codes & apparel
What gets a kid turned away at the first tee. How to shop the off-season sales and skip the $90 polo.
09
The Clubs
What each club in the bag actually does, what a beginner needs to start, and when it's time to upgrade.