One of the key considerations for a good golf game is an excellent set of clubs.
You may be wondering why equipment matters so much – isn’t it the skill of the player that counts? Of course, it does, but equipment serves to amplify this skill and can make or break a game.
It is understandable that shopping for golfing equipment can be stressful. There are so many sets from so many companies making all kinds of claims. In this article, we are going to review the best golf clubs for beginners to intermediate players, so you can get an idea of what is considered a good set and what you should look out for.
- Wilson Profile SGI Complete Golf Set
- Callaway STRATA Men's Golf Packaged Sets
- Cobra Golf Women's XL Speed Complete Golf Set
- Wilson Men’s Profile Platinum Complete Golf Club Set
- Callaway STRATA Women's Golf Packaged Sets
Quick Overview – Top 3 Best Golf Clubs for Beginners to Intermediate Players
1. Wilson Men's and Teen Complete Golf Set: Designed with SGI (Super Game Improvement) Technology, this set claims to improve a golfer’s experience. It has an oversized driver and stainless steel irons with a low center of gravity. The set also includes a senior flex option for senior citizens. It is lightweight with a large sweet spot for forgiveness and distance.
2. Cobra Golf Women's XL Speed Complete Golf Set: This set is perfect for beginners because it contains all the essentials and doesn’t need any supplementary clubs. It is very lightweight because of the graphite shafts and has perimeter weighting in the irons for control. The oversized driver also makes it easy to make good contact and provides forgiveness and distance. It also comes with a luxurious cart bag.
3. STRATA Women's Golf Packaged Sets: This is an affordable, complete beginner’s set with a stylish appearance, lightweight clubs, and a premium cart bag with a rain hood and cooler pocket. It comes with an oversized driver and fairway wood, a hybrid, 7 and 9 Irons, as well as a putter and sand wedge.
5 Top Golf Clubs For Beginners To Intermediate Players 2023
With so many products out there, it can be hard to navigate the market. To make this easier, we have compiled a list of the top golf clubs for beginners to intermediate players and have highlighted their pros and cons. This, along with our buyer’s guide should help you decide which products are worth purchasing.
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1 Wilson Profile SGI Complete Golf Set
Wilson’s Profile SGI Set is a mid-range set that claims to be designed with Super Game Improvement (SGI) Technology which specifically improves the golfing experience for those new to the sport.
The set includes:
- Driver
- 5 Wood
- 5 Hybrid
- Irons: #6,7,8,9
- Pitching wedge
- Sand wedge
- Putter
- Cart bag
- 3 Headcovers
The 460cc driver has been designed with Super Game Improvement Technology to improve your experience, and the stainless steel irons boast a low center of gravity. The set also comes with a luxurious cart bag with plenty of storage options. Furthermore, the sand wedge also boasts an easy launch feature, and the putter is designed with heel and toe weights.
An especially interesting facet of this product is that it comes with “regular flex” and “senior flex” options. Other golf sets may have flex options but none that we have seen have included an option for senior flex. That makes this a unique set that is catering to and keeping in mind the needs of senior players.
The Good
With an option for senior flex, the product caters to senior players. The attention to inclusivity is also seen with its consideration of both right-handed and left-handed players, providing both options.
The large titanium driver (460cc driver) is lightweight and includes a large sweet spot, making the driver easy to make contact with as well as improving distance for longer shots. The graphite shaft makes the club lightweight and easy to handle – which also seems like a great consideration for senior players as well as Petites.
Since the irons are designed with a low center of gravity, they boast the advantage of being accurate. They also provide the players with greater control, resulting in a longer distance. The sand wedge is wide-soled and has low weighting, making it excellent in terms of control and precision. The weighted putter also improves accuracy while still providing feedback. It also has a soft alignment grip for easy control.
The set includes a carry bag that has some great features including various pockets for lots of space and a self-activating stand for convenience. The shoulder straps are made with comfort in mind and are airflow adjustable.
The Bad
The carry bag does not include a rain hood like other sets and will not protect the equipment from the elements. The set also does not include a 5-Iron.
Pros
- Longer distance
- Forgiving
- Affordable
- High accuracy
- Spacious cart bag
Cons
- No rain hood
- No 5-Iron
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Although great for beginners, this set can continue to serve intermediate and more advanced players as well. With mid-range pricing, it is affordable for a set of this caliber. It would be a great investment for those starting in the sport or looking to upgrade to a newer set. More advanced players may want to supplement the set with a 5-Iron.
2 Callaway STRATA Men's Golf Packaged Sets
Callaway’s Men’s Strata Ultimate Set is designed with maximum distance in mind and is decked out with technology designed to do so.
