Are Top Flite Golf Clubs Good? (Plus, What Happened?)

If you’re a recreational golfer, then you’ve almost certainly come across the Top-Flite brand.

For a long time, Top-Flite golf balls were seen as one of the most affordable options for recreational players, and it’s impossible to buy a pack of range balls without seeing Top-Flites included!

But what about Top-Flite golf clubs? Are they any good? And are they a decent option for beginner golfers?

In this article, we introduce you to everything you need to know about Top-Flite golf clubs, so you can come to a decision about whether or not they’re worth your consideration when you next treat yourself to a new set of clubs.

What is Top Flite Golf and What Happened?

Top Flite Golf is one of the best-known brands in golf, producing balls, clubs, and equipment that is designed with the beginner golfer in mind. For many years, Top-Flite was owned by golfing giants Callaway, the company responsible for brands including Strata and Ben Hogan.

But in 2012, Top-Flite was sold to Dick’s Sporting Goods and, therefore, is no longer a Callaway brand.

To this day, Top-Flite still produces quality golf clubs and balls that are perfectly suited to beginners, and their golf club sets represent excellent value for money for players just starting out in the game.

Most recreational golfers have probably come across the Top-Flite brand, whether it’s by using their popular distance balls or some of their forgiving cavity-backed golf irons.

Ultimately, if you buy your equipment from Top-Flite, you can be sure that you’re buying from an American brand with a long and proud tradition of providing high-quality golf equipment to beginner and junior players.

Overall, Are Top Flite Golf Clubs Any Good?

Top Flite golf clubs have been designed with the beginner golfer in mind and come with a low center of gravity, offset club heads, and oversized faces. Ultimately, this makes Top Flite golf clubs easier to hit for players just starting out in the game of golf.

This is why their complete sets are perfectly suited to beginner and junior golfers.

Conversely, lower handicapped and more experienced golfers probably won’t get the required feel from Top-Flite golf clubs, which is why they’re not particularly popular with those that play golf to a much higher standard.

Is Top-Flite Made by Callaway?

No, it’s not accurate to say that Top-Flite balls and clubs are made by Callaway, but the brands are interlinked. In 2012, Callaway opted to re-focus their priorities and sold the Top-Flite brand to Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Top-Flite clubs are now produced and distributed from the company’s manufacturing facility in Costa Mesa, California.

Top-Flite was owned by Callaway Golf between 2003 and 2012. Callaway opted to buy Top-Flite from Kravis Roberts after the company had to file for Chapter 11 protection when they went into financial difficulties.

The Top-Flite brand was initially synonymous with Spalding, but Callaway bought it out when they decided that they wanted to get into the golf ball market.

For eleven years, Callaway produced Top-Flite golf equipment, with a focus on golf balls and beginner clubs.

That’s why golfers are still asking questions about Top Flite and what happened!

Are Top Flite Clubs Good for Beginners?

Yes, Top Flite golf clubs are ideal for beginners or junior golfers. Top Flite clubs are designed in such a way to ensure that they’re forgiving and relatively easy to hit. When starting out in golf, the last thing you want is to experience the complexity of hitting bladed irons from the grass.

The graphite shafts used in Top-Flite drivers and woods are flexible and help you hit the golf ball consistently.

Whilst the offset design of the clubs means that they help to correct slice, which is one of the biggest issues that most beginner golfers face.

What’s more, the irons have a wide sole and a stainless-steel shaft, which helps beginner golfers control their shots and reduces the likelihood of wayward shots.

And as you might have guessed, Top-Flite clubs are also cavity-backed, which again makes them much easier to control for beginners.

Another reason that makes these golf clubs ideal for beginners is the price.

You can pick up a brand-new set of Top Flite golf clubs for around $350, which means you can get started on the golf course without breaking the bank!

All in all, Top-Flite golf clubs are perfect for beginner golfers.

What Happened to Top-Flite Golf?

