Compared to team sports such as basketball or soccer, a round of golf is an expensive endeavor. However, an astute purchasing strategy can help you find a suitable set of golf clubs in your price range.
In this post, I explain how much you can expect to pay for a good set of clubs.
How Much Does a Good Set of Golf Clubs Cost?
Beginners (New vs Used)
As a beginner, you need to fill your bag from scratch. The easiest approach is to acquire a complete set. This saves you the hassle of individually sourcing each individual club, but it has its downsides. Complete golf club sets contain stock shafts and lofts, which may not suit your swing.
In addition, full sets contain a limited selection of golf clubs. A titanium driver typically heads up the bag, followed by 3-wood. Some packages also include a 5-wood, but it is more common to see a 4 and 5-hybrid.
An entire golf club set ranges in price. It depends on the composition of the bag, and the brand. For example, a new Callaway Strata 12-piece set fetches $370, while the 16-piece edition runs for $580.
Conversely, a second-hand golf club set can run between $250 to $600. It depends on the condition of the golf clubs, their brand, and the number of pieces in the set.
Mid Handicapper (New vs Used)
Intermediate golfers should possess a complete club set at this stage. Therefore, if you change equipment, you may do so at various stages. For example, you may start with a new set of irons. Then wedges, woods, and a putter.
Purchasing clubs individually may lead to a higher overall cost. However, it gives you the freedom to acquire the optimal specs for your golf swing.
Let me break down the cost of a new set of clubs before diving into pre-owned options. A new golf driver.
A brand new driver for mid-handicap golfers costs between $350 to $600, while a fairway wood fetches $180 to $280 per unit. Furthermore, a hybrid is priced between $150 to $300 an item, while a set of irons is between $380 to $1000.
A pitching, sand, or lob wedge, sets beginners back $80 to $230, depending on the brand and quality. Finally, a new putter runs anywhere from $100 to $250. Therefore, an average set will cost an intermediate golfer between $1300 and $2000.
Conversely, the table below highlights the breakdown of costs for each type of club. Contrary to a new set, a pre-owned collection runs between $680 and $1500.
Club | Price (New) |
Price (Pre-owned)
|
Driver | $350 – $600 | $80 – $300 |
Fairway Wood | $180 – $280 | $70 – $250 |
Hybrids | $150 – $300 | $50 – $250 |
Iron Set | $380 – $1000 | $360 – $760 |
Wedges | $80 – $230 | $30 – $180 |
Putter | $100 – $250 | $90 – $200 |
Advanced (New vs Used)
The price of a hybrid club, driver, and fairway wood is the same as the intermediate equivalent. Where the prices change is with the irons. Superior golfers typically prefer the forged design and soft feel of blades. These irons promote maximum workability and spin for control on approach.
Blades are also known as muscle back irons as they do not contain a cavity. Therefore, they provide less forgiveness than game improvement irons due to a reduced sweet spot. These irons are forged from a single piece of steel, requiring precise workmanship.
Moreover, forged irons are more expensive compared to the technology-packed game improvement clubs. Therefore, you can expect to fork out between $1300 to $2000 for a set of irons, which include a gap and pitching wedge.
Based on our chart below, a new set of clubs for low handicaps total between $2500 and $3500. On the contrary, you can prepare to spend $1400 to $2700 for a set of pre-owned golf clubs.
Club | Price (New) |
Price (Pre-owned)
|
Driver | $350 – $600 | $80 – $300 |
Fairway Wood | $180 – $280 | $70 – $250 |
Hybrids | $150 – $300 | $50 – $250 |
Iron Set | $1,300 – $2,000 | $1,000 – $1,500 |
Wedges | $80 – $230 | $30 – $180 |
Putter | $150 – $300 | $100 – $200 |
Breakdown by Club and Skill Level
Driver
Beginner
Designed for distance any way you swing it. The large Big Bertha head is specifically engineered with internal draw bias weighting to help improve your launch angles and promote a straighter, longer ball flight.
The Callaway Big Bertha B21 is a suitable driver for high handicap golfers searching for forgiveness and consistency off the tee. The engineers placed the center of gravity (CG) low and forward to reduce backspin rpm and prompt a high launching ball.
Furthermore, the B21 driver features a draw bias profile built to limit left-to-right side spin for right-handers. As a result, your driver combats slices and promotes a straight flying golf ball.
Finally, an A. I designed Flash Face works to accelerate ball speed across the driver face. This helps you promote optimal velocity on all shots for added yardage off the tee.
Callaway lists the Big Bertha B21 driver at $350, making it a mid-priced driver.
Mid-Handicapper
69 grams of mass is positioned as low as possible, creating the most efficient transfer of energy to the ball and speed that you can relish every time you step on the tee. A streamlined shape with milled perimeter leading edges harness airflow with ultimate precision for maximum acceleration power.
