Spend Only What the First Few Sessions Need
Trying a new sport over the summer is a good way to find out what you actually enjoy, but it is easy to overspend on kit you use only twice. Football, golf, surf, skate and obstacle courses all have very different starter needs. Some require little beyond suitable clothing and footwear, while others need specialist equipment that is worth testing before you commit.
Start by asking what your first few sessions will involve. Are you joining a club, booking a lesson or practising alone? Check whether a club, hire scheme or taster session can supply the bulky items. Then focus on safety and fit, because a helmet, correct footwear and a sensible layer usually matter more than premium equipment. Keep a short list and buy in stages rather than all at once.
How to Choose Without Overbuying
Begin with three criteria: what the sport requires for safety, what the first month will actually involve, and whether you can borrow or hire the expensive items. Safety-related kit such as a skate helmet, a suitable wetsuit for cold British water or supportive footwear for running between obstacles should come first. Items that only improve performance, such as upgraded clubs or a high-end board, can wait until you know you will keep going.
Every buy involves a trade-off between cost, comfort and longevity. A cheap pair of football boots may suit a casual game but wear out quickly if you train twice a week. A used or entry-level golf set can be perfectly adequate for lessons, though poorly fitted clubs can make early progress frustrating. For surf and skate, a larger, more stable board is usually easier to learn on than a specialist model, even though it looks less exciting.
Buy for your first month, not your first season: safety and fit come first, and upgrades can wait until you know the sport suits you.
From the editors
The most common mistake is buying a complete outfit before the first session. Many people buy everything in one go, then discover the sport does not suit them or that the wrong size was chosen. Another frequent error is ignoring fit and sizing: boots, wetsuits and helmets should be tried on or measured carefully. Finally, do not forget the small extras, such as spare balls, a water bottle or a bag, which add up quickly if you buy them impulsively.
What to Pick Up First
For each item we name a store where you can start comparing.
Football boots for your playing surface
Choose boots that match the ground you will play on most, as moulded studs suit grass and firm pitches while lighter trainers suit casual five-a-side. Starting with a mid-range pair is usually enough until you know you will keep playing.
Search termsfootball boots · firm ground · moulded studs · five-a-side trainers
Our recommendationlovellsoccer.co.ukFootball essentialsA simple golf starter set
A basic set of clubs with a few balls and a bag is enough for lessons and short practice sessions on a driving range. Look for clubs fitted to your height and avoid buying a full set before you have had a few lessons.
Search termsbeginner golf clubs · golf starter set · golf balls · golf bag
Our recommendationmajorgolfdirect.comWidest golf rangeGolf practice accessories
Practice aids such as a training mat, a few spare balls and a basic glove help you work on technique between lessons. These are inexpensive compared with clubs and can be bought once you know you enjoy the game.
Search termsgolf practice mat · golf glove · practice balls · golf training aid
Our recommendationuksportimports.comGolf practice extrasA foam surfboard or lesson-sized board
Many surf schools lend boards for the first few sessions, so buy only if you are sure you will keep going. A softer, larger board is easier to balance on than a shortboard and is a sensible first purchase for most beginners.
Search termsfoam surfboard · beginner surfboard · surf wetsuit · surf lesson
Our recommendationyakwax.comSurf and skate kitA complete skateboard
A ready-built complete board avoids the guesswork of choosing trucks and wheels separately. Pair it with a helmet and wrist guards, which matter more than any upgrade to the board itself in the early weeks.
Search termscomplete skateboard · skate helmet · wrist guards · skate shoes
Our recommendationyakwax.comSurf and skate kitAn obstacle-course event entry
Booking a single team event gives you a clear target and a sense of what the day involves before you invest in training kit. Check the event details and what you will need to wear and bring on the day before you enter.
Search termsobstacle course entry · mud run ticket · team challenge · beginner event
Our recommendationtoughmudder.co.ukBest for team challenges
Where to Begin Shopping
Begin with the one item you cannot do without, which is usually safety gear or the right footwear. If you are trying football, check lovellsoccer.co.uk for boots and basic training kit suited to your playing surface. For golf, majorgolfdirect.com offers a wide range of clubs, balls and bags, so you can compare beginner sets side by side before choosing. If you are considering surf or skate, yakwax.com stocks boards, wetsuits and skate shoes in one place, which makes it easier to compare what you actually need.
Once you have the essentials, add the optional extras only after your first few sessions. Keep a short written list, note your budget, and set a date to review it after a month. If you have entered an obstacle-course event through toughmudder.co.uk, focus your shopping on the clothing and footwear the event recommends rather than specialist gear.
Before you order
- Check whether a club, lesson or hire scheme can provide the bulky items.
- Confirm the safety gear the sport requires before you buy anything else.
- Measure your feet, height or head size and check the store size guide.
- Write a short list of essentials and a separate list of optional extras.
- Set a budget and decide in advance what you will buy after your first month.
- Check any event entry details for what to wear and bring on the day.
The stores at a glance
toughmudder.co.uk
Best for team challengesToughmudder.co.uk lets you enter team obstacle-course and mud-run events, which suits a first attempt at a challenge where you need a date and a team rather than heavy kit.
Recommended for An obstacle-course event entry
lovellsoccer.co.uk
Football essentialsLovellsoccer.co.uk covers football clothing, boots and basic equipment, so you can pick up the core items for a first kickabout or training session.
Recommended for Football boots for your playing surface
majorgolfdirect.com
Widest golf rangeMajorgolfdirect.com stocks clubs, balls, bags and clothing, which helps you compare beginner golf sets and accessories in one place.
Recommended for A simple golf starter set
uksportimports.com
Golf practice extrasUksportimports.com sells golf equipment alongside other gear, which can be useful for practice aids while you decide whether golf suits you.
Recommended for Golf practice accessories
yakwax.com
Surf and skate kitYakwax.com carries surfboards, skateboards, wetsuits and skate shoes, so you can source the board sports you are considering from one retailer.
Recommended for A foam surfboard or lesson-sized board and A complete skateboard
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we make money
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy everything before my first session?
No. Most beginners can start with suitable clothing, footwear and any safety items the sport requires. Borrowing or hiring larger equipment for the first few sessions lets you learn what you actually need.
What is the most important purchase for a new sport?
Usually it is safety gear or footwear that fits well. A helmet for skating or a properly fitting boot for football and running will matter more than premium equipment in the early stages.
Is it worth buying a wetsuit for surfing in the UK?
For most British waters a wetsuit is worth considering, as the sea is cold for much of the year. Check the thickness suited to the season and try it on for fit before buying.
Should I buy a full golf set as a beginner?
A basic set is enough to start with lessons and practice. Consider buying clubs fitted to your height only once you have had some instruction and know which style suits you.
TransparencySome links to stores may be partner links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission – the price stays the same for you. We choose the stores independently. How we make money
