Best Golf Clubs For High Handicappers 2024

Our look at the best golf clubs for high handicappers worth considering this season

Best Golf Clubs For High Handicappers
(Image credit: Golf Monthly)
Best Golf Clubs For High Handicappers

In case you didn't already know, you're spoilt for choice, particularly as a high handicap golfer, when it comes to some of the excellent golf clubs that are currently on the market. That's because golf club technology has grown leaps and bounds over the last 20 years, meaning there are a ton of excellent golf clubs out there that will help you improve as a golfer. Typically, the best golf clubs for high handicappers are more forgiving, which means mis-hits aren't so severely punished. 

So, no matter what club you're hitting, there's a little more margin for error, something less experienced golfers need, given that their strike pattern isn't usually so consistent. If you've ever played with one of the best blade irons you'll know these clubs are very hard to hit consistently in comparison to many of the clubs we'll be highlighting below. With the drivers and fairways, slice-correcting technology is often at the heart of the clubs' design, which is really helpful for those high handicappers who tend to suffer with a left-to-right shot shape.

Putters and wedges tend to be a little more chunky, helping to alleviate miss-hits around the greens and allow players to be more accurate and clinical when looking to hole out. Acknowledging all of this, we put together a list of some of the best golf clubs we feel high handicap golfers will benefit from. We've also got a few club-specific guides if you'd like to take a more in-depth look at some of the top models on offer, including the best high handicap drivers, the best fairway woods for high handicappers, and the most forgiving irons.

The Quick List

Best Golf Clubs For High Handicappers

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Drivers

Photo of the Cobra Darkspeed Max Driver

(Image credit: Future)
One of the best draw-bias drivers we have tested

Specifications

Lofts: 9°, 10.5° and 12°
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Stock Shaft: 2 Options (Project X HZRDUS Red CB, UST LIN-Q M40X Red 5)
Left Handed Option: Yes in 10.5° and 12°(Custom Only) Not in 9°

Reasons to buy

+
Seriously difficult to slice
+
Exceptional looks
+
Strong ball speed

Reasons to avoid

-
Head shape not as refined as the other two models in the range

In terms of looks, along with the rest of the Darkspeed family, the draw-biased Max is straight out of the top drawer. Taking the “dark” theme to the extreme, Cobra has almost entirely done away with any color here. Down behind the ball the Darkspeed Max delivers again. Whilst the head shape isn’t quite as refined as its siblings, the Darkspeed LS and the Darkspeed X, the carbon effect crown and minimalist Cobra logo give a very sophisticated look.

With regard to performance, the Darkspeed Max delivered strong results for me across the board. We tested the Darkspeed Max both on the golf course and indoors, using Trackman 4 launch monitor and Titleist Pro V1x golf balls.

Ball speed was strong, producing some very pleasing carry distances. Launch and spin were predictably a little higher than the other two drivers in the Darkspeed family but far from excessive. Cobra has really struck a great balance here of adding some spin and launch to help the intended market for this type of driver, but not too much so as to alienate higher speed players that might be entertaining a draw bias option.

PING G430 SFT driver resting on the fairway showing off its charcoal clubhead and the green and white detailing on that head

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)
An all-around winner that offers excellent forgiveness

Specifications

Lofts: 10.5°
Adjustable hosel: Yes
Stock shaft: Ping Alta CB Black 55 (5 other options available)
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Very broad appeal
+
Head sits fairly square at address
+
Surprisingly long

Reasons to avoid

-
Some fighting a slice may prefer more of a closed look at address

Ping are without a doubt one of the best manufacturers when it comes to producing high-quality golf clubs. You only have to look at our lists on the best Ping putters and best Ping drivers to see the pedigree products that this brand produce. In fact, Ping produce some of the most playable clubs on the market, evidenced by their new G430 range, with the SFT the most forgiving in the trio of new clubs released to the market, G430 Max and G430 LST. In this model, the brand promise a forgiving and easy to play club, and having taken it out for a spin, we certainly feel it lives up to that. 

Most high-handicap players will suffer from the dreaded slice and Ping have gone to great lengths in this club to add a lot of draw-bias. The brand promises extra distance here too, which is achieved through a shallower face that is six percent thinner than the face on its predecessor, the G425. One thing we really liked here though was the variable thickness on the clubface, which delivers more flexing and allowed for greater ball speed on shots struck across the entire clubface. We really enjoyed this level of playability out on the course and think less experienced players will really benefit from this feature. 

Within our testing, we found it to be the highest spinning model of the range, something which will benefit slow swing speeds as it keeps it airborne and travelling straighter for longer. Certainly it is one of the best drivers for slicers anywhere on the market, but looks-wise it oozes a premium image that puts it on par with some of the best golf drivers on the market.

