What about the course(s) intimidates you? If you play course play, your by yourself, no embarrassing moments,or rude comments.This game can be a money pit if you get intimidated by course or player. The club advancement starts after a series of levels is played. This helps you to learn control of your swing and the relation club to ball and the balls reaction to top spin, back spin or Ping Shots. Wind is a factor as well.
as you level up, the clubs you can purchase can get more powerful with angle and distance and therefore increase more control of your swing. Buying balls can slow down swing meter for control, but you must master the ping shot.
you can't rush the clubs or your control will falter. The game teaches you in steps control the higher up you level.
REMEMBER THIS ONE THING, it is not how far you drive the ball, it's the accuracy of where it ends up.
There are many players who rank very high with standard club set and ball.
you need to decide if you want to be top dog or if you just want to play golf.
use what you have. Look at club charts and learn the math, yes, this is a math game no doubt at all. Swing charts club charts putting formulas, they take some time to learn, but in practice mode they can help refinement tremendously.
for fun is best approach, once you start spending, it can be endless.
either way, it's golf, no rush. Work on swing and advance when your swing is ready.
my opinions only. Oh, there are folks who give you list of what clubs are best for each level. The real enemy is how you swing them. 🏌