The set includes:
- Driver
- 3 Wood
- 4 Hybrid
- 5 Hybrid
- Irons: #6,7,8,9
- Pitching wedge
- Sand wedge
- Putter
- Stand bag
- 4 Headcovers
The set is designed with technology that maximizes distance without compromising forgiveness. The included putter boasts precise face milling, and the driver is full titanium. The irons and wedges are advertised as having high flight technology that should deliver longer and higher shots.
The Good
The driver is full titanium and is therefore lightweight. The large sweet spot in the driver gives the player better control, more forgiveness, and makes the ball very easy to make solid contact with. The fairway wood is also very forgiving since it is built with an aerodynamic head shape. It can result in higher and longer shots.
The irons and wedges are stainless steel and are not only durable but also have a high level of control. Equipped with high flight technology, they are also excellent in terms of forgiveness and distance.
The set also comes with 2 hybrids (4 Hybrid and 5 Hybrid) which give the player more choice since some players prefer hybrids to irons. The putter has special design features that allow it to be more accurate.
The set includes a lightweight yet durable carry bag that is spacious yet aesthetically pleasing. It includes back straps for convenience in carrying and nicely rounds out this affordable set. Not to mention, this set is inclusive since it comes with both right-handed and left-handed options.
The Bad
Some users have reported that the cart bag is fine for use but is uncomfortable to carry. Additionally, this is an excellent beginner’s set but needs some more clubs to be suitable for intermediate players — for example, a 5-Iron.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Durable
- High forgiveness
- Greater distance
- Carry bag with pockets
- Has right-hand and left-hand options
Cons
- Users report the carry bag to be uncomfortable
- No 5-Iron
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An excellent beginners set, this will need some supplementation in terms of irons to make it great for intermediate players as well. Intermediate players will probably need to supplement it with a 5-Iron.
3 Cobra Golf Women's XL Speed Complete Golf Set
Cobra Golf’s Women’s Cobra XL Speed Set claims to be the perfect starter set for beginners with lightweight clubs and a luxurious cart bag.
The set includes:
- Driver
- 3 Wood
- 5 Wood
- 7 Wood
- Irons: #6,7,8,9
- Pitching wedge
- Sand wedge
- Putter
- Cart bag
The Cobra XL Speed Set boasts lightweight and easy-to-swing clubs while being a complete set for beginners. The main draws of these clubs include the perimeter weighting in the irons, the oversized clubhead shape of the driver, and back/heel weighting in the woods and hybrids.
It also features an ultra-luxurious cart bag with an insulated beverage cooler and a valuables pocket.
The Good
The set’s claim of being complete for beginners rings true with a variety of clubs including a great mix of fairways, hybrids, and irons. Complete with a pitching wedge, sand wedge, and mallet putter, beginners do not need to supplement the set with individual clubs.
The titanium driver is not only lightweight but also features an oversized clubhead design. This makes it easy to hit, grants lots of forgiveness, and ensures great distance – the perfect mix for beginners. Three choices of fairway woods are given to cover all bases, and the back/heel weighting in these clubs results in higher shots.
Because of the inclusion of a hybrid, the set can help with a transition from fairway woods to irons. The 5 Hybrid also uses back/heel weighting for higher shots and more control.
6-9 Irons and the pitching and sand wedge all include a cavity back design for perimeter weighting. This is a great feature that provides forgiveness and stability but also improves launch. With graphite shafts, the clubs are lightweight and flexible.
The excellent quality does not stop at the clubs but includes the accessories as well. The cart bag included in the set is premium quality. It has a 14-way top, seven spacious zipped pockets, a luxurious velour-lined pocket for valuables, and a beverage cooler pocket that is insulated and can accommodate up to fourteen cans.
It’s includes an option for Petites as well.
The Bad
It should be noted that the set, although great, is very expensive. Although aimed towards beginners, beginners who do not have a large budget will not be able to afford this set.
Pros
- High-quality
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Forgiveness
- Easy-to-hit club
- Maximize distance
- Luxurious cart bag
Cons
- Expensive
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Although marketed as a set for beginners, this set can be intermediate-friendly as well. The set is high-quality, durable, and can be supplemented with a couple of extra irons when advancing to the next level.
4 Wilson Men’s Profile Platinum Complete Golf Club Set
Wilson’s Men’s Profile Platinum Set is a mid-range set that promises to deliver quality, durability, and comfort.
