Golf is one of the best sports activities for seniors because of its low-impact non-intensive nature. But it still requires quite a bit of strength, agility and precision.
All these tend to suffer as you grow older. Your drives don’t go as far and you have more trouble achieving the right elevation.
Golf clubs for seniors are designed to be more forgiving than normal golf clubs. They provide a better hit which improves power, speed and accuracy.
They are usually designed with larger sweet spots, a higher loft and more flexible shafts.
In this 10-minute buying guide, I’ll review what I believe are the 5 best golf clubs for seniors. I considered factors like weight, club head design and materials to pick the best ones.
But first, a few things to keep in mind when looking for the best golf clubs for seniors.
What to look for when buying golf clubs for seniors
Here are the features that matter most.
a. Weight
A lot of improvement has been made in recent years to make golf clubs lighter usually by incorporating lighter materials such as graphite.
A lighter golf club can be swung at a higher speed which improves power and drive distance.
Some pro players still stick to heavier drivers weighing around 100g arguing that it gives them more control.
But that’s because they have the strength and agility to swing a heavy club fast. For a senior, a lightweight club is much easier to use.
Woods with graphite shafts are the best for seniors. They weigh between 50g and 85g (look for those below 60g). In contrast, woods with steel shafts can weight up to 120g.
b. Flex rating
Look for a golf club with a senior-grade flex rating. The reduced stiffness comes in handy as your club speed and drive distance goes down.
Most senior flex golf clubs are made from graphite. The combination of the lightweight material and increased flex results in a faster club swing and therefore a longer drive distance.
c. Club head size
As you age, your accuracy is not as sharp as before. Off-centre hits become more common.
Senior golf clubs are designed with a larger club head to compensate for the reduced accuracy. These golf heads have a wider club face which ensures that even off-centre shots remain accurate.
d. Loft
Loft refers to the club face angle. Different golf clubs in a set have different lofts that are useful in specific situations. The higher the loft, the higher the trajectory.
A 1-wood usually has the lowest loft (9-13 degrees). This provides just the right amount of elevation to achieve a long drive distance.
A wedge usually has the highest loft to provide a high trajectory but low distance. It’s ideal for getting out of bunkers and chipping over hazards.
Many seniors and golfing amateurs struggle with low-loft golf clubs. This is because they hit the ball with less speed and power. This lowers trajectory too much and reduces drive distance.
Switching to a higher-loft club can help. It will drive your balls higher and further.
e. Hybrids
Finally, I recommend adding a couple of hybrids to your set.
Hybrids combine the forgiving nature of a wood’s club head with an iron’s longer shaft.
Long irons are difficult to use for seniors and amateurs. Replacing your longer irons (1, 2, 3) with hybrids will increase your speed, accuracy and distance.
Best golf clubs for seniors in the UK
1. Callaway Men’s Apex Golf Hybrid Club
With a 23-degreee loft, this hybrid senior golf club delivers added speed and accuracy.
The steel club head is precision-shaped to give you more control over the speed and direction of the ball. It has a wider face, which improves speed and accuracy of both centre and off-centre hits.
Since it is a hybrid, the design borrows from both woods and irons. The head has the wide rounded shape of a wood that maintains accuracy and speed. The shaft is long like that of an iron which adds more power to your swing, therefore improving speed.
The shaft has a senior-grade flex rating. This adds more power and speed to the club as you swing.
This is a right hand club but there’s also a left hand version available. It comes with a head cover for protection.
What we like about it:
- A forgiving club head – higher loft and wider face.
- Senior flex for added power and speed.
- Hybrid design that makes it easier to use on the fairway.
2. Wilson Staff D300 Irons Set of Golf Clubs
This set includes 7 men’s golf clubs that are available in either right or left hand orientation. There are 5 irons (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) plus a pitching and a sand wedge for bunkers and chipping.
The irons are weighted at the heel to give your swing more power. They also improve speed and accuracy of shots.
Even if you hit off-centre, the wide club face ensures the ball stays straight with minimal spin.
The shaft is made from graphite, which makes the clubs lighter. You should have no problem swinging it fast and accurate.
The senior flex on the shaft is great for players who are experiencing lower speeds and drive distance. The shaft packs more power and transfers more energy to the ball, ensuring it travels further.
What we like about it:
- Available in both right and left hand orientations.
- Lightweight graphite shafts with senior flex rating for easier and more powerful hits.
- Includes high-loft wedges for easier chipping.
- Weighted club heads that provide better control and added power.
3. Lynx Golf Black Cat Combo Golf Clubs Set
If you are looking for an affordable golf club set that includes hybrids, this is a great choice.
It is a 5-SW set meaning it has 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 irons plus a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. In addition to these 7 clubs, it also comes with two hybrids: a 3 & 4.
The 3 and 4 hybrids are great replacements for the longer irons which tend to be more erratic in the hands of seniors and novices.
