The 8 Best Golf Club Sets Under $500

When you search for a set of golf clubs, you may be put off by the premium prices of well-known brands. Fear not because there are affordable options and this post will discuss the best golf club sets under $500.

I will highlight each set’s clubs and their performance features. The aim is to help you identify the best clubs for forgiveness, distance, spin, and accuracy. Investigate which set is best equipped to help you with your short game, woods, and iron play.

In addition, I have drawn up a list of factors to consider when you are looking for the best golf club set under $500.

Overview Of Our Best Golf Club Sets Under $500 In 2024

Golf Club Set Category Features Rating
Wilson Men’s Profile SGI Complete

Best Overall
  • 10 clubs
  • Includes a sand wedge
  • Easy to launch hybrid
  • Forgiving set
  • Clubs are coated in an anti-glare finish
  • Ergonomic carry bag
4.5
Founders Club RTP7 Set

Most Forgiving
  • 10 clubs
  • Optimal forgiveness
  • Includes a sand wedge to improve your chipping game
  • Lightweight driver construction promoted accelerated clubhead speed
  • High launching fairway wood
  • 1-year warranty on the set.
4.1
Tour Edge Bazooka 370 Complete Set

Best Value for Money
  • Bridges distance gaps well
  • Forgiving irons
  • Has a sand wedge
  • The putter has alignment aid
  • Optin of stand bag or cart bag both of which are lightweight
  • High launch
  • Has 2 fairway woods for versatility
4
MacGregor Golf CG3000 Men’s Complete Golf Clubs

Best for Tall Players
  • Impressive titanium head driver gives good distances
  • Easy launching clubs
  • Enhanced forgiveness
  • Designed for tall player up to 6’5”
  • Comes with a bag cover and 3 headcovers
3.9
Precise M5 Men’s Complete Golf Clubs

Best For Left Handed Golfers
  • 10 clubs
  • Unique putter head for better balance
  • Very forgoing driver
  • Abundant storage in the stand bag
  • Available in tall and regular
3.8
Cobra F Max Superlight

cobra fmax
Best Iron Set under $500
  • 7 iron clubs
  • Give straight and high shots
  • Super light shafts made of graphite for more clubhead speeds
  • Good for long distance shorts making it a good alternative for longer irons
  • Perfectly suited for a variety of shots
  • fast ball speeds across the face
4.5
Robin Golf The Essentials 7-Club Junior Set

Best Junior Golf Clubs under $500
  • 7 golf clubs
  • Very forgiving
  • Straight shots
  • Lightweight stand bag
  • Comes with head covers
4
Aspire X1 Ladies Complete

Best Women’s golf club set under $500
  • 9 clubs
  • Very forgiving
  • Straight shots
  • Optimum control
  • Incredibly Lightweight
  • Comes with head covers
  • Includes a rain hood
4.1

Read Next: The Best Golf Club Sets on the Market

How To Choose The Best Golf Set Under $500

Second Hand Is Not Taboo

Be prepared to buy pre-owned clubs, but ensure they are in playable condition.

Based on the frequency of product releases, golfers upgrade their clubs consistently. That leaves you with a wide selection of pre-loved options at affordable prices.

After you have played a few rounds with the brand-new model, they are second-hand but come at a premium.

Consider Non-Premium Brands

The premium brand manufacturers hold their title for a reason. They have been around for an extended period and have built quality products that golfers know they can depend on. They also tend to spend a massive amount on marketing to strengthen their brand.

For that reason, they can command a premium price for their products. Newer brands such as Hireko and Benross might not have premium standing. But they still produce outstanding quality products at a much lower price. You will be pleasantly surprised by what they offer.

Your opening port of call should be top-ranked merchants with a well-known record of happy clients. Be thorough in your due diligence and scrutinize negative commentary, but recognize that there will always be some dissatisfied clients that will offer negative comments. Look at whether the positives outnumber the negatives by a wide margin. If they are close, be vigilant.

Set Composition

Golf club sets often do not offer the full complement of 14 clubs, so you must choose wisely. Most sets feature a driver, fairway wood, a hybrid, 4 irons, a pitching wedge, and a putter. That means that you lack a sand wedge, which could make your short game a nightmare.

