Before you go to the shop and evaluate the array of golf clubs on display, you need to know the basics of golf clubs, especially if you’re still a beginner. Knowing what to look for should help you make a smarter choice.
Now, you don’t need telling that the golf club is the tool you use to strike the golf ball. Neither do you need an in-depth discussion on what the three basic components of a golf club are.
Just remember the following important tips to help you choose the best club around:
• Shaft – This is the axle of the club, the part that many golfers consider as the most complex component and probably the most important. There are several different types of shafts with varying degrees of flex, flex locations, weight, length, materials, torque, etc. Other critical factors include the shaft deflection, lie angle, loft angle, swing weight, and grip size.
Having the proper shaft length can improve the squareness of hit and balance in your swing. On the other hand, the lie angle has a direct effect on the direction of your shots. If you have higher swing speeds, you want a shaft with stiffer deflection. If you have lower swing speeds, the more flexible shafts give your downswing that extra kick.
• Head – This is the part that directly comes into contact with the golf ball. Like shafts, golf club heads can be made from several kinds of materials. Here is a summary of recommended club heads according to your level of play:
o BEGINNER IRONS: Zinc
o BEGINNER WOODS: Aluminum, Titanium Alloys
o BETTER IRONS: 431 Stainless Steel
o GOOD WOODS: HST Aluminum
o BEST IRONS: 17-4ph Stainless Steel, Bi-metal, Tungsten Insert
o BEST WOODS: Titanium, Maraging Metal, Bi-metal, Tungsten Insert
For putters, the material choices are not important. What matters are the shape, weight, and type of inserts used. So when looking at golf club heads, pay attention to the basic design principles, such as weight distribution (What is its perimeter? Low center of gravity or high?), size (Traditional or oversized?), and styling (Keel sole? Deep face? Wide body?).
• Grip – As the least expensive components of your golf club, it often the part that is most often overlooked. How important could it be? Well, for one it is your only point of contact with the club. Hence, it is the only component of the golf club that you can actually control while you are playing the game.
Grips tend to oxidize, harden, get slick, and lose their grip after a certain period of time. So the only thing you need to keep in mind about grips is to change them often.
Golfers use a set of clubs when they play. A “set” is restricted to no more than 14 clubs so you can see just what kind of task is ahead of you. It’s difficult enough to choose one golf club. Now you have to choose fourteen?
Of course, each of them would depend on your personal preferences but traditionally, a “set” is made of: Irons 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW, Woods 1, 3, 5, and a putter.
Now the next question is: What is the difference between Irons and Woods? And how do you choose the best ones out of each?