JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into curling

Welcome to one of the most deceptively strategic sports in the Olympics. You don't buy the rocks — the club owns those. Your job is to show up with a broom and the right shoes, learn the slide, and join a league. Here's what to buy for your first season — and what to skip until you know you're hooked.

By Colin B. · Published June 1, 2026 · Last reviewed June 1, 2026
Curling in Central Park, New York

Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Goldline Carbon Fiber Air Curling Broom — Goldline's carbon-fiber starter broom — reliable, well-balanced, and the most accessible serious broom on Amazon.
  2. Goldline G50 Breeze Curling Shoes — Dedicated curling shoes with slider and gripper built in — skip improvised shoe covers from day one.
  3. Goldline Men's Stockholm Curling Pants — Goldline's four-way-stretch curling pants protect your delivery knee and keep your slide clean all season.
Budget total
$150
Typical total
$350
Clubs own the stones — you only need a broom, shoes, and warm stretchy clothing. Budget $150 for broom only to start; $350 for a complete personal kit.
At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
BroomsGoldlineGoldline Carbon Fiber Air Curling Broom$$ See on Amazon →
FootwearGoldlineGoldline G50 Breeze Curling Shoes$$$ See on Amazon →
ClothingGoldlineGoldline Men's Stockholm Curling Pants$$ See on Amazon →
AccessoriesGoldlineGoldline Excaliber Curling Delivery Stick$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Go to a learn-to-curl session first — before buying anything. Most clubs run them for free or under $20, and they loan you shoes and a broom for the session. You'll immediately know whether the sport is for you, and you'll understand the gear far better having held it on ice.

You don't need to buy rocks. Ever. Clubs own the stones (they weigh 42 lbs and cost $400–600 each). Your personal equipment is just the broom, footwear, and clothing.

Footwear is more complicated than it looks. You need a slider on your throwing foot and a gripper on your balance foot. Dedicated curling shoes handle both. Slip-on gripper covers work for a first session; dedicated shoes are worth it once you join a league.

The gear

What you actually need

Brooms

The broom is your one essential piece of personal gear. You'll use it two ways: sweeping — the vigorous back-and-forth brushing that heats the ice and steers the stone — and as a balance aid during your delivery slide. A good beginner broom runs $100–150. Look for a carbon-fiber handle (lighter than fiberglass, less arm fatigue over eight ends) and a fabric pad, which is more forgiving than synthetic and easier to control while you're learning. Fabric pads also perform better on most club ice.

Brooms — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Fabric / WCF Pad

Forgiving pad for club and recreational play. The default beginner choice.

Speed
Moderate
Control
High
Surface
Club & pebbled ice

Best for Beginners, recreational leagues, club-level competition

Tradeoff Less aggressive than synthetic — won't outperform at elite levels

↓ See our pick
Synthetic / HPD Pad

Faster, more aggressive pad for competitive and elite curlers.

Speed
High
Control
Moderate
Surface
Championship ice

Best for Competitive club players, cashspiels, provincial/national level

Tradeoff Harder to control on soft club ice — wait until you're competing seriously

↓ See our pick
Best starter
Goldline

Goldline Carbon Fiber Air Curling Broom

$$

Goldline is the most widely available serious curling brand and their Carbon Fiber Air is a legitimate starter broom: lightweight carbon handle, standard 1-1/8" pad, and the quality you'd expect from a brand that's been outfitting clubs for decades. It's the go-to pick when BalancePlus isn't available through regular retail, and it performs just as well on club ice.

What we like

  • Carbon-fiber handle cuts weight — noticeably easier over a full 8-end game
  • Standard 1-1/8" pad fits universal replacement pads from any curling brand
  • Goldline quality trusted at clubs and leagues across North America

What to know

  • Replacement pads add ongoing cost (~$20 per swap every season)
  • Not available in the stiff-flex variants that heavier sweepers prefer
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Goldline

Goldline FG360 Air Curling Broom

$

Goldline's FG360 is a solid entry broom that'll handle your first season without issue. Fiberglass handle is heavier than carbon but the price difference is real. If you're still deciding whether curling will stick, this is the smart way in — it plays fine and won't make you regret a bigger investment.

What we like

  • Budget entry from a real curling brand — not a toy or novelty broom
  • Same standard pad system as premium brooms — easy to upgrade later

What to know

  • Fiberglass handle adds weight — tiring in long, competitive matches
  • Heavier shaft forces some beginners into bad sweeping technique
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Goldline

Goldline Fiberlite Air X Curling Broom

$$$

When you're playing competitive club curling and want a serious broom, this is where most dedicated Goldline players end up. The Fiberlite shaft is stiff and responsive, transferring more of your force into the ice. Best to wait until after your first season before pulling the trigger here.