Although a pitching wedge is the lowest lofted club in the set, the face is insufficiently opened for a bunker shot or to get the ball high and stop it dead.

The next factor to consider is your long game. What is the driver’s degree of loft? Can you launch it high and long? Then think about the loft of the fairway woods.

If your driver is 10.5-degrees and your fairway wood is 18-degrees, you leave a 10 to 15-yard gap in your bag. That means that if you hit a driver 220-yards, you may only hit your 3-wood 195 to 200-yards. As a result, you have no club to use on shots between 201 and 220-yards.

The same principle applies when selecting hybrids. Think about the loft gap and whether you can cover all distances when transitioning from a fairway wood to a hybrid.

Most sets forego a 4 and 5-iron, replacing them with a hybrid to help you launch high and straight from any lie. That means the longest iron in your bag is typically a 6-iron, while the shortest is a 9-iron. Finally, each set contains a putter and a golf bag.

Center of Gravity

For clubs that will launch the ball higher and longer, you will require a low Center of Gravity (CoG). This means that the weight distribution within the club has been pushed as low and far back as feasible.

This is regularly accomplished by applying various materials, of which Tungsten is highly fashionable. Tungsten is heavier than steel, and by adding it to the sole, the manufacturers generate a lower CoG. The broader soles will likewise facilitate the push backward of the weight for a superior CoG.

The lower and rear CoG will aid in launching your lengthier shots higher and create a more significant likelihood of the ball remaining on the green instead of running off the back.

Loft

The loft of your club is related to your swing speed. Higher swing speeds will need less loft to get the ball into the air than slower swing speeds. Fast swing speeds typically need driver lofts of 10 degrees or lower. Conversely, slow swing speeds will cope better with lofts above 10 degrees.

Lofts on your irons may possibly fluctuate between sets, and the upshot of this is that certain sets attain lengthier distances with the identical club as others. For example, a 6 iron with a 31-degree loft will likely travel further than a 6-iron with a 33-degree loft.

The Best Golf Club Sets Under $500 – Our Reviews

1. Wilson Men’s Profile SGI Complete  – Best Overall Golf Set Under $500

Specs

  • Size: Regular
  • Color: Red/Grey/Black
  • Golf Club Flex: Uniflex
  • Hand Orientation: Left and right
  • Golf Club Loft: 10.5 Degrees
  • Material: Nylon
  • Brand:  WILSON
  • Shaft Material:  Graphite
  • Grip Type: Putter

Pros

  • Includes a sand wedge
  • Easy to launch hybrid
  • Forgiving set
  • Clubs are coated in an anti-glare finish
  • Ergonomic carry bag

Cons

  • Long game distance gap between the driver and 5-wood

Topping our list as the best overall golf set under $500 is the Wilson Men’s Profile SGI Complete set. It equips you with all the clubs needed to start playing the game, including 10.5° driver (12º seniors & 14º women’s), #5 Fairway wood with graphite shaft, #5 hybrid, #6, 7, 8, 9-irons, and a Putter. Plus, unlike most golf sets, it comes with a sand and pitching wedge to help you succeed around the green.

The set features ten clubs to help you navigate from tee to green.

The 10.5-degree driver is coated in a PVD black finish to give it an attractive look and reduce glare on sunny days. In addition, the sweet spot is expanded to produce a straighter, consistent distance.

The second strongest lofted club is an easy-launching 5-wood that delivers increased forgiveness, which is ideal for beginners. However, the lack of a 3-wood leaves a gap in your bag.

After the 5-wood, the next longest club is a 5-hybrid. The 5-wood has 18 degrees of loft while the 5-hybrid has 25 degrees meaning that the golf ball will go higher and travel a shorter distance than the 5-wood. That leads to a soft landing for optimal control. However, it reduces roll and total distance.

The Profile SGI’s contain four irons and two wedges. A 6-iron is the strongest lofted option in the set and runs down to a 9-iron. Wilson secured the irons with perimeter weighting to offer increased stability and a moment of inertia for straight, high-flying shots.

