Quick Rank - Top 3
Best Overall: Callaway Strata Set
Best Premium Option: Cobra Air X Set
Best Alternate Option: Stix Perform Series
What Are the Best Beginner Golf Clubs?
Choosing the right set of golf clubs for a beginner can be tricky. On one hand, you want to get something good enough to give you the best chance at success.
On the other hand, you don't necessarily want to spend too much now since you're more likely to get a proper set in the near future after your first year of improvement.
Therefore, the best set for beginners is durable, affordable, and good enough to produce solid strikes and distance.
This list should be the last list you read to make the best decision.
The All Around Best Beginner Golf Clubs ($399 on Amazon)
Chris's Take
There is simply no better beginner golf club set option than the Strata Set from Callaway Golf. They're highly affordable, contain all the tools you need, and produce excellent results.
If you gave these clubs to a highly skilled golfer, they could still hit the ball consistently well.
At the same time, the cavity-backed iron set and large driver and woods will allow maximum forgiveness for beginners just starting.
The bag comes complete with fairway woods, irons with durable steel shafts, putter, wedge, and driver.
The bag itself is lightweight and also comes with plenty of pocket space to store all those extra balls you'll be needing.
If you're struggling to decide on beginner golf clubs, I recommend ending your search here and checking these out. I have played with countless golfers who started with these and have grown into strong golfers since. This is the best starting point for beginner golfers, hands down.
Best For: An Overall Solution
Price: $399
Ranking: 9.5/10
The Best Premium Beginner Golf Clubs ($999 on Amazon)
For those looking for a complete set that you don't have to think about and can use for a long time, this is the best set for you.
This is a complete set of quality clubs from Cobra, a highly trusted brand that has been making clubs for all skill levels for years. The bag comes equipped with all the clubs you need - driver, woods, hybrids, wedges, and putter.
The irons, in particular, are where this bag shines for beginners. They are durable, sleek, and higher lofted with fine-tuned weighting to produce maximum forgiveness.
The golf bag itself rivals the quality of any after-market bag a golfer might purchase. It's big but not necessarily too heavy to lug around.
It is pricier than the strata set, but if you want something that you will hold on to for a while or generally want something a bit higher quality, you will notice it with this set.
Best For: A Premium Option That Will Last
Price: $999
Ranking: 9.3/10
Best Alternative Golf Club Option ($999 on Stix Website)
If you want something different from the classic beginner-looking golf club sets from the other major golf companies, these Stix golf clubs are a great option.
The Stix golf complete golf set is geared towards a minimalistic, sleek-designed, yet high-quality club seeker. This is the set for people who don't want to think and just want to get out there and play while looking good at the same time.
It will also take a lot of work to find a better-looking golf bag. It gives a tech-forward Silicon Valley feeling. It's a refreshing look to golf.
But don't get it twisted; these Stix golf clubs will perform. The driver and fairway woods feel powerful in your hand, and the irons are noticeably durable.
Again, a good golfer can pick these up and produce pure golf ball strikes immediately. But they're still designed for that beginner golfer-to-average golfer in terms of forgiveness.
Best For: Sleek Design, Alternative Option
Price: $999
Ranking: 8.9/10
The Best Strata-Alternative (399 on Amazon)
Putting a category for "Best Strata Alternative" on the list might be giving the Strata a bit too much credit, but there's a reason it's number one - they are EVERYWHERE on the golf course. It's hard to miss a Strata bag out there.
Because of that, I wanted to provide one option that's similar in quality, made by another trusted brand, and priced reasonably. This is an excellent comparable option for beginner golfers.
The golf bag itself is very lightweight and makes for a great Sunday carry bag. The clubs are forgiving but, like the strata's, still don't lack in performance. I recommend at least checking these out for a beginner buying clubs.
Best For: Performance at a Fair Price
Price: $399
Ranking: 8.7/10
The Best For Forgiveness ($1,249 on Amazon)
When I first read Golf Monthly's article on testing these, I was immediately impressed by how noticeable they found the forgiveness of them. I have only played a few PXG clubs, but they consistently get excellent reviews from their fans. So, I am compelled to include their entry-level offering on this list.
These clubs look fantastic, and the irons, in particular, resemble a hybrid in their club head design. This is aimed to produce more forgiveness, specifically for the new golfer.
These are definitely on the pricier end, but I'd expect these to last a new golfer for a long time. This is an appealing club for the new golfer who wants to buy a set and stick with it for a while
What to Look for When Purchasing Beginner Clubs
Choosing a complete golf club set is challenging for new golfers when you consider how expensive golf clubs have gotten over the years. Choosing something that will help you save money is typically a good idea for a beginner golfer. They'll allow you to learn and won't upset you after you give them a beating. Buying a complete club set is much easier than buying clubs individually for someone just starting.
After a year or so of learning, you can upgrade to a higher-quality set that will last you long into your golf career. But initially, starting with something inexpensive that will help you optimize for learning is a good idea.
That said, you don't want to skip quality, either. A poorly-made golf club will make even well-struck golf shots look like a mis-hit. Finding that balance was a critical goal of ours when creating this list.
Summary
The best golf clubs for beginners have a few things in common. Affordability, durability, and performance. Combining these 3 qualities will give you the best shot at learning and enjoying your entrance into the golf game.