Top 12 Best Golf Clubs On The Market In 2023 [Expert Review]

Choosing a best golf club or a set of golf clubs takes patience, time, and money.

When you feel like you have a handle on all the great equipment available, something new is released. Golf clubs are continually changing, continually evolving, and most of it is for the better.

In this guide, we made things as simple as we possibly could.

We want you to be less overwhelmed and ready to start hitting the golf course instead of just searching for clubs on the internet. Here are our favorite golf clubs available today.

 

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Best Complete Golf Club Set: Callaway Strata 16-Piece Set

 

 

PROS

• Very forgiving
• Easy to hit
• 16 Piece Set is a great set makeup
• Good short game tools
• Nice stand bag

CONS

• Not the best for a very fast swing speed golfer

Whether you are just starting out or you are tired of spending thousands of dollars to put a decent set together, the Callaway Strata has you covered.

This complete set is offered in several different styles. 

From a value standpoint, we really like the 16 piece golf set. This set comes with a Driver, 3 wood, 4 & 5 hybrid, 6-9 iron, Pitching and Sand Wedge, Putter, and the golf bag.

Many club sets golf has to offer to leave out the sand wedge and certainly do not feature two hybrids. 

You can get plenty of distance from the Strata clubs, and they are high launching and forgiving as well. The clubhead is slightly oversized and offset.

The set comes with a really nice lightweight stand bag that makes walking the golf course a breeze.

Overall it’s hard to go wrong with the Strata when it comes to both value and performance.

 

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Best Driver: Callaway Mavrik Driver

 

 

PROS

• High-end technology
• Tons of ball speed
• Available in three different models to fit a wide range of players
• Forgiving
• Adjustable

CONS

• Newer release so pricing is higher

If you read our reviews, you know how we felt about the Callaway Epic Flash Driver in 2019. It was one of the fastest, highest-performing clubs that we ever had the pleasure of hitting.

Well, somehow, Callaway has done it again with this all-new Mavrik driver. 

The face of the Mavrik has a new architecture and the FS2S Titanium. It’s an extremely light material, lighter than traditional titanium, and it helps promote higher speeds, more forgiveness, and just the right amount of spin. 

Inside the Mavrik, you will find jailbreak bars that have been a part of the Callaway technology for a few years.

Using artificial intelligence, this club has reduced drag, plenty of speed, and fantastic feel and sound.

Where we felt there were slight issues with the sound and forgiveness on the Epic Flash, that has been cleared up with the Mavrik.

Read our best golf drivers buying guide.

 

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Best Fairway Wood: Cobra Speedzone

 

 

PROS

• Baffler rails help out of any lie
• Adjustable club head
• High performing shaft
• Available in three different degrees

CONS

• Larger club head brings confidence for some, but others find it too large

If you read our guides and reviews about fairway woods, we stress that adjustability is one of the things that sets a this apart from the crowd.

If you like tinkering with your golf clubs to get them to be a great fit for you, you will love the new Speedzone.

What’s even better than tinkering is checking the results using an app on our phone. This is undoubtedly a “smart” fairway wood and one that we recommend highly for any handicap level.

The CNC milled face gives the Cobra Speedzone impeccable feel and precision as well.

The Baffler Rail technology remains a big part of the Speedzone, and it helps it to cut through any type of turf to make solid contact with the ball.

 

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Best Irons: TaylorMade SIM MAX

 

 

PROS

• High ball speeds
• Forgiving
• Great ball flight and launch
• Forged like feel in a cavity back iron

CONS

• Club head looks a little bulky

We loved the M6 irons that TaylorMade put out in 2019, and frankly, we didn’t think they could do all that much better.

It turns out we were wrong. The SIM MAX is the closest that a cavity back iron has come to feeling like a forged golf club.

The ECHO damping system used to build these irons makes a big difference when it comes to the feel and the sound at impact. You feel like you are in complete control of the golf ball with almost no vibration in the hands.

The SIM MAX is equipped with the Speed Bridge technology, which comes as no surprise. We have seen this speed pocket and speed bridge evolve through the years.

