Budget Golf Bag Makeover: 6 Cheap Upgrades Worth Making

Building a golf bag on a budget can be a daunting task. With equipment prices on the rise, a full set of new clubs can run you well over $3,000. Odds are that you don’t have that kind of money laying around to drop on new sticks (I know I don’t).

Below are some of the best options that blend price and performance, maximizing your hard-earned dollar while putting quality clubs in your hands. You’ll see a mix of new and used clubs as there’s some great value to be found for clubs in “nearly new” condition.

Driver: COBRA Aerojet

The COBRA Aerojet performed admirably in our 2023 Most Wanted testing scoring 8.7 out of 10 and finishing third in total distance. You can snag this driver NEW for $250 which is over 50 percent off retail. It features COBRA’s PWR-Bridge weighting and H.O.T. Face which uses AI to create a variable-thickness pattern designed to increase spin and efficiency across the face.

Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym (DEMO)

This may be one of, if not the best, deals in this lineup. The Paradym fairway wood from Callaway is loaded with tech starting with an AI-designed Jailbreak Batwing structure which is pushed to the perimeter to stiffen the body of the head while allowing the face to flex for increased ball speed. By utilizing a forged carbon sole, Callaway was able to redistribute weight to maximize distance and increase MOI. If you’re in the market for an upgrade of your fairway woods, this needs to be on your short list.

Hybrid: Mizuno ST-Z 230

Mizuno is a brand that, in my opinion, is overlooked when it comes to woods. Yes, we all know they make some of the best-feeling irons on the planet but don’t sleep on the ST-Z 230 line. It is significantly cheaper than newly released models and is designed to create a low sweet spot and deep CG, allowing for high launch and stopping power to hold greens on long approaches.

Irons: Sub 70 699 V1 Satin

A budget golf bag makeover isn’t complete without a DTC brand in the mix and that’s where Sub 70 comes in with their 699 line of irons. A variety of shaft options are available so you can fine-tune your set to your exact specifications. The 699 features a hollow-body design with injected TPE to help stabilize the face and improve feel and sound. They are suitable for a wide range of golfers for those seeking forgiveness or workability.

Wedges: Cleveland RTX-4

We won’t mess around when it comes to crisp wedge grooves, going with some new RTX-4s. At their current price, you can get two for the price of just one of some major competitors’. Featuring Cleveland’s most aggressive milling, worrying about stopping power from the rough becomes a thing of the past. They are available in four sole grinds, giving you the ability to customize them to meet the needs of your game.

Putter: Wilson Staff Infinite Buck Town

For a putter, I’m going with the Wilson Staff Infinite Buck Town. It features a double-milled face to promote a consistent roll, an anti-glare PVD finish for zero distractions while lining up a putt to close out your buddy and counterbalanced weighting that moves weight closer to the hands for a more controlled stroke. This is proof you don’t need to shell out multiple hundreds for a premium putter.