If you're new to the game, finding the right set of golf clubs to start your journey can be a daunting prospect. To make the task of buying your first set as easy as possible, we've tested lots of models and 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 at various price points but, regardless of cost, 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.
The Quick List
An outstanding package set from Callaway that offers exceptional performance right through the bag from driver to putter. We especially loved how easy to hit the irons and woods were.
We found that the driver, hybrids and irons were all forgiving while offering plenty of distance, making this a great value and expansive set for beginners.
Combining mart looks with ample forgiveness, this impressive 12-club line up from TaylorMade delivers a superb all-round performance.
With its modest price tag that delivers a lot for your money, the Wilson Prostaff SGI is an impressive set that will definitely suit the golfer beginning his/her journey.
With an impressive driver and some strong, forgiving irons, this is an impressive set that looks sensational. While we suspect the good looks might fade quite rapidly, their good performance levels will certainly remain.
For those just getting into the game and want a new, good-quality set as a starting point, the Cobra Fly XL package set is a superb option.
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One of the best sets we’ve tested for beginners, we'd recommend these clubs to anyone who is new to the game. It is a package set that offers excellent performance for the money.
These functional, easy-to-use clubs from MacGregor really impressed us with their ability to get the ball up in the air, making the set an excellent option for those looking to begin their golfing journey.
This is a high end package set with very appealing looks that will flatter your ability if you're new to the game, thus helping you enjoy your time on the course so much more.
This all-encompassing 16-piece package set from Strata is perfect for beginners or lady golfers wanting something more user-friendly. In our view this is the best package set for high handicap women golfers or those just starting out.
The Reva is engineered for premium performance, it is luxurious in looks and is made from high-quality components. In short, it's the Aston Martin of women's package sets.
A near-perfect introduction to the game for the beginner and keen improver, the Magnolia has everything you need from tee-to-green plus a complementing trolley bag in a stylish blue.
Best Golf Club Sets For Beginners
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Top pick
The Callaway XR Package set is our top pick for beginner sets
We test a lot of clubs but when we took the Callaway XR Package Set for a spin we felt that it was easily one of the best golf club sets out there. All of the clubs are confidence-inspiring at address and impressively easy to launch into the air, two things which are imperative for beginner golfers.
Whilst they do sit towards the premium end of the package set space and might be out of the budget for some new golfers, particularly those who aren't sure if they are going to stick with the game or not, in our view they are worth every penny.
When you take these clubs out of the box, you can tell a lot of time and effort has gone into it. The driver is 10.5˚ (which is slightly lower lofted than other drivers available in package sets) and has a really premium look. The matte black crown oozes style and looks extremely generous down behind the ball. It sits a little closed too, which will help slicers.
The fairway woods also provide a generous footprint down behind the ball and we found them very easy to flight. As for the irons, it's a similar story. You can tell by the fairly rounded toe area and the topline that these are clearly a Callaway design. Finally we come to the putter, which has an excellent head shape and helpful alignment features. All of the above clubs are housed inside a nice, stylish carry bag, making this a terrific all round set.
- Read our full Callaway XR Package Set Review
Best set choice
A very popular model, there are several options to choose from in this Strata set
If the Callaway set is out of your price bracket, then this Strata Men's Golf Package Set is a fine alternative at a significantly lower cost. For us this is one of the best cheap golf club sets money can buy as you get a considerable amount of bang for your buck!
The set is comprised of driver, fairway wood, two hybrids, 6-iron to pitching wedge, plus a putter and a stand bag. The main stand out from our testing was the forgiveness on offer right throughout the bag. Forgiveness is the number one benefit to new golfers as they need all the help they can get while they polish their skills. Each club in this set has been designed to get the ball airborne and inspire confidence over the ball. This is achieved by thick toplines on the irons and an oversized head and regular shaft in the driver and fairway woods.
The only slight criticism of this set for us would be the putter, although that is a fairly common issue in package sets and it's the area where brands look to save money. Don't let that put you off though, as due to the overall low cost of the set it's a good option to replace it with one of the best cheap putters on the market. Aside from that one small gripe, this is an excellent value option that new golfers will love.
- Read our full Strata Men's Golf Package Set Review
Best mass appeal
The RBZ SpeedLite from TaylorMade will suit a wide range of players
TaylorMade has a strong reputation for producing some of the best golf clubs on the market and you will find their clubs in the bags of some of the best golfers on the planet. Having secured a place at the top end of the market the company is now branching out into the golf package set industry. Like the XR, the RBZ SpeedLite does come in at the more premium end but that is reflected in the fine aesthetics that make this set one of the best looking on the market. These will look great in the bag of any new golfer and will attract admiring glances from playing partners.