The more time TaylorMade has worked on it, the faster the ball speeds we can see. Pair this set of irons with a few of the SIM Max hybrids, and you will have a set that is ready to compete with the best.

Check our Guide on the top rated golf irons

 

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Best Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM MAX

 

 

PROS

• Twist face technology
• V Steel sole
• C300 strong face
• Very fast ball speeds
• Speed pocket technology

CONS

• Club head looks a little boxy for some

If you are going to purchase our favorite set of irons, you may throw in a hybrid or two.

Not only do the SIM MAX hybrids match perfectly and transition well into the irons, but they make a great hybrid to replace those pesky long irons.

The SIM MAX hybrid is long, but it’s the turf interaction that sets it apart. TaylorMade brought back the V Steel sole with this club.

It does not matter if you are in the fairway or the rough, the way the SIM MAX interacts with the grass is pretty remarkable.

There is certainly no reason to leave any long irons in your golf back now that these clubs exist.

The SIM MAX hybrids are available in 5 different lofts, so you should be able to find a club head that matches well with your game.

Read our best golf hybrid clubs buying guide.

 

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Best Wedges: Cleveland RTX

 

 

PROS

• Tour zip grooves
• Very easy to spin
• Available in many different combinations
• Priced well

CONS

• Can’t choose the degree of bounce

There is nothing we love more than a wedge that looks like a players club but performs for the mid handicappers.

The Cleveland RTX is available in so many different loft and bounce combinations that you will want more of these than you have room for in the bag.

In addition to the Tour Zip Grooves and the amazing club face finishes, these clubs actually come at a great price.

If you want a wedge that feels good, spins like crazy around the greens, and doesn’t break the bank, the RTX is the way to go.

Read our best golf wedges buying guide.

 

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Best Putter: Odyssey Stroke Lab EXO Putter

 

 

PROS

• Easy to align
• Great feel
• Very stable at impact
• Available in several different designs

CONS

• Expensive

The Stroke Lab putters have been around for quite some time, but the EXO is the newest release.

There is no question that Odyssey makes some of the best putters in golf. They know how to combine feel and performance.

The EXO is undoubtedly a modern-looking mallet design, but it has a very large sweet spot, and the club head is very easy to align.

If you ever feel as though your putting stroke is not stable at impact, this is one putter you will want to try.

For golfers that want something a little smaller, there are other Stroke Lab models that can make tremendous differences in your golf game.

Read our best golf putters buying guide.

 

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Best Utility Club: Srixon ZX

PROS

• Smaller and more compact with no less forgiveness 
• High ball speed
• A great alternative to hybrids 
• Forged face for a better feel 

CONS

• Not as confidence-inducing as a hybrid

If long irons are not a fit for your game, and the hybrid is not appealing, the utility club is a perfect choice. There are fewer utility irons on the market than there are hybrids, so when you find a good one, you will want to take advantage. 

Our favorite utility club is the Srixon ZX. This is a great looking golf club with plenty of added forgiveness and control. The head is a a bit smaller and more compact than others on the market. For golfers that need forgiveness, don’t be considered; Srixon made sure to pack plenty in. 

The multi material contraction ensures that there is more tungsten in the clubs that need it the most. A higher MOI than previous versions has the ZX standing out from others. 

To help increase overall ball speed, the hollow construction also adds more forgiveness and speed. For golfers that have struggled to bridge that gap between irons and fairways, this is the club. 

 

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Best Driver for Distance: TaylorMade Stealth Driver

 

 

PROS

• High MOI when compared to Stealth +
• Carbon Twist Face technology 
• Flexible SPeed Pocket to maximize speeds

CONS

• Had a high starting price in 2023

The TaylorMade Stealth Driver is built with a Carbon clubface, something that we have not seen from other golf club manufacturers. When TaylorMade put this Stealth driver out, you can imagine it was a highly anticipated release. 

With the new 60x Carbon Twist Face in place, players can optimize distance and fine-tune the launch and spin that they get from the club head. In addition, there is more MOI in this clubhead than in the Stealth+. If you need that little bit of extra forgiveness in the clubhead to maximize distance, Stealth can do it. 

