Best Golf Clubs 2024 - We Select Our Favorites

There are hundreds of golf clubs out there on the market right now. From the most technical clubs to the most forgiving, there is plenty to choose from but getting the right sticks for your needs as a golfer can be a particularly tricky decision. So what are the best golf clubs this year? Well, whereas in many sports you use just one implement for every shot, in golf you get to choose your different clubs to get you from tee to green on every hole. Finding those best clubs for your game will take a bit of time and thought as you work out the line-up that will give you your very best chance of shooting lower scores.

At Golf Monthly, we test and review hundreds of clubs every year from manufacturers right across the spectrum to pick out what we believe are the best golf drivers, to the best golf irons, to the best putters. This year, a whole range of cracking new golf clubs has been launched and we thought it would help you in your buying decision if we picked out some of our favorites should you be looking to upgrade. You'll also find links to reviews, videos and other buyer's guides in which we highlight more of the best golf clubs out there. Also for more club buying advice, take a look at our guides on the best golf club sets or best women's golf clubs.

Best Golf Clubs

Drivers

The driver is one of the hardest clubs in the bag to hit, so getting the right one can instil confidence on the tee that can filter down to the rest of your game. When it comes to drivers, brands have shown no sign of slowing down when it comes to innovation and the technology being built into each club. So perhaps a new big stick might be just what you need to get your season off to a flier.

Manufacturers are placing a big focus on forgiveness in some of the new designs they are producing. Depending on your skill levels, making sure your mis-hits don’t stray too far offline while also limiting the amount of distance you lose from poorly struck shots, can be the difference between a good score and a bad one. Below, we have picked a selection of our favorite drivers but, if you're looking for something a little more specific, check out our list of the most forgiving drivers, the best drivers for beginners and the best drivers for distance.

Out of the box, first impressions were excellent with the all matte black profile giving a seriously sophisticated appearance. The headcover is a thing of beauty too, continuing the all black visual and adding a touch of class with some high quality embossed logos.

From a tech point of view, it would be a lie to say that the Darkspeed X is a significant leap forward from the Aerojet driver but, in terms of performance, the Darkspeed X ticked a lot of boxes. Launch and spin sat perfectly in the mid-windows that we look for at around 11 degrees and the 2300rpm mark, and the ball speed was just as impressive as its predecessor, coming in at approximately 173mph.

Cobra had a really tough task following the Aerojet and, whilst this is more evolution than revolution, we think it has got it spot on. It has taken an already excellent framework and, in our opinion at least, just refined the look into a more sophisticated package.

• Read our full Cobra Darkspeed X Driver Review

Following on from the GT2 is the GT3, which is the most adjustable of the new GT range, with a new weight track that sits much closer to the face than on its predecessor the TSR3.

Starting with the looks, much like the GT2, the GT3 has a refined look the purists will love. It has a more pear-shaped look when compared to the other two GT models, and Titleist has managed to seamlessly integrate the new polymer material into the head. The sections where polymer meets titanium have been filled and polished to keep that familiar, clean Titleist visual.

In testing, I used a Trackman 4 launch monitor and we were able to achieve a 173 mph ball speed with the GT3—an improvement from previous iterations. I also found it easy to shape and again, much like the GT2, aided my usual low, heel miss nicely because ball speed was retained.

There was also solid improvements in acoustics, forgiveness, aerodynamics too, and when you add all of these minor improvements up, you have a big leap forward, which the GT3, and indeed the GT range does in my opinion.

• Read our full Titleist GT3 Driver review

In 2022, TaylorMade made arguably the biggest impact in the driver scene, introducing users to the 'Carbonwood Age' of golf clubs through its excellent Stealth range of drivers. The year after, they then introduced the Stealth 2 and, for 2024, we see the Qi10, which keeps the 60X Carbon Twist Face and a new supporting structure to promote faster ball speeds and improve the durability of the face.

