The world was still Jon Rahm’s oyster in 2022 despite questions swirling about his performance following a career-defining season the year prior. Entering January as the world No. 1, fresh off a campaign that saw him finish inside the top 10 in 15 of 24 starts while capturing his first major championship at the 2021 U.S. Open, Rahm looked have to retained this momentum in the early parts of the new year. 

Having one of the highest floors in the sphere of professional golf, the Spaniard disappointingly lost in a shootout to Cameron Smith at the Tournament of Champions, showed visible frustration over the conditions at The American Express and scuttled over the weekend at Torrey Pines.

Concerns surrounding Rahm’s short game began to reverberate through the golf world when a relative lull surfaced in early spring that included three top-20 finishes in five starts. Relinquishing his spot atop the Official World Golf Rankings and needing to squash any naysayers, the 28-year-old came to the Mexico Open as a heavy betting favorite and delivered in such a way.

Rahm’s triumph in Mexico propelled him to weekend contention at the U.S. Open and a runner-up performance at the BMW PGA Championship before notching victories at the Open de España and the DP World Tour Championship. Three wins in his final 14 worldwide starts of 2022 saved what many considered a down year for a player of Rahm’s caliber.

“Hopefully, people can stop telling me that this was a bad year,” Rahm said following his victory at the DP World Tour finale. “Three wins worldwide. Three wins on three different continents. Yeah, there wasn’t a major championship, but it was still a really, really good season.”

A really, really good season? Yes. A great season? No. Harsh, perhaps, that is not to say 2023 will be the same as the clip at which Rahm wins continues to be absurd.

His 2021 season showcased quality. Penciling him in for a victory at the Memorial — where he had to withdraw before the final round with a six-stroke lead due to a positive COVID-19 test — and breaking through for his lone major title at the U.S. Open, Rahm was simply dominant.

The golf course, the weather, the competition — none of it mattered. If there was a tournament to be played, Rahm was going to be in contention. That’s how high his floor was, but more importantly, how high his ceiling was.

Rahm’s 2022 was inherently different despite totaling a higher win count. The quality lacked as he contended in only one major championship, and his lone PGA Tour title came against one of the weakest fields of the season. Winning matters, and Rahm checked that box this past year. But in 2023, expect him to return to his ways of two years ago.

While the standard of his wins was downgraded, Rahm remained the standard for success off-the-tee. Gaining 1.025 strokes per round with the driver in hand, Rahm led the PGA Tour in the statistic and was nearly two times more effective than Patrick Cantlay, who ranked 17th on the season, three times more effective than Scottie Scheffler (37th) and four times more effective than Billy Horschel (50th).

The most predictive strokes gained statistic, Rahm’s blend of distance and accuracy off-the-tee will allow him to tally those 2.5 victories a year. It’s a weapon, yes, a difference-maker, for sure, but it is not the club which will allow him to add major No. 2 or possibly No. 3 in 2023.

That honor goes to his putter. Finding something in his setup on the back-nine of his second round at the 2022 BMW Championship, Rahm rolled the rock with the best of them coming down the stretch of the calendar year. Averaging +1.45 strokes gained putting per round over his last five measured events, Rahm returned to the 2021 version of himself.

Whether this is only for a brief stretch or a prolonged period will define Rahm’s 2023. If the former reigns supreme, look for Rahm to nab a couple wins on the DP World Tour, and maybe even one of the newly elevated events on the PGA Tour. However, if the latter prevails, the world No. 5 will have a real chance to end his year as he began the prior: atop the world of golf and with a shiny, new major championship trophy on his mantle.

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There was a time when golf was considered a sport for old, overweight, and generally unhealthy folks. That’s no longer the case.

Just turn on a PGA Tour tournament today, and you’ll see that most golfers are now thin and fit.

Most professional golfers are now in incredible shape thanks to advances in nutrition, supplementation, and exercise. Speaking of which, does playing a round of golf or pounding balls at the driving range qualify as exercise?

Let’s take a look at what the research has to say.

Calories Burned Playing a Round vs Hitting Balls at The Range

Does golf qualify as exercise? According to this research from NutriStrategy, yes it does. However, does it qualify as “good” exercise? That all depends on what type of golf activity and how long you do it.

For example, playing a full round of 18 holes of golf burns more calories per hour than simply hitting golf balls at the driving range. All of that walking on the golf course burns off a lot more calories than just practicing your swing on the range.

There are also other factors to consider, like whether you walk the course while carrying your clubs or use a golf cart. Take a look at the following chart to see how many calories each golf activity burns per hour based on your weight.

Tips to Make Your Next Round of Golf More of an Exercise

By using the above chart, we can give you some tips on how to make your next round of golf more effective at calorie burning. These suggestions may help you burn calories and even lose some weight (if that’s your goal).

1. Walk Instead of Riding in a Golf Cart

This tip is the most obvious. Walking is a fantastic cardiovascular exercise and can lower your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. Most health experts agree that people need at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. 

Walking while carrying your golf clubs or even walking while using a pull cart would be considered moderate exercise. However, playing a round of golf while using a golf cart is likely light exercise.

As we learn from the above table, a 205-pound average golfer burns 93 more calories per hour by walking and carrying clubs than by riding in a golf cart. That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up to a significant amount of extra calories burned over a four-hour round of golf.

Carrying your clubs on a regular basis can result in greater strength, which could give you a bit of power off the tee. If you aren’t able to carry your clubs, start off by using a pull cart instead. Doing this will help a 180-pound person burn an extra 65 calories per hour over using a golf cart.

2. If You Do Use a Cart, Spend Less Time in It

We know that most golfers prefer using a golf cart during their rounds. While that’s not ideal from an exercise standpoint, anything is better than nothing. You are much better off playing golf than simply sitting at home on the couch.

One way to burn some extra calories, even if you’re using a cart, is to not spend too much time sitting in it. You may be thinking, “Well duh, thank you Captain Obvious,” but stick with me.

The next time you are waiting on the tee box for the group in front to finish, do some stretching to increase your flexibility instead of just sitting in the cart. This will burn more calories, keep your muscles warm, and will make you less likely to suffer a strain or pull.

Tips to Make Hitting at The Range More of an Exercise

Even casual golfers know that to take strokes off their handicaps, they must spend lots of time honing their swings at the golf driving range.

