As the golf equipment market continues to evolve, few brands have truly addressed the dilemma parents face when introducing their children to the game: how to provide high-quality, properly fitted clubs for a rapidly growing junior without breaking the bank every single season.

When a child hits a growth spurt, poorly fitted clubs can ruin their swing mechanics and, more importantly, their enjoyment of the game. I have been testing out the newest solution to this problem - the UpSwing Junior Varsity set - to see if its ambitious claims hold up and if it can rival the best golf club sets for kids.

In terms of the technology story, the main headline here is UpSwing's patented UpTech Golf System. Rather than forcing your junior to choke down on clubs that are too long, or struggle with sets they've vastly outgrown, UpSwing provides patented growth kits that let you change the club length at home in minutes. The entire concept revolves around a simple promise: "One Set. Six Adjustments. Every Stage."

For this review, I (or rather my daughter) received the Junior Varsity 7-club set with bag, which is specifically aimed at the 45" to 51" height range.

Looks-wise, the UpSwing set is an absolute triumph. I have never seen my daughter so excited about golf clubs (and she sees a lot of golf clubs with my job!) - the paint job and graphics really made these incredibly special in her eyes.

UpSwing leans into a "Her Game. Her Galaxy" theme for their girls' lineup, and they have completely nailed the visual appeal. The clubs look incredibly premium, borrowing sleek design cues from high-end adult sets while retaining a fun, youthful energy that immediately draws kids in.

Performance-wise, no surprises here - the clubs deliver exactly what a growing player needs to succeed. The JR Varsity set strikes an ideal balance, remaining highly forgiving and easy to launch while offering enough ‘serious’ playability for juniors ready to take on lessons and competitive events. During our range sessions, my daughter was striking the ball with a noticeable increase in consistency over the cut-down clubs I have previously cobbled together for her. The shafts are tuned for age-appropriate speed, making it much easier for her to get the ball airborne.

What I absolutely loved about the UpTech system was the cleverness of the weighted adapters when going up through the stages of growth, which allows the club to maintain an appropriate swingweight through those growth stages as well as just getting longer. In many standard adjustable systems, simply adding length completely ruins the balance and feel of the club.

However, UpSwing’s proprietary adapters ensure that as your child gets taller and stronger, the club's weight and performance profile adapt proportionately.

Finally, I have to touch upon the accessories. The bag and headcovers in particular are superb quality. Too often, junior sets treat the golf bag as a cheap afterthought, providing flimsy materials and generic designs. UpSwing has done the exact opposite. The stand bag is robust, packed with useful pockets, and remarkably lightweight for smaller shoulders to carry, while the thickly padded headcovers feel incredibly premium and protective.

Overall, can I report a groundbreaking new technology? Yes, I actually can. The UpSwing Junior Varsity set is easily one of the smartest investments you can make in your child's golf journey, taking the guesswork out of sizing and ensuring they are always playing with properly fitted equipment.

Vice Golf may have built its reputation on excellent value golf balls, but the brand’s ambitions now extend well beyond the ball category. Its package sets, in particular, are becoming a genuine area of strength and while the original Boost Starter Set impressed, the Boost+ raises the bar further.

Unlike many package sets, it isn’t specifically aimed at those who are completely new to the game. The Vice Golf Boost+ set has been thoughtfully designed to suit improving golfers and ambitious beginners seeking a high quality, complete set that offers a serious step up from cheap, mismatched or aging equipment.

A benefit of having a complete set rather than building a bag yourself is the consistency on offer. There are no gapping issues as the set has been built from top to bottom to cover all bases. I also think it looks quite nice when everything has the same design and colorway.

The set itself consists of a bag, driver, 3 wood, 4 hybrid, 5-PW as well as 50° and 56° wedges plus a putter. There are no weak links in the set and even clubs such as the driver and putter look and perform well above their price point.

Upon unboxing, my first thought was that Vice has absolutely nailed the visuals. The cohesive all-black aesthetic gives the set a premium feel that many package offerings simply don’t achieve. The bag is very smart with the all black complimented nicely by the small flashes of lime green on the handle and fasteners. It’s excellent quality too; sturdy yet lightweight. There is ample storage space and a seven way club divider.

I carried it for one round and used a trolley for the other. When carrying I found the shoulder strap and padding to be comfortable and the overall carrying experience was good. When using the trolley it sat securely without any issues. The bag is not fully waterproof but there was a sun shower during my second round and the clubs stayed dry, as did my belongings in the side pocket.

I think because it’s a complete set and everything has a uniform look, it really adds something to the overall aesthetic. The all black visuals of the driver, fairway and hybrid are stunning, while the contrast of the chrome head on the irons with the black graphite shafts really pops too. Even the quality of the leather headcovers exceeds what you would expect for a set in this price range. No expense has been spared, yet the set still comes in at under £800 / $1000.

Does the performance live up to the looks though? Let's go through the bag individually, starting with the driver.

With package sets, often the driver is the weakest club in the bag. It's understandable simply because the best drivers tend to retail at almost the cost of an entire set. You’re not going to get a driver in a package set that can compete with that, so some compromise is always expected.

That being said, the driver in this set performed well and had a lovely feel to it. In fact, as far as package set drivers go I can’t fault it. It’s easy to launch and quite forgiving, but I did find that distance consistency wasn't quite where I expected it to be, with similarly struck shots occasionally producing noticeably different carry numbers, both at the range and on the course.

I suspect that might be due to the spin rate, which was on the high side. I'd expect this from a package set driver as it hasn’t been custom fit for the individual, and the shaft and loft combination is different to my regular set up.

As mentioned, the sound and feel off the driver face is very pleasant. It's dull and muted and absolutely not what you would normally find in a package set. It looks and feels like a more expensive driver than it is. While I would say it's an excellent option for the golfer this set is designed for, it's worth remembering that upgrading to a custom fit driver at a later date is always an option.

Onto the 3-wood and 4-hybrid. I love the hybrid and hit some really nice approach shots with it on the course. I enjoyed the soft feel off the face which is a pleasant change for me as I carry a Callaway Epic Flash hybrid in my bag, which has quite harsh feel in comparison. I expected more of a high, floaty flight from this hybrid but it actually delivered the kind of performance I'd expect from a more premium option.

Conversely though, I never got to grips with the 3-wood at all. Off the tee it performed well enough but off the deck the look at address just didn’t suit my eye (which is a me problem rather than a critique of the club) and even on my well struck shots I didn’t love the flight or feel. Personally speaking I always think a 5-wood is a better option in a package set anyway as it's easier to hit and most golfers at 'package set ability level' won't see much difference in their distances with either club.

I actually ditched my own 3-wood in favor of a 5-wood a year or two back for that reason and that is probably the only thing I'd change about this set, as other than that I would say everything has been well thought out to give the mid-high handicap player every chance at shooting lower scores.

The irons were the biggest surprise in the bag. I loved hitting shots with them, especially the mid-irons, which aren't usually a strong point for me as I'm a fairly short hitter when it comes to irons.

Using new irons is always tricky because of the gapping. I know exactly how far I hit my own 7-iron, but with an unfamiliar club it’s pure guesswork unless you’ve tested them out on the range first (which in this case I hadn’t). My first shots with this set were out on the course, so I went in blind and guessing my distances. The lofts are slightly weaker than my gamer irons so on the par 3 third hole at my home course, where I usually hit 7-iron, I hit 6-iron instead and sent it arrowing towards a front left pin. To my surprise, it pitched at the very back of the green and flew into the bushes.

The same thing happened at the next par 3 when I clubbed down yet still airmailed the green into a pond! I initially put this distance boost down to the lovely summer weather, but upon further testing at the range I was still getting a few extra yards from the Vice set, even though they are weaker lofted than my own irons.

The feel off the face was soft, yet the ball was coming off the clubface like a rocket and I was producing yardages that are unusual for me, even though I use distance irons. I think I actually prefer these irons to my own, even though my irons cost more than this whole package set! The irons are available in steel shaft or graphite. I tested the graphite, which always seems to produce a nicer feel I think.

The wedges are impressive too. Very similar to the irons only with full face grooves, which visually can take some getting used to if you haven’t used them before. The full face grooves definitely provide a bit of extra reassurance, particularly with chipping and bunker shots, and again the soft feel was something that really jumped out.

Finally the putter. Again, I loved it. There isn’t anything particularly extravagant or exotic about it, but it looks stylish, feels nice in the hands and it delivers an excellent, consistent roll. I appreciate the choice of a fang design, which would probably be my preference in any package set, as it’s a common head shape that suits a variety of skill levels while providing a good blend of forgiveness and feel. It’s a much better option than a blade putter for the level of golfer that uses a package set, and for me the putter was one of the highlights of a great set.

All in all, this is a really impressive offering from Vice Golf that I can’t really fault at all. Every club has been carefully thought out to provide the maximum performance for the level of golfer the set is designed for and the quality on offer at this price point is, quite frankly, off the charts.

Package sets can vary greatly in terms of price and quality. They can also differ in terms of the level of golfer they are aimed at. I’ve tested some of the absolute best package sets this year including two high end offerings from Callaway - the XR Package Set and the Mavrik Set, and it’s fair to say that the Inesis First Golf Kit is not in the same class.

You’d expect that, as it comes in almost a thousand pound cheaper than those premium sets (£149.99), but it also serves an entirely different purpose to most package sets.

Some sets are aimed at the enthusiastic beginner, others are aimed at the golfer who has been playing for a while and is now wanting to upgrade their gear to a full set. This offering from Inesis, however, is very much for the brand new golfer who isn’t sure whether they will stick with it and therefore wants to see how things go before spending a lot of cash.

Splashing out a grand on a full set only to discover after a few months that this isn’t the game for you isn’t a great idea, unless of course you don’t mind wasting your money. If, however, you quite like the idea of taking up golf but don’t want to spend too much until you’re sure you’re in it for the long haul, this set is an interesting option.

Because of the affordable price point, it's certainly in the conversation when it comes to the best cheap package sets, but intriguingly it also makes for an ideal gift for a friend or relative that is keen on giving golf a go. A half set of clubs and a bag for less than the cost of some premium wedges makes this a very interesting option.

It’s important to point out that is only a half set, which helps to keep the price down while still providing the basics required to get out on the course. The set consists of a bag, driver, hybrid, two irons, a wedge and a putter, and for a brand new golfer that is more than sufficient. For example, you get a 7-iron and a 9-iron, but a complete novice doesn’t need an 6 or 8-iron because they won’t be striking the ball consistently enough to see any real difference. Gapping isn’t an issue for someone just starting out so a half set is just fine.

This is very much a set that any keen golfer will grow out of quickly, but the low price point reflects that. It’s not a set for the long haul, it’s something that will get you started until you are ready to upgrade to something to take you to the next level.

The driver is basic, but given that the best drivers often retail at five times the cost of this entire set, that’s to be expected. It might actually be the cheapest driver I’ve ever hit, but all things considered it was pretty good. It’s 14° of loft which is higher than most standard drivers but that’s perfect for this set’s target market. The priority for beginners is getting the ball into the air. That’s the hardest thing for a new golfer, so any help doing that is a good thing.

It’s a loud and not particularly pleasant sound, especially at the range when there’s often an echo. On the course though it was actually quite fun to hit shots with as it went very high and arrow straight, albeit a lot shorter than I’d normally be used to.

The hybrid was quite nice to hit and other than the putter this will probably be the most used club in the bag for the new golfer. Fairway woods and longer irons can be difficult to hit so including a single hybrid instead makes sense, as even a modest length par 5 is going to take several shots to reach for a beginner.

The graphite shafted irons are also very easy to get airborne and I found them to be quite forgiving considering the price point. The sand wedge is very similar and it performed especially well out of bunkers. It was a little clunky around the greens on pitch shots but that won’t matter to the level of golfer who will be using this set as at that stage of their golfing journey they aren’t going to have too much variety to their short game.

The fang shaped putter looks very basic even by modest package set standards. There’s no face milling, the grip is very thin, branding is minimal to say the least and to be honest I had very little expectations of it. Yet the performance was actually pretty good. It feels quite heavy in the hands but I like that in a putter. The roll was nice and the feel was surprisingly soft. A better grip would have been nice but the idea is to keep the cost down so I get it.

On this note, I do appreciate Inesis opting to go with a mallet putter as it's a bugbear of mine when a beginner set comes with a blade putter instead. Even many of the top players in the world have realised that mallets give them a bit more forgiveness, so if Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy need help, it seems like a no brainer to give a beginner something that will be easier to use.

The bag and head covers are also basic and the bag isn’t the sturdiest. It probably wouldn’t handle a full set, but it isn’t designed to do that. While it won't be making any shortlists for the best stand bags, it’s very lightweight and therefore easy to carry. For what it costs, I would say it’s excellent value, much like the entire set.

All in all this a great option for anyone thinking about giving golf a try. It's very well thought out and everything about it is designed to make the game easier for the golfer taking their first steps in the game. The high loft of the driver, the inclusion of a hybrid rather than fairway wood and a user-friendly putter design all point to the consideration Inesis has put into making this half set affordable but also effective.

For a brand new golfer I'm struggling to see any real downside here. If after a few months you decide golf isn’t for you, or if you’ve been well and truly bitten by the bug and want to invest in a full set or something more premium, you’ll have had your money’s worth from this set and can either pass it on to someone else or sell it and recoup some of your outlay.

Package sets seem to get better and better every year. There are some really excellent options for the new golfer looking to get their first full set, and they come in a variety of price ranges. If you are on a budget and don’t want to spend too much, check out our guide to the best cheap package sets.

If money is no object you might want to look at the excellent Callaway XR set I reviewed recently. If you are somewhere in between, the Callaway Mavrik could be just the ticket. This is only available to buy directly from the Callaway website, so how does it compare to the best package sets out there? Let’s dive in and find out.

The Mavrik set consists of 11 clubs (all with graphite shafts), a bag and five head covers. The first thing that jumps out is the high quality on offer. The bag has an understated, classy look and having carried it for 18 holes I can say the performance matches the looks. The stand is sturdy enough, perhaps not quite as solid as some of the best stand bags, but it does the job. It’s lightweight and easy to carry due to the double straps, while the additional back padding further enhances the experience. It can also be used on a cart if that’s your preference.

The set itself consists of a driver, 3-wood, 4 and 5 hybrids, 6-SW as well as a putter.

The driver turned out to be my favourite club in the bag, but it wasn’t that way immediately. It’s actually a good example of how on course testing is more valuable than sessions on the range. I understand that it isn’t always possible to try new gear out on the course before you buy, but from our own perspective here at Golf Monthly this is exactly why we put all clubs through rigorous testing both on and off the course.

I hit shots on the range with this driver and thought it was fine. It was ok, it did what it was supposed to do. It launched easily and had a high flight, as you’d expect from a 10.5° driver aimed at new golfers. Forgiveness was impressive enough but my distance was considerably less than with my gamer driver. That’s to be expected and it’s more of an observation than a criticism. As far as package set drivers go the sound and feel are fine. There is a difference between the acoustics of package set drivers and the best drivers on the market, but there’s also a massive difference in price too, so again, that’s to be expected.

On the range I found myself focusing too much on the shortcomings in sound and feel, but that can happen when there are no real consequences to the shots you are hitting. On the course it was a completely different story. It’s fair to say I was well and truly won over by this driver. I hit every single fairway until I finally pulled one left on the final hole. And on the course I can’t say I even noticed the sound or feel, I was too busy enjoying the laser straight shots I was hitting with it!

The 3-wood performed well too, both from the tee and fairway. It has a large footprint and promotes confidence at address. It was easy to launch and I still achieved decent distances even on lesser strikes. I suspect that the hybrids are probably going to be the clubs that will be game changers for anybody who buys this set though.

For newer golfers and high handicap players, mid-long irons are extremely tough to hit with any consistency. Having a 4 and 5 hybrid designed to send the ball sailing into orbit is just what the doctor ordered. These hybrids are very easy to hit and they go straight up in the air. Not many new golfers are achieving that with a 5-iron. The hybrids are perfect for beginners and higher handicap players, especially those with slow/moderate clubhead speed.

Onto the irons, which run from 6-SW and are very much what you would want in a set aimed at golfers that need as much help as possible. They’re easy to launch and tread the line perfectly between “too chunky” and “confidence inspiring”. I was pleasantly surprised by the feel, which was definitely softer than I would have imagined. Turf interaction was good and they delivered a pleasing flight.

I didn’t love the sand wedge though. It was perfectly fine on full shots, but out of bunkers and around the greens I felt too limited with what I was able to do. I would have liked to have seen a more specialised wedge in there with a bit of versatility to encourage a wider range of shots. That said, the set is aimed at the less skilled golfer who may not have that wider range of shots.

It's also worth pointing out that because the set contains only 11 clubs there is plenty of scope to add another couple of specialist wedges later. Using the sand wedge on full shots and adding a lob wedge for shots from sand or around the green would be a good solution as your short game skills develop.

