With so many different types of clubs, how do you know which one to use and when to use it? Do I need an iron for this shot, or a wood? A wedge or a putter?
Choosing the right golf club at the right time is an extremely important part of improving how you play the game. Even if your stroke technique leaves something to be desired, if you choose the right club you can often compensate for this.
There are many things you have to consider when you are choosing the right golf club for a shot, but once you start to see the patterns emerging you will be able to choose the right one without even thinking about it too much. This is the mark of a truly skilled golfer, and when it happens, you’ll know that you are becoming an experienced golfer.
People who don’t golf often have a hard time believing that all 14 clubs in a golfer’s bag will come in handy at some point. However, as you golf more and more, you will see that there is a distinct situation in which every one will come in handy.
I get to play golf for a living. What more can you ask for – getting paid for doing what you love. –Tiger Woods
When you start, your golf bag should be made up of drivers, wedges, putters, and irons. Each of them is used several times throughout every game, and most are made to correct strokes that aren’t made perfectly. All beginning clubs are designed this way – this is why it is not a good idea to choose clubs that are outside of your skill level, since they will be less forgiving when you make a mistake.
Skill Level Counts
The handicap of a golfer will play a huge role in determining what kinds of clubs he carries. If you usually score around 10 strokes over par, your bag will look significantly different than someone who scores over 100 strokes over par (which, despite sounding ridiculous, is usually fairly standard for those who are new to the game).
Golfers in this category will usually have a bag that reflects a preference for woods rather than irons, because of the heightened levels of accuracy that woods provide. The golfers with a higher skill level will have clubs that are less able to correct mistakes, and more likely to just send the ball rocketing in whatever direction it is sent in. This is why they take a higher skill level to master.
Hybrid Clubs
Hybrid clubs or adjustable clubs are also very valuable for beginners who have not yet gotten a grasp on their own playing style. Hybrid golf clubs are somewhere in between woods and irons. They provide accuracy due to their relatively short lengths, and they provide sheer distance with their specially designed heads that are usually very light and hollow. They are very unique and take some getting used to, but if you can try one out at the store before you buy it, you may discover that it adds a whole new element to your game.
All of these golf clubs play a very important part from getting you down the fairway right to the green and into the hole. Without one of them, you would have to use a different club to do something it wasn’t meant to. Therefore you should learn which is the best club to use in which situation, and you will find that golf becomes a much more enjoyable sport to you.
