Best golf clubs for distance: Callaway Golf Paradym X

No matter what level of play you choose — nine holes, 18 holes, even just chipping balls on the driving range — golf is a game where your biggest opponent is yourself.

Jack Nicklaus has often said the game is 90% mental and just 10% physical. But no matter how much you have your head in the game, without the right hardware you could be playing at a deficit.

I spoke to top-level experts to help you choose the best golf clubs so you can play with confidence and accuracy.

Our top picks for the best golf clubs

Callaway Golf Paradym X
Callaway Golf Paradym X
buy on Callawayamazon
$999.95$889.76
Callaway is well-known for its powerful, easy-to-hit irons. “These Callaways hit very long and are arguably better built these days,” says Eric Hart, general manager and director of golf at Wild Marsh Golf Club. “You also have brands like PXG that are pushing the boundaries on what a club can do for distance, but with everything factored in, I’d still lean towards Callaway.”

Specifications
Number of clubs: Five.
Shaft: Steel.
Price on publish: $1,000.
What we like:
Longer distance technology.
A.I.-designed.
Premium forged feel.
What we don’t Like:
Pricey.
The AP Buyline takeaway
If you don’t mind the price point, these irons are great for increased distance and cleaner strikes.

Get here: Callaway Golf Paradym X

Best golf clubs for dispersion: Mizuno Pro 243

Mizuno Pro 243
Mizuno Pro 243
buy on Mizuno
These clubs are manufactured in Japan with a microlayer of copper beneath the patented nickel chrome head, to enhance the feel from the head. “Mizuno has emerged as a mainstream name in the club game, with incredible customization that allows every player to find the type, weight and precision of club fitting they’d like,” Hart explains.

Specifications
Clubs: Seven.
Shaft: Steel.
Price on publish: $1,400.
What we like:
Carbon steel shaft.
High-energy club face.
Fine-tuned head geometry.
What we don’t Like:
Pricey.
The AP Buyline takeaway
These irons provide fantastic consistency between good and bad shots with exceptional forgiveness.

Get here: Mizuno Pro 243

Best wedge golf club: Titleist Vokey Design SM10
Titleist Vokey Design SM10
Titleist Vokey Design SM10
buy on Golf Galaxy
A wedge is one of the most important clubs in your golf bag. They launch the ball for shorter distance shots and also get you out of the inevitable sand bunker. This one by Titleist is designed with the company’s spin milled grooves for a more solid impact, which helps give you more control and stability on every stroke. The grooves also help you maximize spin on the ball so it stops within your desired landing point.

Specifications
Clubs: One.
Shaft: Graphite or steel.
Price on publish: $199.99.
What we like:
Milled grooves for maximum spin.
Superior accuracy and control.
Optimized center of gravity for greater flight.
What we don’t Like:
Nothing — this wedge received majority five-star reviews from customers.
The AP Buyline takeaway
This wedge is raved about for best spin and flight with a great feel.

Get here: Titleist Vokey Design SM10

Best golf clubs for women: Callaway Golf XR Set

Callaway Golf XR Set
Callaway Golf XR Set
amazon
$1,499.99
“Callaway has emerged as the best all-around brand for clubs and drivers with their Paradym and Smoke lines,” Hart says. “With so many PGA players playing their clubs now, they have the name recognition. Also, their association with Topgolf sites around the country lets everyone try their clubs more than rival brands.”

Specifications
Clubs: 12.
Shaft: Graphite.
Price on publish: $1,469.95.
What we like:
460cc titanium driver.
Versatile hybrids.
Easy-to-hit distance irons.
What we don’t Like:
Some reviewers complain that the driver head is prone to breaking.
The AP Buyline takeaway
Coming from premier top brand Callaway, you will be hard-pressed to find a better set of clubs if you don’t mind the price point.

Get here: Callaway Golf XR Set

Best golf clubs for women: TaylorMade Kalea Premier Set

TaylorMade Kalea Premier Set
TaylorMade Kalea Premier Set
buy on TaylorMade
These clubs are engineered specifically for women golfers, packing lightweight speed, easier launch and maximum forgiveness. “TaylorMade’s Kalea set is my market favorite for women,” raves Hart. “They are not just a chopped-off, knocked down men’s set, but literally built for women. These are very high quality with brand name dependability.”

