Like you No'l, I didn't start playing until I was in my thirties. Not knowing anything, my first set of clubs was a set of "King Snakes" (Cobra rip offs) recommended by a guy at work. I think I paid $300 for the full set. After playing for a while my first "real" club was a Cobra driver. A few years and a divorce later came my cally X2 Hot irons and hybrids. Long story short, after a couple different sets, I was watching a Mark Crossfield video on YouTube and he was saying how good Titleist clubs were. Since then it's been all Titleist. Well mostly, finally got a Scotty two years ago. I have a limited golf budget so my clubs are mostly left overs or used. I am determined though that 2022 is the year that I will get fitted and get a full set of clubs minus putter (I love my Newport 2).

Start with a Titleist fitting! Hit shots and gather data, see where the yardage gaps are to build around and adjust what equipment you're choosing from there. I think finding a solid numbers like say a club that flies 80, then a club that flies maybe 95, then maybe 110... until you get to a comfortable yardage.

When I first started in 1985 I went to the local Edwin Watts and bought a complete set, all in. Had heard so much about Wilson Staff FG17 irons, just had to have them. The manager tried to talk me out of getting them, but my A personality kicked in and I was head strong. Boy was he right, those irons were for advanced players. Believe I got the Wilson Staff driver, three and four woods. Not knowing what to do and fittings were not the in thing back then off I went into the sunset. I headed to the course, head held high with no idea of what was ahead for me with absolutely no lessons. A total disaster. Banging balls on the range with no expectations did not help either. My buddies helped me accomplish nothing. Eventually went to see a pro.

In today's market, I would recommend any beginner once they have seen a pro thru some clinics to ensure they want to make the necessary investments in the game of golf, then go to a fitter of their choice. Only if they are a certified fitter. To be openminded and to listen to the fitter. There are some fitters, such as mine that do fittings for many brands. Hopefully they would consider Titleist, but I would want a beginner to get the right club set up that makes the game fun and a learning experience. Understand that a new set of clubs takes a while to get used to. Go back to the pro for another lesson with the new clubs. Putting together a set of clubs with a mixture of brands is not really a good way to learn. Get expert advice instead of from non professionals.

My first set was a mash up of different manufacturers and models...not one club in my bag matched another. All the clubs except the putter was purchased at a golf shop in downtown San Francisco and they were running a special of mismatched clubs that when put together make a set.

I had no sense that I would continue golfing and for me at the time, I had more fun going to the driving range because I thought it was cool to hit off a double decker driving range...at one time there was a driving range near downtown San Francisco called Mission Bay. The range we demolished when the area was redeveloped and now is home to Oracle Park (home of the SF Giants). I stuck with the mismatched set for about a year before I purchased my first true matching set...Titleist DTR! And, as they say, the rest is history.

To me. I find the most important is the iron set. I use Titlest blades 2-pw stiff shafts). As for wedges, a 52 and 56 Vokey are in the bag.

Book yourself into a Titleist fitting centre.
Find out what works for you and your swing.
Then if funds are available buy everything you need ️‍♂️

If not, just take your time and build your bag up club by club.
There is no right or wrong way to go about it.
Keep enjoying golf and play well that’s the most important part. ️‍♂️

When I was 13 I was caddying at a local club. A retired club pro that lived down the street caught wind of this and put together a set for me from the dozens of sets in his garage. An Abercrombie and Finch (A long since gone Department Store) 3-5-7-9 irons, 3&5 wood and a putter. Played with those bad boys until I was discharged from the service. Back then, irons and woods were sold in sets of 8 & 3. Today, it's a whole different ballgame. Individual clubs, technology, fitting, Trackman, professional instruction available to anyone. You can't go wrong today as long as you purchase correctly.

Frank

Good memories of our "first set" of clubs. I didn't care which brand they were or even if they matched.
3,5,7,9 and 2 old persimmon woods and I was a happy kid. Getting off the city streets and seeing all those trees and grass.......... I was hooked for life.

Deno

Hi:
I agree with several others here, nothing like a fitting to figure out which clubs work best with your swing and what you want to achieve, be it more distance, tighter dispersion, etc.