I am a beginner also... just started a couple years ago.
I also got 3 of my sons started around the same time.
For what it is worth, this is a list of what I have purchased and the prices. You can get a bag of really nice clubs for REALLY cheap by purchasing older or used items. Personally, I think club-fitting is mostly for golfers who can repeat there swing consistently, which I still cannot do after two years. Standard loft and lie are fine for beginners in my opinion. Anyway... here is what I have...
Cleavland Mashie Irons
- Comes with 3,4,5 hybrids with graphite shafts, 6-PW with steel uniflex shafts.
When I am comfortable, relaxed and swinging well, these really feel great and are very forgiving.
Price: $150 NEW, free shiping from E-Bay.
Cleavland Mashie 3-Wood
- Like it because it "feels" like the hybrids in my iron set
Price: $40 NEW, free shipping from E-Bay
Powerbilt 52,56,60 Wedges
- I mostly use the 56 for getting out of the sand, but like the 52 as kind of a gap-wedge. Many times, I just leave the 52 and 60 in the garage to keep the bag lighter and less cluttered.
Price: $25 NEW, free shipping from E-Bay
Cobra Amp 10.5 degree Driver
- If I am giving any advice at all, I would say do NOT purchase a new driver. You will put some dings and possibly some small dents in your first driver. You won't cry over it if you get a used driver at a good price. This driver was over $200 when it first came out.
Price: $40 used, $6.00 shipping from E-Bay
Ogio Cart Bag
- This is a beautiful bag. It was brand new but had been sitting in someone's garage. I have since switched to a Cleveland stand bag that I got for free by booking tee times through GolwNow.
Price: $60 used, $12.00 shipping from E-Bay
I have a nice putter that a friend gave me, but you can pick up a nice putter cheap on E-Bay as well.
I also highly recommend buying recycled balls from E-Bay. I get 100 AAAA quality Slazengers for around $40 with free shipping.
As you can see, I got completely outfitted (clubs and bag) for
under $350
with good, brand-name gear.
Another note from a beginner just for thought. Summer of 2014, after having only golfed for a year, I went back to Michigan on vacation (I live in Florida, grew up in Michigan). I shipped my clubs and decided to take only the bare-minimum so the bag would be light. I played golf the entire vacation with Driver, 3-Wood, 5 hybrid, 7,8,9,PW, 56 wedge, Putter (9 clubs). I shot an 86 on a course I had never played before (from the mid-tees, about 6,200 total yards). I found that simplifying my bag helped me make good club selections and I had confidence with the few clubs in the bag.
Hope this helped and enjoy the journey!