I’m somewhat torn on the putter and I’m listing it as a ‘con’ rather than a ‘pro’, but I do feel guilty about that because it is an outstanding product! The Odyssey White Hot Pro 1 is a classic putter and the White Hot insert ensures a lovely feel. So it’s not that I don’t like the putter, I really do, I’m just not sure a blade putter is a good fit for this particular set.

I feel a more forgiving mallet putter would be a better option for the level of golfer that package sets are aimed at. Blade putters don’t offer the same level of forgiveness as mallets, and the golfers using this set are likely to need that. The forgiveness is there in every other club in the bag, so why not the putter?

Maybe I’m overstating this a bit, and I’m sure there are plenty of higher handicap players who enjoy using a blade putter. I just think something similar to the designs you find in the most forgiving putters would make more sense. This is my only real gripe with the set as otherwise it offers everything that you’d want from a package set.

In summary then the Mavrik set for £899 is a superb offering for any golfer looking to get their first set of golf clubs. It’s also a great option for the newish golfer who may have got into the game using a cheap set or maybe some old hand me downs and wants an upgrade. There are many different package sets available at varying prices, but from a value for money perspective you won’t go wrong with this set.

If you decide to buy a Callaway golf set, take a look at our Callaway coupon codes.

Package sets are generally aimed at new golfers or those who perhaps play from time to time but who don’t have a full set of their own. Maybe you have been borrowing clubs or using an old set given to you by a friend or family member, but now want to step up your game by getting yourself your first full set? If so, read on because the Callaway XR 26 package set is arguably the best option on the market currently.

The previous generation of the Callaway XR package set earned five stars from our reviewer and was named as our top pick in the best package sets category for 2025. The 2026 upgrade will take some beating as I have to say it certainly exceeded my expectations. While it is at the higher end of the price scale, the bang justifies the buck in my opinion.

I knew nothing about the set prior to it arriving but my first impression was that visually this set looks fantastic and was much more high end than I anticipated. I’ve written about several package sets while updating our buying guides to the best package sets as well as the best golf club sets for beginners and best cheap golf club sets, but when I unboxed the new Callaway XR 26 set I was genuinely taken aback.

I’ll start with the bag, which is very eye catching. It’s also incredibly lightweight yet spacious, with plenty of storage for all of your needs. While it lacks some of the stability of some of the best golf stand bags I found that it was easy to carry and it also performed well on a cart. It’s a premium looking product and resembles a bag you’d buy off the shelf rather than something you’d expect in a package set. The matching head covers add a luxurious feel too, matched by the quality of the clubs themselves.

The driver looks very inviting at address, not least because the head appears huge behind the ball. In addition, it’s 10.5° loft but standing over the ball I felt that it looks higher lofted than that, which should provide extra reassurance for the higher handicap player the set is designed for. Obviously a package set driver is not going to have the same kind of technology and adjustability you’ll find on the best golf drivers, but visually the XR driver ticks a lot of boxes. For example, I love a matte crown on a driver. I find it looks so much more stylish than a gloss finish, although that’s subjective of course. Nevertheless, as with all clubs in this set I would say that Callaway has again done a great job in terms of the aesthetics.

In terms of how the driver performed, it’s easy to launch and has ample forgiveness. While I saw a distinct drop off in distance compared to my gamer driver (around 10 yards carry), given the difference in technology, price and the fact my driver has been custom fitted for me, that’s to be expected. Golfers who struggle to get the ball in the air or who are fighting a slice (two traits of the new golfer / high handicapper) should really enjoy hitting this driver. The acoustics were a little loud for my taste but nothing like what I feared it might be.

The 3-wood also retains that same appealing aesthetic and sits very nicely behind the ball, as do the hybrids (4 and 5) which boast a larger footprint and plenty of launch. Having tested and reviewed some of the best hybrids over recent months I noticed a significant difference with the XR hybrids, which are clearly designed more for launch than they are distance and workability. Again, that’s exactly the kind of help that the golfer this package set is designed for will need.

The 5 hybrid in particular went miles up in the air and I could see that being a favorite ‘go-to club’ for golfers who invest in this set. Interestingly, this club has replaced the 5 iron that was in the previous XR set and personally I think that’s a great move as a 5 iron is not the easiest club to use even for reasonably well skilled golfers (I play off a 12 handicap and have recently replaced my 5 iron with a hybrid to get more consistency).

Golfers with slow/moderate clubhead speed can certainly benefit from the ease of use on offer from all of the woods and hybrids, while the white lines on the club face of the 3 wood and hybrids do a great job of accentuating the loft on offer and providing extra reassurance.

Onto the irons now, which are the highlight of the set for me as the feel, sound and consistency of spin (especially with the wedges) was not at all what I was expecting. I also really like the fact that they are available in multiple flexes and in graphite shafts as well as steel. For the kind of golfer whom package sets are aimed at, graphite shafts are a good option and I enjoyed using them. They look much cooler too, and there’s nothing wrong in valuing how your clubs look (providing it isn’t at the cost of performance of course!).

The irons go from 6-PW while you also get a gap wedge and a sand wedge. The consistency I was getting from the wedges was really impressive, as I was hitting more or less the same distance number each time and the soft feel made it very enjoyable testing these clubs.

Another big plus was the fang shaped Odyssey DFX #7 putter, which is truly exceptional in terms of what you can usually expect to find in a package set. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for a package set to offer a decent putter that will provide some help on the greens the greens for those that need all the help they can get, and it’s a personal bugbear of mine when I see a blade putter in a package set. Those who are new to the game need something with a bit of forgiveness and personally I’ve always been a fan of the fang shaped head. The head cover for the putter is very swish too, adding to the overall aesthetic of the set when it sits in the bag.

If you twisted my arm and forced me to name one thing I didn’t love it about this set I would reluctantly say the driver, but I feel like it’s unfair to even mention that as it’s not feasible for a package set to offer something to compete with with the best golf drivers on the market. Keep in mind that Callaway’s marquee driver for 2026, the Quantum Max, retails at £599.99. To add context, that is around half of the cost of this entire set (£1,299). So a package set driver is always going to come up a little short simply because the cost of drivers is so high nowadays.

Besides, the level of golfer this is aimed at is probably not going to achieve significantly better results even with a more expensive option. As far as package set drivers go this is certainly at the top end, it’s just not necessarily something I would personally enjoy playing.

All in all this is an outstanding solution for new golfers looking to get a full set without being overwhelmed by the choices available when buying clubs separately. For those shopping on a budget it is probably going to be a little out of your price range, and if that’s the case then I would recommend checking out our guide to the best cheap sets. If, however, you are in a position to spend a fair bit of money on a new set then I can’t recommend the Callaway XR 26 set highly enough.

If you decide to buy a Callaway golf set, take a look at our Callaway coupon codes.

While the majority of package sets are aimed at beginner golfers, I immediately got the sense that the Stix Jack Nicklaus essentials set was a little different. While it would do a very good job in the hands of a newcomer to the game, the experience I had when testing it suggested that improving golfers could also reap the benefits.

The fresh, simplistic branding of both Stix and the famous Golden Bear logo on the clubs and on the side of the lightweight stand bag really enhanced the initial appeal. The bag that is included with the best package sets is often under appreciated, but the color scheme and overall design hit all the right notes for me.

Jack Nicklaus is one of, if not, the greatest golfer to have ever played the game, so it makes complete sense that the Stix x Jack Nicklaus collab is one of quality. While some may way want the loud, eccentric design that can be found on most package sets, this marriage will please the eye of those wanting the ease of purchasing a full set of clubs and bag together, without it necessarily standing out as a set aimed at beginners.

The sock-style headcovers look great and the combination of the matte and gloss finish on the driver head looks very cool. I haven’t seen many drivers with a singular dot alignment aid on the crown, but the bright yellow one on this head stands out well and helped me center the ball at address. I saw a generous launch from the 10.5°, 460cc driver head, and without over-spinning the golf ball, it produced a solid distance when struck properly from the tee. The mishits were punished at little more than on the most forgiving drivers, but I thought the overall performance was outstanding for a package set driver.

The irons were where I thought this set excelled and separated itself from other package sets on the market. The thinner top line will appeal more towards an intermediate golfer rather than someone needing the extra forgiveness and confidence-inspiring look a thicker, larger head would offer. While they have a cavity back design, these irons launched a little lower than some of the most forgiving irons on the market. But they felt surprisingly soft from the face, offering good control and a repeatable flight. The simple Jack Nicklaus signature on the rear of the clubs is a nice nod to the 18-time major champion while maintaining a premium look.

The 54° wedge also comes in a more blade-style design, similar to that of some of the best wedges on the market and like the irons, the bottom groove is filled with a yellow paint, which I thought helped square the face up to my target at address more easily. The spin and control on offer was generous and the feel and feedback impressive, but as is the case with the irons, this wedge won’t offer the assistance that some of the most forgiving wedges will, or wedges that come in other package sets.

As much as I loved the majority of this package set, the putter was a little disappointing. The small mid-mallet is an unusual shape and didn’t suit my eye when down behind the ball. The firm feel will marry well with a soft ball and there's a good amount of aim assistance on offer. There was also room for improvement on the very basic putter headcover, although some package sets don't even include a putter headcover, so at least there is something to stop scuffs and scratches appearing.

If you’re a beginner golfer wanting a set that will see you through a good portion of your golfing development or a mid-handicapper simply looking for an easy way to upgrade your full bag, the Stix Jack Nicklaus package set is one to consider. Given the added longevity it provides, the value for money has been significantly enhanced. At $699/£610 I feel this package set offers superb value for money, offering a premium look and ample performance for a price much lower than many of its golf club set competitors.

Vice Golf has traditionally been known for offering premium quality golf balls at an affordable price direct to the consumer. More recently it has branched out into clubs and now the brand is looking to make its mark in the package set space. Offering a sleek and premium set for those looking to take up the game, the Booster set certainly makes a good first impression, but I took it onto the course to see if it could truly be considered one of the best package sets money can buy.

Not to labor the point too much but the nine clubs included in this package set genuinely look top quality. I think some package sets can look very basic and a little cheap, whereas this set is the kind that makes you want to pick each club out of the bag and waggle it around a little. The black and grey tones on all of the clubs are what I think make them look sleek and more luxurious than other package sets that have bold coloring to them.

The driver was the first club I took out once I had unpacked the bag and from the sole I honestly think it looks just as good as some of the best drivers on the market. The black gloss with grey detailing gives it a unique and eye-catching look. At address, you’re greeted with a large, confidence-inspiring head that will please beginner golfers and the grey face accentuates the loft on the club. With 10° of loft, golfers can stay in this driver once their skills develop, but I do think most beginner golfers would benefit from slightly more loft on a package set driver.

The performance of the driver was actually better than I was expecting. All of these clubs are equipped with Vice-branded shafts, which I thought might hinder their performance a little, but overall I was impressed with the distance output and feel from both the driver and the 4-hybrid. My only real qualm with the driver was the acoustics were louder and higher-pitched than many of the best golf drivers, which won't suit everyone.

The irons are fairly basic in design but, again, look great in hand and will offer plenty of confidence down behind the ball thanks to the fairly thick top-line. The set provides you with a 6-iron through to sand wedge, which I believe is all a beginner golfer or higher handicapper looking to upgrade their set truly needs. The feel was really solid from the middle of the face, although I would say there was a fair amount of vibration through the shaft if you really caught a ball off the toe or towards the heel of the club. When struck well they did provide a high ball flight, which is ideal for those just taking up the game.

The putter and bag in this package set are both outstanding. The milled wide-bladed putter feels great off the face, offering a softer sensation through impact and works really nicely with a short slant hosel design. The alignment line on the flange and small ‘v’ alignment aid on the top also work well together to get the putter face aligned to your target.

The stand bag is ultralight, which makes carrying this set extremely easy and saves beginners from having to spend more money on a trolley. The Vice logo design works well in white down the side of the black bag as well as on the ball pocket. There is ample room for jackets, balls and tees, as well as a small valuables pocket on the side.

Overall, I think this is one of the most polished and high-quality package sets I have ever tested. The clubs look and perform extremely well and the set as a whole offers you everything you would need when purchasing your first set of clubs. At £454, the Vice Boost Starter set offers superb value for money and a set of clubs you’ll be proud to own for many years.

Callaway's Mavrik line was a real success story for the Carlsbad-based equipment giant back in the day, so I was intrigued to see how that legacy had translated as it has now morphed into a complete set. The Callaway Mavrik Package Set aims to provide a full bag solution with that Mavrik performance, and I was keen to put it to the test to see if it could rival some of the best package sets in the game.

In terms of the overall look, I must say, the sophisticated grey and black colorway of the bag and headcovers immediately caught my eye. It is classy and understated, which I really enjoyed - very often in the package set market, I find manufacturers can be a little patronising with the color and design choices, but not so here. A very good start.

The set is comprehensive, offering everything any beginner - or even a more accomplished player, for that matter - could need, including: Driver, 3-wood, 4 & 5 hybrid, 6 - SW, putter, and a stand bag. The stand bag is a really nice standalone (forgive the pun) product with double straps and additional padding for your back, making for a very comfortable carry.

The Mavrik driver is designed unapologetically for forgiveness, and it absolutely delivers. The incredibly large sweet spot gobbles up those mishits as proficiently as some of the best drivers in the game, retaining a lot of ball speed even on some very poor strikes. The driver feels (and sounds) powerful off the face and offers real ease of launch, which will suit those with a moderate swing speed. I would say, however, that the quality of the clubhead feels as though it would certainly stand up to more vigorous swing speeds. I am around 118 mph with a driver, for example, and it took all I had to offer.

The inclusion of a 3-wood along with the 4 and 5 hybrids provides a lot of versatility and choice before you get to the irons, which can only be a good thing. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of the 3-wood, which I found particularly strong from the tee as an alternative to driver, offering a slight draw bias in ball flight. The hybrids are excellent, too, with the springy feel off the face and super high launch characteristics being the highlights.

The irons might well be the best irons I have tried in any package set I have reviewed over the past couple of years, with excellent shaping and just the right blend of confidence-inspiring visuals without looking clumsy. A relatively soft feel and reasonable turf interaction round off a really nice section of this bag. The only mild disappointment would be the sand wedge, which performs no more than adequately for standard bunker shots and pitches. I do feel that even in what is pitched as a ‘beginner’ product, Callaway could have included a more ‘specialized’ sand wedge with a little more thought. A higher bounce and more versatile sole grind would significantly enhance its performance around the greens, allowing for a wider range of shots, and would just make users of this set feel a little more accomplished, in my opinion.

The putter is a real highlight for me, as it features the Odyssey White Hot insert, which is a personal favorite of mine and has been for years, offering a brilliantly soft feel. While the design is a very traditional modern blade style, the back bumpers offer plenty of stability on those inevitably mishit putts. The White Hot Pro 1 was considered one of the best putters of its era, so it is great to see it make an appearance here.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the Callaway Mavrik Package Set. It is a comprehensive package that offers a good blend of looks, forgiveness, and one that I think represents genuine value.

The Callaway Mavrik Package Set is available at an RRP of $1199.99/£899 and can be ordered in either regular flex or stiff flex.

The TaylorMade RBZ name carries a certain weight in the golf world, bringing back memories of that white headed rocket launcher of a fairway wood for me at least! So, when I got the chance to try out the TaylorMade RBZ Package Set, I was keen to see if it could live up to that reputation, and how it performed as a full, out-of-the-box solution for those starting out or simply looking for a reliable, no-fuss setup. Could this be one of the best package sets in the game? Let’s find out…

Unboxing the RBZ set, the clubs have a very clean, modern aesthetic. In the woods, the bright white finish of yesteryear isn’t featured (which is a bit of a shame), but has been replaced by an inoffensive gloss black. The full set includes: Driver, 3 Wood, 4 Hybrid, 6-PW irons, putter, and a cart bag.

It's genuinely a very comprehensive package, providing everything a golfer needs to get out on the course immediately (other than balls, tees, and gloves!). The cart bag is functional, with ample storage and a decent design, though perhaps not the most premium I've seen. Don’t get me wrong, it is far from bad, and feels fairly well made and durable, it is just a touch basic in terms of the aesthetic to my eye, so it wouldn’t be rivaling the best cart bags for me. The fact that it’s a cart bag will satisfy many, but obviously, if carrying is your preference, then this is not the setup for you.

In terms of the individual clubs, the driver is, for me, the star of the show. It's designed to be hugely forgiving and easy to launch, which is exactly what you want from a driver in a set like this. The large sweet spot certainly helps with off-center hits, and I found it produced some decent ball speed. What I particularly appreciate is that TaylorMade has included an adjustable hosel on the driver, which is synonymous with the best drivers in the game. This is a fantastic feature, especially in a package set, as it allows golfers to fine-tune the loft and face angle to better suit their swing and preferences, and importantly, allows this driver to grow along with your ability if you are just starting out. This level of customization is often absent in package sets and shows significant attention to detail.

