One aspect of golf that doesn’t get enough attention is how tiring it can be to spend hours on an 18-hole course. While you won’t exert yourself quite in the same way as you would on the running track, it’s still far from an easy shift to walk up and down hill for a long period of time. If that struggle resonates with you, you might be interested in finding the best electric golf trolley for you.

Electric trolleys, while not for everyone, could make a real difference to your game if you’ve noticed physical exertion having an impact on performance. Carrying a bag full of your clubs is going to be a challenge for lots of players, and there’s only so much help that a manual trolley can offer. If you need to take that next step, an electric solution could be for you.

There are plenty of options to choose from, meaning the best choice for you might be different from your playing partner. Whether you want a trolley you can push yourself, one that’s remote-controlled, or even one that intuitively follows you from hole to hole, there’s something to suit every need.

Here are 10 of the best electric golf trolleys on the market in the UK. We’ll look at what makes them so good and why you should consider giving them a go.

1. PowaKaddy CT6

One of the UK’s best-selling electric golf trolleys, the PowaKaddy CT6 is a perfect starting point.

At 11.85kg, it’s on the lighter side of the spectrum and super compact. The trolley folds 35% smaller than its next smallest competitor on the market, making it incredibly practical for taking to and from the course.

It also promises a 2.8-inch full-colour display, a pleasingly quiet battery, a USB charging port, and simple ease of use.

Available for £749 at Clubhouse Golf, the PowaKaddy CT6 is value for money personified.

2. Motocaddy M5 GPS

What makes the Motocaddy M5 GPS so good is that it does many things well. It really is a jack of all trades, with a lightweight construction, a smooth steering system, and ease of folding and packing.

One of the key differences between the M5 and other, cheaper models is the addition of GPS. On this model, you’ll find a 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen with 40,000 courses preloaded. It’s a superb option if you’d rather keep all your tech in one place. Full hole mapping does require a subscription to Motocaddy’s Performance Plan, though.

On the touchscreen display, you’ll find accurate yardages and an effective guide to notable features on the hole, including hazards and distances to the green. You can also adjust the pin position to make it even more accurate. Away from the GPS, you can track your score and round time using the screen, which is still easy to use with gloves on or in the rain.

The trolley itself is smooth and easy to control thanks to Motocaddy’s 28.8V drive system. When it’s time to pack away, the battery stays in place as the trolley is folded, though the process can feel a little stiff at times. Luckily, with a light weight of 10.5kg, it’s not too heavy to put into your car.

Available for £1,049 at Clubhouse Golf, this is a little more expensive than the more basic options, but you can’t go wrong with the M5.

3. Stewart Golf Vertx Remote

If ease of use is your absolute priority, then a remote option might be for you – and you won’t find many better than the Vertx Remote from Stewart Golf.

One of the best aspects of the Vertx Remote is its smooth ride, whether you’re using the remote control or pushing it manually. Stewart’s Active Terrain Control contributes to an extremely stable trolley that will face no issues on difficult or awkward terrain. The fact that this is a heavier trolley than some others, weighing in at 14.9kg, actually helps with stability. Furthermore, Stewart’s two-step folding system makes retracting and packing up this trolley nice and easy despite its weight.

There’s no GPS or screen on the Vertx, so if that’s a dealbreaker, then this isn’t the trolley for you. If not, though, it’s one of the best remote-controlled options on the market.

You can find it for £1,599 at Clubhouse Golf.

4. Stewart Golf Q Follow 

Excellent remote options aren’t all that Stewart Golf offers. Their Q Follow is a trolley that follows you on its own.

The idea of an electric trolley that can just follow you around the course is pretty mind-blowing, but this is no gimmick. The Q Follow is excellent at what it does. And if you want the most luxurious trolley available, you can’t do much better than this.

Even on tough terrain, the Q Follow will follow you around, with a retractable stabiliser helping to make that possible. This deploys automatically when the trolley is being set up.

The battery stays in place while the trolley is unfolding, which makes things really easy. Speaking of the battery, it’ll last you for 36 holes too. So there’s no need to worry about it running out of charge mid-way through your game.

Weighing 14kg, it is heavier than some competitors, but the integrated carry handle does offset this a little.

Understandably, amazing technology and a plethora of great features make this a more expensive option. You can find it for £1,799 at Clubhouse Golf. But if you’ve got the cash and demand a trolley that does the work for you, this could be the best electric golf trolley for your needs.

5. Motocaddy SE

Trolleys with all mod cons – and the price tags which come with them – aren’t for everyone. The Motocaddy SE is an electric trolley with value at its heart. For just £499, you can get a trolley that is good at everything it does.

Lightweight? Check. The SE weighs just 9kg. Long-lasting battery life? Check. You’ll get 36 holes out of this trolley. Durable tyres? Check. Smooth ride? Check.

You won’t get a GPS, a screen, or a remote control, but that’s reflected in the price. If you’re just getting into the realm of electric golf trolleys, this might be the best there is. Scottsdale Golf has it available for £499.

6. Motocaddy M7 GPS Remote

With GPS and a remote control, the Motocaddy M7 offers the best of both worlds. It’s really easy to use, with a nice array of features for a lower price than some of its remote competitors.

The 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen display is quite similar to the M5. And like that model, you’ll find 40,000 courses and yardages to greens and hazards, as well as score tracking, performance stats and even full hole mapping without the additional cost of a subscription – as is the case with the M5. 

You’ll also benefit from a cable-free battery in the centre of the chassis (an improvement on this model’s direct predecessor) and a back wheel which stays in place when folding – something its older model also didn’t have.

It is quite heavy at 14.9kg, but the anti-tip wheel means you won’t catch it falling over. This is a great option for golfers who want both GPS and a remote control for their electric golf trolleys. It’s currently available for £1,199 at Clubhouse Golf.

7. Motocaddy ME Remote

If over £1000 is too much of an ask, but you still desire many of the M7’s best features, the ME could be for you.

What you’re essentially getting here is the M7 with its modern, high-performing functionality in an older body. It’s a bit chunkier, a bit less sleek, but just as stable, responsive and easy to navigate. 

The wheels do differ, but all-terrain DHC tyres and an anti-flip wheel mean it’s not going to be unstable, even if you can’t retract that anti-flip wheel. The battery isn’t cable-free here, either, and you won’t find an LCD touchscreen display.

The price reflects that. American Golf is currently selling the ME for £899. And for that money, you’re still getting an excellent electric trolley.

8. Alphard Cybercart

There are few smoother, better-controlled electric trolleys than the Alphard Cybercart. Its big advantage is just how responsive the remote functionalities are. This trolley is super responsive and right up there with the best remote options available. In rain or shine, on tricky terrain or otherwise, you won’t find any issues with the Cybercart.

You’ll also get a handful of practical extras. An umbrella holder, cup holder, scorecard holder and sand bottle holder allow for this model to do much more than just carry your clubs.

At 18kg, it is heavy, and you won’t find a GPS here either. However, its control is as good as any trolley on the market. So if lightness and a screen aren’t prerequisites for you, then this is another superb option.

You can currently find it for £1,249 at Alphard Golf.

