Best golf clubs, shoes, bags and more, according to the pros | CNN Underscored (2024)

All you need to start golfing

Callaway Men's Strata Complete 12-Piece Golf Set

Lifelong golf enthusiast Erik Tammar, who dropped everything a few years back to make a run at qualifying for the PGA Tour, now runs Swinger Box, a golf subscription box company based in San Francisco. “For new golfers, my advice is stay away from most gizmos that promise to fix your slice or increase distance,” Tammar says. “The best thing to do is get a starter set of clubs — or a secondhand set — and just make sure the length and flex is correct. Brands like Callaway and TaylorMade make great starter sets.” Once you have the clubs, Tammar recommends setting up a lesson with a local pro. “Even just a few lessons will help any new golfer hit the ground running,” he says. “If you’re on a budget, there are some great instructors on YouTube giving free lessons as well.”

An ideal starter to get kids on the course

Ping Junior Prodi G 7-Piece Complete Set

“Ping acknowledges your new junior golfer is going to grow and will rebuild the clubs for free after your child has a growth spurt,” says Corey Roberson, director of golf at the Cordillera Ranch outside San Antonio, Texas.

A popular bag choice for any golfer

If you’ve already got a set of clubs and are just looking for a bag to tote your gear, you can’t go wrong with this Hoofer Lite bag from Ping. Available in 18 colors, this bag will keep your clubs neatly organized and has spacious pockets for gear storage.

A lightweight bag for walking golfers

If you prefer to walking the course over driving it, you’ll want an ultra-light bag, like this one from Vessel. This bag not only has a sleek look but it weighs in at just under 5 pounds, providing carrying comfort from the front to the back nine.

An ultra-light bag designed for women

Calibrated for women, this lightweight bag weighs under 3 pounds and is designed to keep clubs evenly balanced as you tote the bag on your back using the X-shaped straps.

A favorite wood designed for distance and high-launch shots

TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway

Roberson says that while all the golf companies make good equipment, he’s seen a few things stand out for his members at Cordillera Ranch. “The new SIM Fairway woods from TaylorMade are very easy to get the ball in the air,” he says.

Ping’s most forgiving irons to up your game

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Roberson also loves the Ping G710. “Ping launched the game-improvement G710 iron and not only does it perform well, it looks good too,” he says. “They refined the lines to give it a cleaner appearance at address and drastically improved the acoustics.” While the G710 is no longer widely available, you can pick up this updated G730 version.

For experienced golfers seeking fitted clubs

Roberson says all golfers should get fitted for their equipment, but this is even more important for experienced golfers. “At Cordillera Ranch, we encourage our members to schedule a fitting, and we use TrackMan to help identify areas of improvement in their game,” he says. “The recurring theme I’ve seen with avid golfers is they don’t really know how far they carry each club and they fly too low. Golf is all about controlling where the ball stops, and it’s easier to control that when it spends less time rolling.” He says he’s seen a lot of success with the TaylorMade SIM Fairway woods, and when it comes to irons, his members have seen great performance from the new Callaway Mavrik line.

An adjustable club suited for all kinds of players

According to Roberson, most golf club companies focus the majority of their engineering dollars on men’s equipment, and, he says, new male golfers have a lot of great game improvement options from the big four manufacturers (Ping, Titleist, Callaway and TaylorMade). “I’m a little partial to Ping, as they have a reputation for building clubs that perform well for a wide variety of players,” he says. “Specifically, their G410 woods and G710 irons have a very high moment of inertia, which helps tighten dispersion.” You'll have a hard time finding the G410 or G710 versions new anymore, but you can grab this top-rated G430 version instead.

A lighter driver that doesn’t sacrifice performance

For women and for juniors new to golf, Roberson also recommends Ping, noting it’s one of the few companies that allocates a sizable portion of its research and development budget to those markets. “The G Le 2.0 line for ladies and Prodi G line for juniors,” he says, “are high-performance golf clubs that are not only lighter, but they generate more ball speed.”

A popular choice designed for a soft feel

For more experienced golfers, Tammar says there’s plenty of opportunity to try out new ball designs that feature new materials. And, he adds, with patents expiring, prices have come down. “There are more golf balls now that can best fit your game, or just help you save some cash, more than ever before,” he says.

Home in on the perfect contact point on your putter face

Dave Pelz, the founder of Dave Pelz Scoring Schools, says he likes putting clips. “These attach to your putter face with a Mylar adhesive,” he says. “It provides perfect contact on the sweet spot and produces a normal roll. Contact toward the heel or toe sends the golf ball rolling askew.”

A magnetic clip so you never lose your ball marker

Always have a ball marker on hand with this marker and cap clip set that easily attaches to your favorite golf hat.

Long-lasting tees for long drives

Made from a polymer resin blend, Martini calls their tees "virtually unbreakable." The large martini-shaped cup lets you tilt the ball more toward the hole and promises to give you longer and straighter drives than standard wooden tees.

