What are the best golf clubs in 2025?
It’s the early days of equipment releases for this year, but there are still some absolute gems left over from last year.
Every club on this page underwent extensive testing on the course and on the range.
Disclaimer: “Best” is our opinion from our testing and we always suggest you do your own test before you buy.
There are too many great irons to put on this page.
So, we tried to get down to the top 3 or so for each handicap range. (Feel free to comment below about how you think our format is working – We are always trying to improve)
The real differences come down to the handicap(s) a given club is geared toward and your personal preference.
In this review of the best golf clubs, I discuss my experience with the clubs, unique features and benefits, and our recommendations.
Our Complete List (Updated For 2025)
Best Complete Set
Best Irons for All Handicaps
Mid – High Handicaps
- Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Irons (Best For 10ish – 18ish Handicaps)
- Callaway Apex Ai300 Irons (Best For 10ish – 18ish Handicaps)
- Cobra DS Adapt Irons (Best Value – Best For 15 – 25 Handicaps)
Mid – Low Handicaps
- Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons (Best For 4ish – 12ish Handicaps)
- 2025 Taylormade P790 Irons (Best For 6ish to 10ish Handicaps)
- Titleist T250 Irons (Best For Better Mid Handicappers – 10ish and lower)
Low Handicaps
- Mizuno JPX 925 Forged Irons (Best for 0 – 9ish Handicaps)
- Taylormade P-7CB Irons (Best for 0 – 6 Handicaps)
- 2023 Titleist T100 Irons (Best for 0 – 5ish Handicaps)
Best Drivers
- Titleist GT2 (Legit Great For Any Handicap)
- Ping G440 Max (Great For Most Golfers)
- Callaway Elyte X (Lots of Forgiveness)
- Taylormade Qi35 Max
- Taylormade Qi35
Best Wedges
Best Complete Sets
Stix Golf Clubs
Save $50 on Full set w/ Code: GOLFERGEEKS50
- Premium Golf Bag
- Complete 14-Club Set
- Beautiful Black Matt Finish
- Great for Beginners & High Handicaps
- Lack premium refinement
- Grips can be slippery
Stix Golf clubs are our top recommendation for the best complete set of golf clubs for beginners.
What we like:
- Quality material and construction.
- They don’t look cartoonish or bulky, though they do look forgiving and have game-improvement-size heads.
- They get the ball up easily and want to fly straight. Perfect for those just starting out.
- You won’t break the bank but you still get a quality set of clubs.
What we don’t like:
- The wedges seem too small for beginners. Not that they’re unplayable, but I’d like to see larger heads with cavity backs.
I resisted testing these clubs for quite a while. They looked cool enough online, but I don’t generally trust full sets like this or non-major brands when it comes to golf clubs.
Plus, there’s no way I could get close to my specs which means I wouldn’t be able to hit them and give them a fair shake.
Surprise – I didn’t get close to my specs and these are definitely game-improvement clubs. But, I was able to get around the course just fine and score one of my best rounds of the year.
Even on the range, I could tell these clubs were good to go. Every club in that bag wants to go straight. And, it was the same story during my round.
Customer Reviews: Stix Golf has collected (as of this writing) 2710 reviews. 76% are 5-star and 12% are 4-star. (Read our full review here)
Bottom line: Stix Golf clubs are made well and work well. They’re worth a try if you’re thinking of buying a full matching set.
Irons: High Handicaps to Low Handicaps
Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metal Irons ( Best Overall)
- Superb forgiveness & distance
- Best sound & feel in golf
- High launch
- Best clubs for the price
- Nada
Mizuno JPX 925 Hot Metals aren’t the most forgiving, but they’re plenty forgiving, silly long, and launch the ball easily.
- We recommend them for 10ish handicaps up to 18ish handicaps.
What we like:
- Still the best sound and feel in golf.
- Loads of forgiveness and help with distance.
- Helps you get the ball up quickly, even with marginal contact.
- Really hittable long irons.
What we don’t like:
- Nada.
