Best Golf Clubs For High Handicappers
1. The list in brief
2. Drivers
3. Fairways
4. Hybrids
5. Irons
6. Wedges
7. Putters
8. How we test
9. How to choose
10. FAQs
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 have tested a lot of clubs and 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
The Cobra Darkspeed Max is one of the best draw-bias drivers we have ever tested. Wrapped up in a very sophisticated aesthetic, if you struggle with a slice, it is a must try.
The Ping G430 Max is a long yet easy-to-use fairway wood and will be many golfers favorite thanks to its versatility and high launch characteristics.
Callaway tapped into its Tour roster to build a high-performance utility wood with fairway wood distance and hybrid precision.
We found the Wilson Dynapowers to be one of the longest irons we've tested. Incredibly fast and forgiving, easy to draw, and excellent value for money.
The Mizuno S23 wedge performs exceptionally well in terms of spin control, feels incredible and looks great- especially sat behind the ball, inspiring confidence aplenty.
The stability and forgiveness of the Spider GTX is excellent for a mid-sized mallet putter and we liked the firmer feel as well as the visual aids and colors available.
Best Golf Clubs For High Handicappers
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Drivers
When it comes to looks, this driver is the same as the rest of the Darkspeed family, really top-notch. It takes a dark theme to a whole other level, with Cobra having got rid of most of the color in this driver, only leaving a few accent colors. When you put this driver down behind the ball, you can see how much confidence this inspires to the user with its bigger head, with a minimalist logo giving it a more sophisticated look.
The overall performance of the Darkspeed Max was very strong and gave great results across the board. We tested this club on the course and indoors using a Trackman and the latest Pro V1x balls. We found that the ball speeds were strong, with some very pleasing carry distances. The launch and spin were always going to be a little higher - which they were - but we were pleased to see that they were not too excessive. Cobra have managed to strike a great balance with this driver, offering some higher spin and launch, which will really help the intended market this driver is aimed at. However, they have managed to not alienate the higher swing speed players that are looking for more forgiveness and a draw bias option.
- Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Max Review
When it comes to producing high quality and forgiving drivers, Ping have to be one of the leading manufacturers on the market. You only need to check out the lists we have done for the best Ping putter and even the best Ping drivers to see how well they rank and the quality of their products. The G430 range proves this as well, especially the SFT model. This driver is highly forgiving and also draw biased, which will help those with a miss to the right.
With this club Ping have said there will be increased distance too, which a lot of higher handicappers would love to see. Ping have achieved this through a shallower face that is now six percent thinner than you see in the G425 from the previous range. With variable thickness across the face you can get increased ball speeds for mis-struck shots, so you lose less distance with off strikes.
When we tested this driver we found that it was the highest spinning from the G430 range, this will benefit the slower swing speeds, as the ball will stay in the air longer and go further. 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.
- Read our full Ping G430 SFT Driver Review
If you’re looking for a golf club that’s comparable to the Paradym X, with its high MOI and slight draw bias, then the Max D - from the latest Ai smoke range from Callaway - is a great choice, particularly as there are some clear alterations that the brand has made to improve the head compared to last year’s model.
Focusing on looks, the gray finish and stylish pattern design across the sole of the club enhances visual appearance. The head of the club boosts confidence thanks to its larger footprint, achieve by Callaway opting to stretch the head out slightly. The head might only be 460cc, but it looks genuinely larger than that size.
A rear weight has also been added to this club, being strategically placed to further enhance the MOI and create a good draw bias. In terms of testing, we found that the forgiveness of this model is incredibly good - it’s exceedingly easy to get off the ground.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D Driver review
There’s no denying that the Qi10 Max is TaylorMade’s hero product, with the rest of the series named after this particular model. This model was created as part of a quest for a 10K MOI, which is where the ‘Q’ in the club’s name comes in, while the ‘i’ stands for inertia, and the ‘10’ for 10k.
With a stretched out head design that’s 8mm longer from the front to the back, the CG can be moved deeper and position in a more MOI friendly location. When we put it to the test, we found that this was the case, with the Qi10 Max being incredibly forgiving.