Where Wilson dominates their competitors is in the wedge department. They have added a pitching wedge and sand wedge to help optimize your short-game performance. Your pitching wedge is great for full shots, while your sand wedge is made for bunker play and chipping.

Finally, the set is capped off with a classical bladed putter and an ergonomic carry-stand bag for the walkers among us. The putter provides increased forgiveness on off-center strikes and features a soft grip for an enhanced feel.

Ultimately, the Wilson Men’s Profile SGI golf set offers beginner golfers everything they need for a round of golf. Although there are some gaps in the long game, its short-game features make up for it. Wilson also has a similar version but for women golfers.

Rating: 4.5

2. Founders Club RTP7 – Most Forgiving Golf Set

Specs

  • Size: Regular Graphite
  • Color: Black
  • Golf Club Flex: Regular
  • Hand Orientation: Right and left
  • Golf Club Loft: 24 Degrees
  • Material: Graphite
  • Brand: Founders Club
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
  • Grip Type: Putter

Pros

  • Optimal forgiveness
  • Includes a sand wedge to improve your chipping game
  • Lightweight driver construction promoted accelerated clubhead speed
  • High-launching fairway wood
  • 1-year warranty on the set

Cons

  • 9-degrees loft gap between the 3-wood and 4-hybrid

The majority of golf sets feature clubs designed to forgive the mistakes of beginner golfers. That is why it is challenging to determine a winner in this category, but I got there. The most forgiving golf set in 2022 goes to the Founders Club RTP7 Set.

From the driver right through to the sand wedge, the Founders Club RTP7 set delivers optimal forgiveness to keep you straight.

On top of its forgiving nature, this affordable set equips you with a balanced selection of clubs to bridge any distance gaps. The ten-club set contains a 10.5-degree driver, a 15-degree 3-wood, and a 24-degree 4-hybrid. While this is sufficient to get around, you lack 9-degrees of loft between the 3-wood and 4-hybrid, which is almost two clubs. That leaves you with a three-quarter 3-wood when faced with these distances to make up for it.

Like most sets, Founders added four irons to this set, a 6, 7, 8, and 9. Each iron is constructed with a deep undercut cavity and a wide sole. The setup provides perimeter weighting around the clubhead to provide stability and reduce side spin on off-center strikes. As a result, you enjoy straighter shots more consistently.

In addition to the irons, this set includes a pitching wedge and sand wedge equipped with perimeter weighting. As a result, you enjoy increased spin, flight, and forgiveness around the green. Plus, they included a blade-style putter that offers a soft feel at impact.

To store your clubs, Founders have added a stand bag with four pockets to store your golf balls, tees, and valuables.

Overall, the Founders Club RTP7 Set is affordable with forgiveness, accuracy, and high launch. It is ideal for high handicappers looking for an affordable set.

Rating: 4.1

3. Tour Edge Bazooka 370 Complete Set – Best Value for Money

Specs

  • Size: One Size
  • Color: Black/Blue
  • Golf Club Flex: Senior
  • Hand Orientation: Right
  • Golf Club Loft: 11.5 Degrees
  • Material: Graphite
  • Brand: Tour Edge
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
  • Grip Type: Putter

Pros

  • Forgiving irons
  • Has a sand wedge
  • The putter has an alignment aid
  • Durable bag
  • High launch
  • Has 2 fairway woods for versatility

Cons

  • Bulky bag with not enough handle
  • 5 iron is difficult for players with slower swing speed

The Tour Edge brand may be among the famous brands like TaylorMade and Cobra, but pro golfers like Bernhard Langer and Tom Lehman swear by it.

The Bazooka 370 does not disappoint with 10 well-designed golf clubs.

The driver is a lot better than it looks, but it’s pretty standard; it still works well enough on the course. There is the option of a 10.5 for Regular or Stiff flex driver or an 11.5 for Senior or a Lite flex driver for seniors. This is followed by a 3-wood which is also high-launching and forgiving. The hybrid is heel and toe weighted; although there is only one, it gets the job done.

