Many of the best ball strikers in the world made their way to Mayakoba this week for the 2022 World Wide Technology Championship. At the halfway point, it is not world No. 2 Scottie Scheffler, two-time defending champion Viktor Hovland, or two-time major champion Collin Morikawa leading the way; rather, it’s 33-year-old Russell Henley.

The former Georgia Bulldog will have plenty on his mind over the coming days with his alma mater taking on the Tennessee Volunteers on the gridiron Saturday, and with him going for his first victory on the PGA Tour since 2017. Standing at 16 under — a 36-hole scoring record at this event — and three strokes clear of Sam Ryder and Will Gordon, Henley will attempt to do what what he has not been able to over the last five years — close out a golf tournament.

Henley has been close to capturing his fourth PGA Tour title on a number of occasions, but has fallen short at each turn. Just last year, he collapsed down the stretch at the 2021 Wyndham Championship. Months later, he was caught by Hideki Matsuyama at the 2022 Sony Open, where he ultimately fell in a playoff. 

With plenty of golf yet to be played, Henley will have to fight not only the competition but his inner demons around El Camaleon Golf Club. With many unknown quantities occupying the first page of the leaderboard, just slightly further behind, a couple of the pre-tournament favorites may be licking their chops as both Hovland and Morikawa stand at 8 under and eight strokes adrift.

The leader

1. Russell Henley (-16)

Russ is cooking at the moment, but that is not to say we have not seen this movie before. A prolific fast starter, it has been the final 36 holes which has tripped up Henley ever since his last victory at the 2017 Houston Open. His accurate driving and precise iron play is likely to persist, but keep an eye on the putter as it has often been the problem child of his when attempting to close out tournaments.

“I felt great the last two days,” said Henley. “Mentally felt confident and believing in what I was doing. Hit a lot of fairways and had some nice par saves today that kept my round going. Obviously very happy with where I am.”

Other contenders

T2. Sam Ryder, Will Gordon (-13)

4. Patton Kizzire (-12)

5. David Lingmerth (-11)

T6. Brian Harman, Martin Laird, Harry Higgs (-10)

T9. Maverick McNealy, Greyson Sigg, Matt Kuchar, Scott Piercy, Patrick Rodgers (-9)

Playing on a sponsor’s exemption this week, Higgs is taking full advantage of his opportunity down in Mexico. His second round of 9-under 62 was extremely timely as the former SMU Mustang entered the week having missed 16 of 20 cuts including his first three of the 2022-23 PGA Tour season. Losing his PGA Tour card last season and missing all three cuts in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, quality performances have been hard to come by. 

“I mean, all over the place,” Higgs said of his current state of mind. “Like I have had a lot of poor days and a lot of consecutive poor days, and then I’ve also had not as many as I would like, but I’ve had some days that were great where I had full control, I was making good decisions, I was kind of, as we all say, getting out of my own way.” 

Harman’s ace propels him into contention

Back-to-back rounds of 5-under 66 have Brian Harman in the thick of it at Mayakoba for the first time in his career. Playing at El Camaleon for the 10th time in his career, the 35-year-old had previously done no better than a T30 finish. Kickstarting his day with a hole-in-one on the par-3 4th, Harman will have a memory regardless of if this form continues over the weekend.

“You know, this place kind of had my number over the years, haven’t really done very good here and today was kind of one of those days, just kind of chopping around, wasn’t doing that great,” said Harman. “Just settled down, made a couple really good swings, started with that one into the wind, just hooded a 50 [degree wedge] and slung it back in there.”

2022 Mayakoba updated odds, picks

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

• Russell Henley: 11/10
• Will Gordon: 9-1
• Sam Ryder: 11-1
• Brian Harman: 18-1
• Viktor Hovland: 20-1
• Patton Kizzire: 22-1
• Collin Morikawa: 28-1
• Maverick McNealy: 30-1
• Matt Kuchar: 35-1
• David Lingmerth: 35-1
• Martin Laird: 45-1

After opening with an even-par 71, Morikawa shot inside the top 20 with an 8-under 64 on Friday. Coming into the week with his iron play in form, he has carried this approach play and coupled it with a few nice putts in his second round. There are numerous question marks at the top of this leaderboard and that should give way to a weekend charge from a player such as Morikawa, who will give himself plenty of birdie looks over the next couple days. It will take a momentous effort being eight strokes off the pace, but at roughly double his pre-tournament price could be worthy of an investment.

“Eight’s a lot, but eight’s still doable come this weekend,” said Morikawa of the deficit. “This golf course, the way it’s playing, you can post two really good low ones on the weekend. I’m definitely going to need that if I’m going to be in contention, but after today I’m feeling pretty good.”

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The busy working lives of professionals often leave them with little to no time for their favorite activities.

For golfers, that means minimal practice and leads to disastrous days out on the course. Golf simulators now allow you to work on your long shots indoors, and an office putting set covers your short game.

