5 Best Golf Club Sets for Seniors: An Expert Guide
Photo by Ground Picture
Golf is one of the few sports that you can play throughout your life, no matter how old you are. This is just one of the reasons why it is such a great game—anyone can play golf at any age. As we get older, we may not be as strong or as flexible as we once were, but that doesn’t mean that our golf game has to decline or that we cannot enjoy the game just as much, if not more, as a senior golfer. In fact, there are things that you can do to become a better golfer!
Things You Should Do to Become a Better Senior Golfer
Exercise
To keep your golf game in tip-top shape, you will want to develop a moderate exercise program. That will allow you to maintain speed in your golf swing to continue to produce quality shots. A simple routine of moderate weight lifting combined with some cardio can keep you in shape.
Stretching
Incorporating a stretching routine will help you maintain your flexibility so that you can stay injury-free and continue to generate speed in your golf swing. In addition to regularly performing some stretching exercises, you will want to allow for time to warm up when you arrive at the golf course. This would include a brief stretching routine to warm up your muscles, then going to hit balls on the driving range to develop a good rhythm and tempo for your golf round.
Finding the Right Golf Clubs to Enhance Your Performance
Just because we are getting older, doesn’t mean we can’t still perform on the golf course. In addition to incorporating an exercise program that includes a stretching routine and proper warm-up, we can play with golf clubs that are designed and built to enhance our performance, even if our strength and flexibility may not be what it once was. It is important to understand the equipment options available and how proper equipment can help us to play our best golf.
Are there any differences between regular clubs and golf clubs for seniors?
The primary difference between regular golf clubs and senior golf clubs is the shaft in the club. Senior golfers are typically not able to generate the same swing speed as their younger playing partners, but that is the great thing about being able to buy equipment that is built to enhance your golf swing. You can find lighter shafts with more flex that allow you to generate more speed in your golf swing.
How Do I Know If I Need Senior Clubs?
There are a couple of different ways that you can determine whether you need senior shafts or if regular shafts may be the best option for you.
Swing Speed
How fast you are able to swing the golf club is one of the key determining factors in deciding the right shaft flex. If you are able to produce swing speeds over 85 miles per hour, then you should play with a regular shaft in your golf clubs. If you are not able to swing the club at that speed, then it may be time to find a different golf shaft that works for you. You can get a set of golf clubs that includes senior shafts.
Distance
Determining your swing speed can be tough, especially if you don’t have access to a launch monitor. There are some options out there if you’d like to look into a personal launch monitor, some of which can measure your swing speed. These portable or personal launch monitors are great to practice with because they can help you know how far you hit with each club. If you have access to demo clubs with different shafts, these launch monitors can help you know which clubs and which shafts perform the best for you.
To get an idea as to which shaft is best for you, there are a couple of measurements that you can easily find out on your own: 1. If you are able to drive the ball over 200 yards, a regular flex shaft may be the best option for you. If you are not able to drive the ball 200 yards, consider a senior flex shaft that will be a better fit for your swing speeds. Changing to a senior flex shaft may help you to get it back out to 200 yards, so it is worth taking a look at and trying out. 2. If you are able to hit your 7-iron 135 yards or more, then a regular flex shaft is likely what you should have in your irons. If you are not able to hit your 7-iron 135 yards, a senior flex shaft may be your best option. It will help you hit more greens and you may even find that you are hitting your new senior flex shafted clubs a little further.
Budget: How Much Do You Want to Spend?
As you begin to consider a new set of clubs that are matched to your golf swing, it is important to remember that these clubs could potentially last you several years or more. So, when determining a budget, please keep in mind that this (may or may not) be an annual expense—it certainly doesn’t have to be, but it can be if you like to always play with the latest technology. If you invest in a quality set of clubs, they can last you several years.
High-quality, complete sets of golf clubs can start at around $400, and then depending on what you want, a new set can be up to a couple of thousands of dollars. It is also important to consider how much you will be playing. If you play a few times a month, compared to a few times a week, you can better decide what price of clubs to purchase. It’s important to be realistic when determining your playing goals, as this can also help you determine your budget for new clubs.