Visually, the red face of the Stealths have been replaced with a more subtle and less garish navy colour which we couldn’t be happier about. Furthermore, the new ultra rounded shape of the Qi10 is a real delight. Along with the color change, TaylorMade has also introduced a really handy, but unobtrusive, white accent line along the top edge which significantly helps the alignment process.

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. In testing, the Qi10 hit the mark and the data numbers showed a clear improvement from the Stealth 2.

• Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Driver Review

Ping says the Max 10K is the straightest and highest MOI (moment of inertia) driver it has made to-date, eclipsing the 10,000g-cm2 combined moment of inertia threshold first surpassed by the G400 Max five years ago.

How, you may ask? Well, it features a significantly bigger footprint, a fixed back weight and a Carbonfly wrap on the crown. The fixed back weight facilitates the high MOI as it drives mass down and away from the face to increase forgiveness and optimize the center of gravity position. This in turn lowers spin and ensures ball speed preservation across the clubface for added distance.

Performance-wise, the G430 Max 10K performed incredibly! The stability and forgiveness of the head in isolation would be a hugely impressive feat, but to cultivate this while keeping the spin so low is genuinely remarkable. In testing, we found the ball speed numbers are comparable to anything on the market and the spin output stands up against any of the best low-spin drivers. The real story, for us, is how that low level of spin combines with potentially the most stable and forgiving driver head we have ever used.

• Read our full Ping G430 Max 10K Driver Review

After the resounding success of the original Paradym family from Callaway, we were excited to see the launch of the Paradym Ai Smoke family. Like in 2023, it consists of multiple heads, with the Max, the more ‘standard’ head of the range, sandwiched between the low-spin, tour-influenced Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver and the spinnier, draw bias Max D driver.

We have included the Max as it will have the most shelf-appeal and be suited to a wider range of golfers, with the Paradym Ai Smoke excelling in multiple aspects. Firstly, it has a new grey colorway that, we think, blends so much better with the grey banner strip and creates a really clean aesthetic.

Tech-wise, Callaway's tag line with this product is ‘Sweeter From Every Spot’. Essentially, this means a bigger, and therefore more effective, hitting area. This was a concept 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!

In testing, the forgiveness was impressive. We hit an awful lot of balls with the Max so, inevitably, missed the center on occasions 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 our most questionable hits, was reassuringly tight.

• Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver Review

Fairway Woods

The fairway wood has evolved in recent years to be one of the most versatile clubs you can buy. With enhanced materials and technologies, the best fairway woods can help you find distance and consistency from the tee. They are also playable from the short grass and can even be effective from the rough or around the greens.

So we've put together a selection of our favorites metalwoods here, with each offering excellent all-round distance, forgiveness and feel. For more insights on the top models out there right now, you can check out our full list of the best fairway woods or, for something more specific, we've got several guides on the best fairway woods for high handicappers, most forgiving fairway woods and best fairway woods for mid handicappers.

An upgrade on the impressive G425 fairway wood, the G430 offers new visuals, enhanced feel and several new features that aim to make this a more reliable golf club. Let's talk visuals first and in this upgrade, Ping have implemented a stunning matte Carbonfly Wrap that is built to save 10g of weight and lower the club's center of gravity. That gives this club a stunning, premium finish that is combined with some excellent green and white detailing on its sole. We loved the white and green touches, that certainly make it feel like an entirely new club compared to the G425.

The carbon finish here also helps to reduce spin and increase ball speeds off the face. That is combined with Ping's new Facewrap technology that is built to help deliver a much more stable connection between the sole of the club and it's crown, as well as allow for more consistent ball speeds, regardless of where you strike the ball on the face. That, from our testing, was a real bonus of this club, meaning we could launch shots high into the air from difficult lies from the fairway and the first cut, when the ball wasn't placed on a tee.