The 12-club line-up includes woods that feature a grey finish on the crown with small flashes of green that we absolutely love. As you would expect the irons have thick toplines which we think strike a perfect balance of inspiring confidence at address without being too clunky and uninviting. It's a similar story with the wedges and compact, mallet putter.
In our testing we found that all of the clubs were very easy to launch and provided plenty of spin, which is obviously a key factor in getting the golf ball in the air. Launching the ball high can be one of the most difficult things for new golfers to do so any help in this regard is welcome. The only slight downside is the cart bag which we didn’t feel reflected the quality of the clubs on offer. It's adequate and has plenty of storage space and a smart look, but for us it is a touch flimsier than some of the best cart bags.
- Read our full TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite Package Set Review
Best forgiveness
The Prostaff SGI set is ideal for those golfers looking for more forgiveness
As mentioned numerous times above, there are two main things that new golfers need more than anything else; help getting the ball airborne and forgiveness when they don't hit it out of the middle of the club face. This Wilson set will provide both at an excellent price.
This set comes with a 10.5° driver, a three wood, a hybrid, a 6-iron to sand wedge and also features an impressive putter too. While other sets may come with more clubs (this is a 10 piece set), there is an advantage in having a few less as in reality you don't need 14 when you're just starting, but you can add specialist clubs as your game improves. Usually that would be an extra hybrid and more variety in the wedges.
In our testing we noted that the sweet spots on these clubs are large and forgiving, which is great for beginners and high handicap players who struggle to consistently find the middle. We also liked how each club frames the ball in such a way that it inspires confidence, while the irons feature a low centre of gravity for high launch, which is great for beginners as getting the ball airborne with the mid-long irons can be very difficult at first. Finally, we loved the wide sole of the sand wedge as this will provide good assistance in escaping bunkers, which is an aspect of the game where beginners tend to really struggle.
- Read our full Wilson Prostaff SGI Package Set Review
Best looking
The all-black finish of these clubs from Stix are a sight to behold
While looks are not the most important aspect when it comes to golf clubs, they are somewhat important and having a nice looking set in the bag is very satisfying. When it comes to aesthetics, this set from Stix Golf absolutely knocks it out the park. These are beautiful looking golf clubs. Every club in the bag looks premium and we are happy to report that we were extremely impressed with the performance too.
This is a complete set that contains 14 clubs right through from driver to putter. It's a fairly standard set-up that includes 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, the star performer was the driver, which not only looks fantastic but produced a nice aggressive, high ball flight without spinning up and losing distance, which can occasionally be an issue with package set drivers. We were blown away by the driver and it actually felt and performed like some of the premium models in our best golf drivers guide. Every other club was really solid too and we noted that in the wedges you could really see the specialist design getting to work. The only thing we would say to be wary of is that the black finish will get easily scuffed over time. That's the trade off with any black finish clubs; they look amazing but it won't last. The performance however certainly will.
- Read our full Stix Golf Complete Set Review
Best bag
A model with an excellent bag, the Fly XL from Cobra offered good performance
When it comes to aesthetics the Cobra Fly XL set certainly looks the part and we were thoroughly impressed with how good these clubs looked when taking them out of the wrapper. In fact, you could even say they look pretty 'Fly'. Sorry, couldn't resist!
Cobra is a brand known for providing excellent performance with great value and, with the Fly XL set, they have continued this theme throughout.
It's a 10 club set that comes with a really sturdy, lightweight stand bag that has a 5-way divider, fleece-lined valuables' pocket and a matching rain hood for those who are not put off playing by bad weather. The good thing is that Cobra offer both a stand bag and cart bag version, which is a really nice touch as it gives you a choice depending on your preference.
When it comes to performance it was obvious in our testing that Cobra have thought a lot about the target market. The set features a 5-wood instead of the 3 that you find in most package sets. This is a smart move as the extra loft on the face of the 5-wood will benefit golfers who lack swing speed and/or ball-striking prowess. In other words, beginners. Our other big take away from testing is that all of the clubs have been designed with forgiveness in mind, and we would even say that the irons could give some of the most forgiving irons a run for their money.
- Read our full Cobra Fly XL Package Set Review
Best cheap set
The ideal set for those looking for a budget option
This is a great choice for the new golfer who thinks they might be in it for the long haul but isn't 100% sure so therefore doesn't want to spend big bucks on a set that they might not use much. In terms of a budget set that won't break the bank, the Inesis 100 Package Set is perfect. It comes with 10 clubs and a decent carry bag, making the 100 an affordable starter option that gives the new golfer all they need to get out there and hone their skills.