Can golf clubs for seniors be customized?
Any set of golf clubs can be customized, so yes, senior clubs can also be customized. When considering your new set of custom senior golf clubs, you can expect to pay roughly $1,900 to $2,500 or more for a complete set that includes the following:
- Custom Fit Driver – $300+
- Fairway Wood – $200+
- Hybrids – $200+
- Set of Irons – $700+
- Wedges (2) – $100+
- Putter – $100+
- Golf Bag – $150+
The key determining factors when it comes to pricing is the brand and the components of the clubs. Titanium club heads and graphite shafts are more expensive than steel club heads and steel shafts. To build a custom set of senior golf clubs, it is best to work with an Expert—someone who understands how to build a set of clubs—so the clubs are matched to your swing characteristics and allow you to play great golf!
Also, keep in mind that you can purchase a hybrid/golf iron combo set with maximum forgiveness between the forgiveness of hybrids and the help that game improvement irons can provide. Some combo sets include the TaylorMade Sim Max and many options from Cobra Golf.
Buying Guide: 5 Best Senior Golf Club Sets
Below are five sets of senior golf clubs, ranging from $249.99 to $1,299.99. It will be important to review each set carefully, as there are different set makeups (some have fewer clubs than others). Working with an Expert will help you to find the perfect set of senior golf clubs—no matter your budget!
TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite Set
This set of TaylorMade RBZ SpeedLite golf clubs is built with proven technologies and crafted for golfers of all skill levels to provide easy launch, explosive distance, and max forgiveness in one lightweight package.
Key Features
- A lightweight 460cc titanium driver.
- RocketBallz 3-wood.
- RBZ Rescue to produce high-launching shots off from the tee and fairway.
- RBZ advanced perimeter-weighted irons.
- Classic-shaped wedge for approach shots around the greens.
- Putter with a modern mallet design, featuring TaylorMade’s patented Pure Roll technology. Engineered with multi-alignment technology, this putter allows the golfer to aim with the topline, alignment dot, or the cutaway channel behind the face.
- Lightweight cart bag and headcovers for woods and putter.
- We price match
- Returnable
Tommy Armour has long been recognized as a leader in performance golf clubs and this EVO Complete Set will allow senior golfers to perform on the golf course.
Key Features
- Titanium driver with high MOI (Moment of Inertia or, in other words, resistance to twisting) to help golfers maximize distance and accuracy.
- Fairway woods and hybrids that are easy to launch from any lie.
- “Hollow-back” long irons and perimeter-weighted short irons.
- Mallet putter.
- Full-feature cart bag.
Tour Edge Bazooka 370 17-Piece Senior Complete Set
The Tour Edge Bazooka set is a complete package designed for beginner to intermediate golfers looking for lightweight clubs that are easy to hit. The set includes: Driver, 3 and 5 Woods, 4 Hybrid, 5-SW, Putter, and a lightweight stand bag.
Key Features:
- The improved shape and weighting of the clubs allow for more forgiveness and easy height on shots.
- Thinner faces throughout the bag enable higher ball speeds, which leads to greater distance.
- The clubs come in R/S flex, which provides a larger majority of golfers the shaft flex that they need for their swing.
- Lifetime warranty from Tour Edge.
- We price match
- Returnable
The Wilson Ultra Plus Complete Golf Club set features R&D-engineered components for superior performance. This complete set of clubs is for golfers looking for great equipment and a lightweight, premium golf bag with headcovers.
Key Features
- Wilson’s proprietary "Custom fit in a box" system has 13 size options to fit every player!
- Designed specifically for senior players with the lightweight, senior flex graphite shafts (except putter), and soft, slightly larger diameter all-weather grips.
- High-lofted driver has a large sweet spot and is swing-speed matched to improve ball flight for greater distance.