9. PowaKaddy RX12 GPS

Another trolley that gives you the best of a few worlds, PowaKaddy’s RX12 offers a GPS (and a truly great screen) as well as sleek remote functions.

The screen and its GPS offer everything you’d hope for. And it’s perhaps the most usable touchscreen on the market. The 1.1GHz processor delivers responsiveness akin to a smartphone’s screen, and at five inches, it’s nice and big too. Its portrait orientation also means it won’t get in the way of the handlebars.

The remote is sleek, and the trolley itself moves smoothly over steady terrain. But some golfers do think it’s slightly more awkward over more difficult ground.

It’s another trolley which weighs 14kg, but it’s easy to fold and nice and compact too. HOTGOLF currently has it available for £1,499.

10. MGI Zip Navigator Remote

The final trolley on this list is particularly good at dealing with trickier terrain. Four wheels mean the MGI Zip Navigator Remote is as comfortable in and around slopes and contours as it is on flat ground. Features such as remote lock and downhill speed control only enhance this. You’re in total control at all times.

It weighs 13kg, has enough battery capacity to last over 36 holes, and is nice and compact – even more so when the wheels are retracted, folding it into its storage mode.

American Golf currently sells it for £1,049, and it’s another great option from the remote category.

So, what is the best electric golf trolley?

Ultimately, there’s no one answer. Your best electric golf trolley might look different from someone else’s because there are so many factors at play.

If you want a low price, you might be best opting for the Motocaddy SE. Alternatively, if you desperately require a GPS and touchscreen, you won’t find much better than the PowaKaddy RX12 GPS. The Stewart Golf Q Follow offers mind-blowing tech and absolute ease of use, while the Motocaddy M5 GPS offers a great mix of features.

Whatever it is you need, there’s an electric golf trolley out there for you.

Keen to find more important golf tech? Discover the eight best golf rangefinders.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Once you’ve chosen your new electric golf trolley, you may want to consider financially protecting yourself and your golf equipment with specialist golf insurance. All claims made through Golf Care in 2025 were for accidental damage to golf equipment, with 79% of those claims relating to golf trolley accidents. Get a quote online today.

Source link

For many golfers, putting can be an afterthought. A part of their game that’s rarely given enough attention, compared to the likes of driving and teeing off. Yet putting is just as technical – described as a ‘game within the game’ – that you’ll need to master in order to be a well-rounded golfer.

If you want to be ruthless on the green and capitalise on your successful approaches, you’ll need to devote time to putting. And that includes experimenting with which putting style works best for you. Here, we’ll explain what the difference is between straight-through putting and arc putting, and we’ll give you tips on how you can try each to see which style gives you the best results.

What is a straight-through putting stroke?

With a straight-through stroke – also often called straight back, straight through (SBST) – you’re attempting to keep the putter moving straight along the target line throughout the putting stroke.

If you’re standing over your ball with your putter in hand, imagine a straight line running through the ball. Your backswing will travel along that line, as will your follow-through. Your club should strike the ball at a 90-degree angle (right angle) with the face flat. Imagine a pendulum-like motion, swinging smoothly back and forth along a straight line.

The theory with straight-through putting is that, as the putter travels straight and the face stays square, the ball should start on line, allowing you to more easily line up your putts. It’s a very controlled style of putting that should ideally give consistent results.

However, executing straight-through strokes perfectly is more complex than it sounds, as most golfers have some degree of arc (deviation from a straight line) in their putts. This is caused by their body mechanics, swing motion, and even the geometry of the putter.

What is an arc putting stroke?

Rather than a straight line, an arc putting stroke follows a gentle curve during the motion of the putter head.

If you’re standing over your ball, imagine a straight line running through it again. However, on your backswing, your putter will move in an arc that travels slightly inside this target line. Your swing returns to the line at impact, and then moves back inside the line on your follow-through. Your club face should open slightly on the backswing, strike the ball flat, then close slightly on the follow-through.

This curving movement isn’t arbitrary. It’s a result of natural biomechanics. Because the putter shaft is angled and your shoulders rotate around your spine, the club naturally swings on a tilted plane, creating an arc.

Although it may seem more complicated than straight-through putting, the idea with arc putting is that it follows a more natural motion and is more achievable than following a straight line, especially on longer putts. 

How to perform a straight-through putting stroke

To practice straight-through putting, you should:
 
1. Form a square setup, with:

• Your eyes directly over the ball
• Your shoulders parallel to the target line
• The ball positioned centrally

2. Keep the putter on line:

• Visualise a straight target line running through the ball
• Picture the putter moving straight back along this target line
• Use alignment aids or a putting mirror if you need to

3. Minimise face rotation:

• Keep the putter face square throughout your swing
• Focus on a smooth “pendulum” motion

4. Control the movement with your shoulders:

• As you swing, rock with your shoulders evenly
• Keep your wrists stable

5. Maintain a straight follow-through:

• Extend the putter down the target line after impact
• Avoid pulling across the ball

How to perform an arc putting stroke

To practice arc putting, you should:

1. Set up carefully:

• Position your ball slightly forward of centre
• Stand with your eyes slightly inside the ball
• Let your arms hang naturally

2. Focus on your shoulder rotation:

• Think of your shoulders rocking, not your hands
• Avoid any extraneous wrist movement

3. Allow yourself to follow the natural arc of your swing:

• Let the putter move slightly inside on the takeaway
• Don’t try to ‘keep it straight’. Trust the motion

4. Square the face at impact

• The goal of your swing is to make sure the putter’s face is squared at the point of impact
• Let the putter release naturally

5. Match your backswing and your follow-through

• Your backswing and follow-through should be symmetrical on either side of your ball
• Maintain a consistent rhythm and avoid deceleration through the ball

Which putting style is right for you: arc vs straight-through?

The simple answer is the one that works best for you.

Arc putting tends to be a more natural approach for many golfers, which results in a more fluid swing. However, some golfers will get better results by perfecting a straight-through putting style, benefitting from the control it offers.

Some golfers even find they can vary their putting approach, using an arc stroke for longer shots and straight-through putting for shorter shots (as it can be harder to achieve a straight line on longer swings). However, varying like this can be difficult, and isn’t usually recommended for beginner players.

The reality is that most golfers have some degree of arc during their swing, even if they consider themselves straight-through putters. Often, the real difference between the two styles is a subtle one in how much arc is present.

It’s a good idea to film your stroke from above, if you can, or to use putting aids such as alignment sticks around your putter to find out whether you naturally tend more towards arc or straight-through putting. Once you know which, you can focus on perfecting your putting with the style that suits you best.

Matching putters to your putting style

Once you have an idea of which putting style you prefer, you can also find the right putter to suit it, further helping to improve your game:

• Straight-through stroke: Typically suits face-balanced putters, as these are designed to stay square during the stroke.
• Arc stroke: Typically suits toe-hang putters, as these are designed to rotate naturally, which suits the arc motion.

However, as with your stroke style, choosing the right putter for you is also a question of experimentation to find what works best for your game.

Finding your putting style

No single putting style is arbitrarily better than the other. One of either arc or straight-through putting may suit your game better, or you may find you can use either style for different putts.   