During testing, we found it delivered consistent ball speeds which will be a big selling point for a broad range of players. We think many will also enjoy the forgiveness on offer here, with thinly-struck shots popping up and flying just a few yards shy of your desired distances. Centered strikes equally went far and we were pretty 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

First things first, it's worth noting what separates the TaylorMade Qi10 Tour fairway from the other two models in the Qi10 family. The most obvious difference is that the Tour has a far more compact-looking head with various customization and adjustability features to give the more confident golfer the utmost in control and workability of their golf ball.

The same weight track we loved in the Stealth 2 Plus remains and the Qi10 Tour fairway wood remains as the only model in the family to have an adjustable loft sleeve, which alters loft and lie angle. Obviously, this will be personal preference with how you set it up, but the weight track does a good job of altering the flight and trajectory.

Overall though, the Qi10 Tour fairway has been created with the better player in mind, specifically those who have a high swing speed and want to keep spin and launch a touch lower.

• Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Fairway Wood Review

After a particularly successful 2023 with the launch of the Paradym range, Callaway has now unveiled the Paradym Ai Smoke fairway woods which feature new and improved aesthetics. Starting with the Max, which is the standard head of the available models, it features a white and grey crushed carbon sole that gives the product its ‘Smoke’ name, which is nicely highlighted in a bolt blue to really capture the attention of your playing partners.

In testing, we found the Ai Smoke Max fairway to be unbelievably forgiving, and this is largely due to the Ai Smart Face implemented within the entire Paradym Ai Smoke family. Data from thousands of golf shots has been taken and entered into Callaway's ‘super computer’ to create a face with multiple sweet spots for incredible consistency of ball flight and spin rates, regardless of strike location. The additional forgiveness within this club makes it extremely easy to play out of various lies and conditions.

• Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Fairway Review

Featuring the same new Seamless Thermoform Crown design found on the GT2 fairway wood and the rest of the GT range, the GT3 has a new weight-track system on the sole that has been brought closer to the face, with the concentrated CG placement meaning more control and ball speed.

Looks-wise, the GT3 has a pear-shaped, tour-influenced design that will appeal to a large number of golfers and, when behind the ball, the lack of curvature in the heel and sole means it is incredibly inviting. Finally, because the head sits completely flush to the ground, it looks superb.

As you may have noticed, the GT3 is the best for adjustability because of the weight-track system and, because of the taller face, it helps those who are slightly steeper with their angle of attack. Finally, thanks to the new L-Cup face design and VFT (Varaiable Face Thickness), we noticed that there was very little drop off in ball speed compared to shots struck from the middle.

• Read our full Titleist GT3 Fairway Wood Review

One of the most impressive looking clubs on the market right now, the Mizuno ST-Z 230 fairway wood is sure to be a strong hit among many golfers looking for a high-performing yet good looking golf club. It comes with a very cool glossy black clubhead that is contrasted by an icy blue Coretech Chamber on the club's sole. At address, the it looks fantastic, boasting a carbon fiber design on the crown that gives it a premium shelf appeal that will catch the eye of all kinds of players on the course. It features on our guide to the best fairway woods for mid-handicap golfers because of the performance features it offers.

The Coretech Chamber helps to deliver solid yardages, thanks to the stainless steel weight it holds that works to alleviate the stress that is placed on the clubface during each shot. It works to also deliver another source of energy and reduce spin on the golfball, meaning this club can help pump the ball long distances down the fairway. It also delivers a very satisfying hitting sensation, something many golfers will enjoy.

During testing, we found this club to be very versatile and performed steadily off the tee and the deck. But where it really came into its own was on off-center strikes. Toe strikes remained relatively straight and on other miss-hits, the technology accommodated for poor shots and the ball still traveled well and on line. With that all combined, we felt this really was one of the most forgiving fairway woods we've had the pleasure of playing with this year.

• Read our full Mizuno ST-Z 230 Fairway Review

Hybrids

Matching the correct hybrid to your game can transform your scoring – but there is a lot to consider before committing to buying a brand new hybrid. Also known as a rescue or recovery wood, using a hybrid is often more appealing than a long iron, thanks to the extra forgiveness on offer and a more confidence-inspiring head.