The problem is that a 205-pound person burns 140 fewer calories per hour at the driving range versus playing golf on an actual course (if walking and carrying clubs). However, we have some tips that will help you get more exercise while at the golf range.

1. Stretch Before and After Your Range Session

Stretching before any form of exercise is a fantastic habit to develop. Before you begin any golf activities, make sure to warm up and stretch your shoulders, arms, lower back, hamstrings, buttocks, and hips.

Hold each stretch for 30 seconds before moving on to the next one.

2. Work Your Abdominals at the End of Your Practice Session

Just because you are at the driving range doesn’t mean you can’t give your abdominal muscles a good workout.

When you’re finished hitting golf balls, drop down on the mat and knock out some crunches and leg lifts. This will give you more core strength, which will eventually lead to more yardage off the tee and less chance of lower back strains.

A good drill is to hit 50-60 balls and then do 50-60 reps of some form of ab work. Some folks on the range may look at you kind of funny, but you aren’t there to impress them.

Remember, the purpose of a good range session is to lower your handicap and get a good amount of exercise.

3. Don’t Forget to Work on Your Short Game

Remember, the most efficient way to shoot lower scores is to improve your short game. Don’t leave without hitting several putts on the practice green and chip shots out of a bunker if possible.

Doing this will also extend your overall practice time and help you burn more calories.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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Years ago, when I was a new assistant golf professional at a golf course, there was a Cobra demo day on the range. To be honest, I was letting all of the higher handicappers know that Cobra would be there, as I assumed that’s who their products would be for.

I was wrong.

In fact, that same demo day, I found a golf driver that stayed in my bag for ten years and took me through many tournaments. Cobra is not all about forgiveness, and in 2022, they proved that they might be the leaders when it comes to distance.

So let’s take an in-depth look into whether cobra golf clubs are any good and who should have them in their golf bag.

Quick Facts About Cobra Golf

Here are a few of the facts that are both interesting and worth knowing about Cobra golf:

• Cobra was founded in 1973, it was at one point acquired by Acushnet, the same company that owns Titleist, but it was sold to Puma after less than ten years.
• Greg Norman has always been a big ambassador for Cobra Golf, but many young players will recognize Rickie Fowler and Bryson DeChambeau as professionals that support the Cobra brand.
• The company is known for its oversized irons, forgiveness, and Baffler technology in the irons.
• The original founder of Cobra Golf was Thomas Crow.

My Thoughts on Cobra Golf Clubs

When it comes to Cobra golf, you have to remember that the company has gone through some changes through the years. Each time they made a change, there was a slight shift in how the clubs performed, but you will notice that forgiveness through the years has been consistent.

I’m going to go through a few of the things that I think you should understand about Cobra and what it is known for. If you are thinking of new clubs in 2022, here’s what you can expect from Cobra golf.

Adjustability

Cobra was one of the first companies to introduce adjustability in a golf driver. If you have ever had the experience of purchasing a golf driver only to find out it’s not the right fit for your game, then you can understand how important adjustability is.

Having an adjustable loft is great. However, with Cobra, expect adjustable loft, lie, and weighting in many golf clubs. You will see that it’s easy to make these changes in the clubs but also to track the changes.

With the addition of Cobra Connect Technology, you can now see how much changing the loft on your driver by a degree or two really impacts your golf game. It may seem like that lower lofted shot goes a long way, but is it?

Adjustability makes golf clubs so much more valuable. When you can change your game but just make a slight adjustment to the golf club head to have it still be a perfect and complete fit for you, it’s going to save you hundreds of dollars.

Cobra Connect Technology

Cobra Connect Technology is not only helpful, but it is also fun.

It’s great to know how far you’re hitting your golf shots and to use that to help you make changes in your swing. In addition, the information that you collect can be used to make decisions on the golf course.

When you have a better idea as to how far each club goes, the game of golf becomes considerably easier. Cobra Connect Technology does not cost anything extra for some basic data, but you can get a subscription to unlock even more tools to help your game.

Companies like Ping have now followed suit and are using this Arrccos Technology in their clubs as well.

Distance

The distance used to be a bit of a struggle for Cobra. It took some time to balance out the amount of forgiveness the clubs had with the distance that players were trying to hit the ball. However, with the most recent additions to the Cobra lineup, the new Cobra RTD X line, the distance numbers are some of the best in the game.

In fact, in some early testing, the RTD-X has gone further than the TaylorMade Stealth driver. These results will vary depending on the type of player you’re, your swing speed, and the contact that you make with the ball.

Forgiveness

In my opinion, Cobra is king when it comes to forgiveness. You can hit the ball on the center of the clubface and benefit from great feel and performance. However, when you miss the center and the ball is hit in the heel or the toe of the iron, expect to still get a good distance and a straight shot.

Forgiveness can take feel away, but Cobra does an excellent job of helping players maintain the feel that they need while keeping forgiveness intact.

Handicap/Player Ability

As I mentioned, so many golfers think that the Cobra clubs are for mid to high handicappers and beginners. This group of players can greatly benefit from the Cobra clubs, but with some of the new releases, the lower handicap players are benefiting as well.

The majority of Cobra customers are certainly within the mid to high handicap range.

However, with the new line of 3D putters, the Black Wedge and the Forged Tec irons, there are truly options for any player needing new golf clubs.

Pricing/Value

Another one of the reasons why Cobra stands out as such a great golf company is the price of their golf clubs. If all other manufacturers put out a new driver at $550, Cobra usually comes in at $499.

In addition, after the clubs have been out for a few months, Cobra will typically drop the pricing a bit sooner than the other golf manufacturers in the game. The pricing and value of Cobra are really good and an excellent option for those on a budget.

Longevity

The Cobra golf driver I had in my bag worked for me for ten years. I eventually took it out because some of the new driver technology had a bit more of a benefit from a distance perspective.

However, 10 years is a really good return on my initial investment.

I can’t tell you that all Cobra golf clubs will stay like this for the entire time you use them, but they will undoubtedly have plenty of longevity. Some Cobra golf clubs are sold as beginner sets, and they may not last quite as long simply because the technology is not as advanced.

However, if you purchase a new Cobra driver in 2022, expect to have it hit many long and straight drives for you for many years.