Top-Flite golf has been around since the 1970s and enjoyed huge popularity in the 1990s in particular. But the company that owned Top-Flite – Kravis Roberts – experienced financial difficulties in the early 2000s, which put the brand under significant pressure.

As mentioned above, Callaway rescued Top-Flite in 2003 and spent the best part of a decade manufacturing and distributing Top-Flite golf balls and clubs.

But when Callaway wanted to focus again on its top-of-the-range golf equipment, they agreed to sell Top-Flite to Dick’s Sporting Goods in 2012.

Thanks to their exclusive ownership of the Top-Flite Brand, Dick’s is the perfect place to go if you’re looking to buy this brand of golf equipment.

You can buy junior, men’s, and women’s Top-Flite sets, as well as individual Top-Flite clubs from Driver to Putter.

Although the Top-Flite brand has changed hands on several occasions throughout the years, you can rest assured that Top-Flite clubs and balls are still ideal for beginner and junior golfers and represent excellent value for money if you’re new to the game of golf.

Do Any Pros Use Top-Flite?

No, Top Flite is not a brand that is used by pro golfers. In the past, certain golfers – including Hank Kuehne and Ricky Barnes had sponsorship deals with Top Flite, but they didn’t actually use Top-Flite equipment while they were playing their rounds.

The main reason why pros don’t use Top-Flite clubs is that they’re designed specifically with beginner golfers in mind.

Top Flite clubs don’t offer a great deal of distance or spin control, and they’re fairly rigid, which makes them unappealing to pro golfers who need their equipment to help with the fine margins out on the course.

Importantly, just because pros don’t use Top-Flite clubs doesn’t mean they’re no good!

It just means that they’re not designed to be used by those that play professionally.

The vast majority of recreational players with mid-high handicaps will find that Top-Flite clubs are of great quality and are undoubtedly worthy of your consideration.

What Does XL Mean in Top-Flite?

When you see the XL designation on Top-Flite balls and golf clubs, it stands for extra-long. Top-Flite claims that when hit by players with higher swing speeds, these golf balls have the potential to travel further than standard balls as a result of the way that they’ve been designed.

The same is true for Top-Flite XL clubs and doesn’t necessarily refer to the length of the golf club’s shaft, as many people suppose.

Generally speaking, recreational golfers won’t notice a huge deal of difference when it comes to using XL or standard Top-Flite equipment, but it’s worthwhile picking up the equipment that aligns with your swing speed if you can.

When you’re just starting out in the game of golf, you don’t need to worry about picking up a set of balls or irons that promise extra distance.

Your primary goal should be to find some clubs (like Top-Flite) that are forgiving and relatively easy to hit as you develop your swing and look to hone your skills from out on the golf course.

Which is Better Wilson or Top-Flite Golf Clubs?

It’s difficult to say whether Wilson or Top-Flite golf clubs are better because it’s largely down to personal preference. Wilson clubs are typically used by players at various levels of the game and are not necessarily only suitable for beginners.

The higher price point that Wilson golf clubs retail at also suggests that they are perhaps of a higher quality than Top-Flite clubs, but every player is different!

We would always recommend reviewing golf clubs on their individual merits, as opposed to the reputation of the brand in question.

If you’re just starting out as a golfer, consider a set of clubs that are forgiving, inexpensive, and are cavity-backed, so you don’t spend an entire round hacking your way across the turf!

Whether you choose Wilson or Top-Flite is entirely up to you, as both brands produce quality golf clubs for beginners at an affordable price.

Now You Know the Facts!

Although Top-Flite won’t be a brand that every golfer considers playing, there’s no doubt that Top-Flite golf clubs and balls are perfectly suited to beginner golfers looking to buy new equipment without breaking the bank.

You will struggle to find better-value golf clubs anywhere.

The fact that Top-Flite golf clubs have been designed with the beginner golfer in mind means that they’re forgiving and easy to hit.

This will ultimately help you enjoy your rounds as you look to improve your skills.