The 3-wood and hybrid continue the theme of forgiveness and ease of use. The 3-wood has been designed to be playable off the tee and the fairway, and I found it to be very easy to launch, even from tighter lies or slightly nestled lies in the rough. The hybrid will be a welcome addition for newcomers to the game, providing a good alternative to those tricky-to-hit longer irons, and offering a high soft ball flight like so many of the best hybrids.

The irons - as with the rest of the set - are designed with a primary focus on forgiveness, which is crucial for the type of players that will be shopping in this market. The large cavity-back design helps to increase the sweet spot and provide a good launch, even on slightly mishit shots. The feel is solid, bordering on a little clunky, obviously not as soft as some of the best irons in the game, but that's to be expected in this category. The main thing is they are easy to use and they certainly fulfil that brief.

The putter is a nice touch from Taylormade. They have brought in a version of the popular Spider range, widely regarded as some of the best putters in the game, so it is packed with MOI and stability. The Spider Splitback putter looks great and has symmetrical wings that make alignment very easy while providing tons of the aforementioned stability. The Pure Roll insert gives a nice feel while also promoting end-over-end roll. For a beginner or someone looking for a straightforward, easy-to-use putter, it does the job well.

The TaylorMade RBZ Package set is definitely in the upper echelons of this category, offering a comprehensive and forgiving set of clubs that are well-suited for beginners and mid-handicap golfers. The inclusion of an adjustable hosel on the driver is a standout feature that adds significant value and allows for a degree of customization rarely seen in package sets. The irons, fairway wood, and hybrid provide a good balance of distance, forgiveness, and control, while the putter is a reliable performer on the greens. The cart bag - while not a ‘looker’ - is functional and provides ample storage. For those looking for a complete, ready-to-play set from a reputable brand, the TaylorMade RBZ Package Set is a good place to start.

PXG is one of the most forward-thinking and innovative equipment companies in golf and of late, has been getting more and more creative. Never afraid to think outside the box, new ideas such as the Desert Club or the Secret Weapon mini-driver have represented interesting and unique concepts. Looking to take on some of the best package sets in the game is the PXG Wildcat set, which I was able to take to the course to give a thorough test.

PXG has conceived and designed the Wildcat set very much with novice and occasional golfers in mind, with the simple target of making the game as easy and fun as possible. It has not. however, scrimped on the technology in doing so.

The driver features a titanium, Ti-811 construction along with a thin, high-strength titanium face insert. It comes in at a very healthy 16 degrees of loft and at 44 inches long, which is a lot more loft than you would normally expect to see in any of the best drivers and at least an inch shorter than most major manufacturers ‘standard’ driver length. This is to provide more launch and a better quality of strike.

Complementing the PXG Wildcat driver are the PXG Wildcat fairway wood and PXG Wildcat hybrid. Both are designed with a high-strength body material that allows for a thinner wall thickness and a lightweight feel. They also incorporate an ultra-thin-face design for added flex, improved ball speeds and distance.

The PXG Wildcat irons feature a body made primarily of stainless steel and PXG’s proprietary XCOR2 polymer core system. There is also a dual cavity design that includes a weight-saving insert in the outer cavity and a polymer-filled inner cavity. The idea of this design effectively removes mass from the center of the club to enhance forgiveness on mishits, while delivering low spin and high launch performance.

Completing the set is the Black Hawk putter which combines the looks of a traditional mallet putter with some interesting design features, and even includes the option to be fitted with four different hosels. It is constructed from multi-material components and features a 100 percent milled aerospace-grade aluminum body, and a stainless steel rear weight plate, boosting the MOI for maximum stability.

It has been designed as a nine-club set, which includes a driver, a 5-fairway wood, a 6-hybrid, a 7-iron through sand wedge (SW), and a putter, however, they can also be purchased individually for those looking to build the set up slowly.

In terms of the looks, PXG has done an excellent job. The term ‘package set’ often conjures up images of poorly constructed budget equipment, and that could not be further from the truth with Wildcat. The biggest compliment I could offer this set is that it could easily sit alongside the main in-line products of the PXG range in all of its comparable categories like the Black Ops irons or 0211 drivers. PXG has not compromised on build quality or finish in any regard here, and importantly, every single club genuinely inspires confidence behind the ball with their generous proportions.

Performance-wise, I was seriously impressed throughout the bag here. I honestly think the driver could actually sculpt and influence some future designs in the industry, with its deep face and 16˚ loft providing performance I have never seen before. It is incredibly easy to launch, and those with slower swing speeds will likely experience a ball flight and peak height that they have only previously dreamed of, providing what I foresee to be a healthy distance boost.

This user-friendly theme continues throughout the bag, with the irons featuring very large head profiles, a low CG, and super wide soles that all add up to create high levels of forgiveness and ease of launch. They have deliberately been swing-weighted lightly (C6) to make them swing a little easier than more ‘standard’ irons and also have some fairly generous lofts to once again aid launch.

This isn’t exclusive to the Wildcat set, as a lot of the best golf club sets for beginners focus heavily on playability and making them easy to get in the air, but I have never seen it achieved with such a solid and premium feel as this.

Aside from the unique driver, the putter may have been the highlight for me. I am so used to pulling out a cheap, poorly finished afterthought of a putter in most package sets that the Black Hawk was a real treat. The milled pyramid face feels great, facilitating a nice roll on the ball, while the ‘pick up’ pocket will delight those who regularly play ‘gimmies’. Seriously easy to align (there are hallmarks of the impressive Allan putter in the address position) and with a premium feel, this is an excellent standalone product that could sit alongside many of the best putters in the game.

This is a package set like no other I have tried before. I love the idea of only going with nine clubs in the set, as I hear so many beginners getting confused about what club to use, so limiting the options is a smart idea here. There has been zero compromise on quality or design to hit a price point, which is absolutely reflected in the performance throughout here. In terms of that price tag, it is a little higher than most package sets out there, but if you are going all in, the ‘Full Bag Bundle’ which includes all nine clubs, a golf bag, a hat, and a dozen balls will set you back $1499.99.

The driver as an individual club is $299.99, the fairway is $199.99, the hybrid comes in at $189.99, and each individual iron is priced at $149.99. The Black Hawk putter will set you back $299.99.

In 1997, Jon Everitt set out to launch a brand that would “produce top quality golfing equipment without the prohibitive price tag.” As the brand approaches its 30th anniversary, that philosophy remains the same.

This is still a set that currently costs in the region of $600 (around £450), so we’re not talking about a cheap product. However, given the best drivers on the market can cost as much as this whole set alone, this is your more affordable, entry level set of clubs.

Let’s start with the looks. The black and red accent colors are very smart, as is the Benross logo on the back of the club towards the toe. They look good in the bag (the set comes with a 14-way cart bag) and, most importantly, down behind the ball.

With the irons, the topline is fairly chunky, although I have seen thicker. Better ball strikers and those who have a bit more confidence hitting their irons may prefer a sleeker topline, but I think the majority of mid to high handicappers will prefer this shape - it's in line with what you get on the best game improvement irons.

I’m narrowly holding onto my single-figure handicap, and I actually enjoyed going back to something more forgiving (I currently play Titleist T200 irons, a compact mid handicap iron).

The set features seven irons: 5-9 iron, plus a PW and SW, all steel with regular flex shafts. They deliver a powerful strike and there’s plenty of forgiveness in the heads, so players should find their mishits aren’t so severely punished in terms of distance or accuracy.

The forged titanium driver (10.5°) comes with a lightweight graphite shaft (regular flex), which is pretty standard with package sets. It sits nicely behind the ball and does a good job of making you feel like you’re capable of making a solid strike.

My old Titleist 915D2 driver has a stiff shaft, so this spec wouldn’t suit me – at least it would take a little getting used to. Overall, it’s a solid offering with a seemingly large sweetspot - shots felt solid and powerful most of the time.

It was a similar story with the fairway wood and 4-hybrid. For me, the shafts were a little too soft or whippy. However, they were both easy to launch when I slowed my swing down a little, the hybrid especially so. Meanwhile, the stainless steel heads make a nice sound on impact.

With the putter, Benross has opted for an oversize mallet putter that, as with the woods, comes with its own headcover. I putted terribly the first round I played with it, but most of that was down to adjusting to the different design (I play with an old Odyssey White Hot Rossie, a mid mallet model).

In my opinion, it’s not of the same level as the irons in terms of looks; the paintwork isn’t that tidy when you hold it up close. However, if I was going to buy this set, it wouldn't be a deal breaker – I'd add my own model to the bag.

Talking of which, the bag is excellent. Yes, it’s a cart bag (I prefer carrying) and with the one strap it’s not really designed to be carried for 18 holes, but it’s very smart and has plenty of storage space. There are nine pockets in total, which is more than enough room to carry extra clothing and all your golfing accessories.

If you’re looking to keep your costs down, the fact that the set comes with a decent bag is a big bonus, as is having good quality headcovers for the woods and the putter which will stop them from chipping/rubbing. If I could change one thing about them, I’d just lose the numbers for a cleaner look in the bag – a minor quibble.

Given that you are allowed to carry 14 clubs (this is an 11-club set), there are obviously a few gaps here – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The more you play, the more you’ll get an idea of where you might need a bit of extra help, which for a lot of golfers will be at the bottom end of the bag (an extra wedge or two).

In fact, if you have a pretty handy short game, you might look to add one of the best wedges to your bag sooner rather than later. In testing, I wasn't able to get anywhere near as much spin as my Titleist Vokey SM8. This was to be expected, but I thought the sand wedge might offer a touch more control than it did.

All in all, this is a solid package set – one that looks good and performs well. Given how expensive a whole set of new clubs can cost, I can see the appeal in going for a package set, and this one is surely one of the best on the market.

Having only started diving a little deeper into the Tour Edge offerings with the Hot Launch C524 driver and irons, I was happy to see the email that a Tour Edge package set was on its way to my house for review. Looking to sit alongside some very stiff competition in the best package set category, I took the Tour Edge TE-400 package set out for a spin…

In terms of the clubs on offer, the choice is very comprehensive and well thought out, not only for those just starting out in the game but also for more seasoned players. The set makeup is quite heavily ‘top-loaded’ - as in there are a lot of clubs in the longer end of the bag as opposed for the short game - but I think that would suit the requirements of most people shopping in this market. Only offering twelve clubs rather than the full permitted fourteen also allows space to add maybe one or two of the best wedges to the bag as you go along leaving a little room to develop your game further down the line.

We’ve got a driver, 3 and 5-wood, 4 and 5-hybrid, 6-iron to sand wedge, and a putter, which should be more than enough for most club golfers in my opinion, and represents extraordinary value coming in at £618.00 in total. For context, the very impressive TaylorMade RBZ Speedlite package set is closer to the £1000 mark.

Visually I really enjoyed this set as a whole. The color scheme is a sophisticated black and grey with subtle blue accents both on the bag and the clubs which creates a really nice, cohesive aesthetic. I have to say, the attention to detail on the accessories is a real plus point for me. So often on package sets, I find poorly manufactured, flimsy headcovers that clearly won't last more than a couple of months before falling apart, but not so here. The headcovers from the driver through to the putter are great. Super premium, thick, and well-constructed, they wouldn’t look out of place on any of the most premium clubs on the market.

The clubs themselves also look very strong with plenty of size to inspire confidence and good shaping in behind the ball. The driver is excellently proportioned and the deep face to my eye looks to show more than the stated 10.5˚ loft which can only be a good thing. The irons have a decently thick top line and plenty of offset to increase their playability, while the hybrids are among the most confidence-inspiring I have seen, with a lovely long heel-to-toe measurement and a great contrast between the silver face and black crown making them very easy to align.

My only two gripes with this set visually would be with the fairway woods and the putter. Firstly with the fairway woods, the small ‘T’ logo on the crown looks a long way out of alignment with the center of the face to my eye, appearing at least a couple of millimeters towards the toe of the club. It might not seem like a big thing, but if people are using these as their first set, you could potentially pick up some pretty poor habits from that fundamental mistake. Secondly, the putter. 

I appreciate the effort that has been put into trying to make it more interesting than a standard package set putter, but I don’t think it has been executed particularly well with a lot of unnecessary colors and some less-than-optimal paintwork. That said, it actually performed fairly well for me so it is certainly just a cosmetic gripe which is always subjective anyway.

Speaking of the performance, as always it is a little tricky for me to pass too much judgment as a PGA Professional, as my swing speed exceeds what would be considered appropriate for this set. However, I am capable of slowing that swing down a fair bit and when I did I found some genuinely good results. Throughout the set, they felt solid, easy to launch, and most importantly of all were extremely forgiving on mishits. My particular favorite was the driver which not only had a far more premium look than the price tag would suggest, its performance was equally impressive. High launching, great sound, and with a really powerful thump at impact, any purchasers will be pleased with what they find there.

At £618.00 for a twelve-club set with a sturdy and stylish cart bag, this is a very impressive package set overall. The TE-400 is also available in women's and senior options.

The Ram Golf SDX Junior package set arrived at my house in very close succession to the new Hogan FTS Junior package set, so I was very keen to compare and contrast. Both looking to sit amongst the best golf club sets for kids, I took them out with my daughter to see what we made of them…

Both sets arrived in the 9-12 range which was ideal for my 9-year-old daughter to try, and we were both immediately impressed with the look of the set. The vibrant blue bag is excellent and the headcovers match well. From a shelf appeal point of view, the clubs look excellent too with nice branding and detailing without being over the top.

Down behind the ball, the whole set once again looks good with nice, friendly profiles and plenty of loft on show to give kids the confidence that they will get the ball up in the air with relative ease. One slightly negative point was the construction of the putter looked like it could be better, with a very noticeable cracking where the head met the neck of the head. 

On further inspection, it looked as though this was only cosmetic and not causing any issues in performance, however. Other than that, the putter is good, with a familiar ‘fang’ profile offering plenty of forgiveness.

My daughter found all of the clubs very easy to swing from a weight standpoint and commented that the irons, in particular, felt very good off the face. As a PGA Professional, I was pleased to see some very strong perimeter weighting and healthy head sizes as golf at that age is all about enjoyment, and the Ram Golf SDX Junior Package Set certainly helps to enhance that.

The grips are nice and tacky and felt as though they would be plenty durable which is important if your child is looking to become an avid practicer. Some nice features of the bag include a four-way divider, 3 compartments all closable via some strong zippers, a rain hood, and even a towel ring.

The Ram Golf SDX Junior package set comes in a 3-5 (£79.99), 6-8 (£99.99), and 9-12 (£119.99) age range in both left and right-handed. They come in two colorways also, pink and blue.

I have been seriously impressed with Hogan Golf this year. The direct-to-consumer brand has put out some very strong products at a great price point, particularly in the iron market, with the PTX Tour irons sitting amongst the best irons of 2024 for me. So when I heard I was being sent a new junior package set from the company, I was looking forward to seeing what was on offer for the kids…

The FTS package sets come in both boy's and girl’s configurations with three different age ranges available including 3-5. 6-8, and 9-12. The 3-5 set comes with the bare minimum of clubs, including just a driver, a 9-iron, and a putter, but in my experience that feels about right for that age group. As you move up the age range, more clubs are added, for example, the 6-8 range adds a 7-iron, and then finally the 9-12 set I was sent adds a 22˚ hybrid into the mix. 

The bag itself is nicely designed, with a little stand, and ample pockets to store whatever is required for a round of golf. It also comes equipped with a rain hood and a dual strap for ease of carrying.

With regards to the clubs themselves, they are really nicely constructed and very appropriate in length and weight. My 9-year-old daughter found them very easy to swing and had little difficulty getting them airborne. The driver and hybrid make a nice satisfying ‘ping’ off the clubface which was greatly appreciated by my daughter, and Hogan has done a good job adding some extra detail to the putter including a face insert which makes the set feel a little more premium.

Overall, I would say that this is very much one of the best junior package sets I have been sent, both in terms of looks and performance. The value for money is exceptional, with the 9-12 set I was sent retailing for just £139.99, and the lower age ranges dropping to £119.99, and £89.99 respectively. If you are looking for a set to get your child started, this would be very high on my list

For any parent looking to get their child into golf, there is an equipment journey to go through. At first, you simply need something reliable to help them get the ball in the air and heading roughly in the right direction. Then, as they start to improve, finding the best golf club sets for kids to help them shoot lower scores is something well worth devoting some thought to. 

For many years, PING has set the bar for junior specific golf equipment with its Prodi G range. The basic idea has been to use the R&D expertise behind the brand’s G line and then refine it specifically for kids. What’s more, for those buying more than five clubs in one purchase, you get a no-charge, one-time adjustment so the clubs can grow with your child. 

