After testing dozens of sets from the big names like Callaway, TaylorMade, and Titleist, I figured these newer companies were cutting corners to hit lower price points. But when Stix reached out about their Perform Series complete set, something made me pause. Maybe it was the all-black aesthetic that caught my eye, or perhaps it was the promise of premium materials at under $1,000. Either way, I decided to give them a shot.
After three months and roughly 20 rounds with this set, I can honestly say my skepticism was misplaced. The Stix Perform Series doesn't just compete with sets twice its price; in some ways, it outperforms them. Let me walk you through what makes this set special, and more crucially, whether it deserves a spot in your bag.
Unlock your peak performance with Stix Perform Series golf clubs, engineered for precision, power, and game-changing consistency. Perfect your swing and dominate the course with this pro-grade equipment that blends innovation and craftsmanship seamlessly.
When I unboxed the Stix set, the initial thing that struck me was the commitment to the minimalist aesthetic. We're talking matte black everything – driver, irons, wedges, even the putter. But here's what surprised me: this isn't just a paint job slapped on generic clubs. The mixed matte and gloss finishes on the driver sole create this subtle, sophisticated look that photographs don't do justice. Standing over the ball, you feel like you're holding a piece of modern art that happens to crush golf balls. The fact that these clubs earned a Red Dot Award for product design and are sold in the Museum of Modern Art speaks to their exceptional aesthetic achievement.
The 460cc titanium driver head has this perfect teardrop shape that frames the ball beautifully at address. I've played drivers from every major manufacturer, and most of them look like NASCAR vehicles with all their graphics and logos. The Stix driver? It's clean, confident, and lets you focus on your swing instead of reading marketing copy on your club head. The cavity-back irons continue this theme with a sleek profile that hides their forgiveness well – your playing partners won't know you're getting help from your equipment.
What really sells the aesthetic is how cohesive everything looks together. Pull out any club from this set, and it looks like it belongs with the others. Even the black pistol grip on the putter with its single orange scoring line fits the theme perfectly. This might sound superficial, but when you're staring down a pressure putt, having equipment you're proud to play with matters more than most golfers admit.
Let's talk about that driver, because honestly, it's the star of this set. With its 10.5-degree loft and 196g head weight, Stix has created something that delivers what I call "easy distance." I'm not saying you'll suddenly add 30 yards to your drives (no club will do that despite what the ads claim), but this driver makes it remarkably easy to find your ideal launch conditions.
During my testing, I consistently saw towering ball flights with around 250 yards of carry, exactly what Stix promises. But here's what they don't tell you in the marketing: the forgiveness on off-center hits is legitimately tour-level good. I intentionally hit balls off the toe and heel during range sessions, and the distance loss was minimal. We're talking maybe 10-15 yards on really bad strikes, compared to 25-30 yards with my old driver. To put this in perspective, I tested this driver alongside a launch monitor to verify these numbers, and the data backed up what I was feeling on the course.
The graphite shaft deserves special mention here. Whether you choose Active, Regular, or Stiff flex (based on your swing speed), the shaft feels perfectly matched to the head weight. I tested the Regular flex, designed for golfers who drive it 200+ yards, and the timing felt natural from day one. No adjustment period, no fighting the club, it just worked.
What sealed the deal for me was taking this driver to my home course where I know every landing area by heart. On hole 7, a tight dogleg right that usually requires a 3-wood, I felt confident enough to pull driver. The combination of forgiveness and predictable ball flight meant I could attack pins I'd normally lay up to. That's when equipment stops being about specs and starts being about scoring.
One of my biggest frustrations with buying golf clubs has always been the gaps. You buy a driver and irons from one company, wedges from another, then realize you need a hybrid to fill that distance gap between your longest iron and shortest wood. Before you know it, you've spent $2,500 and your bag looks like a garage sale.
Stix solved this with their 12-club configuration. You get a driver, 3-wood, 5-wood, and a 4-hybrid for your long game. The irons run from 5 through the pitching wedge, giving you consistent gapping through the scoring zones. Then, and this is brilliant, they include three specialty wedges: a 52-degree gap wedge, a 56-degree sand wedge, and 60-degree lob wedge. Add the putter, and you're literally ready for any shot on the course.
The 4-hybrid at 21 degrees deserves its own praise. At 40 inches long, it's designed to give you distance with iron-like accuracy, and it delivers. I've been able to consistently hit it 190-200 yards with a gentle draw, making it perfect for those long par-3s or second shots on par-5s. The change from hybrid to 5-iron feels seamless – no awkward distance gaps that leave you between clubs.
But here's what really impressed me: the wedge gapping. Having properly spaced lofts at 52, 56, and 60 degrees means you always have the right club for approach shots. No more trying to manufacture a three-quarter swing because your gap wedge and sand wedge are too close in loft. This thoughtful club selection shows that someone who actually plays golf designed this set. The complete package also comes with a Stix Stand Bag that features full-length dividers and multiple pockets for all your gear.
When I ordered my test set, I was shocked by the customization options available at no extra charge. We're not talking about picking grip color here – Stix lets you dial in shaft flex and length to match your swing and build. This is the kind of fitting most manufacturers charge $150+ for, and Stix just... includes it.
