One of the main reasons we decided to put together this in-depth review of the Callaway Strata Complete Golf Club Set is that golf’s popularity continues to rise year over year, with an average of over 15% of all households indicating an interest in playing the sport.
In fact, there are over 24 million players in America alone, and they play a total of over 470 million rounds every year!
With so many new players joining the sport, there’s a question that comes up again and again from our readers: what are the best golf clubs for beginners?
The Callaway Strata Complete Set represents an excellent value and covers many of the most common needs of beginner golfers and high handicappers.
Read on for our complete Callaway Strata review.
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Callaway Strata Complete Golf Club Set Technical Specs
What’s Included in the Callaway Strata 12 Piece Complete Golf Club Set
The Callaway Strata Complete Set comes with three woods, four irons, one wedge, one putter, a stand bag, and two club head covers. The included clubs represent a nice range that offer enough variety for any beginning golfer, without the need to purchase additional clubs.
What’s In The Box:
- 460cc Titanium Driver
- 3 Wood
- 5 Hybrid
- 6, 7, 8, and 9 Cavity-Back Irons
- Putter
- Stand Bag w/ Multiple Pockets, Cooler Pocket, Rain, Hood, and Backpack Strap System
We’ll break each of these down below and explain how they’ll help you improve your game.
Callaway Strata Complete Golf Club Set Features and Benefits
460cc Titanium Driver
The Strata’s 460cc titanium-head driver features a large club head with a big sweet spot to offer more forgiveness than smaller-headed drivers. It’s engineered to be lightweight to promote faster swing speeds, bringing you more driving distance.
Low Profile 3 Wood
If you’re still getting used to the driver, the 3 wood is a great club to use for newer golfers to drive off the tee box. This 3 wood is easy to swing and great for accuracy, allowing for longer and straighter drives
5 Hybrid with Wide Sole
The 5 Hybrid replaces a 5-iron in the Callaway Strata Complete Set. This is a great addition considering that the 5 iron is one of the toughest clubs for beginners to hit.
You can also experiment with using the 5 Hybrid off the tee box or on longer straightaways on higher par holes.
Cavity Back Irons
6, 7, 8, and 9 irons are all included in the Callaway Strata Complete Package, and these are all thankfully cavity-backed irons, which promote more forgiveness and give extra balance – definitely a win!
These are called game improvement irons, which are intended to help you get better ball flight and control as you continue to improve.
Pitching Wedge with Perimeter Weighting
Not all beginner club sets come with wedges, so it’s great to see a pitching wedge included in the Callaway Strata Complete Set.
The 44-degree loft of the pitching wedge will make a big difference in your short game, allowing you to play from the fairway or light rough with ease.
Blade Putter
Most putters that are included in complete sets are complete afterthoughts, and that’s really unfortunate – most players will make most of their shots on the green!
This 35-inch (standard length shaft) blade putter is well-designed, with easy alignment and a decent weight, along with a clubhead that promotes increased roll across the green to help you make those long putts.
Lightweight Stand Bag with Multiple Pockets
Chances are that if this is your first set of clubs, you’re probably going to need a golf bag as well. Lucky for you, the Callaway Strata Complete Set features one of the nicer bags we’ve seen.
This stand bag has multiple, different-sized pockets, perfect for carrying extra balls, tees, rain gear, rangefinders, and more. It even features a cooler pocket to keep your beverage cold, and a much-needed backpack style shoulder strap system.
Two Club Head Covers
Your clubs are likely to knock around in your bag as you’re driving in a golf cart or even walking the course, so Callaway included two club head covers (for the driver and 3 wood) to help protect them from dings and scratches.
Having this protection extends the life of your clubs and your return on investment – a win-win.
Additional Options and Configurations for Callaway Strata Sets
Our Callaway Strata Review focuses on the most common 12-piece complete set, however there are three other variations of the Callaway Strata set for different golfers’ needs.
Callaway Strata Tour 16-Piece Complete Set
The Callaway Strata Tour is the premium offering and includes a Driver, 3 Wood, 4 & 5 Hybrids, 6, 7, 8, & 9 Irons, Pitching Wedge, Sand Wedge, Putter, Stand Bag, and 4 Club Head Covers.