A Cobra Speedzone Extreme driver contains a CNC Milled Infinity Face. It expands the active zone that produces rapid ball speed by 95%. This feature enhances your coefficient of restitution (C.O.R), which leads to faster ball velocity and farther distance off the tee.
In addition, an Aero-Zone Speedback shape promotes maximum clubhead speed, while low CG prompts high launching shots. Finally, a T-bar Steel structure increases stability for consistent ball speed and improves the moment of inertia (M.O.I). Ultimately this driver produces distance without sacrificing forgiveness.
Low-Handicapper
Built for lower spin with a strong ball flight trajectory. With a more neutral ball flight, more workability, plus lower spin, Max LS is a tremendous option for mid-to-low handicap players.
The new Callaway Rogue ST Max LS is built for superior golfers looking to work their shots and restrict backspin on tee shots. Despite a high MOI, that increases forgiveness, Callaway managed to ensure adequate workability.
Moreover, the A.I designed Jailbreak Speed Frame bolsters stability across the clubface to maximize ball speed throughout. Therefore you produce optimal distance and consistency on all shots. Lastly, an adjustable hosel enables you to alter the loft and lie of the clubface, leading to your desired launch.
Fairway Woods
Beginner
Larger 190cc head design features precision weighting and strategic CG placement for explosive distance, enhanced forgiveness and high launch. Thru-Slot Speed Pocket provides increased face flexibility, preservation of ball speed and distance, especially on low face strikes.
The TaylorMade SIM 2 Max produces maximum forgiveness, a high launch, and a mid-low spin off the clubface. This makes them an ideal companion for high handicappers desperate for consistency.
Multi-material construction pushes the CG low to encourage high launching shots. In addition, a Thru-Slot Speed Pocket accelerates ball speed.
Moreover, a C300 Twist Face restricts side spin to deliver straighter shots. Finally, these fairway woods are available in 15, 16.5, 18, and 24 degrees of loft.
Mid-Handicapper
Radial Weighting is the strategic placement of weight relative to the CG to optimize speed, forgiveness, and flight direction from the fairway or off the tee.
The Cobra RADSPEED is an affordable fairway wood designed to maximize ball speed and forgiveness. Therefore, it suits mid-handicap golfers seeking additional yards without sacrificing forgiveness.
A CNC Milled Infinity Face enlarges the sweet spot of the fairway wood to maintain ball speed and reduce spin on all strikes. This leads to straight golf shots and ample distance.
Low-Handicapper
The A.I. face is forged using a high strength C300 Maraging Steel for speed and spin consistency across the face. The oversized head combines with a shallow face to make Epic MAX fairways extremely easy to launch.
Callaway crafted the Epic Max to push the legal limits of ball speed. This is made possible by A.I Velocity Blades in conjunction with high strength maraging steel. Advanced players will appreciate the additional yards the Epic Max offers their long game.
An adjustable weight system enables you to alter the setup of the clubface. You can add extra weight to the back of the fairway wood for optimal forgiveness. Conversely, additional weight forward lowers your launch and spin for a piercing trajectory.
Hybrids
Beginner
Speed back baffler technology-re-engineered baffler rails and a low, back tungsten weight optimize turf interaction and lower the CG for improved launch and faster club head speed from any lie.
The F9 Speedback possesses low CG and baffler technology. This partnership promotes a high launch, while baffler technology improves turf interaction. Superior turf interaction helps the sole glide swiftly across the turf to strike the ball cleanly from any lie.
In addition, this hybrid carries an enlarged clubhead which boosts MOI. That means it resists twisting during your swing to keep the clubface square at impact. This produces straight shots for improved accuracy.
In a nutshell, it launches high and straight and forgives you on mishits. Precisely the qualities beginners need from their hybrids.
Mid-Handicapper
Designed to improve turf interaction through reduced friction and provides additional versatility when playing from tight or difficult lies. Uses corrective face angles designed to overcome inherent golfer tendencies on mis-hits and to produce straighter shots.
The Taylormade SiM Max range makes another appearance on our list. This time it is the explosive, forgiving hybrid range.
Their regular flex custom graphite shafts are created for golfers with an average swing speed. Many mid-handicap golfers fall into this bracket.
The SIM Max V Steel Sole optimizes turf interaction to prevent the club from digging into the ground on the downswing. In addition, the C300 steel clubface encourages maximum ball speed, while Twist Face technology promotes straighter shots.
Low-Handicapper
Combines a confidence inspiring head profile at address with a squared face design for exceptional ball speed and accuracy, even on off-center hits.
PXG designed the 0211 Hybrid to work for golfers of all skill levels. However, the stiff shaft suits lower handicap golfers seeking a lower launch.
In addition, the HT1770 stainless steel clubface generates rapid ball speed across a larger area on the face for consistent yards.