What we like

  • Stiff Fiberlite shaft transfers maximum sweeping force to the ice
  • Responsive flex rewards experienced sweepers with consistent technique

What to know

  • Stiffer flex punishes inconsistent sweeping — not ideal for beginners
  • Premium price is only justified once you're playing competitively
See on Amazon →

Footwear

Curling footwear is unlike any other sport. You deliver from a rubber 'hack' while sliding forward on your throwing foot — that foot needs a smooth Teflon slider. Your balance foot needs a grippy rubber sole. You can buy dedicated curling shoes with both functions built in, or add a slip-on gripper over regular athletic shoes (your club or a specialty shop can supply a slider). Most clubs loan shoes at learn-to-curl sessions. Once you join a league, your own footwear pays off in fit and consistent slide mechanics.

Best starter
Goldline

Goldline G50 Breeze Curling Shoes

$$$

Goldline's G50 Breeze is a proper dedicated curling shoe — slider on the throwing foot, full-grip outsole on the balance shoe, ankle support built in. Getting dedicated shoes from a real curling brand on your first season pays off in consistent delivery mechanics and genuine ankle support during the awkward slide position.

What we like

  • Slider and gripper built in — no separate purchases or jury-rigging
  • Ankle support helps during the unstable delivery slide position
  • Goldline fit is standard at clubs and leagues across North America

What to know

  • Must specify handedness at purchase — not adjustable if you order wrong
  • Higher upfront cost than a slip-on gripper — justify it by joining a league
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Goldline

Goldline Slip-On Curling Gripper

$

A rubber slip-on cover for your balance foot — the non-throwing foot that grips the ice during your delivery. Goes over regular athletic shoes you already own. This is the gripper side of the equation; your club can typically provide a slider for the throwing foot during your first sessions, or a specialty shop carries them. Asham and Goldline sliders run $20–30 separately.

What we like

  • Goes over athletic shoes you already own — minimal footwear investment
  • Goldline rubber quality is the same spec used in dedicated curling shoes

What to know

  • Gripper only — you still need a separate slider for your throwing foot
  • Can shift mid-game on narrow or curved-sole shoes
See on Amazon →

Clothing

Ice is cold, but sweeping is cardio — dress in layers you can shed. More important than warmth is stretch: the curling delivery requires a deep lunge with your slider knee almost touching the ice. Regular jeans restrict your form and teach bad technique from day one. Dedicated curling pants have four-way stretch and a reinforced knee patch on the slider side. A moisture-wicking base layer under your curling pants handles the thermal side of things.

Best starter
Goldline

Goldline Men's Stockholm Curling Pants

$$

Goldline's Stockholm pants are the go-to club pants at curling facilities across North America: four-way stretch lets your delivery open up fully, and the reinforced knee patch on the slider side survives a full season of ice abrasion. The athletic fit works for sweeping without looking like you're in a costume.

What we like

  • Four-way stretch lets your delivery open fully without restriction
  • Reinforced knee patch survives a full season of slide abrasion
  • Athletic cut — doesn't look out of place off the ice

What to know

  • Sizes run slim — go one size up if between sizes
  • Pants only — source a moisture-wicking base layer separately
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Under Armour

Under Armour HeatGear Armour 2.0 Leggings

$

If dedicated curling pants aren't in your first-session budget, UA HeatGear leggings have enough stretch for the delivery position and moisture-wicking that handles the cardio of sweeping. No knee reinforcement — expect wear on the slider knee within a season — but they work for learn-to-curl sessions while you decide if the sport is for you.

What we like

  • Full four-way stretch — no restriction on delivery position
  • Moisture-wicking keeps you comfortable during cardio sweeping

What to know

  • No knee patch — slider knee wears through within a season
  • Not curling-specific — you'll want dedicated pants after year one
See on Amazon →

Accessories

Three small purchases that make a real difference: a delivery stick for beginners who aren't yet comfortable with the full hack slide, curling gloves for cold hands and broom grip, and a knee pad for the delivery slide. The delivery stick is underrated — most learn-to-curl programs use them, and there's no shame in relying on one while your delivery mechanics develop. Delivery sticks are now fully legal in competitive play.

Best starter
Goldline

Goldline Excaliber Curling Delivery Stick

$

A T-shaped pole that attaches to the stone handle and lets you deliver from a standing position instead of a full hack slide. Standard at most clubs for beginners and players with knee or hip issues. Using one isn't a crutch — it's how you learn release and weight feel without fighting delivery balance at the same time.

