Best Budget Golf Clubs 2025 - Our favorite clubs for those on a budget

While it may seem that golf equipment is only getting more expensive, there are still plenty of more affordable options that can meet the needs of beginners and more experienced players alike. For those just starting out in the game, being able to find a set of clubs that doesn’t break the bank is important, while better players should also have the option of finding quality clubs that don’t come with an exorbitant price tag.

While the best budget clubs may not always be able to match the performance of the best golf drivers, best putters and best golf irons, they are still a great fit for many players. And in some cases we’ve found that they can compete with the premium models but at a fraction of the cost. Indeed, Berhard Langer’s incredible success on the senior circuits has been achieved with a number of Tour Edge clubs that are often a couple of hundred less than their competitors.

We’ve tested a huge range of affordable drivers, irons, wedges and putters and have selected our favorites here, with the aim of helping you find the right clubs for you. We also have extensive guides to the best cheap golf club sets, best women's golf sets, and the best golf club sets for beginners.

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Best Budget Golf Clubs 2025

Best budget set

We were very impressed with the Strata Men's Package Set when we got a chance to test it out on the course. In the set you get 11 clubs, two of which are hybrids, which we didn't feel were quite so easy to launch, compared to some of the best golf hybrid clubs on the market. But that was about our only criticism going. You'll get an impressive amount of equipment here for your money though and we were very impressed by the irons on offer in this set. They come with a thick top-line that inspires confidence behind the ball, while their generous offset should suit those who slice their irons often.

Equally, the 460cc driver was also a winner on testing. You can see a lot of the face on address and the large head makes it an appealing club to look down on. Beginner players will definitely enjoy whipping the ball into the air with this club. The stand bag that included in the set is lightweight and has plenty of pockets that make it great for storage. It isn't quite waterproof but it is a great option for any beginner player.

• Read our full Strata Men's Golf Package Set Review

Best for high flight

The MacGregor CG4000 set includes a 460cc, 13-degree driver, an 18-degree fairway wood, a 24-degree hybrid as well as a 6-iron through to sand wedge and a putter, with there also being a choice of a stand or cart bag. As you'd expect, these clubs are designed for optimal forgiveness as their thick top lines and large heads provide ample confidence and we found the clubs very easy to get into the air which many beginners will enjoy.

In testing, we found the feel and ease of use was great throughout the set. However, our favorite was definitely the putter which offered excellent forgiveness and we found the Odyssey 2ball style alignment aid very easy to line up. Our only qualm was the lack of headcover which meant it chips very easily but regardless the price of this set is such that it is a worthy inclusion on this list.

• Read our full MacGregor CG4000 Package Set Review

Best for beginners

One of the best brands when it comes to value is Wilson, who have a long standing reputation within the game for producing quality equipment to cater for every budget, from beginner to pro. The Wilson Prostaff SGI package set is aimed at the new golfer who is not looking to spend too much but wants a good quality set that contains everything they need. We think this set provides excellent value for money. You get 10 clubs in total, including driver, fairway wood, hybrid, 6-9-iron, two wedges, a putter and a bag.

In our view this set is ideal for anyone new to golf because it is designed to provide plenty of help in getting the ball in the air and offers plenty of forgiveness for when you don’t find the centre of the clubface. Our testing showed that the sweet spots on the clubs (especially the irons), are large and forgiving, while the heads themselves inspire confidence due to their shape. We also noted that the wide sole of the sand wedge made escaping bunkers far easier. This is worth mentioning as sand shots is an area of the game where most beginners really struggle.

This is an 11 piece set, so the option of adding extra clubs to the bag is very viable. For example, we would look at adding another fairway or hybrid, as well as a couple of specialist wedges for those shots around the green.

• Read our full Wilson Prostaff SGI Package Set Review

Best 2025 driver

The top overall budget driver right now is the C725 from Tour Edge, which is a low-spinning, low launching, premium looking model. Admittedly it still comes in at a few hundred dollars but when you consider the speed, adjustability, looks, feel and the fact it can compete with some of the best drivers on the market, the value for money is quite exceptional.

