Updated January 14, 2025. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
Once you’ve advanced beyond the beginner phase, selecting the right intermediate-level golf clubs is key to improving your skills and lowering your scores.
The ideal intermediate club offers more playability and forgiveness while maintaining workability for shot shaping.
Factors like clubhead size, offset, shaft flex, and weight distribution all come into play when choosing game-improvement clubs tailored to mid-handicap golfers.
Our guide to the best intermediate golf clubs compiles the top-rated options across drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, and wedges.
We’ll break down the standout technologies and features that make these clubs perfect for taking your game to the next level.
Table of Contents
Best Intermediate Golf Clubs 2025
Best Golf Drivers
Callaway Paradym Driver
Most Accurate Golf Driver
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Specifications
- Loft: 9.5°, 10.5°, 12°
- Lie: 57°
- Length: 45.75″
- Head Volume: 460 cc
- Swing Weight: D3
Pros
- Powerful construction delivers confidence on full-speed swings
- High MOI with a very forgiving face
- Low, deep CG boosts ball flight for extended carry
Cons
- Doesn’t offer the softest, most sophisticated feel
Finding a driver that provides distance and forgiveness can be challenging for mid-handicap golfers, so we’re happy to report the Callaway Paradym offers the best of both worlds.
As soon as we picked it up, we could feel the light carbon composite crown that helps move weight low and deep for a penetrating, high-launching ball flight.
The A.I.-designed face is optimized for speed across the entire hitting area, so off-center hits don’t lose as much distance.
The adjustable hosel allows me to tweak loft, lie, and face angle to maximize carry distance and control.
Even on our worst swings, we could count on the Paradym keeping me in the short grass with exceptional distance and tight dispersion.
This driver is built for speed, so there’s a lack of feel and responsiveness that comes with the territory. But that shouldn’t deter you from enjoying this magnificently built driver.
Check our full Callaway Paradym Driver Review
TaylorMade Stealth Driver
Best Distance Golf Driver
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Specifications
- Loft: 9.5°, 10.5°, 12°
- Lie: 56°-60°
- Length: 45.75″
- Head Volume: 460 cc
- Swing Weight: D4/D5
Pros
- Rear weight delivers a low center of gravity for a high launch
- Impressive forgiveness with Twist Face feature
- Lightweight feel with an exceptional swing speed
Cons
- Expensive option for casual golfers
TaylorMade’s Stealth looks like a Formula 1 race car in the golf bag, and we’re happy to report that if you are looking for F1 speed, this driver brings it with flair.
The innovative driver has all the bells and whistles that can improve an intermediate golfer’s game, including higher launch, more ball speed, and exceptional forgiveness.
Across the board, during our time with the Stealth, we were blown away by the driver’s sleek power to the golf ball.
TaylorMade has included a rear stationary weight that anchors the driver as the club reaches the ball. The weight helps create a low center of gravity that easily lifts the shot to extend distance.
Great for mid handicappers looking to upgrade, the Stealth driver utilizes the company’s patented Twist Face technology to reduce side spin for more distance control and accuracy on the fairway.
Easily one of the best golf clubs for intermediate golfers, the TaylorMade Stealth offers the complete package for improving your golf game off the tee box.
Here’s our in-depth TaylorMade Stealth Driver Review
Best Golf Irons
TaylorMade Stealth Irons
Best Overall Intermediate Irons
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Specifications (4-PW)
- Loft: 18.5°-43°
- Lie: 61.5°-64.5°
- Shaft Length: 35.75”-39.125”
- Swing Weight: D1
Pros
- Impressive forgiveness across the entire face
- Wonderful feel and responsiveness
- Exceptional length with mid-irons
Cons
- Shaped similarly to blade irons
The TaylorMade Stealth irons are as impressive as the driver and woods, delivering a dynamic complete set of golf clubs for intermediate players.
With a stable feel and balance, the Stealth irons offer the high launch and spin rates intermediate golfers want from our golf club sets.
TaylorMade has discontinued the Speed Bridge Technology of its SIM Max series and replaced it with the innovative Cap-Back Design.