In addition to being a high-performing golf club, Stealth also has a great look to it. Players will notice that they can get more speed, and their overall confidence at setup is considerably higher with the Stealth in their hands. 

If you want something new that goes a long way, this is a driver to try. 

 

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Best Hybrid Irons: Cleveland Launcher XL Irons

 

 

PROS

• Designed to help get the ball in the air
• Made with advancements in AI Technology 
• Action mass CB for added control

CONS

• Short Irons are not as accurate

Most golfers carry at least one hybrid in their bag, but some players need more than one hybrid. If you are a golfer that wants a bit more technology than just a single hybrid, then a set of hybrid irons could be a good choice. 

Although other companies like CObra have now released their own version of hybrid irons, the Cleveland Launcher XL Irons stand out as some of the best. Cleveland has been using this hybrid iron technology for several years, and they have learned how to maximize distance and forgiveness. 

The new XL Head design from Cleveland gives more room for forgiveness and increases maximum distance. In addition, there is a rail to V shaped sole design that encourages better turf interaction. 

With Cleveland XL Halo irons, you will find the Action Mass CB placed at the end of the grip to control the clubhead more and improve overall consistency in the shots that you hit. In addition, the Hibore Crown increases the launch of the golf shots to further improve performance.

 

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Best Irons For Lower Handicappers: Callaway Golf Rogue ST Pro

 

 

PROS

• A great mix of forgiveness and distance 
• Great for the mid to low handicappers 
• Lots of ball speed
• Golfers can work the ball

CONS

• Still not as precise as a true blade style iron

The Callaway Golf Rogue ST Pro iron set is one of the best choices on the market for lower handicappers. When golfers have a low handicap, they need to look for a great feel in a set of golf irons. However, giving up on distance and forgiveness is tough. 

With the Callaway Golf Rogue ST Pro, players can get a little bit of performance that increases launch, slightly improves forgiveness, and still delivers a ton of ball speed. 

We love this iron for the mid to low handicap golfer that has realized accuracy and precision are very important parts of the game. With the 450 steel club head combined with the Flash Face Cup, also expect some high ball speeds from this iron. 

The Rogue ST Pro may look like a sleek blade style iron, but they are more of a player’s distance iron. The top-down look of the Rogue ST Pro is thin, something that Callaway struggles with throughout the rest of their set. 

Overall, players have been happy with this club’s performance in 2023. 

 

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Best Irons For Mid Handicappers: Cobra LTDx Golf Irons

 

 

PROS

• A great choice for golfers that are looking for more accuracy 
• Great stopping power on the greens 
• Impressive feel for a cavity back game improvement iron

CONS

• The iron face feels a little hot at first, but you can get used to it

The Cobra LTDx irons feature everything that a mid-handicapper could look for in a club. Cobra was sure to check all the boxes for distance, forgiveness, and accuracy. However, first, they focused on power. 

Cobra has had a hard time making best golf clubs that compete from a distance standpoint, but that is no longer the case with the LTDx. Golfers notice that the multi-material weight system and a steel core bar increase the ball speed that comes off the clubface. 

In addition, the new Pwrshell Face Design covers a larger area on the club head to increase total forgiveness. Essentially, even if you miss the center of the clubface, you are still going to see quite a bit of distance from the clubs. 

Each of the Cobra LTDx irons has a CNC Milled Face and Grooves. If you lack that stopping power on your approach shots to the green, the LTDx can get it done for you. In addition, the club head is not overly bulky. 

 

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Best Golf Glubs Buying Guide

Now that you have a handle on the best clubs available, it’s essential to know how to choose the best ones for you.

Here is a simple guide that will help you understand what golf clubs you should be putting in your bag. 

Handicap

Many people wonder if you should choose golf clubs based on preference and feel or based on your handicap.

There are golf clubs made for every handicap level, and some people choose to follow these guidelines, and others want to stick with what they like regardless of it is suitable for their game. 

Here are some general guidelines for what to look for in a golf set of clubs based on your handicap level. 