Of course, the price reflects the offering and the latest version of the Prodi G range will cost over $1,000 for a 7-club set (around £1,000 for an 8-club set in the UK). The question is, if you are willing to make this kind of investment (versus something more affordable like the RAM Junior G-Force), what do you get for your money? 

PING Prodi G 2024 Junior Set Review

The first thing you will notice is the premium aesthetic. Through the set, they have the same appearance as the main G range and as a result, there is an excellent balance between sleek shapes and confidence-inspiring lines. The gallery of images above shows the address views through the set and the fact that there’s a clear similarity with what the likes of Victor Hovland and Tony Finau are using is a big box ticked for many juniors. 

This has certainly been the case for my own son who used the previous Prodi G line-up and has just moved into the latest version. As his golf has improved over the last couple of years, the benefit of clubs that are lightweight, easy to hit and deliver high flights throughout have been clear to see. 

Previously, we had a 6-club set-up but we decided to up that to ten in the latest version. He is now 11-years-old and starting to hit the ball further (a good drive in summer conditions is reaching around 190 yards). The extra iron options (plus the hybrid) have become really helpful as the gaps between the clubs have grown. He now has a job to do in working out how far each club goes - it’s a good problem to have.

To get the right fit, we used PING’s simple online, junior WEBFIT tool which requires some basic static measurements (height and wrist-to-floor) as well as answers to some performance and preference questions. It is a simple process that works well but is no less than you would expect for the premium price-tag.  

One of the big improvements we have seen in the 2024 version has been with the putter. We opted for the larger mallet style head (there is a blade-like heel-and-toe model as well) and the additional alignment aid (and stability) has made a huge difference. It would be fair to say that finding consistency on the greens hasn’t come easily for my son but this putter has really helped. The impact on his scoring has been huge.

For me, the PING Prodi G isn’t a starter set. Instead, these are a fantastic option once you’re sure your child’s interest in golf is likely to endure. At a young age, getting the maximum reward for the good swings you make can really help harness that interest. The latest Prodi G continues to build on PING’s reputation as the standard bearer in this important area of the market.

The Wilson Player Fit Premium package set promises to provide “everything a golfer needs to get out on the course and flying down the fairway”. However, at around double the price of some of the other best package sets I have tested recently, I was keen to see if the extra money was worth it…

To put it into context, less than £700 for a full set of clubs and a bag is still an extremely low price point when you consider that many major OEM’s drivers alone will set you back a similar amount with a custom shaft, but in my experience, the £300 - £500 bracket is where many package sets sit so I was keen to know what the difference was here.

After some extensive testing, the answer is quite simple. Nothing revolutionary, Wilson has just gone down a slightly more premium route in construction throughout the entire set. From making the driver titanium as opposed to steel, adding an exceptional-looking blade-style wedge, to providing purchasers with a milled putter, everything is just a notch above your more “standard” package sets. But what do you get in your set? Well, the set is comprised of a driver, 3 wood, 4 and 5 hybrids, 6-iron to sand wedge, and a putter. All of these sit in a stand bag with ample storage and a handy double strap.

From an aesthetic standpoint, Wilson has done a quite brilliant job here. The overall package looks great, with a very premium-looking and feeling bag, understated but well-put-together headcovers for the woods, and strong shelf appeal from the back of the irons and wedges. I would genuinely struggle to pick this out as a package set. Staying with the visuals for a moment, in the address position, Wilson has nailed this set throughout the bag. All of the woods have a nicely rounded shape with ample mass to provide confidence and the contrasting face-to-crown color change really shows off the loft and makes you feel that getting the ball airborne is a simple task.

Similarly, with the irons, they sit very square and frame the ball beautifully. Plenty of real estate again inspires confidence and the overall design is sophisticated. Too often for me, even in the best clubs for beginners, the aesthetic can be a bit over the top and patronizing, but not so here. A standout for me is the beautifully crafted sand wedge. Wilson has provided a fabulous-looking blade-style sand wedge, which whilst it might not be as forgiving as some, provides some really nice feel and feedback at strike which will help sharpen short games quicker. The simple branding and high gloss chrome finish are a triumph and I would argue that even some of the best wedges could take note in terms of how to create a sophisticated, classic-looking wedge.

Fortunately, the performance very much matched the impressive visuals here. Starting at the top, the driver felt very solid at strike, and despite being a little soft in the shaft for me personally, performed admirably. Very easy to launch and extremely playable on mishits, I was impressed. The sound was a little louder than some of the best drivers but was far from offensive.

It was a similar story with the 3 wood and hybrids. Extremely easy to get airborne and with a pleasingly solid feel, this area of the bag is well covered by a multitude of loft options. 

The irons felt excellent at impact and produced some strong distance numbers from my FullSwing KIT launch monitor, once again achieving good peak heights with ease.

Something Wilson has done exceptionally well here is focusing a little more on the finesse side of the game with a brilliant wedge and putter combination. As I have already mentioned, the wedge looks stunning, but it also performs. Some of the package set sand wedges I have used in the past have felt clumsy and cumbersome, but this one is a pleasure to use. Soft feeling, with excellent turf interaction, I feel that this will help expedite the process of developing a strong short game.

While the putter isn’t necessarily to my tastes visually, it is an excellent performer. The milled face feels very premium at strike and the high MOI mallet head allows you to get away with off-center contacts nicely. 

One point I must note unfortunately is that a number of the clubs in my set had fairly poorly installed grips. While the quality of these grips was fantastic, at least three of them were probably 20 degrees off square, which for a beginner golfer trying to learn a neutral grip could be a real problem. It seems pedantic to mention, but I do think it needs looking at and is an extremely avoidable mistake and an easy fix.

On the whole, I was massively impressed with the Wilson Player Fit Premium Package Set. Wilson has more than justified the price tag with the quality on offer here and filled a gap in the market that I hadn’t really noticed existed. 

One of the most important aspects of junior golf is well-fitting equipment. Ensuring proper fit while introducing a young player to the game is crucial in avoiding potentially detrimental swing tendencies and even injury.

Shorties Golf decided that there was a lack of good options when it came to clubs for young junior players and set about designing a range of junior sets to plug that gap and hopefully sit amongst the best golf club sets for kids. Coming 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. Myself and my two young daughters took them out for a thorough test…

The first thing that struck us when pulling the Junior set from the box was the bold, bright colors. Shorties Golf were kind enough to provide two sets, one in red and the other in blue, and both went down extremely well with their respective new owners. The quality of the bag was a real plus point too. Other junior bags I have picked up in the past have felt a touch flimsy, but despite being nice and light, there was a really robust feel to the bag, emphasized by a very high quality and strong stand. Plenty of storage space for balls, tees, drinks, and extra layers made our trips to the driving range and nearby short course a lot easier from a parental logistics standpoint too. It even comes with a handy rain cover.

The set make-up was spot on for me. Not too many clubs to confuse the younger player, but just enough to make the kids feel like “real professionals”. There is a driver, hybrid, 7 iron, pitching wedge, and putter which covers all requirements at this stage. The clubs themselves look great and the construction is more than adequate to cope with the swing speeds that will likely be imparted upon them.

The woods made a very satisfying high-pitched impact sound which both my kids enjoyed and the generous lofts really helped them get the ball airborne which is crucial to their enjoyment at this stage of their development. 

As a PGA Professional, it was very reassuring to see my two children in comfortable posture and not struggling to hoist a heavy cut-down adult club into a backswing position, and the well-thought-out weighting was central to that. It is not just the length of clubs for kids that is important, the static weight and swing weight of their equipment are arguably even more important in encouraging good technique and Shorties has most certainly considered this.

My one gripe would be that the hybrid and putter didn’t come with headcovers, and knowing the slightly clumsy disposition of my offspring, I would imagine that both of these clubs will mark up pretty quickly.

Overall, I think that the Shorties Golf Junior package set is a fantastic product. The fun and exciting aesthetics massively appealed to the kids, while the technical specs and functionality ticked all my boxes as a parent. The prices range between $169 and $199 depending on the size you require and Shorties also runs an excellent program that enables previous purchasers to donate sets they have grown out of to their foundation in exchange for a healthy 20% discount on the next size up.

TaylorMade is unquestionably an inclusive manufacturer, making impressive products for all abilities, male and female, while also catering for the junior market. It’s offering for kids has been expanded with the Team TaylorMade Junior Set, which comes in three age options (4-6 years, 7-9 and 10-12) custom built to suit the typical size of the child within these age ranges. The number of clubs included in the set also increases to reflect the increasing strength and ball-striking ability as age goes up.

We tested the size 1 package set (ages 4-6), which costs £249 and comes with four clubs housed in a nifty stand bag. The clubs are a fairway food, a 7-iron, wedge and putter - more than enough for children trying the sport for the first time to hit different shots on the range and short game practice area. The clubs are clearly well-made - the design of the sole and matching head cover have plenty of shelf appeal and while the blue colorway on the head and shaft may appeal more to the boy in the family, we couldn’t really fault the aesthetics. The head cover also has a rich, premium feel to it.

Despite our male tester coming in slightly under the suggested age range, he was more than able to make use of the set and hit some impressive shots - helped by the super lightweight but well-balanced clubs. The fairway wood inspires confidence, but has the loft to get the ball airborne and encourage shots from the mat or grass as well as the tee, while the 7-iron also has an inviting, oversized profile and a springy face to provide that ‘wow factor’ sure to get your kids hooked.

We particularly enjoyed the design of the putter, which has a putter-specific grip with a wide flat section along the front edge to encourage a less wristy stroke. The flat face means it has a firm, solid feel and the wide flange with long sightline helps the child to see where the face is pointing.

Arguably the highlight of the set is the stylish and water-resistant stand bag, which has pop out legs and four pockets as well as a netted drinks holder and even comes with a rain hood for showery outings. It will help the child carry all the items they would ever need and more, made easier by the adjustable double strap system which spreads the weight evenly and comfortably across the shoulders.

The size 2 set (£399) comes with an additional 400cc 17° titanium driver with a low CG design while the size 3 set (£499) comes with an extra hybrid and 9-iron to be able to cover more distances. Just like the best golf club sets for kids, this really caters for the needs of the individual.

Often when kids are trying golf for the first time, ill-fitting clubs can cause bad swing habits that quickly become engrained. With these custom-designed sets from a reputable brand, your child has the best opportunity to catch the bug early on and perhaps become the next Scottie Scheffler or Nelly Korda.

MacGregor is historically one of the biggest names in golf with numerous major championship victories being achieved with its clubs. Nowadays, however, it is more synonymous with value equipment and offers some of the best package sets. 

For players in the early stages of their golfing life, piecing together a set of clubs is not only confusing but also expensive. MacGregor is looking to make that task easier and the CG4000 package set could be a good place to start. 

Package sets can be a great option for golfers who have graduated from the driving range and need a more complete set of tools for a cheaper price to start tackling the golf course. The MacGregor CG4000 comes with everything you need to get going all for just £329.99.

Out of the box, it was a promising start. The bag is a smart black with some green accents and all the headcovers are of decent quality. My only gripe at this stage was a lack of headcover for the putter. More on that later…

So what do you get for your £329.99? 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. These are housed in a choice of stand or cart bag. I received the stand bag in my sample set and whilst it won't be troubling any of the best stand bags on the market, there was ample storage and it felt relatively sturdy.

In terms of the visuals of the metal woods, it would be fair to say that they aren’t as sophisticated as some of the best drivers, fairway woods, or hybrids on the market but there has been some reasonable effort put into the design and down behind the ball I was quite impressed. They sat very square and framed the ball nicely and the black gloss crown looks nice.

Similarly with the irons, the visual is reasonable from the back, but is once again better in behind the ball, which is where it matters right? The paint job in the cavity could be slightly higher quality as some of this overspills a touch, but that is being fussy.

The main thing is that these need to inspire confidence amongst the target audience, and with generous dimensions and chunky top lines, they should certainly do so. As you would maybe imagine the pitching and sand wedge aren’t as refined as some of the best wedges such as Vokey SM10 or TaylorMade MG4 but they do the job.

The putter was a highlight for me. I really enjoyed the forgiveness on offer and found the Odyssey 2ball style alignment aid very easy to line up. It felt pretty good too. My only gripe was that with no headcover and not the most robust build quality, it chips incredibly easily. I only took it out for a couple of short sessions and it already looks very well worn.

In terms of performance, it must be noted that this set was most certainly not designed with me in mind. I am a relatively high-speed PGA Professional so obviously these clubs weren’t particularly compatible with my game, however, I was able to slow my swing down enough to get a good flavor of the performance on offer and overall I thought it was good. Feel throughout the set was reasonable, albeit without the bells and whistles of more expensive models, but from driver to wedges, the ease of use was great and I found them incredibly easy to get airborne, even when I slowed my swing down to a snail's pace.

I would maybe have slight concerns over the long-term durability of the CG4000 package set, but to bridge that gap from casual range-goer to a regular course player, I think they would do you a great job for a year or two. For £329.99, this package set provides some excellent value for money.

Cobra is one of the biggest names in golf known for producing some of the best drivers, fairways and irons on the market. But for those just starting their journey in the game, it can be hard to justify purchasing a whole bag of premium equipment given you're not really sure what you need. This is where the Cobra Fly XL package set could be a great option. 

Package sets are extremely useful for those who need all the requisite clubs for a cheaper price. While they don't quite match the visual or performance benchmarks of the premium ranges seen out on tour, it's a small compromise to make and based on the testing I've done on the Cobra Fly XL package set, the gap looks to be closing. 

Much like all of the best golf package sets, the Cobra Fly XL set looks the part. I was thoroughly impressed with how good these clubs looked when taking them out of the wrapper and even more so to discover this set retails at only £699. Cobra has produced some really good looking products as of late, such as the Darkspeed X driver and King Tec hybrid, and so it’s good to see some consideration has gone into the brand's package set offering.

So what is included in the set? Well to start with you get a really sturdy, lightweight stand bag with a 5-way divider, fleece-lined valuables pocket and a matching rain hood for those who like to play come rain or shine. Having a solid stand bag is a non-negotiable for me and the Cobra bag included in this set has proven to be just as sturdy as some of the best stand bags on the market.

Included in the set are 10 clubs and at the top end of the bag you have a 10.5° titanium driver, which is oversized to really help boost confidence behind the ball. This driver has been stretched to make it as large as legally allowed, like all of the most forgiving drivers. There has been a real trend in creating maximum forgiveness with drivers this year from the likes of the Ping G430 Max 10k, TaylorMade Qi10 Max and PXG Black Ops drivers all looking to maximise stability across the clubface. The back weight on this Cobra driver also drags the center of gravity backwards, making this driver extremely easy to launch. In testing I found the acoustics are fairly loud and ‘tinny’ but it does make this driver sound powerful through impact, which will also boost the user's confidence.

To offer alternatives from the tee, this package set includes a 5-wood and hybrid, both of which are made from stainless steel and feature the same rear weight found on the driver to maximise launch and increase forgiveness. I found them really easy to hit, even from the rough and the high ball flight is something I think all golfers will love, especially when playing into the green from distance. The choice of a 5-wood over a 3-wood to be included in this set is a smart one as the extra loft on the face will benefit most golfers opting to purchase this set that lack swing speed or ball-striking prowess. 

The irons were really impressive and I seriously think they would give some of the most forgiving irons a run for their money. Included in the set is a 6-iron through to pitching wedge and an additional sand wedge to help out around the greens. The thick topline makes these irons look so easy to hit and they felt really hot when striking the ball, which was confirmed by how far the ball was carrying. The cavity back design made my bad shots stay relatively straight more often than not and I didn’t see a big drop off in distance when I didn’t quite strike one how I would have liked.

The sand wedge was just as bulky in design as the irons which is exactly what golfers just starting would want to see and the wide sole made hitting basic chip shots very easy. There wasn’t the spin or control you would expect to see from some of the best golf wedges and opening the face up to hit higher shots introduced too much bounce, resulting in a lot of attempts flying out to the other side of the green, but once again, not many beginners will probably look to try and execute this type of high-tariff shot, so it won't be an issue.

As with quite a few package sets we've tested recently, the putter let the rest of the clubs down somewhat. It’s a very large head for a blade putter, yet it just didn’t sit quite as well behind the ball. It did feel much better than I was expecting off the face thanks to the milling, helping the ball roll solidly with a slightly soft feel. Overall, its design made getting the pace right from distance fairly straightforward. I do feel as though a putter in the shape of one of the best mallet style putters rather than a blade putter would be more beneficial for beginners though due to the increased MOI and forgiveness.

Overall this package set is a superb option for those new to the game and may just top the list as one of the best golf sets for beginners. For the amount of clubs included combined with the quality and user-friendly performance, the Cobra Fly XL package set is one I would recommend to anyone taking up the game and in need of a new set of clubs without breaking the bank.