The key is to stop forcing a technique that fights your natural motion. Instead, understand your stroke, match your equipment, and build a repeatable process so you can approach your putts with the confidence that comes from knowing you can control the line of your ball.

Arc vs straight-through putting FAQs

Which putting stroke is more common?

Whilst many golfers begin with straight-through putting, arc putting is usually more common as it aligns with how the body naturally moves during the stroke and typically leads to more fluid swings.

Which is easier, arc or straight-through putting?

As arc strokes follow a more natural movement of the body, many golfers find arc putting easier. However, this is a personal preference, and plenty of golfers prefer straight-through putting. Which style is easier will depend on you.

Is straight back and straight through (SBST) putting a myth?

Not entirely, but a perfectly straight stroke is extremely difficult to achieve. Most golfers will always have some degree of arc due to the angle of the putter and shoulder rotation. In reality, the difference between SBST and arc putting is more of a spectrum than two polar opposite approaches. 

Do professionals use arc or straight strokes?

Most professional golfers use a slight arc, although the amount varies. Very few players use a completely straight stroke, amateur or professional.

Why was anchored putting banned?

Anchored putting, where the putter is fixed against the body (such as the chest or chin), was banned by the R&A and USGA in 2016.

The governing bodies determined that anchoring reduced the challenge of the stroke by removing the need to control the club freely, which they felt was a fundamental skill in golf. The ban specifically targets the act of anchoring, not the use of long putters themselves.

Does AimPoint putting actually work?

Yes, AimPoint can be highly effective when used correctly.

AimPoint is a green-reading system that uses feel and slope percentages to determine break. Many tour professionals rely on it because it provides a structured, repeatable way to read greens.

However, its effectiveness depends on your ability to use it effectively.  For amateur golfers, AimPoint can be extremely helpful, but only if you commit to learning the system properly.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Before you head out onto the course to practice your putting strokes, you may want to consider protecting yourself and your golf equipment with specialist golf insurance. Get a quote online today.

Source link

If you’re already a skilled golfer, we can’t say we blame you for researching how to become a golf pro.

There’s no better time to join the industry, with the number of golfers in the UK continuing to grow and the 2025 golf rule changes demonstrating how much the game is consistently evolving.

But what defines a ‘golf pro’? The term can be confusing, as it refers to both professional golfers and those who work within the business side of golf.

We cover how to become a golf professional, alongside how to take steps towards becoming a professional golfer if this is your goal.

Table of contents:

What is a golf pro?

There’s some confusion around who qualifies as a ‘golf professional’, as anyone who is a golf expert and involved in either teaching or playing golf at a professional level could be considered a ‘golf pro’.  

However, it’s widely accepted that there is a difference between golf professionals and professional golfers.

Golf professionals typically work in the business or management side of golf or teach or coach amateur or professional golfers.

Then, there are professional golfers who compete in high-profile tournaments like the Masters and the PGA Tour.

Many pro golfers follow the route of becoming a golf professional beforehand, as they have a strong involvement with their club growing up and decide to get certified.

But equally, many start as amateurs and rely on their talent to get noticed.

We’ve covered all pathways in this guide on how to become a golf pro, so you can weigh up your options and take actionable steps to progress your career.

Types of golf professionals

Hoping to work in the business side of golf? If so, it makes sense to get an overview of the roles available if you gain employment at a golf club and decide to become a PGM Associate.

To give you an idea of the different types of golf professionals, the PGA suggests that those who complete their qualifications fulfil one or more of the following roles:

• a qualified teacher or coach
• a knowledgeable retailer
• a customer advisor
• a specialist club fitter
• a manager of services, products, facilities, and people
• a tournament organiser
• a good player

Hopefully, this gives you a good overview of your career prospects.

Regarding job titles, the highest level at a club is typically Head Professional, followed by Associate Professional. They usually manage the club and other employees who work there.

The alternative route is becoming a Teaching Professional, which is a more practical role overall and mainly involves coaching clients.

Head Professional and Teaching Professional roles can sometimes interlink depending on the club, but there is room to specialise in one area over the other.

How to become a golf professional

The path to becoming a golf professional isn’t complicated. Still, it requires a high level of skill and dedication to your development as a player, even if you decide to work business side.

Professional golfing is certainly on the cards for those who go down this route, as long as they’re equipped with the skills to compete at an elite level.

Here’s a quick overview of the path to becoming a golf professional in the UK.

1. Complete the PGM Associate Program

Every golf club has a Head Professional overseeing its operations, including managing the course and other employees.

This role carries a large responsibility and is the most advanced path you can reach when learning how to become a golf pro outside of competing in tournaments.

Suppose you want to eventually become a Head Professional through the PGA. In that case, you’ll need to complete their PGM Associate Program and become an Associate Professional before you can climb through the ranks. This involves:

• a background check
• passing a qualifying test
• gaining employment as an Associate Professional
• completing the player ability test (PAT)

This could be helpful if you want to become a pro golfer, as the PAT test is a great way to prove your skill in the sport.

However, as mentioned earlier, you don’t technically require this to enter tournaments and get noticed.

2. Complete a golf-related bachelor’s degree

Gaining a PGA qualification is a popular route to becoming a golf professional in the UK, as their degree programmes are the most respected golf qualifications in the world.

If you’re hoping to work business side and want to climb the ranks once you graduate, this could be the best route for you.

A foundation degree in Golf Studies (FdSc) is available at the University of Birmingham and can be converted into a BSc (Hons) in Professional Golf Studies.

The University of the Highlands and Islands also runs a Diploma in Higher Education Golf Studies (DipHE), which can be converted into a BA in Professional Golf, with an option to continue to Hons.

You can also study a BSc in Applied Golf Management Studies taught in partnership with the University of Birmingham, which grants you membership as a PGA Professional subject to status and application.

3. Progress through PGA titles

There is the opportunity for development once you’ve qualified as a PGA Member through gaining more experience, education, achievements, and accreditations.

The first option is to move from ‘Class A’ to ‘Class AA’ status, which involves gaining 100 CPD points within three years through suggested professional development.

However, if you reach the age of 55 and haven’t progressed from Class AA status, you will remain at this level for life.

Aside from these initial titles, you can also apply for any of the following:

• PGA advanced professional—meets relevant criteria and has been qualified for a minimum of three years
• PGA fellow professional—meets the relevant criteria and has been qualified for a minimum of eight years
• PGA advanced fellow professional—meets the relevant criteria and has been qualified for a minimum of ten years
• PGA master professional—meets the relevant criteria and has been qualified for a minimum of fifteen years

As you’ve probably gathered, many professional golf players will hold a PGA qualification, so the two pathways often interlink.

But not all skilled players who qualify will go on to become professional golfers, and you also don’t need to qualify to become one, either.

How to become a professional golfer

If you’re a highly skilled player dedicated to your growth in the sport, then there’s a chance you could become a pro golfer if you set your mind to it.

Since the PGA Tour is the world’s largest professional golf tournament organiser, it makes sense for us to discuss how to reach this level of competition—entering these tournaments is the most popular end goal for aspiring golfers.

The steps themselves are quite simple. It’s what’s involved in the process that makes it easier said than done.