Specifications
Clubs: 11.
Shaft: Steel.
Price on publish: $1,699.99.
What we like:
Tour-proven technology.
Premium design.
Extreme playability and easy launch.
What we don’t Like:
Pricey.
The AP Buyline takeaway
This set of clubs is designed for amateur and intermediate women golfers or golfers who play socially.

Get here: TaylorMade Kalea Premier Set

Best golf clubs for beginners: Callaway Golf Strata Ultimate 16-Piece Set

Callaway Golf Strata Ultimate 16-Piece Set
Callaway Golf Strata Ultimate 16-Piece Set
buy on Callaway
If you’re just starting your foray on the links, you will need a decent set of clubs to hone your skills. These clubs by Callaway are perfect as a complete 16-piece set at a great price to get you going. They go beyond the standard clubs with four head covers, along with a full titanium driver, a fairway 3-wood, hybrids, irons and wedges and a putter. Most importantly, all these clubs are very forgiving, which is ideal for errors that come with starting out.

Specifications
Clubs: 11.
Shaft: Graphite.
Price on publish: $599.99.
What we like:
Very forgiving.
Reasonable price.
Sleek, attractive designs.
What we don’t Like:
Reviewers say the driver is not so durable and dents easily.
The AP Buyline takeaway
If you’re a beginner on the links, these clubs are a great buy as a complete set with a very attractive price.

Get here: Callaway Golf Strata Ultimate 16-Piece Set

Best golf clubs for forgiveness: Cobra Air-X 2 12-piece Set

Cobra Air-X 2 12-piece Set
Cobra Air-X 2 12-piece Set
buy on PGA tour superstore
Here is a complete set of clubs that will help you stroke through just about any situation you find yourself in on the links. They’re lightweight with graphite shafts, so they’re easy to swing, which will help you speed through your rounds with less fatigue. The superior forgiveness comes from Cobra’s signature H.O.T. Face technology, which helps generate spin and gives you faster ball speeds right across the face of the clubs.

Specifications
Clubs: 11.
Shaft: Graphite.
Price on publish: $1,500.
What we like:
Superior forgiveness.
Slice-preventing design.
Lightweight and easy to swing.
What we don’t Like:
Expensive.
The AP Buyline takeaway
A great choice for intermediate handicappers who want clubs that help improve stroke errors for improved accuracy.

Get here: Cobra Air-X 2 12-piece Set

Best golf driver: Ping G430 Max 10K

Ping G430 Max 10K
Ping G430 Max 10K
DICK’S Sporting Goods
$599.00
This superior driver can suit just about any level of golfer. Professionals have used this powerhouse driver on the PGA Tour, but its accurate playability off the tee makes it ideal for less proficient strikers, too. The shallower and thinner face optimizes faster ball speeds and increases spin control across the face for added distance.

Specifications
Clubs: One.
Shaft: Graphite.
Price on publish: $599.
What we like:
Thinner, shallower face.
Eye-pleasing design.
Powerful sound off the tee.
What we don’t Like:
Nothing. This is one of the most powerful golf drivers on the market.
The AP Buyline takeaway
Ping brings forth one of their most powerful, accurate and forgiving drivers to date for pro and intermediate golfers alike.

Get here:Ping G430 Max 10K

Best golf clubs for midhandicappers: Cobra F-Max Superlite

Cobra F-Max Superlite
Cobra F-Max Superlite
amazon
$999.95
Cobra’s F-Max Superlite clubs consist of the lightest and most forgiving driver, fairway wood, hybrids and irons. Each is engineered with lighter head weights, grip weights and shaft weights to deliver unrivaled distance and accuracy for golfers with moderate swing speeds. Add in the very sleek designs, full-feature golf bag and reasonable price and you have a great set of clubs for midhandicappers.

Specifications
Clubs: 11.
Shaft: Graphite.
Price on publish: $999.95.
What we like:
Lightweight graphite shafts.
Very forgiving.
Superior distance and accuracy.
What we don’t Like:
Should be a complete 12-club set for the price.
The AP Buyline takeaway
These clubs are lightweight with great forgiveness to maximize your distance and accuracy.

