Golf gear is expensive, and the marketing is loud. Our golf gear reviews and buying guides are for everyday golfers, especially beginners and mid-to-high handicappers, who want to spend money on things that actually help their scores. Here you’ll find how we put our guides together, a few buying rules that apply to almost any purchase, and our gear articles grouped by category.
How we review gear
We want you to know exactly what a GolfStrategyZone gear article is, and what it isn’t.
- Our guides are research-based. We build them from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings, the rules that apply (for example, whether a device is legal in competition), and credible independent reviews. New and updated guides list their sources.
- We don’t claim hands-on testing we haven’t done. Unless a post clearly says we used the product ourselves, and explains how, assume it’s a research-based buying guide, not a hands-on test. When we summarize someone else’s hands-on review, we name them and link to it.
- Prices and specs are dated. Prices change often, so we note when we last checked them. Always confirm the current price and spec on the retailer’s page before you buy.
- We sort by golfer, not by commission. Picks are organized by skill level, budget and the problem you’re trying to solve. An affiliate link never decides what’s included or how it ranks, and brands can’t pay for a positive write-up.
- We fix mistakes. If you spot a wrong spec or an outdated price, tell us and we’ll correct it and note the update.
Four buying rules before you spend anything
- Start with the problem, not the product. “I lose balls off the tee” or “I never know my yardage” points you to a specific fix. A new driver or a rangefinder solves different problems.
- Set a budget and consider used. Last season’s model or a well-kept used club often does the same job for much less. A used-clubs buying checklist is coming soon.
- Fit beats brand. For clubs, the right length, lie, loft and shaft for your swing matter more than the logo. A fitting or demo day is worth it before a big purchase.
- Check the return policy. Buying online is easier when you know you can send it back if it doesn’t suit you.
Clubs
- Do you really need a lob wedge? What a lob wedge is for, and whether your sand wedge can cover the same shots.
- Takomo irons: are they as good as the hype? A breakdown of Rick Shiels’ hands-on review of the direct-to-consumer irons.
Coming soon: irons and putter buying guides.
Gloves, accessories and apparel
- Best golf gloves for sweaty hands. Moisture-wicking glove options for hot, humid rounds.
- What Rory McIlroy wore winning the 2026 Masters, and cheaper alternatives. Tour style on a weekend-golfer budget.
Coming soon: cold-weather gear, walking shoes and gift guides.
Rangefinders, GPS and golf balls
A laser rangefinder measures the distance to whatever you aim it at, such as the flag. A GPS watch or app shows distances to preset points like the front, middle and back of the green. Decide which of those you actually need before comparing models. If you play in competitions, check whether a device’s slope feature can be switched off. For golf balls, choose one that suits your game and budget rather than the one tour players use.
Coming soon: rangefinder, GPS and golf ball guides.
Practice gear for home
Before buying a hitting net, mat or launch monitor, measure your space: ceiling height, room width and how far you can stand from the net all decide what will fit and be safe to use.
Coming soon: net-and-mat and launch monitor guides.
Gear won’t fix everything
The right equipment helps, but for most golfers shooting in the 90s and above, the biggest savings come from better decisions and a sharper short game. Our Tips hub and Strategies hub cover those. The Break 90 guide is the best place to start.
How our gear guides make money: GolfStrategyZone.com is reader-supported. This page has no affiliate links, but some of the gear guides it links to do. We take part in affiliate programs run by retailers and golf brands, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you buy through one of those links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and the guide says so at the top. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read our full affiliate disclosure.