Buying Guide for the Best Golf Clubs
If you’re looking for a complete set of golf clubs, look no further. We’ve got you covered whether you play a round of golf every week, or you’ve just picked up the game. Golf is a game of precision and patience, and the right set of clubs can make all the difference. It’s important to pick clubs that feel comfortable and that fit your needs, and that is why we have put together comprehensive buying guide to help you pick the perfect set for you.Types
Clubs are different for men, women, and juniors, as well as for left-handed or right-handed players. There are also a variety of styles and designs for each club that should be taken into account. To make the right choice, think about how often you play, your ability level, and your budget. Here is breakdown of the different sets for you to compare:
Standard Golf Clubs sets: A standard set of golf clubs is made of steel and consists of three woods, seven irons or hybrids, a pitching wedge, and a putter. Woods are used for long drives and hitting off the tee and have big clubheads for making easy contact with the ball. A standard set of clubs is a great choice for all golfers, but especially for beginning or intermediate players.
Graphite Golf Clubs sets: Graphite is a lighter metal which helps with swing speed. Women, juniors, and seniors can benefit from the lightweight feel and ease of motion from graphite clubs. Graphite is a sound option if you want a sleek, user-friendly set of golf clubs.
Hybrid Golf Club sets: Hybrid clubs are a cross between long irons (clubs (1 through 4) and fairway woods, and some club sets come with hybrids instead of long irons. A hybrid club has a lower center of gravity, which helps to give the ball more lift for beginning or intermediate golfers. Sets with hybrids are a comfortable alternative to long irons, which are better suited to players who have more experience or want to have a more traditional feel to the game. If you’ve ever had trouble hitting with irons or want clubs with versatility on the course, then hybrids are the way to go.
What Reviewers Have to Say
- Value: Unless you are an avid golfer, most reviewers prefer affordable sets they can play with right out of the box, especially if they consider themselves casual golfers and want the most bang for their buck. Reviewers also share that a well-rounded set of clubs that fits their budget is preferable while still learning the game.
- Comfort: Owners set high importance on the feel of the clubs in their hands and the weight of them through the swing. The lighter the club, the swifter and easier the swing. Stronger players may prefer feeling the weight of the club and the power behind their strokes as well. Above all, clubs feel different for every consumer, so choose based on what you find most comfortable.
- Consistency: When buying golf club sets, reviewers want a consistent look and feel with all the clubs. The highest rated sets were those that had the greatest number of quality clubs. Reviewers were the most satisfied with their golf club sets when they felt they had all they needed from the one set and didn’t need to supplement it with extra golf clubs.
- Simplicity: The golf club sets with great reviews are ones that boast simplicity. For beginners - and especially for children - the best reviewed sets are ones with fewer clubs so as not to complicate the game further when starting out. The most popular sets have just one of the most important clubs (a wood, an iron, and a putter) to practice, and keep the bag light for a youngster to carry.
Important Features
- Your basic set should include woods, irons, a wedge, and a putter. The driver is the most important of the woods, and there are usually a few more woods for long shots from the fairway. Irons are used most often for chip shots, short distances, and shots off the fairway. Alternatively, wedges are used for short distances that require height and a high level of spin on the golf ball. The most common wedge in a set is the pitching wedge. The last - and arguably most important - club in the set is the putter. It is the most used club and requires the most accuracy to handle. Look for a set that includes clubs that fit the most of your requirements, and you can always supplement your set with one or two preferred clubs as you improve your game and become familiar with your golfing needs.
- More experienced players and men might prefer steel clubs because of their weight and power. Steel is a more traditional choice and budget friendly compared to other materials.
- Take into account the degree of loft for a club. The loft is the angle of the clubhead, and the lower the loft, the higher the golf ball flight. More loft can also make shots a little easier for beginning golfers. Ideal loft for men is 8-12 degrees, while women should look for clubs between 10 and 15 degrees.
- Putters come in a variety of styles and can have different putter heads. Search for sets that include high-MOI (Moment of Inertia) mallets and heel-toe weighted putters to minimize mishits. Conventional putters are a safe bet for anyone with even minimal experience, but if you have a tendency to move your wrists during the stroke, then pick a belly or long putter.
- Keep in mind your height in shoes and the height of the clubs when buying a golf club set. Golf clubs are measured based on your height and the distance from your wrist to the floor in inches, so look for the lengths of the clubs and where they’ll reach on your own body when deciding on a golf club set. Some club sets are available in extended lengths for taller players.
- If you want more lift on the ball when you hit, then look for sets that have clubs with lower centers of gravity. A lower center of gravity will focus the weight of the club closer to the ball, and put more power behind it to launch it higher and farther.
- Club heads come in three different sizes - standard, mid sized, and oversized. When buying a set of clubs, you should pay attention to the club head sizes and choose a set you’d feel most comfortable hitting with. Standard sized club heads are easy to control with a small sweet spot for the ball. Mid size club heads have larger sweet spots and are lighter than oversized clubs, which have very large sweet spots, but are tougher to control.
- Beginning players are better off choosing sets with clubs that have more flex. Shaft flex is the amount of bend to the club. The faster your swing, the less flex you need in a club.
Top-Rated Brands
Callaway:
Founded in 1982, Callaway is one of the most respected brands in golf and covers everything from clubs and golf balls to golf shoes. In 1997, the company acquired Odyssey Sports and expanded its line of putters and other golfing products.
Prosimmon:
Prosimmon is an Australian golf equipment manufacturer that is a favorite amongst professionals and novices alike. Their golf technology has led to innovative new club designs for smart and controlled play.
Wilson:
Wilson is one of the leading manufacturers in ball sports equipment and has been a leader in breakthrough technologies for almost a century. They specialize in racquet sports, team sports, and golf.
Pinemeadow:
Consistently one of the top ten golf club makers in the United States, Pinemeadow Golf has been making and selling golf products since its foundation in Portland, Oregon in 1985.