Sets for Vets: Free Golf Clubs for Veterans Explained

Sets for Vets: Free Golf Clubs, PGA HOPE, and Veterans Golf Programs Explained

Featured Answer: “Sets for Vets” most commonly refers to Sets Fore Vets, a PGA REACH initiative that provides new or gently used golf clubs and bags to U.S. veterans and active-duty service members. The New England PGA section accepts applications in three annual waves; veterans in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and eastern Massachusetts can apply. A separate program, Vets2Set, helps veterans enter media production careers.

Quick Facts

What Is “Sets for Vets”?

“Sets for Vets” is not a VA program, a government benefit, or a single national organization. The phrase most commonly refers to Sets Fore Vets, a charitable initiative operated by PGA REACH section foundations—primarily the New England PGA Foundation and the Carolinas PGA—that collects and distributes new or gently used golf clubs and bags to military veterans and active-duty service members.

Why the name matters: Veterans searching for “sets for vets” may be looking for free golf equipment, a VA adaptive sports program, or a veteran employment nonprofit. The correct pathway depends on which “sets” program is being referenced. This guide separates the major interpretations so veterans can identify the right resource and avoid submitting an application to the wrong organization.

What veterans should do next: If you want free golf clubs and live in New England or the Carolinas, contact the relevant PGA Section Foundation. If you live elsewhere, ask your local PGA Section whether it operates a similar equipment program, or enroll in PGA HOPE, which provides free golf instruction and often connects graduates to equipment resources.

Sets Fore Vets: The PGA REACH Golf Equipment Program

Sets Fore Vets is a PGA REACH initiative that provides new or gently used golf clubs and bags to veterans who are learning the game or continuing their golf journey. The program has operated in New England for over 12 years and is also active in the Carolinas PGA section. It is designed to remove cost as a barrier to golf participation for the military community.

What the Program Provides

The program distributes bundled golf equipment whenever possible. The New England PGA Foundation states that bundled equipment is strongly preferred and includes:

• A full or complete collection of 14 clubs with a golf bag

• Individual golf bag

• Set of fairway woods

• Set of irons

• Set of wedges

• Individual driver

• Individual putter

Equipment must be new or gently used and have recently hit the marketplace—generally within the last five years. The program does not accommodate requests for specific equipment specifications such as grip, shaft, length, or lie angle.

Why It Matters

Golf can be expensive to start. A full set of clubs, bag, and basic equipment can cost several hundred to over a thousand dollars. For veterans transitioning to civilian life, recovering from injury, or seeking social connection through sport, that cost can be a real barrier. Sets Fore Vets removes that barrier by putting donated equipment directly into veterans’ hands.

The program is also closely tied to PGA HOPE, the flagship military program of PGA REACH. PGA HOPE provides free golf instruction to veterans and active-duty service members, and many Sets Fore Vets recipients are PGA HOPE participants or graduates. In the Carolinas, the program explicitly supports veterans “learning the game or continuing their golf journey through PGA HOPE.”

Eligibility for Sets Fore Vets

Eligibility for Sets Fore Vets depends on the PGA Section operating the program. The New England PGA Foundation limits applications to active-duty service members and veterans who reside within the New England PGA boundaries. The Carolinas PGA serves veterans in the Carolinas.

New England PGA Eligibility

The New England PGA section encompasses five states and one partial state:

• Maine

• Vermont

• New Hampshire

• Rhode Island

• Eastern half of Massachusetts (east of Sturbridge)

Applicants must be a United States Active Duty Military member or Veteran residing within those boundaries. The program does not send sets of clubs overseas. Once selected, a veteran is not eligible to receive a second set through the program.

Carolinas PGA Eligibility

The Carolinas PGA operates Sets Fore Vets for veterans in the Carolinas. The program page describes the benefit as providing gently used golf clubs and bags to veterans learning the game or continuing their golf journey through PGA HOPE. Veterans in the Carolinas should contact the Carolinas PGA REACH program staff for current application details and eligibility confirmation.

Who Does Not Qualify for Sets Fore Vets

• Veterans residing outside the New England PGA or Carolinas PGA boundaries.

• Veterans requesting equipment shipments overseas.

• Veterans who have already received a set through the program.

• Veterans seeking customized specifications (grip, shaft, length, lie angle).

What veterans should do next: Confirm your state of residence against the PGA Section boundary map before applying. If you live outside the New England or Carolinas sections, contact your local PGA Section Foundation and ask whether it operates a golf equipment program for veterans.