The design offers wraparound construction that stiffens the head to provide more energy to the ball at impact.
During our testing, our golfers noted that the Stealth irons felt more stable and stronger than the SIM Max irons.
We also loved how powerful the face of the long irons in this set catapulted the ball with a high arc that lands softly on the green with plenty of spin.
Easily our top choice among top intermediate irons, the TaylorMade Stealth complete set of irons produces the distance and accuracy your game needs to reach that next level.
Check our in-depth TaylorMade Stealth Irons review
Best Fairway Woods
Cobra Aerojet Fairway Wood
Most Accurate Fairway Wood
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Specifications
- Loft: 15-21°
- Shaft Length: 42”-43”
- Head Size: 158cc-168cc
- Swing Weight: D3
Pros
- Lightweight and fast for maximum distance
- Wide profile offers a forgiving sweet spot
- Creates quick, high launch with long carry distance
Cons
- No adjustable sliding weight for further customization
The Cobra Aerojet fairway woods live up to their billing as some of the fastest fairway woods on the market.
The Aerojet woods feature a compact, sleek 175cc clubhead shape that looks sharp at address and inspires confidence.
The sleek carbon crown and titanium body work together to lower and deepen the CG for high launch and low spin, even on mishits.
We tested the 15° 3-wood and were blown away by the ball speed and distance we could generate, even on off-center hits.
Thanks to the PWR-COR weighting system, the club felt light yet stable through impact, with great sound and feel.
While pros may prefer a smaller, more workable fairway wood, mid to high handicappers will appreciate the optimized launch conditions and forgiveness packed into the Aerojet fairway.
If you struggle with consistency and distance with traditional fairway woods, Cobra’s Aerojet line deserves your consideration.
Check our full Cobra Aerojet Fairway Review
Titleist TSR2 Fairway Wood
Best Overall Fairway Wood
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Specifications
- Loft: 15-21°
- Shaft Length: 41.25”-43.25”
- Lie Angle: 56.5°-58°
- Swing Weight: D2
Pros
- Sleek club head ramps up ball speed
- Low CG effortlessly lifts the ball for a higher launch
- Pleasing sound coupled with an exceptional feel
Cons
- Costs as much as a driver
Out of the many intermediate golf clubs we evaluated, we kept returning to the Titleist TSR series of clubs, especially this dynamic fairway wood.
The ball jumps from the face of the TSR2 Fairway, producing majestic shots that rival your best drives.
The best golf club on the market if you are looking for an alternative club to hit off the tee, the TSR2 Fairway delivers screaming power at impact with pleasing sound and a top-tier feel.
When it comes to forgiveness, the TSR2 doesn’t disappoint, reducing shot-killing side spin, allowing you to hit more fairways or reach the green on long par 5s easily.
Also great for tall intermediate golfers, the TSR2 utilizes a golfer’s size to leverage more power to the point of impact. As a result, golfers can expect distance with tight shot dispersion.
One of the easiest choices we had to make, we universally loved the production of the TSR2 Fairway.
Best Hybrid Golf Clubs
Cleveland Launcher XL Halo Hybrid
Most Accurate Hybrid
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Specifications
- Loft: 18°-27°
- Lie: 60.5°-62°
- Shaft Length: 39”-40.5”
- Swing Weight: D1
Pros
- Excellent value, great for golfers on a budget
- Easy, effortless launch with tall shot arc
- Larger club head delivers smooth power to the golf ball
Cons
- Lacks any adjustable features
Cleveland’s Launcher XL Halo hybrids are designed for golfers seeking extra forgiveness and high launch.
As someone who likes hybrids that deliver effortless power, we were drawn to the oversized, confidence-inspiring shape with a large footprint that keeps the club stable through impact.
The Halo hybrid uses Cleveland’s Launcher Cup Face technology, which adds more flex around the clubface’s perimeter for increased ball speed and forgiveness on off-center hits.
We hit high, towering shots that stopped quickly on the green, even when we didn’t make perfect contact. The light, stable shaft helped me square up the face consistently.
While lower handicappers may prefer a lower, more penetrating ball flight, the high launch and forgiving nature of the Halo make it ideal for mid to high handicappers looking for an easy-to-hit, versatile option to replace their long irons.