A value pack of tees for forgetful golfers

If you’re not picky when it comes to tees and prefer to have some floating around in your golf bag, golf cart, pants and car, grab this bag of 50 tees that features a mix of 1.5-inch tees and 2.75-inch tees.

Sleek, lightweight golf shoes

With a sneaker design, these Under Armour Phantom shoes will feel just like your favorite training shoe but give you the grip and protection from the elements you need on the golf course.

Comfy merino wool shoes for walking the course

All the comfort you’ve come to love from Allbirds, now in a shoe that you can take on the green. Designed to give your feet support and provide a stable, grippy base while you swing, these shoes are also comfortable and stylish enough to wear all the way to the 19th hole.

Pro-level socks for 18 holes of comfort

Swiftwick Flite XT Zero Golf Socks

PGA golfer and Golf Magazine’s Top-100 instructor Joe Hallett walks a lot, sometimes logging 20,000 to 27,000 steps during an event. “I am on my feet all day long on the lesson tee and watching my LPGA players on the course,” he says. He credits these Swiftwick socks with providing comfort on the course and says they’re also popular with his players — and with the caddies, who walk just as far but with 50 pounds on their backs.

Stay focused by keeping sweat off your face

Pro golfer Hailey Ostrom, who is based in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, recommends the NoSweat hat liner for those who are active outdoors. “As warmer months are approaching, we are more likely to sweat on the golf course,” she says. “A NoSweat hat liner will help eliminate the risk of touching your face by preventing sweat from dripping down your forehead.”

Elevated style to go with lower scores

Tammar says one golf-gear trend is the return of the boldly patterned golf shirts popular in the ’90s. “It’s a style that’s not for everyone but definitely makes the game a bit more fun and is usually an icebreaker for strangers paired up on the first tee,” he says.

A comfortable top to traverse 18 holes

This sleeveless polo, available in over 20 colors and prints, looks great with shorts, skirts and pants on any course. Plus, it’s made from breathable, moisture-wicking material to keep you cool so you can focus on your swing.

Protect your eyes on the course

Keep your eye on the ball while keeping your vision protected with these sunglasses from Knockaround. They won’t help you drive better, but they will help you keep better track of your ball as it soars through the sky.

A cell phone mount that helps you work on your swing

More experienced golfers, Ostrom tells us, are usually into any gadget that will help improve their game. “I would also recommend a SelfieGolf cell phone holder. This phone clip attaches to any alignment stick and makes for easy filming so you can film your swing and make adjustments on the range.”

Work on your game even when you’re away from the course

Rukket Indoor/Outdoor Pop-Up Golf Chipping Net

Ostrom says her Rukket Sports golf nets and putting green became essentials in the past year. “They have a variety of golf products, including multiple full-swing hitting nets, chipping nets and a putting green,” she says. “Their products are easy to assemble and make up for days away from the course.”

A portable place to putt that won’t hurt your floors

Sklz Golf Indoor Putting Green

“Stay on top of your short game with some target practice chipping around the yard and keep your putting game sharp by tapping the golf ball around the living room,” Tammar says. “You’d be surprised how much 30 minutes a day … can help increase your putting accuracy.” He also likes this Sklz putting green for an indoor challenge.

A look in the mirror can work wonders for your putting game

Eyeline Golf Putting Alignment Mirror

Ostrom also loves this alignment mirror, which can help tighten up your stroke. “My favorite new toy is my putting mirror, a mirrored training aid that helps with eye alignment, contact, stroke distance and consistency,” she says.

A mat that brings the ball back to you

Maxfli 9-Foot-by-12-Foot Automatic Putting Mat

Indoor putting mats are on the rise, according to Roberson. “If you don’t have one yet, it’s probably a good investment so you can knock down a couple more 5-footers in your first round back,” he says.

A wearable trainer to help you feel a better swing

“If you have room to make a full swing, working on technique will also help you prepare,” Roberson says. “One of the training aids I like to use is the Golf Swing Shirt. It’s a great tool to help you stay connected and [is] best used in your backyard or garage.”

Measure up to 800 yards and to multiple targets at once

New golfers, Ostrom notes, already have their hands full trying to learn a challenging game, so adding in gear and equipment that will help improve their skills will only make the experience more enjoyable. “I recommend an easy-to-use rangefinder, such as the Nikon Coolshot,” she says. “Learning how far you hit your clubs is one of the more challenging parts for beginners. A rangefinder leaves less room for error and helps to keep the pace on the course — a godsend for everyone!”

Bring your tunes with you on the course

Ostrom says that while there’s a seemingly constant influx of new “must-have” golf equipment each year, she has really noticed more and more Bluetooth speakers on the course. “The game is evolving and attracting a younger audience,” she says. “Having a speaker that not only plays your favorite jams but also conveniently clips onto your golf cart is the hottest new trend right now.”