Wilson Prostaff SGI Golf Package Set Review

Package sets are a superb way for beginners to get their hands on a set of clubs without the difficulty of searching and understanding the differences between some of the best drivers and irons on the market. You can normally get your hands on a good package set for a much cheaper price than if you were to purchase all your clubs individually.

While some package sets are cheaper and designed for the beginner golfer, such as the Inesis 100 package set, there are some package sets, such as the TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite package set that is a completely viable option for a golfer simply looking to upgrade their sticks.

The Wilson Prostaff SGI package set is superb value for money, providing the user with 10 clubs in total - Driver, fairway wood, hybrid, 6-9-iron, two wedges, a putter and a bag. For the price-point, it's clear to see why this is considered one of the best package sets on the market.

The fact this set offers 10 clubs to begin with is superb as you then still have four more clubs you could add to compliment your set, before meeting the 14-club limit.

The irons and the putter were the stand-out positives in this package set. The men's regular flex shaft that comes as standard in these irons, was much more stable than I anticipated and felt very solid when I put them to the test. The thicker top line on the irons will boost confidence when set at address and the large sweet spot made it particularly easy to send high soaring iron shots into greens. These irons also offered superb forgiveness - something all beginners will love to see and feel.

Moving onto the putter, I found it to be very good; it was just a shame that a headcover was not provided. I was particularly impressed with the look of the club at address. It gives you major confidence in your stroke thanks to a small dot and alignment line on the traditional blade design.

Although it felt a little longer than perhaps your average length putter, there is plenty of grip available to adjust to a good comfort level. However, a putter is a very personal thing, so you could always visit your local professional and get it readjusted.

After the positives, I feel that the upper end of the bag lets the set down slightly. The woods and the driver feel a bit more unforgiving and whippier (in the shaft) than the irons.

The driver is set at 10.5 degrees, with the fairway wood at 15. As it is a set designed for beginners, I feel Wilson could have added a few more degrees as it was quite difficult to get the ball in the air.

Another disappointing factor was that it felt very dead off the face, with the noise replicating a loud thud, rather than the satisfying sound you get from other golf clubs. However, if you are a beginner to the game, then you may not be worried about the noise, and more concerned about propelling the ball forward.

I have to say though, that the woods and driver look good from above, with the all black head really exposing the white alignment aid. However, I wasn’t a huge fan of how the driver sat; the heel felt a bit upright, giving the impression that the sweet spot was smaller than it actually was.

Lastly, moving onto the carry bag, which provides you with supportive shoulder straps and four spacious pockets for your rain gear, golf balls, tees etc. When it is crammed with all these necessities, it is still extremely light, but if you did want to put it onto a trolley, then there would be no issue with it.

The pro's massively out-way the cons when it comes to the Wilson Prostaff SGI package set. The irons, wedges and putters provided superb performance and feel which surprised me upon testing. While the top-end of the bag didn't suit my eye and the shafts were a little on the flexible side, it's worth noting I'm a single figure golfer and there's no reason why these woods wouldn't work immensely well for someone just starting their journey.

Ram makes some impressive affordable golf gear, including the excellent FX77 irons, and the G-Force golf club set is another example. There are three options depending on the age of your child, each one including more clubs as the age range gets higher. The 4-6 years set we tested comes with four clubs - a driver, 7-iron, 9-iron and putter - housed in a nifty, feature-packed stand bag (more on that later).

The clubs are lightweight and well built, featuring responsive graphite shafts and tacky wrap-style grips. The 29” driver even comes with a headcover and 14° of loft to help maximise launch and carry. It has a loud, tinny sound to it and the white crown gives it a premium look, although I’d be concerned about how pristine this will look after a range session with an inconsistent junior that has limited spacial awareness. Performance wise, there’s a good amount of pop off the face to reward a centred strike and bring a smile to your child’s face and the tacky nature of the grip definitely helps them keep a firm hold of the club for added control.

The two cavity back irons have large, oversized heads, plenty of offset and nice wide soles that help with launch and turf interaction. The faces are tall enough for balls to be hit off a tee and the perimeter weighting provides a feeling of solidity and robustness to the strike. Just like the best golf irons, these irons from Ram seem to make the game easier, placing them among the best golf sets for kids.

The putter also impressed us. The grip is made of the same material as the other clubs in the bag but has a putter-specific shape to it, which gives your child the introduction to a stroke with less wrist action. The face has grooves, which dull down the sound from the firm material on the face and the contrasting white and black sections on the flange definitely help with alignment.

As impressive as the clubs are, arguably the stand-out product (pardon the pun) from this set is the stand bag itself. It comes with six pockets, including a semi insulated drinks pocket, an external umbrella holder, dual shoulder straps and a Velcro glove tab. The legs automatically deploy when pushed to the ground and there’s even a rain hood included to keep the clubs dry in a deluge. Housing the clubs is a five-way top, which seems overkill for four clubs but it allows you to add new ones, like a hybrid or sand wedge, when the time is right. The zips aren’t waterproof, but the fabric does a good job at keeping water at bay and overall, it has proven to be durable and intuitive so far.

For £99.99, you get a set of four clubs here that look great and are easy to swing, getting your child off to the perfect start in the game. The stand bag adds significant value to the modest investment with its range of features.

If you're new to the game, you might find the cost of golf clubs quite alarming - but there are options. Package sets are often cheaper, a fair bit so, and they also allow you to cover all the main bases with just one purchase. 

I've tested quite a few package sets and best golf club sets for beginner golfers in recent times, and this set 10-club from Inesis ranks highly. It's an affordable starter option that comes with enough clubs to cover the vast majority of bases for the vast majority of golfers who are just looking to get started within the game.

Let's start with the irons: 6-9, plus a sand wedge and pitching wedge, which I'll come on to. For me, because irons form the bulk of most package sets, these clubs are always the most important. Get a good set of irons and you're well set - you can upgrade other clubs as and when but stick with irons for a longer period. 

The Inesis 100 irons are fantastic - smart and simple. Whenever I've tested Inesis equipment, I've been impressed with the quality of components and it's no different with this set; it feels like they've been well constructed.

Set them down behind the ball and you'll notice they are quite long from heel to toe, which makes them look and feel forgiving. Beginners should get away with hitting the odd heel and toe shot as there is lots of surface area to look down on.

However, with a topline that's not too chunky, I feel Inesis has got the profile spot on for its target golfer - the beginner/high handicapper. I spent a good hour on the range with this set, and I hit a lot of really good iron shots that delivered a smooth feel through impact and a strong ball flight.

Often package sets score lower on the woods, especially at the cheaper end of the market, which is usually because of the feel. However, I would say that these woods feel much better, for instance, than the ones in the Ram Accubar Plus golf set. I noticed they were a lot more lively, and there was a higher pitch impact sound. For slightly slower swing players and beginner golfers, this is certainly no bad thing - it may even help prevent you from swinging to hard at the ball! 

Throughout the set, there was a good amount of distance and strong ball flight. I hit the ball quite high, probably higher than I would want, but less experienced golfers are likely to benefit from the sense that you can get the ball up and away without swinging too hard. What's more, there's also a solid amount of forgiveness across the board.

The club that I liked the most was the 22-degree hybrid, and I’d rarely say that about a package set. I felt it offered a strong but controlled ball flight, it was easy to hit and easy to get in the air. The gallery of images above, shows you the aesthetics of the wood line-up.

There are other sets out there with specialist looking wedges, the likes of the excellent Callaway XR package set and the TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite package set, although the Inesis sand wedge and pitching wedge still look really smart.

Then you have the fang-shape putter, a quite compact mallet with bundles of alignment assistance. Whilst it has a fairly hot feel off the face it also has a really good grip, which isn't always the case where package sets are concerned. This helped the overall feel on offer.

For me, the only slight negative was the bag which just felt a little flimsy. It’s a lightweight pencil bag and it's certainly light enough to carry, but it is definitely lacking one, maybe two, pockets. The stand is solid, it's just the straps that feel a little flimsy, although replacing the bag with another one would be a relatively low cost upgrade.

All in all, this is a minor gripe for what otherwise represents an excellent investment for any beginner golfer.

Package sets are often a good option for those golfers who want to remove the headache associated with buying a full set of clubs. The idea is that with just one payment, you get everything you need for the course. Featuring a range of the brand’s technologies, Callaway’s XR offering sits towards the premium end of the package set market. We wanted to see whether it was one of the best golf club sets out there, so I recently tested it on the golf course and at the range to find out. 

The first thing to cover is what you get for your money. There are 12 clubs in total ranging from driver to putter. The version I tested featured a 10.5˚ driver, 3-wood and 4-hybrid, then 5-iron to pitching wedge followed by a gap wedge, 55˚ sand wedge and a putter. From a gapping perspective, this composition makes perfect sense and for most golfers, this line-up is more than enough to get you onto the course. The well thought out gapping and performance of these clubs earn it a place in our 2023 Editor's Choice awards.

I’m going to start by focussing on the woods. Having tested a range of package sets, including the excellent TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite, over the last year, this is the part of the bag where performance can be a little patchy. Even in the best golf club sets for beginners, the woods can sometimes feel a little dull and lifeless. That’s not the case here. 

All the woods feature matte black crowns and are shaped to look generous down behind the ball. They all have a smart, aspirational aesthetic that isn’t too dissimilar to the Callaway Rogue ST woods. The driver sits a little closed at address and whilst that’s not necessarily right for me, in designing a set to suit a broad spectrum of golfers, Callaway has done exactly the right thing here. It was easy to flight and I was able to hit a consistent draw. Whilst the distance on offer wouldn’t be quite up there with my PING G430 LST driver, it wasn’t too far behind.

Both the 3-wood and hybrid retain that generous, confidence inspiring footprint down behind the ball. I found these very easy to flight too which many golfers - especially those with slower clubhead speeds - will likely benefit from.

That the Callaway XR is a good quality, premium package set is also clear as soon as you see the irons. The shape is unmistakably Callaway - there is a fairly rounded toe area and the topline is thick enough to inspire confidence without being too bulky and uninviting. I hit a series of mid iron shots on the range and found them incredibly consistent. The distance was good too given the strength of the lofts - the 7-iron is 30˚, which is about average in today’s iron market. 

Another impressive performer is the putter. It is an Odyssey DFX #7 with a very simple black and white colour combination. What I love most about the putter is, again, how generous the head size is. There is plenty of alignment help to be had and yet the putter retains an aspirational look. I also love the feel from the soft grip that’s been used here. 

The final part of the package to mention is the bag. The grey, blue and red colour combination looks smart and I liked that there was some protection in the 7-way divider at the top of the bag. In truth, it was a little less sturdy than you’ll find from the best golf stand bags, but the quality is still one of the best I’ve seen from a package line-up, and I liked that it is a spacious carry bag - which means you can use it on a cart, push cart or carry.

Finding a package set that ticks all the boxes is hard but there is no doubt the Callaway XR is up there with the best offerings I’ve tested. Unsurprisingly, that is reflected in the price but this is a top performer in all areas of the game.

If you decide to buy a Callaway golf set, take a look at our Callaway coupon codes.

For those interested in picking up golf for the first time, or returning to the game after an extended period away, one of the best equipment solutions is a package set. By making just one investment, you should have the vast majority of the gear you need for the course. One brand that offers this solution at an affordable price is Ram and in this review we’re going to take a look at the Accubar Plus package set. 

The set consists of 11 golf clubs and a bag - all for less than you’d pay for one of the best golf drivers on the market this year. The composition makes perfect sense - you get a 460cc driver, a three wood, two hybrids and six irons (from 6-iron to sand wedge). A black mallet-headed putter completes the line up and for most beginners, this is more than enough to get your started. As a whole, the set has a smart, simple aesthetic that works well and, if anything, looks a little more than the price-tag.

We wanted to see how well these clubs performed so I tested the Ram Accubar Plus set on the driving range and also on the golf course. Given this forms the lion’s share of what you pay for, let’s start with the irons. 

They have a classic cavity back look with a topline that is thick enough to inspire confidence without being too big and bulky. In terms of distance, the 7-iron was up there with what I’d expect from my own, fitted set and there was some forgiveness at work within the head too. I was able to hit consistently solid shots with the irons that delivered a reliable ball flight. The feel from the face is fairly ‘hot’ and whilst I tend to prefer a softer contact, this wouldn’t put me off. 

I was also impressed by the short irons. They retain a generous, forgiving look behind the ball. As your performance levels improve, you may wish to upgrade the wedges into something a little more refined but in this set up, I felt the short irons worked well. 

The mallet-headed putter provides an interesting point of contrast to many of the best golf club sets for beginner golfers. What you will often find elsewhere are classic, heel-and-toe shaped designs. Here, the large black head is contrasted by white alignment lines and I thought this combination really helped with finding the correct aim. For me, opting for a user-friendly design like this makes sense and it delivered impressive stability through the stroke.

At the top end of the bag, the woods continue the simple, smart aesthetics. I like the contrast between the black crown and the silver face, which highlights the loft on offer and makes the clubs look easy to hit. I also think the option of two hybrids for beginner players is a sensible approach. The woods have a similar design to what you'll find from the Wilson X31 golf club set.

In truth, the driver was my least favourite part of the set. Whilst the distance on offer was a little better than I was expecting, I struggled for control in comparison to my usual driver (admittedly, mine is a premium model that I was well fitted for). It also felt a little dull off the face - but given the gulf in price, the performance from this 10.5˚ option wasn’t too bad.    

The final component to mention is the bag. With the Ram Accubar set, you get mid-sized carry bag with a stand. Whilst it’s not the most sturdy bag I’ve used, it’s a good size and the pockets are well laid-out. You should have enough space here to carry everything you need for a round of golf. 

For any beginner golfer, kitting yourself out without breaking the bank can feel like a difficult task. Ram’s Accubar set offers a sound solution that particularly impressed in the irons and putter.

When it comes to finding good quality golf clubs for juniors, there are a range of options worth considering. Towards the top end of the market you have sets like the PING Prodi G which has the same aesthetic and many of the same technologies that you’ll find in the brand’s headline products. For those after a more affordable alternative, Ram also has a smart 6-club set aimed at junior golfers.

We wanted to see if this is one of the best golf club sets for kids so my 9-year old son (a regular golfer who plays off a 32-handicap) took a set with him out onto the course to test. The first thing to say is the whole set has a simple but smart look. The blue, white and black colour scheme (there is a light green option too) ticked all the boxes and my son was excited to give them a try. 

For my part, I was pleased to see the driver had plenty of loft (14˚) and a lightweight shaft. This translated into an impressively high ball flight. For most juniors, the sight of a high-flying drive is up there with the best parts of the game and this delivered very well on that front. 

I wasn’t so sure about the white finish on the crown of the driver - for fear the paint might chip away over time - but my son liked it. Having said that, the profile behind the ball is confidence-inspiring and the alignment aid is clearly visible at address. 

The graphite shafts also feature in the irons and the wedge. Again, this made them easy to swing and delivered a good ball flight which was similar to the Cleveland Golf Junior Set. The irons clearly have some forgiveness built in, which is obviously an important part of the equation for kids.

The highlight of the set, however, was the putter. It sits beautifully behind the ball and the black and white aesthetic seemed to help with alignment. Putting isn’t necessarily my son’s strongest suit but from the first hole, his distance control in particular was much-improved. 

The final part of the set-up to mention, as with any of the best golf club sets, is the bag. I thought it was the perfect size - the pockets are big enough to carry most things you’ll need on the course without being too bulky (and making the bag too heavy once you’ve filled them). There’s a small stand that didn’t seem to add too much weight to the bag and my son had no issues carrying the set during our 9-hole round. 

All in all, we both felt like the Ram G-Force junior set was a good value-for-money, all-round option. The clubs looked smart, provided solid performance and were fairly easy to carry.

For many people the prospect of kitting themselves out with clubs is one of the biggest barriers preventing them from playing golf. Making a hefty investment without really knowing that what you are buying is right for your game can understandably seem overwhelming. That’s why we’ve been pleased to see a trend towards more affordable package sets aimed at beginners. This Longridge Vector Plus set certainly falls into that category. 

For less than the price of one of the best golf drivers on the market, you get nine clubs and a cart bag. The composition of the set spans from driver to putter and has been well thought out not to leave you with too many big distance gaps. We wanted to see what you get for your money and whether this was one of the best beginner golf clubs sets, so we took the Longridge Vector Plus to the London Club to find out for ourselves. 

Without question, the highlight came from the forgiveness and playability of the irons. At address, there is a generous topline to look down on and white groovelines at the bottom and two on the sides of the face, frame the ball nicely. During my testing I was impressed by how easy these were to flight. Without having to swing the club too hard I was able to find a good, high ball flight with plenty of carry. The Garmin Approach R10 portable launch monitor I was using was showing the 8-iron had an average carry of 169 yards. If anything this is a few yards longer than my own, custom fitted set of Mizuno JPX919 Forged.

