Back to the OP, I would keep playing as is and once you make Pro, drop $20 or do some surveys and pick up a driver and a putter. Play like that for a while and you should be able to answer the question yourself from there on in. I fully equipped myself with $$ when I made pro, except for a hybrid and and a wedge or 2, used starter balls, entered tourneys, match play challenges and ready-go's. Then I dropped a little more during a bad stretch, then dropped slightly more when I made master for the master g10 and irons (to which I threw out day 2). But my earnings now funded the master irons (gave them another chance), newer driver, another wedge and all the balls i need.
Thats me though, I thoroughly enjoy this game.