Photo of the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Driver

(Image credit: Future)
One of the most user-friendly models we have tested

Specifications

Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Stock Shaft: 2 options (MCA Tensei Blue, Project X Cypher)
Left Handed Option: Yes - in all available lofts

Reasons to buy

+
New color looks great
+
Incredibly easy to launch
+
Sound and feel is superb

Reasons to avoid

-
Mainly only aesthetic improvements from predecessor

The Max D in the latest Ai Smoke range from Callaway is most comparable with the Paradym X from last year with its high MOI and slight draw bias, but there are some clear alterations the brand has made to improve the head. 

Starting with the looks, the grey finish and cool, pattern design on the sole aids shelf appeal a lot in our opinion. The head is also extremely confidence-inspiring with a very large overall footprint which Callaway has achieved by stretching it outwards in all the right places. This presents a genuinely larger looking head than the 460cc it actually is, and the stretching backwards has allowed Callaway to increase the MOI in the quest for stability.

The Ai technology continues here and along with the stretching of the club head, a rear weight has also been strategically placed to further increase MOI and create a draw bias. What were the results of this in testing? Well the forgiveness of this model is off-the-charts good. Rarely have we found a driver so extremely easy to get off the ground. 

For the right category of player, we think this could be an absolute game-changer. One of the most user-friendly drivers we have ever picked up, if you struggle with launch and spin then this is a must try. 

Photo of Taylormade Qi10 Max Driver

(Image credit: Future)
A stunning driver with launch and stability at its core

Specifications

Lofts: 9.0°, 10.5°, 12.0°
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Stock Shaft: 2 options (Fujikura Speeder NX TCS 50 & Mitsubishi Diamana T+ 60)
Left Handed Option: Yes - 9.0°, 10.5°, 12.0°

Reasons to buy

+
Massively stable at impact
+
Very easy to launch
+
New head shape is excellent

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as draw biased as some in this category

Having been fortunate enough to receive a full product briefing by the TaylorMade team, it's very apparent that the Qi10 Max is very much the hero product of this particular family, so much so, the whole series was named after this model. The quest for 10K MOI was what the TaylorMade engineers set out to do, hence the ‘Q’ for quest, the ‘i’ for inertia and the ‘10’ for 10k, giving us the Qi10.

Stretching out the head shape to create an 8mm longer profile from the front to the back has allowed the CG to be moved deeper and into a more MOI friendly location. In testing, this was certainly the case, as the Qi10 Max is astonishingly forgiving. Some of the poorer strikes our tester administered to the ball were hugely flattered by the high MOI of the driver. 

What's more, the ball speed remained pretty constant no matter where the ball was struck on the face and dispersion was pleasingly tight both from a length and directional perspective. It's worth noting that the spin was on the slightly high side, but the whole point of this driver is to get the ball airborne. Overall, we think the Qi10 Max justifies its position as the hero product of this range, with it delivering incredible levels of forgiveness and stability without compromising speed.

Fairways

Ping G430 MAX Fairway Wood held aloft on the golf course showing off its green and white detailling

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)
Stunning aesthetics and excellent playability

Specifications

Lofts: 15°, 18°, 21°, 24°
Adjustable hosel: Yes
Stock shaft: Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptional forgiveness
+
Versatile from different lies
+
Consistently fast ball speeds

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the easiest to flight low into the wind

An upgrade on the impressive G425 fairway wood, the G430 Max offers new visuals, enhanced feel and several new features that aim to make this a more reliable golf club. The first thing to note is Ping have implemented a stunning carbon matte finish on this club, implementing a new Carbonfly Wrap that is designed to save 10g of weight and lower the club's center of gravity. The new carbon finish also helps to reduce spin and increase ball speeds coming off the face. It gives the club a very premium look and that is combined with the fantastic green and white detailing on the sole of this club which adds to its smart look. 

The Max also comes in a variety of lofts, ranging from a 3-wood all the way to a 9-wood, which means there's a lot of versatility on offer depending on the type of club you're looking to add to your bag. Combine that with Ping's Facewrap Technology, which is designed to provide a stable connection between sole and crown, as well as allow for more consistent ball speeds regardless of strike location, and you have a club which will appeal to a broad range of players.

During testing, thinly-struck shots popped up and flew just shy of a desired ball flight, a great sign that this club offers bags of forgiveness. On centered strikes, the G430 packed a lot of power, and we were very impressed with the distances we were getting both on the range and on the course. Ultimately, this is a very impressive club that combines a fantastic aesthetic with even better performance attributes, to produce what is one of the most forgiving fairway woods on the market.