The consistency of the flight was impressive too.

The 7-iron is the longest in the set at which point you transition into a 24˚ hybrid. It is a smart-looking club that, again, is big enough to inspire confidence at address without looking too bulky. I also like how the black crown contrasts the silver face and highlights the loft on offer (this is the same throughout the metalwoods, as you can see form the driver image below). 

Whilst the hybrid was not as easy to flight as the irons, it did deliver good distance - I averaged exactly 200 yards of carry. By contrast, I did struggle a little more for consistency with the fairway wood and driver. There were some good shots that delivered strong flights and impressive distance but not as consistently as I would expect from my own fairways and driver. Given the price difference however, this is hardly a surprise. Having tested a range of affordable package sets, this is the most common compromise. 

As with the rest of the set, the putter is fairly basic. It has a classic heel and toe shape with a smart silver finish and simple black alignment aids. It doesn’t have the level of refinement you get with the best putters on the market but its traditional, smart look is a great place to start for any beginner golfer.

Finally, you get a fairly spacious cart bag. This can either be used on a buggy or trolley and there is a good amount of storage space for anything you might need while out on the course. 

One of the many unexpected effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the number of people who have taken up golf. As lifestyles have changed, so the appeal of the game has grown and with it, the number of players in search of golf clubs. If you fall into this category, and don’t want to invest in the different areas of the bag individually, then one of your options is to go for a package set like this one from Cleveland Golf.

Let’s start with what you get for your money. In total there are 10 clubs comprising of a 10.5˚ driver, 3-wood, 4-hybrid, 6-SW irons and putter. The woods and putter all have headcovers and there is a smart stand bag as well. For the majority of people starting out in the game, this is more than enough to get going and the composition of the set makes sense from a distance-gapping perspective too. 

We wanted to see if this was one one of the best golf sets on the market so I tested the clubs on a TrackMan launch monitor at Kings Golf Studio and took them out onto the golf course at West Hill to see how they performed.

The irons were the stand-out performers within this set. From an aesthetic standpoint, Cleveland has done a good job of offering something that looks generous and confidence-inspiring behind the ball without being too bulky. There is plenty of shelf appeal here too. These irons could be used by experience golfers and because of their impressive performance, this package set earns a place on our 2023 Editor's Choice list.

The performance impressed me just as much. I tested this set with regular, graphite shafts (which would not be my usual spec) and found iron shots incredibly easy to flight. There was plenty of distance too - for example, my average carry distance with the 7-iron was 175 yards (which would be up there with my own fitted set of Mizuno JPX 919 Forged irons). Just as importantly, the distance gaps were bang on. My launch monitor testing showed around 10 yards between irons (which also suggests there is good consistency in terms of ball striking to be had here too). 

The woods have a simple look that works well too. There is a smart contrast between the silver face and black crown that highlights the loft on offer. For me, the 5-wood was the standout performer among the woods delivering powerful ball flights and an average carry of around 240 yards. The driver is slightly offset (ideal for those who struggle with a slice) and through impact delivers a fairly loud, high-pitched sound. For me, the feel wasn’t as powerful as my usual driver, the TaylorMade Stealth Plus and in terms of distance, it was around 20 yards shorter through the air. Given that I was fitted for the TaylorMade (which is also one of the best premium golf drivers on the market), I thought the Cleveland Launcher XL Lite in this set held its own fairly well. 

At the bottom end of the bag, Cleveland again has opted for a traditional looking heel-and-toe putter. It might lack the bells and whistles tech of some of the best putters on the market but for a package set designed to meet the needs of a range of different golfers, this feels like a sensible decision. It is also worth saying that I holed out well with this putter during my on course testing.

Finally, you get a very smart stand bag - which provides an interesting point of difference to another top performing package set, the TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite. It has enough storage for the vast majority of things you’ll want to take with you onto the course without being too big (and becoming too heavy to carry). This caps off what looks, feels and performs very much like a premium package set.

PXG 0211 Z Golf Club Set Review

Hi, I'm Joss Phillips and I'm a complete beginner. My golf career thus far, which only began 6 months ago, has comprised the occasional driving session, two lessons and infrequent 9-hole rounds with a set of clubs best described as relics of a bygone era. But I love the game and am keep to improve so when PXG offered me the chance to test its new 0211 Z package set for Golf Monthly, I jumped at the chance - especially given that I am exactly the type of golfer they are aimed at.

There are three options when buying these as a set. The 10 piece full bag costs $1,695/£1,599 and includes six hybrid irons (6-9 plus a pitching wedge and sand wedge), three woods (a 16° driver, 4 and 5 wood) and a 0211 Hellcat Putter along with the PXG Bag and a hat. This is what we were lucky enough to be testing. You can also buy just the three woods or six hybrid irons on their own for $795/£749 each.

In reality anything compared to my existing clubs were going to look incredible, but I have to say these really do look good. Even before unpacking them, the clean black packaging with the distinct white PXG logo said they meant business. 

The first thing that stood out to me was the “stealth” color. Very much in keeping with the PXG look, the black and white really popped. When standing behind the club, face to a ball, the driver in particular felt and looked amazing, the matte top with a simple X in white showing you the center of the face from the top.

First hit and the biggest thing I noticed was the noise. It's loud, really loud, but in a quite satisfying  “look at me I just hit the ball really hard” kind of way.  All the claims and marketing literature says these clubs are designed for true beginners “because golf is tough enough” and I can absolutely see what they mean. 

No matter how badly I seemed to swing it, shots never went too far offline. All of the tech seemed to almost instantly correct my errors in technique. The ball genuinely seemed to go straighter more consistently and further than I had ever hit before. And this carried on through the bag - it genuinely felt like the clubs were guiding me and the ball was going where it was supposed to.

On my first trip out on the course and the irons really came into their own. As a beginner we all know height can be elusive to say the least. So when confronted on the first hole with 150 yards to the green and a large tree in the way, I thought I was in big trouble. 

But instead, a satisfying thud saw the ball sore gracefully up and over, some might even call it a “proper” golf shot! And that was a sign of things to come. The weight, feel and hybrid-like profile of the head just seemed to effortlessly get the ball in the air no matter how much I topped it, thinned it or sliced it. 

The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. My 9 hole course has a par of 35 and usually I would go round in mid 70’s. In my first outing with the 0211 Z set, I shot a 63. So what's the catch? The first is the sound - the driver is loud and for some it might even be off putting, personally I like it but it won't be to everybody's taste.

The second would be the cost. Asking a beginner for north of $1,600 means these fall firmly into the premium end of the market. Value is always subjective but it's a big investment for a category of player that may not be willing to spend so heavily with a low skill level, not knowing if they will improve enough to warrant it. 

You only have to take a look at our best clubs for beginners to see there are a number of options out there from the leading manufacturers, but we're confident in saying the 0211 Z is one of the best golf club sets for beginners on the market. 

Cleveland Bloom Ladies Package Set Review

The Cleveland Bloom ladies' set is crafted for beginner golfers or those looking to elevate their skills. This complete set includes all the essentials from driver to putter (driver, 5-wood, hybrid, SW-7 irons, and putter), plus a cart bag, making it a top choice among the best women’s golf sets.

With its black and pink design, the set has a distinctly feminine touch, especially the bag and matching headcovers, though personally, the pink is a bit much for my taste. I was happy to see that the shafts and clubheads are primarily grey and black with just a hint of pink.

Driver

The driver, with its large head and 14-degree loft, delivers plenty of forgiveness, though it naturally sits slightly closed at address, which didn’t feel as confident as I’d prefer for easy launch. An alignment aid would be a welcome addition here.

While it’s not as technologically advanced as high-end models like TaylorMade’s Kalea Premier or Ping’s G Le3, this driver holds its own, offering a comfortable swing and reliable forgiveness on off-centre hits.

Fairway Wood

Fairway woods can be intimidating for some women, but the compact Bloom 5-wood has a deep face that lowers the centre of gravity, helping launch high, strong shots. While beginners might hesitate to use a fairway wood in light rough, this club performed well there and even made a great alternative off the tee.

Hybrid

In my opinion, the 5-hybrid is the standout club of the set. It sets up beautifully, and the chunky clubhead instils confidence, making it feel nearly impossible to mishit from any lie. I found it easy to generate power, leading to accurate shots that built my confidence.

Irons

The irons are designed with a cavity-back, thick sole, and larger clubhead, all of which provide a low centre of gravity and a generous sweet spot, helping golfers get the ball airborne with forgiveness.

These irons look great at address, though I did find them a bit heavy in the head, making them not quite as effortless to hit. However, the wedges are exceptional, especially the 56-degree wedge, which performed excellently from sand.

Putter

Rounding out the set is a mallet-style putter that, compared to other oversized mallet putters, is compact and feels immediately comfortable. Its weight is well-balanced, allowing for a smooth roll and impressive consistency on the greens.

Golf Bag

Whatever your thoughts on the colour scheme, the cart bag is a fantastic bonus with 8 roomy pockets, including a detachable pouch for valuables. Overall, this is one of the best golf club sets for beginners, combining value and performance to jumpstart a golfer’s journey. It’s also a thoughtful option for birthdays or a Christmas gift for women entering the game.

For any budding junior golfer, there comes a time when it makes sense to invest in good quality golf equipment. The technology developed by the big brands to make their premium products easier to use is available within some of the best golf club sets for kids. The latest addition to this important part of the market is from Cleveland Golf. 

The brand offers its’ junior set in three different sizes - small (three clubs), medium (six clubs) and large (seven clubs). It also comes with a smart, stylish carry bag. We wanted to see how it performed so I took my son to the course (a 35-handicap 9 year-old who has played regularly for the last year) with the largest seven club set to find out. 

The first thing to talk about is the overall aesthetics. It might seem like a minor point but the bag alone gets this set off to a great start. The styling is colorful and modern (my son loved it) and it is big enough to store anything you might need for the course - without being too big and cumbersome. Whilst it is a stand bag that has undoubtedly been designed to carry, it can also sit comfortably on a trolley. There is no strap to hold the stand back in this scenario but we had no problem with it getting in the way.

The set composition makes sense too. In the make-up we tested there are three metalwoods (18˚ driver, 22˚ fairway wood and 28˚ hybrid) all of which have plenty of loft which is highlighted nicely by the black crown and silver face combination. What I thought was quite clever here was that Cleveland has positioned its logo in the center of the face providing a clear target to aim for. In particular, my son loved the high-flighted hybrid shots he was able to hit. 

There are lightweight graphite shafts throughout the set which seemed to make the clubs fairly easy to swing. In truth, they were a fraction long for my son (the advised age range for the large set is 10-12) but by gripping down he was able to generate a good flight throughout the bag. 

As you’d expect from Cleveland, the irons and wedge both have a beautiful shape down behind the ball. This helps add a premium look and feel to the set as a whole. Likewise with the putter, you get a very smart center-shafted mid-mallet with a grey finish and single black-line alignment aid. 

All the components were of a high quality, had an aspirational look and user-friendly performance. When you consider the price of the set we tested ($349.99), this represents excellent value for money.  

Strata was originally a brand known for making one of the very first multi-layer golf balls and, in fact, I can remember playing a fantastic soft-feeling Strata ball in the late nineties. When its parent company, Top-Flite, went bankrupt in 2002, golfing giant Callaway Golf stepped in to buy Strata and keep the brand alive. 

Fast-forward two decades and it’s great to see Strata back in our shops with products like the Strata Men's golf club set, as well as the company also investing in the women’s game with this very considered set for ladies that hopes to be one of the best women's golf sets on the market.

First things first, it is made up of a 12° titanium driver, fairway wood, 4 and 5 hybrid, 6-9 iron, PW, SW and a putter, with the 11 clubs all packaged together in a tidy stand bag. In my opinion, it would make for a brilliant Christmas gift idea for someone just starting out in golf, especially with Strata already known for producing some of the best golf club sets that money can buy.

The 'Ultimate' in the name comes from wanting women golfers to achieve the ultimate distance, forgiveness and performance possible. On initial inspection, the big-headed driver certainly goes a long way to achieving this. Although it might not be as fancy in terms of technology as premium lady drivers like the TaylorMade Kalea Premier, I found the Strata driver really easy to use. 

Ultimately, it does exactly what it set out to achieve, which is to make tee shots fly straighter and further, particularly when put into the hands of the typical slower-swinging, less confident golfers. 

Aesthetically, the clubhead has a giant footprint that, when you address the ball, looks impossible to miss. There’s no doubt you’ll feel confident that it’s going to give you a helping hand to get your tee shots airborne and, to a point, the higher they fly the further you’ll hit. The only thing I would have added is a centre alignment line or dot on the crown to help with aiming but, aside from that, it ticks all the boxes.

The 3-wood is much more compact in size, making it a great tool for multiple course scenarios. I really enjoyed the powerful flight from the tee and picking it instead of the driver on tighter holes, with a smaller margin for error, was invaluable. What I especially liked is that the face is deep enough that you can easily hit it as a more accurate alternative to a driver off the tee, although it’s arguably a little clunky from the ground.

If you’re a better player, like me, you’ll probably prefer a smaller, sleeker clubhead with a shallower face profile, like you get with the best fairway woods on the market. However, the Strata woods do power through the rough nicely, as do the handy hybrids. They’re great alternatives to long irons and much easier to hit, with small shiny black heads so you can play with more confidence on a variety of shots. 

Those of you who remember the original Callaway Big Bertha irons may agree with me that the Strata Ultimate Titanium irons bear an uncanny resemblance to them. They feature the same distinctive shaped cavity back, wide soles and thick top lines which all adds up to something very easy on the eye and something that is also super easy to hit. 

The only slight negative was the silver finish, which I wasn't a big fan of. The reason is because it tended to reflect bright sunlight which, in turn, bounced up into my eyes at address. I also found these irons rather head heavy, which surprised me given they are designed for slower-swinging ladies.

Moving away from the irons and to the wedges which, in this set, you get two of. One of these is a pitching wedge that works very nicely for basic chip and runs, recovery shots from the rough and approach shots, plus a sand wedge with a great big head that you can open up wide and slide under the ball - ideal for learning bunker shots. 

The grooves are the same as the irons, so you won’t get much additional spin and stop but, if you’re just starting out in golf, they’re more than adequate as learner clubs.

Finally, we move on to the putter, which has a basic blade-style design with one clear white alignment line in the centre for aiming. It has a simple, traditional look. Although adequate, I can’t help but feel that a heavier mallet-style head with a bigger footprint would give beginners more of a helping hand.

The Strata ultimate set comes in a sturdy little stand bag that’s lightweight to lift with velour padded double straps that make it comfortable to carry, evenly distributing weight across your back. 

What's more, it also has plenty of pockets, including a big ball pocket and an exterior scorecard holder pouch. The main side pocket isn’t huge but big enough for your waterproof jacket. It’s only shower proof (not a totally waterproof golf bag) but nevertheless a very good stand bag, giving you the freedom to choose carrying or to pop it onto a cart.

Overall, given that this entire set costs little more than some of the best golf drivers alone, it represents incredible value for money, especially because it is one of the best golf club sets for beginners out there.

MacGregor CG3000 Package Set Review

The MacGregor CG3000 package set comes with 10 clubs and a bag, allowing golfers to get straight out to the course. You'll get a driver, a fairway wood, a hybrid, six irons from 6-SW and a putter, comfortably making it one of the best golf club sets for beginners.

From the moment you unpack this set, it is clear that is not a premium set like the TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite package set or PXG's 0211 Z golf club set, however the MacGregor offering is hundreds of dollars cheaper than the aforementioned products and we have to say we were surprised by just how good it was.

Starting with the driver, at 13 degrees it is the perfect loft for most high-handicap golfers and beginners. Initially I didn't love the looks but it has certainly grown on me and the simple alignment aid is actually very nice. The performance of the driver is, I have to say, fantastic. From the moment you strike it you'll be greeted with a very solid feel and a nice, high flight.

Surprisingly, the ball speed was keeping up with my current driver thanks to the lightweight, regular flex shaft. Whilst the ball speed was high, overall distance wasn't keeping up with my current gamer due to the excessive spin we were getting from it. It goes without saying that better players won't maximize their distance with the 13 degree MacGregor driver but beginners and improvers will be able to hit long and high drives. You won't be able to hit high, low-spin bombs with it but you will be able to get the ball in the air with relative ease.

The fairway wood and hybrid did not feel as great as the driver, however, with a much more 'dead' feel as opposed to the lovely feel you get from the big stick. I loved the flat-looking face of the fairway wood whilst the hybrid does take some getting used to as the offset on it does make it look a little ugly.