How to Apply for Sets Fore Vets (New England PGA)

Applications for the New England PGA Sets Fore Vets program are accepted in three annual waves. Inquiries are only accepted during an open wave, and winners are selected approximately one month after each application period closes. All applicants are notified by email.

2025–2026 Application Waves

Step-by-Step Application

1. Confirm your eligibility. Verify that you are an active-duty service member or veteran residing in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or eastern Massachusetts (east of Sturbridge).

2. Wait for an open application wave. Applications submitted outside the open periods are not accepted.

3. Complete the online application. The form asks whether you currently have a set of golf clubs, whether you are a right-handed or left-handed golfer, and where you are in your golfing journey.

4. Submit before the wave closes. Late submissions are not considered.

5. Wait for notification. Winners are selected approximately one month after the application period closes. All applicants are notified by email.

6. Receive your clubs. Selected veterans receive a set of clubs; equipment specifications cannot be requested.

Application Tips

• Apply in the wave that gives you the best timing. If you are starting a PGA HOPE session, applying in the wave that aligns with your program dates may improve your chances of receiving equipment while you are actively learning.

• Do not submit multiple applications in the same wave. One application per veteran per wave is sufficient; duplicate applications do not improve selection odds.

• Check your email after the wave closes. Notification comes by email, so ensure your contact information is accurate and your inbox is not filtering messages from PGA Section staff.

Donating Golf Clubs to Sets Fore Vets

Sets Fore Vets depends on donations of new or gently used golf equipment from individuals, golf courses, and PGA Professionals. Donations may be eligible for a tax deduction because PGA REACH section foundations are 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.

What to Donate

The program accepts:

• New or gently used golf equipment or golf bags that have recently hit the marketplace—generally within the last five years.

• Bundled equipment is strongly preferred: a full set of 14 clubs with a bag, or component sets such as fairway woods, irons, wedges, a driver, and a putter.

• Individual golf bags are accepted.

What Not to Donate

• Equipment older than roughly five years may not be accepted because the program prioritizes modern, game-ready equipment that benefits veterans.

• Damaged or incomplete equipment that cannot be used on the course.

• Equipment that requires customization the program cannot provide.

How to Donate (New England PGA)

Contact Chad Eades, Foundation Program Manager, at ceades@pgahq.com to arrange a donation. The New England PGA provides a tax receipt for donated goods. Donations may also be collected at PGA Section events and chapter meetings.

How to Donate (Carolinas PGA)

Contact Dan O’Boyle, PGA, at (252) 261-2158 or danoboylepga@gmail.com, or Mia Hayasaki, PGA REACH Program Manager, at mhayasaki@pgahq.com or (336) 398-2673. PGA REACH Carolinas is a 501(c)(3) charity, and all donations are tax deductible.

Why donations matter: The program’s supply of clubs depends entirely on donations. Veterans who receive clubs are benefiting from equipment that other golfers no longer use. Donating a gently used set is a direct way to support a veteran’s entry into the game.

PGA HOPE: The Free Golf Instruction Program Behind Sets Fore Vets

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH and the PGA of America. It introduces golf to veterans and active-duty service members as a form of therapy and community, and it is the program through which many Sets Fore Vets recipients are learning or continuing the game.

What PGA HOPE Is

PGA HOPE is a free, 6–8 week golf instruction program led by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. The program is designed to enhance veterans’ physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being through golf. It has a Memorandum of Understanding with the VA, allowing VA Recreational Therapists to prescribe PGA HOPE as part of a veteran’s care plan.

PGA HOPE Eligibility

PGA HOPE is open to all veterans and active-duty military service members, regardless of background or ability. There is no VA disability rating requirement, no requirement to have deployed or seen combat, and no prior golf experience requirement. No golf equipment is required to participate—the program provides what is needed.

Cost

PGA HOPE programming is fully funded by PGA REACH and PGA Section Foundations, so the cost is free to all participating veterans, reservists, National Guard members, and active-duty personnel.

Connection to Sets Fore Vets

In New England, receiving new equipment through Sets Fore Vets requires participation in and graduation from one of the 13 PGA HOPE locations across New England. In the Carolinas, Sets Fore Vets supports veterans learning the game or continuing their journey through PGA HOPE. This means PGA HOPE is often the first step: a veteran enrolls in free instruction, learns the game, and then becomes eligible for equipment support.

What veterans should do next: Find a PGA HOPE location near you through the PGA REACH website or your local PGA Section. Complete the 6–8 week program, then ask your PGA Professional or Section Foundation about Sets Fore Vets and other equipment resources.