JPX 925 Hot Metal Iron Specs
- Set: 4 iron – GW
- Shaft: Nippon NS Pro 950 NEO
- Shaft flex: Stiff
7-iron Launch Monitor Data
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
83 | 120 | 188 | 16* | 71ft |
I started testing Mizunos with the 921s and they’ve been at the top of all my lists since then.
Dollar for dollar you can’t beat their performance, and no other manufacturer matches their sound and feel.
They tick every game improvement box and do it at a reasonable price.
You can read the full review here.
Bottom line: Another winner from Mizuno for the mid and high handicapper. Performs with the best of them and at a better price.
Callaway Apex Ai300 Irons (Best Money No Object)
- Superb Sound & Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- Easy Launch & High Trajectory
- Nada
Apex Ai300s are superior performers in all categories.
Though they are plenty forgiving, the heads aren’t quite as large as our top two which may means you may not look down at them as confidently. Worth testing.
- We recommend them for 10ish handicaps up to 18ish handicaps.
What we like:
- Much improved sound and feel over last year’s Apex lineup.
- Launch quickly with high trajectory and great carry.
- Loaded with forgiveness and distance.
- Perform well out of the rough.
- Hittable long irons.
What we don’t like:
- Price. But it seems the new norm for good high handicap irons is ~$200/club.
7-iron Launch Monitor Data
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
81 | 117 | 181 | 15* | 62 ft |
I expected the Ai300s to perform reasonably well and for them to have the “clicky” sound and feel of the Apex irons we tested last year.
Well, they outperformed, and their soft-solid sound and feel was a very welcome surprise.
The strong lofts didn’t prevent them from launching high with great carry and they held every green they hit.
They’re also very strong performers out of the rough, with good distance control and spin.
Read full Apex ai300 irons review.
Bottom line: Excellent irons for beginners or high handicappers. like them for most high handicaps. You get tons of performance and premium feel.
Cobra DS-Adapt Irons
- Superb Feel & Sound
- Easy launch - High Trajectory
- Great through the turf
- Healthy Distance & Forgiveness
- Nada - they hit their mark
The DS-Adapt irons are the next generation of Darkspeed irons. “DS” stands for Darkspeed.
- We recommend them for 15-25 handicaps…and so does Cobra.
What we like:
- Great sound and feel, like the Darkspeeds.
- Higher launch and trajectory make them much more playable for high handicappers.
- Loads of forgiveness and distance.
- Legit performance upgrade over Darkspeed irons.
What we don’t like:
- Not much. We think they hit their mark.
7-iron Launch Monitor Data
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height | Spin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
82 | 116 | 183 | 17* | 76 ft | 3533 |
DS-Adapt irons are solid performers with better-than-average sound and feel.
Massive props to Cobra – They spotted a deficiency in launch and trajectory with the Darkspeeds and significantly improved both the very next year.
Read full Adapt-DS irons review.
Bottom line: Great sound and feel. Plenty long and forgiving. Higher launch and trajectory than Darkspeeds. A solid choice at a good price. Cobra irons deserve a chance to be in your bag.
Callaway Apex Ai200 Irons
- Superb Sound & Feel
- Easy Distance & Plenty Forgiving
- Long irons a breeze to hit
- Launch Easily with High Trajectory
- A little pricey
I did not want to return these. Exceptional performance through the set. Great for 10ish handicaps on down.
What we like:
- Stellar sound and feel.
- Loads of distance and forgiveness.
- Excellent out of the rough.
- Hittable long irons.
- Launch the ball quickly and fly high and straight.
What we don’t like:
- I prefer smaller, sleeker clubheads, but I’m nitpicking.
I figured the Apex i200s would be good irons with the same “clicky” sound and feel from all of last year’s Apex lineup.
Wrong.
The i200s perform exceptionally well and Callaway massively improved sound and feel. It’s now soft, solid, and refined. Among the best in the game at this point.
See full Callaway Apex ai200 irons review.
Customer Reviews:
- 4 reviews as I write this. All 5-star and all say they would recommend the i200s to a friend.
Bottom line: Callaway nailed it. Put the i200s on your list to try if you’re in the market for a great player distance iron set.
