Golf Equipment Primer
Golf Club Buyer's Guide For Novices
When you first start out playing golf, you might get very excited about buying your own clubs. Great! If you like the sport enough to spend the money (and who wouldn't!) then getting your own clubs is a good idea. But golf clubs can be expensive. Before you take the plunge, consider these guidelines...
Just about anyone new to golf will look at his or her budget first. Unless you have money to burn (lucky you!), you'll soon realize that a really good wood, for example, can cost $500 or more. Even the average new putter is going to set you back about $100. It's wise to think about how often you'll use the clubs and how much you think the extra money will help your game.
Eventually, you'll give into the temptation, though, as you should. Good clubs really do make a difference. But before you do, practice with different brands like Titleist, Callaway, Wilson, TaylorMade or Ping. Rent some at the course, or borrow a few from a friend. Consider things like the weight, the shaft length and the overall feel of the club. Pay attention to which brand and model fits you best.
A standard length club is designed with an adult male about 5 foot 10 inches tall in mind. Men who are taller or shorter, women and juniors will find that those clubs don't suit them perfectly. Trying out different clubs will help you narrow down the choices to some that fit you best. Also, pro shops offer a club fitting service that can be very valuable. It takes about half an hour and they determine the shaft length that is best for you.
Novices may also not at first notice consciously the shaft material. Most club shafts are made from steel or graphite, though titanium is sometimes used for more expensive ones and aluminum alloys in cheap clubs. Steel is noticeably heavier than graphite, but the latter has more flex.
The differences in weight and amount of flex are subtle, but an observant beginner can detect the difference. Flex is particularly hard to judge, especially as your swing is still developing. But those two factors play a large role in the quality and style of your swing, even when you can't say quite why or how.
Here again, experience is your best guide. Pay close attention to how your wrists and arms feel as you swing a Calloway graphite-shafted 5 iron. Is the lighter weight than, say, a Titlelist steel shaft of the same number something that gives you good control? Notice the impact, since different weights affect the energy of your swing. At impact, do you feel the club is contributing or hindering you from your best swing?
The same issues run through all the clubs - woods, irons and even wedges and putters. Putters receive very little swing, often just a tap, so the effect is much more subdued, but it's real and important. As you hone your game, you'll find these characteristics much easier to feel.
Don't worry too much if you don't get the ideal club the first time. Used clubs are still a hot market and you can trade or sell it to upgrade to one that suits you better. Also, though good clubs can last for years, you'll find yourself replacing them as technology and your game develop over time.
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