In this guide, I unveil the best putting sets for office use. I have lined up a range of options varying from dirt cheap to premium. We will look at basic designs with a cup and a ball to a complete putting mat.
For those that just need a quick recommendation, here are our top choices:

Best Budget Putting Sets

1. JEF Automatic Putting Cup

The JEF Automatic Putting Cup is a simple practice hole device with automatic ball return functionality. In addition, the cup is a realistic size to help you improve your accuracy for superior results on the golf course.

This cup does not come with a mat, putter, or golf balls, but you probably own that equipment already. Setup the putting cup wherever you please and start mastering your short game. You can transport the cup on vacation, business trips, and to the office. Thanks to its lightweight construction.

Reviews on Amazon: 4 stars, 783 ratings

2. Neon Executive Putting Set

The Neon Executive Portable Putter set enables you to work on your putting stroke indoors or out. A 4-piece putter, a practice hole, and 2 golf balls are included in the set. In addition, a storage case allows you to keep all the components in one place.

Within moments you can get set up and work on your stroke. Connect the putter pieces, place the practice cup in the desired location and get putting. The downside of this setup is that your ball can roll anywhere if your carpet features an uneven pattern.

However, based on its convenience, moderate price, and ease of use, it is a handy option for indoor use. Plus, the compact case enables easy storage.

Reviews on Amazon: 4.5 stars, 311 ratings

3. WSERE Golf Putting Cup

The WSERE Putting Cup is an excellent option for startup founders on a tight budget. Budding entrepreneurs may decide to forego an entire set and acquire a golf putting cup instead. All you need is a putter and a couple of golf balls.

Grab the plastic cup, place it on the floor, and putt away. The practice hole also enables you to work on the chipping element of your golf game. You can set it up outside and see how many times you can sink it.

If you don’t have any outdoor space, think about a chipping mat to avoid causing irreparable damage to your carpet.

Reviews on Amazon: 4.5 stars, 114 ratings

Best Mid Range Putting Sets

1. Club Champ Automatic Golf Putting System

This Club Champ Golf Putting System is priced at the lower end of the mid-range market and is worth the additional expense. Instead of a single practice cup, this setup includes a 7-inch mat that simulates real putting greens. Plus, it automatically returns your ball.

Plus, the cup is positioned at the top of a slope to help you master your distance control with a putter.

Unlike some automatic ball return products, this one uses the power of gravity to shoot your ball back to you.

Reviews on Amazon: 4 Stars, 1,646 ratings

2. JEF Golf Hazard Deluxe Putting Mat

The JEF Golf Hazard Deluxe Putting Mat is the best indoor golf set to challenge your distance control. A cup is positioned at the top of a ramp, which means you cannot leave anything short. Conversely, a bunker and water hazard lie on either side behind the cup. That means you cannot over or under swing on your putt.

On top of its challenging setup, this set features an automatic ball return to speed up the process between putts.

Despite its impressive features, this set does not include putters or balls. However, you likely have access to these tools, which should solve your problem.

Reviews on Amazon: 4.5 Stars, 1,295 ratings

3. Abco Tech Indoor Golf Putting Green

Abco Tech offers a kidney-shaped golf mat with three holes, two bunker cut-outs, and three golf balls. The option of three holes and a 3 by 9-inch kidney-shaped mat enables you to work on putting from different angles.

The company inserted two cut-outs behind the hole to act as sand traps. That forces you to master the art of distance control for more consistency on the greens.

Furthermore, a rubber base on the mat keeps it stable, even when placed on slippery floors. Plus, it is easy to fold up and store away.

Reviews on Amazon: 4.5 Stars, 3,645 ratings

Best Premium Putting Set

1. Perfect Practice Putting Green

The Perfect Practice Putting Set is built for the golf enthusiast who takes their office break putting seriously. According to the company, this is the preferred indoor mat for former world number one golfer Dustin Johnson.

This 9.6-inch crystal velvet mat includes two raised cups to challenge you the way a standard round of golf does. It provides a great putting green to help you improve your short game golfing skills.

In addition, a hassle-free automatic ball return system saves you time by not having to pick up your ball after each shot. Plus, clear white lines help you master your aim.

Reviews on Amazon: 4.5 Stars, 1,455 ratings

2. Crest Golf Putting Mat Set

If you are willing to splurge slightly more, you can turn your workplace into the best office in town. This putting golf set includes an artificial turf mat, 12-holes, 2-putters, and 6-golf balls.

You can play solo and putt from one end to the other until you get bored, or you can take on your friends, family, and colleagues. The team that sinks putts into all 6-holes first is the winner.

This is also an ideal gift, or well suited to a bachelor’s party where the groomsmen strive to inebriate the groom. Finally, the putting mat folds up to allow you to store it with ease.

Reviews on Amazon: 4.5 stars, 264 ratings

Want to improve your putting game even further? Check out our post on the 8 best putting drills to make more birdies.

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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Finding the best golf club sets for beginners can be difficult, especially when you’re new to the game.

There are many different club combinations and
specifications, so it’s easy to become lost in the jargon.

Here you’ll find the best beginner’s golf clubs in the UK, from premium products to more budget-friendly options. We’ve also included tips for choosing the best club sets.

