Total Drive Golf Club Subscription: Everything You Need to Know
The Total Drive Golf Club Subscription is a monthly club rental service that lets you borrow a full set of clubs, swap them whenever you want, and eventually buy the set you like. No long-term contract, no upfront purchase of a whole bag. Here’s exactly how it works, what it costs, and where it falls short so you can decide if it’s worth your money.
How the Service Actually Works
You sign up online through the Total Drive website, answer a quick fitting quiz (handedness, height, skill level, preferred shaft type), and pick a tier. Total Drive then ships a complete 14‑club set to your door—driver, fairway wood, hybrid, irons (5–PW), a wedge, and a putter, usually in a travel case or box.
Once you have the clubs, you can play with them as long as you keep paying the monthly fee. Want a different driver or a new iron set? Request a swap through your account dashboard; there’s no extra shipping cost as long as you stay within the same tier. You can upgrade to a higher tier anytime (the price difference is prorated). When you find a set you truly like, you can buy it at a discounted price, and the subscription fees you’ve already paid count toward the purchase.
Concrete example: A Performance‑tier subscriber in 2024 received a Callaway Paradym driver with a stiff shaft and a set of Titleist T350 irons. After two months they swapped the driver for a TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD, trying the two side‑by‑side without paying extra per swap.
Tiers, Gear, and Who Each One Serves
Total Drive typically offers three tiers. The exact inventory rotates seasonally, but the structure stays consistent:
| Tier | Typical Gear | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Game‑improvement irons, standard flex graphite shafts, a 10.5°–12° driver, a hybrid, and a mallet putter | Beginners, high‑handicap players, or anyone on a tight budget |
| Performance | Players‑distance irons, stiff or regular steel shafts, a 9°–10.5° driver, a fairway wood and hybrid, and a blade or mid‑mallet putter | Mid‑handicap golfers who want more workability and control |
| Elite | Forged irons or muscle‑backs, premium shafts (e.g., Mitsubishi Tensei, Project X), a tour‑style driver, and a high‑end putter (e.g., Scotty Cameron) | Low‑handicap or competitive golfers who demand top‑tier feel and precision |
Verification step: Before subscribing, you can check exactly which club models are currently available in each tier by clicking the “View Current Inventory” link on the pricing page (or calling customer support). That way you won’t sign up expecting a Ping G430 only to find last year’s model in stock.
Monthly Cost and What It Includes
Pricing varies by tier and current promos. As a general guide (check the Total Drive website for exact rates):
- Starter: ~$30–$40/month
- Performance: ~$50–$60/month
- Elite: ~$75–$90/month
There’s no long‑term contract—cancel anytime, but you must return the clubs within 10–14 days. Shipping within the contiguous U.S. is usually included. A one‑time setup fee of about $20 may apply for the first delivery.
Practical implication for your wallet: If you play 20 rounds a season, the monthly fee for the Performance tier ($50–$60) adds up to $300–$360 over six months. That’s roughly the price of a good used iron set, but you’re not building equity unless you buy. If you’re the kind of golfer who changes clubs every season, the subscription can save you from losing hundreds on resale. If you stick with the same set for years, buying outright is cheaper. A useful companion to track your distances with the rental set is the Yardage Caddy Golf Club Distance Tracker—a dual‑sided bag tag that lets you record actual yardages for each club so you can dial in your numbers quickly.
Where the Subscription Falls Short – Real Limitations
The service is not a perfect fit for everyone. Here are the concrete mismatches and trade‑offs to watch for:
- Limited inventory per tier. You cannot pick any brand or model – only the current rotation. In early 2024, for example, the Performance tier might have had Callaway Rogue ST irons but not the newest Paradym line. If you have your heart set on a specific shaft or lie angle that’s not in stock, you’ll have to wait or accept what’s available.