Depending on the lie, they can provide a superb option on longer par 3s, are fantastic for low shots out of the trees and under the wind and are also an innovative option to play on the fringes around the greens from bare lies. In short, a hybrid is perhaps one of the most versatile clubs you can put in your bag.

Below, we've picked out a selection of our favorite hybrid golf clubs that you can buy right now. While you're here you should also take a look at our full list on the best golf hybrids. And if you're after something more specific, check out our guides on the most forgiving hybrids, the best hybrids for high handicappers and the best hybrids for seniors.

Straight out of the box, the Darkspeed hybrid has a look synonymous with Cobra hybrids. How, you may ask? Well, it has a marginally longer blade length with a compact footprint that has a slightly more toe-heavy look to it from the top. Along with the longer look, the same stealth-like finish has been applied to the Darkspeed hybrid, which is what we see on the rest of the Darkspeed family.

Some of the same technology found in the Darkspeed fairway wood range has been installed in the Darkspeed hybrid and serves a really good purpose. The PWR-bridge technology and H.O.T face technology once again provided outstanding ball speed numbers and, straight away, made this hybrid one of the longest we have tested in 2024.

The final point worth mentioning is that not only does the performance stack-up, but the found and feel is excellent. It produces a muted crack through the ball at impact and is almost reminiscent of some of the best golf blade irons - a compressed and soft, yet powerful sensation through the ball.

• Read our full Cobra Darkspeed 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. There is no crushed carbon, though, which we have seen on the likes of the Ai Smoke driver and fairway, but instead there is a steel finish to the sole.

In testing, the club sat flush to the turf and even glided through the first cut of rough spectacularly when called upon. Where the Paradym Ai Smoke stands out from its predecessors is the forgiveness aspect. 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

One of the best hybrids for feel, the Ping G430 strikes a superb balance between some sleek visuals and excellent performance. It is a brilliant upgrade on the Ping G425 hybrid and embodies everything Ping so often gets right in its clubs. In terms of its design, it comes with a very sleek and refined aesthetic that, despite being compact at address, delivers excellent forgiveness, feel and power. While it does come with a compact club head, the sole sits flush on the turf and that makes the club look a lot shallower than expected. We felt that helped inspire us with a lot of confidence. It also comes with a single grey dot on the head which works as a handy alignment aid that replaces the three dots on its predecessor

Ping has also removed any metallic or tin sound that was present in the G425 hybrid to give this club a very satisfying 'crunch' sound through impact, which we particularly enjoyed. It felt hot off the face, returning excellent distances from the tee and from the deck and in our testing sessions, we found holding greens from further out to not be a problem, with the ball dropping onto the dance floor like it was struck with a mid-iron.

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. The weighting system on offer here really helps to improve that hitting experience, with the tungsten back-weight on the club helping to add a lower center of gravity in the clubhead that provides greater forgiveness out of trickier lies. From our testing sessions, we believe this is an excellent hybrid that many golfers of differing abilities will benefit from. The overriding thought here though is that this club really is a user-friendly option that you'll be able to benefit from if you're looking for a forgiving rescue wood.

• Read our full Ping G430 Hybrid Review

While the footprint itself remains similar to that of the Stealth 2, a new larger carbon crown has been implemented on the whole Qi10 range, freeing up weight, which is then redistributed and split between the front and rear of the head. In turn, this lowers the CG (center of gravity) and creates a powerful and extremely forgiving hybrid club.

The Qi10 hybrid has been designed with the majority of golfers in mind and we’ll likely see this in the bag of both amateur and professional golfers over the course of the 2024 season. Some of the same technology that was so successful in previous years TaylorMade models has been carried over, such as the Speed Pocket - a slot behind the face of the club to aid ball speed and shots struck lower on the face.

