Teed off at being unprepared? Getting good equipment means better golf

Teed off at being unprepared?

Good equipment means better golf: the basics

By Jon O’Coin The Golf Works

SO 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.

Most carry bags come with dual straps making it easier to carry. If your bag doesn’t already have dual straps, they can be bought separately and added to almost any bag. Having a carry bag with a stand is important in extending the life of both your clubs and bag.

If you regularly use a cart, there are cart bags available that don’t have the stand because it gets in the way when using a cart. Most bags have lots of pockets for all your golf accessories, wallets and purses, cell phones and more, but it seems you can never have too many pockets.

CARTS

A common term used when referring to carts is “pull” cart, but that term is quickly changing with increasing popularity of “push” carts. Pushing a cart is much easier than pulling, and the addition of a third wheel has made it even easier. A push cart is a little more expensive than a pull cart, but most people who have upgraded to a push cart say they will never go back.

GOLF BALLS

Golf balls of today have changed dramatically from years past — two-piece balls have given the ball more durability and distance.

Balls with more spin are popular with better players. For people looking for additional control on and around the green, high spin balls are easier to manipulate around the green and easier to stick on the green.

Balls with lower compression are great for juniors, ladies, seniors or slower swingers by allowing them to achieve maximum distance, spin and control. Distance balls are just that — they are great for distance but not for control or feel.

GLOVES

Gloves are popular and beneficial in offering extra gripping power, but it is important to have a properly fit glove. A glove is worn on your top hand — the left hand for a right handed golfer — and should be a tight fit.

There are different styles of gloves. Leather gloves are soft and great for regular use and synthetic are less expensive and good for wet conditions. There are also wet gloves designed for the diehard golfer who plays in the rain. Mesh and half fingered gloves are popular with women and allow air to circulate, keeping the hand cool and dry.

UMBRELLA

Golf umbrellas are larger than regular umbrellas for more coverage. Golf umbrellas should be able to withstand heavy wind and come with a lifetime warranty.

BALL RETRIEVER

Although nobody plans to lose a ball in the water, it is inevitable, so having a ball retriever is important. With the cost of balls, you can easily justify the retriever purchase. When fishing for your ball, you often find a few others, but don’t spend too much time because you will slow the play of the golfers behind you.

TEES

There has recently been a new introduction in tees. Long tees are now available and are popular because most drivers today have deeper faces — to hit the ball with the sweet spot, you will need to tee the ball up higher.

There are anti-slice tees that have a unique cupped design that reduces spin and eliminates sliced tee shots. Tees are available in many different colours and materials, such as plastic, bamboo, etc and are selected to fit personal preference.

GOLF ATTIRE

Golf attire is important because different courses have different dress codes.

You are usually safe if wearing a pair of pants or long shorts and a golf shirt with a collar. If there is any question, simply call the course and ask what the dress code is. Golf shoes are popular because they offer better traction than running shoes and this is important when taking a swing.

Check the weather forecast before heading to the course to be sure you are ready for whatever Mother Nature sends your way.

Happy golfing! —Jon O’Coin is the manager of The Golf Works in Ottawa. If you’d like more information on clubfitting, or golf gear and swing analysis, please contact them at 727-1721.

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