
In golf, the clubs you play can make a huge difference to shooting lower scores.
For example, switching from a Mizuno driver to a Callaway driver might add 10+ yards to your tee ball. Switching from a TaylorMade wedge to a Cleveland wedge, might help you hit it closer to the pin and have more birdie putts.
Equipment matters in golf. Each club needs to match your swing and give you confidence over the golf ball. But not all brands are created equal and each has their own specialty in terms of the best drivers, irons, wedges, or putters.
Let’s review some top golf club companies in the game to find the best ones for your swing.
Did you know that when PGA Tour players sign endorsement deals with club brands they don’t always play all 14 of their clubs? Despite getting paid millions of dollars…
In fact, a lot of times, they only sign on to play 8-11 clubs, so why not play all 14 of one brand?
Because these players know that each manufacturer doesn’t necessarily have the right clubs for their game. They might sign up to play a specific set of irons but want the freedom to choose a putter or driver of a different brand.
Yet, most amateur golfers think they should play all Titleist, all Callaway or another brand. When in reality, the best clubs for your game are often made up of multiple different companies.
The point is, each manufacturer has their own specialty. Rarely, should a player play all of one brand.
Now, let’s review each of the big brands and see which products are their best.
Starting off our list is Titleist, a wildly popular brand that makes all things golf. From woods, irons, wedges, putters, and golf balls, Titleist has you covered.
Titleist products aren’t cheap by any means but they only make great golf gear.
Some of their stand-out products include:
If you’re a serious golfer who is committed to improving, you can’t go wrong with anything from Titleist. They are one of the few manufacturers where you could probably play an all Titleist bag and your game wouldn’t suffer much.
Another brand that sells everything from clubs to golf balls and even apparel is Callaway.
Callaway has been a staple in the golf world for more decades with famous clubs like the Great Big Bertha and more. While they’ve always been popular with golfers, they haven’t had as much popularity with lower handicap players until recently.
Since 2019, they’ve gained a lot of popularity thanks to their Epic Flash driver.
This was the first drive to use A.I. technology to build a golf club and it became a huge success among PGA Tour players and amateurs alike. Now, they use A.I. in almost all of their new clubs and the brand continues to grow for all kinds of players.
With PGA Tour players on their roster, including Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson, Callaway is a staple in professional golf. Jon Rahm used the Apex irons to win the 2021 US Open while Phil plays all Callaway clubs and used them in his 2021 PGA Championship victory.
They’re still great for amateurs too and a more forgiving choice than Titleist. The drivers specifically are great for most golfers, including the Epic Max and new Rogue ST drivers.
The Max and Max-D drivers models help amateurs without as much speed create higher ball flight while minimizing spin. Plus, the Max-D is draw oriented, so it can help straighten out that frustrating, weak slice that plagues so many golfers.
Not to mention, they have all kinds of other gear including gloves, shoes, bags, and more.
Odyssey golf is a spinoff of Callaway and is focused on one thing and one thing only – putters.
They are the creator of the game-changing, 2-Ball putter that changed the look of a putter forever. When they were initially released, a lot of golfers didn’t know what to think of the design but after a few putts, it was easy to see why so many players loved them.
Now, Odyssey has a ton of different putters aside from their popular two-ball putter.
They also have a unique alignment system known as the “Triple Track” method that align perfectly with Callaway golf balls. This makes it easier than ever to line up putts and get them started on the proper line.
A similar brand to Callaway is TaylorMade as they have tons of equipment, gear, and balls for any type of golfer.
They continue to innovate for all golfers and are a favorite with PGA Tour players like Dustin Johnson, Tiger Woods, and more. Plus, they have a ton of forgiving clubs for amateurs as well.
Here are two products that every amateur golfer should learn more about:
Ping is an iconic company and synonymous with the game of golf. They are a high quality brand that have different woods, wedges, irons, and putters for all skill levels.
One major difference between Ping and other golf club brands listed before is that you have to buy from Ping directly. They aren’t sold in big box golf stores and instead, make you purchase through them or a secondary site like eBay. This is somewhat of an inconvenience for a lot of golfers and also more expensive as well.
Overall, they’re a well known brand that is geared towards more serious players.
Cobra hasn’t always been the biggest brand in the golf industry but it’s made a surge over the past few years. All because of one player – Bryson DeChambeau. After transforming his body, swing, and game during the 2020 season, he’s helped Cobra grow significantly.
Cobra isn’t known for their putters or wedges but have a few clubs that can significantly help the everyday golfer:
Overall, Cobra clubs are very forgiving and focus on distance.
Wilson golf is a sporting good brand more so than just a golf brand.
They offer very cost-efficient clubs that are geared toward beginners in mind. They’re often very forgiving, lightweight, and even sell them in full club sets to keep costs low for new players.
While most of the clubs are geared towards beginners and high handicap players, they do have some clubs for lower handicaps as well.
As long as I can remember, Mizuno has made the best looking irons of any golf club brand.
Until recently though, they’ve been primarily made for mid to low handicap golfers. Their sleek appearance often makes them much less forgiving than other iron sets.
With the successful release of the JPX 921 Hot Metal iron sets, they now have options for higher handicappers as well. While they’re not as compact, they’re still a great looking set of clubs with extra forgiveness too.
While Mizuno makes great irons, they aren’t known for much else. I wouldn’t suggest them as a top pick for drivers or fairway woods. But if you’re someone who loves working the ball and has a consistent swing, their irons are a great choice.
Cleveland is sort of like Mizuno in that they have all clubs from putters to drivers. But not all of them are highly reviewed or necessarily the best option for every golfer. While Mizuno has the iron market cornered, Cleveland has it with their wedges.
Aside from making amazing wedges, they also have a lot of great putters too. Plus, the brand is much more affordable than Mizuno or Titleist.
Srixon is primarily known for their golf balls but also offer irons and woods as well.
Thanks to a recent endorsement from Brooks Koepka, I expect them to continue to expand their product line. In general though, stick with Srixon for budget friendly, high-quality golf balls.
Rounding out our list of best golf clubs brands is PXG. The company was founded by Bob Parsons, the billionaire who created GoDaddy, and is still relatively new compared to the rest on this list.
If there is one word to describe this brand, it’s this – expensive.
While golf isn’t a cheap sport, PXG’s prices are astronomical compared to other popular brands like Callaway and TaylorMade. Their drivers are $600 (or more), while a set of irons can cost $2,000 – $3,000!
Similar to Ping, you must purchase directly through PXG. While they do make every type of club but their bread and butter seems to be irons and putters. I’m not sure if it’s the best deal for most golfers but they are great looking, high performance clubs.
While the pandemic shut the world down, one sport soared in popularity and that’s golf. Which means more, and more brands are innovating for the influx of new golfers.
Regardless of if you’re a scratch or a 30 handicap, play the clubs that match your game. I’d suggest always playing ones that are made for your swing, not your favorite brand (or the brand your favorite pro plays).
The right equipment can make a huge difference in your game. Hopefully, learning about these different golf brands will help you get the right clubs and play better golf.
What is your favorite brand in golf? Do you switch brands from year to year?
Let us know in the comments below!