It looks fantastic because of the carbon fiber crown and a matte black strip along the leading edge frames the ball beautifully. We really liked the rounded profile, whilst Tour Edge has done an excellent job in terms of shelf appeal as well.

Moving to the hitting performance, the ball speed and distance numbers got close to premium models like the TaylorMade Qi35 or Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond drivers. The feel also stood out, giving a combination of power and feedback, and so did the consistent ball flight.

• Read our full Tour Edge Exotics C725 Driver review

Best looking driver

We often find ourselves discussing Mizuno clubs as among the best looking in any particular category and it’s the case here. The ST-Z 230 has a premium look both in the bag and at address, blending a classy gloss black finish with a carbon effect on the underneath, topped off with a subtle alignment aid.

From a tech perspective it uses a Cortech Chamber, which holds a stainless steel weight with an elastomeric TPU. In essence this has been used to create an additional source of energy while at the same time moving the weight closer to the face to reduce spin; this is part of the Z’s overall profile as a lower spin model with a neutral flight, while the X version has a more of a draw bias. At address, the ST-Z 230 looks a touch bigger from front top back than the more rounded profiles you often see.

During our testing all the technology paid off, and we saw plenty of ball speed, with a high launch and relatively low spin profile. The 9.5˚of loft also translated to bags of playability and our typical misses weren’t punished too severely, maintaining a good ball flight even if the strike was poor.

The feel is another highlight of this good-looking driver. At impact you get a lively, powerful sensation that, coupled with the distance and forgiveness, results in an excellent all rounder.

• Read our full Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver review

Best 2025 irons

Tour Edge’s Vibrcor is the tech headliner here. It’s used to create stability at impact, which Tour Edge has done by moving the CG to a low and deep position, some 10 per cent lower than previous models apparently, in order to reduce a twisting of the face. It also, importantly, allows for the long blade length you’d expect to see in a game improvement iron. Other tech features include a variable thickness face designed to maximise ball speed while aiding off-center strikes and a multi-material and TPU badge that save weight while dampening vibrations and helping to create a better sound and feel at impact.

It adds up to what we feel is a good looking iron. The textured black cavity ensures it stands out from the crowd while still looking a touch more premium than many of the most forgiving irons. At address the ample blade length is matched with a generous amount of offset and thick enough topline to create a look that should inspire confidence.

With regards to performance, ball speed, carry and peak height were all comparable to more expensive offerings, including Ping G440, Srixon ZXi4, or the Cobra DS-ADAPT. Distance was as expected from a set of irons with strong lofts and there was plenty of forgiveness on off-center strikes, too. However the spin rate was noticeably lower, which although negated by the decent amount of launch, is likely to create a problem when it comes to holding firm greens.

The feel is best described as firm and robust and those who don’t enjoy that ‘clicky’ sensation at impact may want to look elsewhere, but otherwise this is an excellent iron that delivers good looks and plenty of distance.

• Read our full Tour Edge Exotics E725 Iron review

Best looking irons

Having scoured the market for a cheaper set of irons, we've found one of the best value for money sets around, the Ram FX77 irons. These excellent irons retail for under $400, and for that price, you'l get a very nice looking set of clubs that boast a similar profile to some of the best blade irons. The FX77 comes with a stunning steel finish that boasts the classic Ram logo on the back of the club, something we really loved about these irons.

On testing, we found there was a smidge of offset at address which will appeal to many less-experienced players. Those players will also enjoy the thick topline that comes with a very generous, inspiring look that doesn't come across as being too clunky. We felt this was also a good club for anyone lacking a bit of power in their swing. The heat treated stainless steel faces on this FX77 make it lively and that helps to deliver a lot of stability on off-center strikes too. Ultimately, it is a very forgiving and playable club, despite its compact profile, and in our opinion, will suit slower swingers and any golfer only just getting into the game.