The shaft flex options are straightforward and actually useful. Active flex for slower swingers (under 200-yard drives), Regular for most of us (200-230 yards), and Stiff for the bombers (230+ yards). But here's where it gets interesting: you can also adjust shaft length in half-inch increments, up to an inch longer or shorter than standard. As someone who's 6'2", I went with the Tall option (designed for 6'1"-6'5"), and the difference in posture and strike quality was immediate.
They even offer five predefined length options based on height, which takes the guesswork out if you're not sure what you need. Short (5'3"-5'7"), Standard (5'7"-6'1"), and Tall (6'1"-6'5") cover most golfers, but having that custom option means everyone can get properly fitted clubs. I've played $3,000 iron sets that didn't offer this level of customization without visiting a fitting center.
The steel shaft option on irons versus graphite on woods and hybrids shows they understand how different clubs require different characteristics. The steel provides that solid, controlled feel you want in your scoring clubs, while the graphite in the longer clubs helps generate clubhead speed. It's these details that separate Stix from other direct-to-consumer brands just trying to hit a price point.
This is where I expected Stix to cut corners, and this is where they proved me wrong. At $999, you'd expect some compromises in materials, maybe cast iron heads instead of forged, or cheap grips that need immediate replacement. Instead, Stix delivers legitimate premium construction throughout the bag.
The titanium driver head isn't just marketing speak; it's genuine titanium that provides the lightweight and strong face needed for distance and forgiveness. The stainless steel heads on the irons and wedges feel solid at impact, with none of that tinny, hollow sensation you get from cheaper clubs. Even the cavity-back design, which could feel clunky in lesser hands, provides a satisfying click at impact that gives you immediate feedback on strike quality.
The graphite shafts on the woods and hybrid feel as good as anything from the major manufacturers. They're not the exotic $300 aftermarket shafts tour players use, but for 95% of golfers, they're more than adequate. The steel shafts in the irons have a nice weight and flex profile that promotes consistency without feeling harsh on mishits.
But here's what really sold me on the quality: after three months of regular play, including range sessions and practice rounds, these clubs still look nearly new. The black finish hasn't chipped, the faces show minimal wear, and the grips are holding up beautifully. Compare that to some premium sets I've tested where the finish starts wearing after a few weeks, and you realize Stix didn't just nail the price point, they built clubs meant to last.
Unlock your peak performance with Stix Perform Series golf clubs, engineered for precision, power, and game-changing consistency. Perfect your swing and dominate the course with this pro-grade equipment that blends innovation and craftsmanship seamlessly.
No, you can't purchase individual clubs from the Perform Series separately through Stix Golf. They only sell the Perform Series as complete set packages with different configurations (9, 12, or 14 clubs). While you might occasionally find individual Perform Series clubs on resale sites like eBay, these are pre-owned and not sold directly by Stix. If you need individual clubs, you'll need to contemplate other brands or buy used ones.
You'll get a 6-month warranty period when you purchase the Stix Perform Series directly from Stix Golf Co. This warranty covers manufacturing defects and workmanship issues for all clubs in the set. If you experience any quality problems during those six months, Stix will repair or replace the defective clubs at no cost. You'll need to submit warranty claims through [email protected]. The warranty doesn't cover normal wear or cosmetic damage.
Yes, you can get the Stix Perform Series in left-handed versions. You'll receive the same 12-club lineup including driver, woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putter. Left-handed sets are available through retailers like Scheels and 2nd Swing at the same $999-$1,099 price point. You'll have access to identical customization options including three shaft flex choices (Stiff, Regular, Active), steel or graphite shafts, and adjustable club lengths to match your specifications.
You'll typically receive your Stix golf set within 2 to 10 business days for standard shipping. Major retailers like Costco and Scheels often deliver in 3 to 5 business days for in-stock items. If you're ordering internationally, expect longer wait times due to customs processing. Back-ordered items can extend delivery to several weeks. You'll get tracking information to monitor your shipment's progress, and delivery times vary by retailer and location.
Yes, you can return or exchange the set within 30 days of receipt if you're unsatisfied. You'll need to contact Stix for a pre-paid return label. You can test up to five clubs on turf mats or non-abrasive surfaces during this period. The clubs must be in lightly used condition without modifications like re-gripping or re-shafting. Once returned and inspected, you'll receive a full refund or exchange.
So here's my bottom line: the Stix Perform Series is the best value in golf right now for anyone looking to upgrade from starter clubs without breaking the bank. If you're currently gaming a box-store set or cobbled-together hand-me-downs, this set will change your game. The combination of forgiveness, quality materials, and thoughtful club selection means you're getting everything you need and nothing you don't.
This set is perfect for the 10-25 handicapper who's serious about improvement but can't justify dropping $2,500 on equipment. It's also ideal for someone getting back into golf after time away who wants quality clubs without the sticker shock. However, if you're a low single-digit handicapper who needs tour-level customization or you absolutely must have the latest TaylorMade or Callaway badge on your clubs, look elsewhere. For everyone else? Stop overthinking it and order this set. Your game (and wallet) will thank you.