One of the most budget-friendly golf club sets for
beginners, the Inesis package has everything you need to get started.

There are seven clubs included, with a 15-metre
difference between each of them to ensure you can cover all distances. Each
features an enlarged clubface for more forgiveness on off-centre hits, making
them ideal for improving your technique.

The clubs are incredibly lightweight and won’t weigh
you down. They also have an ergonomic grip to improve hand placement, so you
can stay focused on the key elements of mastering your swing.

Related: 7 driving range tips to improve shot consistency

One of the biggest names in golf, Wilson
surprisingly offers some of the best beginner’s golf clubs in the UK at a fair
price.

This set comprises of a driver, fairway, hybrid, and
6-SW irons, all of which have a lightweight graphite shaft to provide a higher
ball flight if you have a slow to moderate swing. What more could a beginner
need?

The Wilson bag included in the purchase is extremely
high-quality, lightweight, and has a divider to make organising your clubs a
breeze.

Overall, the set has a real premium feel, which is exactly what you’d expect from this brand.

There are ten clubs in this set from Callaway, each
specially designed to help you hit straighter, longer, and more consistent
shots.

The 6-9 irons each have large cavity backs and a
stabilising arch to increase stability and tolerance, even on mishits.

The Odyssey White Hot Pro
Putter is a unique selling point, as the smooth-rolling white hot insert
provides quality stabilisation and precision. It also comes with a SuperStroke golf grip for
extra feedback and comfort.

Related: How to hit a golf ball further in 7 easy steps

Want to avoid those difficult-to-hit longer irons?
This set from Confidence Golf contains a 24-degree hybrid iron, so you needn’t
worry about those lower loft, thin-face clubs.

All clubs within the set are fitted with regular
flex steel shafts, ideal for golfers looking for extra control over their
shots.

Confidence has created one of the best beginner’s golf club sets in the UK regarding value for money. The bag has an upgraded five-divider design, auto-pop legs, a rain cover, and a dual padded carrying strap.

TaylorMade has just the answer if you want to invest
in a high-end beginner’s golf set.

The irons are massively forgiving, as each is
designed with a large cavity back and advanced weighting. This prevents the
clubface from twisting on off-centre hits and provides much more consistency.

You’ll also benefit from the tolerance the 4 and 5
hybrids bring compared to long irons. This is ideal for beginners and means you
can get straight to mastering your technique.

The bag is high-quality and lightweight for easy carrying across the course. It also comes with wood and putter headcovers, a nice extra touch.

How to choose the best beginner’s golf clubs 

It’s not easy to determine what you need from what
could help you become a better golfer.

That said, we have a few tips to save you the extra
time and energy that goes into researching this, the first being that beginners
don’t need custom-fitted clubs or those manufactured by top golf brands.

When purchasing your first set, make sure you have
the essentials:

• a driver
• a 3-wood (or a hybrid)
• at least two irons
• a putter

The best golf club sets for beginners will include
these, alongside a sand wedge, pitching wedge and perhaps some additional irons
to aid your game.

Other than this, here are a few factors to consider
when checking out individual clubs.

Related: How to grip a golf club in 5 easy steps

1. Loft

If you’re unfamiliar with this term, it simply
relates to the angle formed between the clubface and the ground. The higher the
loft number, the bigger the angle.

Loft directly impacts how far the ball travels after
the clubface makes contact. Clubs with a lower loft number will give the ball
greater distance, and vice versa.

Check out this complete golf club loft guide to boost your understanding and ultimately learn more about the loft you want for each of your clubs. 

2. Grip 

Before buying a beginner’s golf set, it’s a good
idea to test your swing with a few different clubs. This way, you can get a
feel for the grip thickness that works best for you.

Clubs with a thinner grip can increase your hand
actions at the start of your swing, while a thicker grip can limit your hand
movement.

Both can cause issues on impact, so it’s best to eradicate any grip types that hinder your progress early on.

3. The shaft 

There are two factors to consider when selecting the
correct shaft for your clubs: length and flex.

The taller you are, the longer the shaft you’ll need
to get the best out of your clubs.

Flex relates to how stiff or soft the shaft is,
which can affect your technique. Too much stiffness causes slicing, while a
soft shaft can hook your ball flight to the left.

The best golf sets for beginners feature
well-balanced clubs that help you perfect your swing.

Related: How to stop slicing the golf ball in 5 simple steps

4. Price 

Rather than going for the most expensive clubs that
money can buy, it’s best to focus on getting a reasonably priced set that suits
your needs.

There’s no need to go for the same clubs as your
favourite golfer. After all, brands create custom-fit sets for professionals,
so what works for them might not necessarily work for you.

Be open-minded and prepared to research different brands to get a feel for what’s best for your game. That’s the best way to find a great set of beginner’s golf clubs.

If you buy a set of golf clubs, you may want to
protect them through specialist golf insurance.

At Golf Care, we arrange cover that protects your
clubs, bags and equipment against theft, loss, and damage. That way, you can
play golf without constantly worrying about your gear.

You can learn more about how we can help here or get an instant online quote by clicking the banner
below.

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