While the irons are forgiving, consistent, and easy to launch, with a very nice feel to them. They also have cavity backs to increase forgiveness and a low center of gravity. The 5 iron is also difficult for beginners and players with slower swing speeds. They still have a nice feel to them and are one of the best irons under $500.

The wedges do not have much spin, but they accommodate this with more forgiveness. The set is complete with a classic blade-style putter that has an alignment aid for more accuracy on your shots.

Unfortunately, the bag only has one handle, so it is difficult to carry around and can be a bit bulky. This set is not only suitable for beginners and intermediate players but also high handicappers, which is why it’s earned a spot on our list of the best set of golf clubs under $500.

Rating: 4

4. MacGregor Golf CG3000 – Best for Tall Players

Specs

  • Size: Tall Size +1″ (Also available in smaller sizes)
  • Color:  Blue
  • Golf Club Flex: Regular
  • Material: Titanium
  • Brand: Aspire
  • Shaft Material: Graphite
  • Grip Type: Putter

Pros

  • Impressive titanium head driver gives good distances
  • Easy launching clubs
  • Enhanced forgiveness
  • Designed for tall players up to 6’5”
  • Comes with a bag cover and 3 headcovers

Cons

  • Low-quality Stand bag
  • Durability
  • No sand wedge

The tall version of this club set is designed specifically for tall golfers between 6 and 6’5”. The stand bag may be lacking in terms of the quality of material, but it offers plenty of space.

The 13-degree easy launching driver enables even the slowest swingers among us to maximize their distance off the tee. This is followed by an 18-degree 3-wood which is also high launching and forgiving.

The next strong lofted club is a 24-degree 4-hybrid, which substitutes for your 4 and 5-iron. The strongest lofted iron in the set contains 27 degrees of loft. As you can see, MacGregor did well in bridging the distance gaps throughout your long game.

While the irons are forgiving, consistent, and easy to launch, it falls short on the wedge front, with only a pitching wedge included. As mentioned before, this poses a challenge to your short game.

In addition, a Tour mallet putter is added to give you forgiveness on off-center strokes to keep your ball on line and rolling toward the cup.

Finally, to carry your clubs, a lightweight stand bag is included. It is constructed to protect your shoulders and hips as you walk.

After testing the MacGregor Golf CG3000 Men’s Complete Golf Clubs, we can confidently say that this is a good starter set if you are looking for an affordable set of clubs, especially for tall players from 6.1” and above.

Rating: 3.9

5. Precise M5 Men’s Complete Golf Clubs – Best Left-Handed Clubs Under $500

Specs

  • Size: Standard, +1, Left Handed
  • Color: Silver
  • Golf Club Flex: Med-Firm Flex
  • Hand Orientation: Right
  • Golf Club Loft: 10.5 Degrees
  • Material: Stainless Steel
  • Brand: Precise Golf Co.
  • Shaft Material: Graphite / True Temper Steel
  • Grip Size: Men’s Grips
  • Grip Type: Non-slip Rubber

Pros

  • Unique putter head for better balance
  • Very forgoing driver
  • Abundant storage in the stand bag
  • Available in tall and regular

Cons

  • The iron shafts are not the most comfortable
  • No sand wedge

There are more affordable golf clubs than the Precise M5 set, but few offer the bang for your buck that it provides. This set helps you launch the ball high and long without sacrificing forgiveness or control, and they look good doing it. It includes a driver, #3 wood, hybrid, irons 5-9, a pitching wedge, and a putter.

The 10.5-degree driver is designed for optimum distance with a light graphite shaft that provides more flex. It has a 460cc forged driver head, the largest allowed driver head size in golf tournaments. The sweet spot produces rapid ball speed to help you maintain distance and restricts side spin for accuracy. If you generate excess sidespin, it leads to a hook or a slice.

Like the driver, the 15-degree 3-wood is easy to launch, forgiving, and has an aerodynamic head design. This makes it perfect for beginner players on the fairway and the rough.

The 21-degree 5-hybrid enhances your turf interaction, enabling the clubhead to glide through the turf. This lets you strike the ball cleanly from any lie, resulting in a high-flying, long shot. It is a perfect alternative for the 5 iron in the set.

