Best Golf Clubs For Intermediate Players 2024

Are you that kind of high single figured to mid-handicap range of golfer? We have looked at some of the best golf clubs for you here.

Best Golf Clubs For Intermediate Players
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Best Golf Clubs For Intermediate Players: Quick Menu

Selecting the best golf clubs for your game is not a straightforward task, especially when there’s so much choice on the market. If you’re a beginner, it’s actually more straightforward – you need clubs with game improvement features, as you'll find in our best golf clubs for high handicappers and best golf club sets for beginners guides. The scratch golfer and more accomplished ball strikers demand superior feel and workability, making club selection a little more tricky. But then comes the 8-18 handicap category, which comprises a range of abilities and might be the hardest to buy for.

If you're an 'intermediate player', you may find that you're pretty handy one minute and, often, quite ordinary the next. Generally speaking, the best golf clubs for intermediate players offer a combination of feel, forgiveness and workability. Not all clubs in this category will suit the same level of player, but some models do actually have quite a broad appeal. So, from what we've seen on the market right now, let's jump in and take a closer look at some of the best golf clubs for intermediate players.

The Quick List

Best Golf Clubs For Intermediate Players 

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Drivers

The Titleist TS2 Driver and its sleek clubhead held aloft on the golf course

(Image credit: Future)
The stunning TSR2 driver plays impressively long distances

Specifications

Lofts: 8°, 9°, 10° & 12°
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Stock Shafts: HZRDUS RED CB
Left Handed Option: Yes, available in 9°, 10° & 11°

Reasons to buy

+
Impressively long
+
Consistent flight and distance
+
Aspirational aesthetics are classic and confidence-inspiring

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a huge upgrade over the previous generation

It's clear to see that the designers at Titleist have been on a big journey over the past few years since they implemented the original TSi driver. The 'S' stands for speed, with Titleist's TS range of clubs looking to help golfers improve their power off the tee, and their latest iteration, the TSR, does just that, promising some excellent refinements from its aerodynamics to its face. As the best Titleist drivers go, this is perhaps one of the most high-tech offerings on the market right now. 

But visually it does not break the mould in terms of the classic visuals you'll see on many of Titleist's metal woods. Its sleek glossy black finish offers up a minimalistic design that looks stunning behind the ball. If anything, the TSR2 appears a fraction more compact at address. But there's no denying it looks superb and it comes with a handy adjustable weighting system on the heel of the club. 

Something we've come to love with Titleist's clubs is that they all feel very powerful off the tee. And the work the brand has done to improve the aerodynamics and design on the face, means this club also achieves that while delivering an exceptional feeling off the face. The speed on offer was excellent and we felt it could certainly hold its own against some of the best golf drivers for distance. Along with the added speed, it's the consistency where it shines as, in testing, the all round playability of the head was incredible and helped favor off-centre strikes, making it one of the best golf drivers on the market.

PING G430 Max driver and its stunning matte club head resting on the golf course

(Image credit: Future)
A forgiving yet high-performance driver

Specifications

Lofts: 9.0°, 10.5°, 12°
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Stock Shafts: Ping Alta CB Black 55
Left Handed Option: Yes, available in all lofts

Reasons to buy

+
Very user friendly
+
Offers plenty of forgiveness
+
Wonderful shelf appeal

Reasons to avoid

-
Only slight distance gains compared to previous generation

As golf drivers go, the Ping G430 Max is one of the best Ping drivers to be released in recent memory. The brand wowed us all with the G425 driver released back in 2021, but they are back with some big improvements on that much loved club. Their latest offering refines everything from the aesthetics of the club to the sound it makes on impact, to form one of the best golf drivers on the market. We loved the new aesthetic on the G430, which boasts a matte finish that is contrasted by the excellent sleek visuals on the sole of the club that is complemented by some very cool white and green detailing. 

