How much is a good set of new golf clubs?

Golf has this weird way of exciting and frustrating players at the same time. A round of golf is like an emotional rollercoaster: You’ll have a fair amount of repulsive shots that make you want to chuck your driver into the woods and leave you questioning your very existence, a large number of average shots that are never quite good enough but allow you to maintain some sanity, and just enough brag-worthy shots that make you want to pop your collar, save your scorecard, and come back next week for another ride (or round).

Even if you can’t break 100 on 18 holes, playing a round with your buddies and a couple of frosty beverages is a foolproof recipe for enjoyment. To really get the most out of your time on the course, you’ll need your own set of golf clubs, with a range of irons, wedges, and woods to match your level of experience and style of play.

The Best Golf Club Sets

• Best Game-Improving Irons

  Big Bertha Iron Set, 5-PW Callaway Read More

• 16-Club Men's Complete Golf Club Set Strata Read More

• Golf Profile Platinum Complete Package Set Wilson Read More

• Best Distance Iron Set Under $900

  SIM2 Max Iron Set, 5-PW TaylorMade Read More

• Best Graphite Set for Women

  Women's Profile SGI Complete Golf Club Set Wilson Read More

• Best Budget Set for Women

  XD1 Ladies Complete Golf Clubs Set Aspire Read More

What to Consider

When searching for the right set of clubs, we recommend you consider the amount and type of clubs, the skill level that the clubs are geared toward, and whether a bag is included.

➥Complete Sets Versus Irons-Only Sets

A complete set has everything you need — driver, woods, irons (and sometimes hybrids), wedges, and a putter. These are a great option for anyone who wants to unbox their clubs and hit the course, but top-of-the-line clubs usually are not sold as a complete set. If you want to build a custom set that better fits your skill level, you’ll likely want to start with a set of irons, then add whatever clubs speak to you most individually.

➥Skill Level

Golf clubs are made with a specific type of player in mind, relating most to skill level. A low-scoring golfer will want to swing “player’s irons,” which have better feel, control, and pinpoint accuracy, but only if you swing them just right. The margin for error is small with a player’s iron. On the other side of the spectrum, “game-improving” irons have a weight, shape, and size that improves distance with a larger sweet spot, which is ideal for less-skilled players.

➥Bags

Bags are typically only included with a complete set. If you’re starting with irons and building your own club set, you’ll need to buy a bag separately. Golf bags come in two main styles: cart bags and stand bags. A cart bag is exactly what it sounds like: It’s made for riding in the golf cart, and you wouldn't want to carry it for long (unless you're a caddy). A stand bag has two legs that extend when you set it down, so it stays upright on its own. Stand bags are the most common and convenient option because you can use them when walking the course, but they can also be strapped into the cart when you want to ride 18 holes.

We've compiled a guide to this year's best golf clubs to help you get course-ready. We touched on a few complete sets that are ready to play right out of the box with woods, irons, wedges, a putter, and a bag. We're also recommending some iron-only club sets for the golfer who's looking to mix and match for a custom-filled set. As the weather warms up, check out these top-rated golf clubs from some of the game’s most trusted brands.

Many new golf players either rent their clubs or borrow a set from friends. But after a few games, not having your own set of golf clubs can become inconvenient. What happens if you show up for tee time and all of the sets have been rented out? Not to mention that playing with different sets can affect how well you will play. Each time you play with new clubs, you have to become accustomed to them. For many golfers, purchasing their own set of golf clubs is a wise choice. In this article we discuss the price of golf clubs and what you should expect to pay for a set.

Topics

• How Much Do Golf Clubs Cost? $250 to $350
• What Does a Set of Golf Clubs Consist Of? 
• Cost of Golf Clubs by Type
• Average Cost Of Golf Clubs for Beginners: $200 to $300
• Average Cost of Golf Clubs for Intermediate Players 
• Should I Buy Used Golf Clubs? 

How Much Do Golf Clubs Cost? $250 to $350

When researching, “How much is a set of golf clubs?”, you may be in for some initial sticker shock. A complete set of golf clubs can cost as much as $1,000. The good news is, your average beginner to intermediate player will still play a good game at a much lower price point, in the $250 to $350 range. 

When it comes to men’s and women’s clubs, there’s more of a difference than just the color of the bag. Women’s golf clubs are tailored to accommodate shorter heights and lighter body weights. And women’s clubs often have smaller shafts to fit smaller hands. When comparing within the same brand, you can expect men’s clubs to cost more than women’s. 

When shopping on Amazon, the average golf club sets cost:

Kids and teens need smaller clubs. These sets are sometimes labeled “junior.” Younger golfers can expect to pay:

While left-handed clubs are harder to find, they typically cost the same as their right-handed counterparts.

When shopping for golf clubs, only buy from authorized sellers. The problem of counterfeit golf clubs is so widespread that there is a group to combat it, The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group. Fake clubs are more than just a stolen logo or brand name; they are often of poor quality. This won’t do anything for your game, but it’s also a safety issue. The heads can fly off or shafts can break while you are playing. When shopping online for a set of golf clubs, look at customer reviews and understand any return policies.

What Does a Set of Golf Clubs Consist Of? 

According to official golf rules, players can carry up to 14 clubs at a time.  Many golf pros say that beginners and intermediate players won’t need that many. Full sets vary on what they contain but will have some combination of:

• Drivers
• Woods
• Hybrids
• 1 through 9 irons
• Pitching wedges
• Sand wedges
• Putters

At a minimum, beginner players should carry a driver, a 3 wood and a 5 wood, an assortment of irons, a wedge and a putter. As for irons, most beginning golfers won’t notice the difference between some of them. Beginners may want to carry 3, 5, 7 and 9 irons and add to their set as they become more experienced.Golf clubsets also include a carrying bag and oftentimes club covers.

Purchasing a complete set is more economical than purchasing individual clubs. However, there are reasons some golfers prefer to buy a single club.

Cost of Golf Clubs by Type

When performance outweighs the need to keep costs low, building your own set can help you play your best game. And as you become more familiar with different brands, you may seek out one brand for woods and another for irons. When purchasing individual clubs, you can expect to pay: 

Average Cost Of Golf Clubs for Beginners: $200 to $300

New golfers may be tempted to buy the best clubs they can afford, but pros advise against this. Beginner sets have features that new players will appreciate, including larger clubhead sizes and lightweight graphite shafts. These sets are highly rated for new players:

Average Cost of Golf Clubs for Intermediate Players 

There is considerable overlap ingolf clubsets that are recommended for beginner and intermediate players. But in many intermediate sets, you can expect higher quality, larger bags to accommodate more clubs.  And often, these sets contain more irons. These sets come highly rated for any beginning player ready to step up their game:

Wilson Golf Men’s Ultra Complete Package Set, $287

Callaway Strata Women’s Ultimate Complete Golf set, $322

Precise Teenager Complete Golf Set, $190. This set is designed for youth 5ft to 5ft 8in, and is a good buy for teens who have outgrown their kid’s set.

Should I Buy Used Golf Clubs? 

Buying used golf clubs will save you money, as long as you are smart about it. It is always better to buy usedgolf clubsets in person. Seeing the clubs in person will allow you to carefully inspect them and make sure they are in good working order. When purchasing used golf clubs, take into account any return policy the seller has.

How much is a brand new set of golf clubs?

What is the best set of clubs for an average golfer?