A golfer swings the Titleist TSR2 Fairway Wood on the golf course

(Image credit: Future)
Easy to launch and aesthetically pleasing

Specifications

Lofts: 13.5°, 15°, 16.5°, 18°
Adjustable hosel: Yes
Stock shaft: Tensei Blue 65
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Aspirational aesthetic that is compact yet confidence-inspiring
+
Easy to launch
+
Impressive distance

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a huge upgrade over the previous generation

The Titleist TSR2 strikes the balance between the TSR3 and TRS2+, with it providing a mixture of distance and forgiveness. Featuring Titleist's plain and simple aesthetics, the fairway wood now has white groove lines that span the whole width of the face. You might think this is a small, and fairly inconsequential detail, but for us it worked to highlight the loft on offer and keep the face open at address. That was a really handy addition, helping to instil a lot of confidence in the player that you don't need to swing at a million miles an hour to get the ball up and away. 

The TSR2 has a slightly lower pitched impact sound that we really enjoyed. It offers up quite a satisfying 'crack' through each shot and is right up there as one of the best fairway woods for feel on the market. On testing, we found this model is very easy to launch and offers a lot of carry distance. The consistency of ball flight was also noticeable with this club producing very reliable and repeatable flights. It is another top-performing model that a wide range of golfers could benefit from using. The simple, sleek aesthetics and solid feel through impact, also make this one of the most aspirational models on the market.

Srixon ZX Mk II Fairway showing its very sleek sole plate

(Image credit: Future)
Fast ball speed and sleek looks combined

Specifications

Lofts: 13.5º, 15º, 18º, 21º
Adjustable hosel: No
Stock shaft: Project X Cypher 40
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Versatile sole sits well at address
+
Generous sized head improves forgiveness

Reasons to avoid

-
Looks of step in crown may not be for all

An excellent fairway wood if you're looking for something that is easy to hit from a variety of lies, the Srixon ZX Mk II is a fantastic club that will appeal to a range of golfers. It is an upgrade on the previous Srixon ZX fairway and boasts a new Cannon Sole that shifts the weight more towards the front of the club to improve the center of gravity and the forgiveness on offer. Combine this in your bag with a set of the excellent Srixon ZX7 Mk II or ZX5 Mk II irons (or even a selection of both... if you're feelling adventurous) and you'll have a pretty excellent, easy to use suite of clubs. 

Let's focus a little more on the aesthetics on offer here, and during testing we were pretty excited to see how big the clubhead came up behind the golf ball. Its matte black finish is a nice touch, that is combined with some cool white detailing that shows off the curves of the club very subtly. That combined made it feel like this club inspired a lot of confidence when you're stood behind the ball. This certainly appeals to those looking for more forgiveness in their fairway wood game, but there's more! The Mk II comes with several contours on its sole plate, which have been redesigned to center the weight and work with the club's higher trailing edge to create a squarer face angle at impact. That helps to generate straighter ball flights and get the ball up from difficult lies on the course. 

On testing, we really enjoyed the forgiveness and speed the face offered. That is down to a Rebound Frame and Dual Flex Zones that are found on the face of the clubm, which help to promote faster ball speeds off the face of the club. We loved the yardages and stability the club offered on the course. In our view, we think inconsistent golfers will really benefit from the consistency this club offers, delivering great accuracy to attack greens on longer par fours and par fives, with this being one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers.

Hybrids

Callaway Apex UWEditors Choice 2022


(Image credit: Matthew Moore)
A very playable golf club

Specifications

Lofts: 17º, 19º, 21º
Adjustable hosel: No
Stock shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Can do the job of a higher lofted fairway wood and a strong hybrid
+
Longer than a five wood, easier to hit than a 2-iron or utility iron

Reasons to avoid

-
Looks are plain for such a high-tech club

This model featured in our Editors Choice Awards for 2022 and it's hard to see it falling out of favor any time soon! Callaway has regularly sought to think outside the box when it comes to golf club design and the latest attempt is the Apex UW (Utility Wood) - a club that looks and flies like a fairway wood but offers the versatility and precision of the best hybrids. Visually, this is a stunning golf club that comes with a sleek design and black carbon fiber detailing that make it one of the most aesthetically pleasing fairway woods on the market right now. 

The forged face, made from C300 Maraging Steel, was a pleasure to hit and the feel is responsive and energetic. The Jailbreak A.I blades provide vertical stiffness near the sole, which helped keep ball speed up when hitting a touch low on the face. When inconsistency of strike is a common issue for higher handicap players, this technology helps a lot and we really enjoyed the usability this offered.