What we like

  • Lets beginners learn release and weight without fighting delivery balance
  • Fully legal in competitive play — not just a learn-to-curl tool
  • Lightweight and fits in any broom bag or equipment bag

What to know

  • Doesn't build the sliding delivery — transition takes extra reps
  • Some competitive leagues still restrict use; check your rulebook
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Goldline

Goldline Platinum Curling Gloves

$

Cold, sweaty hands are the enemy of consistent sweeping. Goldline's Platinum gloves have a silicone-treated palm for broom control and enough insulation to keep your hands warm between shots. A cheap pair of sport gloves works for one session; proper curling gloves last a full season.

What we like

  • Silicone palm improves broom grip during high-pressure sweeping
  • Light insulation keeps hands warm without muffling tactile feedback

What to know

  • Too much insulation would muffle feedback — these are intentionally light
  • Sizing varies — check return policy on your first pair
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Goldline

Goldline Curling Knee Pad

$

A padded knee guard for the delivery slide. Beginners hit the ice harder than they expect — this prevents bruising and lets you practice the delivery without dreading it. Straps over your pants and works with any clothing setup.

What we like

  • Protects the delivery knee from ice contact during practice slides
  • Strap-on design works over any pants — curling-specific or not

What to know

  • Bulky — must be worn over clothing, not under
  • Unnecessary if you're using a delivery stick instead of sliding
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first season of curling

Curling has a learning curve that hits in waves: the delivery feels impossible for the first session, clicks around week four, and becomes genuinely addictive right when you stop thinking about it. Here's what that arc looks like.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • Your own curling stones — Clubs own the stones. Each one weighs 42 lbs and costs $400–600. You will never need to buy one.
  • A dedicated curling jacket — Any athletic mid-layer that lets you swing freely works fine. Club-branded jackets are nice but entirely optional.
  • High-performance synthetic broom pads — HPD and synthetic pads are for competitive players optimizing sweeping. The fabric pad on a beginner broom is correct for club ice.
  • Grip tape for your broom handle — The factory grip holds fine until it wears through — usually after a full season. Overgrip tape is a $5 fix when it does.
  • A stopwatch or shot clock — You'll learn weight by feel, not by timing. Stopwatches are for competitive teams that have already built consistent delivery mechanics.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Find a learn-to-curl session at your nearest curling club. · Action
  2. Sign up for a beginner league if the learn-to-curl session clicks. · Action
  3. Order your starter broom so it arrives before your first league game. · Buy
  4. Sort out footwear — borrow from the club for your first session, then decide on a slip-on gripper or dedicated shoes. · Buy
  5. Learn five terms before stepping on the ice: end, hammer, house, hog line, hack. Five minutes of reading pays off. · Learn
  6. Show up in stretchy athletic pants and layers you can remove. Jeans will restrict your delivery on day one. · Action
FAQ

Common questions

Do I need to buy my own curling stones?

No — and you never will. Curling clubs own the stones. Each one weighs 42 lbs and costs $400–600. Your personal gear is the broom, footwear, and clothing. Nothing else.

How do I find a curling club near me?

USA Curling's club finder (usacurl.org) is the best starting point in the US. Most clubs run learn-to-curl sessions in the fall that are free or very cheap — that's the right entry point before joining a full league.

Is curling hard to learn?

The basics are accessible in a single session. The delivery slide takes a few weeks to feel natural, and the strategy (knowing where to put the stone and why) deepens for years. Most players feel competent within their first season and hooked within their second.

Do I need special shoes?

Yes, eventually — you need a Teflon slider on one foot and a rubber gripper on the other. Clubs loan shoes at learn-to-curl events. For your first league season, a slip-on gripper cover (~$20) goes over shoes you already own, and you can borrow or buy a slider separately. Dedicated curling shoes are worth it once you're playing weekly.

How much does a full curling kit cost?

About $150 for a broom alone, or $300–400 for a complete kit (broom + dedicated shoes + curling pants). That's the full personal investment — the club covers everything else, including stones, ice time, and equipment to borrow for your first session.

What's the social scene like at a curling club?

Curling is famously social. The tradition of the winning team buying drinks for the losing team after every game is universal at clubs worldwide. Most curlers will tell you the two ends in the lounge after the game are why they show up. Expect to make real friends within a season.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • World Curling Federation — The international governing body. Official rules, Olympic coverage, and the definitive rulebook. Bookmark it when a disputed call comes up in your league.
  • USA Curling — The US national body. Club finder, learn-to-curl resources, and national competition information. Start here if you're in the US.
  • Curling Canada — Canada's national federation. Same functions as USA Curling — club finder, programs, and competition structure. Essential if you're in Canada.
  • Curling Zone — Stats and results database for competitive curling worldwide. Useful once you start following teams or competitions beyond the Olympics.
  • Team USA Curling (YouTube) — Instructional content, match footage, and behind-the-scenes from the US national program. Excellent technique videos for beginners working on delivery and sweeping.

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