Ping G425 Hybrid
Most Forgiving Hybrid
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Specifications
- Loft: 17°-34°
- Shaft Length: 38.25”-40.75”
- Lie Angle: 57°-58.5°
- Swing Weight: D1
Pros
- Deep CG produces high arcing shots
- Adjustable hosel offers customized shot shape
- High MOI minimizes side spin
Cons
- Groove contrast on the face is distracting at the address
Golf clubs like the Ping G425 Hybrid scream upgrade for intermediate players looking for high-quality golf clubs to add to their lightweight stand bag.
With a clean look at the ball at address, the G425 hybrid offers smooth power that effortlessly lifts the ball from either the tee or fairway.
During our testing, we noted that this is one of the best golf clubs for intermediate players looking to add consistency to their game.
Remarkably, every shot with this hybrid seems the same, and that’s a very good thing for golfers trying to lower their handicap.
Another outstanding addition to the Ping family, the G425 hybrid won’t let you down no matter where you use it on the golf course.
Best Golf Wedges
Titleist Vokey SM9 Tour Chrome Wedge
Best Overall Golf Wedge
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Specifications
- Loft: 46°-62°
- Lie: 64°
- Shaft Length: 35”-35.75”
- Swing Weight: D3, D5
Pros
- Sophisticated shotmaking with high spin
- Crisp, clean contact from any lie
- Exceptional workability from the fairway
Cons
- Tour wedge design might be tough to master
Many PGA Tour professionals carry our top choice for best wedge, the Titleist Vokey SM9, onto the golf course.
Featuring the high-grade craftsmanship that the Vokey wedges are known for, this edition offers a full-scale buffet of features to help you attack the green.
Whether you want to add a pitching wedge or sand wedge to your golf bag, the SM9 offers high spin, shotmaking versatility, and the total control you need to take your short game to the next level.
If something here can hold back an intermediate player, it is the wedge’s design. As noted in the name, this is a tour wedge, so expect a lower range of forgiveness, but few wedges offer the production and results of the SM9 from Titleist.
Callaway JAWS MD5 Wedge
Best Spin Golf Wedge
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Specifications
- Loft: 50°-60°
- Lie: 64°
- Shaft Length: 35”-35.5”
- Swing Weight: D0, D1
Pros
- Several bounce and grind options
- Razor sharp groove system produces high spin rates
- Wide sole produces consistent, reliable contact
Cons
- Clunky appearance with a strange color scheme
Callaway’s JAWS MD5 wedges offer a solid mixture of finesse and capable power around the greens. Featuring the company’s patented Groove-in-Groove technology, the MD5 wedge grips and spins, as well as the best wedges on the market.
During our time with the JAWS MD5, we were blown away by the spin created off the face of this wedge. No matter the lie or situation, this wedge produces enough spin to stop the ball cold on the putting surface.
We tested the pitching wedge and sand wedge with this model, and with each we found that the performance is consistent across the board, a great sign if you are looking to put together a full set of wedges for your bag.
Here’s our in-depth Callaway JAWS MD5 Wedge review
Best Golf Putters
Ping 2023 Mundy Putter
Most Accurate Putter
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Specifications
- Head: Mallet
- Loft: 3 degrees
- Length: 33-35 inches
- Head Weight: 355 grams
Pros
- Beautifully designed with nice contrasting guideline
- Smooth distance control with crisp forward roll
- Soft insert delivers an exceptional feel
Cons
- Larger head could turn away those preferring blade-style putter
The PING Mundy mallet putter caught our eye as soon as we saw it, thanks to the unique angular design that frames the ball nicely at address.
As someone who struggles with consistency on the greens, we were eager to test it out, and it didn’t disappoint.
This mallet’s smooth, stable stroke gave me quick confidence by providing solid speed and crisp forward roll.
The forged aluminum body combines with the custom sole weight to increase MOI and boost forgiveness, something we appreciated when we missed the sweet spot.
The white sightline contrasts well with the matte black finish to make alignment intuitive and accurate.
