GolfingNewbies.com -> Clubs: Others

Golf Clubs 102: Buying a Set of Golf Clubs
Get set with the right set of golf clubs for you�

Buying a set of golf clubs is a complex task, but one that has to satisfy only one person: you.
Each club in that set of golf clubs is going to act as an extension of your body, so it�s very
important that it feels right with your grip and your swing. We�ve already discussed how
important golf club drivers are to your game. But, once you have made your tee shot, the
other clubs in your golf bag get to shine. As we will point out, each member of your set of
golf clubs needs to fit you if you�re going to be the best you can be at this awesome sport.

Most sets of golf clubs include a driver, but if you want to get each hole off to a great start,
you owe it to yourself to try out individual drivers that will �go the distance� and which have
the �feel� that fits your body type and your swing. The driver in the set of golf clubs you buy
may be just what you need, even after checking out the drivers that are available in the
market, such as �large-head� drivers typically made of metal alloys instead of wood. If not,
and you choose to buy a driver that feels right for you, the driver included in the set of golf
clubs can be used when you make a long fairway shot, or for any shot where you would
choose to use a 1-wood club. From most vendors, the typical set of golf clubs includes a
driver (1-wood), 3-wood, 5-wood, 2-iron, 3-iron, 4-iron, 5-iron, 6-iron, 7-iron, 8-iron, 9-iron,
pitching wedge, a sand wedge, and a putter.

In buying a set of golf clubs, head design, the type and bend point and flex of the shaft, the
length and lie of the clubs, and the size and feel of the grip, all contribute to your success out
there on the golf course. If you are a new golfer, and will likely have a higher golf handicap,
you should choose a set of golf clubs with irons that are weighted around the perimeter of the
club head and also have a cavity in the back of the club head. The putter should generally be
a conventional-style putter, and a short one at that, as many teaching pros will recommend.
Other putter styles include the belly putter (which is long enough to nestle against your belly,
providing stability) and the long putter (which allows the golfer to take an upright stance and
has a longer head than does the conventional putter).

Besides the quality of the club heads, you should check out the type of shaft: steel or
graphite. Steel shafts are cheaper, stiffer, and more durable. This shaft type on a set of golf
clubs is typically used by younger or stronger men, but some golf pros have the opinion that
golfers have traditionally used shafts that are too stiff. Steel shafts have a higher bend point,
giving a firmer feel and sending the ball in a lower trajectory. Graphite shafts are lighter and
have a softer flex or a lower bend point during the golf swing. This can help generate more
swing speed and gives the ball a higher trajectory. Typically, senior men and many women
use a set of golf clubs with graphite shafts to help compensate for a difference in sheer
muscle during the swing.

If you are going to golf only occasionally or you are on a tight budget, you might want to go
for a used set of golf clubs. Whether you buy used or new, keep in mind that the standard set
of golf clubs is designed for a male who is 5 � 10� tall. If you are a few inches shorter or taller
than this average height, you should consider getting fitted for your new set of golf clubs.
Many pro shops where new sets of golf clubs are sold will do a "clubfitting" to make sure that
the clubs you choose are a good fit for your body type. This way, you will not have to
compensate for bad-fitting clubs during your golf swing. The club length in your set of golf
clubs should be determined by the distance of your hands from the ground. If the grip is too
low to the ground, the lie angle of the club head to the ground will be slanted, with the club
toe up and the club heel down, causing a pulled shot, such as a hook. In the opposite case, a
pushed shot, or slice is likely to occur. A longer club will correct the club toe up situation, and
a shorter club will correct the opposite situation.

In situations in life where we need to get things done, the term �getting a handle� on the
situation is often used. The same is true of the grips on each club in your set of golf clubs.
After all, this is the point at which your body and that extension of your body, the golf club,
actually meet. To get your golf ball to the hole in the fewest strokes, you definitely need to
�get a grip� on your set of golf clubs. If the grip is too small for your hands, the impact of your
swing may turn the grip over in your hands, resulting in a pull or a hooked shot. If your grip is
too large for your hands, you may not be able to rotate your hands during impact, causing a
sliced shot.

Finally, many newbies to golf are concerned about the distance each golf club is supposed to
deliver. There are a lot of factors that influence how far your shots will go, so the only honest
answer to the newbies is: it depends. We could have shown you a table of how far each club
in your set of golf clubs is �supposed� to hit. But, there are no two tables of this sort that
agree on the Web, so we�ll just state that the set of golf clubs is only one factor in
determining shot distance. Granted, it is a very important factor, because having a set of golf
clubs that doesn�t fit your body or your golf swing is absolutely crucial to your game. Other
factors include the golf balls used, the condition of the fairway, the wind speed during your
round of golf, the humidity of the day, your gender, your age, your level of physical fitness,
your coordination and athleticism, your swing speed, and the accuracy of your connecting
with the ball (are you hitting the sweet spot on every swing?).

Good luck in getting set for your first round of golf with your properly-fitted set of golf clubs. I
hope I�ve helped you choose the right set for you!