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One of my jobs as a golf teacher is to help students buy new golf equipment. Getting hooked up with the right golf clubs is just as important as learning how to swing correctly. Golfers know that buying equipment can be a daunting task. Everyone has an opinion about what you should buy. Golf stores can make you dizzy. All choices involving swing weight, lie angle, shaft flex, offset, cavity back or not, hybrids vs. irons, can leave you feeling clueless. Is there anyway to make the right choice?
I'd like to share with you some of the answers I've given students trying to prepare for a shopping trip. Also, new for 2008, I included a rotating series of retail golf equipment ads to help make the process more complete. Clicking on any of the links can give you price comparisons between the many online retailers. Click, read; maybe you'll have a new set of clubs to show off this season.
Q. How do I choose the best golf clubs when there are many golf club manufacturers?
A. Take your time. In stores and online look at the most popular name brands available today. Ping, Callaway, Taylor Made, Titleist, Cobra, Adams are among the most trusted. These companies all make quality products. Get out to a demo day at your local range. Swing the clubs, trust your eye when deciding which club looks the best. Compare feel, balance. It's pretty easy to whittle the choice down to two or three. Chances are a club that feels good will perform well when you play. Most golf stores allow you to demo clubs. Forgiveness is key. A forgiving club feels soft when you hit the ball, the sweet spot absorbing most of the vibration. Trust your judgment. The best choice is often the most personal. Ask the salesman for advise on fitting you with the correct length, lie angle and shaft flex. (More on fitting below) Finally, go online to compare prices, sometimes you can save money with an online vendor.
Q. Is a half set of clubs good enough for a new golfer? A. I recommend learning with a full set. You will need all the clubs to enjoy playing the game. Getting to know your equipment is an important part of learning golf. Q. Are beginner sets O.K.? A. Yes. Most brand name starter sets will provide the balance and feel you need to learn golf. Depending on how much you are able to play, a good starter set may be all you'll ever need. Q. Are good clubs only for better players? A. No. High end clubs are more forgiving for everyone. Q. How much do golf clubs cost? A. A good starter set can cost $500 or less. A high end set will cost over $1000. Q. Will my clubs perform better with graphite shafts? A. Graphite shafts are a very popular option today. While women and senior men may find the lighter graphite shafts helpful, many younger men find graphite shafted clubs too light and unwieldy. Generally, I recommend graphite shafts for women and steel shafts for men. Q. Does this apply to all the clubs; irons, woods, and putters? A. My advise has always been that women will benefit the most having all their clubs fitted with graphite shafts. Men under 50 often perform best with irons and fairway woods fitted with steel shafts. Drivers seem to benefit the most from being fitted with graphite shafts. Most putters come with steel shafts. Q. Why graphite shafts for women and steel shafts for men? A. Most women lack the upper body strength of men and can benefit using lighter graphite shafted clubs. Men can handle the weight of steel shafts and may prefer graphite shafts for some of the woods. Q. How many clubs are in a set? A. The standard set is usually made up of 8 irons, 3 woods, and a putter. Q. What clubs are included. A. Women's golf sets usually include the 4-5-6-7-8-9 irons, plus a pitching and sand wedge. The woods are usually 1,3,5, or 1,3,7. Men's golf sets usually include 3-4-5-6-7-8-9 irons and a pitching wedge. The woods are usually 1,3,5. Today, more and more manufacturers are substituting hybrid woods for the long irons, because of the increased playability of these clubs. Q. What other clubs will I need to buy? A. Don't forget the putter. Try out several and pick out one that feels well balanced- and puts the ball in the hole. More and more golfers are substituting hybrid woods for the longer irons, because of the increased forgiveness these clubs provide. Men may need to add a sand wedge or lob wedge to the set. A seven wood is a good extra club. Like the hybrid woods, It is easier to hit than the long irons and will help get a ball out of the rough. Q. Do I need to be fitted for clubs? A. Only irons. Woods come standard. Men over 6' or under 5'6" may need their irons lengthened or shortened and the lie angle adjusted. Women under 5' might need Petite length clubs which are 1" shorter. Tall women can be fitted with men's senior graphite shafted clubs. Ask your salesman to help determine if you need fitted clubs. They can help you with the fine tuning. Q. Can I buy woods and irons from different manufacturers? A. Yes. The woods and irons in the same set often have a very different feel. Don't be afraid to mix brands. I have provided links to the best retail golf stores In New York City.
You can also use this search box to easily locate additional golf equipment resources.
You questions and comments are most welcome. Please forward them to me at: tips@golfstudionyc.com
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