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Why do professional golfer usually own many types of clubs?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 22, 2026

Professional golfers change clubs for a variety of reasons. Some try new clubs to improve their overall game, or to make a temporary change based on the course they're playing. Others use a certain manufacturer's clubs because they're paid to endorse the equipment.

How many sets of clubs do pro golfers have?

But the 14 clubs in a pro's bag probably look a lot like what's in yours. Obviously, the driver, putter and pitching wedge are part of every pro's set. Most carry a 3-wood and the 4 through 9 irons as well.

Do pro golfers use different clubs?

Many of the top PGA Tour players are now carrying hybrids or 5-wood or 7-woods in preference to long irons while others are opting for utility/driving irons. So for a good number of pros today their 'standard' iron set is starting with a 5-iron and sometimes even a 6-iron.

Do pro golfers buy their own clubs?

How do golfers get their clubs? For the most part, golfers are given their clubs by whoever their sponsor is. These sponsors work closely with the golfers to ensure that every club is perfect for them.

How often do professional golfers change their clubs?

The results are:

17% change them every 3 years. Almost a third (31%) change their clubs every 4 years. Almost half (43%) change their clubs after 4 years.

33 related questions found

Do golf irons wear out?

Golf irons will go dead and wear out over time as their grooves and clubface deteriorate from repeated use. Golf technology is always rapidly changing, meaning irons that are older than five years of age are likely outdated and won't perform as well as the latest models.

Are 20 year old golf clubs any good?

There is no evidence that golf clubs deteriorate over time. Well maintained clubs will last a lifetime. 10+ year old clubs should be checked for better options but clubs less than 5 years old do not need replacing except for wear and tear issues to which wedges and forged irons are most vulnerable.

Do PGA pros get free golf?

But if you're a PGA member, you may not need to worry about those costs. PGA takes care of its own, providing free golf clubs wherever there are tours. Professional competitions are full of reps from various retailers.

Do pro golfers pay for clubs?

Professional golfers do not pay for clubs. Golf brands sponsor the players and provide equipment for them, free of charge. The best golfers in the world secure sponsors for every part of their golf game from clothing and shoes to clubs and gloves.

How often do PGA pros change wedges?

The average Tour player replaces his wedges at least a handful of times per season. It probably comes out to 35-50 rounds, with many requesting fresh sets in advance of major championships. Of course, each wedge in a Tour player's bag is logging more than just competitive rounds.

What clubs does DeChambeau use?

Bryson DeChambeau uses Cobra King Tour MIM irons that are all the same length as his seven iron. His irons start with a couple of Cobra King One Length Utility irons (4-5) before transitioning down to Cobra King One Length MiM Tour irons which go from six-iron down to pitching wedge.

Which golf clubs are most used by professionals?

What clubs tour players use. 26 percent of tour players use a driver, two fairway woods, an iron set starting at a 4-iron, and four wedges, which makes it the most common setup on tour.

Do pro golfers use hybrids?

So, what is the answer to the question: do golf pros use hybrids? Golf pros are increasingly using hybrids on tour. While some pros still prefer gaming long irons because of their better workability, a growing number of players are turning to hybrids due to their versatility and forgiveness from all lies.

Do any pros use Ben Hogan clubs?

PGA TOUR players Jon Rahm, Max Homa, Bryson DeChambeau, and Sam Burns test out Ben Hogan's clubs from throughout his career on the range ahead of the 2019 Charles Schwab Challenge.

What golf clubs does Tiger Woods use?

Tiger Woods has used blade irons for pretty much his entire professional career, using models from Mizuno, Titleist and TaylorMade. His current set came into the bag back in 2019 as he shifted from the TW Phase 1 bladed irons to the P7TW Prototypes.

How often do pros switch irons?

According to Golfweek, some PGA professionals go through three or four sand wedges a season. Irons are another club that tend to be replaced often by professionals. Each season a PGA professional will change to a new set.

Do golfers who missed the cut get paid?

In 2017, every professional who missed the cut was paid $10,000. At the US Open, the players who miss the 36-hole cut each earn $10,000. At the PGA Championship, the players who miss the 36-hole cut are also paid, earning $3,200 each.

Do caddies get paid if player misses cut?

"If the player misses the cut, the caddie still has to get a paycheck because the caddie pays for all of his own expenses — airfare, hotel, car, food, all of it." "If the guy makes the cut, the standard is 10-7-5 — 10% for a win, 7% for a top 10, 5% for everything else," Collins said.

Do professional golfers pay green fees?

Except at the highest levels, professional golfers must pay entry fees to play in tournaments. It may seem counterintuitive, but a player at the top of golf's food chain often doesn't have to pay an entry fee, because expenses for high-profile tournaments are covered by sponsors and TV networks.

Do pro golfers pay for travel?

Yes, they do. And it can be pretty expensive. Some estimates place the annual expenditures on travel (including room and board) at upwards of $200,000 for a golfer who plays in events worldwide. In addition, pro golfers also have to pay their caddies each week.

How much does it cost to play in the Masters?

An individual entry fee of $400 is paid by almost all the professional golfers participating in a pre-tournament qualifying event. Nationwide Tour and Champions players pay $100 each, whereas non-exempt PHA Tour members do not pay any entry fee.

Do pro golfers pay for their clothes?

Many golfers also have endorsement deals for their clothing, with some sponsors requiring a player to wear a particular outfit during a specified round at high-profile events. “For the majors, they've started to do that because you can build a marketing campaign around it,” Mahan said of his deal with UnderArmour.

Do golf drivers wear out?

So, Do Drivers Wear Out Over Time? The fact of the matter is that, even though I may have been getting ahead of myself in the anecdote above, drivers can lose their pop over time. They can wear out and they start to lose efficiency in the face. This means that they transfer far less energy to the ball at impact.

Do putters wear out?

Some pieces of golf equipment perform great year after year, while others slowly deteriorate in performance the more they are used. Putters, for example, don't wear out, and some golfers love the feel of their old putter grip that might be worn out in places.

What Ping irons are illegal?

The Ping Eye 2 clubs (irons and wedges) were grandfathered for life as part of a settlement in 1993 of a suit Ping filed against the USGA. In short, any Ping Eye 2 manufactured prior to March 31, 1990, is within the rules as long as the USGA governs the game.