Offset is a higher handicapper's friend though so golfers will enjoy how user-friendly these clubs are. Despite the average feel, performance was fine with the fairway and hybrid and the lofts that MacGregor has chosen for this beginner golf club set are perfect.

The fairway wood comes in at 18 degrees of loft (so essentially a five wood), whilst the hybrid at 24 degrees converts to around a 4 iron. Couple this with a 6-SW iron set and I think the gaps are just about right for a 10-club set, with beginners and higher handicappers having plenty of clubs at their disposal to hit for a wide range of yardages. 

The irons that come with the set are fantastic, with a fairly thick top line but nothing too intrusive. We found them to launch high and were impressed with the forgiveness on offer. They look absolutely fine too and the feel is not too bad considering we were testing them up against forged musclebacks. They go the distance you'd expect them to go and work well with MacGregor's lightweight graphite shafts.

All clubs feature the same MacGregor grips, which we more than happy with. They have guidelines for your left thumb and an arrow pointing down to help you align the club parallel. 

The putter was another nice surprise. It reminded me of a mix between an Odyssey #7 fang and the Rose Axis1 - it's somewhere in between those two.

The feel of the face was surprisingly good, like the driver, and the head design is great for alignment and a bit of forgiveness. Where the putter falls down is in the grip department as it has a very thin grip that is far too similar to the ones on the irons and woods. We'd much prefer a more rounded or thicker putter-specific grip as the fitted one is far too thin. You also don't get a headcover with the putter, which is not ideal as the sharp fangs will over time begin to scratch up anything the putter is next to in the bag.

If you do go for this set, we'd highly recommend picking up a mallet putter headcover and perhaps getting the putter re-gripped too. If you were to get a headcover and new grip, you'd be looking at adding on something like $40/£40, which still keeps the set very affordable. The headcovers on the woods are very thin so may not offer the best protection, however at least they do come with headcovers unlike the putter.

Moving on to the bag, which for me was a very lightweight cart bag. MacGregor describes the bag that comes with the set as 'a luxury stand bag', although we only had the cart bag version. We certainly wouldn't describe it as 'luxury' but for the money it is more than good enough with plenty of pockets, a good number of dividers and a very decent handle and main strap.

Overall, this set is hard to fault for what it does, which is allow golfers to get out onto the course and experience this great game. At this price tag you're never going to get the perfect set of clubs but we were seriously impressed with what has to be one of the best golf club sets you can buy.

Finally if you want more package set ideas, we have also created guides on the best cheap golf club sets, and best budget golf clubs, where we have tested value models to see if they are any good. 

VIDEO: Watch Dan Parker put the Strata Men's package set to the test

Set Specifications

Strata Men's Golf Package Set Review

A golf package set is an affordable and effective way those new to the game to quickly get out on course with all the gear. However, finding the right one can be a minefield and knowing which package sets have the right sort of clubs that will last for the right amount of time can be tricky. 

Prices can vary greatly too, with some best golf club sets ranging from $300 to north of $1000. This set from Strata represents the value end of the market and we wanted to see what it offered to golfers coming in to the game. As a left hander, I tested the left handed model, but it is also available in a right hand option too. The 'ultimate set' with 11 golf clubs is the focus of this review, but there is a nine piece set available too if you want even more value.  

To start, you get an impressive amount of equipment for your money. Included with the excellent stand bag - more on that later - is a driver, 3-wood, 4-hybrid, 5-hybrid and a set of six iron from 6-SW. You also get a 35" blade putter - much more on that later too - leaving you with 11 clubs in total. It's a very complete set from this perspective offering beginners golfers the right range of clubs to have all bases covered out on course. With there being only 11 clubs, this leaves you options to add clubs to the maximum 14. Perhaps a lob wedge or a gap wedge could be added.

I was also incredibly 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. They come as standard with a regular flex shaft (there isn't a stiff option available), but this is the perfect set up for beginners.  Overall, the irons reminded us of the Callaway XR irons from a few years ago, and the quality of the grips and shafts are akin to a premium set of cavity back irons. For the price, it's impressive but I became frustrated with how quickly the faces scuffed up. 

The driver is equally impressive, with the 460cc head and regular flex shaft offering the most forgiveness possible in the hardest club in the bag to hit. You can see a lot of the face at address and, combined with the large head, make it an appealing club to look down on. Beginners will no doubt love this driver and during testing I thought it was one of the best sounding drivers I've hit from a package set. While the regular shaft is on the whippier side of regular, there's no doubt this will suit those beginning their golfing journey.

It wasn't quite the perfect package set, though. The putter is less than desirable because there's no milling or insert on the face so, no matter what ball you use, putts have a tendency to slide off the face left or right. It also felt very firm and a little harsh, especially on off-centre hits.

The putter also comes with no headcover, meaning the poor finish quality will easily get damaged as it clatters around the bag. I would personally recommend anyone who gets this package set look at the best cheap putters under £100 and invest a bit of extra cash here. The benefits will be significant on the greens and you'll get a headcover too. 

A final issue - albeit much less significant than the putter - is that the two hybrids in this set are fitted with steel shafts rather than traditional graphite. This is obviously another cost saving measure and, while is doesn't hinder the experience as much as the putter, it's not ideal.

Both hybrids were decent to hit off the tee, but out of the fairway or rough, the lack of extra flex meant they flew very low and were hard to launch. For a set aimed at beginner golfers, steel shafted hybrids aren't ideal. 

To end on a more positive note, the stand bag is very impressive. It's lightweight, comes with plenty of pockets and has excellent club storage in the top. It's not waterproof, but you wouldn't expect that in a package set at this price. Overall, this is a fun package set that should offer any beginner golfer great value for money and an enjoyable user experience. 

The driver, 3-wood and irons are ideal for the golfer in mind and should last for a number of years comfortably. Without a doubt the putter is frustrating, but that can easily be replaced at not too much cost. Given all of this, it was a no-brainer inclusion in our guide on the best golf club sets for beginners.

VIDEO: Watch Neil Tappin run through what the RBZ SpeedLite set has to offer

TaylorMade is one of the most recognized names in the golf industry, with the brand famed for creating some of the best golf drivers, best golf balls and best golf bags anywhere on the market.

Now though, the company have branched out into the golf package set industry, an area which is perfect for those who are new to the game and want the basics for cheap. The model in question is the TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite, a product which we have tested extensively at the driving range and on the golf course to find out what you can expect. 

First things first, if you are thinking of investing in one of the best golf club sets, then there are a lot of boxes that the TaylorMade ticks. For example, whatever your skill level, every golfer wants something with a smart, aspirational look. TaylorMade has a strong track record in this department and the looks have clearly been carefully considered here.

Giving a quick overview for each club, the irons feature toplines that are thick enough to inspire confidence at address without being too clunky and uninviting. The grey finish on the crown of the woods combines with a small flash of green - they look superb and, at the other end of the bag, the sand wedge and putter are slightly more compact, with a refined, premium look.

We started by testing these on a launch monitor up against various clubs from our custom-fitted line up. Despite the shaft spec being wrong (we were testing the regular flex RBZ shaft), we were impressed by the performance on offer. In particular, throughout the set, they are as easy to launch and forgiving. 

It's not just the performance, but also the aesthetics. As mentioned, the irons have a generous topline and inspire confidence and, when it comes to the hybrid section, it's a similar story, with the generous look at address a real standout. We thought that there was plenty of room between heel and toe, and having one of the best hybrids can really help players in an area of the bag that is notoriously hard to master.

Although the ball flight was on the high side, a stiffer shaft option would have almost certainly helped resolve this. As a result, we lost a little carry distance (three yards in the 7-iron and 15 yards in the driver) versus our custom fitted clubs. However, for those golfers looking to get the ball up and away with a smooth swing, the regular shaft version we tested should do the job.

Throughout the iron set, the feel off the face is consistently solid and, whilst they might not feel as buttery smooth out of the middle as some of the best golf irons on the market, the feel doesn’t fall away too much when you don’t hit the very center of the face. 

Touching on the woods, we did feel that the sound is a little louder than the TaylorMade SIM2 driver, a model that ranks as one of the best TaylorMade drivers that money can buy. Although the acoustics will be personal preference, we don't think the higher pitched contact sound will put any golfer off using it.

Moving to the scoring section of the bag and, in particular, the compact mallet putter, which really impressed us. The stand out was the feel and, admittedly, we were using a Titleist Pro V1x which is undoubtedly one of the best premium golf balls but, even so, the feel was as responsive as some of the best putters.

That brings us to the bag. TaylorMade has opted for a trolley/cart style option with a single carry strap. The green and black styling looks modern and smart and there are plenty of pockets for storage. However, we would have preferred the extra flexibility of a stand bag instead. We also thought it felt a little flimsier than some of the best cart bags and didn’t quite reflect the quality of the clubs on offer.

In all, this is a fairly small gripe for what is a hugely impressive golf club set. TaylorMade has designed a 12-club line-up that we think has genuine mass appeal. For those not wanting to get fitted, but still looking for a quality set that will perform and look good, the TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite is undoubtedly one of the best golf club sets for beginners on the market.

If you are a beginner golfer looking to kit yourself out from a standing start, then one of your options is to invest in a package set. This means you’ll get everything you need for the course (barring, shoes, balls and tees) in one purchase. Of course, prices for the best golf club sets vary drastically from the likes of the TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite package set at the top end to the Confidence set shown here. 

Aimed at beginner players, this has the sort of affordable price-tag that will appeal to many who are dipping their toe in to see whether a lasting interest in the game remains. We wanted to see what you get for your money, so we took the Confidence Power III hybrid set to the London Club to find out. The video below provides an insight into the performance.

The good news is the composition of the set makes perfect sense. You get a 460cc driver, a 24˚ hybrid, 6-iron to sand wedge and a putter. For those just starting out in the game, this should be just about enough to prevent you having any major distance gaps in your line-up. You also get a smart, compact carry bag that has just about enough storage to carry what you’ll need with you on the course. 

The putter has a simple heel and toe design with a basic alignment aid. It also has a fairly bright silver finish to it. Whilst this definitely doesn’t have the same level of feel as the best golf putters on the market - or the sort of technology that helps with finding a consistent roll - I thought the generous head size was inviting at address.

The confidence-inspiring address profile is the same in the irons. There is plenty of space between the heel and the toe of the face so this should help you get the club on the ball more consistently. The soles are fairly thick and the cavity backs are quite deep - this should help the launch and forgiveness. In my testing, the irons lacked feel and whilst not up there with the most forgiving irons, I did hit some good shots with them.

One thing to point out is that the shaft lengths are slightly shorter than standard through the set. Whilst this might cost you some distance, you may find that it helps with your consistency of ball striking. To me, this made sense as the shorter shaft length should help golfers find more control.

The woods both have a black crown and silver face. This worked well to highlight the loft on offer, which again is a nice confidence-inspiring touch. Given the price, I was impressed by the hybrid - it offered me good distance from a strong ball flight but again, it felt a little dull through impact.

The driver is 10˚ and, as with the hybrid, it comes with a steel shaft. The deep face and square toe lacks the refinement you’ll see from the best golf drivers on the market - but of course, the whole set comes in at a fraction of the price. In terms of performance, I was giving up a fair amount of yardage over my usual driver (around 30 yards) but the flight was fairly strong and I was pleasantly surprised by the consistency. 

The Confidence Power III Hybrid set shows that kitting yourself out with golf equipment doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It was no surprise to see the overall performance fall well short of my own custom fit set of clubs (and I should point out that the badge fell off the back of the 9-iron during my testing). However, at this entry level price most people will not be expecting premium performance or aesthetics. All in all, the performance was solid enough to make the Confidence Power II Hybrid set a decent value for money option.

Inesis Kid's Golf Kit 2-4 Years Review

As a parent, you have good intentions in trying to get your son or daughter started playing the game as early as possible but trying to swing one of your own irons or putter that’s longer than they are tall is only going to put them off long term and cause avoidable breakages of precious house ornaments.

To that end, it’s important to integrate a correctly sized and weighted set as early as possible and the Inesis Kids Golf Kit aims to fill this need. It comprises a nine-iron and putter housed in a stylish black and yellow carry bag, yours for just £49.99.

My daughter received these for her third birthday and absolutely loves the bright color scheme and the playful 'Babeez Golf' bee design down the side of the bag as she goes buzzing off to find where her ball went. The clubs are super lightweight thanks to the graphite shafts and therefore easy to pick up and swing while maintaining a decent level of control.

Despite being relatively tall for her age, the clubs were still on the long side so we’d suggest they air more towards the older side of the 2-4 year old age range they are advertised at. The grips are tacky and thin enough to be able to get small hands wrapped out and holding the club comfortably.

The head of the 9-iron is a decent size and has plenty of perimeter weighting to forgive the inevitable mishit and feels solid out of the middle. In time, I think my daughter will appreciate the white lines that surround the face, helping frame the ball and with alignment. Depending on your child’s age, swing speed or levels of hand-eye co-ordination, you might want to start off with foam balls - which are lighter and therefore travel a lot further - to boost confidence initially before switching into proper balls. We tried the Inesis Foam golf balls (£6.99 for a pack of six) and they did a great job, especially on the greens we she was able to propel the ball a good 60 feet from one side of the green to the other.

The putter itself is a pleasing, Anser-style shape and has two sightline on the flange which should subconsciously assist with helping your child see where the putter is aiming. A useful design feature is that the single sightline at the front should line up in between the two rear sightlines in order to achieve the correct lie angle - a nice checkpoint for your child to think about before pulling the trigger.

The bag itself offers plenty of space to store the two clubs and additional ones if you wanted to top it up with some of your own. The side pocket has enough room for balls, tees and other small items. The single strap works fine but my daughter had to hold it with two hands to stop it sliding off her shoulder, so perhaps there is room for improvement here or you encourage your child to lift it over their head and position the strap more across their chest to prevent this from happening.

Investing in this set for your child is sure to help them enjoy the process of learning golf and from our testing, it certainly ranks among the best golf club sets for kids sets we've tried in recent times.

For those looking to kit themselves out with golf equipment from a standing start, buying a complete golf club set is one of the best options. Wilson is one of the core golf brands that has a few offerings in this department, including the X31 package set. This features 10 clubs (driver, 3-wood, 5-hybrid, 6 iron-SW and putter) plus a stand bag. The video review below reveals what you can expect and what we thought of the Wilson X31 package set.

We wanted to see what you can expect in terms of performance for your money so I recently tested the Wilson X31 set both on the golf course and on a launch monitor. Is this one of the best golf clubs sets on the market and if so, who is it aimed at?

I’m going to start with what I thought was undoubtedly the highlight of the set - the irons. Both in the bag and behind the ball, these have a simple, smart look. The toplines are fairly thick without being too bulky or chunky. If you are a beginner or high handicap golfer, the profile of the irons should be confidence inspiring. On the flip side, if you are after a sleek, traditional-looking set, these may not fit the bill. I liked the look down behind the ball but, if I’m being picky, I’d have liked to see a fraction more space between heel and toe, as to my eye these were fairly compact. 

The performance however, was superb. From the first hit, I was particularly impressed by how solid these felt. The ball flights were strong too and the overall carry distances were just as I would expect from my own set of Mizuno JPX 919 Forged irons. Throughout the round I played with this set, the irons impressed - providing me with good consistency both in terms of ball-striking and distance.   

There are three woods in the line-up and the gaps between them make sense. I would describe the look as quite basic and lacking the same aesthetic appeal of the irons. However, what I did like was the contrast between the darker finish on the crown and the silver face. This really highlights the loft on offer and makes all of the woods feel user-friendly and easy to launch.

The set I tested all had stiff shafts and these provided surprisingly strong ball flights (I wasn’t expecting quite as much control over the flight as I got). However, the total distance from the driver - something I noticed on the course and was confirmed to me during my launch monitor testing - was around 20 yards shorter than with my own, fitted TaylorMade Stealth Plus driver. Of course, the whole of the Wilson X31 set costs less than that TaylorMade driver so it is perhaps an unfair comparison. Undoubtedly one of the reasons for the drop off in distance is the shaft length. At an inch shorter than standard, this cost me some distance but I’d expect to get more control as a result. 

The putter in the Wilson X31 set has a simple heel and toe shape. I actually putted well with it and, like the irons, it has a solid feel. If I was buying this for myself, I’d be tempted to replace the grip with more of a specialist putter grip. One small issue for me was that it doesn't come with a headcover. I'd be concerned about the effects on the paint finish without one so, again, I'd probably look to buy a headcover.

The final thing to mention is the bag. As with the rest of the set, it has a smart, simple design with one main side pocket for extra clothing, a pocket for balls, one for gloves and a valuables pocket. There is a seven-way top divider that helps order your clubs in the bag too. 

The bag is a good size, not too big to carry and not too small to sit securely on top of a trolley. It is not as sturdy as some of the best stand bags you’ll find and I would have liked an extra pocket for things like tees, ball markers and sharpies.  