Get here: Cobra F-Max Superlite

Best golf clubs for professionals: TaylorMade RBZ Speedlite Set

TaylorMade RBZ Speedlite Set
TaylorMade RBZ Speedlite Set
buy on TaylorMade
When it comes to clubs used by PGA Tour golfers, it’s often literally a mixed bag. Top golf pros usually mix and alter their clubs according to their sponsors, and may have more than one brand in their set of clubs. However, to play with a complete set of clubs that many pro golfers use, we suggest the TaylorMade RBZ Speedlite set. They provide easy launch, explosive distance and maximum distance in one lightweight package.

Specifications
Clubs: 12.
Shaft: Graphite or steel.
Price on publish: $1,299.99.
What we like:
Lightweight.
High launch and forgiveness.
Proven technologies.
What we don’t Like:
Some reviewers say the driver and fairway wood are not so durable.
The AP Buyline takeaway
As one of the most renowned brands in golf, this set is an excellent buy for handicappers with an advanced game.

Get here: TaylorMade RBZ Speedlite Set

What to consider when buying golf clubs
Forgiveness
On your opening drives, you want to hit the ball as accurately and as far as you can to stay on par. You won’t hit the proverbial sweet spot every stroke, so you want a club that gives you good forgiveness on not-so-good swings.

“This is highly related to the function of clubs and personal goals of improvements in distance and direction,” says Junghoon Lee, assistant director of the PGA golf management university program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “Even most tour professionals choose clubs that give them forgiveness when making an error. Their margin of error is much smaller, but it still influences the loss of distance or side and backspin rates due to centeredness of contact and face angle at impact.”

Design and materials
The shafts of your clubs — the long, tapered tube that connects the golfer’s hands to the club head — are essential to each individual’s personal swing. They are usually made of steel or graphite, and choosing the right shaft for your clubs is all part of the goal of giving you consistency.

“Choosing the right club shafts can be as personal as choosing a sports car versus an SUV,” Lee says. “It can be solely based on personal preference, but it definitely influences players’ performance. As a player feels comfortable setting up their shot at address and satisfied with a touch at impact, they tend to trust their shots more and visualize them through execution without any doubts.”

Price
Most people know that golf is a costly hobby. According to a Golf Channel survey, the cost of an 18-hole round can average about $36, with private courses going much higher. When buying golf clubs, consider them an investment.

“Major golf club vendors launch new versions of their clubs annually or biannually,” Lee says. “Most vendors have multiple options for different skill level players. Many of them have trade-in opportunities or resale initiatives. So, if you expect some improvements in your game within a few years and love to try new clubs, considering your resale value is beneficial when you buy.”

How we selected the best golf clubs
I enlisted top golf industry experts for their professional insight on choosing the best golf clubs. I also conducted extensive research into the experts’ choices and screened multiple customer reviews for my picks.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What are the loft angles on golf clubs?
“Loft angles are a distance factor, as they allow golfers to control launch angles, ball spin rates and carry distance,” Lee says. “So, they allow you to send the ball further.”

How often should I replace my golf clubs?
“Generally speaking, when golfers use clubs for a long time, they lose distance due to grooves becoming worn out or loft angles becoming tilted,” Lee says. “If you’re an avid golfer and love to use newly produced clubs, every two years would be ideal, especially if you utilize resale values.”

Do expensive golf clubs really make a difference?
“They could,” Lee says. “Typically, prices fluctuate based on shaft selections that help neutralize errors or maximize abilities that golfers have. Club fitting is recommended once players establish patterns of good and bad shots. Some luxury clubs, such as PXG or Honma, may be worth purchasing for some golfers, as they motivate them to play and practice, which relates to their performance results.” As for expensive golf balls, wait until you’ve developed some serious skills before investing in pro-level models.

Can I use the same set of golf clubs for all types of courses?
“For some amateurs, yes,” Lee says. “But they can also consider lowering loft degrees for drivers, and selecting wedges, hybrids or driving irons instead of woods, depending on the types of courses they are playing.”

How do I know if a golf club is right for me?
“Realistically, the average score and the quality of performance should be considered when evaluating your own clubs,” says Lee. “If your clubs do not minimize your mistakes or maximize your ability to create certain ball flights, then it’s time to consider changing.”