Teed off at being unprepared? Good equipment means better golf: the basics By Jon O’Coin The Golf Works
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O YOU’RE KEEN to improve your golf game, or perhaps you’re taking up the sport for the first time? Read on as we spotlight a variety of golf-related equipment, the basics about each piece, what to look for, and how the latest technology will get you out of the rough and onto the green over and over again.
WOODS
Although most golfers have followed technology and now use metal or titanium drivers and fairway heads, we still refer to them as woods. The driver is the club that hits the farthest and is usually the club hit from the tee on par 4 and 5s. Driver heads are getting larger, giving golfers extra confidence and forgiveness with a bigger “sweet-spot.” There are a full range of fairway clubs allowing use from different distances or lies, but most sets include a 3 and 5 wood. There are many different styles and head designs available to meet almost any golfer and their swing.
IRONS
These are our accuracy clubs and help get us on the green. There are long irons that have less loft and short irons with more loft. The longer clubs are used from further distances from the green and the shorter clubs are used when closer to the green. Like the woods, there are numerous designs do fit different players and their swings. A typical set of clubs include 3 through 9 irons and a pitching wedge. Most players add higher lofted wedges to their set for a better opportunity to score from around the green and in the sand.
PUTTERS
Putter are the most-used club in the bag and having one that fits your putting style and level of skill is important. Recently, the rave in putters is high moments of inertia, which means the putter is forgiving on off-centre putts. Selecting a putter with good heel and toe weighting is usually a step in the right direction for most golfers. After selecting the head that suits you, the next fitting variables to consider are the length, lie and even the loft of a putter.
SHAFTS
The golf shaft is an extremely important component of the golf club — perhaps the most important. The shaft is responsible for delivering the head to the ball, so the wrong shaft prevents the head from hitting the ball in the correct position. That can mean poor ball flight or direction. Because of the variances in swings, there are a few factors to consider when selecting a shaft. The swing speed and tempo are important in selecting a shaft’s flex, which range from junior to x-stiff. Golfers should play the club length that suits their heights and swing styles — these adjustments are made in the shaft. There are graphite and steel shafts that offer both advantages and disadvantages, depending on the golfers swing. The average golfer might have difficulty selecting the best shaft for them, but spending ½ hour with a qualified club fitter will prove beneficial. The cost is minimal and the information is priceless. Another method of determining which shaft is correct for you is using a five-step questionnaire available through companies like GolfWorks Canada that will make shaft recommendations based on your answers.
GRIPS
Most golfers don’t realize the options they have when choosing their grips — there actually are hundreds of styles and sizes. Having the correct size grip is important to a golf club’s performance and can be determined in less than a minute by most component suppliers at no charge. The style of grip you select is personal and is made almost completely by feel and look.
BAGS
Golf bags are relatively simple to select but there are a few things to consider other than just appearance. If you regularly carry your clubs, it is important to have a bag that is light. Carrying your clubs around the golf course for four hours is enough without having to carry an unnecessarily heavy bag, too.
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