The Best Golf Gear of 2023

Looking to up your golf game? We rounded up some of the most exciting, high-performance golf gear to hit the course with this year.

Golf has been around for well over 500 years. While its popularity has ebbed and flowed over the centuries, the sport enjoyed a surge of popularity over the past few years. Over 25 million U.S. players teed off in 2022, including 3.3 million who golfed for the first time. No matter if you’re a beginner trying to hit a few fairways or a scratch golfer looking to refine your game, the right golf gear will help shave some strokes off your scorecard.

Golf requires a high degree of precision, so it’s only natural that golfers seek out gear that delivers even the slightest edge. From a high-tech carbon fiber driver to precise launch monitors delivering in-depth swing analysis, golf tech is at an all-time high. While there’s no magic club or swing analysis that’ll send you to the PGA Tour, the right tools can help you improve your game and have more fun.

The sport is notoriously expensive, so golfers need to determine what gear is worth splurging for and what can be left on the shelf. To save you time, money, and strokes, we assembled a list of the best golf gear of 2023. Using a combination of personal testing and in-depth online research, we identified 10 items that will enhance your next round. From golf balls to ball trackers, putters to drivers, and even one club that does it all, this list represents best-in-class gear from top golf brands including Taylormade, Titleist, Bushnell, and more. 

Related: The Best Golf Courses in All 50 States: Where to Tee It Up in America

The Best Golf Gear of 2023

1. Taylormade Stealth 2 Driver

Bad shots and poor putting will always be a part of golf, but when you blast a booming drive straight down the middle of the fairway—that’s what keeps us coming back. The Stealth 2 from Taylormade will help you do that more often. This is a top-of-the-line driver that helps golfers nail their tee shots with consistency and power.

The not-so-secret ingredient is its innovative carbon fiber face, which significantly reduces weight (compared to titanium). That allowed the Taylormade engineers to redistribute weight—including a 25-gram tungsten weight at the rear base of the driver—for a more forgiving and consistent strike. The center region of the driver face has been thickened, while the thinned-out perimeter helps to increase the size of the sweet spot.

Ultimately, the Stealth 2 will maximize the performance of both on-center and off-center hits: Taylormade even coined the term “fargiveness” to describe the experience. Combine that with this driver’s beautiful aesthetics and finely tuned acoustics, and you’ll be turning heads at the tee box.

[$600; taylormadegolf.com]

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2. Garmin Approach S62 Bundle

Whether you’re on the tee box or stuck in the rough, knowledge is power. Like a virtual caddy on your wrist, the Garmin Approach S62 packs real-time course information, shot tracking, and full-color mapping into a sleek design. This premium GPS watch comes preloaded with 41,000 course maps and tracks your exact location on the golf course, while the 1.3-inch color touchscreen display relays critical information on shot distances, hazards, current scorecard, and more.

Additionally, the S62 pairs with Garmin’s Approach CT10 club tracking sensors for more advanced analytics about your performance with each club. Once the round is finished, you can analyze your game and see how you stack up to fellow players in the Garmin Golf app.

Off the course, the S62 will alert you to notifications from your phone, provide activity tracking for a variety of sports, and monitor biometric data including heart rate, pulse ox, and calories burned. Additionally, it has a 14-day battery life in smartwatch mode (or 20 hours in GPS mode) and looks stylish enough to wear to the office after a quick sunrise round.

[$550; garmin.com]

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3. Q Club

The most unique and innovative item on this list, the Q Club is the only club you’ll need to play an entire 18-hole round. This fully adjustable club features 11 different settings ranging from a 5-degree putter to a 64-degree lob wedge—along with every iron, hybrid, and wedge in between.

The adjustment only takes a couple seconds: Just push down on the head of the club and twist it to your desired loft angle, where it will securely lock into place. In addition to the adjustable club head, the custom grip has been extended to 14 inches (about 3.5 inches longer than normal) to provide three different gripping options—grip up for longer shots and move your hands farther down for chips and putts.

While there have been other attempts at designing an adjustable club, the Q Club might be the best version yet. It delivers comparable performance to traditional irons on longer shots, the four wedge options work well, and the putting is perfectly manageable (though it does take some getting used to). If you’re tired of lugging the full set around the course, want to take up speed golf, or simply want to get out and have some fun, the Q Club will not disappoint.

[$399; q.golf]

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4. Bushnell Launch Pro

If you’re the type of player who loves swing analytics, the Bushnell Launch Pro will become your new best friend. While many launch monitors use a radar system and algorithm to determine the expected flight of your ball, Bushnell leaves nothing to chance with its precise camera system. The Launch Pro uses high-speed and high-resolution cameras with infrared to track each shot with ultimate accuracy.