The set includes:
- Driver
- 5 Wood
- 5 Hybrid
- Irons: #6,7,8,9
- Pitching wedge
- Sand wedge
- Putter
- Carry bag
- 3 Headcovers
The set boasts a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating on the driver for anti-glare properties and durability. The quality construction also includes tip-reinforced graphite shafts.
A lightweight and ergonomic stand bag with a self-activating stand also makes this set stand out.
The Good
The Profile Platinum Set includes aesthetically pleasing and stylish clubs while also ensuring high quality. Its black PVD finish provides a sophisticated look, reduces glare, and is extremely durable and scratch-resistant.
The driver is lightweight and easy to make good contact with because of the large sweet spot, and it also provides forgiveness. Long-distance shots can be achieved with accuracy. The woods and hybrids have graphite shafts, making them lightweight and easy to maneuver while still providing flexibility. The large faces make the clubs easier to hit and are more forgiving as well.
The irons all have steel shafts, making them durable, strong, and providing the player with control and precision. They have perimeter weighting and are cavity backed, have a large sweet spot, and a low center of gravity. This results in accurate and long-distance shots. The irons also come in a wide range and make for great beginners set.
The cart bag is lightweight and ergonomically designed. The self-activating stand is convenient for golfers on the go, and the bag provides comfort and well as organization.
This set is a great choice for beginners as well as players who want to update their equipment and includes all essentials for a great golf game. Both right-hand and left-hand options are available.
The Bad
Although great for beginners, intermediate and advanced players may want a 5-Iron included. Furthermore, the steel-shaft irons are durable but may be too heavy for some people.
Pros
- Versatile
- Affordable
- Durable
- Black PVD finish
- Right-hand and left-hand options
- Ergonomic and lightweight stand bag with self-activating stand
- Lightweight driver and woods
- Forgiveness and accuracy
- Perimeter weighing in irons
- Variety of clubs available (10 total clubs)
Cons
- Heavy for some users because of steel shafts
- Lack of 5-Iron
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This is a great set that is mid-range but very affordable for the quality and variety it provides. If not for the lack of 5-Iron, it could easily be used by advanced players. If supplemented with a couple of extra irons, this could serve as a complete set for a beginner, intermediate, or even advanced player.
5 Callaway STRATA Women's Golf Packaged Sets
Callaway’s 11-Piece set from their acclaimed Strata Collection boasts great performance “right out of the box.”
The set includes:
- Driver
- 5 Wood
- 5 Hybrid
- Irons: #7,9
- Sand Wedge
- Putter
- Stand bag
- 3 Headcovers
The set boasts a lightweight, 460cc, forged titanium head driver with a large sweet spot and an included headcover. It also includes an oversized fairway wood with an aerodynamic head shape. The irons and wedges are stainless steel and allow for forgiveness and control.
Another selling point of the set is a lightweight stand bag that has spacious pockets, a rain hood, backpack straps for convenience, and a premium cooler pocket.
The Good
The included driver is large and easy to swing, providing both forgiveness and distance. The titanium head is light as well for a comfortable experience. The fairway wood is oversized, making it perfect for beginners – the oversized nature makes it easy to hit and provides a large sweet spot, resulting in better distance and lots of forgiveness for off-center shots.
A hybrid is included in the set for a variety since beginners are often more comfortable with hybrids than long irons. This offers beginners the ability to practice and build up their skills before moving on to using irons. It is correctly marketed as a beginner’s set since it keeps a novice’s needs in mind and caters specifically to them in terms of swing and loft.
Although the woods are lightweight, having graphite shafts, the irons have stainless steel shafts that provide more control and give more feedback. This makes accuracy higher and allows golfers to be precise with their shots. The mallet putter also helps with precision and provides good alignment.
The set is specifically designed for women, and to maximize distance while still maintaining control and forgiveness.
The included bag is durable yet lightweight and has backpack straps for easy carrying. It also comes with five normal pockets, a cooler pocket, and a rain hood to weather the elements.
The Bad
Since the set is specifically designed for beginners, it does not cater to intermediate players.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Affordable while maintaining high quality
- Lightweight stand bag with rain hood and cooler pocket
- Accuracy and precision
- Lots of forgiveness with oversized clubs
- Includes sand wedge and pitching wedge
Cons
- Not ideal for intermediate and advanced users
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There’s a reason this is called the perfect beginner’s set for women – because it is. It comes with all the essentials that one will require including a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. It can also be easily taken from a beginner set to an intermediate set by adding some supplemental pieces such as a 5-Iron, other longer irons, and a lob wedge.