The upgrades on this club are pretty plain to feel once we'd struck the ball. The club also has a slightly thinner face and shallower profile compared to the G425, that incorporates a variable face thickness. This provides much more flexing as you strike through the golf ball and ultimately enhances the speed and forgiveness across the entire face - which we thought makes this one of the best drivers for mid handicappers

That face technology also helps to deliver more flexing and greater speed across the entire face of the clubhead, something Ping are calling 'Spinsistency'. This is a variable roll radius that should deliver consistent spin rates and carry distances and we loved the dispersion and the ball flights the G430 offered. It was super easy to hit and offered up some appeasing straight ball flights. The feel was also great too, and an improvement on the G425's metallic sound. Overall it helped to inspire bags of confidence as we stood over the golf ball. 

Photo of Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver

(Image credit: Future)
A stunning improvement, building on the success of the Paradym range

Specifications

Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Stock Shaft: 3 options (MCA Tensei Blue, Project X Cypher
Left Handed Option: Yes - in all available lofts

Reasons to buy

+
Great range of CG adjustability
+
Love the rounded head shape
+
Surprisingly low spin rate

Reasons to avoid

-
Very close in performance to the Triple Diamond model

After the resounding success of the original Paradym family from Callaway, 2024 sees the launch of the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke family. The first model to discuss here is the Ai Smoke Max, which is the standard head of the three, and there are a few key changes to mention. 

Starting with the looks, when we first put it down we were really pleased to see the new grey colorway. We feel that it blends so much better with the grey banner strip, creating a really clean aesthetic that, from a visual perspective, places it among the best drivers on the market. Callaway has really improved the shelf appeal with the smoky graphic pattern too.

In terms of the tech story, Callaway's tag line with this product is ‘Sweeter From Every Spot’. Essentially, this means a bigger effective hitting area, a concept it has created by advancing its Ai Smart Face technology, using swing dynamics from thousands of real golfers. This information has then been inputted into its Ai system and has produced a whole new face which Callaway says creates micro deflections across various points of the striking area, essentially producing multiple sweet spots!

But how did the Max perform? Well the forgiveness was impressive. We hit an awful lot of balls with the Max so inevitably missed the center on occasion, but when we did, we were really pleased with the results. While there was good feedback of strike location, it was in no way unpleasant and the dispersion even from my most questionable hits was reassuringly tight. Sound and feel were not worlds apart from the original Paradym, which is no bad thing, but - if anything - we found the Ai Smoke felt a touch livelier off the face. Overall the Callway Paradym Ai Smoke Max is a really good option for those looking for great adjustability of flight and real playability.

Photo of Taylormade Qi10 Driver

(Image credit: Future)

Specifications

Lofts: 9.0°, 10.5°, 12.0°
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Stock Shaft: 2 options (Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 5 & Mitsubishi Diamana T+ 60)
Left Handed Option: Yes - 9.0° & 10.5°

Reasons to buy

+
New rounded head shape is excellent
+
Extremely forgiving at this spin level
+
Will appeal to a broad spectrum

Reasons to avoid

-
Only loft adjustability - no moveable weights

Sitting in the middle of the Qi10 range in terms of its spin and forgiveness levels, in theory the Qi10 will appeal to the broadest range of players. One thing that is for certain is that the tech story is pretty simple; TaylorMade has aimed to maximise the MOI without compromising ball speed.

How have they achieved this you may ask? Well, the company have re-engineered their 60X Carbon Twist Face and provided a new supporting structure to promote faster ball speeds and improve the durability of the face. Coupled with a brand new, larger address footprint and a lower CG projection, and the Qi10 hits the mark in all the important aspects, with our testing showing an improvement over the Stealth 2.

Visually, TaylorMade has also come away from the red face that we saw in the Stealth range of clubs, with the color being replaced with a more subtle and less garish navy colour. Furthermore, the new ultra rounded shape of the Qi10 is a real delight and should inspire confidence when at address.

Fairways

Photo of Taylormade Qi10 fairway

(Image credit: Future)
A powerful fairway from the ground and the tee

Specifications

Lofts: 15º, 16.5º, 18º, 21º, 24º

Reasons to buy

+
Extremely forgiving on low-struck shots
+
Produces a powerful, towering ball flight
+
New weight saving design aids launch and flight

Reasons to avoid

-
Infinity carbon crown has made it slightly harder to align the clubface

The TaylorMade Qi10 fairway wood has been designed with both power and forgiveness in mind, but it's the aesthetics where we see the biggest changes compared to its predecessor, the Stealth 2. 

