You’ve decided you’re going to start playing golf, great! So, what next? You’re probably thinking about buying a set of golf clubs, but where do you start? Do you really need to go straight out and buy a complete set of golf clubs? And if so, what kind do you get?
There are so many different options out there, it can all feel a little overwhelming, when all you want to do is get on a golf course and play. Do you need a driver or a wedge? And what is a hybrid club?
We’ve put together a brief guide to choosing golf clubs when you’re a beginner, so let’s tee off and have a look.
WHICH GOLF CLUBS DO YOU NEED?
Having the right clubs when you start out will have an impact on your performance; if you have a set that doesn’t suit your body type, for example, or isn’t designed for your skill level then you’re more likely to get frustrated or worst still, give up.
This doesn’t mean that you need a certain brand; until you know how serious you’re going to be about playing you can always borrow some. The first set of clubs you play with probably won’t be the ones you stick with; you’ll eventually want to get a set of clubs that suit your build and playing style.
A set of golf clubs contains 14 clubs, which is the maximum allowed, but you don’t really need to use every club that’s available when you’re starting out. 9 or 10 should be enough, then you can always add clubs as you become more experienced. Beginner clubs tend to have bigger clubfaces and shorter shafts, which make it easier to get the ball into the air, leaving you free to focus on your technique. You can also get a half set.
But if you don’t need a full set of clubs, which clubs should you choose? Let’s have a look at what each of the golf clubs do.
WHAT DOES EACH GOLF CLUB DO?
- Driver
The longest club in your set, with the largest head. You’ll need this to advance the ball off the tee, so it needs plenty of loft – the loft is the angle of the clubface relative to the ground. It needs to feel comfortable in your hands and swing easily.
- Irons
Thinner, flatter, metal clubs. They are numbered 1 – 9; the lower the number, the further the ball will go. But for your first set it might be best to stick to numbers 6,7,8 & 9. The more you practice the more you’ll get the feel for which one you need in which situation, allowing you to learn how to hit a golf ball further.
- Putter
Designed with a flat edge to help the ball run smoothly over the green in a straight line into the hole. There are lots of variations, but the main thing is to find one that’s comfortable, depending on your height, stance and arm length. If you can’t keep it parallel to the ground when hitting the ball, it’s probably not the right one for you. Read about some putting tips that can improve your technique.
- Wedges
Pitching wedge: Good for an approach shot, it gets under the ball to lift it high and short and close to the hole.
Sand wedge: Designed to get the ball out of a sand bunker.
- Woods/Hybrids
Woods are mostly made of metal now and these are ideal for when you want to hit the ball far, while hybrids are a mix of wood and metal and are some of the most flexible clubs, making them ideal for beginners. They have more loft than irons.
HOW TO CHOOSE A SET OF GOLF CLUBS
- Brand – You don’t need to go for a brand that lots of people use; what works for everyone else might not work for you.
- Don’t rush – You want to get out there on the green, and it’s tempting to go off and buy some top of the range gear, but playing with equipment that’s too advanced could inhibit your game. You could borrow a set of clubs, or buy a beginners set while you get familiar with the game and your own style of playing.
- One size doesn’t fit all – Golf clubs come in different shapes, sizes, weights, lengths etc. so the ones that work for your friends might not work for your height, body type and strength – taller players need longer shafts than shorter players and it’s better to have one that’s too short than too long.
- Grip – A grip that’s too thick or too thin can affect your swing, so you need to get it right. Hold the club with your middle and ring fingers and if your fingers can’t touch your thumb, it’s too big.
- Do your research – Modern golf clubs are often designed with technology that’s aimed at certain aspects of the game, so it might help to talk to someone with some professional knowledge; most high street golf shops have professionals on hand for advice, or you could ask at your local golf course.
DON’T FORGET TO TEST YOUR CLUBS
No two golfers have the same swing, it’s dependent on lots of factors; height, stance, grip, general level of fitness etc., so the key is to find clubs that complement your individual swing. Find out more about how you can prevent injury and increase flexibility in our blog post about the best exercises for golfers. Research shows that having golf clubs that fit properly can increase driving distance by up to 20 yards for an amateur player. Many golf shops have an indoor green area where you can have a go with some clubs.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT GOLF BALL
As a beginner, you don’t need to be playing with the best premium golf balls you can find, chances are you’re going to lose a fair few balls in the beginning anyway. Golf balls tend to be categorised as either soft or firm, the key is to try both and see which type feels better for you.
You can get golf balls with alignment aids, or a certain combination of layers to improve the spin, but when you first start playing you don’t need anything too sophisticated.
When starting out in golf, the key is to become familiar with the different kinds of clubs and find something you feel comfortable using, until you’re ready to upgrade. If you’re new to golf and want to pick up some tips, take a look at some of our golfing blogs for advice on how to stop slicing a ball, correcting your golf stance and how to improve your golf swing.
Whether you’re a beginner, or already have an established kit bag, your equipment is going to be pretty valuable, both in terms of money and convenience, so it would be great to know that you have cover in place should the unexpected happen.
This is when you might want to think about insuring your golf equipment. Choose from three levels of cover, each with standard benefits such as Loss, Theft or Accidental Damage, New for Old, and Public Liability. You can then tweak it with a choice of optional benefits that include Gadgets and Mobile Phones and Family Member cover. Give us a call today, or look online and get a free, no-strings quote that will fit you to a tee.
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