VA Adaptive Golf and the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic

The VA does not operate Sets Fore Vets, but it does support adaptive golf through clinical rehabilitation programs and partnerships. The most prominent is the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic, a weeklong adaptive golf program presented by VA and DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic

The clinic is held each September in Riverside, Iowa, and helps hundreds of disabled veterans incorporate adaptive sports into their lives. It provides adaptive golf carts, adaptations to golf clubs, and specialized high-visibility golf balls for veterans with visual impairments and other qualifying disabilities. The program is described as a rehabilitative golf program for veterans with varying disabilities.

How VA Adaptive Golf Fits with Sets Fore Vets

VA adaptive golf programs focus on clinical rehabilitation and adaptive equipment for veterans with disabilities. Sets Fore Vets focuses on equipment access for community golf participation. The two can work together: a veteran who participates in the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic may be referred to community programs like PGA HOPE and Sets Fore Vets for ongoing play.

What veterans should do next: Ask your VA recreational therapist or prosthetics department whether adaptive golf equipment or clinic referrals are available through your VA medical center. The National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic is an annual program; eligibility and application details are available through VA and DAV.

Vets2Set: A Different “Sets for Vets” Program

Vets2Set is a separate nonprofit that helps veterans transition into careers in commercial, film, and digital production. It is not a golf program and does not provide golf equipment. The name similarity causes confusion, so veterans should verify which “sets” program they are contacting.

What Vets2Set Does

Vets2Set (V2S) provides U.S. military veterans with introduction, apprenticeship, training, and meaningful employment in media production. It connects veterans to entry-level production assistant roles, job shadows, and training resources. The organization has partnered with major employers and studios, including Tyler Perry Studios, and maintains a database of veteran skills profiles for producers staffing shoots.

Who Qualifies for Vets2Set

Vets2Set serves U.S. military veterans transitioning to civilian employment in media production. Veterans can register in the Vets2Set database and access training resources, including recorded seminars and guides such as “How to Be a Great PA.”

Why the Distinction Matters

A veteran searching for free golf clubs who lands on Vets2Set will not find equipment assistance. A veteran seeking media production work who applies to Sets Fore Vets will not find employment support. The correct program depends on the veteran’s goal: golf equipment and instruction or media production career training.

What veterans should do next: If you are seeking golf equipment, contact the PGA Section Foundation in your region. If you are seeking media production training or employment, visit Vets2Set.org and register in the veteran database.

Comparison Table: Sets Fore Vets, PGA HOPE, Vets2Set, and VA Adaptive Golf

Common Mistakes Veterans Make with “Sets for Vets”

Mistake 1: Assuming “Sets for Vets” is a VA program.
Sets Fore Vets is operated by PGA REACH section foundations, not the VA. The VA does not process applications, provide golf clubs, or manage the program. Veterans should contact the PGA Section Foundation directly.

Mistake 2: Applying outside the open application window.
The New England PGA accepts applications only during three annual waves. Applications submitted outside those periods are not accepted. Veterans should mark the wave dates and apply during an open period.

Mistake 3: Applying without confirming state eligibility.
The New England PGA program serves only Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and eastern Massachusetts. Veterans in other states must use a different PGA Section program or a local resource.

Mistake 4: Expecting customized clubs.
The program distributes donated equipment and cannot accommodate requests for grip, shaft, length, or lie angle. Veterans who need customized clubs should work with a PGA Professional or adaptive golf program.

Mistake 5: Confusing Sets Fore Vets with Vets2Set.
The names sound similar, but one provides golf equipment and the other provides media production career training. Veterans should verify the program’s purpose before applying.

Mistake 6: Expecting a second set.
Once selected, a veteran is not eligible to receive a second set through the program. The equipment is intended to remove the initial barrier to participation, not to provide ongoing equipment upgrades.

Mistake 7: Overlooking PGA HOPE as the entry point.
In New England, new equipment requires participation in and graduation from a PGA HOPE location. Veterans who skip PGA HOPE may be less competitive for equipment selection and miss the free instruction that makes the equipment useful.

Common Questions

1. What is “Sets for Vets”?

“Sets for Vets” most commonly refers to Sets Fore Vets, a PGA REACH program that provides new or gently used golf clubs and bags to veterans and active-duty service members. It operates through PGA Section Foundations, primarily in New England and the Carolinas. It is not a VA program.

