Choosing the right golf clubs is one of the keys to a good performance on the course. However, there are so many different types, styles, brands and options around, it can be hard for beginners to know which clubs would be best to buy. Here are seven considerations that can help you make the best choice.
Brand name is not important
It can be tempting to choose the brand of golf club used by your favourite player, or one that you’ve heard a lot about, or that many people use. This is usually a mistake. You don’t need a brand name; you need clubs that are suitable for your current level of play. Be willing to try out brands that are a better fit for you, rather than being wedded to a particular brand of club that may not work as well for you.
You don’t need to buy every club on offer
Beginners don’t really need to buy every club that’s available either. 3, 4 and 5 irons are produced with less loft these days so that they are capable of hitting the ball further – a factor that makes them extremely difficult to use for the beginner or average golfer. You can avoid these. Beginners may not even need to use a driver, and could use their 3-wood to fulfill the role of a driver instead.
Don’t start out buying top of the range golf clubs
If you’re a beginner, it’s easy to get swept away by your enthusiasm and buy top of the range gear, believing it will help you play better. This is not actually the case, and using more advanced clubs when you’re a beginner will actually inhibit your game and prevent you playing your best.
When starting out, don’t rush the process of buying your golf clubs. To begin with, either borrow a set of clubs or buy a beginner set of clubs; these should include a putter, a driver, some irons and a 3-wood. Doing it this way will allow you to get familiar with your game and decide how serious you want to be about golf. Using big-name brands or getting custom-fitted clubs is not necessary at this stage.
Keep in mind that the first set of golf clubs you buy are not likely to be your clubs for life. As you progress in the sport and start building your experience, you should then consider moving on to a set of clubs that is more suited to your physical characteristics and ability. You’ll have more of an understanding of your unique strengths and weaknesses to guide the choice. Alternatively, experienced golfers might want to consider getting your clubs custom fitted, as this will allow you to tailor your club head, lie angle, loft and shaft length to exactly suit your game.
Click here to read more about whether buying expensive golf clubs is worth the cost.
Shafts vary widely and you need one that is right for you
Golf clubs come in all different shapes, sizes, weights, lengths, lofts and lie angles, and the wrong club for you will not allow you to consistently make a good swing. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all club; and the club you choose to use will usually be quite different to the ones your playing buddies use.
Shaft length is a fundamental consideration when buying clubs, and one you need to get right. Not every club will work properly for you – obviously, taller players will need longer shafts than shorter players. However, you also need to take into consideration your body type and strength.
Shaft material is debatable topic, with varying opinions around about what works best for beginner golfers. There’s a large body of opinion that believes graphite shafts are better for beginners, as they are lighter than steel shafts and have more weight concentrated in the head, which makes them easier to swing. Steel shafts, however, are more durable and long-lasting. But given the fact that your beginner set of clubs is not likely to be needed for the long term, you’re probably better off going for the graphite shaft.
Depending on your swing speed, you’ll also need a shaft that might be either stiffer or more flexible than the norm. The wrong stiffness for your game will result in a loss of distance on your shots.
With all these considerations, it’s wise to get professional advice before buying your clubs.
Grip thickness is all important
Not all grips are equal, and you need to make sure that you get it right.
An overly thin grip can cause subtle changes in the action of your hands that will negatively impact on your swing; whereas a too-thick grip will restrict your hands, and impact the swing in a different way. To check that the grip is the right size, hold the club with the middle and ring fingers of your left hand – the grip is too big if your finger can’t touch your thumb.
A shorter driver is better than a longer one
A longer driver makes it harder to hit the ball squarely, but many golfers choose the longer version. A little shorter is better, especially for beginners, and will give you the best chance of achieving a solid hit.
Know your strengths and weaknesses
Before you commit to buying a set of golf clubs, you need to have a clear idea of your strengths and weaknesses. That’s because modern clubs come with technology that’s designed to help particular aspects of the game, so knowing what you need – be that greater distance or more forgiveness – will help you find clubs that are a perfect match for your game.
Do some research, take your time– and consult a professional whose knowledge can help you make a more informed choice of clubs. It’s exciting getting new golf equipment – so make sure you get it right so you can enjoy and get the most out of your game.