2025 Taylormade P790 Irons
- Gooorgeous
- Great Sound & Feel
- Long & Forgiving
- High Launch & Carry
- Not a big improvement over 2023 P790s
Taylormade did it again…again with the 2025
What we like:
- Georgeous – Best cosmetics yet with the perfect size player head without being intimidating.
- Best Sound & Feel yet from the P790 line.
- Ample distance and a touch of forgiveness.
- High launch and carry
- Still accurate, solid, & consistent for better scoring.
What we don’t like:
- Price – they’ll set you back.
I expected they’d be good and they were. They’re even more refined than the 2023s, which were/are impressive irons.
Taylormade just keeps turning the dial on the P790s every couple of years to legitimately make them better.
The 2025s are the best yet, no doubt.
I think they’re geared more toward player than player distance. Refined tools instead of turbo charged.
Customer Reviews: Average rating of 4.8 with 680 reviews. 98% would recommend the 2025 P-790s
Bottom line: The best P790s yet…against stiff competition.
Titleist T250 Irons
- GEORGEOUS
- Good Sound & Feel
- All the Distance & Ample Forgiveness
- High Launch & Trajectory
- Hittable long irons
- Pricey
Titleist T250s replaced the T200 line and quickly earned a spot on our list.
I like them for better mid handicaps to low handicaps. Say 10ish on down.
What we like:
- Georgeous…crazy gorgeous. Need to see them in person to truly appreciate. Loooove their head shape.
- Good sound and feel.
- Ample distance and a touch of forgiveness.
- High launch and trajectory
- Hittable long irons.
What we don’t like:
- Price – Above their competition.
I knew the T250s would be good and they didn’t disappoint. (Titleist doesn’t know how to make bad irons)
If you’ve got the game and the money, they’ll deliver for you
Bottom line: A solid set of player distance irons that deliver on their promise. You get what they advertise.
Mizuno JPX 925 Forged Irons
- Best Sound & Feel in the game
- Explosive & Consistant Distance
- Launch quickly & high
- Can handle any shot you have
- Bupkis
I love me some JPX Forged irons. I could not wait to get my hands on the 925 versions and I was, in no way, disappointed.
What we like:
- THE BEST sound and feel in the game…including other Mizuno irons.
- Compact, player-looking clubheads.
- Explosive distance when you catch them. Merely long, otherwise.
- High launch and trajectory.
- You can play all the shots.
- Just a splash of forgiveness.
What we don’t like:
- Not. A. Thing.
Set Tested: 4 iron – PW
Shaft: KBS Tour C-Taper Lite 110g
Shaft flex: Stiff
7-Iron Launch Monitor Numbers
Club | Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance (yds) | Peak Height (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | 80 | 116 | 182 | 79 |
I expect greatness from Mizuno JPX Forged irons and I am never disappointed.
We’re talking superb playability matched with the most heavenly sound and feel you can imagine.
And, you’ll have to imagine unless you’ve played JPX Forged irons before.
See full Mizuno JPX 925 irons review.
Customer Reviews:
- Mizuno doesn’t collect them.
Bottom line: Mizuno nailed it again…again. I love these for better ball strikers. I found them slightly less forgiving than prior models.
TaylorMade P-7CB Irons
- Nice Sound & Feel
- Ample Distance
- Splash of Forgiveness
- Good launch, trajectory & workability
- Nada - they hit their mark
The P7CBs are a more forgiving P7MCs I tested last year. (Also on this list)
What we like:
- Good sound & feel.
- Good looking compact clubheads – but not intimidating.
- High launch and trajectory with good contact and a splash of forgiveness.
- Not punishing on mishits.
- Distance true to their loft and consistent.
- Accurate & consistent.
- Can play all the shots.
What we don’t like:
- Nada –
TaylorMade hit their mark.
I played one round and had two range sessions with the P7CBs.
I got out pretty much exactly what I put in. Good contact got me the distance, direction, and shape I was looking for. Minor mishits got most of that with a little loss of distance. Exactly what I/you expect.