On testing, it was exceptionally long, around 25 yards past similarly struck shots with other leading brand hybrids tested the same round. Additionally it seemed to perform very well in the wind as well with performance more akin to a fairway wood than a hybrid. The forged face, made from C300 Maraging Steel, was a pleasure to hit and the feel is responsive and energetic. The Jailbreak A.I blades provide vertical stiffness near the sole, which helps keep ball speed up when a player hits it too low in the face, a common problem with hybrids and fairway woods.

Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid Review held aloft to show its blue speed pocket

(Image credit: Future)
Fantastic from tighter lies thanks to its club face technology

Specifications

Lofts: 16º, 19º, 22º, 25º
Adjustable hosel: Yes
Stock shaft: Aldila Ascent Ultralite 50
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Very consistent speed and spin
+
Extremely versatile
+
Classic sleek looks

Reasons to avoid

-
Long blade length may not suit everyone's eye

Another forgiving and versatile club that we really enjoyed testing, the Mizuno ST-Z 230 hybrids deliver a playable and versatile feel off the tee and the ground. Akin to some of the best Mizuno golf irons, this is a fantastic hybrid are fantastic too, with Mizuno opting for a gloss black crown here which looks very compact at address but comes with a very long-looking face that looks great when squared up to the golf ball.

It also comes with a Cortech Chamber inside the clubhead that has been given an icy blue look on the sole of the club. That moves the weight closer to the face of the club and lowers the center of gravity to help control the launch and spin of the ball, making it an excellent club if you're looking to produce longer and more consistent ball flights that most importantly, travel straight. 

The sweet spot of the club has also been lowered, making the club even easier to hit, especially when playing off tighter lies on the fairway. That also meant that the ST-Z 230 performed incredibly well out of the rough with the ball launching high and sitting up softly on greens. The club produced excellent ball speeds of 144mph and a carry distance of 226 years which are great numbers for any kind of hybrid. While this is a very good looking hybrid, why not twin it up with one of the excellent Mizuno golf bags found on our guide to the best golf stand bags.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Hybrid Review

(Image credit: Future)
A stunning hybrid that offers outstanding performance

Specifications

Lofts: 18º, 21º, 24º, 27º
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Stock Shafts: 1 option (Project X Cypher)
Left Handed Options: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Produces a strong, powerful ball flight
+
Modern, compact looking head
+
Glided through rough exceptionally well

Reasons to avoid

-
The matte black crown won’t suit everyone

When last year's Paradym hybrid was launched, we were instantly impressed with the performance on offer so we expected big things from the Paradym Ai Smoke models like the standard head above.

Starting with the aesthetics Callaway has moved away from the gloss black crown and has returned to the matte black crown that we saw on the Rogue ST hybrids. The head profile itself has been designed a little larger to inspire confidence and provide the user friendliness to compete with the most forgiving hybrids. No crushed carbon as seen on the likes of the Ai Smoke driver and fairway, but instead there is a steel finish to the sole. 

The club sat flush to the turf and even glided through the first cut of rough spectacularly when called upon. But the club really separated itself from the previous years model when it came to forgiveness though. We struck countless shots when testing both out the heel and the toe and saw remarkably consistent ball flights and spin patterns when doing so. This is testament to the new Ai Smart Face implemented into the whole Ai Smoke family.

Irons

The Wilson Dynapower iron showing off their grey and red colorway on the golf course

(Image credit: Future)
One of the longest irons you'll try in 2023

Specifications

Club range: 5-GW
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Incredibly fast off the face
+
Easy to draw
+
Forgiving from a wide area
+
Excellent value for money

Reasons to avoid

-
Flat ball flight limits stopping power

Wilson make some of the most forgiving drivers and irons on the market, with their latest offering coming in the form of the Dynapower. The brand claims to have achieved greater forgiveness here by using Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) to optimise the face architecture and reconfigure the Power Holes on the It specifically focuses on making the center and toe sections of the club faster as this is where 85 per cent of 10+ handicap players strike their shots. 

In testing, it certainly felt faster than most irons on the market, with an almost metallic, metalwood-like feel translating into superb power that leaves you itching to hit another shot. The ball flight is fairly flat, as you might expect with such a hot sensation off the face, which means golfers with slower swing speeds may struggle to fulfil this iron’s distance potential. That said, for me this iron was fast from a wide area and pretty consistent, too. The shot pattern was left of target, likely down to the offset, but it was nice knowing the ball would draw pretty much every time so I could allow for it. 

