The 6 Best Golf Club Sets for Beginners, According to a Club Pro

When it comes to the game of golf, not many brands can boast expertise in every single category. One that can though is Callaway. The brand behind elite golf balls, top-tier putters, pro-worthy irons, and drivers, Callaway is no slouch when it comes to making high-quality gear for beginners.

This Wilson set features two premium features we love. The first are the irons. They’re well-built and just what you want out of a beginner iron, making them a solid set to build the base of your arsenal for years to come. The second is the golf bag: it’s highly comfortable thanks to the dual carrying strap and comes with ample pocket space.

Wilson is a brand with immense golf pedigree—no player worth their salt will scoff at the brand’s gear, whether you’re shooting even par or twenty-over. The set is immensely affordable, so while it will probably long outlast your golf career, it won’t make you feel bad about upgrading once you start to improve.

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For someone just getting into the game or hitting the range for the very first time, this set is great to start with. With every club you’ll need to get from the tee box to the green (and probably everywhere in between), this set won’t leave you without an option, no matter how wayward your shots get.

The set has a solid 4.3 out of 5 star rating on Amazon, with reviewers lauding the set’s value and high level of forgiveness. Odds are high you’ll want to upgrade sooner than later, but if you or someone you know likes to pick up new hobbies, this set will help decide if golf is a lifelong commitment or just a phase.

While one of the most expensive of the bunch, this TaylorMade set is certifiably legit. We’re talking about a beast of a driver with a 460cc titanium head, a beautiful set of high-performance irons, and a stylish golf bag that will protect your investment with aplomb.

This is a set for those who are getting serious and playing several times per week. The barrier to entry is higher than the rest of the options on our list, but when you consider the pedigree of a brand like TaylorMade, you’ll find that the long lifespan of the clubs and golf bag make it a set you can grow into and not have to replace for years.

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Picking up on the game quicker than you thought? You can skip the early stages and go for a complete set that allows you to learn how to optimize your shot-making skills. The Stix Perform Set is a complete 12-club set that will provide you with all the tools you need, all for under $1,000.

The Perform Set is the brand’s first set with the option for irons with a steel shaft, a boon for mid-high handicap players whose higher swing speeds may be a bit too much for the extra flex of graphite. Clubs that benefit from the flex (the driver, 3 wood, and 4 hybrid) still come standard with graphite, but having the choice when selecting irons is going to greatly increase the amount of time you’ll stick with your Stix.

In my testing, I took the Stix out for a couple dozen rounds, walking and riding in a cart. The set is very manageable size-wise. The bag is light enough for comfortable wear but big enough to stay secure when strapped to the back of a golf cart. They’re some of the most forgiving clubs I’ve played and are well-built, resulting in improved distance and fewer mishits. My favorite club was the 4 iron hybrid—I’ve never hit a hybrid so well.

Another set from one of the most prestigious equipment brands in golf, the Cobra Fly XL set is the ideal set for someone who knows they’re going to be consistently hitting the golf course in a golf cart. The cart bag is big, sturdy, and spacious, while the wide range of clubs gives you options in every part of the course.

The Cobra brand is well-recognized, and these striking clubs will fit in with any other sets on the course, ensuring that your skills do the talking, not your equipment. If your skills are lacking, that’s okay, too, because each club in this set is super forgiving thanks to excellent weight distribution and optimized shape, from the driver right down through the putter.

Meet the Expert

• Paul Sliva, Head Golf Professional at Van Cortlandt Golf Course in the Bronx, NY, the oldest public golf course in the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Find the Right Size of Golf Clubs

Beginners to golf do not need get a custom fitting for clubs, but if you have the money and want to go all in on your new hobby then we won’t stop you. Really the main measurement you want to get right when buying is proper club sizing (not too tall or too short)— and the good news is most of these clubs will have a solid fit for just starting out.

The only initial adjustments you need to make as a beginner is if you are exceptionally tall or short. If you are over 6’2″ consider sizing a half-inch or more length adjustment on your clubs. You can also just opt for a set that has a “Tall” option available. If you are under 5’5″, you’ll likely want a half-inch decrease in length adjustment.

If you like to go by feel, swinging your friends clubs or talking to a pro at your local course will help confirm the sizing you need. As you progress in your game, sizing can be pinpointed down further to personalized club sizing, if you choose.

Should I Buy Pre-owned Clubs?

There’s nothing wrong with buying pre-owned clubs to serve as your first beginner set. There is a whole market online for really nice pre-owned clubs for a solid price on sites like Ebay and the golf brands’ websites. Yet the downside is, you guessed it, they were somebody else’s. There’s wear and tear on them.

Instead of buying pre-owned, opt for new. A new set will give you the proper tools to get acclimated on the course and really give you the opportunity to learn the game. Golf is a lot about feel. Your clubs should be your best friend out on the course, not some raggedy set who’s best days are long gone.

Buying a new set also gives you something to build off of. As you get better you’ll want to make upgrades. Maybe you want a more precise sand wedge or a driver with more power? What you’ll do next is swap out single clubs one at a time until you find a set that fits your game to a T.