Even if you buy the most pristine golf equipment this side of Scotland and you plan to play on tournament-level golf courses, you will be wasting your time and money if you don't consider the other side of the equation: quality golf tutelage. For the beginner, I cannot emphasize quality golf lessons enough.
Public group lessons are fine and cheaper than private lessons. One on one or one on two private lessons with a local course pro is good if you don't want fifteen others to know your weaknesses and temper! A combination of public and private instruction is the most efficient way to go because you get to struggle with others (certainly as they struggle and mutter and complain). Likewise, with private instruction, you get a chance to focus in on your playing weaknesses and tendencies. Private and public lessons are a good balance for each other.
Taking quality instruction from a local course professional has great advantages: let's be brutally honest, if you are paying $50-125 per hour to learn how to play a little game, you will do what you can when you are not with him to fine tune your skill. A local pro can take you a longer distance than a friend or family member could ever take you (though you wouldn't turn down their assistance if they offered it).
Secondly, the pro is able to objectively critique your swing and mannerisms on the course, whereas a friend will not feel as free after the tenth or twentieth fault. Equally important, a pro will encourage you in your strengths, and getting encouragement from a professional goes a long way in your game confidence.
Thirdly, the pro you choose is an experienced professional. This is the profession he has chosen to excel in. He's good at the game and he teaches others for a living; that should say something. The local course pro has been good enough to be called a professional, so that person had to be good (if you don't think the value for your money's, select someone else).
There are many instructors who would be willing to teach beginning golfers the skill it takes to drive a ball 270 yards down the fairway or how to get the ball out of the rough. Not all pros are good teachers, though, and that's something you will need to consider too.
Lastly, a local professional will help you with your grip, stance, aim, control, game psychology, follow through, swing, strategy, and club selection. You will have a finer appreciation for the game after a few lessons. The pro instructor is well worth the added money you spend to learn the game.
In fact, you will need to budget a good instructor into the mix when learning the game. He or she is essentially is an extension of the golf equipment you have so carefully selected to purchase.