- Deep, perimeter-weighted, 431 stainless-steel irons have a very low center of gravity for improved accuracy.
- The sand and pitching wedge are perfect for approach shots.
Top Flite Senior 2020 XL 13-Piece Complete Set
Achieve top-level performance during your next round with the Top Flite XL Complete Set. Improve your long game with the titanium composite driver, low-profile 3-wood, and hybrid clubs. The wide sole, stainless steel irons feature perimeter weighting and a low center of gravity to allow for forgiveness and improved ball flight. An easy-to-align mallet putter simplifies short game, while the light, full-featured stand bag keeps you organized and comfortable.
Key Features
- 460cc titanium composite driver.
- Low-profile 3-wood.
- Easy to hit hybrids.
- Stainless steel, perimeter-weighted irons.
- Easy-to-align mallet putter.
- Lightweight, full-featured stand bag.
Best Golf Clubs For Seniors
There are several factors to consider when purchasing a new set of golf clubs to enhance your golf game. Below, we will run through some of these factors to help you understand how they can benefit you and help you play your best golf.
Finding Your Best Driver
As with any club, there is no “one driver fits all,” so it is important to find a driver that fits your swing speed and helps you to launch the ball down the fairway. There are different head sizes and shapes, and beyond that, many drivers today are adjustable to help you optimize your launch conditions and ball flight.
In addition to finding a driver head that you like, you’ll also need to ensure that the shaft in the driver matches your swing. When considering a more flexible option to match your swing speed, you can also look at shafts with varying weights and torque. These are all variables that need to be considered to help you hit the ball long and straight. When investing in a new driver, it’s good to understand these technology variables or ask an Expert who can help you find your new driver.
Understanding the Technology
- Club Head Size: The maximum clubhead size allowed is 460cc, and most manufacturers push clubhead size right up to the limit. If you like to work the ball with your driver, you may prefer a smaller size, but if you are looking for more forgiveness, you may want a larger clubhead.
- Club Head Material: Most clubs today are made with titanium, a carbon composite, or a combination of the two. Titanium is a lightweight material that is strong and durable. Using the lighter titanium allows companies to build larger club heads (for more forgiveness) without increasing the weight too much. Some manufacturers have incorporated carbon composites into the clubhead, which is lighter than titanium, allowing them to control where the weight is positioned in an effort to produce optimum launch and spin rates for longer, straighter drives.
- Loft: The loft of the driver can range between eight and 13 degrees. For players with slower swing speeds, a higher lofted driver may be advantageous in that it can help the player get the ball in the air more easily.
- Lie Angle: Some drivers offer adjustability in terms of the loft, which can sometimes also change the lie angle. Adjusting the lie angle of the club can impact the direction (left or right) that you hit the golf ball. A club that is too upright for your golf swing could promote a draw or a hook, while a club that is too flat could promote a fade or a slice.
- Weights: Many of the newer clubs offer adjustability, allowing the player to make changes to the clubhead to promote an optimal ball flight. If you were to put more weight in the back of the club, for instance, you could produce a higher launch angle. You can also move the weight out toward the toe to produce more of a fade, or you can move weight toward the heel to produce more of a draw.
- Shaft Flex: The right shaft can help players hit the ball farther, straighter, and with more consistency. Using a lighter shaft with more flexibility will help players hit the ball higher with more of a draw bias, while heavier, stiffer shafts will help players hit the ball lower with more of a fade bias.
- Flex Point: Where the shaft flexes can also impact the flight of the golf ball. Shafts with a lower flex point (closer to the clubhead) will produce a higher launch, while shafts with a higher flex point (closer to the grip) will produce a lower launch angle.
Choosing Irons That Fit Your Golf Game
Important factors to consider when choosing a set of irons are your current game and whether you are looking for a set of irons that is more forgiving or a set that is geared more for performance. Perhaps you’re looking for the best of both worlds—longer irons that are more forgiving and shorter irons that allow you to shape shots and attack the pin.