Like the other sets on this list, the irons included are 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. A pitching wedge is your only short-game tool, which could pose a challenge in the bunker. It is also not the most forgiving club in the set and has a high launch.

To help you on the green, Precise included a mallet putter with an angled hosel. The mallet provides optimal forgiveness and promotes consistent topspin. Wrapping up the Precise M5 set is an attractive, lightweight stand bag that is easy to carry if you are the walking type.

The Precise M5 men’s golf club holds out even among other high-end clubs earning its spot on our list of best golf clubs under $500.

Rating: 3.8

6. Cobra F Max Superlight – Best Iron Only Set under $500

cobra f-max

Specs

  • Size: 6 Piece
  • Golf Club Flex: Uniflex
  • Hand Orientation: Right
  • Material: Steel
  • Brand: Cobra Golf
  • Shaft Material: Steel, Graphite

Pros

  • Gives straight and high shots
  • Superlight shafts made of graphite for more clubhead speeds
  • Good for long-distance shorts making it a good alternative for longer irons
  • Perfectly suited for a variety of shots
  • Fast ball speeds across the face

Cons

  • Not a good fit for lower-handicap players
  • Shafts might be too long for some players

The Cobra F Max Superlight is a set of 6iron golf clubs. The heel and toe weight pods at the club head’s perimeter increase MOI for advanced forgiveness. Just as the name suggests, the Cobra F Max Superlight shafts are lightweight for maximum speed and launch.

It Includes 5-9 irons and a Gap Wedge.

This set of irons has Uniflex shafts for maximum speed and launch. They are designed to give more distance and forgiveness without the added size of other longer irons, making them one of the best golf iron sets under $500.

If you already have a decent driver, putter, and bag, this is an obvious choice to upgrade your irons. This set is produced by a reputable brand, delivers consistent distance, accuracy, and forgiveness, and is affordable. This set of irons is perfect for the golfer who needs more distance or one who doesn’t generate enough golf head speed. If you prefer big-name brands, this is the set to consider.

Rating: 4.5

7. Robin Golf The Essentials 7-Club Junior Set –  Best Junior Golf Clubs under $500

Specs

  • Size: 54″-64″
  • Color: Black
  • Golf Club Flex: Junior
  • Golf Club Loft: 2 Degrees
  • Material: Graphite
  • Brand: Robin
  • Shaft Material: Robin Proprietary Graphite
  • Grip Material: Robin Proprietary Tour Velvet

Pros

  • Very forgiving
  • Straight shots
  • Lightweight stand bag
  • Comes with head covers

Cons

  • There is no left-handed set
  • No premium shaft options
  • Not a lot of space in the narrow bag

If you want to introduce your kids to the game of golf at an affordable price, then the Robin Golf The Essentials 7-Club Junior Set is the perfect one for you. This brand is a relatively recent one to make beginner-friendly golf products for all kinds of players. They have two Junior club sets for ages 6-8 and ages 9-12.

The set includes a driver, a wood, a hybrid, a 7 & 9 iron, a sand wedge, and a putter. The driver is built for any kid who’s ever dreamed of whacking a ball off a tee. A pair of 7 and 9 irons is more than enough for young golfers to swing their best. They’re the ideal size for the fairway, rough, and beyond.

The fairway wood is designed with graphite to be the most forgiving, allowing them to play the long game off a tee or grass blade. This set has a sand wedge and a putter for every junior’s golfing needs.

Built to the same standards as top-tier brands, Robin Golf clubs strike the perfect balance between performance and usability. Enhance their golf experience and spark a lifetime love of golf with these kid-friendly golf clubs.

The stand bag is also designed to be as portable as possible for junior players. The clubs have an overall sleek matte black design that looks and feels premium. This makes it the best golf set under $500 for junior players ages 9-12.