We found our distance control improved as we grew accustomed to the clean top line and the softness provided by the compact insert.
If you seek more consistency in your putting, we can attest that the Mundy delivers on all fronts.
Titleist Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport 2
Best Overall Golf Putter
Specifications
- Loft: 3.5°
- Lie: 70°
- Shaft Length: 33”-35”
- Offset: Full shaft
Pros
- Smooth, immediate forward roll
- Exceptional balance during stroke
- Completely milled face keeps off-center putts on line
Cons
- Price that rivals the cost of most drivers
The Titleist Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport 2 putter offers the most complete and enjoyable putting experience for intermediate players.
With craftsmanship you can’t find anywhere, the Newport 2 offers a smooth, balanced stroke with an immediate forward roll that stays along the target line to help you sink more putts.
The designers have placed two weights along the bottom of the head to help stabilize the face and anchor your stroke with more precision and balance. The weights are interchangeable, allowing total control over the putter’s feel.
Yes, the putter comes with a high price tag, but that cost is backed up by performance. During our testing, we didn’t find another putter that matched the quality of the Newport 2 in terms of roll, accuracy, and distance control.
If you have experience playing golf, then you know the level of improvement good golf clubs can bring to your game.
After our time with the Newport 2, we believe that this exceptionally made putter can help reduce the number of putts per round dramatically.
How We Tested the Golf Clubs
When we first begin testing each section of golf clubs on this list, we realize we are looking for golf clubs that will improve the game of mid-handicappers.
Since most mid-handicappers hope to jump to the single-digit handicap level, these clubs have to provide an immediate benefit to fill a specific need, such as a wedge that produces more spin or a straighter and more forgiving driver.
With each group of clubs, we spent considerable time hitting golf balls, using a launch monitor to track and accumulate the necessary data.
Since each golf club category: drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters, needs specific testing, we look for critical data points such as total distance, spin rate, carry distance ,and launch angle.
After spending time indoors, we move outdoors to hit the range and the course. Throughout our testing, we used the same golf ball consistently to normalize our readings and ensure the data were relatively close for comparison.
After testing, we categorize by category, poring over data and our evaluations to identify the top three pieces of golf gear that can help intermediate golfers improve their game.
We then classify each club by how it will help the golfer in areas such as distance, forgiveness, and accuracy.
How to Choose Golf Clubs for Intermediates
Benefit to Your Golf Game
The biggest mistake intermediate golfers make when buying new golf clubs is purchasing them out of impulse, thinking that a new club will automatically make them better. In reality, a new club doesn’t always translate to better performance.
When researching the upgrade to a new golf club, take the time to assess your current equipment and identify areas where you need improvement in your golf game.
For example, let’s say you are struggling with your wedge play. Perhaps most of the wedges in your golf bag came from the clearance rack at your local big box store. In that instance, you are probably having trouble generating spin.
A new wedge from the top manufacturers would greatly increase ball spin while improving forgiveness around the green. Simply put, the latest golf clubs would help you score better.
Quality of Golf Club
Budgetary restraints are common when buying new clubs for intermediate players. Usually, casual players put together their golf club set by purchasing piece by piece.
Regardless of how you start, as long as you plan to buy the best quality clubs you can find to fit your budget, you should have a nice, capable set at the end of the day.
Complete sets, while offering convenience, typically don’t approach the heights that many golfers can reach when putting together a set section by section.
For most students of the game, waiting to find the right driver, for example, works best because the fundamentals are still growing and by delaying the purchase, they maximize the benefit the driver can do for their distance and accuracy.
Distance and Accuracy are the Most Important
When purchasing a club, especially for drivers, fairway woods, and iron sets, distance and accuracy are the two most important factors for intermediate players.
The best golf club for your game often helps minimize your most significant flaws in these two categories.
For the intermediate player who typically slices the ball with the driver, finding a club with adjustable features to correct the side spin can significantly improve the quality of the shotmaking.
The same holds true with iron sets as golfers who lack accuracy when hitting approach shots will find a new iron set, particularly with the long irons, delivers exceptional control when landing on the greens.
Better accuracy typically means more distance because you are hitting the ball straighter with more speed.