Club Selection

Cobra golf makes every club in the game. From the driver down to the wedges, you can easily find something that will work for your game. If you find that the Cobra products are a good fit for you, expect to have a wide range of options from the driver down to the putter to fill your entire bag.

Cobra also makes some great accessories. My current stand bag is a Cobra Stand Bag that is a great color, perfect for walking or riding on the cart, and has a great pocket design and club protection.

My Favorite Golf Club Brand

As much as I love Cobra and have had a great experience with the fairway woods, hybrids, and drivers, it doesn’t stand out as my favorite golf club brand. In my opinion, the best golf club brand is Titleist.

The thing that stands out about Titleist is the fact that it’s so consistent. Year after year, Titleist will make slight adjustments to get better distance and forgiveness, but the feel and the overall performance is consistent.

Many of the top brands in golf will change each year a bit too much, in my opinion. When the clubs don’t look anything like they did previously, it’s hard to be quite as brand loyal. However, with a Titleist club, you will see similar lines from the top-down view, as well as a consistent and stable feel.

In addition, I love that Titleist makes everything from the driver to the wedges.

There are some great companies like Miura that make beautiful golf irons, but you can’t play Miura irons in the driver and fairway woods as they don’t make them. I like being able to choose a driver, fairway wood, and set of irons that all flow together.

Even though Titleist is my favorite brand, I think it’s worth mentioning that Callaway has made some great improvements in the last few years. In the years of the original Big Bertha, I could never understand why golfers loved Callaway the way that they do.

However, in recent years with the improvements in the Apex and Mavrik line, this is a brand of golf club that every player should really consider. From slow swing speed to high swing speed, Callaway has some great options.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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The idea of a good golf score will be entirely different from one player to another.

A scratch golfer may say that a good score is 73, whereas a high handicapper may call 93 a great score. Let’s look at the different golf scores and how they compare based on skill level.

Good is a relative term in golf, and you must consider skill level before you can say whether a score is good or bad.

Good Golf Score for a Beginner

A good golf score for a beginner is anything around 110. If you can shoot 110 as a new beginner, you will have a long future in the game of golf. To shoot 110, you probably got close to fitting a few greens in regulation, made some two putts, and even had a bogey or two on the course.

However, I have always found that beginners trying to get started in the game are much better off focusing on hitting great shots as opposed to their score. The number of strokes it takes to get the ball in the hole will be a lot for a beginner.

Take your time and learn to make great shots.

Start trying to two putt or take just one shot out of the sand, get your golf ball in the fairway from the tee and avoid water hazards. These are all much more important than trying to shoot low scores.

Good Golf Score for an Average Golfer

A good golf score for an average golfer is around 90. Average golfers tend to call it a good day when they can break 100; breaking 90 happens a little less frequently.

As an average golfer, you likely make some nice pars and an occasional birdie. However, the problem for average golfers often becomes the number of strokes it takes to get out of trouble. In addition, there is that occasional slice that pops up or a three-putt, and it just adds up over the course of the round.

Breaking 90 is going to take a good short game, some practice, and a bit of dedication to the sport.

When you can start breaking 90 consistently, you will move out of the category of the average golfer.

Good Golf Score for a Pro

Professional golfers try to shoot below par every time they go out to play. For professional golfers, good scores a really dependent on the course difficulty, course rating, and conditions of play.

If you shoot a 71 on a really tough golf course in the rain and wind, it’s likely a great score. However, shooting 70 on an easy course with perfect conditions may not be quite as good of a score.

Most professionals will determine if their score was good based on how the rest of the field does. If a pro shoots 67 and everyone else is in the low 70s, it was a great round. However, some professionals are so good that they can shoot scores in the low 60s.

Professionals need to make a lot of birdies and even eagles to be able to keep the number of strokes as low as they do.

When a professional shoots higher 70s or into the 80s, it’s considered a bad day on the golf course.

Where Your Score Ranks You in Terms of Handicap

Golf uses a handicap system to help players be able to compete against one another in a fair golf match. The handicap system will take into account the course difficulty, and course raging and give you an average handicap or average score that you will typically shoot at that course.

Depending on what your golf handicap is, you will fall into three different ranges, low handicap golfers, mid handicap golfers, and high handicap golfers.

Low Handicap Golfer

The low handicap golfer shoots in the 70-79 range. These amateur golfers tend to make a lot of one putts, know how to birdie a hole, and can keep the ball in bounds for the majority of their round.

Most low handicap players have a fair amount of club head speed and can get some good distance off the tee. As great as low handicap golfers are, they are not quite to the level of a professional and still have work to do to get to that point.

Mid Handicap Golfer

Mid handicap golfers make up the most significant portion of golfers in the game. These players range from a 10 to 20 handicap and will shoot between 80 and 94. Mid handicap golfers tend to have a few great holes and a few bad holes when they are on the course.

With a mid handicap golfer, you can expect that the scoring will be a bit inconsistent, but most of the time, it ends up in this 80-94 range.

As mid handicappers transition into low handicappers, their scores will become really consistent in the low 80s. At this point, many mid handicappers can figure out what has been keeping them from the low handicap range, and they can make the necessary adjustments to their golf game.

High Handicap Golfer

High handicap golfers and beginners tend to fall into the same category. However, most high handicap golfers have played the game for quite some time.

With high handicappers, you can expect a handicap to be higher than 21 and the scores to be higher than 95. Some high handicappers are not able to break 100 and will continually work on trying to get these scores down.

One thing that hurts high handicappers is turning a simple bogey into a triple bogey. If you miss a green, it’s really not a big deal to chip back on the green and make a putt. However, if you keep chipping back and forth over the green, it will hurt your score.

Some golfers are happy staying in the high handicap range and having fun on the golf course. Not all players are on a mission to be low handicappers.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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When you think of the big three in golf, chances are Callaway, Titleist, and TaylorMade come to mind. Cleveland seems to fall just outside this mark, but many golfers want to know why.

There is no debating the fact that Cleveland is a big golf brand with lots of options to offer, but it certainly doesn’t get the recognition or the Tour presence of other golf companies. If you are curious about Cleveland and want to learn more about it, we have you covered.

I’ve played Cleveland clubs on and off throughout the years, and I’ll tell you the honest truth about whether they are worth investing in.