Where this hybrid excelled was with its feel and acoustics. The Qi10 hybrid sounds and feels so powerful and springy through impact while letting out an almighty crack through the ball, which we loved. It has a V-Steel sole that enabled the club to perform well out of the rough and even fairway bunkers, allowing it to glide through any trouble and provided superb turf interaction and launch. Despite a bonded head (non-adjustable), we liked that this hybrid doesn’t sit with an overly closed face at address or have too much offset.

• Read our full TaylorMade Qi10 Hybrid Review

Irons

Getting the best golf irons to suit your game can make all the difference to your on-course performance. Good iron play will give you scoring opportunities and the potential to knock strokes off your handicap. Whatever style you’re looking for, you going to want to feel comfortable and confident with the irons you choose. A set of irons is one of the most expensive purchases in golf and it can be a minefield trying to make the right decision.

We've picked out some of our favorites but you can also check out our full guide of the best golf irons for some more excellent options. If you’re an improving player, you should probably look towards the best game improvement irons, or some of the most forgiving irons on the market to help your iron play.

An excellent and forgiving set of irons that deliver bags of playability for mid-high handicap players, the Srixon ZX4 MK II Irons are a stunning set of clubs that have really expanded on what was on offer in the Srixon ZX4. They are, in our opinion, one of the best game improvement irons that money can buy. The reason is because of the way this iron feels. It comes with an energetic, solid, stable yet feel which, at the same time, is incredibly soft off the face.

Along with the exceptional feel, it is also visually stunning, with the ZX4 MK II delivering bags of shelf appeal thanks to its superb and slim stainless steel clubhead. It might not inspire bags of confidence in the hands of the higher-handicapper (look to our guide on the best golf clubs for high handicappers if that applies to you), but it certainly comes with some crisp visuals that we loved.

Tech-wise, the MK II comes with a narrower Tour V.T. Sole and V-shaped camber that runs along the center line. It is quite pronounced and will help you cut through the turf and deliver a very nice impact experience, which we felt was up there with any iron we've tested recently. 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, especially as distances were impressive and so was the overall shot dispersion on offer here. We loved the consistency it delivers and, if you're struggling to keep shots on line, then this is the perfect club for you!

• Read our full Srixon ZX4 Mk II Iron Review

The Ping i230 is an excellent option for any low-handicap golfer looking to flight the ball longer distances but also shape shots. The i230 is a versatile club that delivers an extremely low margin for error thanks to its very compact head design and profile. Tour pros, including Stewart Cink and Tyrrell Hatton, both use the i230 irons and, if they're using it, then that says all you need to know!

At address, the i230 boasts a very slim profile that will appeal to the eye of the better player. Importantly, we loved the 431 stainless steel body on these clubs that also come with a fantastic finish. They are a little more slimmed down than the i210 and deliver a muscle-style look, but play a little more forgiving than a lot of the best blade irons thanks to the tungsten toe screw, shaft tip weight and concealed elastomer in the face.

While it looks incredible, the iron also feels great too, combining a lively, stable feel with a muted sound. Even poor swings felt responsive through the turf, with the club's sole cutting nicely through more difficult lies, thanks to the thicker sole. What's more, distance is plenty and we loved the trajectory this iron offered. In truth, it was hard to find flaws in this iron which is one of the best irons for low handicappers.

• Read our full Ping i230 Iron Review

Perhaps one of the best all-around packages that we had the pleasure of testing in 2023, the Cobra King Tour is a stunning iron that packs a lot of technology into a fairly small and unique clubhead. One of the best irons for low handicappers, the King Tour comes with a 1025c forged body and a CNC Milled undercut that helps to push the weight of the club away from the center and out towards the heel and toe.

What does this do, you may ask? Well, it lowers the center of gravity of the club and, in testing, we found really helps to deliver a lot of forgiveness. A TPU insert on the back of the iron also helps to dampen the vibrations felt when striking the golf ball, which is a very nice addition to help you feel each shot.

