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Golf is both exhilarating and maddening. What seems like a relaxing round of golf one minute quickly becomes anything but as you watch yet another sliced shot soar into a sand trap. Even if you talk yourself into thinking you’re able to save the day by sticking the next shot within 3 feet of the pin, you still need to sink a putt.
Despite this inherent frenzy of emotion, golf keeps me coming back for more. As soon as I picked up the sport I was hooked and wanted to immediately figure out how I could play better. After some research (and plenty of trial and error) I realized the best place to start was with the clubs I used. Not only did buying my own set allow me to avoid the awful clubhouse rentals but becoming familiar with them helped improve my score.
Of course, new clubs didn’t turn me into 2000s-era Tiger Woods but they did help solidify my swing while teaching me how to properly select what to hit and when. This alone dramatically improved my game and showed me that having better equipment was vital to my progression.
The journey to find the right clubs meant testing sets from a variety of brands like Mizuno, Callaway, and Ping; some good, some mediocre, and some great. Though my favorite overall was the MP-20 set from Mizuno, I did come across other clubs that I felt positively impacted my game, like Ping’s G400 Driver and the SM7 Wedge from Titleist.
Finding the right clubs often comes down to personal experience and preference, but I outlined how each club and set of clubs below worked for my own personal style. I’ve also included more information on how to shop for golf clubs at the bottom of this guide. Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches fitness and outdoors products.
Here are the best golf clubs:
Best golf clubs overall: Mizuno Golf MP-20 Iron Set, $1,299.99 at Mizuno
If you have enough skill to play with blade-style irons, the Mizuno MP-20 irons are a good value and accommodating of all handicaps.
Best complete set for beginners: Callaway Men’s/Women’s Strata Set with Bag, $599.99 at Amazon
If you’re an occasional golfer or if you’re just picking up the game, the Callaway Strata Set will give you a decent set of clubs for a great price.
Best driver: Ping G400 Driver, $399.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Even if we can’t hit them consistently, we golfers love our drivers. The forgiving Ping G400 will help you get consistent while delivering excellent length.
Best wedge: Titleist Vokey SM7 Wedge, $119.99 at Worldwide Golf Shops
Even if you consider a wedge a necessary evil, having a good one, like the Titleist Vokey SM7 Wedge, can save you strokes.
Best hybrid club: Ping G400 Hybrid, $169 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Among the popular hybrid golf clubs available, the Ping G400 Hybrid stands out with its extra length and ability to keep your swing on path.