The set comprises a driver, fairway wood, hybrid, 6-iron to 9-iron, pitching wedge, sand wedge and putter. Based on our testing we would say that the most impressive aspect of this set is the irons, which are smart and simple. The first thing we noticed when we set them down behind the ball is that they are quite long from heel to toe, which is ideal as it makes them look and feel forgiving.
As for the woods, we noted there was a lively feel with quite a higher pitch impact sound. Better players generally shy away from that but for slightly slower swing players and beginner golfers, this is certainly no bad thing as it gives the impression you've really smashed one and that's always a pleasing feeling for those new to the game.
Throughout the rest of the set we noticed a good amount of distance combined with a strong ball flight. The wedges look really smart and performed well, whilst the compact, fang-shape mallet putter offers plenty of alignment assistance and forgiveness. It also comes fitted with a really good grip, which is a bonus as that isn't always the case where package sets are concerned.
- Read our full Inesis 100 Package Set Review
Best high flight
If you need help hitting it high, MacGregor's CG4000 set can help
Out of the box, the MacGregor CG4000 comes with everything you need to start your golfing journey, with a stylish green and black bag making way for 10 golf clubs and decent quality headcovers.
Performance-wise, the feel throughout the set was reasonable and, from driver to wedges, the ease of use was great and we found them incredibly easy to get airborne. The putter was also a real highlight, with excellent forgiveness on offer, the only slight gripe was that, with no headcover and not the most robust build quality, it chips incredibly easily.
In terms of clubs, you get a 460cc, 13-degree driver, an 18-degree fairway wood, and a 24-degree hybrid. Furthermore, there is a 6-iron through sand wedge and a putter. There is also a choice of a stand or cart bag, with all the clubs designed with forgiveness in mind, as thick top lines and large heads provide ample confidence.
- Read our full MacGregor CG4000 Golf Club Set Review
Best for dispersion
This is an excellent package set from PXG, a brand making big moves in golf equipment
The PXG 0211 Z set is a premium set very much in keeping with the PXG look and we think the black and white contrast looks fantastic. It's one of the more expensive options on this list but you expect to pay more for a premium offering and we don't think the cost is unreasonable.
In testing, it was immediately clear that the acoustics of the clubs were certainly higher than other sets. This won't appeal to all, but some may like the loud noise as it gives the impression of the ball going further. Our big take away from testing is that it was clear that these clubs had been designed for those with slower swing speeds so, if you don't mind spending a bit extra, then these might be the ideal clubs for the beginner golfer.
One final thing to note is that PXG offer unrivalled customisation options and that is the case here too. The 10 piece full bag has an RRP of $1695 and includes six hybrid irons (6-9 plus a pitching wedge and sand wedge), three woods (a 16° driver, 4 and 5 wood) plus a 0211 Hellcat Putter along with the PXG Bag and a hat. However, you can also buy just the three woods or six hybrid irons on their own for $795.
- Read our full PXG 0211 Z Golf Club Set Review
Top women's pick
Our favorite package set for women right now
We have already mentioned the Strata men's set above, but the women's option is equally as impressive if not more so. It comes with a 12° driver, fairway wood, 4 and 5 hybrids, 6-9 irons, PW, SW and a putter, as well as a nice stand bag.
These clubs look sensational. The irons have a glossy chrome finish and a distinctive shaped cavity back, wide soles and thick top lines that makes them very pleasing on the eye, both over the ball and in the bag. More importantly, they're also super easy to hit.
Our testing showed impressive results in terms of both distance and forgiveness. While the big-headed driver is not as advanced in terms of technology as some of the best drivers for women, we found that it was easy to use and performed well. We were also pleased with the performance of the other clubs in the set too, although if we have one slight gripe it would be that the blade putter is a strange choice for a package set as most beginners are better suited to a mallet putter. That being said, the putter itself is fine and does boast a very sleek aesthetic and handy alignment aid on its top line which did help us line up putts accurately. We just feel a mallet would be more suitable for the target market.
- Read our full Strata Women's Package Set Review
Best premium women's
Arguably the Aston Martin of women's golf package sets
The Reva package set from Callaway is aimed at women golfers of all abilities, but we would suggest that it is ladies who are either new to the game or who are still learning their craft that will benefit most from this set. More experienced golfers might still enjoy this set but usually the seasoned golfer will shy away from package sets in favor of a more customized bag.