We were big fans of the Stealth 2 fairway wood range and, in the Qi10, some of the trusted technology has stayed put. For example, TaylorMade has persisted with the Thru-Slot Speed-Pocket to create fast ball speeds and a powerful thud through impact, with the V-Steel sole technology continuing to offer golfers a smooth feeling through impact and the best turf interaction possible.

Overall, the performance of the TaylorMade Qi10 fairway wood was solid and produced an impressive, powerful feeling through impact. In our testing, the distance was respectable, but there weren’t massive gains to be had over the previous years model.

Cobra Darkspeed X Fairway Wood Review

(Image credit: Future)
A powerful fairway that delivers satisfying strikes off the face

Specifications

Lofts: 15º, 18º, 21º

Reasons to buy

+
Modern, sleek looking head
+
Plenty of launch and spin for those seeking carry
+
Solid levels of forgiveness

Reasons to avoid

-
Matte head can make the club appear a little small

In the latest Darkspeed range of fairway woods from Cobra, the X fairway wood is the 'standard' model out of the three released, and therefore is the model created with the majority of golfers in mind, seeking a neutral ball flight and upon testing it did exactly that.

The matte black head is a thing of beauty although it does make the head look a little more compact than other models out there. The Cobra X fairway wood produced a particularly high ball flight and one that will suit golfers looking to maximize their carry distance and stopping power into greens. The feel off the face was energetic very solid, while producing a fairly loud sound to match.

As such we would recommend the Cobra Darkspeed X to anyone who wants help producing a higher ball flight with plenty of spin from their fairway wood, using it more off the deck than from the tee.

Srixon ZX Mk II Fairway showing its 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 HZRDUS Red RDX
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

One of the most exciting fairway woods to launch in 2023 was the Srixon ZX Mk II. It is a fantastic club that offers up some very smart visuals and bags of playability. While it will appeal to a wide range of golfers we found it to be one of the best fairway woods for consistency. 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, 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 and is paired nicely with some cool white detailing that shows off the club's curves very subtly. We felt this fairway wood gave us a lot of confidence when it was placed behind the golf ball and it will certainly appeal to those looking for more forgiveness. 

One great feature we loved here was the re-designed contours on its sole plate. These have been sculpted to center the weight of the club and work with its higher trailing edge to produce a squarer face angle at impact. That of course helps to generate straighter ball flights and get the ball up from tougher lies. From our testing sessions, we quickly established that this was one of the most forgiving fairway woods around. We loved the feel the club delivers and that can be attributed in part to the Rebound Frame and Dual Flex Zones on the face. They help to punch the ball into the air long distances, and the club really did feel stable through impact. Inconsistent players, in our opinion, will certainly get a lot of enjoyment and benefit out of this stunning golf club, particularly on longer par fours and par fives. 

Hybrids

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 or Fujikura Speeder EVO 75 HB Graphite
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

Mizuno produce some of the most versatile and best looking golf clubs and that is certainly the case with their latest hybrid to drop on the market, the ST-Z 230. Visually, as soon as we saw this golf club we loved it. The sole features a glossy black base that is complimented by an icy blue Coretech chamber that runs along the toe of the golf club. It just looks magnificent and continues the premium aesthetic in the Mizuno ST-Z driver

The performance attributes are there to match the visuals too. The Coretech Chamber, inside the clubhead moves the weight of the hybrid closer to the face of the club and lowers the center of gravity to deliver a more favorable launch and spin on each shot. Even from tougher lies we loved the power and feel the club delivered and it was very easy to get the ball up and back in play. It is certainly one of the best hybrid golf clubs we've tested this year. With an adjustable hosel, golfers also have the ability to tune the club to promote or fight a certain ball flight. Where hybrids are designed typically with a draw bias, we didn’t get the feeling that we might hit the STZ-230 left. The accuracy combined with it's decent length, made the ST-Z 230 a big favorite among our testing team. 

