Where to spend and where to save money on your kit

Golf gear is getting more expensive, so choices have to be made over the priorities. Here's our top buying advice for each area of the bag and beyond

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• Balls

Premium balls, many of which now exceed £50 a dozen, are incredibly consistent. However, there are some excellent mid-priced alternatives that really don't compromise much in terms of performance, like the Titleist Tour Soft, Srixon Q-Star Tour and TaylorMade Tour Response. Over the course of a year, that £10-£20 saving on the cost of a dozen balls can really mount up.

One key consideration is your skill level. Mid-priced balls may spin a touch less around the greens, but is that really going to affect your scores? You might also want to consider playing with a slightly cheaper model over the winter months, or in friendly matches when you're not as focused on your scoring so may be more likely to lose a few balls.

• Drivers

The performance gap between budget drivers and the top models has narrowed. When you buy the latest driver, you're getting the very best components, all the way from the head to the grip. But there are some bargains to be had, especially in the second-hand market. Retailers like golfclubs4cash stock a huge range of drivers at various prices, so you'll find one that suits your budget.

It’s also worth paying that little bit extra for a custom fitting, too, so it can be tweaked to match the playing characteristics of your game. After all, this is a club you rely on to get you in play off the tee. Unless you're on a strict budget, we generally wouldn't recommend skimping here.

• Putters