• Read our full Ram FX77 Iron Review

Best all-rounder

The Darkspeed irons are aptly named. Firstly there's the sophisticated charcoal finish, which looks classy and also allows Cobra to make the substantial club head appear pretty compact. Overall, the shaping adds to the appearance, with soft curves and a sensible amount of offset.

Then there’s the excellent ball speed, which led to good distance numbers. Cobra says this is aided by adding a lighter foam material which as well as improving distance also leads to 25 percent more face deflection, a softer feel and reduced spin. By reducing the weight of the foam, Cobra has been able to lower the CG progressively throughout the set to help with launch conditions.

Both the soft feel and lower spin were noticeable. At impact the Darkspeed irons are relatively soft but still with a liveliness. Spin levels were relatively low, no surprise given that the 7 iron has just 27° of loft, but this is somewhat negated by the decent launch levels.

We experienced plenty of forgiveness on mis-hits, with ball speed maintained, while still getting feedback on the location of the strike. We see this as a bonus but this is player dependent. All told, this is a truly impressive iron that excels both in appearance and performance.

• Read our full Cobra Darkspeed Irons review

Best wedge

The Milled Grind range is now in its third iteration and will appeal to those who like a traditional looking wedge, with a muscleback style design.

Hosel length, toe height, offset and blade length are progressive across the different lofts; most noticeable is the toe section gets thicker as the lofts increase to help with feel and ball flight/ It does mean that the lob wedges look a little bulbous but ensures that the ball flight is kept down on full shots.

There are three different soles on offer, with the lowest bounce option being 8°. This range means that most golfers will likely find a combination that works for the conditions they typically play in, although those who face the firm and tight turf of a links course regularly may wish for something with a little less bounce.

We found that the milled design of the sole resulted in good turf interaction, with the bottom edge skipping along the ground, delivering plenty of forgiveness for those who can get a little chunky on their chips and pitches. Given it’s traditional shape it’s not the one of the most forgiving wedges out there, but TaylorMade does have the Hi-Toe model if you’re after a little more help on those off-center strikes.

• Read our full TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 Wedge review

Most forgiving wedge

While many of us are drawn to muscleback wedges because of their classic looks, a cavity back wedge will deliver greater forgiveness. The CBX ZipCore does this, while still maintaining a traditional teardrop shape that looks great at address, helping to inspire confidence.

Fortunately we found that this translated into the club’s performance too, with it being easy to hit and flight. This is likely aided by the low density ZipCore tech that’s allowed Clevleand to raise the MOI to make it as stable as possible. On long range shots this made for a solid feeling strike

Around the green the wide sole was helpful in providing a greater margin of error on those chunky chips and pitches, while the sharp UltiZip grooves delivered plenty of spin. Perhaps our only real criticism is the rather firm feel that translates to a clicky sound at impact. But that aside, this is a great all rounder that should appeal to a wide range of skill levels.

• Read our full Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge review

Best putter

This putter is an addition to the excellent Wilson Staff range of clubs and a very recognizable head shape that has become increasingly popular in mallet putters across the market and one of the most forgiving putters too. As with all the Infinite range, the Buckingham features counterbalance technology which combines a heavier head and grip weights, moving the balance point closer to the hands for a smoother and more controlled putting stroke, which we really enjoyed during our testing sessions

The Buckingham comes with an oversize grip as standard which is great for golfers who use a claw grip, or golfers who find themselves gripping too hard on a thin grip and want a softer feel. It also comes with a double-milled face which we found delivered a very pleasant soft thud at impact. But don't be discouraged if you dislike a soft feel as there's plenty of power here too! At a very competitive retail price with a premium look and feel, the Wilson Staff Infinite Buckingham is a great option at an excellent price.

• Read our full Wilson Staff Infinite Buckingham Putter Review

Most forgiving putter

The Inesis High MOI Putter delivers excellent consistency and forgiveness around the greens. It is one of the best putters for beginners looking to improve their confidence on longer putts. It boasts a very cool sci-fi look with the steel body being contrasted against the darker nickel chrome head. That helps to create a good alignment aid, which is enhanced by a long sight line that helped us frame the ball on the green.