What we also found was that, when we put this club to the test, the ball speed remained consistent, regardless of where the ball was actually struck, while the dispersion was pleasingly tight. What we did notice was that the spin was on the higher side, but this wasn’t really an issue as the point of this type of driver is to ensure the ball gets into the air.
- Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Max Driver Review
Fairways
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.
- Read our full Ping G430 Max Fairway Review
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.
- Read our full Titleist TSR2 Fairway Wood Review
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.
- Read our full Srixon ZX Mk II Fairway Review
Hybrids
This model featured in our Editors Choice Awards 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.
- Read our full Callaway Apex UW Hybrid review
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.
- Read our full Mizuno ST-Z 230 Hybrid Review
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.
- Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Hybrid review
Irons
Wilson are known for making some of the most forgiving drivers and irons available to golfers, making them a great choice for newer golfers or those with higher handicaps. Wilson’s latest offering is the Dynapower iron that, according to Wilson, harnesses A.I technology to enhance the architecture of the face, while also reconfiguring the Power Holes the design features.
Wilson also claims to have made the center and toe sections of the club faster, which is where the majority (up to 85 per cent) of high handicap players tend to strike the ball. When we put this iron to the test, we were pleasantly surprised to find that it did feel faster than most other irons available on the market. However, we did notice that ball flight felt fairly flat, which could post an issue to golfers with slower swing speeds, making it harder for them to fulfill the iron’s full distance potential. That said, we also noticed that this iron played pretty consistently, which is a really great attribute to have for higher handicap golfers.
- Read our full Wilson Dynapower Iron Review
When it comes to user friendly and high handicap irons a lot of people will be thinking Ping, especially the G range for the G425 and G430. A lot like the G430 SFT driver these irons have loads of great performance in them while offering your forgiveness in a big way. You get a good distance iron that is paired with high forgiveness so this iron really is a no brainer when it comes to higher handicap players.
The overall shape and design has not differed to much to the G425 but the bounce of the irons have an extra one degree in the sole. This helps to lower the center of gravity in the irons and also increase forgiveness when chunking the ball. When we tested this iron, the dispersion of the shots was very good and consistent. The irons went rather straight and the misses were a lot less with this club.
The overall functionality is mainly improved by the PUR Flex badge which is found in the back of the club. This is designed from 15 pieces that then form seven flexible zones around the back of the club, these help the face of the club flex more at impact.
- Read our full Ping G430 Iron Review
A great iron that falls into the more forgiving category is the ZX4 MkII from Srixon, this iron feels energetic and solid, but still offers great overall stability and still gives off a soft feeling at impact. It is the most forgiving and also the largest headed iron from Srixon in the ZX MK II range, but also manages to look sleek which can be enjoyed by many players of varying abilities. It has become a favorite in the iron category as it has great power, while still offering consistency and stopping ability.
When we tested these irons it really had an impact on us, so much so that we think this is one of the best irons we have tested in the last few years. Srixon put this down to the PureFrame design that is forged into the body of the iron head. This apparently reduces any unwanted vibrations, which we find it hard to disagree with. It felt quick through the turf in testing and on firm and tighter lies it may feel to bounce up a little off the turf but when in normal conditions it really shines.
- Read our full Srixon ZX4 Mk II Iron Review
Wedges
The S23 wedge from Mizuno is one of the most aesthetically pleasing and beautifully crafted wedges we have seen, which is no surprise if you have seen some of the best Mizuno irons on offer now. The forged design of this wedge looks great in any bag and when you get it in your hands it has a soft buttery feel, which is in part due to the one-piece Flow Forging process that the Japanese golf manufacturer has used on the production of these clubs.
These wedges are a little different to the more conventional wedges as they have a central sweet spot. This allows for a longer impact time and decreases head deflection, basically giving you more spin from all kinds of shots off the face. When we tested this wedge the spin rates were very impressive, and the strike felt morte consistent thanks to how the stable the head was, which only adds to the overall spin you can create.
