If you were given the chance to build your golf bag from the driver down to the putter, where would you start? It’s an expensive proposition, but if you’re new to golf or ready to take on a more grown-up set of clubs, then you may find yourself in this position.
You may assume you should start with one particular brand and use it for filling your entire bag. However, the better method may be turning to top-rated clubs based on real-world testing for each and every club, no matter what brand it falls under. By focusing more on the testing results, such as those performed here at MyGolfSpy, you end up with a set of golf clubs better tailored to your game and backed with proven performance.
Then the question becomes whether you should buy new or used. You may prefer the pristine condition of brand-new clubs but purchasing pre-owned equipment can give you excellent quality at a reduced price. We compared the pricing of new versus used for the Most Wanted picks so you can see for yourself if new or used is the way to build the best bag.
Building the best bag with brand-new clubs
| Club | Model | Starting Cost |
| Driver | Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | $549.99 |
| Fairway wood | PING G440 Max | $367 |
| Hybrid | COBRA DS-Adapt | $229 |
| Driving or utility iron | Titleist U•505 | $279 |
| Iron set | Callaway Elyte HL | $1,108.38 |
| 50° wedge | Mizuno Pro T-3 | $180 |
| 52° through 60° wedge | TaylorMade Milled Grind 5 | $199.99 each |
| Putter (mallet) | Wilson Infinite Buckingham | Not available |
| Putter (blade) | Tommy Armour Impact No. 2 | $149.99 |
The pricing for the new clubs shown came from PGA Tour Superstore, with the exception of the Tommy Armour Impact No. 2 putter pricing (found at Golf Galaxy). As you can see, you can easily spend thousands when building the best bag with new clubs.
Building the best bag with pre-owned clubs
In previous tests where we analyzed highest trade-in value for used clubs, we found 2nd Swing was the top contender. Once again we turned to this site to pull the latest pre-owned pricing available.
| Club | Model | 2nd Swing Starting Cost |
| Driver | Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | $419.99 |
| Fairway wood | PING G440 Max | $299.99 |
| Hybrid | COBRA DS-Adapt | $189.99 |
| Driving or utility iron | Titleist U•505 | $219.99 |
| Iron set | Callaway Elyte HL | $460.99 |
| 50° wedge | Mizuno Pro T-3 | $159.99 |
| 52° through 60° wedge | TaylorMade Milled Grind 5 | $149.99 each |
| Putter (mallet) | Wilson Infinite Buckingham | Not available |
| Putter (blade) | Tommy Armour Impact No. 2 | $47.99 |
The prices listed above are the starting prices only but showcases how much you can save by purchasing quality pre-owned cubs compared to new. Naturally, you’ll pay more for a used club in mint or excellent condition versus one with scratches or other signs of wear and tear.
Many factors impact the cost of pre-owned clubs above and beyond the condition. The year the model was released, the brand (with certain brands commanding more than others), market demand and the specs can also drive up the price with pre-owned clubs.
What to look for with pre-owned clubs
If you’re buying pre-owned clubs in-person, make sure you look closely for scratches, rust, dents and worn grooves. It may seem like a great deal but too many flaws can impact your performance. If you’re buying these online, try to get actual pictures of the club(s) and not just the stock picture anyone can post. Pay close attention to the description too, noting the shaft type, flex and length.
Final thoughts
Building a bag of the Most Wanted of 2025 may feel a bit out of reach at first but shopping around and comparing the new versus pre-owned options may make it much more attainable. You can also take your time building the bag, ensuring you get the best performing clubs specifically for your game.
Alf Sheppard
6 months ago
I’m going thru replacing my whole bag so this article is of particular relevance. I pretty much settled on clubs and spec and have done some comparison between used and new. There are 2 big 2nd hand resellers in the UK Golfbidder and Cash4Clubs and after doing my research my input would be that you get what you pay for I could get a Titleist GT2 4w for £50 less than RRP but it had scuff marks on the bottom and a sky mark on the top. Similarly for the GT1 driver. You also have the fact that being used I would probably change the grip, that’s another £10.
For me part of the excitement is taking the plastic covering off the head before taking it on to the course so 90% of the time I would go for new.