Quick Facts About Cleveland Golf

Here are a few of the essential facts to know and understand about Cleveland golf.

• Cleveland is owned by SRI Sports Limited, the same brand that owns Srixon, XXIO, Cleveland Golf, and Never Compromise.
• The company is based in California and was founded as Cleveland Classics in 1979
• Roger Cleveland is the founder and is still active in the business today
• In Japan, SRI Sports Limited is the number one golf brand, and this includes the Cleveland Golf name
• One of the most iconic products for the Cleveland golf brand is the wedges with multiple bounce options
• Cleveland has had sponsorship deals with golfers such as Keegan Bradley, Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell, and others
• Cleveland still manufacturers everything from drivers to putters, as well as accessories

My Thoughts on Cleveland Golf Clubs

When Cleveland first came out with the original Launcher golf clubs more than 20 years ago, I was one of the first to jump on board. The Launcher driver was huge compared to others on the market; it had a solid feel and blended in incredibly well with the fairway woods.

At the time, the Cleveland wedges were really the clubs on the market that the company was known for, but the Launcher series really brought to light what Cleveland was capable of.

As they have changed ownership through the years, you will notice that creating forgiving golf clubs has become the primary concern and focus. Here are my thoughts on the good, the bad, and the ugly from Cleveland.

Product Line

Before we get into the actual performance of the clubs, it’s good to understand the product line from Cleveland. As we know, this product line changes yearly with new releases. However, the Cleveland line is a bit narrower than other brands like Callaway.

The current offering from Cleveland includes:

• Wedges: CBX Zipcore, RTX Full Face ZIpcore, RTX Zipcore, RTX Zipcore Tour Pack, Cleveland CBX Full Face, Smart Sole 4
• Woods: Launcher XL Woods
• Driver: Launcher XL Drivers
• Irons: Launcher XL Irons, Launcher XL Halo irons
• Putters: Frontline Putters

As you can see from the lineup where Cleveland focuses, most of their attention is on the wedges. The CBX Zipcore has just hit the market and is said to improve on the RTX golf wedges that have done well for both professionals and amateurs.

After testing the equipment that Cleveland has to offer, I can tell you that the wedges are impressive. They spin just as well as any other option on the market and respond quite well to you as a player.

Where I think Cleveland lacks right now is in their irons. In years past, Cleveland had some really great-looking players’ irons, but now they are making a game improvement and a super game improvement.

The Cleveland XL Halo irons are a great choice for a hybrid iron; the Launcher XL is a basic-looking cavity back. However, the better player has no choice from Cleveland now, which is a bit disappointing.

Since the owners of Cleveland also own Srixon, they most likely focus their attention on the Srixon player’s irons.

Forgiveness

When it comes to forgiveness in golf clubs, Cleveland does an incredible job. They have used this Halo and Launcher technology to help make great clubs for mid to high handicappers and beginners.

One of the most impressive options for forgiveness is the hybrids. The hybrids are very easy to launch from the rough and have extremely high MOI. They blend in well with the fairway woods and driver and make a great transition down to the iron set.

For those that find Cleveland hybrids to be a good fit for their game, they do offer the hybrid irons in the Cleveland XL Halo golf clubs. These feature hollow bodies, have a really impressive feel, and will make it much easier for mid to high handicappers to score.

The Cleveland club heads look a little large, but this sizable sweet spot makes it much easier to make contact and improve overall consistency.

Pricing

One of my favorite things about Cleveland is the pricing. They are similar to Cobra in their pricing model and structure. Expect that you are going to get a lower release price on something like a new driver or fairway wood than you would with TaylorMade or Callaway.

In addition, Cleveland is more likely to drop the pricing of a product soon after release. If you don’t need the newest wedge on the market, you can find some great deals on Cleveland wedges from the last few years.

Spin and Control

Spin rates on the Cleveland drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids are low. The clubs are designed for maximum forgiveness and distance.

However, the spin and control on the wedges are impressive.

For lower handicapped players, the wedges are probably the only clubs in the current lineup that will make sense to look into. Cleveland has done a great job moving the center of gravity in the wedges to accommodate a wide range of players and encourage better control around the greens.

In addition to the wedges having great control, they also have a really good feel. The materials are soft enough that you will feel in control but strong enough to let you pull off the shots you want to hit.

Although TaylorMade and Callaway both make wedges, two of the top brands you see used by professional golfers are the Cleveland and Titleist wedges.

Adjustability

Cleveland chose not to get overly involved in the adjustability game. With their clubs being highly forgiving, lightweight, and high launching, until recently, there were very few options for adjustability in the club head.

In my opinion, this was a bit of a mistake. Golfers in the high handicap range can experience swing changes rather quickly. These changes then end up impacting the player’s ability to use the equipment they own.

When you can make a quick adjustment to a club head with a wrench and have it be the perfect club for your game, it’s a tremendous benefit. One worth paying for!

I think you will see more and more options for adjustability from Cleveland, as this has become such an important feature in the game of golf.

Distance

The Cleveland clubs have a solid distance. When comparing ball speed with other top brands, they may come up just slightly short. However, when you take into consideration the forgiveness, some players may get higher ball speed from Cleveland.

When you hit the ball in the center of the clubface more consistently, it’s certainly easier to get the distance you are looking for. For golfers that lose a few yards because they are hitting the ball straighter, it will be well worth it.

In addition, the best technology Cleveland has to offer is in the wedges, and this is a golf club where distance control is more important than total distance.

Who Should Play Cleveland?

One of the things to think about before investing in a Cleveland club is whether or not it is really designed for your game. The golfers that will do best with the Cleveland golf clubs are high-handicap players, beginner golfers, and some mid handicappers.

The company really focuses on players hitting more consistent shots, with higher launch and plenty of forgiveness. If this is something you are looking for, the Cleveland brand will be the best option for you.

Many players will use the game improvement clubs from Cleveland for several years before transferring to something designed to appeal to the lower handicapped players just a bit more.

My Favorite Golf Club Brand

Cleveland is not my favorite golf club brand, although I can attest to the fact that Cleveland Golf clubs are good. However, I find Titleist products to be my favorite. Even though Titleist has had its fair share of ups and downs through the years, you can almost always count on Titleist to have a clean-looking iron, a high-performing driver, and some of the best wedges in the game.