You need to be great at what you do, extremely driven, and prepared to put the rest of your life on hold if you want to make it. Here are the next steps if you think you’ve got what it takes.

1. Get up to professional standard

Most players fall at the first hurdle, as this is certainly one part that’s easier said than done. But if you can overcome the challenge of mastering golf, you’re already halfway there.

Recruiting a coach is a good idea if you can afford the investment. With their guidance, you can establish a solid training programme to perfect your technique and improve faster than working alone.

The game is massively competitive, especially since many golfers start young. But if you’ve got the grit and determination to consistently work on every element of your game, you’ll overtake those who give up too soon.

2. Take a swing at amateur events

Once you’ve achieved a high standard and proven your skill in a few friendly competitions at your local club, it’s time to progress to more formal events.

Wondering where to start? Using the Golf Empire search tool, you can browse over 10,000 amateur open golf tournaments at more than 1,500 golf clubs in the UK.

You can also check out amateur golf tours and series for when you feel you’re good enough to enter.

You can usually enter as many or as few events as you wish, meaning you can get a taste of what is expected at these events without committing to the full thing.

It’s easier said than done, but a huge part of learning how to become a professional golfer is dominating amateur competitions.

Progressing through the ranks will get you noticed and potentially lead to you being invited to or qualifying for a more prestigious event—this is how many golfers go professional.

3. Commit to going professional

If you reach the point where you’re consistently performing well in amateur competitions and you’re determined enough to take your career further, this is where you can take things to the next level.

Only you can decide whether or not you’re ready to go pro, as golf differs from other sports where you’re signed up to a team. You essentially decide to compete in professional events instead of their amateur counterparts.

You should be at the best level you can be before registering for professional events, however, as they are usually very expensive to enter and highly competitive.

In the UK, the easiest transition into professional events is becoming a PGA member and entering the PGA Open series, most of which have a £100 registration fee and a £20,000 prize fund.

Taking this leap of faith is a big step, but it’s worth a shot if you know you have what it takes and can afford to do so.

Don’t let age be a hurdle if you’re a great golfer, as there have been many late bloomers before. It’s a matter of dedication and skill above all else.

Take U.S. golfer Allen Doyle, for example—he turned pro at 46, proving it’s never too late to chase your dreams if you stay focused.

4. Sign up for Q-school

Finishing in the top 25 on the Korn Ferry Tour is a surefire way to earn a PGA Tour card, but you can only enter this tour if you go to Q-school first.

This process involves competing over four months to finish in one of the top 25 spots, which earns you an unconditional place on the Korn Ferry Tour. However, you can still get a conditional place if you finish in the 26-50 range.

If you compete well enough to finish in the top five of the final stage of Q-school, you can gain your PGA Tour card this way instead of competing in the Korn Ferry Tour.

5. Compete in the Korn Ferry Tour

If you’ve come this far, you’ve already become a professional golfer, but there’s much more to achieve if you keep pushing on.

The Korn Ferry Tour sits just beneath the PGA Tour, and making it to the finals and finishing in the top 25 guarantees you a spot. Finishing in the 26-50 range gives you a conditional status, and you’ll still have a chance to make your debut.

6. Reach PGA Tour player status

This is likely one of the most important stages of your career.

If you finish in the top 25 at the Korn Ferry Tour or secure your card through a conditional status, you’ll get a chance to compete amongst the world’s most elite golf players.

This will be no mean feat. But now that you know the steps involved, you can devise a step-by-step plan to achieve this level. SMART goals are a great way to ensure progress.

7. Keep your spot on the PGA Tour

While you’ve likely achieved your wildest dreams at this stage, now is not the time to get complacent.

To make your hard work pay off, you should do everything it takes to ensure you keep your spot as one of the 125 best players in the sport.

You’ll be standing on golf’s world stage, and you may never make it back if you let your game slip.

Avoid injuries at all costs, maintain your confidence, and never underestimate the importance of keeping up to speed through practice.

Winning high-profile competitions such as the Players Championship or The Masters solidifies your status as a top golfer and can even guarantee your spot on the PGA Tour for years at a time.

If you win the Players Championship, you receive a five-year exemption, a three-year invite to the Masters, and a three-year exemption for the Open and the PGA Championship.

Salaries in golf 

If you’re considering a career in golf, it’s natural to want to know exactly how much you could earn.

Leaning towards the golf professional route? According to Glassdoor:

• an Assistant Golf Professional earns £27k per year on average and up to £48k per year with experience
• a Head Golf Professional earns £25k per year on average and up to £73k per year with experience

If your end goal is becoming a professional golfer, the amount you’ll earn is understandably difficult to pin down.

Tiger Woods has the highest career earnings on the PGA Tour at $120,954,766, to give you an idea of how lucrative this career path can be.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

As with any sport, the road to becoming a professional in golf is challenging, and accidents can happen. That’s why you may want to consider specialist golf insurance.

With specialist golf insurance through Golf Care, policies include Equipment Cover up to £7,500 and Public Liability up to £10m, so you can practice with complete peace of mind.

Get an instant online quote.

Source link

Jessica: Golf brands specialize in making apparel that looks great and functions well on the course, so if you go this route, there’s no doubt you’ll be comfortable. But it’s ok to source your clothes from outside the golf world, too. At last week’s Ford Championship, one of my media friends at the LPGA tipped me off to this dress from Anthropologie, which she’s planning to wear on-site at Augusta. She said it’s a favorite of a player’s agent, too, and easy to see why: structured, comfortable and polished. Here are some other looks I’m currently loving:

The Somerset Maxi Dress

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this dress is a popular silhouette with several different print options. I love the sleeves, the length and the cinched waist.

Puma golf dress

Puma Women’s 30904 Sleeveless Pique Golf Dress

This one’s for the sporty girlies! Easy to wear and super comfortable with a fun green stripe.

Johnnie-O sweater

Johnnie-O Bridget Garment Dyed Crewneck Sweater

You’ll find all shades of green onsite at Augusta, and I love the hue and texture of this sweater.

Golf dress

Addison Bay Smooth Sport Fairway Active Dress

This dress is a super-cute green-and-white look, and the print is also available in separates and a matching windbreaker.

Rugby sweater polo

G/FORE Rugby Merino Wool Sweater Polo

Rugby stripes are trending, and I love the contrast stripe collar on this cool sweater from G/FORE.

Goldie dress

This dress has a winning retro vibe and is available in a number of other solid colors.

Shoe guidance

Jessica: Sandals are cute, but they have the potential to not only hurt your feet but also get incredibly dirty — especially if it rains. Open-toe styles can be especially dangerous. Even if you opt to wear a dress or skirt, I think stylish sneakers are the answer.

Maddi: If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a dozen times — and for good reason. Augusta National’s rolling terrain is more demanding than it looks, and the wrong footwear can leave you dealing with blisters before the afternoon groups even tee off. Plan to wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty from the course elements.

Here are a few shoes I’m loving for the Masters:

Veja sneakers

Veja Exclusive Volley Sneakers

These shoes are the embodiment of Augusta National’s Azaleas, with their pops of green and pink. The vintage-inspired wingtip detailing is a nod to an earlier era of the game, when legends like Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Lee Trevino teed it up in classic brogue-style spikes.

