If you're just beginning your golf career there are starter packs that would run about $200-$300. You can also look around for used clubs to find an entire set or build/replace the starter pack. They're not the best clubs, but it gives you a feel for the game without spending a ton up front. You can try golf galaxy/Dicks (depending where you live) and probably other random places will have sales. Try towards the end of golf season for good deals.
I started with a Strata kit and as I got better and golfed more I just slowly replaced clubs. Some I bought off of friends as they upgraded their own set or they just gave me their old ones (which were still much better than the starter kit clubs I had). At this point I have replaced pretty much every club in my bag over the course of 3-4 years.