Cleveland does a great job appealing to the higher handicapper, beginner player, and even those looking to keep the costs down. However, with the Titleist products, the lineup is now so impressive you can be a 2 or a 32 handicap and find a solution for your game.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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When I was a kid, one of the first boxes of golf balls I was ever given was the Top Flite brand. Back then, it was a bit more about the price of the golf ball vs. the actual performance. I was young, learning the game, and the Top Flite was cheap.

The golf ball was a Top Flite XL, something that has been a standard for them for a long time. I didn’t think too much about this golf ball and whether or not it was high quality because I was new to the game and just happy to be playing.

One day my uncle tossed me a Maxfli ball and said, “try this.” It was an entirely different experience, and there began my interest in how different one golf ball brand can be from another.

I’ll share some of my experience with Top Flite through the years and try to help you decide if this is a good golf brand you should be using when you play.

Quick Facts About Top Flite

• At one point, Callaway golf owned Top Flite
• Top Flite has always been known as being a value brand
• Dick’s Sporting Goods currently owns Top Flite
• No professionals use Top Flite
• Beginners and high handicappers can often find solutions from Top Flite

My Thoughts on Top Flite Balls and Clubs

Before we get into the details and specifics of the Top Flite balls and clubs, I should be upfront about the fact that some players will benefit from this equipment and others that should stay away.

Top Flite is not the most premium golf brand in the industry, and that creates solutions for some and headaches for others. The key here is to find out what Top Flite does a good job with and see if you fit into that player profile.

Golf Club Sets

Golf club sets are one of the most popular sellers for Top Flite. These are complete sets built for beginner players, occasional golfers, or even high handicappers. The great thing about the sets is the value.

The bad news here is the feel and longevity.

Putting something like a Top Flite Gamer club in your hand has a completely different feel than something from Cobra or Cleveland. The main differences here are advances in technology and materials.

The research and development that Top Flite puts into its gear is nothing like what Titleist or Callaway does. This is because Top Flite knows its target market. They know that an affordable golf club that is easy to hit is all that their customers are looking for.

Individual Clubs

In addition to golf club sets, Top Flite offers individual clubs that you can purchase. The best deal is the complete set, as it comes with everything, including the bag. However, if you are in the market for just a driver or a wedge, the Top Flite equipment is some of the cheapest you can find.

I like the idea of the individual clubs for new player that wants to test out the game before they commit to a big spend. In addition, for teens and young adults, this also creates a good option from an affordability standpoint.

Expect average distance, good forgiveness, and a decent feel.

Women’s Golf Clubs

The women’s golf clubs come both as a complete set and as individual club selections. This set is specifically for a newer player or a woman golfer who only plays occasionally. It’s very lightweight, has graphite shafts, and encourages a higher ball flight.

Women golfers looking into beginner golf sets have a few options to choose from, and this one should likely be considered in the mix from a value standpoint. Most of the clubs are only sold at Dick’s Sporting Goods as this is their brand.

If you have been in the game a while, and are used to the feel and precision of Callaway, Cobra, or TaylorMade, don’t switch to the Top Flite golf club sets.

Junior Club

The junior clubs are probably my favorite thing about the Top Flite brand. With kid’s golf clubs, it’s important to stay with something affordable. Kids grow out of clubs quickly, and unless your child is playing in tournaments and events, the specifications and technology of the club doesn’t matter all that much.

What does matter is the fitting and the height ranges for Top Flite junior clubs make it easy to choose a set for your kid?

Each one comes with a golf bag, and it’s certainly enough to get any young child ready and excited about playing the game.

Golf Balls

The golf balls are probably where Top Flite is most well known. However, many golfers will tell you that Top Flite golf balls are hard and unforgiving. From personal experience, I can tell you that was absolutely the case for many years.

Golf balls from Top Flite were put on the market for players that lose several balls in a round.

However, through the years, they have grown their golf ball product line and tried to appeal more to the average golfer looking for a mix of quality and value.

The golf balls are good, not great, and the three piece models like the Gamer are much better than the value two piece models.

Forgiveness

Top Flite golf clubs forgive because they are offset and have a large sweet spot. However, when it comes to technology like tungsten weighting or AI-optimized center of gravity, Top Flite can’t compete.

Feel

Feel is my least favorite thing about the Top Flite brand. If your main concern is to play with a club that has that buttery smooth feel when you make contact, the Top Flite is not the best choice for you.

These clubs feel a little harsh, and it mostly has to do with the material selection and manufacturing. These are not forged golf clubs, and premium metals are not being used. This is not a big concern for a golfer who plays once a month.

For the golfer that plays every day, I would recommend going with something a bit more refined.

Distance

Top Flite has good distance technology. Will the driver fly as far or have as high of a ball speed as something like the TaylorMade Stealth? Probably not. However, many golfers are comfortable with certain distance ranges, and for the most part, Top Flite is not going to cause you to fall out of those ranges.

Combining the Top Flite clubs with one of their distance balls will probably give you the best chance for lots of roll and long distance. This combination, however may be difficult to get a ball to stop on the green where you want it.

Longevity

Top Flite golf clubs can last for a long time, but chances are this is a set you will replace in a few years. In most situations, the technology in the Top Flite sets becomes outdated quickly, and the resale value is not very high.

Top Flite golf clubs will not break or become damaged after a few rounds; they have much better quality than that. Just be careful about how often you play and whether or not you expect to keep these in the bag for the long haul.

Value

The initial costs of the Top Flite golf clubs are very fair. In fact, some of the fairest in the industry. If your primary concern is the total cost of the golf clubs you purchase, the Top Flite brand is worth looking at.

In addition, it feels that you get what you pay for with Top Flite.

Who Should Play Top Flite?

Golfers that are occasional players, new to the game, or just need a backup set of clubs when friends come to visit should consider the Top Flite clubs.

Some high handicappers may enjoy the style of the club head and feel as though it encourages forgiveness, but it’s not always the best fit for higher handicappers.

As far as the Top Flite golf balls are concerned, you may want to consider the three-piece options like the Gamer to get a bit more feel.

Not all Top Flite golf balls are considered “Rock Flight” anymore.