These are player irons with a little added forgiveness. A nicer version of the P7MCs.
See full Taylormade P-7CB irons review.
Bottom line: Great performance and feel on good contact with appropriate results with minor mishits. Great iron for better ball strikers. They do all the things.
2023 Titleist T100 Irons
- Soft & Solid Feel
- Accurate & Consistent
- Great Launch & Trajectory
- Player Looks & Profile
- Can play any shot your skill allows
- Pricey
The 2023 T100s are our best Titleist Irons for 0 to about 8ish handicaps.
What we like:
- Premium looks and design.
- Soft, solid, and stable feel at impact.
- Launch them high and straight or flight and work them any way your skill permits.
- Excellent feel and stability through impact.
- Accurate and consistent.
What we don’t like:
- Pricey
- Excellent clubs, but not a big difference from the 2021 T100s
No surprises here with the new 2023 T100 irons…or with any Titleist irons. They look premium in your hands and set up beautifully behind the ball. The compact heads are the perfect size for players. They do everything Titleist says they’ll do.
The feel remains among the best in the game. The ball gets up quickly with good carry and there’s a touch of forgiveness. More than the 620 CBs below. You aren’t overly punished by minor mishits, but you will pay the price with a loss of distance.
These are precision-scoring clubs. You’ve got to bring your game, and when you do…it’s glorious.
Bottom Line – Continued excellence from Titleist. Superb clubs if you’re willing to spend the money.
Best Drivers
Titleist GT2 (New Editor’s Pick)
- Sleek & Gorgeous
- Great Sound & Feel
- Loads of Distance & Forgiveness
- Price
The new GT2 is our surprise new Editor’s Pick for the mid handicapper (or most golfers).
Why We Love It:
- Sleek & Gorgeous Design – Minimalistic black-on-black aesthetic with a classic-shaped head that looks inviting at address.
- Great Sound & Feel – Provides a solid, muted impact sensation across a large portion of the face.
- Loads of Distance & Forgiveness – Delivers impressive distance, even on off-center hits, keeping shots playable and far down the fairway.
What Could Be Better?
- Price Point – At ~ $649 new, it’s on the higher end of high.
Real-World Performance:
The Titleist GT2 Driver stands out for its combination of distance and forgiveness. Its high MOI design ensures stability on off-center hits, maintaining ball speed and keeping shots in play.
When struck well, the GT2 produces explosive distance, some of the longest drives I’ve recorded in some time.
The consistent performance, even on less-than-perfect swings, makes it a reliable choice for golfers seeking both power and accuracy.
Read full Titleist GT2 driver review.
Customer Reviews: Titleist doesn’t collect them.
Bottom line – The Titleist GT2 Driver offers a blend of sleek design, exceptional feel, and impressive performance, making it a top contender for most golfers.
PING G440 Max
- Loads of Forgiveness & Distance
- Great Sound & Feel
- Attractive
- Adjustable sole weight
- Nada
The G440 Max is fresh out of testing and where it belongs on the top of our list.
What we like:
- All the distance and forgiveness you need.
- Great sound and feel.
- Looks great in the bag and behind the ball.
- Launches and carries high.
What we don’t like:
- Nada
Launch Monitor #s
Note: I used range balls for this test. I’m always quite a bit longer on the course with my ProVs.
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height | Spin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
103 mph | 152yds | 252 yds | 11* | 83 ft | 3154 |
I expected the G440 max to be plenty long and forgiving – and I wasn’t disappointed.
I’m not sure I expected to be as long when I missed the sweet spot and as forgiving with some pretty sketchy swings.
Customer Reviews: Average rating of 4.8 out of 17 reviews at pinggolf.com.(1) 13 out of 16 – 81% – would recommend the G440 Max.(Seems low)
- Excellent distance and forgiveness are the high points.
- The one non-5 star customer review was a 1-star (which I sometimes discount) and they complained it didn’t perform as well as their G425.
Read full G440 Max driver review.
Bottom line: The G440 max is my kind of driver. It wanted to put me in the fairway or at least have a decent shot into the green. Not to mention, premium sound and feel, plus looks.
