A Full TaylorMade Bag Build at Three Budgets

How to think about the budget

Spend where the shots are. Most golfers over-invest in the driver and under-invest in the clubs they hit from 100 yards and in.

A reasonable split: about a third on irons, a third across driver and woods, and a third across wedges and putter. Then reserve a slice for fitting, which improves every club you own.

Entry build — value focused

The goal here is a complete, playable bag without waste. Buy previous-generation and used wherever sensible.

Driver: Qi4D Max, one or two generations old.
Fairway wood: higher-lofted Qi4D Max, used.
Rescue: two, replacing the long irons, in the Max build.
Irons: Qi Max, 6-iron through pitching wedge, previous generation.
Wedges: MG5, two lofts, bought new so the grooves are fresh.
Putter: used Spider mallet.
Fitting: a basic length, lie and grip check.

This bag will do everything a new or improving golfer needs, and it leaves budget for lessons.

Mid build — the sensible middle

For golfers with a settled swing who play regularly.

Driver: current or previous-generation Qi4D, properly fitted shaft.
Fairway wood: Qi4D or Qi4D Max, fitted.
Rescue or driving iron: one, gapped to your longest iron.
Irons: P790, or Qi Max if you need more help — 5-iron through pitching wedge.
Wedges: MG5, three lofts, with bounce matched to your turf.
Putter: fitted Spider or TP model matched to your stroke.
Fitting: a full session including irons and driver.

This is the setup that suits the largest number of golfers, and where the money is best spent.

Premium build — fully specified

For golfers whose ball striking justifies precision.

Driver: Qi4D LS or Qi4D, chosen on dispersion, premium shaft, fitted length.
Fairway woods: two, typically including a Qi4D Tour.
Driving iron or Rescue: chosen on turf and wind conditions.
Irons: a combo set — P790 or P770 long irons into P7CB, P7MC or P7MB short irons, matched shafts throughout.
Wedges: MG5 and Hi-Toe 5, grinds and bounce individually selected, gapped on carry numbers.
Putter: fitted Spider or TP Collection model for length, lie, loft and head weight.
Fitting: full session plus a follow-up after a few rounds.

What to prioritise if you can only upgrade one thing

If you’re new: the putter and a basic fitting.

If you’re mid-handicap: the irons, fitted properly — and make sure that means choosing between Qi Max and P790 honestly, not by default.

If you’re low-handicap: the wedges, chosen by model and bounce, and replaced regularly.

At any level: if your current clubs have never had a lie-angle check, do that before buying anything.

A note on the fourteenth club

Count your bag honestly. If there is a club you have not hit in three rounds, replace it with something you would use — usually a higher-lofted wood or an extra wedge. An unused club is a wasted slot.

Gapping the Rescue against your irons with real numbers

None of the gapping advice above means much until you know what your 5-iron and your Rescue actually carry on an average day, rather than the one good shot you tell people about afterwards.

FocusGolf’s companion mobile app builds that picture for you, logging shot and distance tracking alongside club performance every time you play or practise on a Wear OS, Apple Watch or Garmin watch. Check the session history after a month and the real gaps become obvious — a Rescue sitting five yards behind your longest iron, or a wedge overlapping a full club you never noticed.

Coach’s tip: Build the bag around your carry distances, then check for gaps larger than 15 yards and overlaps smaller than 8. Fix those before adding anything new.

Model names and lineup structure current as of September 2026.