Ping G430 Irons

(Image credit: Future)
A confidence-inspiring iron that is one of the most playable on the market

Specifications

Club range: 4-58º
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Notably longer than G425
+
Impressive stopping power
+
Very consistent off center

Reasons to avoid

-
Badge appearance will divide opinion

If asked to consider the brand that offers the most user-friendly irons in the game, many will immediately think of the best Ping irons, specifically its G ranges. Akin to the G430 SFT driver these irons deliver bags of performance and functionality for less experienced players, but are billed by Ping as a 'distance competitive' package. While they might not be as long as some of the best distance irons on the market, they offer some very satisfying ball flights and carries and for that reason are, in our opinion, one of the best iron sets for high handicap players. 

The overall shape may not have changed much from its predecessor, but Ping has introduced an extra one degree of bounce on the sole which not only helps to lower the centre of gravity, but also provides a little more insurance on those extreme misses where the club makes contact with the ground too early. This makes it one of the most forgiving irons anywhere on the market. We also found our shot patterns with the G430 to be very consistent. Irons were straight and the window for misses was a lot lower here on this club. 

A lot of that functionality comes back to the new PUR Flex badge found int he back of the golf club that is designed from 15 pieces that form seven flexible zones around the back of the club, that help to make the face of the club much more flexible. The sound from that is quite short and contributes to a softer feel than you might associate with some of the best game improvement irons.

The Srixon ZX4 Mk II Iron on a green background

(Image credit: Joel Tadman)
The iron we crowned as the best game improvement iron of 2023

Specifications

Club range: 4-AW
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Incredibly consistent
+
Powerful, solid feel
+
Long with ample stopping power

Reasons to avoid

-
May not inspire confidence in the hands of higher handicappers

Another iron that falls into the forgiveness category is the Srixon ZX4 Mk II, which we also believe is one of the best game improvement irons that money can buy. The reason is because of the way this iron feels, with an energetic, solid, stable yet soft feel being created all at the same time. It is the largest and most forgiving in the new ZX MK II range, but it still offers up a very slimline look that many players of all abilities will enjoy. It is easily one of our favorite irons of 2023, thanks to its power, consistency and excellent stopping power. 

Such was the impact experience, we felt it was up there with any iron we have tested in the last few years. Srixon will say this is down to the new PureFrame design forged into the body of the iron that the company claims reduces unwanted vibrations. It’s very hard to disagree here. We also really enjoyed how quick it was through the turf too. On firm and tight lies, golfers might feel it bouncing up a tad but in notmal conditions, the VT sole was a great help to cut through the ground and lessens the impact of catching the ground before the ball. Ultimately, it is in our opinion one of the best golf irons to be released this year! 

TaylorMade Stealth HD Iron held aloft

(Image credit: Future)
Maximum height and draw bias for anyone struggling with ball flight consistency

Specifications

Club range: 5-LW
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
High launch
+
Plenty of draw bias
+
Forgiving off-center and through the turf

Reasons to avoid

-
Unorthodox looks could deter some

Thanks to its forgiveness and draw-bias technology, the Stealth HD irons are a very forgiving set of clubs that can help to eliminate slices and improve ball flights. These are some of the best TaylorMade irons on the market and offer up some fantastic  visuals, with a cool carbon fiber finish on its clubhead that is surrounded by a stainless steel head. It is a chunky iron at address, which will appeal to high-handicap golfers who prefer clubs with a wide sole and shallow face height that deliver a fair bit of ballast behind the golf ball. 

We had no issues during our testing sessions with getting this club up in the air, with the Stealth HD it delivering distances just short of the original Stealth iron. We loved how easy it was to turn the ball over from right-to-left and that makes it a great club for golfers who may often miss to the right. A real standout is the sole of the iron, which features a step down design that means it plays much narrower than it looks. So, while it has the forgiveness through the turf that helps when you contact the ground early, it doesn’t feel too clunky through the hit.

Wedges

The Mizuno S23 Wedge and its blade-design held aloft on the golf course

(Image credit: James Hogg)
A forgiving, consistent wedge that provides a solid feel at impact

Specifications

Lofts: 44-58°
Grinds: 4 (S, D, C, X)
Finishes: 2 (Satin Chrome & Copper Cobalt)

Reasons to buy

+
Impressive spin from range of lies
+
Extremely versatile
+
Incredibly soft feel
+
Wide range of lofts and bounces

Reasons to avoid

-
Unorthodox look may deter some

The Mizuno S23 wedge is one of the most beautifully crafted wedges on the market right now and it's no surprise that these clubs offer up a premium aesthetic, considering some of the best Mizuno irons on the market right now. In fact, we even gave them a five-star review when we took them out on the golf course. The forged design looks great in the bag and in your hands and delivers a buttery soft sensation, thanks to the one-piece Flow Forging process the Japanese golf equipment manufacturer has used to produce these clubs. 