Cleveland Launcher XL Halo hybrid held aloft on the golf courseEditors Choice 2022

(Image credit: Future)
Maximum forgiveness

Specifications

Lofts: 19°, 21°, 24°, 27°
Adjustable Hosel: No
Stock Shaft: Project X Cypher shaft
Left Handed Option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to hit from any type of lie
+
Provides naturally high launch conditions
+
Forgiving on off-centre strikes

Reasons to avoid

-
Impact sound is on the louder side

The Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Hybrid ranks as one of the most forgiving hybrids on the market and hence earned a spot in our Editor's Choice Awards in 2022. Featuring an incredible amount of technology, the specific focus in the design process was to help golfers escape poor lies with power and accuracy. The Halo features Cleveland's XL head design which is larger than most hybrids. As well as the large head design, the hybrid has an MOI of 2,961 - the most ever in a Cleveland Golf hybrid.

It also features great stability and resistance at the moment of impact, with three Glide Rails on the sole helping keep the clubface straight for better strikes, regardless of lie quality. It scored very high marks for its versatility, with this club being very easy to hit out of any lie. Performance was also good from miss-hits and we loved how easy it was to get the ball up into the air so quickly. If you are in the market for a forgiving hybrid, the Halo model is definitely one to consider.

Ping G430 Hybrid held aloft to reveal its sleek looking sole

(Image credit: Future)
Stunning visuals are combined with excellent performance in this impressive club

Specifications

Lofts: 17º, 19º, 22º, 26º, 30º, 34º
Adjustable Hosel: Yes
Stock Shaft: PING ALTA CB Black 70 and PING Tour 2.0 Chrome 85
Left Handed Option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Plenty of forgiveness across the face
+
Clean aesthetics
+
Produced surprisingly fast ball speeds

Reasons to avoid

-
Fairly challenging to shape shots

Perhaps one of the best looking hybrids on the market right now, the Ping G430 strikes a superb balance between its fantastic visuals and the excellent performance it delivers. It embodies everything that Ping so often gets right in its clubs, providing a sleek and refined aesthetic that, despite being compact at address, delivers excellent forgiveness, feel and power.

Some questions on the acoustics of previous Ping clubs have been voiced over the years, particularly in its predecessor, the G425. But we have to say with the G430, any metallic sound or 'tin' feel has been toned down to make it very satisfying through impact. This hybrid delivered excellent distances off the tee and from the ground during our testing sessions. Holding greens from further out was also not an issue, either with the ball landing like it was struck with a mid-iron. While we did find it a little hard to shape shots compared to other hybrids on this list, the ball flight was straight and strong - which is something we definitely will not turn our noses up at.

Equally, it stands out as one of the most forgiving hybrids on the market right now, with miss-hits still delivering strong carries and it performed very well from a multitude of lies - especially out of the rough. That playability can be largely attributed to the tungsten back-weight on the club, which helps to deliver a lower center of gravity that delivers greater forgiveness out of difficult lies. Overall, it is a fantastic club that we enjoyed playing with during our testing sessions.  

Irons

The Cobra 2022 King Forged Tec Iron in action5 Stars

(Image credit: Future)
A slim yet powerful distance iron perfect for the average golfer

Specifications

Category : Blade
Construction: 5-step forged body and face
Material: Steel

Reasons to buy

+
Sensational feel
+
Consistently long
+
Near faultless looks

Reasons to avoid

-
Nervy players may not appreciate the slimmed down size

One of the best irons for low handicappers and those looking to reduce their handicap the Cobra King Forged Tec Irons are a slimmed down offering for golfers looking to add more distance to their game with a compact set of irons. Sensational visuals and an excellent feel combine here to make this one of the best clubs we've tested in a long time that we chose to give it a five-star review! It is the fourth generation of King Forged Tec irons and things only seem to be getting better from Cobra. 

