Choosing the Right Golf Club

The Long Game

Some people have a theory that you either have a good long game or a short game; very rarely do you have both. The exceptions to the rule have a very low handicap and are usually either pros or those that could be pros. Choosing the right golf club for your long game is very important, especially if you are playing 18 holes. The goal of a game of golf, after all, is to use as few strokes as possible on each hole.

How do you choose the right club? The first thing you should do before you tee up for each shot is to determine how long it is from the tee to the green. This will give you an idea of which club to choose. Most people choose a wood to tee off with, though you may also choose an iron depending on the length of each hole. Use one of your wood clubs to tee off with when the fairway is 150 yards or longer.

Woods

The 1 wood, or the driver, is the most difficult to master since it is the longest. Most people choose the 3 or 5 wood to tee off with because they are shorter and easier to manage. If you have a straight and long fairway, choose the 3 or 5 in order to get the ball as far down the fairway as possible. For those new to the game, woods aren’t necessarily made of wood any more. Most often they are manufactured out of various lightweight metals.

Favorite wood club brands of pro players include the following:

• Nike SasQuatch Sumo Driver
• Titleist D1 and D2 Drivers
• Ping Rapture Drivers – customized for customers with their preferred angle
• Callaway Big Bertha

Irons

While some golf enthusiasts frown at the idea of teeing off with an iron, many people do it. The main reason for using an iron? When used correctly, an iron can almost guarantee you a straight shot. Try teeing off on a par 4 or 5 hole with a 3 iron instead of a wood. For most people, it will increase accuracy and the ball will travel almost as far as a 3 or 5 wood. The increased accuracy will help you take several strokes off of your game.

There are many popular golf club manufacturers to choose from when it comes to irons. Some of these include:

• Ping Clubs
• Titleist Clubs
• Taylor Made Clubs
• Callaway Clubs

The Short Game

The clubs you choose for your short game are just as important as the ones you use in your long game. In some instances, they can be the difference between winning and losing a game. (Think sand traps and wooded areas for starters.)

Pitching Wedge

The pitching wedge should be used when you are in a sand trap or in a wooded area. The wedge has a slanted face that will allow the ball to loft up and out of a hole or over high grassy areas. Some players will substitute their 7 or 8 iron if they don’t have a pitching wedge in their bag.

The Putter

Arguably the most personal of all clubs in a golfer’s bag is the putter. People spend most of their money on a set of clubs hoping to find that one magical club that can win or lose a game. How the club feels in your hand is the most important aspect of choosing a putter. When you are considering purchasing a putter, spend as much time as possible choosing the right one. Most pro shops have an indoor putting green for exactly this purpose.

There are literally hundreds of putter models for players to choose from. The following manufacturers and retailers offer a wide variety of putters for golf enthusiasts:

• Austad
• The Golf Warehouse
• Golf Galaxy
• Golfsmith

Choosing the Right Golf Club for You

Purchasing Clubs

According to the rules of the USGA, no player can have more than 14 clubs in their bag at any time. That being said, you don’t have to have a complete set either. Players new to the game should consult a golf pro to help them choose the right clubs and other golf accessories. Clubs may be purchased either individually, or in complete sets.

Used Clubs

Buying used golf clubs may save you money, but you will probably have to take them to a golf pro shop to check for size and grip wear. Used club sets may have a few clubs missing, but they can easily be replaced by purchasing new or used clubs individually. Check with your local pro shop or golf retail shop to see if they carry used clubs, as many often do.

Women and Children’s Clubs

Women can use golf clubs designed for men, but a pro shop should size them down. Children can use clubs designed for men or women, but they also need to be sized down by a pro shop so they fit the individual player correctly. Of course, there are clubs especially designed for both of these groups too by most major golf club manufacturers.

As any golf pro will tell you, choosing the right golf club is different for every player. If you gave a particular club to 100 different players, they will invariably get 100 different results. The only way to tell which club to use on any given course depends on experience. The only way to get that experience is to practice--a lot!