2. Is Sets Fore Vets a VA benefit?

No. Sets Fore Vets is a charitable initiative of PGA REACH and PGA Section Foundations. The VA does not fund, administer, or process applications for the program. Veterans apply directly through the PGA Section Foundation.

3. Who is eligible for Sets Fore Vets in New England?

Active-duty service members and veterans who reside in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or the eastern half of Massachusetts (east of Sturbridge). The program does not ship equipment overseas, and recipients cannot receive a second set.

4. When can I apply for Sets Fore Vets?

The New England PGA accepts applications in three annual waves: February 1–March 31, June 1–August 31, and October 1–December 31. Applications are not accepted outside those periods. Winners are notified by email about one month after each wave closes.

5. How much does Sets Fore Vets cost?

The program is free to selected veterans. There is no application fee. The equipment is donated by individuals, golf courses, and PGA Professionals, and PGA REACH section foundations distribute it at no cost to recipients.

6. Can I request specific clubs or specifications?

No. The program states that it cannot accommodate requests regarding equipment specifications such as grip, shaft, length, or lie angle. Veterans receive donated equipment as available, and bundled sets are strongly preferred.

7. How do I donate golf clubs to Sets Fore Vets?

In New England, contact Chad Eades at ceades@pgahq.com. In the Carolinas, contact Dan O’Boyle, PGA, at danoboylepga@gmail.com or Mia Hayasaki at mhayasaki@pgahq.com. Donations may be tax deductible because the foundations are 501(c)(3) charities.

8. What is PGA HOPE and how does it relate to Sets Fore Vets?

PGA HOPE is a free 6–8 week golf instruction program for veterans and active-duty service members. In New England, receiving new equipment through Sets Fore Vets requires participation in and graduation from a PGA HOPE location. PGA HOPE is often the entry point for veterans who then receive equipment.

9. Is there a VA program that provides free golf clubs?

The VA does not provide free golf clubs through Sets Fore Vets or a similar equipment program. VA supports adaptive golf through the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic and recreational therapy, but equipment provision is not a standard VA benefit.

10. What is Vets2Set?

Vets2Set is a separate nonprofit that helps veterans transition into media production careers through training, apprenticeships, and job placement. It is not a golf program and does not provide golf equipment. The name similarity with Sets Fore Vets causes confusion.

11. What if I live outside New England or the Carolinas?

Contact your local PGA Section Foundation and ask whether it operates a golf equipment program for veterans. PGA HOPE is available nationwide through PGA REACH and local PGA Sections, and some sections may offer equipment support or connections to donated clubs.

Key Takeaways

• “Sets for Vets” most often means Sets Fore Vets, a PGA REACH program that gives free new or gently used golf clubs and bags to veterans and active-duty service members.

• It is not a VA program. PGA Section Foundations operate it; the VA does not process applications or provide the equipment.

• New England eligibility is limited to five states and part of Massachusetts: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and eastern Massachusetts (east of Sturbridge).

• Applications are accepted in three annual waves: February–March, June–August, and October–December. Winners are notified by email about one month after each wave.

• New equipment in New England requires PGA HOPE participation and graduation. PGA HOPE is a free 6–8 week instruction program open to all veterans and active duty, with no disability rating required.

• The program cannot customize equipment. Veterans receive donated clubs as available; grip, shaft, length, and lie angle requests cannot be accommodated.

• Recipients cannot receive a second set. The program is designed to remove the initial cost barrier, not to provide ongoing equipment.

• Vets2Set is a different program. It provides media production career training, not golf equipment.

• VA adaptive golf exists through the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic, a weeklong rehabilitation program presented by VA and DAV, but it is not an equipment giveaway program.

• Donating gently used clubs supports the program. PGA REACH foundations accept new or gently used equipment, and donations may be tax deductible.

Official Resources

• PGA REACH: https://www.pgareach.org/

• New England PGA – Sets Fore Vets: https://nepga.com/foundation/sets-fore-vets/

• New England PGA Foundation – Sets Fore Vets Application Information: https://nepga.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/01/Sets-Fore-Vets-Application-Information-Eligibility-Critera.pdf

• Carolinas PGA – Sets Fore Vets: https://carolinas.pga.com/sets-fore-vets/

• PGA HOPE: https://www.pgareach.org/pga-hope/

• Vets2Set: https://vets2set.org/

• National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic (VA/DAV): https://www.veteransgolfclinic.org/

• VA Adaptive Sports: https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/adaptive-sports/

• USA.gov – Veterans Benefits: https://www.usa.gov/veterans-benefits