The highlight of this club was how stable it was. It comes with a high MOI thanks to a deep weighting system that pushes the mass of the club back to its corners, helping you to hit upwards and put a decent roll on the golf ball. Testing showed us the feel on the face was a little firm, thanks to the semi-rigid TPU pad face insert, but that helped to ensure we got a smooth and consistent roll on each putt. Ultimately it is one of the more forgiving options on this list that also comes in at a great value price.

• Read our full Inesis High MOI Putter Review

Best blade putter

The HB Soft range features nine different styles of putters, but we’re focusing on the Model 1, which is a typical blade shape designed for a slightly arcing stroke.

SOFT stands for Speed Optimized Face Technology, and in essence it’s a face-milled pattern that’s designed to maintain ball speed even on those strikes that don’t find the center of the putter face. This means the putter’s sweet spot has a more aggressively milled pattern, which lessens as its moves to the extremities of the putter face; more material in contact with the ball should mean that even when the ball is struck at the toe or heel ball speed the ball speed doesn’t drop off significantly compared to one that comes out of the center of the blade.

Feel wise, our 35-inch model felt nice in the hands with the 20g of counterbalance weight in the butt end of the shaft aiding a consistent stroke. The premium Pistol grip also added to the impressive feel.

We tested the putter both on an artificial practice green and out on the course. The ball does come off the face hot, which is a bonus of slower greens, but finding the sweet spot does deliver a nice sensation. Alignment is made easy thanks to the single line in the center of the head and we’re able to quickly find our pace and to make a pretty consistent and repeatable stroke.

• Read our full Cleveland HB SOFT 2 Model 1 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 like the drivers and irons in this guide 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 takes place at several different golf clubs. 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. This is the same process covering all of the clubs in this guide, from the sets to the putters because out on the course testing tells us how the club actually performs where it is supposed to.

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 any new golf club can be a very difficult purchase. Particularly if you're looking for a value for money set, there are a ton of things to keep in mind, which can make shopping for new golf sticks an overwhelming process. Thankfully, we're here to give you a few tips we've learned over the years that will help you make the most informed buying decision. Check out our top tips below!

1. Fitting sessions

Something that we like to mention quite often is the importance of going for a club fitting session before you purchase your next set of clubs. Golf clubs don't come cheap so it's wise to ensure that the clubs you're buying are purposefully tailored to your height, swing speed and aspirations as a player. The benefits of getting a custom fitting are laid out in our guide can a custom fitting save my single figure handicap?

2. Price

The cost of living crisis is taking a big hit on everyone's wallets, and golfers are starting to have to think a little more savvy about the type of clubs they're buying. It's good to always have an idea of your budget and experience level before you head down to your local shop to pick up a new set of clubs. And when shopping, make sure to look out for the clubs that can offer you the best durability, value and enjoyment. Check out our guides to the best budget golf drivers and best budget irons for more examples.

3. Experience level and golfing aspirations

Manufacturers produce golf clubs for players of a variety of different experience levels and golfers can sometimes get caught into the trap of buying the most expensive gear that actually won't necessarily help them play better. Ultimately, you want to get the club that either matches your experience level, or will help you improve. That's why, no matter what club you're buying, it is worth establishing which club is best for you as for example the best blade irons will not be suitable for beginner golfers and likewise the best golf irons for beginners won't help a single figure handicapper lower their scores.

4. Gapping

You'll also need to think carefully about what clubs you already have in your bag while taking into account your stock yardages. Most experienced golfers keep a broad range of clubs in their bag that allow them to cover all distances out on the course. To save money and weight in your bag, it's therefore good to take into consideration the range of clubs you're planning on purchasing so you don't end up doubling up by accident.

For more advice on getting some excellent value golf gear, why not check out our guides to the best value golf balls, best value golf watches and our guide on the best value golf push carts.

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