When you are first starting to get into the game of golf, the number of elements to buy can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to clubs. On the face of it you need a driver, a fairway wood or hybrid, some irons, and a putter. If buying separately, that can be a lot of money. But one way around this is the package set, which allows you to tick off all those boxes with one purchase. To sweeten the deal, you often get some kind of golf bag as well.
On the golf market, there are several brands that make high quality package sets and importantly, they come at different price points. If you want to spend a thousand dollars on a set like the TaylorMade RBZ Speedlite, you can, but this guide is different because we have tested package sets at the opposite end of the price spectrum to try and find the best cheap golf club sets. Despite the cheap prices you will see below, the quality of clubs was surprising to us and the usability of them is worth mentioning as well because pretty much every club in the sets below has been designed for forgiveness and to help golfers out. The quality of the bags cannot be overstated either.
Ultimately if you want a package set of clubs to kill many birds with one stone, but you don't want to spend a lot, we can recommend some of the models below. Let's get to our picks.
The Quick List
This is a great value and expansive offering for beginners, with the driver, hybrids and irons all forgiving and offering plenty of distance.
The MacGregor CG4000 package set is an excellent starting point for those looking to start their golfing journey. The finish could be improved, but they are functional, easy to use and there is everything you will need on the course.
An impressive set that will definitely suit the golfer beginning his/her journey, with the modest price tag giving you an awful lot for your money.
One of the best sets we’ve tested for beginners, a package set that offers excellent value for money. We'd recommend these clubs to anyone who was new to the game and looking to avoid spending big bucks.
This all-encompassing 16-piece package set is perfect for beginners or lady golfers wanting something more user-friendly.
This is an excellent basic starter set for parents looking to get their kids into golf. With it's aesthetic and two easy-to-use clubs, this is the best set for younger ages.
Combining aspirational looks with user-friendly performance, this kid's set is a great option for younger golfers who are looking to improve.
This is a well-thought out and, well-constructed junior package set. The lofts, shaft flexes, and weights are all considered and appropriate, and the color options will be very appealing to a young player.
Best Cheap Golf Club Sets
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Top pick
First up in this cheap golf sets guide is a model from Strata which we recently put to the test. The set is comprised of driver, fairway wood, two hybrids, irons 6-PW, putter and a stand bag. The clubs are forgiving and easy to hit, and whilst they might not have the same premium look as Callaway's top-end products, there's no debating the performance on offer. There's room to add to the set, specifically in the wedges department, which is where game improvers may want to consider a wedge or two. It should also be noted that the putter can be improved as well, so it may be worth checking out the models on our best cheap putters guide.
Our tester was particularly impressed with the irons. The topline is nice and thick to inspire confidence at address while the generous amount of offset should suit those who tend to slice their irons, and the quality of the grips and shafts are akin to a premium set of cavity back irons. The driver is equally forgiving and it is very appealing to look down on because you can see a lot of the face at address.
- Read our full Strata Men's Golf Package Set Review
Best Bag
Out of the box, the MacGregor CG4000 comes with everything you need to start your golfing journey, with a stylish green and black bag making way for 10 golf clubs and decent quality headcovers.
In terms of clubs, you get a 460cc, 13-degree driver, an 18-degree fairway wood, and a 24-degree hybrid. Furthermore, there is a 6-iron through sand wedge and a putter. There is also a choice of a stand or cart bag, with all the clubs designed with forgiveness in mind, as thick top lines and large heads provide ample confidence.
Performance-wise, the feel throughout the set was reasonable and, from driver to wedges, the ease of use was great and we found them incredibly easy to get airborne. The putter was also a real highlight, with excellent forgiveness on offer, the only slight gripe was that, with no headcover and not the most robust build quality, it chips incredibly easily.
- Read our full MacGregor CG4000 Package Set Review
Best forgiveness
A very impressive set that we think will suit any player beginning their golfing journey, the Wilson SGI Package Set is a stunning and easy-to-use set of clubs that comes in at the perfect value for anyone new to the game. Forgiveness is paramount for any beginner golfer and in this package there is tons of playability, distance and style on offer, akin to some of the best golf club sets for beginners.
This package set certainly ticks the right boxes when it comes to the visuals on offer. The woods and driver look excellent at address, with the all black head exposing the white alignment aid, but we did think the driver sat a little upright, making it feel like the sweet spot was a little smaller than what it actually is, which is pretty large. The irons and the putter also look great at address with the flat stick boasting a cool red insert on the crown. While it mirrors the design on some of the best blade putters, it delivers an excellent feel and beginners will enjoy using it around the course.
