Recently, my wife and daughter spent three nights at the wonderful Brasada Ranch in Central Oregon. The Brasada Canyons course is one of the friendlier (and more scenic) central Oregon golf courses for newer players, so it felt like the perfect place to actually take my wife and 4-year-old out for a round.
My wife plays golf occasionally but has been using a decade-old set of ill-fitting Nike Slingshot clubs. So for our two rounds on the course, I set her up with the new Stix × Nicklaus women’s set, and was excited to see how they performed for her.
Honestly? It went exactly how I expected. Here’s what happened.
First Impressions of the Stix × Nicklaus Clubs
I’ve been a huge fan of Stix for years now. When it comes to newer golfers buying their first real set of clubs, Stix is the best value out there.
Here’s my review of the original Stix Perform series of clubs.
Here’s my review of the newer, condensed “Play” series, which is very similar to this Nicklaus collab set.
The new Nicklaus collaboration builds on the same core Stix club design that I love, but with subtle performance tweaks tailored for women, plus branding from the Golden Bear himself.
These clubs feature lighter graphite shafts (around 40g), shorter club lengths (for example, the driver is 44.25 inches), swing weights in the C2–C3 range to suit slower swing speeds, and lofts that help launch the ball higher, like a 12.5° driver and 26° 6-hybrid.
A few visual notes: the clubs themselves look really clean and modern, with a chrome finish pops of yellow on the clubface that I found useful for alignment. My wife appreciated the traditional chrome look, compared to the signature Stix matte black.
The branding of this set, on the other hand, is a bit much. Between Stix, Nicklaus, and the prominent Golden Bear on the headcovers, it borders on overkill.
Still, branding aside, it’s pretty incredible to get a full starter setup for $799, including a bag and headcovers. And for a newer golfer, that’s what matters most.
Performance and Features of the Stix x Nicklaus Ladies Set
This set includes 10 clubs, covering everything a newer golfer truly needs:
- Driver (12.5°)
- 3-Wood (18°)
- 5 and 6 Hybrids (23° & 26°)
- 7-PW
- 56° Sand Wedge
- Mallet Putter
Some might balk at not having the full 14-club setup, but honestly, newer golfers don’t need that many options. Most beginners (like my wife) will only rotate through 3–5 clubs per round anyway. I think Stix was smart to simplify and focus on clubs that are versatile and forgiving.
The included bag is totally serviceable. It has decent storage and lightweight construction. It’s not a high-end bag by any means, but it gets the job done, especially when paired with the lighter graphite-shafted clubs.
The strap system is comfortable. Not like, Vessel-level comfortable, but they do a good job.
As for how they played?
My wife found them super forgiving, and more importantly, easy to get the ball in the air. She was hitting high, straight drives, making solid contact with her irons, and even had a couple of the best holes she’s ever played. For someone who only golfs occasionally, the improvement was noticeable, especially compared to her old Slingshots.
As with every Stix set I’ve tried, there’s a noticeable draw bias, especially in the woods and hybrids, which helps mitigate slices (the most common miss among beginners).
And once again, the putter really shines. The oversized mallet shape, milled face, and comfortable grip make it feel stable and easy to align. Tate felt confident with it almost immediately.
Looking for a fantastic first set of golf clubs that will make the game easier to play. Then definitely check out this collaboration from Stix and Nicklaus. Use code "BE50" to save $50!
Who Are These Clubs For?
This set is ideal for the newer woman golfer who wants high-quality, beginner-friendly clubs without breaking the bank.
For better players, regardless of gender, I’d steer toward the Stix Perform series, which includes more advanced options, as well as the Compete Driver and Compete Putter, which add precision and versatility for players ready to fine-tune their game.
Also, for beginning men, there’s also a Stix x Nicklaus option for them too.
Final Thoughts on the Stix x Nicklaus Collab
At $799, the Stix × Nicklaus set is one of the best starter packages out there for women. I’ve already recommended it to multiple friends and family members who are curious about getting into golf.
If I had one small wishlist item, it would be an option to purchase just the clubs, without the bag and headcovers. That way, golfers who care a bit more about their on-course aesthetic (and maybe want to avoid the “box set” look) could upgrade the soft goods while still enjoying these excellent clubs.
Specifically, I’d have them check out a Jones Rover or Sunday Ryder bag, and probably some Seamus headcovers.
But really, that’s a minor gripe. Overall, this is a stylish, forgiving, and thoughtfully built set that performs well and removes the intimidation factor from buying your first real clubs.
Looking for a fantastic first set of golf clubs that will make the game easier to play. Then definitely check out this collaboration from Stix and Nicklaus. Use code "BE50" to save $50!
This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and buy one of the products on this page, we may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you!) This doesn’t affect our opinions or our reviews. Everything we do is to benefit you as the reader, so all of our reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible.
A fantastic first set for the beginning golfer
If you can get over the excessive Golden Bear branding, this is a fantastic set for a great price that will make golf easier for the beginning golfer.
The Good
- The clubs themselves look super clean
- Higher lofts make it easier to get the ball up in the air
- Solid price for what you get
The Bad
- Golden Bear branding is too over the top
- Some people will be disappointed by not having a full 14 club set
-
Presentation
-
Performance
-
Quality and Features
-
Price
-
Personal Affinity