Espadrilles

TOMS Valencia Platform Espadrille (Women)

Espadrilles of any kind will always complement a light linen or cotton outfit for a sunny, spring day on the course. That said, if you’re planning to trek all over the course, you may be better off opting for a slip-on or Mary Jane style like this one for added comfort and ease.

Adidas golf shoes

Adidas Gazelle Spikeless Golf Shoes

Whether you’re walking 18 or strolling across the clubhouse terrace with an Azalea in hand, these spikeless, sneaker-style golf shoes are a perfect on-course companion. Comfortable and practical, their extra traction comes in handy on slick grass—and with plenty of cute colorways, you can show off your personal style.

Cole Haan loafers

Cole Haan Women’s Danby Travel Loafers

Loafers are always a classic at the Masters — and for good reason. They strike that perfect balance between polished and practical. Whether you opt for a sleek leather pair or something with a bit more personality, loafers will easily elevate any outfit while still being able to keep up with you as you wander the grounds at Augusta National.

Source link

Updated on January 4, 2026

As any golfer knows, improving your putting stroke is the quickest way to lower your handicap.

But practicing putting can be difficult, especially if you don’t always have time to drive to a golf course or green. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 putting mats with ball returns, so you can practice your putting skills from the comfort of your own home or office.

These putting mats come with automatic ball returns, so you won’t waste time chasing after golf balls. At the end of this article, we also offer up our favorite alternative to ball return putting mats.

1. Crestgolf Putting Mat Indoor / Outdoor (Best Overall)

Surface material: Premium Quality Velvet

Dimensions: 9.84” Wide x 109” Long (Ball Return is 10.62”)

Ball return system: Raised Incline Made of Wood

Pros

• The velvet material of the putting surface leads to a putting experience that’s very similar to an actual green
• It can be used indoors or outdoors, which makes this practice mat highly versatile
• It can be folded up and stored without any fear of wrinkles, which is something not many brands can claim
• The wooden ball return system has lots of durability and will save you a ton of time
• Works well in a yard, office, garage, or bonus room
• Golfers can practice on 2 different holes. One is smaller to increase putting accuracy.

Cons

• The price is a little steep, but that’s understandable because of the quality materials
• It could be a bit longer and wider

For a putting surface that’s nearly identical to a green on the golf course, consider choosing the Crestgolf putting mat. It’s 8 feet long, which makes it ideal for practicing short or medium-length putts. Crestgolf also went to great lengths to make sure that your putts would roll well on this surface.

With the wooden ball return feature, the high slope rolls each putt back to you. This means you can spend less time gathering your golf balls and more time practicing your putting stroke.

2. I&K Pro Indoor Golf Putting Green (Best Value)

Surface material: High-Quality Crystal Velvet

Dimensions: 1.28 Feet Wide x 8 Feet Long

Ball return system: Raised Incline Made of Plastic

Pros

• One of the cheapest practice putting greens on the market
• Automatic Ball Return System works beautifully
• Works well for both beginner and seasoned golfers to hone their putting skills
• Easy to set up in any home or office
• The backing is designed to limit slippage, which reduces the chances of injury and overall aggravation

Cons

• The plastic ball return won’t hold up as long as other materials
• Some have had issues with the material getting creases in it
• A few folks have had problems with the ball return

If you need to improve your putting game but are short on cash, the I&K Pro putting mat is just what you need. This is arguably the most cost-effective option out there. Golfers will love how this practice mat easily stores 3 golf balls and provides 2 different holes to practice on.

3. Club Champ Super Sized Putting Mat (Best Option with Hazards)

Surface material: Non-Directional Turf

Dimensions: 1.8 Feet Wide x 9 Feet Long

Ball return system: Raised Incline with Electronic Return

Pros

• Very affordable practice mat with a nice ball return
• The electronic ball return system doesn’t require any batteries
• It shoots the ball back to you, whether you hit it in the hole or one of the hazards
• The water hazard and sand trap will help you practice hitting straighter putts
• It comes with a 2-year warranty, which is the longest one we’ve seen in the industry
• It can be used on almost any surface, including carpets or wood floors
• Easy to keep clean, which isn’t the case for all practice mats on the market

Cons

• Some golfers think the ball returns too fast, which may make it unsuitable for small kids
• The hazards are made of thin plastic, which means that they may not hold up well over time

Burned out on standard practice mats with incline ball returns? Check out the Club Champ Super Sized putting mat if you want to try something new. The ball return is electric, and it works even if you putt into the bunker or water hazard. That’s a neat feature that makes this practice mat worth trying.

4. Loowoko Indoor Putting Green (Best Alignment Lines)

Surface material: Crystal Velvet

Dimensions: 9.8” Wide x 122” Long

Ball return system: Raised Incline Made of Wood

Pros

• Easy to assemble right out of the box, which is a nice plus
• It folds up easily to make transportation or storage a breeze
• A great putting training aid for any level of golfer
• The turf is meant to simulate real grass for a more realistic roll
• It comes with a 1-year warranty, which gives buyers peace of mind
• It comes with 2 alignment aids and some distance markers
• The automatic return portion is sturdy and made of wood

Cons

• It can be hard to work kinks out of the material, which can cost you some practice time
• The automatic ball return system sometimes gets hung up

Struggle to line up a putt correctly? If so, this golf mat will take your putting game to the next level.

It has 2 alignment aids to ensure your feet are in the right place while practicing. You’ll be shocked to learn how much proper alignment has to do with making good putts.

5. Britenway Golf Green Mat (Easiest to Assemble)

Surface material: Crystal Velvet

Dimensions: 15” Wide x 123” Long

Ball return system: Raised Incline Made of Wood

Pros

• Engineered to give golfers an experience that’s similar to a real green
• It makes a fantastic gift on any occasion for golf lovers
• One of the best auto ball returns in the industry that’s made of solid wood
• It can easily be moved from your home to your office and vice versa
• Built to last for several seasons of putting practice
• It comes with 2 different size holes to increase your putting accuracy
• The crystal velvet material gives you a very realistic roll
• There is no battery to have to worry about recharging

Cons

• The marketing materials show someone putting with a wedge, which is kind of annoying
• Some have had issues with getting the mat to lay flat
• There is no mention of any kind of warranty, which is a little bit disappointing

This high-quality putting practice mat is super easy to put together. The solid wood ball return frame snaps together in a flash thanks to the magnetic suction of the material. This mat is a little pricier than others on our list, but the quality is top-notch.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

Source link

AimPoint golf is a system devised to help you out with the final flourish at the end of a hole – the putt. While many amateur golfers focus on getting maximum distance when teeing off or using their irons, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of assuming that, just because you’ve made the distance with your earlier strokes, an accurate putt will automatically follow. This isn’t always the case.

AimPoint golf exists to help you fix this problem. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what it is, how it works, and whether it could change your game if putting the icing on the cake is your biggest weakness.

What is AimPoint putting?

The brainchild of software developer Mark Sweeney, AimPoint is a system for putting the ball that focuses not on what your eyes can see, but on what your feet can feel.