Taylormade Qi35 Max
- Great Sound & Feel
- Plenty Distance & Forgiveness
- High Launch & Peak Height
- Mediocre cosmetics
- Not a major improvement over the Qi10
What we like:
- Premium sound and feel. A slight improvement over the Qi10.
- High launch and carry.
- Ample forgiveness and distance.
What we don’t like:
- Mediocre cosmetics.
- Not much of an improvement over the Qi10.
Launch Monitor #s
Club Speed | Ball Speed | Carry Distance | Vertical Launch | Peak Height | Spin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
99 mph | 154 mph | 255 yds | 12* | 109 ft | 3768 |
I hit the Qi35 Max a LOT on the range during testing. This happens when my driver swing isn’t as reliable as I’d like (which happens too often – though I’m actively working on improving that).
I got ok results, but I felt the Qi35 had more to offer.
Besides, I’m a better driver on the course when I have definitive targets.
Such was the case with the Qi35 Max. Though it didn’t get my best swings during my round, it performed admirable to keep me in play and help me post my best score in a while.
Customer Reviews: Average rating of 4.8 out of 273 reviews at taylormadegolf.com.
- Customers rave about it’s forgiveness, distance, and sound and feel.
Read full Qi35 Max driver review.
Bottom line: Keep your Qi10 Max if you like. If you haven’t upgraded in years, the Qi35 Max is certainly worth looking at.
Taylormade Qi10 Driver
- Long & Forgiving
- Superb Sound & Feel
- Premium Looks
- Not a significant upgrade over the Stealth 2
The Taylormade Qi10 is our new #1 Recommendation for best golf driver of 2024…so far. (we’ve still got more testing to do)
What we like:
- The best combination of playability, forgiveness, and distance.
- Improved sound & feel over the Stealth 2.
- Premium looks.
What we don’t like:
- Nada
Wes is a former club fitter and current scratch golfer and equipment nerd, was the primary tester.
He found the hitting experience much improved over the Stealth 2 (a club he does not like). He strongly prefers the sound and feel of the Qi10, and he found it more forgiving, too – by just a smidge.
I also took the Qi10 (and the Qi10 Max) out on the course over the course of a round and a half. I skipped around my course, hitting multiple drives per hole.
Customer Reviews: 97 % would recommend it to a friend. Average 4.7 rating out of 75 reviews.
Bottom line – Premium driver at a premium price. Needs to be on your list to test if you’re in the market.
Taylormade Qi10 Max Driver
- Exceptional Forgiveness & Distance
- Great Sound & Feel
- Premium Looks
- Great Launch & Trajectory
- Not a significant upgrade over Stealth 2 drivers
The new Taylormade Qi10 Max earned its way on our list of best golf drivers in our “max forgiveness” category.
What we like:
- Superb forgiveness and distance across the face.
- Excellent feel and sound.
- Premium cosmetics and looks great at address.
- Launches your golf ball quickly and carries on a nice high trajectory.
What we don’t like:
- Still not in love with $600 drivers.
Our expert tester Wes, put the Qi10 Max through its paces and came away more than impressed. Center contact was heavenly, as you would expect. But, the Qi10 really makes it money when you miss the sweet spot.
Heel and toe strikes lose maybe 5 yards or so – basically, nothing when talking about a driver. Even Wes’s funkiest swings left his drives just off the fairway.
The Qi10 Max delivers on its promise. All we ask for from a driver…especially at $600.
Customer Reviews: Average rating of 4.7 out of 51 reviews at taylormadegolf.com.
- The 4-star reviews didn’t offer any complaints and were complimentary.
- The less than 4-star reviews basically said they haven’t noticed a big improvement over whatever they had before.
Recommendation: Give this driver a try if you consistently struggle with contact off the tee, regardless of handicap. You’ll likely have found your next driver.
Best Wedges
Callaway OPUS Platinum Wedge
- Excellent spin and distance control on full and partial shots
- Soft/Solid sound and feel
- Expensive
Our new #1 recommendation.
