Is the Callaway XR the best starter golf set ever?

A complete beginner-friendly golf set that blends quality, forgiveness, and long-term value. The Callaway XR package makes it easy to start strong and keep improving round after round.

When Callaway first introduced the XR line back in 2015, it was aimed at golfers who wanted a mix of distance, forgiveness, and playability. Fast forward to today, and the Callaway XR package set has become one of the best starter kits on the market – and for good reason.

Plenty of beginner-friendly sets exist, but the XR stands out for its longevity. It’s not just a set designed to get you through your first six months on the course. Instead, it’s built in a way that allows beginner golfers to develop their game and keep using the same clubs for years, rather than months.

The XR name is something we wanted to put to the test and see if it truly delivers on performance, quality, and value for money. After putting it through some extensive testing, one of TG’s golfing newbies, Louis Harper, has given me his full breakdown of how this set helped him through his first few months on the course.

Quality and Build: 4/5

The XR clubs feel very solid and well-made, with enough weight and stability to inspire confidence. They don’t feel cheap or flimsy like some entry-level sets. The shafts and grips seem durable, and there’s no reason to think these won’t hold up for years of regular play.

The bag is the only area where things feel slightly less premium. It will struggle to win any awards as the best golf stand bag but it does mean the grips sometimes get stuck together when taking clubs in and out. That said, it’s fitted with plenty of pockets, smooth zippers, and comfortable straps, so from a practical point of view, it does everything a beginner needs.

Performance: 4/5

The first thing I noticed was the sound and feel when you hit the sweet spot; the XR woods and irons make a crisp, satisfying “crack” that instantly tells you it’s a good strike. Even as a beginner, I could tell when I’d hit one properly.

In terms of direction, the XR doesn’t completely hide bad swings (no club should), but it does offer enough help to keep mishits playable. On the course, I’ve found them consistent in both dry and damp conditions, and the sand wedge, in particular, has been a lifesaver when I’ve needed to escape bunkers.

Forgiveness: 4/5

This is one of the big strengths of the XR set. If you’re even close to a good strike, the clubs will still give you a solid result. Yes, topping the ball will still send it skidding along the ground, but that’s more about the swing than the equipment.

What’s great is the confidence these clubs give you. Even after a bad shot, you know the problem lies with your swing rather than the equipment, and that helps you keep swinging positively.

Club Selection and Customization: 5/5

The set includes:

• Driver (10°)
• 3 Wood
• 4-5 Hybrid
• 6-AW
• Putter
• Stand Bag

The set covers everything you need to play golf properly: woods, hybrids, a full set of irons, wedges, and the Odyssey DXF putter. The only real gap is the lack of a lob wedge, but for a beginner, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Most sets lack wedges, so having some variety was nice. I found myself using the sand wedge or approach wedge a lot from inside 50 yards.

In terms of customization, there aren’t too many options. However, this is expected with most, if not all, beginner sets. The putter is a big plus for me, it’s that good that Odyssey have a full DFX putter collection.

Overall, it’s a complete package with no glaring omissions. This is a set to keep with no need to add extras, in my opinion.

Callaway XR 13-Piece Complete Set Product Specs

Name	Loft	Standard Length	Lie
Driver	10°	45.50″	59.0°
3-wood	16°	43.00″	60.0°
4 hybrid	21°	40.00″	61.0°
5 hybrid	23°	39.375″	61.5°
6-iron	26°	37.625″	62.0°
7-iron	30°	37.00″	62.5°
8-iron	34.5°	36.50″	63.0°
9-iron	39°	36.00″	63.5°
PW	44°	35.50″	64.0°
AW	50°	35.25″	64.0°
SW	55°	35.00″	64.0°
Putter	3°	35.00″	70.0°

Growth and Compatibility: 5/5

This is where the Callaway XR really shines compared to many other starter sets. A lot of beginner packages are great for the first year, then you quickly outgrow them. The XR feels different – it’s forgiving enough for a new player, but there’s enough quality in the heads and shafts to support improvement.

I’m still fairly new to the game, but after several rounds, I’ve already seen clear improvement with these clubs. I’d expect them to remain useful for at least a couple of years, maybe longer, before I’d need to consider upgrading.

And because the XR line is a proper Callaway design (rather than a stripped-back “budget” option), the clubs suit a wide range of swings, including slower tempos. That makes them easy to use even if you don’t have a fast or powerful swing.

Final Verdict: 4.4/5

The Callaway XR package set is one of the best starter sets on the market right now. It’s well built, confidence-inspiring, and versatile enough to grow with you as your game develops.

The bag isn’t perfect, and some players might feel the absence of a lob wedge, but those are small drawbacks compared to the overall package. The clubs themselves feel like proper Callaway gear, not just beginner “throwaway” sticks, and the inclusion of the Odyssey DFX putter is a real bonus.

If you’re just getting into golf and want a set that will take you from your very first round to your first handicap and beyond, the XR is a fantastic choice.

Callaway XR 13-Piece Complete Package Set

RRP: £1499.00 / $1399.99

Set Includes: 12 clubs

Hand: RH

Shaft Material: Steel and Graphite

Shaft flex: Stiff and Regular

Headcovers: Yes

Bag Included: Yes