Byrdie Golf Design Clubs are a relative newcomer to the crowded DTC space with a focus on fun and affordability. They offer everything from complete sets to blade irons with different finishes available for several models. This Forum member review highlights the experiences of our testers, focusing on several club collections including the BGD Essentials Full Bag, including the Gilmore Collection (driver and fairways), OG Collection irons, Goat Collection irons and Grind wedges.
Key Highlights
Byrdie Golf Design emphasizes affordability and quality, aiming to cater to amateur golfers who want reliable equipment without breaking the bank. The 2024 BGD Essentials Full Bag includes everything a golfer needs to hit the course. While not the most forgiving set of irons, the rest of the clubs performed well.
As a whole, testers found the clubs aesthetically pleasing and generally well-built, although some noted minor quality issues. The irons provided consistent distance and accuracy but were less forgiving compared to other brands. This required an adjustment period for the testing group. The driver and woods were highly praised for their performance, particularly the deep face on the 3-wood which offered excellent distance and control.
The putter was very well received. The blade-style putter offered a classic look which was very appealing to look at. Unfortunately, streaky performances on the course and a smaller grip that our tester didn’t love meant it didn’t make the final bag. The Grind wedges showcased their versatility and control. For the price, they were hard to beat, even if some of the options are limited. Overall, testers appreciated the value for money and were inclined to keep most of them, despite some minor drawbacks.
What Testers Said: Byrdie Golf Design Golf Clubs
BGD Essentials Full Bag
This set includes:
- 10.5-degree BGD driver
- 15-degree BGD fairway wood
- Choice of iron collection: Vandal, Goat, Albatross, Divot
- 56-degree Grind wedge
- Flatstick 2.0 putter
- Optional matte-black Sunday golf bag
- Regular or stiff shaft
Tester: Warrenator8
Initial Impressions:
Upon unboxing, he was impressed with the overall presentation of the BGD Essentials Full Bag. The clubs arrived in good condition with a sleek black finish that added a touch of elegance. However, he noted some minor quality control issues such as a black mark on the wedge and a bulge on the 8-iron’s grip. Despite these imperfections, the initial aesthetic appeal and build quality were generally well received.
Performance:
He found the irons to be somewhat challenging to hit compared to his COBRA irons. He said the Vandal irons were less forgiving but offered straighter shots when struck well. The driver and 3-wood stood out for their performance, mentioning that the deep face of the 3-wood off the tee provided excellent distance and control.
The putter initially received high praise from him for its hot feel and the quality milling on the face. Unfortunately, he never found his groove with the putter perhaps because he was used to a larger grip. His overall experience with the clubs was positive even if not all the clubs will be making his final bag. The driver performance was what he expected and the main point of contention with the grips not being to his liking.
Final Thoughts:
“Overall, Byrdie Golf Design puts out a pretty good product for the price and is definitely worth the money. If you are someone who knows their specs and wants to buy new clubs for a lower price, I would consider them for that. The irons I tested are not for the faint of heart when it comes to ball-striking, but they perform.”
Overall Grade: 84/100
The Goat Collection Irons
This set of irons is Byrdie Golf Design’s first forged model and was developed with the weekend warrior in mind. Forged from 1020 carbon steel, this blade set looks to compete against irons more than double its price. They are offered with a stiff shaft and very traditional lofts. Distance is not the key for these but rather control and accuracy. Let’s see how our tester found his set.
Tester: BringerofRain
Initial Impressions:
He appreciated the design and aesthetics of the Goat Collection irons. He noted some minor imperfections in the finish but felt these did not detract significantly from the overall appeal of the clubs. The well-balanced feel and sleek appearance were among the first positive impressions.
Performance:
The Goat Collection Iron Set received particular attention for its balance and feedback. BringerofRain found these irons to offer consistent distance and accuracy which helped improve his confidence. The pitching wedge provided good control around the greens with versatile performance in various conditions.
Overall, BringerofRain was pleased with the clubs’ performance, noting that they offered great value for money.
Final Thoughts:
“The Goat Collection Iron Set feels well-balanced and provides good feedback on hits. While not the longest set, they definitely are fun to hit and get looks from everyone that I play with.”
Overall Grade: 85/100
The Grind Wedge Collection
The Grind Wedge Collection comes with three wedges (52, 56 and 60 degrees). Only available with a stiff shaft and in gunmetal color, these wedges work to combine spin, distance and control at an affordable price. The wedges are made of a cast 431 stainless steel and, as with all their other clubs, offer an optional $50 lifetime warranty.
Tester: Grip
Initial Impressions:
Grip found the Grind wedges to be aesthetically pleasing and well built. He appreciated the overall design but said the grips could be improved for better comfort and performance. Despite this, he liked the initial look and feel of the clubs.
Performance:
Grip’s testing highlighted the excellent control and spin provided by the Grind wedges. He was able to play various shots and mentioned how much he appreciated the versatility of the set. Even though there is only one grind option, they seemed to work well in bunkers and he had particular confidence while using the gap wedge.
It wasn’t all great, though. The finish seemed to wear faster than his prior wedges and while it wasn’t awful, he did suggest that a different finish should be considered if they are making a second version of the Grind wedges.
Final Thoughts:
“If you’re looking for a set of wedges that can perform, these Byrdie Design Golf Grind Wedges may be the ticket. The grinds are not forgiving wedges as focus is paramount upon impacting the sweet spot because heel or toe impacts will not have a favorable trajectory or dispersion outcome.”
Overall Grade: 84/100
Testing Notes
Design and Aesthetics:
All testers appreciated the sleek, modern design of the Byrdie Golf Design clubs. The black finish added a premium look, although some minor imperfections were noted. These aesthetic details contributed to an overall positive first impression, enhancing the appeal of the clubs.
Irons:
The irons across different collections (OG and Goat) received mixed reviews. While they offered consistent distance and accuracy, their forgiveness varied. Testers mentioned that these irons required precision and could be less forgiving compared to other brands. However, when struck well, they provided straight and reliable shots.
Woods and Driver:
The driver and woods from the Gilmore Collection were highly praised for their performance. Testers found them easy to hit, with the deep face on the 3-wood being a standout feature. These clubs offered good distance and control, making them favorites among the testers.
Durability:
While they looked great to start, the finish did rub off quickly and there were some marks on the face of the woods and driver after use.
Grips:
No real surprise here but the grips were a big sticking point. If there was one main area for improvement, it would be for BGD to consider supplying better grips on their clubs. If considering these clubs, it may be a good idea to have them re-gripped.
Available Options:
As custom fitting gets more popular and common, the scarce options from Byrdie Golf Design could be a detriment. With limited shaft flex options as well as no loft, lie or grip options, these may not fit a wide range of golfers.
Conclusion
In general, Byrdie Golf Design clubs impressed testers with their affordability, quality and performance. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in grip quality and minor aesthetic imperfections, the overall user experience has been positive. With those caveats, these clubs may be worth your consideration.
To read our testers full reviews go here: Forum Member Review of Byrdie Golf Design Golf Clubs
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