Best Golf Club Sets For Beginners
If you're new to the game finding the right set of golf clubs to start your journey can be a daunting task. To make the task of buying your first set as easy as possible, we've put together this guide on the best golf club sets for beginners to guide you through the process and allow you to purchase your first set with confidence. Before you go through this, we've put together a great guide on how to choose golf clubs for beginners, which will walk you through what type of clubs to buy, whether you need them custom fitted and how much you should look to spend.
VIDEO: We run through the best golf clubs sets for beginners
The best golf club sets are designed for new players and all the clubs in the bag will provide plenty of forgiveness. They also tend to have thicker top lines, so when you look down on the ball they will give you more confidence. Most of these golf club sets will feature all the clubs you need to get going: a driver; a fairway wood; a hybrid club; a set or half set of irons and a putter.
Within this list we've included package sets from a range of prices but, regardless of price, all of the featured beginner sets will be a sound investment that will last you for as long as you need. If you'd rather buy your clubs separately, and spend a bit more money in the process, check out our guides on the best golf irons for beginners or the best game improvement irons to find clubs that can take you to the next level. If you think those clubs are still a bit further down the line for you, let's get you started with the models below.
Best Golf Club Sets For Beginners
The only gear missing with the Strata 11-piece set is a dozen balls and a bag of tees - you really are getting the full set. It's comprised of driver, fairway wood, twp hybrids, irons 6-PW, putter and a stand bag.
They're forgiving and easy to hit, and whilst they might not have the same premium look as Callaway's top end products, there's no debating the performance on offer. There's room to add to the set, specifically in the wedges department, which is where game improvers may want to consider a Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedge or two. The putter leaves a lot to be desired, and replacing that with one of the best cheap putters (opens in new tab) on the market would complete this excellent value set.
- Read our full Strata Men's Golf Package Set review (opens in new tab)
Whatever your skill level, every golfer wants something with a smart, aspirational look and this set delivers. The irons feature toplines that are thick enough to inspire confidence at address without being too clunky and uninviting. The grey finish on the crown of the metalwoods combines with a small flash of green - they look superb.
We were impressed by the performance on offer. In particular, throughout the set they are easy to launch and forgiving. TaylorMade has designed a 14-club line-up here that we think has genuine mass appeal. For those not wanting to get fitted but still looking for a quality set that will perform and look good, the TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite is well worth considering, although the bag is designed more for use on a trolley that to be carried
- Read our full TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite Package Set review
Beginners will often struggle to get the ball in the air at first, and confidence plays such a key part. With enlarged clubheads, these clubs make it easier to frame the ball and feel more confident at address. That is why these feature not just in this guide, but also our best women's golf sets (opens in new tab) post too.
They are supplied by Decathlon and they provide this set in two different sizes, in right and left handed options as well as for junior and female golfers - every kind of golfer is covered here. Whilst they are only half a set of iron, Inesis have cleverly lofted these irons so they are ideal for beginners.
Each iron has two number on it - for example the 6/7-iron - which means its a strong 7 iron or a weak 6 iron in loft. Having these lofts means you don't lose out form having just half a set, and the four irons in the bag are more than enough to get you going. They're also a very wide iron, so beginners will get more help when they don't find the centre of the clubface - something that isn't easy to find on a consistent basis when you're just starting out.
- Read our full Decathlon Inesis 100 Package Set Review
Not every major golf brand caters for those golfers who just want a package set to get going with the game. However, Callaway is very much active in this part of the market, with sets like the Warbird aimed at high handicappers and game improvers.
The set is designed to offer exceptional distance while maintaining forgiveness through some of the oversized attributes of their head design. It comes with a 5-iron all the way down to a sand wedge and the driver and three wood both come with headcovers too.
With 14 clubs, beginners really do get the whole package, and it includes a premium Odyssey putter - which more than justifies the price of the set. There's an argument that if you spend this amount of money, you may as well get custom fitted, but the fact is not everyone wants to go down that route. This package set is as close as you'll come to a premium set of golf clubs at an affordable price.
If you're new to golf, you want every bit of help getting the ball in the air, plus you need plenty of forgiveness when you don't find the centre of the clubface. The sweet spots on the Wilson large and forgiving, each club frames the ball in such a way it inspires confidence, and the irons feature a low centre of gravity for high launch.