It is different from many conventional wedges because these clubs have a central sweet spot. That allows for longer impact time and less head deflection, aka, higher spin rates from all kinds of shots off the face. And the spin was very impressive. It feels like you're delivering more consistent strike on the golf ball because of how stable the head feels and that only adds to the overall spin rate on offer here. Combine that with the quad-cut milled grooves, milled into Boron infused 1025 mild carbon steel and Mizuno's HydroFlow Micro Grooves that are laser etched into the face to release moisture and we found playing from any conditions, including wetter lies, a breeze. 

The grab was incredible and we loved the versatility that these wedges offer too, coming in a range of lofts from 44° to 62° with bounces to suit each loft and player. Each wedge has its own loft-specific profile with stronger lofts featuring a tear-drop straight edge, flowing into a more rounded lob wedge. Versatility is very important with wedges, especially the lower lofted wedges, therefore it is important to find the right grind of the four available (S, C, D and X). Overall, we think these are some of the best lob wedges on the market because of the traction and grip they produce. 

Cleveland Full-Face 2 CBX Wedge showing off its cool TPU Inserts

(Image credit: Future)
A very forgiving and playable wedge that offers bags of control

Specifications

Lofts: 50º-60º
Grinds: Full or C-Shaped
Finishes: 1 (Stainless steel)

Reasons to buy

+
Cavity back design offers more forgiveness for full shots
+
Full face grooves maximise contact for spin
+
Feel very good for cavity back head

Reasons to avoid

-
Feel very good but not quite as sharp as a blade wedge

Cleveland are renowned for their experience producing some of the best golf wedges in the game and the CBX Full-Face 2 Wedge is another addition to some of the best Cleveland wedges available right now. This option is styled as one of their more forgiving options, thanks to its cavity backed design and thicker sole. It looks chunky and will inspire a lot of confidence at address but still offers up a very sleek aesthetic. 

It looks very similar to its predecessor, the CBX wedge, which was a big hit among the Golf Monthly testing team, but this club takes what the American brand achieved in that golf club and improves it, adding full-width grooves and even more forgiveness to make this a 5-star rated golf club. The face comes with a HydraZip blast finish that helps to improve the spin on offer in wet conditions - something we really appreciated when we took it out for a hack around the course. The grooves are sharp, deep and tightly spaced and make this one of the best wedges for chipping

The sole also features a standard Full Sole grind on the lower lofts which helps makes this one of the most forgiving wedges on full shots. On the higher lofts from 54° upwards, the Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 uses a C-Shaped Sole that has more relief in the heel and toe. The wider sole allows for a greater margin for error and that means you can play the Full-Face with a relatively straight swing. Don't worry though, it'll still pop the ball up in the air for you, thanks to its excellent grooves.

The Cobra Snakebite X wedge resting on the golf course ready to chip onto the greens

(Image credit: Future)
A stunning wedge that offers exceptional spin

Specifications

Lofts: 48º-60º
Grinds : 1 (Teardrop)
Finishes: 1 (Stainless steel)

Reasons to buy

+
Extremely forgiving
+
Ample versatility
+
Exceptional spin from range of lies

Reasons to avoid

-
Only four loft options

Perhaps one of the most forgiving wedges on the market, the Cobra Snakebite X is a fantastic option for any high handicap player looking to start saving shots around the greens. The ease of which this club can get you out of jail means it is an instant hit as one of the best golf wedges for chipping that we've tested in a long time. Aesthetically, it comes with an oversized hollow cavity back design that offers up a lot of versatility and forgiveness that'll assist you across a range of lies. It looks sleek and the TPU insert on the back of the club helps to make it look a lot more like a compact wedge that you might find on our guide to the best best golf wedges guide. 

What we really loved here was the soft feel the wedge offered, that was produced in part, by that TPU insert. It was responsive and we felt it was one of the best high bounce wedges we've had the pleasure of playing with in recent months. On testing, we found the higher lofted clubs offered a lot of forgiveness through the turf and assistance when the ground was wet - it also kept the speed up through the sand on bunker shots and popped the ball out almost every time. 

The full-face grooves on this club helped us get maximum traction and spin on the golf ball, much like the TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 wedges or the Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 wedge. The brand claim this comes also from the new face milling pattern that delivers more spin in wet conditions than its predecessor. The Snakebite groove technology, that uses an ultra-precise CNC milled groove with sharper edges, also helps to deliver greater spin. The result is a very handy wedge that delivers a lot of traction on the golf ball and creates some lovely ball flights. Ultimately, it's a great wedge for beginner players. 

