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I just started playing golf about three months ago and love it. Bought my first set of clubs the other day and can't wait to get them out to the range.

My question is about the "other" stuff that goes along with golf.
For instance, I notice that pro Golfers wear one glove. Why not two? And what hand do the wear it on? There off hand or strong hand?

And what about golf shoes. Are they really neccessary of just something to make you buy more stuff.

I also notice that most people dont have all the clubs and irons and so forth of the same brand. Why is this?

Any help on these topics would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Before I answer your questions, I have one for you. If you just bought a set of clubs, what were you using for the first 3 months. Now to answer yours...

1. Not just Pro's, but almost ALL golfers wear a glove to help grip the club. If you are right handed wear it on your left, if left handed wear it on your right.

2. Golf shoes are a must. Balance is extremely important and golf shoes keep you grounded and balanced.

3. Most people put their set together based on what suits them. When I was looking for a driver I went to a golf pro and told him to find a driver that suited my swing. He set me up with a Cobra X-Speed 9.5* Stiff, but when I needed new irons I didn't just go out and buy a set of Cobras. I tested several sets and decided on the TaylorMade RAC OS2's. My point is that as you tune your game you will learn what clubs suit your style of play best.

I was using my neighbor's Wilson Tour classics......dont laugh. I know those are probably about the worse clubs out there but they were free so hey. Plus I didn't want to get new ones until I knew that I was going to play this for the long haul. Now I know.

However, one question you did not answer is why only wear the glove on the one hand? Why not both hands?

If you are right handed, the left hand actually grips the clip. Your 2nd through 4th fingers of the right hand touch the club but the gloves are to help for controlling the club.

A variety of golf clubs depends upon what suits the person, and what is 'economical' for some or 'suitable for the game' for others. Whatever tools that work is what you should use. I saw one guy with Mizuno MX900 7-PW, Cleveland halo hybrids from 3-6, Callaway driver and a Scotty Cameron 1962 (why he spent nearly $1200 for a set of irons of which he only plays 4 is beyond me).

Shoes are helpful for traction and balance - when playing in sand, especially. It is also helpful when playing in the morning when the dew covered course would otherwise soak your feet. I recommend shoes with a waterproof warranty of at least 1 year. Lower end shoes are not waterproof.

You should also have a divot repair tool. Nothing is more irritating than trying to putt when you see a ball mark on the green in your line.

There are rakes next to the sand traps for a reason. When you're done hitting, you need to rake up your tracks.

Gotta be able to hit greens before you need the divot repair tool.

You should buy an into to golf book...all of the basics are covered and will familarize you with some of the things that more experienced golfers take for granted...

I needed a glove much sooner than 3 months, which is actually longer than I've been playing. The glove allows me to have a better grip and I don't get calluses on my left hand.

not true. you should fix ball marks whenever you find them. rule of thumb is to fix yours and one other on each green. makes better playing conditions for everyone

By the way, welcome to the game.

To answer your question though, Shoes are not required. Just about everyone finds them helpful for stability and balance, and indeed they are, but they are not required. I haven't seen any courses turn people away for not having golf shoes. If you're into the game for the long haul, you should at least check it out.

A glove is not required either. Once again, most golfers find it helps them to grip their club and keep their hands blister free, but you won't get turned away at the door for not having one. If I'm not mistaken, Freddie Couples doesn't use a glove.

While shoes are not an absolute requirement, virtually all golfers wear spikes and you'll want them eventually. A glove is strictly personal preference, most pros wear one for the reasons mentioned above, but some don't. I never have.

Welcome to the game. You'll never find anything as addicting and aggravating at the same time in all your life. I started two years ago..

I didn't get golf shoes at first either. Then one morning I was walking up an incline on wet, dewy grass to go after my ball, lost traction, and fell down muddying up my pants. Went and got some shoes next day. You'll want them for on the course.

What I have always been told is that if you are getting a blister on your 'trailing' hand (for me my left since I am a lefty), you are holding the club too tight - so if you have a good grip, all you need is the one glove anyway. Take that for what its worth though, Tiger has a bandage on one of the fingers of his trailing hand when he plays because he gets a blister there, and from what I hear he has this golf thing down pretty good.

First thing, when you DO buy your equpiment, don't buy it at the golf course or Wal-Mart. Try to find a golf shop (Roger Dunn, Nevada Bob's, etc) and buy most of your balls, gloves, hats, shoes, clothes, bags there. Sometimes the courses have good sales but their big market is the impulse buy of the casual golfer who doesn't have a glove and will spend a few extra bucks instead of leaving the course to find another retailer. For your equipment, though, E-Bay is a great tool until you get more serious. At that point, your local pro becomes your resource since he will also be doing your club repair, fitting, and demo days. Here's a sample of what's in my bag (I play professionally on a mini tour) at any given time:
1 sleeve of new balls and 4 or 5 old but playable ones
50 tees, give or take
10 divot tools (NOT PLASTIC!! very slim metal pieces that are free at nicer courses)
few dollars in change (ball markers)
6 gloves (they last longer if you buy several and rotate)
too many old scorecards
towel (plain white and cheap, with 50 more at home)
box of granola bars (nothing that will melt)
metronome
level (very small and cheap, good if you can't figure out break while practicing)
sweet spot clips & two sided tape
small notepad (notes, names and numbers, sudden swing breakthrough ideas)
bandaids
umbrella
pencils
Sharpie (this is important!)
Sky Caddy
Tylenol

I also keep a box in my car that I use to trade things out I won't need (i.e. umbrella) and that currently has:
Rain Gear (top and pants)
lots of playable balls
500 plus tees/ball markers/divot tools
sunscreen
3 pack of socks
shoes w/ cedar tree
old yardage books
towel
hats
thermal undershirt
spike changing tool (no extra spikes tho, oops)
flask (vodka in it)
practice tools (pvc pipe, chalk line, etc.

The box isn't that big and all that stuff in bag is light. It has mostly been accumulated over time and gets updated after everything Pro-Am or charity event where there's a goody bag of stuff. Hope this helps.