During our testing session on the course, we loved the performance on offer, which was very much what any beginner player would want. The sweet spots on the clubs are large and very forgiving, with each club framing the ball in a way that delivers confidence. The irons boast a low center of gravity which helps to deliver higher launch angles which helps to drive the ball further. Plus the wedges boast thicker soles akin to many of the best golf wedges for beginners, removing the chance of chunking your shot, thus making it very easy to get the ball up and out of harder bunkers. The best golf club sets for beginners need not be really expensive either, as the Wilson SGI set proves.
- Read our full Wilson Prostaff SGI Package Set Review
Best Distance
We've tested quite a few package sets and we feel this is one of the best golf club sets for beginner golfers, with the 10-club set-up providing an affordable starter option that comes with enough equipment to cover the vast majority of bases for the vast majority of golfers who are just looking to get started within the game.
The highlights for us were the hybrids, irons and wedges, which feature from 22-degree hybrid, 6 iron - 9 iron, as well as a sand wedge and pitching wedge. They were smart and simple and we were seriously impressed with the quality of components and, when we put them down behind the ball, we noticed the length from heel-to-toe and the thick topline, which isn't too chunky.
Throughout the set, there was a good amount of distance and strong ball flight, with the putter providing a fang-shape, compact mallet design with bundles of alignment assistance. It provided a fairly hot feel off the face and it also has a really good grip. The only slight negative was the bag which we felt was a little flimsy. It’s a lightweight pencil bag and it's certainly light enough to carry, but it is definitely lacking one or two pockets.
- Read our full Inesis 100 Package Set Review
Best women's set
It's not often that you'll find a 16-piece club set, but the Strata Women's Golf Club package set stands out against other options on this list for delivering a lot of value for what's included. While this set may be a tad more expensive than other options on this list, it must be said that paying around $380 is a huge deal for any less experienced player. So what do you get for that price? In the Strata women's set, you'll get a fantastic 12° driver, fairway wood, 4 and 5 hybrid, 6-9 iron, PW, SW and a putter, all held together in a tidy stand bag.
Having put this set to the test on the golf course, these clubs deliver excellent distance and forgiveness off the ground, but also help to make tee shots fly straight. Aesthetically, they look fantastic, with a glossy chrome finish across the irons that reminded us of the Callaway Big Bertha Irons. As for the putter, it does come in a blade orientation, and while some beginners may prefer to use a mallet putter, it boasts a very sleek aesthetic and handy alignment aid on its top line, that will help with your accuracy. As this set costs a little more than some drivers do alone, there is excellent value to be had here, in what is easily one of the best golf sets for beginners out there.
- Read our full Strata Women's Package Set Review
Best for very young
Are you a parent looking to get your kids into golf as early as possible? Well this could be the perfect golf set for you! It is important to integrate a correctly sized and weighted golf set as early as possible and the Inesis Kids Golf Kit aims to do just that. We took our kids out for a spin around the course, and the first thing we all loved was the bright and playful colorscheme featuring a 'Babeez Golf' bee design on the side of the bag. The black and yellow colors look great on the golf course and the clubs feel super lightweight thanks to their graphite shafts. That makes them very easy to pick up and swing while maintaining an excellent level of control.
The pack comes with a putter and a 9-iron, and they did come on the long side, giving plenty of room for your kids to grow into them - but are perhaps towards the older side of the 2-4 year-old age range. The grips were very tacky and are thin enough for a small pair of hands, and the weighting of the head of the 9-iron is perfect for any young player. The putter also comes in a pleasing Anser-style shape and has two sight-lines on its back, which should subconsciously assist with helping your child see where the putter is aiming. And the bag offers lots of space too, boasting several pockets that have enough room for balls, tees and other small items.
- Read our full Inesis Kid's Golf Kit 2-4 Years Review
Best kid's set
For any budding junior golfer, there comes a time when it makes sense to invest in good quality golf equipment and, with this offering from Cleveland Golf, you get exactly that. Depending on your needs, it features in three different package sizes - a small size that comes with three clubs (hybrid, 7-iron and putter), medium that comes with six clubs (driver, hybrid, 7 & 9-irons, wedge, putter) and a large size with seven clubs (driver, hybrid, 7 to 9-iron, wedge, putter).
The first thing we noticed was the aesthetics, with the styling of the bag particularly impressive as a colorful and modern offering, akin to many of the best golf bags on the market, while the clubs themselves featured plenty of loft that helped us get the ball airborne. During our testing sessions, our kids particularly enjoyed how light the shafts were here, meaning you can produce faster club head speeds that enable you to hit the ball further. Cleveland have also added a very thoughtful touch, engraving the brand's logo in the centre of the face, giving the user a clear target to aim for. And as with the best Cleveland wedges, these clubs boast a stunning level of quality that'll help your kids develop their golfing skills.