The Reva comes with a driver, three wood, 5 and 6 hybrids, 7-9 iron, a pitching and sand wedge as well as a putter. You also get a snazzy cart bag plus five headcovers, so there's plenty there for your money. In testing it was the driver performance that really grabbed our attention. The high launch and ball flight was matched by a powerful feel, and the big circular target-style sweet spot on the face looks impossible to miss. Both the three-wood and hybrids continued this theme as well and beginners should quickly gain confidence from using these woods.
Moving down the bag and the large, oversized cavity back irons are designed to help on mis-hits and our testing confirmed this. We found them to be effortlessly light to swing and there was plenty of stability and forgiveness on offer. As impressive as the woods and irons are though, the thing that really makes this stand out as one of the best women’s golf sets is the putter, which includes the Stroke Lab shaft you find in the best Odyssey putters. The fang design, coupled with the Stroke Lab technology, is aimed to help you with tempo and consistency and we loved it, especially in the blue finish.
- Read our full Callaway Reva Ladies Package Set Review
Most stylish
A stunning combination of style, looks and performance
This stylish-looking Wilson Magnolia Ladies Set of clubs retails at around $500 RRP, making it a great value option that we absolutely love. The set includes a high-lofted driver, easy-to-hit 3-wood, 4, 5 and 6 hybrids, 7 iron through to sand wedge, putter and a trolley bag.
The driver has a very rounded, oversized head with lots of loft that serves the dual purpose of providing confidence as well as helping to launch tee shots nice and high. New golfers need all the help they can get with driver and this one certainly deliveres on that front. Further help comes from Wilson's decision to replace the longer irons with easier to hit hybrids. The mid-short irons have oversized heads that have the weight positioned to the perimeter to provide better balance and forgiveness.
The only criticism we have of this set based on our testing experience is that the Magnolia irons were slightly 'head heavy', but they were all easy to launch. The bespoke sand wedge worked well for us around the green, while we liked the fang-shaped putter which has a huge eye-catching head and will provide a lot of reassurance behind the ball for the new golfer still trying to get comfortable on the greens. All of these clubs are housed in a stylish blue trolley bag that’s really lightweight to lift in and out of your car trunk, and all in all we would say that the Magnolia Set from Wilson is an excellent offering.
- Read our full Wilson Magnolia Women’s Package Set Review
How we test
We take our testing very seriously here at Golf Monthly and golf club sets are no exception when it comes to our testing ethos and methodology. We want to find the best golf clubs in the game so we can pass on our experience and advice to you, in order to help you make the most informed decision you can when spending your money.
Specifically, all package sets, including the beginner options we have tested above, are used out on the golf course to see how they actually perform in real life situations rather than just on a launch monitor or on the range. This means using each club in the bag, playing different shots with them, playing in different conditions, and just generally seeing what the sets are like to live with. We do this over a period of time because this allows us to see the performance ourselves, and get a better understanding on factors like feel, durability, versatility and so on.
Additionally we want to make it very clear that manufacturers can not buy a good review from us because our testing team tells it how it is. Indeed, we often have to buy the sets ourselves to put them to the test. This allows us to be as transparent and honest as we like, which therefore means we can give you proper, insightful buying advice on these package sets.
How to choose
If you are new to the game and you are unsure what you need to be looking for, then here is some insight into the factors you should be considering when buying new clubs.
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. You do not need to buy a full set when you're just starting out, as you can always add more specialist clubs (wedges for example) at a later date when you have honed your skills a bit more.
Budget
Naturally, there are 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, but may end up saving you money in the long run if you were to go out and buy those items separately. How often you are going to play is a factor too. If its only a dozen times a year then an expensive set is not going to provide value for money and you'd be better served with a discount priced set such as the Inesis 100 for example.
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. You might think you are picking up something for a great price, but if you have to quickly replace it because clubs are broken or just not delivering on performance, then you are actually losing money. Therefore we would strongly advise that going for brands that are well-respected in the game of golf because the products will have been made properly, and have also been designed to give as much help to beginners as possible. Wilson and Callaway are especially strong names in this particular market.
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. A less forgiving club (those aimed at low handicap players for example) are not going to be much help to a new golfer.
FAQs
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. It's worth pointing out that for a beginner, a more expensive set does not necessarily equate to better golf and you may not see too much difference, so keep that in mind. You don't need to spend big but you might want to in order to have a set you're proud of and that you'll feel good about showing off to your friends.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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