My Favorite Golf Club Brand

As you have seen, the Top Flite brand is not my favorite for high-quality and impressive golf equipment. From a value standpoint, I can’t say that Top Flite is a poor choice. However, my favorite golf club brand is still Titleist.

Titleist has some of the more premium golf clubs on the market, with an impressive feel, high-quality materials, and advanced engineering and design. However, in addition to golf clubs, Titleist also makes the best ball in the game.

Titleist also manufactures Scotty Cameron putters. The depth of their product line and the quality of each of the individual products help this stand out as my favorite golf club brand.

Although I don’t always play Titleist, they are my hands-down favorite.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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Golf is a hard game. Just how hard is it? According to the incredible golf movie The Legend of Bagger Vance, golf is a game that “can’t be won, only played.”

Golf is fun, but it takes a long time to master putting, chipping, and other common shots. Find out how long it usually takes to get good at golf here.

First – Let’s Define “Good”

Good is a very relative term, especially when it’s used in a complex game like golf. Perspective is everything. For example, a beginner-level golfer who regularly shoots a 110 on the golf course may think that any golfer who breaks 100 is a “good” golfer.

According to the USGA, the average handicap for a male golfer is 14.2 and the average handicap for a female golfer is 27.5. At the majority of golf courses across the country, par is set at 72 strokes. This means that the average male golfer shoots an 86 and the average female golfer shoots a 99.

So, if we strictly go by the USGA stats, any man who shoots under an 86 and any woman who shoots under a 99 would be considered a “good” golfer. Most folks who break 90 consistently on the golf course are considered good golfers unless they are playing with a group of folks who routinely shoot lower than 80 (LOL).

How Long Does it Take The Average Person to Get Good at Golf?

This question is difficult to answer because it depends on a variety of different factors. Some golfers can start to break 100 within a year or so of taking up the game, especially if they had the benefit of professional instruction. 

These same folks can often start to break 90 regularly in two to three years if they practice rigorously and play a round of golf often enough. As we learned from the USGA numbers above, breaking 90 is a heck of an accomplishment and would put the golfer into the good player category.

Factors That Affect How Quickly You’ll Make Progress

A whole host of factors goes into becoming a good golfer. Let’s take a look at each one of those factors below, in no particular order.

1. Natural Athletic Ability

Let’s face it. Some people are just more genetically gifted than others are, especially when it comes to innate athletic ability. Folks with an athletic build and natural hand-eye coordination can usually make loads of progress in a fairly short time.

2. Professional Instruction

Putting together a fundamentally sound golf swing is a tall order because the mechanics are so complicated. While there are some rare cases out there of successful golfers who are 100% self-taught (Bubba Watson), the large majority of folks need some type of professional instruction to take their game to the next level.

3. The Ability to Concentrate

Concentration is highly important in all sports, but it is even more important in a game like golf. This is because the margin for error when hitting a golf ball is so small. Any minute lapse in concentration can cause a terrible shot that can wind up costing you a penalty stroke or two because of hazards.

Good golfers seem to have the innate ability to calm their minds and always concentrate on their next golf shot. Just how important is concentration level on the golf course? This poll shows that 100% of golfers believe that concentration level greatly affects their performance.

4. Physical Conditioning

A lot of people believe that golf is a game full of overweight beer drinkers who aren’t concerned with what kind of shape they are in. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Playing 18 holes of golf is a heck of a workout, even if you are driving instead of walking the course.

Everyone loves John Daly and rightfully so! However, most golfers these days are in great physical condition, especially on the PGA Tour. If you want to rapidly improve your game, getting into better shape is a great place to start.

5. Energy Levels

Energy level affects our performance in all aspects of life, including golf. The better you feel, the better you play (for the most part). 

How do you positively affect your energy level? Make sure you are drinking plenty of water each day and that you are eating a nutrient-rich diet. Showing up to your round or practice session hungover or starving won’t help your performance in the least.

Most Important Areas to Focus On to Graduate Past a Beginner

So, if you only have a few hours a week to practice, what aspects of the game should you focus on to get past beginner level? Here is a shortlist.

1. Putting

We’ve talked about the importance of putting on several different occasions. Think about just how important putting is. Most of your strokes are used with the putter, especially when you are just starting to learn the game.

If you two-putt every green on the golf course, you’ve used 36 strokes. If you three-putt each green (which isn’t uncommon for beginners), you’ve racked up a whopping 54 strokes.

What this shows us is that the quickest way to lower your handicap is to work perfecting on your putting stroke. Folks who want to become good golfers should strive to never three-putt on any green, no matter how difficult it may be.

2. Chip Shots

Another key area to focus on in the short game is chip shots. Most beginners have trouble hitting consistent chips when they are near the green. They’ll either chunk the chip shot and watch it only roll a couple of feet, or they’ll catch the golf ball too thin and watch it fly past the pin. 

Inaccurate chip shots can destroy a scorecard just about as fast as a poor putting stroke. The next time you go to the driving range, take only your favorite wedge with you. That way you’ll make sure to set aside enough practice time for hitting chip shots.

3. Approach Shots

This is where your irons come into play in your pursuit to graduate past the beginner level with your golf game. You can be an excellent driver of the golf ball, but if you can’t hit accurate approach shots into the green you’ll never reach your full potential as a golfer.

When hitting your irons, make sure you are making contact with the ground AFTER hitting the golf ball. In one of our previous articles, there is a great drill that can help with this. Dialing in your approach shots is a crucial step on your journey to becoming a good golfer.

4. Accuracy on Tee Shots

Last but certainly not least, golfers who want to lower their handicaps must focus on keeping their tee shots in the fairway. If you’re a high handicapper, you probably step into the tee box and try to hit the golf ball as hard as you can. That type of “all or nothing” mentality can put you directly into a water hazard.

When working on your golf swing with the driver, place a premium on accuracy and don’t worry so much about distance. Do drills that teach you how to make a quiet backswing and a smooth full swing. This will help you avoid bogeys and double bogeys on the course.

3 Tips to Help You Get Good at Golf

1. Take Lessons from a Professional Golf Instructor

Everyone needs a coach, both in life and on the golf course. Nothing will help you improve your golf game faster than taking lessons from a PGA teaching pro. I know this from personal experience.