Visually, the 2022 King Forged Tec is a stunner. Clean and elegant, it incorporates more of a V-shape rear section versus the straight lines of the previous generation. At address, this iron looks very slick and streamlined and will offer bags of shelf appeal to better players looking for something that will give them a lot of power. And boy does it deliver there too. It features a new five-step forged body and face, along with the tungsten weighting inside the hollow head, we were enamoured by how well it performs offering up a metallic sound akin to that of a metalwood. Part of the improvement in feel can be attributed to the stability, where you don't get any harsh vibrations in your hands unless you really mishit one. 

Cobra didn’t need to reinvent the wheel with the new King Forged Tec iron because of how good the outgoing model was but its clear the refinements on show here make this an excellent club you should definitely check out if you're looking to send the ball further with your irons. It easily earns a place on our guide to the best golf blade irons.

The stunning PXG 0211 XCOR2 Irons and their sleek design on the golf course

(Image credit: Future)
A powerful iron that offers great forgiveness for inconsistent ball strikers

Specifications

Category : Blade iron
Construction : 1770 maraging stainless steel
Material: Stainless steel

Reasons to buy

+
Dense, springy feel
+
Excellent distance
+
Very forgiving

Reasons to avoid

-
Flat, hooky ball flight in the long irons at times

The PXG XCOR2 irons are an excellent set of clubs that  match up to some of the best distance irons in the business. Having put this set to the test on the golf course, these powerful irons felt hot off the face and delivered an excellent impact experience which we really enjoyed. We also loved the visuals on offer here and thought it was a step up from the the 0211 DC iron. It looks sleeker and comes with premium visuals thanks to the stainless satin chrome inserts on the heel of the club. It also comes in an 'Xtreme Dark' finish which gives the club a very sleek, stealthy design. 

One of the biggest highlights of this club is how forgiving and playable it was, making it a fantastic option for any player looking to improve their ball striking consistency. The club sits with a generous amount of offset behind the golf ball, with the sole width and blade length being progressive throughout the set, giving a lot of confidence at address. According to PXG, the club has one of the thinnest faces in golf, measuring less than 1.5mm and behind the face there is a hollow cavity which features the new XCOR2 polymer. This helps to reposition the weight lower and to the back of the club making this one of the most forgiving irons available right now.

Ping i525 Iron held aloft on the golf courseEditors Choice 2022

(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
A compact distance iron suitable for a broad spectrum of abilities

Specifications

Category : Blade
Construction: 17-4 stainless steel
Material: Stainless steel

Reasons to buy

+
Beautiful looking iron
+
Strong ball speeds and distance

Reasons to avoid

-
Not especially easy to align

The i525 iron replaces the i500 and occupies the space between the G430 iron and the i230 as a hollow, distance-orientated club in a slimline chassis. In the i525 the theme continues here too, but Ping claims that the changes inside the head should elevate the distance, forgiveness and feel to new heights. On first inspection you might think that not much has changed besides a small textured section on the back. The shaping looks similar to the i500 and is something we really liked considering the i500 is one of the best golf irons around. 

The differences become more apparent at address with the face of the i525 featuring more grooves that seem spaced closer together, a change designed to reduce fliers from the rough and produce more consistent spin on long iron shots. The topline is also thinner, something that will catch the eye of better golfers, and makes it one of the best compact mid-handicap irons out there. For those seeking a classic looking club that is built for speed and power, this could be the iron for you.

TaylorMade P770 irons on the course

(Image credit: Future)
A consistent, low handicap iron that is surprisingly forgiving for its size

Specifications

Configuration: 4-AW
Hand: RH/LH

Reasons to buy

+
Refined, elegant aesthetics
+
Produces a lively, consistent feel
+
Ample forgiveness for the better player
+
Still able to shape shots

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited gains over prior model

TaylorMade claims to have made some minor tweaks to the design of the new P770 iron for 2023 that should subtly enhance the playing experience. Notably, less offset in the long irons and a slightly more compact look overall. The CG (center of gravity) locations have also been adjusted to improve the launch and playability in the long irons while increasing spin in the short irons.