The Callaway Strata Tour ups the ante by adding a 4 Hybrid, Sand Wedge, and 2 Club Head Covers, adding additional range and value to your bag. This package is geared more towards mid to low-handicappers, so we wouldn’t suggest it as a best golf club set for beginners. If you’re looking for a more premium option, go for the Callaway Strata Ultimate instead.
Callaway Strata Ultimate 16-Piece Complete Set
The Callaway Strata Ultimate is an additional premium offering featuring the same exact setup as the Callaway Strata Tour package, with one BIG difference: the Strata Ultimate setup is geared more for forgiveness and beginner golfers and high handicappers.
If you’re looking for a premium option like the Callaway Strata Tour set and you’re a beginner, high handicapper, or have a slower swing speed, definitely opt for the Callaway Strata Ultimate Set instead.
Callaway Strata Plus 14-Piece Complete Set
The Callaway Strata Plus is designed with beginners and forgiveness in mind just like the Callaway Strata Ultimate and the Strata 12-Piece Set.
It’s the same setup as the Strata 12-Piece Set, except you gain an additional Sand Wedge and a Club Head Cover for your 5 Hybrid. If you’re looking for convenience and extra versatility, this is a great choice and an easy way to get a quality Sand Wedge at an affordable price.
What To Consider Before Buying a Complete Golf Club Set for Beginners
There’s a lot to consider when buying your first set of clubs, and making sure you get the best set for beginners should be at the very top of your list. Here’s what to keep in mind as you’re making this first big step into the great game of golf.
Be Clear – and Realistic – About Your Goals
One of the best ways to select the best golf clubs when starting out is to really think about how serious you are about golf. Many new golfers get wide-eyed and deep into buying equipment and everything they need to get started… only to never really start at all.
It’s valuable to think about how much time you’re both willing and able to put into the sport, and use that as a factor when determining your budget.
Consider Your Skill Level and Dedication
It takes a lot of practice and time to become a skilled, low-handicap golfer. If you’re serious about improving it’ll mean many visits to the driving range and afternoons on the golf course.
In addition to the practice above, you may want to consider lessons, which will also factor into your budget.
If you do plan on springing for lessons, chances are that you’re on the more serious end of new players and you may want to think about getting something better than a super-basic beginner’s set of clubs.
The great thing about the Callaway Strata Set is that it represents an excellent value for any beginning golfer whether you plan on playing every weekend, or only a couple of times a year.
Don’t Buy the Most Expensive Set
Make no mistake – it’s easy to get sucked in to all the hype, slick marketing, and cool new technology packed in the top-of-the-line equipment out there. As a beginner, we recommend you save your money and don’t go for the top-rung set – even if you can afford it.
There’s a simple reason that most golf pros and instructors will tell you to start with an affordable set of beginner’s clubs: they’re designed to make the game easier for you!
Surprisingly, using professional clubs could actually make the game much harder – especially when starting out – and lead to you not enjoying the sport enough to actually stick with it.
We’ll break this down further in the guide below, but the best golf clubs for beginners have specific features not found in pro level clubs that will help you in your journey.
The Callaway Strata Complete Set features a great variety of clubs that offer a good deal of forgiveness, which is exactly what any beginner needs.
Set a Budget – and Stick to It!
Look, there’s a reason golf doesn’t have a reputation as the cheapest sport. There’s a lot to consider here: clubs, balls, clothing, shoes, cool golf tech gear, training aids, and more.
Once you get set up, you then need to factor in green fees for playing a course, or possibly joining a club.
Keep all of these expenses in mind when figuring out your total budget going in- the best set of beginner clubs won’t do you any good sitting in the basement after all.
One of the reasons the Callaway Strata Complete Set is one of our top picks for best club sets for beginners is due to its extremely affordable price point.