Rating: 4

8. Aspire X1 Ladies Women’s Complete – Best Women’s Golf Club Set under $500

Specs

  • Size: Petite Size -1
  • Color: Purple or Pink
  • Golf Club Flex: Ladies
  • Golf Club Loft: 3 Degrees
  • Material: Graphite
  • Brand: Aspire
  • Shaft Material: Graphite

Pros

  • Very forgiving
  • Straight shots
  • Optimum control
  • Incredibly Lightweight
  • Comes with head covers
  • Includes a rain hood

Cons

  • There is no left-handed set
  • No premium shaft options

This golf club set is perfect for women who are looking into golfing without breaking the bank.

The clubs are perfectly designed to fit women between 5’3” and 5’9”.

The set includes a titanium alloy driver, #3 fairway Wood, #4/ #5 Hybrid, 6-PW Irons, Putter, Stand Bag, Headcovers, and Rain hood. The 13-degree driver has the largest head allowed at 460 CC while maintaining lightweight features.

The #3 fairway wood is set to 16-degree loft and is bottom weighted for smooth swings making it the perfect club for beginners.

It also comes with a #4 & #5 Hybrid with an aerodynamic design for faster ball speeds and a wide face to increase the sweet spot and accuracy.

The 6-9 irons are very forgiving and well-designed for beginner female golfers with steel heads and shafts. For easy and manageable swings, the shafts are around 40% lighter than standard steel shafts.

The clubs are all wrapped up in an aesthetic stand bag that is lightweight but with ample space.

Overall, this set is great for building confidence on the course making it one of the best women’s golf club sets under $500.

Rating: 4.1

Read more: Top Rated Women’s Petite Golf Clubs

Why Trust Golfspan

Here at Golfspan, we aim to give you the most up-to-date information about golf and golf products. No manufacturers pay for reviews on your page as we strive to maintain the integrity of our reviews.

Our team also consists of well-seasoned golfers who have been testing out golf products for many years, and when necessary, we also bring in beginners to try out the products for a better outlook for our starter golf products.

Our Research Parameters

Golfspan is independent and not pressured by manufacturers to recommend products. We were not paid for the golf set reviews in this article. These golf sets were selected by our team, who have over 50 years of experience playing golf and hundreds of hours reviewing products. We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase something through our retail links.

17 Products were considered from 10 brands on:

  • Set Composition
  • Distance
  • Forgiveness
  • Spin
  • The Bag
  • Price

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Best Value For Money Golf Irons?

Every option listed in our top five is a quality, inexpensive option. However, the best value-for-money golf set is the Tour Edge Bazooka 370.

What Are The Most Forgiving Golf Clubs On The Market?

In our article on the most forgiving irons on the market, we explained that the Cleveland Launcher HB clubs win hands down.

What Are The Most Forgiving Golf Clubs For High Handicappers?

Although the Cleveland Launcher HB clubs offer the most forgiveness on the market, the Founders Club RTP7 set suits high handicappers. That is to do with its affordable price tag and easy launching nature.

Final Thoughts

The choice is yours now that you have a list of the best golf club sets under $500.

There are numerous affordable golf club options on the market, each with benefits and drawbacks. The Founders Club RTP7 Set is the most forgiving golf set, while the Tour Edge Bazooka 370 offers the best value for money.

While each pick performed optimally in their respective categories, they could not catch the Wilson Profile Platinum set. It contains a solid balance of long, mid and short game options to keep you in control from tee to green.

If you have just taken up golf and are looking for a complete set under $500, check out the Wilson Profile SGI, our overall best golf club set under $500. However, if $500 is still too much, read our review on the best golf clubs under $300.

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Matt has played golf since he was 4 years old and has written over 150 articles at GolfSpan since 2021. Matt specializes in product reviews using his postgraduate degree in Sports Marketing from Johan Cruyff Institute. Matt has a handicap index of 10.8 and currently plays weekly at Pilar Golf Course near his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He also loves his Callaway Odyssey Exo Rossie putter and likes a pepper steak pie with curry gravy at the turn. You can connect with him on LinkedIn

  • Best score: 70
  • Favorite club: Callaway Odyssey Exo Rossie
  • Favorite ball: Srixon Q-Star Tour
  • Favorite food at the turn: Pepper steak pie with curry gravy

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