On the course, we found it was noticeably playable, producing ample carry when shots were a little thin. Certainly the margin for error on offer will please everyone, but the extra distance will certainly appeal to good players that have seen the amount of time they’re able to dedicate to playing and practicing diminish. What was also very nice was the consistency on offer, once you've found your bearings, it became very easy to hit repeatable shots with the Cobra King Tour.

• Read our full Cobra King Tour Iron Review

Mizuno says that its new hollow bodied players distance iron, the Pro 245, is the perfect combination of looks and forgiveness in a compact head. It also says that this iron is another step up in terms of ball speed and launch, compared to the middle of its range Pro 243 model and the blade-like Pro 241.

Despite being Grain-Flow forged like the rest of the new Mizuno Pro range, these are hollow body irons equipped with a multi-thickness face for consistent ball speeds even on mishits. Furthermore, a laser welded stainless steel back has been added to help promote launch and also increase ball speeds, which make it one of the most forgiving irons for the mid handicapper.

Where the Mizuno Pro 245 really sets itself apart from the competition in the players' distance iron category is in looks, feel and sound. It's a very pleasing club to hit and, visually, it does not look like a distance iron, in fact it is not too dissimilar in looks to a blade, which is a nice bonus.

• Read our full Mizuno Pro 245 Iron Review

The P770 irons have been given a mini makeover by TaylorMade for 2024 and we have to say that we absolutely love the new looks. TaylorMade has clearly made an attempt to push the P770 irons a little further down the handicap spectrum, closer towards the new 'player cavity' iron - the P7CB, and we think they've done a job with that.

Advancements through the accentuated heel and toe tungsten weighting enhance the MOI, and CG locations have been refined to optimize ball flight. This means that they are lower in the longer irons and higher in the shorter ones, which is to help with launch and to maxmize while still controlling spin levels. Our testing confirmed this to be the case.

The newly-designed sole is also a huge asset, particularly for the golfer that predominantly plays on firm, tight, links turf. In terms of the visuals, these irons look fantastic, both at address and also in the golf bag. The shelf appeal here is spectacular. During our thorough testing of the P770 irons the one word that constantly came to mind was consistency, so for accomplished golfers who can be a little erratic with their ball striking, this could be a good solution.

• Read our full TaylorMade P770 2024 Iron Review

Part of the Callaway family for 2024 are the Paradym Ai Smoke irons, which attempt to sit amongst the best distance irons and also the most forgiving irons. The chief technology to mention is the all-new Ai Smart Face, which optimizes performance using swing data from thousands of real golfers. The result is a face that is designed to promote maximum distance with tight dispersion into the green.

But how did it test? Well, we found the sound and feel highly sophisticated for irons in this category, which was very much a plus. Impressive distance was evident on strikes all across the face and really took us by surprise. Whilst obviously the centre of the face yielded the fastest speeds, drop offs were minimal too, which made the forgiveness outstanding.

Overall, of all of the distance irons we have tested so far this season, the Ai Smoke leads the way in a number of categories, including feel and sophistication of looks. If you are after some distance-enhancing irons that will really look the part in your golf bag and feel softer than most game improvement irons, then this may well be the set for you.

• Read our full Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Iron Review

Wedges

If you are serious about improving your performance from 100 yards then the importance of getting a wedge for your swing cannot be understated. There are a few key things you should consider though. For example what bounce angle will suit your action, and which lofts you’ll need, something that may depend on how many wedges you want to carry.

You should also have a think about what finish you want on your wedge because most models these days come in satin, chrome, black or other finishes. Additionally with some of the models below you can create a custom wedge too. Below we've picked out three of our favorites out there currently, but you can also check out our full list of the best golf wedges. Alternatively, check out our guide on the most forgiving wedges, best sand wedges and best wedges for chipping, where we go into more detail on some specific types of wedges.

Vokey wedges have long been considered the gold standard, offering premium looks, exceptional performance and market-leading versatility. Titleist has designed the new SM10 wedge to build on the huge success of the SM9 and Vokeys continue to be the most used wedges in professional golf. Last year on the PGA Tour, more than half the wedges put in play every week were Titleist Vokey Wedges, which is quite an incredible stat considering the wealth of quality on offer from other brands.