• Very Low Handicap: Blades
• Low Handicap: Forged Irons
• Mid Handicap: Cavity Back (Game Improvement) or Mixed Forged Set
• High Handicap: Super Game Improvement 

Handicaps can change quite often and people that are looking to get down to the next handicap level should choose clubs that help them get there and stay there as well. 

Shaft

Golfers can get confused about golf shafts in their clubs. There are some things that you should know about golf shafts if you want to end up with the best clubs in your bag. 

Flex

There are several shaft flexes available. The flex that you need for your golf club will be largely based on the speed of your golf swing.

The different flex options that are available are . . . 

• X-Stiff
• Stiff
• Regular
• Senior
• Ladies

Material

The two basic types of shaft materials are graphite and steel. Graphite shafts are best for players that want more distance and may lack some club head speed and strength.

Steel shafts are best for the golfers that have speed, but they want some more control with their clubs. 

Both steel and graphite shafts come in a variety of weights, but generally speaking, the graphite shafts are going to be considerably lighter than the steel. 

Almost all drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids are going to have a graphite shaft, and that is important when it comes to their performance. 

Set Makeup

Some golfers choose to purchase a complete set of clubs because putting together an iron set with all the woods and hybrids can be overwhelming.

There is no perfect set makeup when it comes to golf.

There are a few things that we recommend you consider when putting together the best golf clubs sets out there. 

• You will want at least one fairway wood in your bag
• Most golfers are choosing at least two hybrids and much fewer irons
• It’s generally more important to have an extra wedge in your bag than it is to have an extra fairway wood 
• Check the gapping on all of your clubs, if your pitching wedge and gap wedge only have two degrees of loft between them try to set up a gap that makes more sense
• Just because you can carry fourteen clubs in your golf bag does not mean that you have to
• Choosing a few clubs that have adjustability can make your set more flexible when playing courses away from home

Hopefully you will find a set makeup that works best for you.

Pricing

Just because a golf club is the most expensive does not mean that it will be the right choice for your game. In golf, you have to mix the price with the functionality and the performance.

High handicappers don’t need a $500 driver unless their budget allows, and they want one. 

Also, Read – Best Golf Clubs Under $500

If you choose equipment made in the last three years, you can usually find some great deals without spending too much money.

We love to recommend getting adjustable clubs so that if your game makes some significant changes, you may just need a turn of a wrench to feel like you have a new club in your bag again.

Whatever you decide to pay for a set, make sure you save room in your budget for a putter. The putter is the club that you will use the most in a round, and it deserves a nice chunk of your budget. 

Check our complete guide on the Best Sand Wedges by Skilled Golf

Read Also: Where to Buy Used Golf Clubs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best golf club brands for an average golfer?

Average golfers should think about Callaway, TaylorMade, and Cobra when they are shopping for new clubs. These three brands have always done a good job of producing golf clubs that blend forgiveness and distance. 

What are the best wedges 2023? 

The best wedges of 2023 were the Cleveland Zipcore wedges. However, for lower handicap golfers, we also liked the Titleist SM 9 wedges. 

What are the best irons 2023? 

The best irons of 2023 were the Cobra LTDx for the average golfer. These clubs had a high launch and plenty of distance, making it easier for golfers to decrease dispersion rates in their shots. 

What are the 3 most used golf clubs?

The 3 most used golf clubs in the bag can vary depending on the course you play and your handicap. However, the driver, pitching wedge, and putter are usually among the top 3. As far as irons are concerned, most golfers find that the 7 iron is the most commonly used iron.

Conclusion

There is no shortage of great clubs in golf. Hopefully, this guide helped you to narrow down some of what is out there and make decisions that will help bring your game to the next level.

Although we covered quite a bit of equipment in this guide, we still feel like the Callaway Strata Complete Golf Club Set provides the best option for an overall club set for a beginner. 

If you are new to golf and you are getting overwhelmed by the options out there and the fact that the pricing feels like it never stops going up, don’t give up.

The Strata is a great way to get your foot in the game and eventually progress and build up to some of these more expensive options.

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