Do Golf Courses Rent Clubs? (or Sell Only)

You’re on a trip with friends, and they all want to go golfing. The problem is, you’re the only friend standing there without your own set of golf clubs. What do you do now? Do golf courses rent clubs, or are you all out of luck?

Do golf courses rent clubs? Plenty, but not all, golf courses offer clubs for rent. It is important to call beforehand to see whether or not the golf course has rentable clubs. Also, consider that most courses offer rentals on a “first come, first serve” basis, and there is a limited supply, so get there early before all of the rentals are taken.

If you want to enjoy a game of golf but don’t want to invest in your own set of golf clubs, you’re likely wondering whether or not you can rent them instead. The good news is, most of the time, you can rest them at the golf course.

This article shares whether or not you can rent golf clubs and other handy tips about rental golf clubs, including how to find the best golf club for your skill level and preferences.

Do Golf Courses Rent Clubs to Non-Members?

Golf clubs aren’t exactly cheap, especially if you’re buying high-quality items. That said, it’s not unheard of for people wanting to rent golf clubs rather than buy. For those who don’t want to buy, you’re in luck.

Most golf courses offer rental clubs.

The keyword here is most. Not every golf course is going to have this feature. That’s why it is imperative to call ahead of time to see whether or not the golf course offers rental clubs.

The other issue is availability. Sure, the golf course offers golf clubs for rent. But will they have them when you need them? The first thing to do is check and see if reservations are available for the rental. If it is on a first come, first serve basis, then you will need to get there early before the “rush” to score your set of rentals.

Are Rental Golf Clubs Any Good?

Just because the golf course offers clubs for rent doesn’t mean they’re going to be great. You can run into three potential types of golf clubs:

• State-of-the-art clubs with brand new technology
• Decent quality clubs that most people own
• Very old, mismatched clubs that are anything but good quality

What you get depends on the golf course. Some places will pride themselves on offering the latest and greatest clubs, which may be better than the clubs your friends are using. Other spots decide not to invest in their rentals, which leaves you with an ugly, old, and mismatched set that doesn’t do much for you on the green. 

Another problem with rental golf clubs is that they are not designed for you, so your gameplay might suffer. The whole point of purchasing a set of clubs is that they are designed for your height and your swing speed. So, using rentals does not offer the same customization as purchasing.

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

The amount will vary depending on the golf course. However, the “typical” amount is around $50.

Golf courses that offer higher-end equipment can easily set their prices upwards of $100 if they wish. Again, it is best to call and ask the golf course beforehand so you know what to expect price-wise.

Golf Club Rental FAQs

Can you borrow a club in golf?

When you’re in the middle of playing golf, the only acceptable time to borrow a club is during match play. If you’re playing in the future, you can always ask a friend or family member to borrow their clubs as long as they will not be joining in on the game.

How much does a set of golf clubs cost?

The final cost depends greatly on the quality of the clubs you’re buying. For the highest quality golf clubs, one can easily spend close to $1,000. For beginners and intermediate players, though, the typical price of a set of golf clubs is around $300.

Can you borrow clubs at range?

Most of the time, you can borrow clubs at a range. Sometimes the rentals are even offered for free if you purchase their balls to shoot with. Otherwise, there will be a small fee for renting at the range. So, in this case, technically, you’re not “borrowing”, you’re renting.

What is the 14 club rule in golf?

The rule is exactly how it sounds: you are only allowed to bring up to 14 golf clubs in your golf bag during a game of golf.

Can you ask a golfer what club they used?

While it might seem like an innocent question, asking a golfer which club they used violates the rules, which comes with dreadful penalties: two strokes during stroke play or losing a hole during match play.

Can 2 people share golf clubs?

Technically, yes. But most people would advise against it as you will be more likely to end up with penalties. Rent golf clubs from the golf course or buy a used or cheap pair before golfing. 

Conclusion: Do Golf Courses Rent Clubs Out?

Almost all golf courses will offer golf club rentals for around $50 to $100, depending on the quality of the clubs.

Speaking of quality, the golf clubs can be anywhere from old and tattered to high-end clubs. Call and ask the golf course beforehand if they offer rental clubs and whether or not you need to make a reservation.