The Launch Pro can be used either outside or inside, delivering exact measurements of key stats like carry distance, clubhead speed, launch angle, and spin rate. To get the most out of the Launch Pro, you’ll also want to get a subscription to the FSX Pro software for advanced tracking analytics, simulation options, online contests, and more. For the advanced golfer looking to fine-tune their game, the Bushnell Launch Pro is a top choice.

[$3,500; bushnellgolf.com]

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5. Titleist Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12

Drive for show, putt for dough. Golf rounds are won and lost on the green, which is why we suggest investing in a top-of-the-line putter. While it won’t sink your putts for you, the Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12 will set you up for success around the pin. This high-end mallet putter features a precision milled 6061 aluminum face combined with stainless steel wings for maximized MOI—moment of inertia (MOI) refers to the club’s resistance to twisting, and a higher MOI means the club is more forgiving.

In addition to its excellent balance, the Phantom X 12 features an elongated face-to-flange sight line to help with aim and alignment. The steel shaft features a single “mid” bend to further minimize face rotation, while a textured grip provides a secure feel.

[$430; pgatoursuperstore.com]

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6. Precision Pro NX10 Slope Rangefinder

It’s hard to nail a perfect shot if you don’t know how far to hit it. A good rangefinder is a must for any serious golfer, and the Precision Pro NX10 Slope Rangefinder is a top option. It’s quick to pick up the flag and sends a pulse vibration to alert you once the target is locked in. It offers adaptive slope recognition for uphill and downhill distance adjustments, 6X magnification for an enhanced view of the hole, and a magnetic cart grip for easy access.

While those features are relatively standard among high-end rangefinders, the Precision Pro sets itself apart with 28 different colorways, a three-year warranty, free battery replacement, and a very reasonable price tag. With its combination of great performance and strong value, the NX10 Slope Rangefinder is an easy choice.

[$279; precisionprogolf.com]

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7. Linksoul Astoria Polo

Linksoul makes some of the most comfortable and stylish golf apparel on the market. The brand recently dropped a few new additions to its lineup, and the Astoria Polo immediately caught my eye. This polo features classic good looks, and the new DriLoft fabric blend delivers excellent performance. Spun from Pima cotton, recycled polyester, and spandex, it’s lightweight and breathable—perfect for comfort on the course and wearing around the clubhouse.

[$94; linksoul.com]

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8. Sun Mountain Colter Vest

During a crisp sunrise tee-off or a chilly twilight round, a little insulation can go a long way. While a jacket can restrict your swing, the Sun Mountain Colter Vest keeps your arms free and your core warm. The Colter Vest was designed specifically for golfers. Insulated panels on the front and back retain heat, and stretchy panels at the sides allow you to move naturally through your swing.

Innovative 37.5 insulation technology uses active particles from volcanic sand to regulate body temperature while also venting sweat vapor and preventing odors. Additionally, golfers will appreciate the vest’s comfy four-way stretch fabric, internal chest pocket (it doubles as a stuff sack), and durable water repellent (DWR) coating for staying dry during misty morning rounds.

[$100; shop.sunmountain.com]

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9. FootJoy Tour Alpha

Having good footing on the golf course is essential to avoiding errant shots. FootJoy has been making premium golf shoes for more than a century, and that experience is evident in the brand’s Tour Alpha golf shoe.

FJ’s proprietary stabilizing outsole keeps you firmly planted through powerful swings, which keeps your focus and power locked in on the ball. The lightweight, supple leather upper offers excellent water resistance, while an OrthoLite cushioned footbed ensures your feet will stay comfy through all 18 holes.

[$200; footjoy.com]

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10. Titleist Pro V1 and V1x Golf Balls

There is very little debate about who makes the best ball in golf—that honor goes to Titleist. The brand’s Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls both deliver superior flight, spin, and control. Which one is better for you depends on your personal preferences and playing style.

The Pro V1x is constructed to create higher flight, more spin, and a firmer feel; the Pro V1 delivers a flatter trajectory, less spin, and a softer feel. Titleist recommends the Pro V1x for players who generally tend to hit with less height and less spin. The Pro V1, on the other hand, is more of a generalist choice—and according to Titleist, at least, it’s the “most played ball in golf.” No matter which one you choose, you can be confident they’ll maximize drive distance and ball control around the cup.

[$55 per dozen; titleist.com]

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