The aesthetics of the SM10s have changed very little at first glance, but there are a few subtle differences, such as progressive shaping which gives them a superb look at address in all loft options. The stronger lofted wedges are a little smaller in head shape compared to the more lofted wedges and feature a straighter leading edge in comparison to the sand and lob wedges in the line-up.

While the Vokey SM10 wedges offer only minor changes cosmetically, under the hood Bob Vokey and the engineers at Titleist have been hard at work to make these the best performing wedges they have ever created. They have been designed to fly slightly lower, spin more and have improved feel over SM9. In our testing this was confirmed as the SM10 did indeed fly lower and spin more than its predecessor.

• Read our full Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge Review

Given the fact that most beginner golfers play some of the best cavity backed irons in the game, the cavity backed design on this wedge makes it one of the most forgiving wedges on the market. The Cleveland CBX 2 full-face comes with a chunky design that might put some better players off, but the playability it offers can override the design or need to play with a thin, muscly-looking wedge.

It is very similar to its predecessor, the CBX Wedge, but comes with a larger head with full-width grooves that help to give you more control on each shot. The face features a HydraZip blast finish that also helps to improve the spin on offer in wet conditions - something we really appreciated when we took it out for a spin on the golf course. The grooves are sharp, deep and tightly spaced and make this one of the best wedges for chipping.

Providing users with a standard Full Sole grind on the lower lofts, this 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.

• Read our full Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge Review

Crafted from one-piece Grain Flow Forged HD Boron in Hiroshima, Japan, the T24 wedges have seen small refinements made over the excellent T22 wedge to enhance the look, feel and performance.

Available in a number of finishes and bounce options, all of the T24 range possess Wrap-Around sole relief - a design process that has seen increased relief on both the heel and toe to allow for better versatility - Instantly, we noticed that there was availability to be very creative when around the greens from various lies and stances.

Where we got the most enjoyment out of this wedge, though, was when hitting longer pitch shots and more full shots. The new Quadcut+ grooves sit slightly closer together on the face than on previous designs and this helped us produce plenty of spin which was ideal for attacking tucked-away pins. The spin-weighted blade design has also seen the upper portion of the head flared, which then produces a lower, more penetrative flight, one we really enjoyed when trying to control distances on the course.

• Read our full Mizuno T24 Wedge Review

Putters

Widely renowned as the most important club in the bag, the putter is where countless shots can be saved. Finding the right one for you is therefore imperative and because there are so many options and styles to choose from. Many manufacturers are actually reducing the number of head shapes in their ranges and focusing on improved looks, feel and roll from their more compact collections.

Of course, there is still the choice to be made between different styles of putter – a blade, mid-mallet or mallet. Blade style putters tend to suit ‘feel’ players with a stronger arc to their putting stroke, moving up into mallets that suit golfers who require extra alignment assistance and/or have much less rotation in their putting stroke. We've picked out three of our favorite putters right now below and you can read our full guide to the best putters where we feature a whole range of putters from different styles and price points.

Additionally we have also created specific guides on the best mallet putters, the best women’s putters and if you are just starting up in the game, the best putters for beginners.

The big story with these newly launched putters is in the use of Artificial Intelligence to create what Odyssey is calling “the most advanced insert in golf”. How does this A.I. work? Well, its all about collating data to see where we strike the ball and then creating a face to help off-centre strikes. Enter the Ai-One Milled range, which also includes the Odyssey Ai-One Rossie S Putter, the model used by Jon Rahm.

The higher price is because of the build quality. Milled putters cost more to make so will therefore have a higher retail price, that's just the nature of the beast. The multi-material construction of the Ai-One Milled range includes unique contours on the back of the face that minimize ball speed losses on off-center hits, and greatly increase the sweet spot. The luxurious look is completed with a navy blue PVD finish that sets these putters apart from anything else on the market currently.