It all comes down to reading the green. Understanding how your ball is going to break based on the unique landscape of the green is crucial in determining where exactly your ball is going to end up.

The idea of the AimPoint method is to work this out as accurately as possible.

Sweeney used his background in software development to put data into the putting game, and the results were stark. As far as he’s concerned, it’s the most reliable method when it comes to putting, and that’s an opinion shared by some of the very best golfers around. Former world number one Adam Scott uses the system, and Sweeney has taught fellow stars such as Nick Faldo, Tommy Fleetwood and Lydia Ko.

In other words, he knows his stuff.

How to putt using AimPoint

This is what you need to know when putting using AimPoint.

Assigning a percentage 

The first step in using the AimPoint method is assessing the terrain, which involves a percentage system.

Stand roughly halfway between your ball and the hole with your feet shoulder-width apart. What you’ll likely notice is that there is more weight on one foot than the other, as it’s being pulled further down by gravity. In other words, you’ll be able to work out which direction the green slopes.

So, if you feel more weight on your left foot than your right, you know you’ll have to aim your putt to the right, because gravity will pull it down to the left.

This is where the percentage system comes in. Once you’ve identified how the green slopes in terms of direction, you now need to establish how steep the slope is.

Here, you’ll assign a percentage value between one and five, one being a shallow slope, and five being a noticeably steep slope. The steeper the slope and the bigger the difference between the high point and the low point of the relevant section of the green, the bigger the impact gravity will have on the trajectory of your putt.

The difficult thing about this is that discerning what a shallow slope feels like compared to a steep one takes effort, practice, and, most importantly, time. At first, assigning these percentages may feel fairly arbitrary. It will be difficult at first to instinctively know just how much steeper a three is compared to a four, for example. That’s why AimPoint golf is a system that requires patience.

Tackling your slope and taking your shot

Once you’ve assigned a percentage value to the slope, the real magic happens.

Say you’ve assigned a percentage of three to your slope, with the high point coming on the right:

• Stand behind your ball, close one eye, and hold your right hand up so the middle of your index finger appears as if it’s immediately to the right of the hole.
• Your slope is three per cent, so you’ll hold three fingers up – your index finger, which is aligned with the hole, your middle finger and your ring finger.
• The edge of your ring finger – in line with the hole – is where you’re going to aim your putt.

The same would be true if you assigned a value of one, two, four or five. The percentage of the slope directly corresponds with the number of fingers you use to aim your shot. The steeper the slope, the further away from your hole you have to aim.

Giving it time

This technique takes a lot of practice, time, and patience, but it is worth it, as countless professionals who use the system prove. 
These are the basics of the AimPoint putting method, but there’s only so much that can be achieved without a session with an expert. There are over 300 certified AimPoint coaches, and a session with one of them will offer more insight and personal advice than is possible here.

Is AimPoint foolproof?

AimPoint may be a method trusted by various PGA Tour pros and extremely high-level players, but that doesn’t mean it’s foolproof.

As mentioned before, with proper training and plenty of practice, it seems that AimPoint can have a hugely positive effect on your putting game. But it’s not guaranteed, and it does have its critics.

This method involves spending quite a lot of time discerning the slope. Assigning that percentage can involve movement throughout the green, and the reliance on how the slope feels rather than how it looks means it’s not a quick process. In fact, that’s pretty much the whole point. As a result, the pace of play can be slowed down by AimPoint, and so it’s not universally popular among all golfers.

However, if you really struggle with putting, AimPoint is definitely worth trying.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Now that you’ve learnt how to use a new skill out on the course, you may want to consider getting specialist golf insurance. Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care can help financially protect you and your clubs in the event of an accident.

Find out more or get a quick online quote today.

Source link

Understanding golf scorekeeping is critical to enjoying a round and playing properly. For beginners, it may seem like a complex task to fully grasp the intricacies of the sport as a whole, let alone its various forms, where rules can differ substantially. But fear not! Golf scorekeeping isn’t as difficult as it sounds, and all it takes is a little practice to fully get on board.

In this guide, we’ll look at golf scoring systems across the most common formats of stroke play and match play, as well as the differences in variations such as mulligan scoring. We’ll also detail how to fill out a scorecard correctly.

The basics of golf scorekeeping

First things first, in golf, the aim of the game is to achieve as much as possible in the fewest hits of the ball, or strokes as they’re known.

Each hole has a ‘par’, referring to the number of strokes expected to complete the hole. Golfers would be expected to complete a hole with a par of three in three strokes. It’s that simple. Handicaps are a notable caveat of this, but we’ll discuss that later.

At this stage, it’s important to get familiar with some of the terminology, including:

• Ace/hole in one: completing a hole in only one stroke
• Condor: completing a hole four strokes under par
• Albatross/double eagle: completing a hole three strokes under par
• Eagle: completing a hole two strokes under par
• Birdie: completing a hole one stroke under par
• Par: completing a hole in the expected number of holes
• Bogey: completing a hole one stroke over par
• Double bogey: completing a hole two strokes over par
• Triple bogey: completing a hole three strokes over par
• Quadruple bogey: completing a hole four strokes over par

This is all largely consistent among the different types of golf. The main difference is the importance of how quickly you complete the whole course versus how quickly you complete each hole.

Golf scorekeeping in stroke play

There are two main ways of playing golf, and the one you’re most likely to encounter in your first forays into the sport is stroke play.

In stroke play, the victor is decided by who completes the entire round in the fewest shots (typically 18 holes, but it could be nine). You’ll keep track of how many strokes it takes to finish each hole and then add these up throughout the round.

The player with the lowest score wins.

Golf scorekeeping in match play

Broadly speaking, the way you play a round of match play doesn’t change on a hole-by-hole basis. You’re still trying to complete each hole in the fewest number of strokes.

However, the victor here is the golfer who wins the most holes. If you finish one hole in fewer strokes than your opponent, you’ll go one up. If you win another, you’ll go two up, then three up and so on. If you’re level, it’s known as all square. If you’ve won six holes and your opponent five, you wouldn’t be winning six-five. Instead, you’re one up.

The winner is the player who has won the most holes after all nine or 18 are completed.

The impact of handicaps on golf scorekeeping

That’s all well and good, but including handicaps can make things slightly more complicated.

What are handicaps?

Each player has a handicap (or handicap index, as it has become known) associated with them, which indicates their overall ability. The lower the number of your handicap, the better you’re expected to perform.

For example, the best handicap is zero, and a golfer with this is known as a ‘scratch golfer’. These golfers are good enough to consistently complete each hole in the expected number of shots, always (or at least very regularly) achieving par.

Most golfers, however, will find their handicaps in the double digits. A handicap of 15 is still good going.

How handicaps affect scoring 

Handicaps aren’t just indicators of ability. They serve a purpose, and this differs slightly between stroke play and match play.

In stroke play, you deduct your handicap from your total score (gross score) to create a final score (net score). A player with a handicap of 15 who completed a round with a gross score of 100 would end up with a net score of 85, for example.