Club Head Size Matters
It’s true everywhere- even in the game of golf: size matters. The best golf clubs for beginners have larger club head sizes. This makes for a larger sweet spot, providing you more forgiveness on mishits… which you’ll probably be hitting plenty of as a beginner.
For drivers, aim for a size of 450 cc to 460 cc (cc = cubic centimeter). If you have an existing set of clubs and are looking for a driver to add to it, we’ve made a list of the most forgiving drivers in 2020.
The same rule of club head size applies to irons – bigger is better here.
The Callway Strata Set features a 460cc driver, which is perfect for beginning golfers.
Cast Irons are Your Best Bet
There are two main types of irons: cast irons and forged irons.
Cast irons do a good job of spreading the weight around the perimeter of the club head and makes them more forgiving.
Forged irons keep their center of gravity (CG) in the center of the club, which makes for a smaller sweet spot. The payoff for a solid, consistent hit is high with forged irons, which makes them a solid choice for the pros.
Since we’re talking about the best golf clubs for beginners here and NOT for pros, stick with the bigger sweet spot that cast irons offer.
Selecting Cavity Back Irons or Blade Irons
A good example of cavity back irons (even though they’re forged irons)!
Similar to the differences between cast irons and forged irons above, this comes down to how the technology relates to the payoff.
Cavity back irons are more forgiving due to the larger sweet spot, resulting in more consistency in your game.
Blade irons – much like forged irons – have a smaller sweet spot, making them the choice of the pros.
Our recommendation: stick with cavity back irons in your beginners club set, like those included in the Callaway Strata Complete Set – you’ll be glad you did.
How to Choose between Graphite and Steel Shafts
You’ll see most of the best golf clubs for beginners offer graphite shafts, as they are lighter and easier to swing. This works better for newer players as the flex offered in graphite shafts helps compensate for most beginners’ lower swing speeds.
The pros use iron steel shafts because they provide better real-time feedback if the ball was hit well or not and can help with control accuracy when combined with high swing speeds.
Choosing between Adjustable or Standard Clubs
Adjustable clubs have different settings built in that allow golfers to shift different weight points in the club to help correct things like draws or fades, or impact spin. Some sets may also allow you to adjust the loft in some or all clubs (don’t worry – we’ll talk about loft in a bit here).
Adjustability is a nice feature, but typically you won’t see a ton of benefit out of this as a beginner.
If you do decide to upgrade or add a forgiving driver to your set, many of those offer adjustable features that can give you big benefits off the tee.
Generally speaking, standard clubs will work great for most golfers starting out. Don’t get hung up on whether or not your set is adjustable.
Get a Grip (No, Really)
The grips on your clubs are going to impact your game and you should pay attention to the comfort level here. You may consider having the grips replaced to fit your style and preference down the road as you dial in your preferred grip.
Take a look at our golf grip size guide for more information on how to select the best grips.
Know Your Swing Speed
If you’re just starting out, there’s a good chance you don’t know your swing speed. That’s okay!
There’s no need to go to a full on club fitting, either – you can use the following methods to determine your swing speed:
If you don’t have access to a launch monitor, there’s a simple way to determine your swing speed.
Just use the following formula:
- Find your average driving distance by adding your drive totals together (typically 20 or more drives is recommended) and dividing by the total number of drives
- Subtract a “roll factor” of 5% of the drive average by multiplying your average driving distance by .95 (average driving distance x .095).
- Divide your average driving distance minus roll factor by 1.75, which will determine your ball speed at impact.
- Divide your ball speed at impact number by 1.5 to calculate your estimated swing speed.
If that all seems too complicated, you can use the ranges below to categorize the speed of your swing:
- Average Swing Speed: Average drive of 220 yards or less
- Medium Swing Speed: Average drive between 220-260 yards
- High Swing Speed: Average drive 260 yards or more
Chances are that your swing speed is on the lower end, and as such, you’ll want to choose a beginner club set that offers at least a Regular flex or additional flex when starting out.
The standard flex offered in the Callaway Strata Complete Set is a great starting point for most beginner golfers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Callaway Strata Complete Golf Club Sets
What Golfers Will Benefit Most From The Callaway Strata Complete Set?