Three TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 Wedges and their stunning copper finishes resting on the golf course

(Image credit: Future)
A premium looking wedge that offers a soft yet stable feel on all shots

Specifications

Lofts: 50-60°
Grinds: 1 (Three bounces)
Finishes: 2 (Chrome & Aged Copper)

Reasons to buy

+
High level of spin control
+
Incredible looks from every angle
+
Ample versatility from the four-way cambered sole

Reasons to avoid

-
Only one bounce option available in the low and mid lofts

The first thing to say is that this wedge, with its aged copper finish, looks incredible. Whether over the ball or just sitting in the bag, it's a feast for the eyes and will blend in with the Raw face as it rusts over time. The raised micro-ribs are positioned between the grooves to add texture to the face for increased friction and therefore spin around the green. We really felt this at work and was able to hit those low, spinny chips, even with a lob wedge

Furthermore, on wedges of 54° and higher, full-face grooves allow for more forgiveness and spin on off-center strikes. The taller toe design, coupled with this extra relief, is particularly useful when faced with a short shot that requires you to open the face in the bunker or the rough. Ultimately, this is a brilliantly balanced wedge that has a high centre of gravity for easy trajectory and distance control while the hi-toe shape delivers forgiveness on shorter shots in particular.

Putters

TaylorMade Spider GTX Putter in testing

(Image credit: Future)
A very forgiving mallet that offers an excellent feel

Specifications

Design: High MOI mallet
Face insert: PureRoll 2 Insert
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
TruPath alignment aid frames ball well
+
Forgiving head for mid-sized mallet
+
Good sound and feel from insert

Reasons to avoid

-
Head wants to sit on trailing edge at address

Style and performance certainly come together in this excellent offering from TaylorMade. The Spider GTX is by far one of the best TaylorMade putters available right now. It looks very similar to the TaylorMade Spider X putter that has been a hot favorite of ours for some time. Visually, it toes the line between being a high MOI putter and a mallet, and comes in a very sleek aesthetic thanks to its very unique design that has a weighted tungsten wing bar that sits lower than the crown. 

That design helps to lower the putter's center of gravity much lower to the ground and towards the back of the club in a bid to help players strike upwards on the ball and put a better roll on each shot. We loved the feeling it offered and its innovative weighting design helps to improve the stability and forgiveness on offer here. That combines nicely with the Pure Roll 2 insert that comes with 45º grooves that use aluminium bars to deliver a much firmer feel than most other inserts you'll find on our guide to the best mallet putters.

We also really enjoyed the TruPath alignment Y that was prevalent on the Spider X. It is a great addition to this club that certainly helped us frame the ball better and improve our accuracy on the greens. The Y shape flows into a single white bar with a sight line that hangs over the leading edge of the club, allowing us to line the face up correctly and strike the ball right in the middle of the sweet spot. 

Odyssey Eleven putter

(Image credit: MHopley)

Specifications

Face design: White hot insert
Toe hang: Toe balanced
Adjustable weights?: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Confidence inspiring shape
+
Good alignment line options
+
Great grip

Reasons to avoid

-
Prefer darker head across all models

A very stable and high MOI putter with a good choice of hosels, the Odyssey is a must consider if you're a high handicapper who is looking to shave some shots off your round. The putter simply looks and feels the part. Its brushed-steel finish, sleek design and handy alignment tool all combine to make this club visually a very good-looking piece of kit. 

In terms of its performance, the putter boasts a traditional, White Hot face insert that provides an excellent feel and seems to suit mallet putters very well. Meanwhile, the clubhead features several heavyweight steel weights in each of its back corners, which aim to keep the center of gravity on the club forward, which helps to produce a smooth ball roll off the face of the club. 

The club's shaft joins a graphite top section with a steel tip to improve stroke consistency, accuracy and stability. That also means it is a lot lighter than a steel shaft and combines well with the Eleven clubhead to produce a fluid putting stroke. As one of the best Odyssey putters on the market, it is both a very forgiving and stylish club that high-handicappers can benefit from. 

cobra agera armlock putter showing off its sole on the golf course

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)
A stealthy looking golf club that many will enjoy playing with

Specifications

Face design: SIK Face Technology
Toe hang: Face-balanced
Adjustable weights?: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Descending loft technology in the face provides greater ball roll
+
Very high MOI putter
+
3D printed clubface provides excellent connection  

Reasons to avoid

-
Design may not suit everyone 

Continuing the mallet theme to this guide, another model to mention is the Agera from Cobra. As you can see above, it has a large footprint which is a key part of the design because it has been created to offer the highest MOI possible. It does this in part because of the 3D-printed inset and tungsten weights.