Thanks to a combination of a large rounded head with a long shaft, the hybrids provide the same drive distance as irons but with added accuracy.
All the clubs in the set have graphite shafts. They feel very light in your hands, making them easier to swing.
The graphite also does a great job absorbing shock from the impact with the ball, thus protecting your joints.
The flex of the clubs is senior-grade. They provide more power and speed compared to regular and stiff golf clubs.
What we like about it:
- Lightweight graphite shafts – perfect for seniors with weaker hand muscles.
- Includes two hybrids for easier and more accurate shots on the fairway.
- Affordable.
4. Cleveland Golf Men’s Launcher HB Fairway Wood
If you are thinking about replacing one of your long irons, this hybrid golf club is an excellent choice. It is available in both right and left hand orientations.
The shaft material is graphite, which keeps the weight low and improves swing speed and power. The flex grade is senior, which improves speed and power.
But the most interesting component is the club head. This is where the manufacturer focused most of their innovations.
You can get the club head in one of two lofts: 15 degrees and 18 degrees. 15 degrees is perfect for most seniors. Get the 18-degree one if you need extra help with distance and elevation.
They have also re-designed the crown (the top section of a club head). They call it a HiBore Crown. It’s lighter, reducing the overall weight of the club which in turn improves swing speed and power.
It also does something else to make your shots more powerful. During impact with the ball, the crown compresses and decompresses. This releases stored energy into the ball, propelling it further away.
Another change they’ve made is using a bonded hosel (the part connecting the club head with the shaft) rather than a flexible one.
This has reduced overall weight and lowered the centre of gravity. This provides better control and increased stability when hitting the ball.
What we like about it:
- Enhanced club head design for pro-level performance.
- Lightweight shafts.
- Increased loft to help you achieve a longer drive distance.
5. TaylorMade M CGB Irons
If you are looking for a premium set of senior-friendly golf clubs, I recommend this one by TaylorMade. It costs a bit over £1,000 for the full set but the pro-grade features and performance are worth it.
The set consists of 7 right hand clubs (5-SW) including 5 irons (5, 6, 7, 8, 9), a pitching wedge and a sand wedge.
Each club has a lightweight shaft interior attached to a highly engineered tungsten club head.
The club head comes with all sorts of technologies and modifications to improve speed, power and accuracy.
For instance, it includes micro weights made from tungsten. These weights increase MOI or moment of inertia.
What that means is that your shots are going to be more accurate and forgiving. It also increases speed.
Additional features like a flexible sole and face slots also help with power, speed and accuracy.
Though this doesn’t directly impact performance, they also went to the effort of fine tuning the club’s acoustics.
The sound of the club face hitting the ball sounds perfect and exhilarating. More helpfully, the geocoustic technology helps reduce vibrations reaching your arms.
What we like about it:
- Pro-level golf club set that improves performance.
- Lightweight.
- Vibration-dampening technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to regrip golf clubs?
Before you get started, secure the golf club shaft in a vice. This will make it easier to remove the old grip and tape and put in the new one. But you can still regrip while holding the club in your hand. It’ll just take a bit more care and effort.
- Start by removing the old grip using a straight or hooked razor blade. Cut along the length of the grip, making sure you move the blade away from you. Once you make a lengthwise cut, it’ll be easy to strip off the old grip. With the grip off, remove the tape next by peeling or scrapping it off.
- Take the new grip and hold it against the shaft. Mark where it’ll reach on the shaft.
- Apply double-sided grip tape along the length of the shaft. The tape should reach exactly where the new grip will reach (hence the importance of measuring the grip against the shaft). Leave an inch of tape hanging over the end of the shaft.
- Wrap the tape around the shaft then peel off the backing. Fold the overhanging end of the tape into the hole at the end of the shaft to keep dirt and particles from getting in.
- Pour mineral spirit or golf grip solvent inside the new grip, using your finger to prevent the liquid from pouring out of the hole at the bottom of the grip. Shake the grip to ensure the inside is well coated.
- With the tape end of the shaft over a tray, pour the solvent inside the new grip over the tape. Make sure the tape is fully doused.
- Push the new grip over the tape and align it properly.
- Tap the butt end of the gold club onto the floor several times to fully secure the new grip. Give the grip several hours to dry before you play with the club.
Q: How many golf clubs are you allowed in your bag?
In UK, US and most other countries, golfers are allowed to have a maximum of 14 clubs in the bag during a competitive round. This consists of a combination of irons, wood and a putter.
How many of each type of club you carry is up to you – as long as the total number does not exceed 14.
Q: Where to sell second hand golf clubs?
Online marketplaces are great places to sell your used golf clubs. The best ones in the UK include eBay, Amazon and Gumtree.
Other marketplaces that you can sell your golf clubs on include Golfclubs4cash, Golfbidder and Affordable Golf.