- Read our full Cleveland Golf Junior Set Review
Best Color Scheme
Featuring in four sizes - Tiny, Tot, Mini, and Junior - the sets cater for children from 34 inches in height all the way up to 51 inches. Out of the box, we loved the bright colors that the bags featured in, with the overall feel and quality very robust. We found there to be plenty of storage space for golf balls, tees, drinks and other necessities.
Regarding the clubs, the woods made a very satisfying high-pitched impact sound and, like the other models in this list, the generous lofts really helped get the ball airborne, a crucial factor when kids are starting out their golfing journey. Away from the woods, the remaining clubs provide oversized heads that are confidence-inspiring, whilst the aesthetics will massively appeal to children.
- Read our full Shorties Golf Junior Package Set Review
How we test golf clubs
Golf club sets are no exception when it comes to our testing ethos and methodology. We look to use package sets on the golf course because this is the best way to actually see how all of the items included in the package set perform. From the bag, right down to the putter, we will test each item over several rounds in different conditions and on different golf courses to get a good idea of how the set performs and that gives us the best indication of how well-made each product is. Additionally we want to make very clear that no manufacturer can buy a good review because our testing team tells it how it is. In fact, we often have to buy the sets ourselves to put them to the test. We think this allows us to be honest and transparent as possible when putting a particular product to the test.
How to choose a golf set
There's a lot to consider when purchasing a package set. From the putter included, from how comfortable the bag is to carry, it can sometimes be difficult to get the right set for you. But don't fret - that's where we come in. Here at Golf Monthly, we've used our experience testing these sets to bring you a list of key considerations that will help you make the best buying decision when when picking up your next package set. Check them out below!
1. Who is the set for?
First things first, who is the set for? We've listed a choice of men's, women's and kid's sets above, so, if you are buying for yourself or someone else, you'll know which set type to go for by going to that respective section. Each set is designed for a certain type of golfer and specific person, so be sure to match up what that package is offering to the golfer it has in mind.
2. What comes in the set
Regardless of how cheap a set is, you need to be aware of what comes in the set to make sure you have all bases covered. That's not just from a club standpoint, but some sets also come with bags, which may be more suitable for you if you're looking carry more equipment on the course. Depending on your club bag needs, do also check out our guides to the best golf stand bags and best golf cart bags for some inspiration.
3. Quality
A common problem for entire club sets, let alone ultra cheap models, can be quality. Unlike the models we picked above, many can be poorly made and have issues with the head, shaft or grip, or even all three. Sometimes they can just feel cheap as well and so we would always recommend going for brands that are well-recognized in the game of golf and have a reputation for quality. As a result, even though some of the models above are incredibly cheap, we are confident in them because they are made by brands like Callaway, MacGregor, Top Flite, Wilson and Inesis.
4. Forgiveness
Chances are if you want an entire set of clubs like the ones above you are probably a beginner or junior and the big factor to consider here is therefore forgiveness. The most common problem for beginner and junior players is mishit shots which limits distance and hinders accuracy. Beginner and junior golf clubs are designed to have larger heads and sweet spots, and therefore more forgiveness to help players still make solid contact with the golf ball. Our guides to the most forgiving irons and most forgiving drivers can also help guide your buying decision.
5. Price
Another key factor to consider is price. The models above are all cheap, as you would expect from this guide and getting an entire set is a good way of ticking off a lot of boxes when getting into the game rather than having to buy clubs separately. It is also worth saying though that even the models above come at varying price points to it is a case of picking a model that fits your budget.
Package sets are an excellent option for beginner players, but if you're starting out in the game of golf, you'll need a few other accessories too if you're planning on getting out for a full 18 holes! Be sure to also check out our guides to the best golf balls for beginners, best golf gloves and best golf waterproofs.
FAQs
Are golf package sets any good?
Yes! Golf package sets can be an excellent value option for anyone new to the game. They can also be a great option for any junior players starting out on their golfing journey. The best package sets tend to include a set of (usually) forgiving golf clubs that can help players develop their skills, but enjoy playing the game. While we perhaps would advise single figure handicappers to steer clear of them, they are an excellent option for any less experienced player.
What is included in a golf package set?
Golf package sets tend to include a basic range of clubs and a bag to carry them in. Generally speaking, you'll need to buy a box of balls and a glove separately. But most manufacturers tend to include a driver, a metal wood, a hybrid, several irons, at least one wedge and a putter in the top spec package sets.
Should I buy a golf package set?
That depends on your budget, experience level and what you want to achieve in the sport. For those just dipping their toes in and are looking for a cheap set of clubs to get them around the course, perhaps once a month with friends, then a package set is an excellent option to go for. Many players fall into the trap of of buying expensive clubs too early on in their careers, so this is a great way to avoid that!
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