It is unquestionably one of the best mallet putters on the market and this is further aided by SIK Face Technology which uses descending loft technology to produce consistent stroke through the ball. And we’ve found that technology to be a genuine asset in our testing. It certainly looks very futuristic with all the different components adding something unique to the design. We think it could take a bit of time to get used to but there are very few putters out there that help players as much as this model does.

How we test golf clubs

Our testing for golf irons is built upon a comprehensive process combined with the knowledge and expertise of the entire Golf Monthly test team, headed up by technical editor Joel Tadman. As far as the specific procedure goes, before testing, the team will usually attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer's R&D experts to understand the new technology.

When it comes to testing, we often head indoors first to try clubs in a controlled environment. This usually takes place on an indoor simulator using a premium, reputable launch monitor with premium balls. Our outside testing normally takes place at West Hill Golf Club, a course with top-notch practice facilities, both on the range and on course.

We think it is vitally important to do both and continue to test the clubs so they have been comprehensively put to the test in different conditions. It should also be mentioned that manufacturers cannot pay for a good review and we make our conclusions from the testing and our experiences. 

How to choose new golf clubs

Buying golf clubs can sometimes be a tricky thing to get right. Particularly as a high handicap golfer, it can be very easy to get sucked into the trap of buying the top-spec models that will cost you a lot of money but won't necessarily help you improve. While we always recommend players get custom fitted for their clubs, sometimes it's good to have a bit of advice knowing what to look out for before you head down to your club shop. For that reason, we've set out below a couple of key points you should keep in mind if you're thinking about picking up a new driver or putter. 

1. Price 

The first thing to note about any kind of golf club is that they can sometimes be expensive, particularly their irons. While some of the best drivers on the market can come in at some pretty hefty prices but it is always worth looking at purchasing a club that fits into your budget and skill sets. As high handicap players, we recommend not shelling out for the most expensive clubs on the market. Shop around a bit and look out for deals!  

2. Forgiveness

One thing we always say to high handicappers is look out for clubs that offer a lot of forgiveness. This is how easy the club is to use. The easier the better and the more enjoyment you'll get out of your round. From the best drivers for high-handicap golfers to best putters for high handicappers, each club will offer a certain kind of playability, from a more supple face insert to a cavity backed clubhead, that will help you play more fluid and better golf shots. 

3. Visuals

Aesthetics aren't the most important thing to consider, but they can play a big factor in helping boost your confidence on the course. Playing with a good-looking gear always helps to boost the mental side of your game and that in turn can help you score better. Certainly there are some stunning options from Callaway, Titleist and TaylorMade listed above on this list. 

4. The clubs you already have 

Take stock of the clubs you already have and the yardages they offer and try to fill the gaps in your bag that you might need. This is particularly important if you're buying a couple of new wedges or hybrids. You don't want to be purchasing the same club that you may have and be comfortable with, so try to ensure you have a good range of clubs. 

5. Adjustability settings

Particularly when it comes to your drivers and metal woods, being able to adjust and tinker with the clubs to ensure they perform to your needs is a really useful feature to look out for. Adjustable hosels and weighting settings allow you to alter the angle of attack and delivery the club head strikes the ball at, helping you to put different shapes and lofts on the golf ball. That can often be a great way to help alleviate a bad hook or slice too! 

For more advice on some of the best golf clubs on the market, take a look at our guides to the best callaway drivers, the best TaylorMade irons or the best Bettinardi putters.

FAQs

What golf clubs should a high handicapper use?

A higher handicap player should use golf clubs that help them as much as possible. This could take the form of being as forgiving as possible so strike is less inconsistent, and then distance is maintained. In fact, inconsistency of strike is one of the most common problems facing higher handicap players and because many brands know this, there are loads of golf clubs, from drivers down to putters, that have been created to help with consistency off the face. 

Should high handicappers get fitted for clubs?

At Golf Monthly we think a custom fitting is a good thing for every level of golfer because a professional fitter will get you using clubs that have been designed specifically for you and your strengths and weaknesses. 

Should high handicapper golfers buy a club set package?

Absolutely! If you're very new to the game and want to quickly get set up with all the gear, then a club set package is a fantastic way to get yourself straight out on the golf course. Featuring everything from a driver to a putter, you'll receive a bag of equipment that will help you get around the golf course. More experienced players may want to steer clear of this option though and buy their clubs separately.

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Joel Tadman
Technical Editor

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.


One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.2.


Joel's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9° 

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15° 

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18° 

Irons: Ping i230 4-UW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 54°. Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge, K Grind

Putter: Evnroll ER2V 

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x

With contributions from