Gone are the days of buying a set of clubs with a standard 3-iron through pitching wedge. Today, manufacturers offer the ability to create a set matched to whatever you are looking for. For example, you can buy a set of traditional irons, a set with a hybrid, or two, or three, with the lower clubs as a more traditional iron set. If you want, you can purchase a complete set of hybrid clubs.
Playability
It’s important to consider your golf game, and a good measure of that is your handicap or your average score. If you are a player with a higher handicap, you will want clubs that are more forgiving. What this means is that you would likely do well with a set of perimeter-weighted and even oversized irons, allowing for more forgiveness on mishits.
If you’re a more accomplished player with a mid-to-lower handicap, you may want an iron that is a little smaller, a muscle back, or even a blade-style club head. If you are a player that likes to shape your shots and be more aggressive in shooting at the flagstick, the muscle back or blade may be something you want to consider.
Hybrids vs. Irons
When it comes to the longer clubs in the bag, it is worth considering replacing your longer irons with hybrid clubs. The hybrid clubs can be much easier to hit than a longer iron, including from the more difficult lies in the rough and in the fairway bunkers. Once you give hybrids a try, your long irons may not see the golf course again.
Finding the Right Putter
Finding a putter can be very personal. With that said, there are some factors that you should consider when looking for a new putter. When shopping for putters, be prepared to select a clubhead shape, alignment markings, weight, and length that is best for you.
- Club Head Shape: Do you prefer more of a blade shape or a mallet head putter? Some players may prefer looking at a more traditional putter head, while others prefer the benefits of the mallet-shaped putter because it can help them align the putter more easily.
- Alignment Markings: In an effort to make lining up putts easier, manufacturers are building and designing putters with more lines, or golf ball outlines, on the top of the putter to help you line up your putter and make more putts.
- Weight: Do you prefer a heavier or lighter putter? This really comes down to personal preference. One determining factor that may help you decide is the speed of the greens at the course you typically play. If the greens are slower, you may prefer a heavier putter, and if the greens are faster, you may want a putter that is a little lighter.
- Length: When you stand over a putt, you’ll want to be comfortable and allow your arms to hang naturally so you can feel your stroke and develop a good feel for the greens. Are you limited in terms of being able to stand over the ball and bend to get into your putting stance? In that case, would a longer or mid-length putter work better for you? If you like your arms to hang more, perhaps a shorter putter would feel better, and if you prefer a little bend in your arms, maybe a slightly longer putter would feel better. There is no right or wrong way—it comes down to your personal preference and what feels best for you.
How to Enjoy the Game as a Senior Golfer
We’re all getting older, but that doesn’t mean that you have to make sacrifices on the golf course. Golf is the game of a lifetime to be enjoyed by everyone—even experienced or senior golfers. If we aren't careful, we can lose some mph or ball trajectory with age. To get the most out of the game, you will want to exercise and stretch to ensure you are able to generate enough speed in your golf swing to be able to play at your best and avoid muscle stiffness.
Another trick to getting more enjoyment out of the game is to “Tee It Forward.” What is Tee It Forward? It is an initiative between the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) to encourage golfers to play from a set of tees that matches their ability. I’m confident that when you tee it forward you will:
- Play faster.
- Play more often.
- Be able to hit more lofted clubs into the greens (reach par-5s in two).
- Have more fun.
In addition to getting more exercise, stretching, and teeing it forward, playing with a set of golf clubs that enhances your performance on the golf course will help you to shoot lower scores and enjoy the game! Getting the best irons or hybrid iron for your swing can make a world of difference in your mid-game, especially if you haven't upgraded your clubs in many years. New technology helps us all hit the ball further, and innovations like the flash face cup, speed pocket, launch pad, speed bridge technology, tungsten, and cavity back improvements have changed the game for senior players!
If you have any questions on finding the right club for your needs, please feel free to reach out to me or one of my fellow Golf Experts here on Curated. We're happy to be a source of free advice and recommendations.