It’s a little more complicated in match play. Here, you deduct strokes from holes based on what’s known as the stroke index – this, broadly speaking, measures the difficulty of each hole. A player with a handicap of 15 would deduct a stroke from the 15 hardest holes according to the stroke index, turning a par into a birdie and so on.

The point of including a handicap in golf scorekeeping is to ensure that players of differing abilities can still compete on a level playing field.

A scratch golfer would be expected to beat our golfer with a handicap of 15 more or less every time without a handicap. With one, the outcome isn’t so sure.

Penalties, mulligans and other variations in golf scorekeeping

When things go awry in golf, you may find yourself incurring a penalty and adding additional strokes. If your ball goes into a penalty area (bodies of water on the course, for example), you’ll have to add an additional stroke. If you hit your ball out of bounds, you must add two additional strokes, so beware!

However, one way of avoiding these consequences is playing a round with mulligan scoring.

With mulligan scoring, you may be afforded a retake after a bad shot, thus avoiding a penalty. These are often given on early shots (a poor tee, for example), and they will be offered by another player in your party.

Remember, mulligans are for friendly rounds only. Don’t expect to be afforded them in a competitive game.

The role of the scorecard in golf scorekeeping

Finally, the scorecard is where you keep track of everything that’s happening throughout your game – every hole, every stroke, every score.

Each scorecard contains a grid in which the rows refer to players and the columns to the holes. These are specific to each course and, as such, contain information unique to each. A scorecard will let you know, for each numbered hole, from where you can tee off (yardage), the par and the stroke index.

Remember to factor in handicaps when playing a round that involves them. For a round of match play, the inclusion of this stroke index will help you out considerably.

One player is responsible for keeping track of the score throughout the round. Usually, you’ll work out your score for the first nine holes before combining it with your score for the second set.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Once you’ve learnt how to count your scores properly, you may want to consider getting specialist golf insurance before your next round.

Through Golf Care, policies include Equipment Cover up to £7,500, Public Liability of up to £10m, and Personal Accident Cover up to £50,000. Get a quote online today.

Source link

Forgiveness, a high launch, a straight flight, and a soft landing are features of the 10 best irons for beginners.

In this guide, I reveal my top selections to help beginners increase their greens in regulation record and enjoy more scoring opportunities.

You’ll notice that every club on this list is considered a game improvement iron and carries a cavity-back design. Unless they are hybrids, then you will find a hollow body construction.

For golfers that just need a quick recommendation, here a side-by-side comparison of our top 3 choices:

What to Look for in a Good Set of Irons as a Beginner

Low Center of Gravity (CG)

As a beginner, your top priority is getting your golf ball airborne consistently. The best equipment for the job is golf clubs that produce natural high launch to keep your ball airborne and traveling.

Irons with this ability typically contain a lower-than-usual center of gravity which sets you up for an increased launch. In addition, the high, consistent flight propels your ball to descend along a steeper angle biting aggressively into the green upon landing.

Enhanced Moment of Inertia (MOI)

Next, I recommend that beginners seek irons with advanced MOI, as this combats clubface twist during your swing to keep it square at impact. When your clubface remains perpendicular to the target through contact, you produce less sidespin and prompt a straighter shot.

Flexible Shaft

I find that slow swing speed and high handicap golfers perform best with flexible, graphite shafts. The additional flex will increase your whip at impact, resulting in a more powerful swing. If your regular golf shaft launches too low, you should test the performance of a senior golf shaft. If your low launch continues, you may want to consider a ladies’ flexible shaft.

–

10 The Best Beginner Irons

1. Cleveland Launcher Halo – Best Overall Golf Irons for Beginners

.
Top Pick

Generates rapid ball velocity

• Clean turf interaction
• Prompts a high launch
• It produces a soft landing
• Cons
• These irons may cause faster swing speeds to balloon their shots

Not the most attractive golf clubs

• The Cleveland Launcher XL Halo irons stood out for me as the best beginner golf irons overall. I found their accurate shots, increased launch, and crisp turf interaction produced consistent ball flight and a soft landing on approach.
• You’ll notice that these irons carry an extra large clubhead design which boosts its MOI for greater accuracy. This construction prevents your clubface from bending during your swing, allowing it to stay square throughout contact. You will enjoy straighter shots. The Mainframe, which is made up of A.I. designed variable face technology, produced rapid ball speed off the face.

Finally, you’ll find the V-shaped sole design propels your clubhead across the turf to prevent you from chunking your shots. It promotes a clean hit for optimal launch, distance, and flight.

2. Tour Edge Hot Launch – Best Budget Iron Set For Beginners

Budget Pick

Pros

Super affordable

Dampens vibrations on off-center strikes

• Exceptional forgiveness
• Crisp turf interaction
• Cons
• Some golfers may not appreciate the hybrids
• The set does not include a sand wedge, but you can acquire it separately

Tour Edge is renowned for creating easy launching, forgiving golf clubs at an affordable price and continues this theme with the Hot Launch C522. These irons earned my respect as the best budget set for beginners because of their soft feel, rapid ball velocity, high launch, and crisp turf interaction.

• You’ll see that the C522 set includes a 4 and 5 hybrid instead of irons to provide a high, long, and direct approach shot. Tour Edge also equipped these irons wide soles. I found this produced crisp turf interaction and prevented my clubhead from digging into the earth.
• Moreover, I appreciated the effort of the VIBRCOR technology, as it softened the blow on off-center hits and boosted friction on shots with short irons and wedges. The added friction will increase your spin rate for smaller approach shots, helping your ball to stop quickly. These three features increase my forgiveness and promote consistently high shots, while extending the sweetspot. Cobra LTDX Irons – Forgiving Irons for High Handicappers

Most Forgiving

Cobra Golf LTDX Iron Set

The design encourages maximum flexing of the body, sole and face at impact. This creates an elastic rebound that produces powerful ball speeds. The forged face cup increases ball speed over a larger area of the face.

Amazon Price Check

Pros

Produces explosive ball speed

Flexible clubface maintains ball velocity on low-face strikes

Promotes direct flight

Offers reduced workability

• Cobra is no stranger to creating value-for-money super game improvement irons for high handicappers. The LTDX irons carry a moderate price point, are built to deliver exceptional iron distance and optimized spin for a soft landing.
• You’ll find that the LTDX range produces rampant ball velocity across the clubface thanks to its PWR-COR technology and PWRshell Face Design. The PWR-COR technology and PWRshell Face Design worked together to increase the clubface flex, as well as the size of the “active zone”. The weight stabilized the clubhead during the swing and kept it square at contact, prompting straighter ball flight from the fairway.
• Lastly, the CNC milled clubface and grooves delivered a superb performance in the mid and short irons. The sharper grooves gripped my golf ball and increased spin to achieve a drop-and-stop landing.
• 4. Wilson Launch Pad 2: Highest Launching irons for High Handicap golfers
• .
  Highest Launch

Pros

• Easy, high-launching irons
• Smooth turf interaction

Contains an anti-scratch finish

The mid and short irons promote a soft, rapid landing

Cons

Some golfers will not care for the chunky, hybrid-style profile

Not very affordable Wilson high handicap irons.

