Best Driver
Callaway Elyte Driver
Pros
- This driver is packed with tech
- Once you get it dialed, you won’t need another driver for years
- Callaway has made some of the best drivers for decades
Cons
- Some full sets cost as much as this driver
The Callaway Elyte driver, the brand’s latest and greatest, is ideal for golfers seeking lightweight performance and premium craftsmanship. Do know that it’s a high-end, brand new driver. But its very high price is justified thanks to the brand’s emphasis on cutting-edge shape design intended to maximize swing speed and distance for players with moderate to slower tempos (a set that includes most of us). The crown is also built from a new aerospace-grade carbon fiber, which helps dial in the optimal center-of-gravity.
Despite the cost, someone would buy it for the significant yardage gains it can unlock, its impressive feel, and the advanced engineering focused on effortless power, making the game more enjoyable and less physically demanding.
Best Fairway Woods
Taylormade Qi35 Fairway Wood
Pros
- Promotes high ball flight regardless of lie
- Forgiveness across the entire club face
- Loft and weight can be adjusted
Cons
- The price is very high for a single club
Thanks to a blend of distance and forgiveness, the Qi35 will appeal to a wide range of golfers. Its larger, confidence-inspiring head provides an easy launch and stability through impact—something we could all benefit from regardless of skill level.
Thanks to its forgiveness-focused design, you can expect impressive ball speeds across the face (this includes on mishits). While it may not be as workable as some player models, its strength lies in consistent, high-launching shots that find the fairway. This is a solid choice for those prioritizing ease of use and reliable performance. We should also note that the Qi35s are pricey for fairway woods.
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Best Hybrids
Cobra Darkspeed Adapt Hybrid
Pros
- Highly adjustable
- Comes in five different loft options for versatility
- Blends the best of irons and fairway woods
Cons
- It’s tough to really dial it in without a fitting
The Cobra Darkspeed Adapt Hybrid stands out from the pack with its stylish and larger head size. Its adjustability sleeve allows you to customize launch and spin for peak performance across different lies and for your swing, which is one of the greatest advantages to playing a high-quality hybrid.
You get a powerful impact feel that produces good ball speed and a high, penetrating trajectory that lets you drop the ball onto the green like the pros. Its impressive forgiveness on off-center strikes makes it a great option for golfers of all levels, especially for those looking to get the benefits of irons and fairway woods at the same time.
Best Irons
PXG Gen7 Chrome Iron Set
Pros
- They come in a bunch of configurations
- The Gen7 irons provide the ideal combo of distance, forgiveness, and workability
- Adjustable center weighting allows you to grow into these clubs over time
Cons
- PXG clubs are expensive
PXG used to catch a lot of heat in the golf world, but the standout performance of the brand’s clubs has quelled all that in recent years. The brand’s newest offering, the Gen7 irons, are the most advanced set yet—they’re complete with exceptional distance, maximum forgiveness, and the ability to choose between a bevy of options tailored for any golfer.
If you do buy a set like this on Amazon, we’d still recommend doing a bit of post-purchase testing (or better yet, pre-purchase testing) and research to see how you can optimize your setup for the biggest gains on the course.
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Best Putter
Taylormade Spider GTX Putter
Pros
- Trusted by PGA TOUR professionals
- Multiple shaft and color options
- Available right- or left-handed
Cons
- Spending more on a putter will not make you putt better
As I said earlier, the Spider putter from TaylorMade is currently used by the two best golfers on the planet, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. The mallet-style putter instills confidence and is much more forgiving than a traditional blade-style putter thanks to its stabilizing shape and counterweights.
The putter comes in a few different options, so we’d recommend going on YouTube or visiting your local golf shop to mess around with a few putter styles before you make your decision.
Best Set
Stix Golf 9 Club Set
Pros
- A great set for taking your game to the next level once you move past the beginner phase
- The clubs boast sleek looks and design
- Irons come with steel or graphite shafts
Cons
- You may want more than nine clubs in your set once you get better
Are you picking up the game faster than expected? You can bypass the initial phases and choose a complete set designed to help you enhance your shot-making abilities.
The 9-club set from Stix Golf has everything you need to take your game to the next level without breaking the bank on one or two expensive clubs. A big benefit of Stix is the option to choose irons with a steel shaft or a graphite shaft. The options aren’t as expansive as some more expensive clubs, but having two choices is nice for everyone from mid-high handicap players whose higher swing speeds may be a bit too much for the extra flex of graphite to newbies who could use the extra flex.
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Best Set for Beginners
Callaway XR Complete Set
Pros
- Each club in the set prioritizes forgiveness
- Callaway is an excellent brand
- These will grow with you as you improve
Cons
- It’s a lot to pay if you’re not sure you want to actually spend time on the golf course
In the world of golf, few brands can claim proficiency across all categories, but Callaway is one of them. Known for its premium golf balls, exceptional putters, professional-grade irons, and powerful drivers, Callaway excels in producing high-quality equipment suitable for beginners.
The mallet putter is made by Odyssey and fashioned in its iconic #7 shape, which is ultra-forgiving and provides an excellent touch—two elements you’ll rarely find in an entry-level putter. The irons are classics, based on decades of stellar game-improvement technology, while the hybrids, 3-wood, and driver are modeled after one of golf’s most well-loved drivers, the Paradym.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are These Clubs Authentic/Genuine and Are They New or Used?
To ensure that you get authentic clubs, we recommend that you prioritize buying from Amazon directly or official brand stores within Amazon. For third-party sellers, do your due diligence on their reputation. Always read the full product description for details on condition, making note of the fine print and giving the reviews a once-over before pulling the trigger on a purchase.
How Do I Find the Right Size?
The main measurement you want to get right when buying is proper club length (not too tall or too short). The good news is that most of these clubs will have a solid fit for just about anyone from the start. The only initial adjustment you need to make as a beginner is to compensate for your height. If you are over 6’2″, consider sizing a half-inch or more length adjustment on your clubs. 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 further to personalized club sizing, if you choose.
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Will Porter is an LA-based freelance writer covering golf, tech, and travel. In addition to Men’s Health, his work has been published in GQ, Gear Patrol, The Strategist, and others. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him running the trails at Griffith Park or trying to catch every new movie in IMAX at the local movie theater.Â
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up.
He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.