We still see the stunning looks of the previous model, with the mirror chrome section on the back moving more towards the toe. What's more, you still get that playability and consistency, with a hollow construction packed full of technology. This includes up to 46g of tungsten, so it feels livelier than most. One observation that many golfers will be pleased with is that the longer irons seemed to be more playable than the previous generation and, overall, it is a perfect traditionally-lofted, user-friendly iron for the competent player. 

Wedges

Ping Glide 4.0 Wedge and its very sleek clubhead resting on the golf courseEditors Choice 2022

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)
A forgiving, versatile wedge that offers excellent spin control

Specifications

Lofts: 46°-60°
Grinds: 4 (SS, WS, TS, Eye2)
Finishes: 1 (Chrome)

Reasons to buy

+
Unrivalled spin
+
Excellent grind options
+
Looks great over the ball

Reasons to avoid

-
Feel takes a while to get used to

A simply stunning wedge, the Ping Glide 4.0 continues the brands efforts in the past two years, producing some of the best-looking golf clubs on the market. From the G430 driver, to the i525 irons this wedge reinforces the claim that Ping are one of the best when it comes to producing the best golf clubs on the market and this is an excellent club for any intermediate player. We particularly loved the teardrop visuals and the classic Ping Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish, which reduces glare as well as flyers from the rough in damp conditions while also adding a touch of style to the aesthetics. 

But the WS (wide sole) is where we enjoyed the most success. Turf interaction was exceptional on short shots, making it one of the best wedges for chipping we've ever tested. Finally, unique to Ping’s line-up is the Eye2 sole, which is available in lofts from 54°-60° and is described as the ultimate bunker club - a theory we put to the test. It is undoubtedly one of the best sand wedges on the market due to its forgiveness from various lies and distances. Most impressive, however, was how easy it was to spin the golf ball. Even when hitting shots that came off a little hotter and lower than expected, the ball sat to attention quicker than most new wedges. This could well have been down to the new Emery face blast, which adds a little more friction to the hitting surface.

Callaway Jaws Raw Wedges resting on the golf course

(Image credit: Future)
Exceptional control comes from the raw face with added friction

Specifications

Lofts: 54°-64°
Grinds: 1 (C Grind)
Finishes: 2 (Raw Chrome, Raw Black)

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible levels of spin
+
Inspiring looks
+
Easy to flight

Reasons to avoid

-
Feel off the face is quite firm

Callaway are one of the biggest manufacturers in the golfing industry right now, and their experience in the wedge market makes them a must consider if you're an intermediate player looking to improve around the greens. And the new Jaws Raw wedges are the latest addition to the fantastic Callaway Jaws wedge line-up. Designed by Roger Cleveland and said to feature the most aggressive grooves in golf these clubs deliver bags of spin, stunning looks and are fantastic from all angles. 

They come in a sleek chrome finish or a black plasma finish, both look excellent behind the ball, and feature the classic shaping and the very cool weight system on the heel of the club. At address, that shape inspires confidence and from the back, subtle touches in style make it a wedge that looks pretty when resting in your bag. 

On the course, we were very impressed by the spin on offer here from the milled micro-groves on the Raw face. The spin was amazing, whether floating the ball high or chasing something into the ground the control was through the roof and was up there as one of the best lob wedges we've tested in a long time. This was helped by the introduction of the new “Z Grind” that has been designed to skid rather than dig into the turf. In terms of specs, it’s available in lofts from 48° through to 60° and in four grind options. Golfers can save the most shots around the greens and in this case, the Jaws Raw is one of the best wedges for chipping that intermediate players can really benefit from. 

