Buying a beginner set is tricky because the cheapest option is not always the smartest option. You can buy a boxed set and get everything at once but it’s not always a perfect fit for the average golfer.
If I were building a set for a beginner, I’d consider looking at clubs from the last few years that have already proven themselves in testing.
Here’s the set I’d build.
| Club | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | PING G425 Max | Proven Most Wanted winner, forgiving and easier to find used |
| Fairway wood | TaylorMade Stealth 2 5-wood or Stealth 2 HD | Strong used value and the Stealth line is still played by more than a dozen Tour players |
| Hybrid | PING G430 4H or 5H | Best overall hybrid in 2023 testing and best for accuracy |
| Irons | Tommy Armour 845+ | Best overall super game-improvement iron of 2024, first in forgiveness and second in accuracy |
| Wedges | Cleveland CBX 4, Smart Sole or discounted Vokey SM9 | New or lightly used makes more sense than worn-out wedge grooves |
| Putter | Used TaylorMade Spider, Odyssey 2-Ball or Wilson Infinite Buckingham | Stable, forgiving mallet-style options that don’t need to cost a fortune |
Driver: PING G425 Max
For the driver, I’d start with a used PING G425 Max.
The G425 Max won MyGolfSpy’s 2022 Most Wanted Driver test. It scored in the top five in almost every key category.
Most beginners do not need the lowest-spinning head on the market. They need something that gives them a little help when they miss the center of the face. The G425 Max is forgiving, easy to find used and still modern enough that you don’t feel like you’re buying outdated equipment.
I’d look for a 10.5-degree head.
If the budget allows, the PING G430 Max or G430 Max 10K would be the upgrade.
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 5-Wood
For the fairway wood, I’d go with a TaylorMade Stealth 2 5-wood or Stealth 2 HD.
This is one spot where I would not automatically put a beginner in a 3-wood. A 15-degree 3-wood can be hard to launch off the turf. A 5-wood gives a beginner more loft, more height and a better chance of using the club from the fairway, rough or tee.
The Stealth 2 line still has more than a dozen Tour players using it.
That doesn’t mean a beginner should copy a Tour player’s exact setup. It does mean the Stealth 2 fairway wood line has held up well enough that even the best players in the world haven’t all rushed to replace it.
Hybrid: PING G430
The hybrid is one of the easiest choices in this bag.
I’d go with a PING G430 hybrid, probably in a 4H or 5H depending on the rest of the set.
The G430 hybrid was the best overall hybrid in MyGolfSpy’s 2023 test and was also the best hybrid for accuracy. It finished near the top for both distance and forgiveness.
A beginner’s hybrid should be a rescue club. It should help from the rough, give them a chance on longer approach shots and be easier to hit than a long iron. That’s why I’d rather see most beginners in a 22- or 26-degree hybrid than a 19-degree hybrid that plays more like a fairway wood.
Irons: Tommy Armour 845+
In MyGolfSpy’s 2024 super game-improvement iron testing, the Tommy Armour 845+ finished as the best overall iron in the category. They were first in forgiveness, second in accuracy and earned best-value honors at $399.99.
They are still $399.99 so if you don’t want to purchase used here, you have options.
With the Tommy Armour 845+, the value story is simple. They tested well are forgiving and accurate and priced like a beginner-friendly option.
Wedges: Be careful buying used
This is where I would not automatically chase the used rack.
Used drivers, fairway woods and hybrids can be great deals if the faces are in good shape. Used wedges are different. Grooves wear down. A wedge that looks like a bargain may not give a beginner much help once they get around the green.
For this set, I’d rather look at the sale rack and choose brands like Cleveland for their Smart Sole wedges or even the newly discounted CBX 4 ZipCore. The Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges have recently dropped in price if you can find them in your specifications.
While we are on the topic of wedges, most beginners do not need four wedges. You can start with a 54- or 56-degree and then fill in as needed.
Putter: Used Spider, Odyssey 2-Ball or Wilson Infinite Buckingham
The putter does not need to be expensive but I would still avoid the cheapest no-name option.
For a beginner, I like a stable mallet, something that helps with alignment and makes off-center contact a little less punishing. The Wilson Infinite Buckingham is an affordable option similar to the Tommy Armour irons that may be worth purchasing new.
My three choices would be:
| Putter | Why |
|---|---|
| Used TaylorMade Spider | Stable, easy to find used and a proven mallet shape |
| Odyssey 2-Ball | Great alignment aid and still one of the better used putter options |
| Wilson Infinite Buckingham | Affordable new option if they don’t want to buy used |
What this beginner set would cost
Here’s a rough idea of what this build could look like.
| Club | Estimated price |
|---|---|
| PING G425 Max driver | $300-$350 |
| TaylorMade Stealth 2 fairway wood | $125-$175 |
| PING G430 hybrid | $140-$220 |
| Tommy Armour 845+ irons | $250-$350 used / $399 new |
| Cleveland CBX 4 or Smart Sole wedge | $90-$130 |
| Used Spider, Odyssey 2-Ball or Wilson Buckingham putter | $80-$180 |
| Estimated total | $985-$1,400 |
Final thoughts
I’m working on playing some rounds of golf with new beginner complete sets to compare their performance to clubs like this. Complete sets work for some new players but putting together a used golf set is another strong option to consider. If you’re thinking about starting the game of golf, keep an eye out for any of these clubs and start to put something together that can help you play great golf in the years to come.
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