In testing, we found the feel to be fantastic, which you’d expect from a milled head with an A.I. created face insert. We were particularly impressed with the smooth roll and consistency in speed, with the Milled Two T extremely easy to line-up when you're on the greens, making this one of the best Odyssey putters that money can buy.

• Read our full Odyssey Ai-One Milled Two T Putter Review

Over the years, TaylorMade has made lots of little tweaks and added plenty of wrinkles to its ever expanding range of Spider putters, and its latest offering includes a reboot of the original classic design - the Spider Tour. The Series features two classic head shapes as well as two new models. In addition to the Tour and Tour X, there is also a Tour V and Tour Z.

The Spider Tour, with its iconic head, is the epitome of high-MOI performance and delivers stability, consistency and forgiveness. The X is the headshape used by Rory McIlroy and it combines the performance of a blade with the benefits of a mallet design.

Spider Tour Z is one of two new shapes in the Spider Tour Series. It features a wing-shaped back and low-profile design for a comfortable setup that precisely frames the ball. This mallet putter is strategically weighted to promote face rotation and a blade-like feel with maintained stability. Finally, the Spider Tour V, which is another new design that features a modern streamlined construction with a compact shape that makes it ideal for golfers seeking enhanced control.

• Read our full TaylorMade 2023 Spider Tour Putters Review

The 2024 range of Scotty Cameron mallets has seen the brand go for a more futuristic look under the stewardship of design guru Austi Rollinson, who helped design some of the best Odyssey putters for over 25 years before making the switch to Scotty Cameron.

The Phantom 9 is a mid-sized, angular mallet putter with two cavities and a dual line alignment system, meaning this is a pretty drastic departure from what we’ve seen before among the best Scotty Cameron putters. There are two neck options to choose from but both have new shaft designs that mean the bends always point down the target line.

Behind the ball, two prominent sight lines milled from the leading edge all the way back provide a track system aesthetically pleasing and extremely functional. The compact size, especially from heel to toe, means it doesn’t look cumbersome, but there’s enough real estate to give you confidence that a mishit will be forgiven - some the most forgiving putters do.

• Read our full Scotty Cameron 2024 Phantom 9 Putter Review

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.

What to consider when buying golf clubs

Buying golf clubs can sometimes be a tricky thing to get right. Clubs come in all shapes sizes and with a ton of technology. 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 on your clubs 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. Make sure to assess what you're buying and your needs as a golfer before you invest and whether you can get another appropriate model elsewehere for cheaper.

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. For that reason, when buying any golf club you'll need to assess your experience level and aspirations as a player and attribute that to the club you're buying. For example, high-handicap players should look to buy more forgiving golf clubs, while experienced golfers may look to purchase clubs that offer a little more in terms of performance.

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 on the best golf sets for beginners, best women's sets, and best golf sets for kids.

FAQs

Glossary

In golf there are a lot of terms that can be confusing, and there are also a fair number of acronyms as well so we have done a brief glossary here to help you decipher the phrases you may not understand above.

MOI - This means moment of inertia and in a golfing context this is a measurement of a club's resistance to twisting. When you strike the ball towards the toe of the club, the impact pushes against the toe of the face and that pushes it slightly open. The result is probably a block out of bounds to the right. Likewise in terms of the heel, the impact causes the face to close slightly. This is important because the higher the MOI the more forgiving the club head is in terms of its sweet spot and strikes away from it

Loft - This is a simple word relates to the angle created between the clubface and the ground. The more loft a golf club has the higher the ball will launch. This is why the driver always has the lowest loft, and wedges have the highest.

Grind - Wedge grind relates to the sole of the club, and the alteration or removal of material from it. This is to help improve contact with sand or turf.

Shaft flex - Flex relates to the shafts ability to bend when force is applied to it. Given how many people play golf at different ages and swing speeds, shaft flex's reflect this going from the ultra stiff models used by Tour professionals, to regular, senior and ladies shaft which flex a lot more because they aren't swinging as fast.