Beginners and high handicappers will benefit most from this set, as it has been designed to accommodate players with slower swing speeds in mind while also offering a high level of forgiveness.
What Is Included In the Callaway Strata Complete Set?
The Callaway 12-Piece Complete Set includes a Driver, 3 Wood, 5 Hybrid, 6-9 Irons, a Pitching Wedge, Putter, Stand Bag, and 2 Club Head Covers.
What Additional Clubs Will I Need To Add To The Callaway Strata Complete Set?
To be clear, you don’t need to add anything to this set – it’s a great, well-rounded and affordable set of quality clubs.
As your game progresses, you may choose to add in a sand wedge, lob wedge, or additional hybrids to your bag to supplement your game, which is perfectly fine if your budget allows.
Just know that this is completely optional and that this set of clubs can perform great for you with plenty of variety right out of the box.
What Other Golfers Have To Say About The Callaway Strata Complete Set
The Callaway Strata 12-Piece Complete Set consistently gains high marks and rave reviews (in fact, the Callaway Strata 12-Piece and Callaway Strata Ultimate 16-Piece sets performed very well in our own tests of the best golf clubs for beginners, claiming 2 out of the top 3 spots!).
This set also boasts a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Amazon with over 2,100 reviews as well – you can check them out here.
Here’s a helpful video review and unboxing of the Strata 12-Piece Set for additional reference:
Alternatives To The Callaway Strata Complete Golf Club Set
Wilson Ultra Complete 14-Piece Set
Wilson is known for making approachable and affordable sporting goods – this absolutely applies to the Ultra Complete Golf Set.
This set also features a forgiving driver with a 460 cc head, irons with large sweet spots, and a specially-designed lightweight bag with lots of extra storage.
Overall, this is a great beginners set of clubs that offers improved performance for those just starting out, as well as newer golfers with higher swing speeds.
What’s Included in the Wilson Ultra Complete 14-Piece Set:
- Driver
- 3 Wood
- 4 Hybrid
- 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge
- Putter
- Stand Bag
Pros:
- Very forgiving driver and fairway wood
- Putter features a “heel-toe” weight alignment to promote better accuracy, control, and forgiveness
- Overall excellent value for the price
Cons:
- Sand Wedge not included
- Shafts are steel rather than graphite (not necessarily a bad thing, but you may prefer the lighter weight and performance that graphite shafts offer)
Pinemeadow Golf PRE 16-Piece Set
The Pinemeadow PRE 16-Piece Set is very popular among beginner’s complete club set packages, and made our top picks list due to the combination of affordability and quality.
This set is a great step between the “bargain basement” sets and the higher-end 16-piece sets, offering steel irons with large sweet spots and graphite shaft drivers and hybrids with beginner-friendly loft angles.
All of this equipment and technology is made even better by the attractive price point.
What’s Included in the Pinemeadow PRE 16-Piece Set:
- Driver
- 3 Wood
- 3 Hybrid
- 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 Irons
- Pitching Wedge
- Putter
- Stand bag
- 3 Club Head Covers (Driver, 3 Wood, and Hybrid)
Pros:
- Excellent overall value
- Larger range of clubs included compared to competing sets at similar price points
- Well-made, good quality clubs
- Stand bag is excellent
Cons:
- Sand Wedge not included
- Some beginners may find the 21 degree loft of the hybrid a bit tough to hit with when starting out
Be sure to check out our guide to the best golf clubs for beginners for more great suggestions and alternatives to the Strata Complete Set.
The Final Verdict On Our Callaway Strata Complete Golf Club Set Review
The Callaway Strata Complete 12-Piece Set is an excellent value and great option for any beginner golfer or high handicapper. Some of the clubs will take a little time getting used to, but you should expect this when starting out and regardless of which set of clubs you choose.
For a well-rounded set of clubs that has the ability to grow with you for quite some time, you can’t beat the Callaway Strata Complete Set.
Once you’ve ordered your new set of clubs, be sure to check out our guide to the best golf balls for beginners to take your golf setup to the next level!