I toiled away on the practice range all by myself when I first started playing golf. No matter how long I practiced, I could never shoot better than a 105. Finally, after about a year and a half of frustration, I bought (12) half-hour golf lessons with an instructor at my local golf club. 

I was shocked at how fast my game started to improve. Within a couple of months, I was shooting 95 on the course regularly. Needless to say, that experience turned me into a big believer in professional instruction.

Having someone teach me the fundamentals of the golf swing made all the difference in the world for me. The main things that the pro helped me correct were my setup, grip pressure, and mentality. 

Don’t be too prideful to take lessons! Most PGA Tour players have their own swing coaches. This helps them improve their games in less time.

2. Commit to a Set Practice Schedule

Have you ever heard the saying from Malcolm Gladwell that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at something? That applies to becoming a good golfer! No matter how much natural talent you have, you’ll never become a good golfer without lots of practice time.

How much time should you set aside to work on your game? There is no foolproof formula, but most experts agree that it takes three to four practice sessions a week to see rapid improvement. Even if your schedule is too busy for that amount of practice, you can still benefit by practicing only once or twice a week.

3. Practice with a Purpose

Okay, now that you’ve committed to a weekly practice schedule, it’s time to make sure that all that precious time at the driving range doesn’t go to waste. Too many golfers spend hours and hours mindlessly pounding buckets of golf balls with no plan. You won’t see a scratch golfer making that mistake.

Use your practice time to work on your weaknesses. Don’t just stand there and hit your driver repeatedly just because it’s more fun. If you struggle to hit the ball out of the sand, find a practice bunker and do drills with your sand wedge.

If you haven’t been hitting your hybrid all that well, make a note to hit at least 20 good shots with it during your next practice session. Winners always make it a point to work on their weaknesses. Best of luck on your journey to becoming a good golfer!

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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Despite being an individual sport, golf creates camaraderie.

It is not uncommon for players to encourage one another on the golf course. Naturally, there is also banter where your buddies make fun of you, in the name of gamesmanship and entertainment.

This post provides 25 unique and amusing golf sayings I’ve heard over the years. Some of them are crafted for use on the links, while others help you wish your loved one luck before they head out.

1. Relax, Take It Easy

This is one of my all-time favorites. I was a bit of a hothead when I was a teenager, and one bad shot could ruin my round. So, whenever they saw the frustration building up, they would blurt out the hit song by Mika.

Although I was the butt of the joke, they meant well. After a couple of times, I caught the humor and cracked up laughing. It calmed me down and helped me forget about my previous error shot.

2. Play-Well And Enjoy Your Round

A simple, but polite way of wishing a golfer for the round ahead. It is probably the most common phrase I have heard golfers use on the first tee box. You can also use it to wish your loved ones before they leave home for the links.

3. Forget About Your Last Round, Today Is The One That Counts

Use this phrase to encourage a buddy who is struggling with form. Golf is a harsh game, and when you are unconfident, it is difficult to gain any momentum. Take your friend’s mind off any past results and get them to focus on the task at hand for a more enjoyable round.

4. Hunt Those Birdies Today

Send your loved one off to the golf course with maximum confidence. Help your golfer think about making birdies to shave strokes off their game.

5. Score Low

If you are a person of few words, this is all a golfer needs to hear. Before they tee off, tell them to score low and send, and your job is done.

6. Keep It Long And Straight

Get your mind out of the gutter. You can tell your family member how you want them to play their round. It also works for playing partners to encourage distance and accuracy on par 5 holes.

7. Don’t Putt From The Rough

I am not referring to Matt Damon’s interpretation of the meaning in Good Will Hunting. Instead, I point to the Yakuza rules prohibiting the use of a putter off the green. This phrase encourages golfers to improve their greens in regulation for more birdie putts.

Most casual golfers struggle to get up and down when their approach shot finishes off the green. That leads to inflated scores and epic frustration.

8. We Want Bullseyes And Birdies Today

A friendly phrase to encourage your playing partners. The Bullseyes refer to accurate shots which go a long way to producing birdies.

9. Keep Bryson On His Toes And Bomb That Driver Today

You can use this phrase to encourage golfers to maximize their distance off the tee. It references the long-hitting skills of PGA Tour star Bryson DeChambeau.

10. Be Like The Big Easy, And Swing Freely

Invigorate your playing partners to induce a fluid swing to accelerate clubhead speed, and improve the consistency of the strike. The phrase cites the smooth swing of South African Ernie Els.

11. Don’t Be The Bogey That Lets The Team Down

This phrase is made for your mate who is always late, causing you to forfeit your tee time. Let them know that the team depends on them to show up on time.

12. Focus On The Positives

Another phrase that helps those friends struggling for form. When nothing goes your way, it is hard to be positive. However, it is the only way to enjoy your round. If you see a buddy beating themselves up over a bad shot, tell them to focus on good points.

13. Don’t Come Home If You Record A 3-Putt

Maybe your loved one responds well to tough love. Force them to perform with the flat stick by telling them not to return if they record a 3-putt.

14. Bring Back The Trophy

An old and simple yet effective saying. When a family member is playing in a tournament, you can cheer them on by telling them to bring back the trophy.

15. Break 80 Today

Encourage your playing partners to shoot their lowest score. If they are yet to shoot in the 70s, tell them to break 80. In addition, you can use this for players seeking to break 90, 100, or 110.

16. Stay Out Of The Woods Today, Tiger

We all have those buddies who consistently slice or hook their ball into the woods. That means the rest of us have to help them find it, wasting precious time on every hole. Give your playing partner some tough love on the first tee and push them to stay out of the Woods.

17. The Rest Of The Field Does Not Stand A Chance Against Your Swing

Increase your playing partners’ confidence by complementing their swing. Let them know that nobody can compete with it.

18. Every Round Brings You Closer To An Ace

Amateurs live for the day they will card their first ace. Unfortunately, not everyone achieves it. Give your family member something to work towards by pushing for that elusive hole-in-one.

19. Don’t Lose Too Many Balls, Remember You Need Two

This is for the naughty girlfriend or wife. If your partner loses loads of golf balls every round, give him a piece of your mind, and make him work harder to not lose any.

20. Happy Shooting

A simple phrase designed to wish a golfer an enjoyable day out on the links. This is typically used by playing partners before teeing off on the 1st.