A Railed Sole Geometry lowers the CG and increases MOI. Their partnership provides a high trajectory and a square clubface at impact for straight, long shots. Lastly, the Honeycomb TPE Insert ensures a smooth feeling by dampening vibrations.
Irons
Beginner
Graphite-shafted regular flex. Hollow-body construction for high MOI/added forgiveness.
Hybrids are not every golfer’s cup of tea, but they offer exceptional forgiveness, which beginners need. My pick is the affordable, straight, and forgiving Powerbilt EX-550 irons.
My best buddy used Powerbilt irons growing up and became a scratch golfer. My point is that there is nothing wrong with this lesser-mentioned brand.
The EX-550 set consists of hybrids from your 4-iron to your pitching wedge. A sand wedge is included in the package, but it features a standard wedge construction. Their hollow-body design produces high MOI for straight, accurate shots.
Mid-Handicapper
Designed for men and women, and features some of the most advanced innovations in golf club technology. This driving iron set delivers impressive distance, superior forgiveness, and consistent performance.
The 0211 XCOR2 irons by PXG produce an exceptional coefficient of restitution, ensuring consistent ball speed on all strikes. This helps the average golfer maintain yardage, despite catching the ball in the heel or the toe.
In addition, an Angled Top Rail construction sets the CG near the center of the face to boost MOI. As a result, your irons work to square up through contact for straighter approach shots.
Low-Handicapper
Consists of a thin, wrap around forged 4140 face, soft carbon steel body and up to 46g of tungsten weighting designed to deliver explosive distance and forgiveness.
Collin Morikawa and Tiger Woods are two names associated with the Taylormade P770 range. TaylorMade constructed these players’ irons to feature the traditional muscle-back look with a twist.
The engineers packed these irons with game improvement technology to optimize ball speed and enhance the feel. Plus, they offer superior golfers an element of forgiveness without hampering your ability to shape shots.
Wedges
Beginner
A special sole grind allows players to open the club face for improved performance on higher lofted shots. The traditional shape along with its anti-glare black chrome are appealing to a wide range of golfers.
Wilson Harmonized wedges offer a simple, affordable design to improve the short game of high handicappers.
A versatile sole grind helps you open the clubface to get under the ball and launch it high. This trajectory enables you to stop the ball rapidly on the green and get up and down.
Moreover, a durable anti-glare finish increases your comfort and reduces distractions at address. Finally, the Harmonized collection contains a 52-degree gap wedge, a 56-degree sand wedge, and a 60-degree lob.
Mid-Handicapper
New tour-tested w and C grinds are both updated to make it easy to play a wider variety of greenside shots. Head shaping progresses from traditional shaped lob & sand wedges to a compact player preferred design in the gap & pitching wedges for a seamless transition into an iron set.
Mack Daddy 5 Jaws wedges present a remarkable balance of forgiveness, spin, and control. 5-sole grind options cater to every condition and angle of attack in golf. Plus, the head of each wedge is shaped to deliver a seamless transition from your 9-iron and pitching wedge to your gap, sand, and lob.
The engineers employed Groove-In-Groove Technology to create sharp edges for superior levels of spin. This promotes increased control around the green for improved chip and pitch results.
The Mack Daddy 5 Jaws wedges are constructed with 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, and 60 degrees of loft.
Low-Handicapper
The perfect grooves and bounce will dramatically improve your short game and you’ll love how this club feels.
The Vokey SM8 Tour Chrome wedges are an attractive range of clubs that generate exceptional spin and high MOI. Their design produces optimal feel and control for a superior greenside experience.
Spin Milled grooves steal the show and maximize backspin rpm to help you stop the ball rapidly near the cup. Plus, the presence of forward CG increases MOI to keep the clubhead square and stable through impact.
Putters
Beginner
New larger diameter grip size. Multiple density areas in the Micro injection face insert.
Wilson manufactured the Harmonized M5 Jumbo to give beginners immediate forward roll, high MOI, and enlarged alignment aid. The combination of these features helps high handicappers produce consistent speed control and accuracy on all putts.
Mid-Handicapper
Odyssey engineers have combined a rich silver PVD finish with fine milling on the surfaces. Available in a premium stepless steel shaft or our Tour proven, multi-material Stroke Lab shaft in a new candy apple red.
The famed Odyssey White Hot OG 2 Ball putter is a quality construction designed to deliver consistent topspin and forward roll on all strikes. In addition, the two-ball feature provides a robust alignment aid to keep you on target.
Low-Handicapper
The latest Newport 2 model with a narrower top line and a redesigned neck with a new performance balanced tungsten sole weights for a larger sweet spot.
Scotty Cameron created the Special Select Newport 2 putter to produce exceptional feel, control, and forward roll for superior golfers. Plus, the blade construction provides a clean, classic look that traditionalists will appreciate.