Meanwhile, the wide sole of the sand wedge makes escaping bunkers far easier, which is an area of the game beginners can really struggle with. This set comes with a 10.5° driver, a three wood, a hybrid, a 6-iron to sand wedge and an excellent putter to match. Other sets may come with more clubs (this is a 10 piece set), but it does mean you can add extra clubs, perhaps as your game improves. The best golf club sets for beginners need not be really expensive either, as this set proves.
- Read our full Wilson Prostaff SGI Package Set review (opens in new tab)
The Top Flite XL 13-Piece Complete Set is a great option for new golfers at a highly competitive price point. A benefit to this set is that the driver, fairway wood, and hybrids are equipped with graphite shafts, which makes them easier to swing while also promoting distance. The irons, however, have steel shafts, which will give new players a better chance to learn to control their distances as they play more often.
Also noteworthy is that each club in the set was designed to help promote higher launch, which can be a challenge for new golfers starting out. The driver has a low center of gravity to aid in that regard, while the shallow profile of the fairway woods and hybrids will also help players launch the ball easier. Additionally, the irons have wide soles that utilize weight deeper in the clubhead to help with launch as well as turf interaction.
The putter offered with the set is a mallet design, which will provide added forgiveness on off-center strikes, while the stand bag that comes with the set is highly functional at this price point and has considerable storage for this category. This set does not, however, include a sand wedge, so that's a club that players will likely want to purchase separately as the embark on their golf journey.
A package set to make our 2022 Editor's Choice list, the PXG 0211 Z set really means business. Very much in keeping with the PXG look, the black and white really popped. The driver in particular felt and looked amazing, the matte top has a simple X in white showing you the center of the face from the top.
There are three options when buying these as a set. The 10 piece full bag costs $1695 and includes six hybrid irons (6-9 plus a pitching wedge and sand wedge), three woods (a 16° driver, 4 and 5 wood) and a 0211 Hellcat Putter along with the PXG Bag and a hat. This is what we were lucky enough to be testing. You can also buy just the three woods or six hybrid irons on their own for $795 each.
All the claims and marketing literature says these clubs are designed for true beginners “because golf is tough enough” and we could absolutely see what they mean. No matter how badly our tester seemed to swing it, shots never went too far offline. All of the tech seemed to almost instantly correct the errors in their technique. As such this set is a worthy inclusion on this list.
- Read our full PXG 0211 Z Golf Club Set Review (opens in new tab)
MacGregor may not be regarded as a premium brand in the modern market, but it does have a long and distinguished history in the game. Whilst its package sets aren't going to set you back an arm and a leg, it doesn't mean they lack innovation.
The CG3000 is an entry level set, with the 13° driver, low profile fairway and hybrid designed in such a way that they're easy to hit. Meanwhile, the irons (steel and graphite options are available) feature an undercut cavity to keep the centre of gravity low and deep, so golfers should find them easier to launch.
Given you're also getting a mallet style putter and the choice of either a premium stand or cart bag, there's no question that this set offers terrific value for money. What's more, MacGregor offers 1" longer or shorter steel stand options with clubs, therefore making them suitable for taller and shorter golfers.
- Read our full MacGregor CG3000 Golf Club Set review
The Stix Golf Complete Set contains 14 clubs from driver through to putter. The set comprises a driver; 3- and 5-woods; 4 hybrid; 5-iron through to pitching wedge; three wedges – 52° 56° and 60° – and a putter.
In our testing we thought the star performer was the driver. Not only does it look great but we found it popped the ball in the air nicely with an aggressive ball flight. It also wasn't spinning up and losing distance either.
The woods also performed well and we enjoyed the black irons as well. They continue the sleek look and hot feel, and they are quite firm through the ball with a strong ball flight. The wedges have more a specialist design to them which many will enjoy and the set also comes with a mallet putter. The only thing to be wary of here is the black finish can get easily scuffed over time and the set we got had no headcovers.