You’ll notice that these Wilson irons feature less technology than other golf clubs, yet expert weight placement helps them compete. Engineers shifted the weight of the club back and low in the sole for a higher launch and longer distance. The clubhead is kept out of the grass, preventing you from chunking shots. It enabled me to make consistently clean contact with the ball for optimal launch, flight, and distance.

• Lastly, I thought the engineers added a neat touch by applying the anti-scratch finish. It does not affect your game but it keeps your clubheads looking like newer longer. Ping G425 Irons – Straightest Irons
• Straightest Irons

• Ping G425 Iron Set

  The G425 irons have a face that has been re-engineered using a Variable Face Thickness (VFT) design in the metalwood style. This unique construction increases ball speed and distance with increased flexing. The compacted head provides a higher level of forgiveness. A shorter heel-to toe length increases MOI, and tightens shot dispersion.

  Global Golf: Check Prices

• Pros

They generate straighter ball flight

• Forgiving
• Prompts rampant ball speed

Compact and appealing head design

Water-repellant hydropearl chrome finish sheds moisture from the clubface

Cons

The toe weight is not pretty, but they had to put it somewhere

Limits your ability to shape golf shots

Ping G425 irons hit our shelves in 2021, but they stand firm against newly released competitor products. The irons were the straightest I’ve tested this year thanks to the high MOI construction and compact profile. The game improvement experts at Ping shortened the length from the heel to the toe of the blade to increase stability and MOI. As a result, my shots were straighter than others, providing optimal accuracy.

Exceptional MOI

• Prompts rapid ball speed around the perimeter of the clubface
• Crisp acoustics
• Amplified feedback
• Forgiving
• Cons

Expensive for beginner irons

• Some golfers may prefer long irons instead of hybrids
• The Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal irons claimed the crown for the most stable iron sets for high handicappers. The irons prevented spin and ball speed drop-off, resulting in the perfect lift, flight and landing. The Hiroshima engineers chose Mizunos Chromoly4140M for its high strength-to weight ratio. You’ll find this stroke of genius enhances the club stability at impact for elevated MOI without harming flexibility.

Adding to the steadiness of these irons is a stability frame, which prevents clubface twist during your swing.

Next, I felt the Harmonic Impact Technology delivered generous feedback and acoustics but did not drown out vibrations on off-center strikes. Some players enjoy this feedback, but my hands do not appreciate the shocks.

Finally, I noticed that the seamless cup face and CORTECH design generated phenomenal ball pace and spin on every shot. The cup face thins the clubface on the outside to maximize velocity for off-center shots. These components will produce optimal distance with a soft landing.

–

7. Titleist T300 – Best Feel

Best Feel

Titleist T300II Iron Set

The new T300 irons are the pinnacle of game-improvement technology. The T300 irons are built with 40% more than normal tungsten, and have an improved Max Impact Technology. They provide maximum forgiveness, and enhance launch, precision and distance. A polymer core behind ball face enhances ball speed at impact.

Amazon Price Check

Pros

• Offers a soft feel on all shots
• Produces a high launch
• Optimizes your COR
• Forgiving
• Generates explosive ball speed

Cons

• Expensive
• The strong lofted long irons may prove challenging for a slower swing speed to strike

The Titleist T300 irons show that the brand offers more than just the best balls in golf. The softness of the irons caught my eye. The enhanced polymer core was the best performer for me. The Titleist engineers placed it between the cavity and the clubface to absorb shocks when you miss your sweet spot. This is thanks to the Max Impact Technology, which escalates your COR across the clubface to carry your ball to the ideal length and land it softly.

Furthermore, I felt the results of the extra 40% of tungsten, as it prompted a consistently high launch. While slow swing speeds will appreciate this assistance, it can cause faster swingers to balloon their shots.

Lastly, when you test the Titleist T300 irons, you’ll experience explosive velocity off the clubface thanks to the variable face thickness design.

8. TaylorMade Stealth: Fastest ball speed

Fastest Ball Speed

TaylorMade Stealth Iron Set

TaylorMade STEALTH Irons are easy to launch and have a super hot flight. Cap Back is wrapped around toe for increased distance, forgiveness, and feel. This updated version of the original breakthrough technology shifts mass from the high toe down to the sole creating a low CG.

Soft feel

• Optimal forgiveness
• Enhanced MOI
• Cons
• Premium price tag
• Some of the features are found in previous, more affordable TaylorMade irons

TaylorMade gifted the Stealth range to the world in 2022. These irons are not as carbon-fiber-laden as the driver but they still deliver exceptional ball speed. TaylorMade chose a Cap Back Design, with a toe-wrap construction, to reposition their CG low and deeper. This setup naturally encourages a higher launch, which helps beginners to keep the ball in the air for longer. In order to increase yardage, I increased the ball speed on every shot. Also, a higher flight prompted a softer, controlled landing to hold on tighter greens.

• Furthermore, you’ll notice that the Stealth irons contain the classic TaylorMade Thru-Slot Speed pocket to increase clubface flexibility. The increased flex helped me prevent speed and spin loss on low-face strikes.
• Finally, my hands appreciated the protection afforded to them by the Echo Damping System. Engineers placed it behind clubfaces to dampen harsh shocks from mishits, and ensure a softer feel.

9. Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Lite – Fastest Clubhead Speed

Fastest Clubhead Speed

Pros

Lighter shafts help you produce accelerated golf club speed

Generates rampant ball velocity

Prompts a controlled landing

Faster swinging beginners may sky their shots with these lightweight irons

• Never one to be outdone by their foes TaylorMade, Callaway released their Rogue ST Max range in 2022 to compete with the Stealth series. The Rogue ST Max OS Lite is our irons that had the fastest clubhead speeds in our tests. Callaway fitted them with lighter shafts in order to accelerate golfers who have a slow swing speed. The optimized flash face produced amazing ball zip for all shots. The flash face cups increase clubface flex, which increases ball speed and improves COR. They also encourage a towering ball flight. You can create a controlled landing for a greater bite. The increased tungsten also expands the sweetspot around the clubface thanks to perimeter-weighting. This limits spin and speed loss on mishits. Powerbilt EX-550 – Best Hybrid Irons
• Best Hybrids
• Pros
• Highly affordable
• Easy to launch

Promotes straight shots

• Enhanced forgiveness
• Produces a high launch

Cons

Playing with an entire set of hybrids may not appeal to all golfers

The higher MOI construction restricts workability

Closing out our top ten list of best irons for beginners is the Powerbilt-EX 550 hybrid irons, which claim the title in this category. I appreciate their affordability, forgiveness, straight shots, and easy launch.

You’ll notice that EX-550 hybrid irons are a no-frills set of affordable golf clubs ideal for beginners on a strict budget. The hybrid set consists of a 4-iron through-to-sand wedge, with the latter the only non-hybrid construction.

I found that the graphite shafts on these irons provided ample flex to accelerate ball speed off the clubface for a highly consistent launch. The hollow body design of these hybrid irons allows for a high MOI, which is essential to producing straight shots and preventing slices. He has seen the highs, and the lows of the game and is now a professional writer. He has a Postgraduate degree in Sports Marketing. He’s played golf for over 28 years. Current Handicap : 8