- Not a substitute for a professional fitting. The online quiz covers height and hand orientation but doesn’t account for swing speed, attack angle, or a precise lie angle. A golfer who needs +1″ length or a 2° upright lie may not find an exact match. The subscription works best for standard‑spec clubs within a typical height range (5’4″ to 6’4″).
- Condition varies on returns. Clubs arrive in good shape, but after several swaps you may get a set with visible bag chatter or a worn grip. Normal wear and tear is covered, but heavy damage (cracked face, bent shaft) will cost you a replacement fee.
- Shipping delays during peak season. If you request a swap in early spring when demand is high, delivery can stretch to 8–10 business days instead of the usual 5–7. Plan ahead if you need the clubs for a specific tournament.
Applicability boundary: The service is available in all 50 U.S. states, but Alaska and Hawaii may face longer shipping times (up to two weeks) and extra fees. PO boxes are not supported – you need a physical street address.
Who Should Subscribe – And Who Should Skip It
Good fit:
- Frequent travelers who want a second set delivered to a vacation rental or condo. Example: a golfer who flies to Florida four times a year can ship clubs ahead and avoid paying $70 per round‑trip airline baggage fee.
- Club tinkerers who enjoy testing new drivers and irons every few months. Over a season you can try three different drivers (e.g., TaylorMade Stealth 2, Callaway Paradym, Ping G430) for the same monthly cost.
- Beginners who aren’t sure what they need. Start with the Starter tier, upgrade to Performance after six months, and avoid buying a set you’ll outgrow.
Bad fit:
- Golfers who already own a set they love and don’t plan to change. You’ll just be renting clubs you’ll never own unless you pay the buyout, which is often higher than buying used.
- Left‑handed players (inventory is thinner – check availability before signing up).
- Anyone needing extreme custom specs (extra‑long shafts, 4° upright lie). The subscription rarely stocks those.
How to Get Started (Step‑by‑Step)
1. Go to the Total Drive website and create an account.
2. Complete the fitting quiz – you’ll enter height, handedness, skill level, and shaft preference.
3. Pick your tier – Starter, Performance, or Elite. You can also add optional upgrades (extra wedge, thicker putter grip) for a small monthly bump.
4. Enter your shipping address – must be a physical street; PO boxes won’t work.
5. Set up payment – credit card or PayPal. Standard shipping takes 5–7 business days.
6. Receive clubs – they arrive in a travel‑ready case. Unbox, check condition, and start playing.
7. Swap or upgrade – log into your dashboard, find the swap option, select new gear, and they’ll ship you the replacement. Return the old set in the same box (label included).
8. Buy if you want – after any month, your account shows the discounted purchase price. Pay that amount and keep the clubs forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy the clubs after the subscription?
Yes. Total Drive offers a buyout. The final price is the current retail value minus a credit for every subscription fee you’ve already paid. Example: a set worth $1,200 after six months of $60/month fees might cost you $840 to buy.
What if I damage or lose a club?
Normal wear and tear (scuffs, slight scratching) is covered. Accidental damage (cracked shaft, broken head) and lost clubs incur a replacement fee – check your subscription agreement for the exact amount (typically $50–$150 per club).
Can I switch tiers mid‑subscription?
Yes. Upgrading is allowed anytime and is prorated. Downgrading is usually permitted after the first month; you return your current set and receive the lower‑tier set.
Do they accept trade‑ins of my current clubs?
Not as a standard feature. Total Drive occasionally runs promotional trade‑in offers, but you can’t count on it. If you want to offset cost, sell your old clubs on a marketplace instead.
Is the subscription available everywhere?
Contiguous U.S.: standard shipping included. Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories may incur extra fees and longer delivery times (7–14 days). International shipping is not offered.
The Total Drive Golf Club Subscription is a practical way to try different equipment without a big upfront purchase, especially if you travel often or are still figuring out your ideal setup. Just confirm current inventory before signing up, and be realistic about the limited custom options and occasional shipping delays.
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.