- Read our full Stix Golf Complete Set review (opens in new tab)
A solid, cost-effective option that is perfect for anyone looking to kit themselves out with a quality set of golf clubs, this offering from Wilson is one of the best and most complete club sets on the market. Featuring 10 clubs that include a driver, 3-wood, 5-hybrid, 6-iron to SW and a putter, beginner players will have a blast playing with these smart-looking golf clubs. The bag is made of high-quality materials and we thought it had a very simple design with ample pockets and an easy-to-use seven-way divider.
The highlight of this set though are the irons. Both in the bag and behind the ball, they have a smart look that inspires confidence ahead of your swing. The toplines are thick, but not too chunky and deliver a great profile high-handicap players (opens in new tab). The driver and woods both offered ample distances off the tee, while we thoroughly enjoyed playing with the putter although were tempted to replace its grip with a thicker offering from our best golf putting grips guide (opens in new tab).
- Read our full Wilson X31 Golf Club Set review
This 11-club set is built for forgiveness and power, as the name would suggest. Iron play can be a really frustrating part of the game for beginners, but these oversized irons (5-SW) feature an undercut cavity to create a larger sweet spot for higher launch and more forgiveness.
With this help, beginners will find it easier to get the ball airborne, which will make the game a lot more enjoyable. Although some novices may benefit more from using a mallet style putter with more stability, the blade Bazooka blade is simple to align.
- Read our full Tour Edge Bazooka 270 Golf Club Set review
Another premium option in this list of the best golf club sets for beginners. This set comes with 10 clubs in total - frustratingly short of a full set - which includes a 10.5° 460cc driver, a 5-wood and an easy to hit hybrid clubs.
These irons (6-SW) are made with graphite shafts instead of steel, which make them really lightweight and will allow the ball to launch easier. This composition of shafts are ideal if you are a senior golfer starting out for the first time or would just prefer a lightweight feel.
The trolley bag that is included is high quality too but this will mean you need to invest in a trolley to put it on. Overall this is another great premium beginners set ideal for the beginner who is committed to playing golf for a while and wants some premium clubs to match their ambitions in the game.
Another great beginner package set offer from Wilson, who make a lot of these sorts of sets. The irons (6-SW) are especially forgiving and the 10.5° driver, 3-wood and 4-hybrid launch really easily thanks to the lightweight graphite shafts used.
The driver is the highlight of this package set with the large head and offset providing plenty of confidence for the beginner golfer as the driver is often the hardest club in the bag to hit. This set also comes with the head covers and a rain hood although there isn't a putter head cover which is disappointing.
If you're happy to spend a little more on a beginner set, then you can get all the performance benefits you need with a more premium look here. The woods and fairways feature aerodynamically shaped head profiles which cut through the air to reduce energy loss during the downswing, giving players more distance.
They also have a high-strength construction with low CG positioning to promote high launch. The inclusion of two hybrid clubs is excellent too as these clubs are easy for beginners to hit and go a long way too. When you pay a bit more, you also get the benefit of more game-improving technology, such as Roll Groove in the semi-mallet putter, which helps deliver a better, more consistent roll.
This more premium-looking set also comes with a stand bag, as well as matching headcovers, so it does present excellent value for money.
Another top women's set worthy of inclusion in this list is the REVA set from Callaway. This set includes a driver, three wood, 5 and 6 hybrids, 7-9 irons, a pitching and sand wedge and a putter as well as a snazzy cart bag and five headcovers.
Our tester loved the driver performance, with it providing a high launch and ball flight, powerful feel, and the big circular target-style sweet spot on the face looks impossible to miss. The three-wood and hybrids continued this theme as well.
Moving to the irons, the large, oversized cavity back irons are designed to help on mishits and our testing seemed to prove this. They felt effortlessly light to swing and easy to use thanks to the stability and forgiveness on offer. We would've maybe preferred specialist wedges but the clubs included in this set do the job of a simple pitch or chip shot well enough.
What makes this one of the best women’s golf sets is that the included putter includes the Stroke Lab shaft. The fang design, coupled with the Stroke Lab technology, is aimed to help you with tempo and consistency and our tested loved it, especially in the blue finish.
Overall this is certainly a set worth considering if you want to make the game seem easier. You can buy individual Reva clubs as well, like the Callaway Big Bertha Reva Women's driver, and even Callaway Reva golf balls.