Golf Clubs For Beginners To Intermediate: Buyer’s Guide
It’s extremely important to buy the right golf clubs for your level and know what to look for to boost your performance. There are many kinds of golf clubs, all for different purposes. Since the golf course consists of a lot of different kinds of terrain, it’s important to have a variety of clubs for different needs.
Just any old clubs will not do – to improve your game, it is essential to pick clubs that will benefit you specifically, and for that, you need to know what to look for. Fortunately, we have you covered. You can find the different clubs, what they’re used for, and what to look for in the below, broken down into different categories for convenience.
Driver
The driver is possibly the most important club in the set as it is used to hit the ball off of the tee initially, with the aim of the longest distance possible. Drivers come in different sizes, with the largest driver head allowed being 460cc. This is preferred by beginners because larger drivers are easier to hit and offer more forgiveness than smaller ones.
Drivers are made from a variety of materials, including steel, carbon, and titanium. Most use titanium and carbon because of their lightness compared to steel.
They also come in a variety of lofts which is important to consider because the loft should match the speed of a player’s swing. Commonly, the lofts are between 8 and 13 degrees.
- For those with slow swings, the ideal loft would be 12-13 degrees. This is usually preferred for women, senior players, and younger players.
- For those with a fast swing, loft should be 8-9 degrees. Because advanced players have fast swings, they can achieve a high distance with this loft. Beginners cannot do so and should avoid these.
- For those with an average swing, 9-11 degrees is ideal. This suits most players, whether they have a low handicap or a high handicap.
Woods
Shafts: Wood shafts come in two main materials – graphite and steel. While both have their advantages and disadvantages, graphite shafts are known for being lightweight and hitting the ball further, resulting in longer distances. Steel shafts, on the other hand, have the upper hand in being more precise, resulting in highly accurate shots.
Material: Wood heads also come in different materials – titanium, steel, and composite. These also have their unique advantages. While titanium heads are much lighter, steel heads are more durable and less expensive. Composite, on the other hand, combines different materials and is very forgiving. It also fixes off-center hits.
Irons
Numbers: Irons make up the majority of a golf club set and have different numbers. A rule of thumb is the lower the number, the harder the club is to control. However, this is made up by the fact that the lower the number, the more distance the shot covers.
Make: Irons come in two main makes – cast irons and forged irons. While cast irons are generally stronger, forged irons have the advantage of having a better feel.
Weight: The different weights in irons are perimeter-weighted irons and offset or draw-weighted irons. The former is easier to hit while the latter helps to lessen slicing.
Shafts: The two kinds of shafts seen in irons are graphite shafts and steel shafts. Graphite shafts are known for being lightweight, more flexible, and for absorbing vibration. Steel shafts are heavier but are less expensive than graphite shafts while also being stronger and more durable. They are less flexible and have stable torque. They also provide more feedback.
Wedges
The different kinds of wedges include pitching wedges (PW), sand wedges (SW), lob wedges (LW), and gap wedges (GW/AW). All have different lofts as outlined below:
- Pitching wedges – 46-50 degrees
- Sand wedges – 54-58 degrees
- Lob wedges – 60-64 degrees
- Gap wedges – 50-55 degrees
They also have specific purposes – lob wedges result in higher shots from shorter distances whereas sand wedges are usually for getting out of sand bunkers. Pitching wedges are mostly used to hit over obstacles or from short distances from the rough or fairway to the green, and are known for high shots.
Putters
Putters come in different styles including mallet putters, half-mallet putters, and blade putters. They each have their unique advantages:
- Mallet putters result in higher accuracy
- Half-mallet putters are easier to hit
- Blade putters help with distance control
Hybrid
Hybrids are a mix between irons and woods and are often used as alternatives to long irons. Although not necessary, hybrids are useful especially for beginners who are not used to long irons. Hybrids have the advantage of getting the ball in the air easily and are smooth over thick grass, making them ideal for the rough.
Conclusion
With the features and the guide in mind, our top picks would be the Wilson Profile SGI Complete Golf Set for men because of its SGI Technology and high-quality clubs. However, since this is mid-range, a more affordable option is the Callaway STRATA Men's Golf Sets.
For women, our top pick would be the Cobra Golf Women's XL Speed Complete Golf Set because of its lightweight clubs, perimeter weighting, and forgiveness. Because this is a very expensive product and not everyone can afford it, an affordable alternative is the Callaway STRATA Women's Golf Packaged Sets. This is a high-quality beginner’s set for women.
This concludes our top picks for the top golf clubs for beginners to intermediate players. We hope it helps you in making an informed and suitable purchase.
Happy golfing!
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Last update on 2023-06-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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