I don't have the experience of a lot of the players posting advice, but my experience may be more recent. I started playing in June.
I played the Starter irons until I hit L59 and got the L59 Pings. I'm not sure I'd do that if I started over. Those L15 Ben Hogans appeal to me. I like the numbers, especially the meter number, and I like the L85 Callaways I have now much better than the L59 Pings, so I'd probably play the L15 Hogans, accumulating credits, until I reached L85. Levels came relatively quickly for me until I hit the 80's.
I dumped the Hybrid early and went with 3 wedges. The L8 64° Cleveland's 3.0 meter was too quick for me but having it was still better than not having it. Replaced it with a MAX Meter when I hit L91. I'm still using 60° and 56° Callaway Jaws wedges with 4.0 meters, probably will replace those with the higher meter Callaway Jaws when I reach those levels. I'd stick with my wedges strategy if I started over.
I used the Starter Driver and 3 Wood until I reached L48. Buying the L48 Mizuno 3 Wood helped my game considerably. I used it off the tee, and it was extremely useful on second shots. Punch shots from the rough (and fairway) made it even more versatile. It was fairly expensive for a 3 Wood but cheaper than Drivers. I used it off the tee until I got my L74 TaylorMade Driver. I'd probably wait for the L51 Callaway 3 Wood if I were starting over. That one has less Forgiveness but a slower meter, and it's cheaper than the Mizuno. I did fine with Mizuno's 4.0 meter, but i'm headed toward having all my clubs with 4.4 or 4.5 meters and replaced it when I hit L86.
Leveling up slowed to a crawl when I hit around level 90, so there's plenty of time to accumulate credits for the higher level clubs.
Putters aren't nearly as important, IMO, but the L55 SeeMore is a good buy if you putt off-ding and the L59 Odyssey is a good buy if you putt on-ding. I've blown a lot of credits on putters. They make some difference, but I think getting used to whatever putter you have makes more difference. I didn't start putting off-ding until somewhere around level 91, I think. I don't know how far that will get me, but I'm liking it so far. I've settled on the L86 SeeMore. ...and I have the L70 Scotty Cameron...and the L55 SeeMore...and the L59 Odyssey. Yeah, I've blown a lot of credits on putters. Starting over, I'd putt off-ding from the beginning and probably get that L55 SeeMore when I hit L55.
Just recently started using balls other than the starters.