21. If You Prove Yourself In Foreplay On The First 18, There Will Be A Surprise Waiting On The 19th

Another phrase for the mischievous golfer’s wife or girlfriend. Incentivize their performance by offering a prize when they return home. However, if they do not perform, let them know that there is no consolation prize.

The 19th hole typically refers to the bar, but in this context, your partner will want to skip the bar and head home to you.

22.There Are Only 18-Holes To Go Before The 19th

You can throw this phrase out to your booze-hound friends who need some encouragement to get through a round sober.

23. Avoid The Scenic Route And Keep It Straight

This phrase is ideal for encouraging your buddies with an erratic long game. Urge them to stay out of the woods and the thick rough by sending it straight down the fairway. Disclaimer, it is not guaranteed to work and may cause some players to feel increased pressure.

24. Plug Those Holes With Your Balls

A final naughty good luck saying for wives and girlfriends. Encourage your partner to get his golf ball into the hole in as few shots as possible. Ensure he knows that you are referring to golf because it may take his focus away from the game.

25. Play Below Your Handicap

There is nothing clever or deceitful about this saying. It encourages a golfer to shoot lower than their handicap. In layman’s terms, they have a successful day at the office.

Related: Read about our best golf pick up lines if you are searching for a partner who loves the game.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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When I was first learning to play golf, I often struggled with the direction of my approach shots.

On a particular par 3 hole, I flushed a 7-iron but thanks to a nasty wind gust ended up 20 yards to the right of the hole, although the shot was the correct distance. Needless to say, I was wishing I could take a mulligan!

My Dad said, “Well at least your tee shot was pin high.” I remember glancing at him with a deer in the headlights type of look. Since most beginners may not know what pin high means, we decided to go discuss it in this post.

What Does The Term Pin High Mean in Golf?

The term pin high may sound complicated but it’s actually quite simple. A pin high shot is any shot that travels the exact distance of the flagstick. Let’s go over a couple of examples below to further explain things.

Have you ever hit a good iron shot into the green that was the exact distance of the pin but nowhere near the location of the hole? Surprisingly, that’s called a pin high shot because your golf ball still wound up being parallel to the hole.

In contrast, have you ever hit an incredible golf shot that wound up just to the right or left of the hole for a short putt for eagle? That’s also considered a pin high shot.

Is It a Good Thing to Be Pin High?

As with most questions about the game of golf, the answer depends on a variety of factors. If you are pin high after a shot, it’s a good thing in that you selected the correct club and showed some accuracy with your distance control. Obviously, if you hit a pin high shot and only leave yourself a 3-foot birdie putt, that’s a fabulous thing!

However, being pin high is not always a good thing. For example, if you hit a pin high shot that ended up in a greenside bunker or (worse) out of bounds in a nearby water hazard, that’s not a good thing for your scorecard. Hitting the ball into the water hazard is especially bad since it results in a one-stroke penalty.

So, in other words, just because you hit the ball the correct yardage doesn’t help you if you landed too far away from the pin position. Plenty of golfers may be pin high after their second shot on a par 4 and still wind up making a double bogey or worse in stroke play. Heck, I’ve even ended up making a dreaded snowman (8) on a Par 5 after hitting a pin high approach shot.

Why It’s Called Pin High

Contrary to popular belief, being pin high has absolutely nothing to do with the height of your shots. It simply means that you hit your approach shot the correct distance, which would be even with the flagstick (or pin). As we discussed earlier, being pin high can be either a good thing or a bad thing.

Pin High is simply a slang term that is thrown around on golf courses all over the world. As you may or may not know, most golfers are extremely fond of slang words. After all, golf pins are a nickname for the flags or flagsticks.

Pin High vs. Hole High

Surprisingly, there is no difference between being pin high or being hole high. Both are slang words that mean the exact same thing: a shot that traveled a distance that is even to the pin or hole. Golfers use these terms interchangeably all of the time.

While there is no difference between being pin high and being hole high, there is a major difference between being pin high and being pin low. While a pin high shot is the correct distance with the wrong direction, a pin low shot is the correct direction but winds up short of the pin.

Would You Rather Be Pin High Or Pin Low?

It all depends on the layout of the green and the position of the hole location. Most of the time golfers would prefer to be pin high because at least they knew that they pulled the right club for their approach shot.

That being said, sometimes winding up pin low of the hole is an advantage. This is especially true if the pin location is uphill. Uphill putts don’t break nearly as sharply or as quickly as downhill putts.

Should You Leave The Pin in When Putting?

This has been a popular question ever since 2019 when the USGA made a new rule that allowed golfers to leave the pin in during their putts. The rule gives golfers the option to leave the pin in, remove the pin, or have their caddie tend the pin during a putt. One of the main reasons for the rule change was to hopefully speed up the pace of play.

According to Dave Pelz, a well-known putting instructor who has a degree in Physics, golfers should always leave the pin in while putting. Pelz led a study back in 1990 that proved that golfers will sink more putts just by leaving the flagstick in. The results of the study proved that the golf ball still has plenty of space to drop into the hole with the pole in place.

Famous PGA Tour stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Adam Scott have adopted the “pin-in” putting philosophy and it has helped their scoring. Dechambeau even did a short demonstration video on why he thinks putting with the flagstick in will help him sink a higher percentage of putts:

On the other hand, Golf Digest did an analysis with the golf teams at California Polytechnic State University on whether or not golfers should take the flag out or leave it in while putting. According to their research and trials, PGA Tour players would only benefit from leaving the flagstick in on 0.0033% of all putts!

So, should you leave the pin in place when putting? As with a lot of things in golf, there is no definitive answer. Though DeChambeau, Scott, and Pelz say the science supports leaving the pin in, most PGA Tour pros still pull the flagstick out of the hole before using their putter.

According to the USGA website, there is no competitive advantage to be gained by putting with the flagstick in or taking it out. The best thing you can do is experiment with both theories and see which one lowers your handicap and gets you closer to becoming a scratch golfer.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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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.

Your skill level and personal preference are factors that guide your decisions. However, it ultimately comes down to your budget. I have laid out a guide that gives you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for a set of clubs, depending on your needs.

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

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.

Breakdown by Club and Skill Level

Driver

Beginner

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The 0211 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

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

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

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 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

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

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

Scotty Cameron created the Select Newport 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.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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