All in all, you get a lot or your money from the Wilson X31 package set. The friendly looks and easy to hit performance make this a contender among the best golf club sets for beginners category. I was particularly impressed with the performance of the irons and whilst the rest of the set lacked the same star quality, this is a good, cost-effective option for those looking to invest in all the key golf equipment areas in one go.

The Covid-19 pandemic was the kick-start women's golf needed. Newcomers flooded to try the game as it was one of the first outdoor activities to be permitted as restrictions were gradually eased. Callaway has cleverly responded by creating the Reva package set, which it says is aimed at all abilities, but is arguably better suited to ladies learning to play golf for the first time.

To begin with, the Callaway Reva is an 11-piece set that has a driver, 3-wood, 5 & 6 hybrids, 7-9 irons, pitching wedge, sand wedge, putter, cart bag and five headcovers. That is an awful lot for your money and arguably puts it amongst the best golf club sets on the market.

Callaway are known for producing some of the best golf drivers on the market and, in this Reva set, you get a high lofted (12.5 degrees) driver with a fixed weight screw that helps you launch the ball higher and hit it further. At address, I felt that the big circular target-style sweet spot on the face looked impossible to miss and it also acted as a great focus point when behind the golf ball. 

Performance-wise, the ball flies powerfully off the face with a pleasing high-pitched 'ping' sound, which instantly made it one of the best beginner golf clubs for ladies who are trying to improve quickly. The resulting high ball flight will definitely make a dramatic difference to your distance if you lack swing speed as it boosts carry distance. 

Along with the driver, the complementing fairway wood (3 wood) has a super-sleek shape. The shallow profile really encouraged me to sweep shots away off even the tightest of fairway lies with ease, something which we see amongst the best fairway woods. What's more, it offered up a powerful flight that ran out just enough upon landing without losing stopping power into greens.

A package set is all about ease of use and, in this set, the traditional long irons are replaced by two easy-to-hit hybrids (5 & 6) which have sizeable heads that look nearly impossible to miss and enough loft so that your long approach shots stop quickly. 

From there, it then transitions into the cavity back irons, which feel effortlessly light to swing and are unbelievably easy to use. My mishits hardly veered off-line, such was the stability and forgiveness on offer. The feel was a touch on the firm side, yet spin control going into the flag was impressive. 

You'll be delighted with the results of a well-struck shot but, as a better player, I'd prefer to see a couple of specialist wedges for the opportunity to impart some shot-making creativity. However, the Reva set wedges can execute the basic chip and pitch shots easily enough. 

One notable point I will also make is that both the irons and woods are fitted with buttery soft grips which are soft and tacky. You may wonder what impact this has, but they will be a godsend to anyone suffering with arthritis in their fingers and generally boost the comfort you experience using the clubs.

Where this package stands out though is in the putter section. I was particularly pleased that a ladies Odyssey Stroke Lab putter was part of the Reva set, which includes a specialist shaft designed to improve the tempo and consistency of your stroke. 

Odyssey make some of the best putters on the market and, with this particular model, I was able to see that it is slightly shorter in length and the grip smaller than the standard men's Odyssey Stroke Lab putter, which should all contribute to you having greater control on the greens. 

Aesthetically, the head has a distinctive blue fang shape with two very clear white alignment lines (cleverly a golf-ball width apart) and triple dots for centre striking. I loved the responsive feel off the face and the really true roll out. 

The Reva is an impressive set and, to complete the package, it is all housed in a good quality trolley bag that's made from a lightweight and waterproof material with seam-sealed zips to prevent rain from penetrating into your bag. 

There's plenty of pockets for storage and it's light to lift on and off your trolley, Finally, if the grey option I tested isn't for you, then you can also choose from black, red or blue Reva set options, making it one of the best women's golf sets on the market.

MacGregor DCT3000 Men's Package Set Review

As a mid-teen handicapper who has been playing golf for 45 years, I have worked my way through a fair few sets of clubs. I was therefore very interested to apply the Golf Monthly testing strategy on a completely new set and bag, to prepare a brief video after their first outing, and to see how they would stand up to the more expensive kit that I currently use. This would be the first package set I had tried out in a long time, and I felt it would need to work very hard to impress.

VIDEO: Watch Rob Smith deliver his verdict on this entry-level club set

This beginner’s set comes with 12 clubs from driver to putter, thus very sensibly leaving the golfer to make personal decisions on wedges once some experience and personal preference has been gained. The remaining clubs are a 3-wood, a pair of hybrids, 5- to 9-iron, and pitching and sand wedges. They come in a choice of graphite or steel shaft.

The driver itself is a chunky 460cc 10.5-degree model whose large head and sweet spot offer a forgiveness that is ideal for those new to the game. Bearing in mind that my own driver cost me pretty much the same as this entire package, I was very impressed. This driver looked, felt, and most importantly behaved, in a very similar fashion. It may not be the best driver on the market, but for its target golfer, it is way better than adequate.

By contrast, the graphite-shafted 3-wood has a relatively small head, but this makes it much easier for shots from the fairway or when the ball is sitting up in the rough. The two hybrids, also graphite-shafted, are 21 degrees and 24 degrees, and therefore similar to a 3- and 4-iron but again much easier to use for the beginner than a long-iron. Each of these four longer clubs comes with its own stylish, branded headcover.

All of the cavity-back irons feature an oversized head with perimeter weighting, and yet again I found them to be both forgiving and good for distance, very similar to my usual set. My only two concerns about the whole package comes with the two wedges. The first is that because I normally carry four, these two clubs between them have to cope with anything from 120 yards in. The other is that the sand wedge is simply a slightly more lofted version of the pitching wedge, and I found this made it a little more difficult to play from sand or for finesse shots from just off the green.

These are minor quibbles, based on having played for a very long time, and should not be an issue for the club’s target audience. The putter has quite a heavy head, but again this should be fine for those who are learning the game as it is more likely to keep the club on line.

The bag is smart and lightweight, with plenty of storage space for valuables and waterproofs. I cannot really vouch for how this whole set compares with other similar packages such as the Strata Men's Golf Package Set, but my personal view is that this set would be hard to beat.

In addition, this whole package comes at a price many people now pay for just a driver, and as such it represents excellent value. For me, it has to be right up there among the very best package sets on offer. I would also say that for those new to golf, anyone coming back to the game, or even those wishing simply to try something new, the MacGregor DCT3000 Men’s Package has a tremendous amount to offer.

Wilson Magnolia Women’s Package Set Review

Whether you are just starting out in the game or are a keen improver looking to upgrade your equipment, the Wilson Magnolia ladies golf set is an appealing option. This stylish-looking package of clubs includes a high-lofted driver, easy-to-hit 3-wood, 4, 5 and 6 hybrids, 7 iron through to sand wedge, putter and a trolley bag. 

Considering a decent set of ladies irons alone can set you back somewhere in the region of £1000 these days, it’s an absolute delight to see a complete set of clubs for women for under £500, comfortably slotting in as one of the best women's package sets you can buy.

That doesn’t mean that Wilson has scrimped on the quality either. The metalwoods and irons are all fitted with decent lightweight graphite shafts that feel easy to swing. The driver has a very rounded, oversize head with lots of loft to give you confidence and help you launch your tee shots easily.

Replacing difficult-to-hit long irons with hybrids has been a trend in ladies golf equipment for a few years now and the Magnolia hybrids are designed with strong lofts, a large sweet spot and low weighting in the head to make them really easy to hit. We love the simplicity of the small heads. We tested the hybrids from lots of different positions on the course and found them very versatile, great from all sorts of lies, particularly the rough. 

The irons have also been designed for ease of use with oversize heads, weight cleverly positioned to the perimeter for better balance and forgiveness, so even your mishits fly straight. Our only criticism is that the Magnolia irons were slightly 'head heavy', however this may will encourage you to swing with a smoother tempo and a freer, more powerful action.

We love the addition of a bespoke sand wedge, it’s not something you usually see in a package set but it’s a really great idea. Having more spin control around the greens is a definite must. An eye-catching mallet-shaped putter completes the set. The fang shape of the head really makes this feel balanced and assists with a smooth, pendulum stroke. The simple bold centre alignment line gives a very clear guide to help you aim.

The Magnolia clubs come in a beautiful blue trolley bag that’s really lightweight to lift in and out of your car boot and onto your trolley. There are pockets galore including ones for your scorecard, valuables and water bottle, plus a matching rain cover to keep your clubs dry.

Overall, we really loved the design and styling of this set and were instantly impressed with how well the clubs performed through the bag. This is the perfect gift to get someone started in the game. Check out our guide on the best beginner sets for ladies for more options if you're a female looking to get into golf with a quality package set.

Stix Golf Complete Set video review

The Stix Golf Complete Set contains 14 clubs from driver through to putter. The set comprises a driver; 3- and 5-woods; 4 hybrid; 5-iron through to pitching wedge; three wedges – 52° 56° and 60° – and a putter. I tested them on the range and by playing nine holes with them at West Hill Golf Club.

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The big standout performer in this package set is the driver. It felt and performed like one of the premium models in our best golf drivers guide. The video with this review shows what you can expect.

Related: Best Golf Club Sets

The driver tested was in a 10.5° loft with the standard stiff graphite shaft. The ball was popping up in the air on quite an aggressive flight – so a little bit lower than I am used to – but the ball was hanging in the air a long time and it wasn’t spinning up (which, for me, is always a slight concern with package set woods). The shaft was doing a good job and the club was providing plenty of distance.

The 3-wood is fairly bulky down behind the ball - I preferred the more compact 5-wood, which, with the extra loft on offer, was also a very impressive performer.

The irons continue this sleek look and hot feel, so they are quite firm through the ball and the flight is very strong, which is again a little lower than I am used to. This is partly because they are very strong in terms of loft – for example the 7-iron is only 28°. As this would suggest, they are geared more towards distance but there is also plenty of forgiveness in there.

They have a confidence-inspiring look behind the ball because the top line is fairly thick yet that black finish ensures they still look sleek and inviting.

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The wedges have a more 'specialist' look to them which I loved. The lofts are well-spaced and should help golfers with a vast array of different shots around the greens. 

Related: TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite Package Set Review

Likewise, the putter has been cleverly designed. It is a compact mallet with the same, signature black finish that looks very smart both in the bag and behind the ball. It also has high quality grip which helps with the overall feel on offer.

On to the main downside with this set – the black finish. It looks great out of the box, but how will it look in six months? After three shots from bunkers with the 60° wedge you could already see wear marks appearing on the toe. This will undoubtedly frustrate some and it is also worth saying that for the set I tested, there were no headcovers for protection on the woods.

However, the overall performance you get from this 14-club set is superb.

If you choose to buy, consider checking out our handpicked Stix Golf coupon codes.

Inesis 100 Seven Club Beginner Set Review

There are seven clubs in the Inesis 100 set but how good are they? I played nine holes at West Hill Golf Club testing them in various settings along the way.

The Inesis 100 set is made up of seven golf clubs - a driver (14°), hybrid (22°), a six/seven iron, an eight/nine iron, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, and a putter. All the clubs in the set also have light graphite shafts and the entire golf club set retails at £169.99. The bag can also be brought for an extra £44.99.

Before getting into the test it is worth acknowledging that as a half-set, there will of course be moments where you struggle in terms of shots in between yardages. So a degree of manufacturing may be necessary here.

In the first on-course test, I went to the par-3 9th at West Hill and hit five shots with the eight/nine iron with Titleist Pro V1x balls. This was to find out about consistency and generally what the performance of the irons is like.

I was very pleased with the results as all five hit the green. One was a push and one was a pull but the rest went at the flag and all had pretty good consistency in terms of distance.

The feel of the irons was also a plus point. They felt buttery smooth through the ball and if it was a blind test, Neil acknowledged how he would have thought he was hitting a premium iron.

Starting with the driver, I liked the matte-black finish of the head and the way it contrasts the silver face. There is plenty of loft to look down on which does inspire confidence, and when you couple that with the large size of the head (460cc), then it is a driver that many could get on with.

What I didn't like was the pattern on top of the head which fusses the design slightly.

I also liked the look of the hybrid and the matte-grey finish of the irons too. They frame the ball nicely and the mid-size top-line is confidence inspiring without being too chunky.

The final club to talk about is the putter which is simple in its design but could definitely do with a head-cover. 

I hit five drives on the 10th hole at West Hill and the consistency of distance with the driver revealed itself. Another plus point is the shaft which felt very stable and the performance was pretty solid.

Another thing to mention is the sound and feel which is quite a high-pitched impact sound which may not be to my liking, but many will prefer it over a duller sounding driver.

I shot four-over with the clubs over nine-holes which showed he didn't play well but didn't play too badly either.

In terms of the set, the irons and the hybrid were the clubs that really excelled. The irons felt excellent, there is plenty of forgiveness on offer and the looks are good too. The hybrid was also very easy to launch and it performed well.

The two areas I struggled were with the putter and driver. The putter is very basic and it is very firm off the face which does take some time to get used to.

In terms of the driver there was some good performance but dropped in control compared to more expensive drivers which is to be expected.

On the whole when you combine everything together this Inesis 100 set does offer good value for money and if you are a beginner looking to get into the game, this set gives everything you need.

Additionally the bag for an extra £44.99 is extremely light and very simple.

The Tour Edge Bazooka 270 Package Set includes a forgiving, 10.5-degree 460cc driver with a high moment of inertia (MOI) that yields long and consistent tee shots. 

Also in the bag: An oversized, low profile steel 3-wood that’s surprisingly easy to hit off the turf; a low center of gravity 4-hybrid; oversized steel cavity back irons (5-iron through SW) that are forgiving; and a high MOI, heel-toe weighted putter with an alignment aid on top. 

The woods and hybrid come with headcovers, and the nice-looking lightweight dual strap, six-way, four-pocket stand bag comes with a rain hood.

The short irons and wedges are pretty fantastic. Ball flight will be nice and high, as well as fairly straight. 

Full swings produce excellent distance and generate adequate backspin. A small boy walked by during our wedge testing on the range and was wowing loudly over how “super high” the shots were going. That should be proof enough that these clubs do what they intend. 

However, you start experiencing fall-off as you go to the longer irons. You notice that the ball flight is lower and less forgiving than it typically would be from a premium club. 

The feel of the 5- and 6-iron is just okay, and the 110-gram uniflex steel shafts feel slightly stiff. That said, if you’re the target player for this set, you probably don’t have a benchmark to work with -- and you will think these are outstanding. 

The woods are interesting. They have 75-gram, mid-launch graphite shafts, so you can step into them and get some decent distance. And they’re extremely loud at impact -- head-turners, really. 

Ball flight is easy to get nice and high. And all of this will please less-skilled golfers, who will gain confidence as they hit louder shots that sound powerful and gain trajectory.

The putter looks awesome, especially as you stand over the ball. And it has nice weighting, which helps feel. But putts feel a little tinny at impact, generating a high-pitched impact sound. But the face is pretty lively and squares nicely to your target.

If you are interested in other package set why not check out our best golf club sets post. Or if you are new to the game why not check out our Best Golf Club Sets For Beginners.

We also have a best golf starter set deals page where you can see the best products that are on offer

The Inesis 100 Seven Club Beginner Set has been chosen for our Editor's Choice List in 2021.

Inesis 100 Seven Club Beginner Set

You don’t have to spend big money on golf equipment to get you started – it can be done on a pretty tight budget. One way to kit yourself out if you’re a beginner is to go for a package set, and this half set ticks a lot of boxes.

Inesis 100 Seven Club Beginner Set

Consistent Performance

For £169.99, you get seven clubs: driver, hybrid, 6/7 iron, 8/9 iron, pitching wedge, sand wedge and putter. Decathlon has done a good job creating the simple, classic look that so many golfers like, but it’s how each club performed that really impressed us.

Starting with the driver, the 460cc head is generous to look down on. It sits slightly closed, which should appeal to beginners, many of who struggle with a slice. It also has a lot of loft (14 degrees) and just like the 22-degree hybrid, it had a stable feel, was easy to launch and produced consistent results.

The compromise comes when you only have two irons to play, with a strong 7-iron and strong 9-iron, which means there will be times when you have to try and take distance off, or go a bit harder with a certain club. However, with a mid size top line and wide sole, these irons provide beginners with something that’s probably a little more important when jut starting out – confidence at address, and extra assistance getting the ball up and away.

Surprisingly Soft Feel

We also enjoyed the feel, especially in the irons, which are an attractive dark grey and frame the ball really nicely. A soft, buttery feel is something you associate with premium clubs, but these set felt really smooth, too. Whilst the putter appears a little basic, it’s something you could get used to. In fact, beginners should settle into this set really quickly.

If you choose to buy the Inesis 100 Seven Club Beginner Set, check out our helpful Decathlon discount codes.

Inesis 100 Seven Club Beginner Set