The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge and its very sleek silver finish resting on. thegolf course

(Image credit: Future)
Aimed at more competent ball strikers offering a soft feel and versatility

Specifications

Lofts: 46-60°
Grinds: 4 (Low, Low+, Mid, Full)
Finishes: 3 (Satin, Rack Raw & Black)

Reasons to buy

+
Tri-bounce sole works from all conditions
+
High level of spin on all shots
+
Great looks
+
Wide range of lofts and bounces

Reasons to avoid

-
Felt a little on heavy side

Bringing more forgiveness in both wet and dry conditions, this club is set to be a hot favorite among many intermediate golfers thanks to the excellent control and sleek visuals it offers. The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge is the latest chipping option from the American golf brand and offers several upgrades on its predecessor, the Cleveland RTX ZipCore wedge. Most of those are not visible to the naked eye, though. The ZipCore's insert in the club's hosel is made of up to 95 percent more aluminium and silicon material than before. This is lighter than the 8620 carbon steel and therefore saves weight in the hosel that can be moved elsewhere in the head to make the RTX 6 more forgiving by increasing the MOI by up to 20 percent. Consequently, it is one of the most forgiving wedges money can buy.

In dry conditions, the RTX 6 maintains the same high levels of spin as the best golf wedges, but in the wet Cleveland claims all these improvements increase spin by 43 percent - suffice to say the spin on offer is excellent. There are a wide variety of lofts from 46° to 60° in a good range of bounces including a new 8° Low+ option in the 54° and 56° heads. They have a more pronounced C grind and, like all the RTX 6 heads, the tri-bounce sole features different types of leading edge to match the type of shot you wish to play. The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge brings more forgiveness and wet-condition spin to the course in a classy looking head.

Putters

The grey Odyssey Eleven putter sat behind a triple track golf ballEditors Choice 2022

(Image credit: MHopley)
A very forgiving putter that delivers a very high MOI and excellent feel off the face

Specifications

Length: 32"-37"
Toe hang: Toe balanced

Reasons to buy

+
Confidence inspiring shape
+
Good alignment line options
+
Stunning club head design

Reasons to avoid

-
Prefer darker head across all models

Odyssey are a brand renowned for their experience producing some of the best and most high-quality putters on the market. The Odyssey Eleven is one of their newest models and recently made it onto our guide to the best golf clubs. The club itself is the perfect option for any mid-handicap or intermediate player. It's a high MOI putter that offers excellent stability and great visuals that will inspire confidence behind the ball. Its shape takes inspiration from the classic Odyssey #7 putter style and offers up a big and inviting footprint that many players will enjoy. 

Equally, we also enjoyed the handy alignment line on the crown of the club that helped us frame the ball against the White Hot face. You might be familiar with these inserts by now, but if you're not, be sure to check out our guide to the best Odyssey putters for more examples of how this excellent feeling face insert is used. Particularly in this club, we loved the feeling that the insert delivered and it offered up an excellent roll on the ball, keeping each of our shots on line to the target. 

This is also a very high MOI putter that comes with bags of stability to deliver tons of forgiveness on off-center hits. It continues the larger headed mallet shape found in the Odyssey 2-Ball Ten putter, and comes with a carved aluminium crown that has been carved to improve the weight distribution of the club and push the mass of the clubhead away from the face, helping you keep the face open through impact. There is also a choice of different alignment lines on the head and hosels for a straight or arc stroke, another great addition to a club that we loved using on the course. 

Scotty Cameron Super Select Newport 2.5 Plus Putter Review


(Image credit: Future)
A stunning blade design that is very forgiving

Specifications

Design: Blade
Face insert: Milled
Left handed option: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Forgiving for a blade
+
Premium visuals
+
Superb feel and feedback

Reasons to avoid

-
Thin stock grip won't please all

It's clear that some of the best Scotty Cameron putters in the game offer bags of quality, forgiveness and style, with the Newport 2.5 one of the most recognized of the lot. For starters, it's a highly forgiving blade putter that looks and feels great at address. 

They have a lighter aluminum sole plates, which disperse even more weight to the perimeter to increase off-center stability. Wherever you strike the golf ball on the face of this putter, you're likely to get a good roll and find your shot going where you need it too. 

A lot of that is down to the new milling technique Scotty Cameron has used to ensure the high spots are taken off. As a result, we thought the putter didn’t sound as loud, firm or clicky as the previous Special Select line. It wasn’t as soft as a plastic insert but, for a milled face, the acoustics were gentle on short putts, progressing nicely to something a little louder on longer putts with more feedback. We also enjoyed the forgiveness on offer, especially on longer putts.

