Seven of the best last-minute golf gifts
Best junior golf club sets: What to know when shopping for junior golf clubs
November 27, 2019
We get it — buying junior clubs is an exercise in futility. Your budding superstar is going to keep growing up and sooner or later these smaller and more flexible clubs will become obsolete. We also know how tempting it is to cut down some old clubs you have in the garage thinking they’ll do just fine.
But come on, your junior player deserves better.
Ask any wise clubfitting and/or teaching professional and he/she will tell you that you should always buy golf equipment fit for the skill level you have at the moment — not for the better game you aspire to have someday. (Golf just doesn’t work that way.) This is especially true for junior players who need to have clubs that are light, flexible, and the right length to match whatever height, age or stage of game development they’re in.
There are plenty of great junior sets to choose from that range in full-club sets to some that only have a few clubs in the bag to help make the game simpler and easier to learn. Here’s a look at a handful of our favorite junior sets sure to get your youngster swinging on the right path.
BEST GOLF CLUBS FOR JUNIORS
Best junior clubs for all-around excellence
U.S. Kids Golf Ultralight Clubs
U.S. Kids Golf does an amazing job at making affordable, lightweight clubs designed for beginner-to-intermediate players. The Ultralight series are 10% lighter than standard clubs and can be purchased as individual pieces or in sets. They come in different length options, depending on a player’s height ranging from 39” to 63” tall. The lightweight, 21-degree lofted fairway driver comes with a frequency-matched graphite shaft and the irons have wide soles and low CGs to get the ball airborne in a hurry. Specs and clubs aside, though — U.S. Kids Golf is truly dedicated to junior players, and the incredible efforts made by the company to grow the game ought to be recognized and cheered for.
Price depends on lengths and set makeup
Best junior clubs for looking like a pro
Callaway Junior XJ Set
Available in set sizes of four, six or seven clubs for three height ranges (39”-46”, 47”-53” and 54”-61”), the XJ Set doesn’t skimp when it comes to technology and good looks. All clubs have graphite shafts and the driver has a titanium clubhead. The perimeter-weighted irons are extra-forgiving and promote a high-launch (and look as good as any Callaway iron we’ve seen). The Odyssey mid-mallet putter features alignment aids and a polymer insert for a soft feel. We think the whole set matches perfectly, with the kind of good looks easily passable for clubs made for adults. Comes with either a sleek white or blue golf bag.
$199.99-$399.99
Best junior clubs for Rickie wannabes
Cobra Kids' King Complete Set
Made for juniors over 53” tall, the King Complete Set has a 375cc driver which may not sound big on paper, but trust us, it looks enormous in a junior set. The fairway wood and hybrid are built for added distance and a higher trajectory, whereas the perimeter-weighted irons have wide soles to help improve contact — even on less than perfect strikes. The dual-strap carry bag is a winner in our books, but without question or debate, this junior set has the coolest looking driver headcover we’ve ever seen (it looks like a leather Puma ballcap that Rickie Fowler would wear).
$219.99
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Best junior clubs for the long haul
Ping Junior Prodi G Package 15-Piece Complete Set
Even though the Prodi G set from Ping is made for junior players, it’s packed with grown-up technology and features. The 15-piece set comes with a 460cc titanium driver, 17-4 stainless steel irons (6-PW), a fairway wood and hybrid, two Prodi G wedges that borrow design traits from Ping’s popular Glide 2.0 wedges, a Prodi G Voss putter, a stand bag and three headcovers. Ping also offers a one-time, no-charge service to have the clubs re-shafted or lengthened, re-weighted and re-gripped as your golfer gets taller. This junior set costs more than others, but with longer and stiffer shafts installed, there’s no reason these clubs won’t last long after your junior stops growing.
$1,239
Best junior clubs for Rory wannabes
TaylorMade Rory 8+ Set
Making the most of Rory McIlroy’s endorsement, every club in this set is stamped with “RORY” on it to inspire your youngster (52”-60” tall) to swing big and go low. Available in pink or blue (also available in a parsed down set for smaller kids at a lower price), the set comes with a 400cc titanium clubhead, fairway and rescue club, two cavity-back irons, wedge, stand bag, and a St. Bernard driver headcover emblazoned with Rory’s signature on it.
$399.99
Best junior clubs for value
Tour Edge Junior Bazooka 360 Varsity
One of the best values around, the Junior Bazooka 360 Varsity 15-Piece Complete Set (yes, that name is way too long!) comes with a high MOI 460cc driver, two fairway woods, hybrid, 5-9 perimeter-weighted irons, pitching and sand wedge, and a putter. The “15th” piece in the set is a lightweight stand bag. It’s for older kids, but nonetheless, it comes with all that for under $300 bucks? We’re sold.
$299.99
Each product we feature has been independently selected by GOLF.com’s editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a small commission.
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