- Read our full Callaway Reva Ladies Package Set Review (opens in new tab)
The Wilson Magnolia set is excellent value. Women have a choice of a cart or carry bag to hold a driver, 3-wood, 4, 5, 6 hybrids and a full iron set (7-SW), plus a putter (opens in new tab).
A high-lofted driver with an oversized head profile is designed to instill confidence, forgiveness and maximum distance off the tee, whilst the fairway wood and hybrids feature a large sweet spot and low weighting to make shots easier to play from a variety of lies.
The irons are easy to launch due to the oversized head and clever weighting, and consistency is enhanced on the greens thanks to the putter’s alignment aid.
- Read our full Wilson Magnolia Women’s Package Set Review (opens in new tab)
How We Test Sets
Golf club sets are no exception when it comes to our testing ethos (opens in new tab) and methodology because we want to find the best golf clubs (opens in new tab) in the game.
We put sets to the test out on the course and over a number of rounds to see how they perform on different courses and in varying conditions. It is only through using each club out on the course and at the range that you can get an idea of how well something is made and how it performs.
Additionally we want to make very clear that no manufacturer can buy a good review because our testing team tells it how it is, and we often have to buy the sets ourselves to put them to the test.
How To Choose A Beginners Set
If you are new to the game and need some insight into the factors you should be looking out for when buying clubs, we have given some advice below.
What comes in the set - The great thing about golf is if you want to buy single golf clubs for your bag you can, but you can also get entire sets with one purchase too. When doing the latter, it is worth checking which clubs come as part of the set to make sure you have all bases covered, and it is also worth getting a bag with the set too.
Quality - A common problem for beginner sets can be quality. Unlike the models we picked above, many can be poorly made and have issues with the head, shaft or grip, or even all three. Therefore it is definitely worth going for brands that are well-respected in the game of golf because the products will have been made properly and would've been designed to give as much help to beginners as possible. The prevalence of Wilson and Callaway in this area is a case in point.
Forgiveness - The main factor when specifically looking at the clubs themselves is forgiveness. The most common problem for beginner players is mishit shots which limits distance and hinders accuracy. Beginner golf clubs are designed to have larger heads and sweet spots, and therefore more forgiveness to help players still make solid contact with the golf ball.
Budget - Obviously there are different sets at different price points so it is worth thinking about whether you want to spend more or less here. This point also links with what comes in the set because the sets that come with bags, headcovers and so on, usually come with a higher price.
FAQ's
What clubs should be in a beginner set?
A beginner to the game of golf needs to keep things simple and the same can be said for the clubs. Most good beginner sets, as a result, come with a driver, some kind of fairway wood or hybrid (or both), a half set of irons with regular loft gaps, some kind of wedge and obviously a putter. We usually see good beginner sets come with 9 or 11 clubs and once a player becomes better at the game then they can find out how to fill the last few spots in the bag.
What is the exact price point for a good beginner set?
This is a difficult question to answer because some sets have been designed to come at a cheaper price point, whilst others are made by recognisable brands like TaylorMade or Callaway, and as a result come with a higher price. Realistically you can spend anywhere between $200 all the way to $1,000 so whilst this does not have an exact answer, we can say that you should be aware of how much you are willing to spend on a beginner set, and then choose accordingly.
What's the main difference between buying a set and buying clubs individually?
The main difference, or should we say advantage, of buying clubs individually is that you have a lot more freedom. There are lots of professionals out there who don't have equipment contracts because they want to be able to chop and change as they wish, and use different clubs they like the looks, performance and feel of. At the other end of the golfing spectrum, buying a set is ideal for beginners because it often saves a lot of time and money because all it requires is one purchase which can be very inexpensive as well.
Should a beginner get fitted?
At Golf Monthly we usually recommend most people get fitted for golf clubs these days but as far as beginner players go we think a better way to spend money is to invest in some lessons because this will allow them to get better faster. Once a beginner has started to improve and see some success with their shots, then would be a good time to think about getting fitted for a proper set of clubs.
We hope you enjoyed this guide on the best golf club sets for beginners. For more content like this check out the Golf Monthly website.
Additionally, we also recommend checking out our guide on the best golf club sets for kids if you want to get your children into the game, or some of the best golf drivers on the market.