What we like:
- Superb spin and distance control on full and partial shots.
- Good sound and feel.
- Multiple grind options
What we don’t like:
- Expensive.
I’ve been playing the OPUS Platinum wedge on the course for a little over a month at this point. I like it from every lie and every distance.
I’ve also tested it on the range, around the green, and on my launch monitor from multiple distances. Full shots, 60-yard shots, and 30-yard shots.
I would have no problem putting it in play tomorrow or yesterday.
I find it plenty playable even though I’m far from an expert with a wedge.
Elite players as well as decent players would be plenty happy with the OPUS Platinum.
Launch Monitor #s
Shot Type | Carry | Launch | Peak Height | Spin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full | 102 | 29* | 71ft | 8323 |
Shot Type | Spin |
|---|---|
60-yard | 6641 |
30-yard | 5132 |
Good wedge players flight their ball low (for a wedge) for more control and accuracy. The OPUS Platinum wedge helps you do this by adding a tungsten weight to the topline of the wedge.
Bottom Line: A nice wedge for low to mid handicaps.
Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge
- Superb feel & spin
- Good distance control on finesse shots
- Play all the shots around the green
- Gorgeous
- Pricey
The Vokey SM10 is next on our list.
What we like:
- Superb feel, spin, and control in the short game.
- Excellent on full and partial wedge shots.
- Play any shot you want.
- Variety of finishes and grinds available.
- GEORGEOUS – best looking wedges out there.
What we don’t like:
- Pricey.
We had high expectations for the SM10, and they were met…easily.
I felt “control” with every shot. If you can dream it the SM10 delivers it.
I played the Vokey SM10 sand and lob wedge for about a month and a half.
As we expected, it performs well from everywhere. I especially had fun around the greens chipping. Almost seemed I couldn’t not get up and down.
Superb feel, just the right amount of spin, and ultimate control. Pure pleasure.
One of our testers thought it launched a little too high, but he was an outlier. I did not want to return the SM10.
Bottom Line: Certainly worth a try if you’re in the market for a premium wedge.
Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedge
- Exceptional spin rates
- Superb feel & distance control
- Available in several finishes & grinds
- Nada
The new Vokey SM9 is our Editor’s Pick for best wedge of 2023.
What we like.
- Best spin rates tested.
- Best feel and superb distance control.
- Can play any shot you can dream up.
- Variety of finishes and grinds available.
What we don’t like:
- Too many grinds – Confusing for the average consumer.
We expected the SM9 to do well and we weren’t disappointed. There’s a reason Titleist consistently makes the most in-demand wedges in the game.
They produce tons of spin from full shots to partial shots. And, their spin numbers are consistent. We’re talking 100 rpm differences, from swing to swing on the Foresight GC3 launch monitor.
Whereas the other wedges tested had vary by as much as 500 rpm from shot to shot. (Not as ideal for control and scoring)
Recommendation: If your short game needs spin and consistency, this is where to find it.
Taylormade MG4 Wedge
- Superb distance control on finesse shots
- Excellent spin numbers on full shots
- Milled grind improves turf interaction
- Slightly larger profile and more rounded look
- Darker chrome finish for less glare
- Less distance on full swings
The new Taylormade MG4 Wedge is next on our list of best sand wedges of 2023.
What we like.
- Impressive & consistent turf interaction.
- Great feel and great trajectory and distance control.
- Beaucoup spin on partial and finesse shots.
- Incredible out of the sand.
- Best distance wedge tested.
What we don’t like:
- Distance loss on full swings.
The MG4 is a short-game weapon. It was the easiest wedge to dial in awkward yardages we tested and felt great while doing it. Our tester had a ball from 50-80 yards.
It’s a considerable upgrade from the MG3, which we just tested.
Recommendation: An excellent scoring wedge if you’ve got the game.
Final Verdict
This is mostly subjective as all major and most minor golf manufacturers put out high-quality products these days.
It’s up to your game and your eye to decide. Start testing and have some fun.
Thanks for checking out our review of the best golf clubs on the market in 2025.