The overall grab from these wedges was amazing and the versatility on offer was really good, they come in a range of lofts and bounces to help cater to all players. Overall, we think these are some of the best lob wedges on the market because of the traction and grip they produce.
- Read our full Mizuno S23 Wedge Review
Cleveland have proven time and time again they make some of the best wedges on the market and they have now added a new wedge the CBX Full-Face 2. This wedge looks very similar to its predecessor, the CBX wedge which was a big hit when we tested it. However, with this iteration Cleveland have taken that already great wedge and improved upon it, with full face grooving and increased forgiveness turning this into a five star wedge. The face has the HydraZip blast finish which helps to increase the spin in wetter conditions.
The sole of the wedge has a standard full sole grind on the lower of the lofts, to help with forgiveness on fuller shots. For the higher lofted wedges which is 54° upwards, they use a C shaped sole this has more relief in the heel and the toe. The wider sole gives you a greater margin for error and allows you to use a relatively straight swing with these wedges.
- Read our full Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge Review
We think this is one of the most forgiving wedges you can get, the Cobra Snakebite X which makes it a great option for higher handicap players. It has an oversized hollow cavity back design this helps to offer more versatility and gives you forgiveness from varying lies. It has a sleek look with a TPU insert on the back which helps it look a little more compact.
We really liked the soft feel this wedge offered around the greens that is produced thanks to that TPU insert. It felt responsive and is one of the best high bounce wedges we have tested. In testing the higher lofted clubs gave us more forgiveness through the turf and better assistance in wetter conditions, it also had good speed through sand in the bunkers, so the ball popped out pretty much every time.
We loved the full face grooves on this wedge which helps with more traction on off strikes and giving you more spin overall. Cobra say this comes from the new face milling pattern which helps to deliver more spin in the wetter conditions.
- Read our full Cobra Snakebite X Wedge Review
Putters
The Spider GTX from TaylorMade really combines style and performance, it is one of the best TaylorMade putters around right now. Visually it sets in between being a high MOI putter and a mallet, it looks sleek with a lovely unique design with a tungsten weighted wing bar which is set lower than the crown of the putter.
This design lowers the center of gravity for the putter much closer to the ground, and also more towards the back of the club. This is to help players strike upwards on the ball to hit better putts. When we tested it the overall feel was lovely and it was very stable when hitting putts, with a great level of forgiveness you would want for a high handicap friendly putter. All of this combined with it's Pure Roll 2 insert that has 45 degree grooves that use aluminum bars to give you that firmer feel off the club face, more so than you get with other face inserts.
- Read our full TaylorMade Spider GTX Putter Review
This putter is very stable and has a high MOI, it comes with a solid choice of hosels, this putter is a must consider for those higher handicaps that struggle on the greens. The Odyssey putter not only looks great but feels great too, it ha sa brushed steel finish with a sleek design. The handy alignment tool on the top combines well with these looks to make this a great looking putter.
When it comes down to performance you know you are going to get solid putts with the traditional White Hot face insert, it gives you great feel and works well with the mallet style putters. The clubhead of this putter has heavy steel weights in both back corners which help to keep the center of gravity forward on the club, this in turn gives a smoother roll off the club face.
The shaft is a steel and graphite combination this helps to aid stroke consistency with overall improved accuracy and stability. This also makes it a lot lighter than a full steel shaft which works well with the weighted head to make this one of the best Odyssey putters.
- Read our full Odyssey Eleven Putter Review
With another mallet putter we take a look at the Cobra Agera putter, it is a large footprinted head which a important part of the design. It was created to offer the largest MOI possible, which it does thanks to the 3-D printed insert and the tungsten weights.
It really is one of the best mallet putters you can get, and this is further improved buy the SIK Face tech. This uses descending loft tech to produce a more consistent stroke through the ball. When we tested this putter we found all this technology to do exactly what it was designed to. We also love the futuristic look of this putter and all the components giving it a unique look.
- Read our full Cobra King 3D Printed Agera Putter Review
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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