Wilson Staff Model TM22 Putter ready to sync some putts

(Image credit: Wilson Staff)
A sleek putter that delivers excellent forgiveness

Specifications

Length: 35"
Toe hang: Face balanced

Reasons to buy

+
Forgiving head on slight arc hosel
+
Premium feel and performance
+
Lovely grip

Reasons to avoid

-
Head a little on compact side

The TM22 boasts some excellent features which make it one of the best mallet putters on the market. It looks fantastic and we feel Wilson has surpassed itself employing some clever milling lines to create numerous visual differences for alignments. The club is made from a 304 block of stainless steel and looks fantastic at address and is quite unique in the sense that you can use the fangs and milling patterns on the club to frame the ball against the clubface. 

Meanwhile, the subtle alignment lines improve the overall aesthetic of this putter, and again helped us improve our aim on the golf course. It's also great for those who have a small arc in their swing, thanks to the slight overhang the club's hosel boasts. Combine that with the milling pattern on the club's 3º lofted face and you'll really feel the premium feedback it delivers, even when you hit your shot slightly off center. Not shown above is the premium leather pistol handle that also comes with the club which has some smart contouring around the upper part of the handle which will complement whatever grip style you employ. 

How we test golf clubs

Our testing for golf clubs is built upon a comprehensive process combined with the knowledge and expertise of the Golf Monthly test team. Our team usually attend product launches and then when it comes to our actual testing, we first try clubs in a controlled environment. This usually takes place on an indoor simulator at Foresight Sports, with premium balls and the GCQuad launch monitor.

Next up is outdoor testing, which normally takes place at West Hill Golf Club. 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. This is because we strive to give the best reviews possible so you can get a greater understanding of the clubs themselves.

How to choose golf clubs

Buying golf clubs can sometimes be a tricky thing to get right. Particularly for intermediate players looking to improve but also needing a little bit of forgiveness, getting the right golf clubs for your needs as a player can be a difficult task and sometimes a daunting one. 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 intermediate players, you might not be getting out on the golf course as much as you'd like, but also want to perhaps go up in price point to snag yourself a set of clubs that you can grow into. For that reason it's really important to think about the price point of the clubs you're buying. For some better value options, see our guide to the best budget golf clubs.

2. Your experience level

Every golf club on the market right now is designed to cater to the needs of a particular player. From the best drivers for high-handicap golfers to the best game-improvement irons, each will cater to the needs of that player in their size, shape and technology on offer. Mid-handicap players will need to think very clearly about this when they're picking up a new set of clubs, simply because you may want to get a club that has a lot of forgiveness but also offeers up lots of distance too. 

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 Ping Putters, best Titleist irons and best Callaway drivers.

FAQs

How much should I spend on new golf clubs?

That really depends on your budget and how much you're looking to play. If you're a more experienced golfer then the likelihood is you're going to want to buy a set of more expensive, higher quality clubs that will cost you more. Beginner golfers should look elsewhere and try to get a set of clubs that won't necessarily break the bank but will help them improve as a player. Our top tip is to buy the clubs that are most suitable to your game. Not to buy the best clubs on the market.  

Are club package sets worth it?

Buying a club package set is a great way to get a full bag of clubs at a value price. For intermediate players, you may want to consider purchasing your clubs separately as this can guarantee you a little more control and better functionality compared to some of the clubs you might find in a package set.

How does gapping work?

Gapping is an important part of any buying decision when you're looking to get a new set of golf clubs. Ensuring your clubs are spread out so that you can hit the ball any distance needed on the golf course is a very important thing to consider. That means ensuring you're not doubling up on clubs, particularly when it comes to buying hybrids, irons and wedges. 

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Sam Tremlett
E-commerce Editor

A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly. 

Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes. 

He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for.


Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel. 

He also oversees all Tour player content as well so if you need to know what clubs Tiger or Rory has in play, Sam is the person to ask. 

Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five. 


Sam's What's In The Bag: 

Driver: Titleist TS3 (9 degrees) 

Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees) 

Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2 

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚ 

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Infinity NEXT%/Cuater The Ringer