Hybrids are a relatively new addition to the golf club family. These versatile clubs can replace the range of irons, anywhere from a 2-iron to an 8-iron loft. Hybrids typically feature a head that is shaped similar to fairway woods but are much shallower and shorter.
Are you a beginner who has just started playing golf? Well, you better get yourself some golf clubs. Like any other sport, golf requires proper technique, athleticism and poise. Whether it is driving or pitching, there are several techniques you will have to master and for that, it is crucial you invest in a complete set of golf clubs.
When it comes to choosing golf clubs, there are several options available to you:
The driver is the longest club in the set and is incredibly useful at getting the ball airborne as much as 11 degrees. Also known as 1 Wood, the driver gets its name for driving the golf ball off the tee. A driver’s head is typically constructed using lightweight titanium to maximize its size without making it too heavy.
Drivers are exclusively used to master tee shots since it helps maximize height and distance while minimizing side spin for straighter shots.
Woods got its name from the material it was originally constructed from but times have changed and modern day woods are made using metal. Woods are known to propel the ball the farthest. Their heads are rounded and big with a flat bottom. Woods typically have the smallest loft among all other types of clubs.
The power of the club is measured by how small the degree of the loft is. Woods are normally used for hitting long distances and are not considered the best choice for beginners.
Despite its name, fairway woods are no longer constructed from wood and you do not necessarily have to use them in the fairway. These clubs are often made using stainless steel. The head of the fairway is usually smaller than the driver. The shaft features a flattened bottom to allow the head slide over the grass when you take a hit.
Fairways are used for shots that are beyond the range of an iron and are beneficial when you require more control on the ball. Their loft degrees are usually in the range of 12-20, allowing you to hit softer, higher shots than any driver.
If you want to hit shots that require height but no distance, you are better off with a lob wedge. Pitching wedges, on the other hand, are typically used for balls that are positioned further away from the greens but are too near for a large iron.
These golf clubs have a larger sweet spot and a lower center of gravity that beat long irons that they are designed to replace.
Iron golf clubs are generally used if you want to hit the ball fewer than 200 yards from the green. These clubs possess a higher degree of loft than the woods and are numbered 3 through 9.
The long irons (3 and 4) have little loft and can send the ball far. Middle irons (5 and 6) are used when the ball is 150 to 170 yards from the hole. The shorter irons (7, 8 and 9) get the ball in the air quickly due to their loft.
Wedges are commonly used for making the ball fly onto the putting surface. These clubs feature higher loft angles than irons and woods. There are mainly four different types of varieties, including lob wedge, gap wedge, pitching wedge and sand wedge.
While the gap wedge is primarily used for hitting the ball down the length of short distances and onto the putting green, the sand wedge is handy in getting the ball out of bunkers, tall grass and sand pits.
Putters are considered the most used clubs in the sport. They gently help move the ball along the putting green into the hole. Golfers can use three kinds of club heads for their putters, heel-toe club head, traditional blade and mallet club head.
Putters with shorter shafts are referred to as conventional or standard putters while the broomstick and belly putters are the longer types. Golfers can opt for a putter according to their playing style and individual preference.
While there are several ways to hold your golf club, you should opt for a technique that feels comfortable for you. A good hold helps you hit the ball straight and maximizes your distance. The right hold also increases precision on your short game.
A proper grip is among the most important aspects of a successful game. Before we learn about different grips, it is essential you learn how to properly hold a golf club:
There are many different ways to grip a golf club. Here are some grips you can try:
The Vardon Overlap is among the most common grips in the world and is practiced by professional players all over the world. Harry Vardon was the one to popularize this grip during the 20th century. For this grip, golfers have to place the club in their fingers. The Vardon Overlap is one of the most important grips that are taught by golf instructors today.
To achieve this grip, simply take the pinkie finger of your dominant hand and move it back and lay it on top of the fingers of your left hand. It should sit on top of the space that rests between your middle and index fingers.
The Interlock is perhaps the most common grip of all. It was largely popularized on the LPGA Tour and has been used by several players, including Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. As the name suggests, the grip literally locks the hands together.
This grip is best suited for beginners or for players with small hands, weak wrists and forearms. For this grip, use your little finger on the training hand (the dominant hand) and intertwine it with the index finger on the lead hand. Fit the lead-hand thumb in the lifeline of the trailing hand.
The Baseball Grip, also known as the Ten Finger Grip, is perhaps the least preferred grip among teachers. However, this grip offers plenty of advantages. Many famous players, such as Beth Daniel, Art Wall Jr and Bob Estes have used the Ten Finger Grip. This grip is best suited for beginners as the steps are easy to comprehend and follow. People who suffer from joint pain, have weak hands or have arthritis usually benefit from the Ten Finger Grip.
For this grip, simply start off by adopting a perfect lead hand grip and then place the little finger of the trailing hand alongside the index finger of the lead hand. The lifeline of your trailing hand should cover the lead hand thumb.
If you are an enthusiastic golf player, you must have probably noticed how your golf clubs wear off, especially on the grip. If your grip is starting to appear loose and frayed, it is time to regrip it. Rest assured, you can always re-grip your golf clubs at home by using household supplies and items.
Simply follow these easy steps:
If you are not comfortable with cutting and gluing the grip on your own, you can visit your local golfsmith and have the job done at a nominal fee. Do not forget to wear gloves if you are following the DIY method.
Golf is among the most popular sports in the world. However, like other sports, it requires strenuous practice and dedication. After all, maintaining consistency in an 18-hole golf course is not easy. To perfect the sport, you will need to start by practicing your swing.
Here’s how you can practice your swing:
Now it is time for you to practice your swing. Start by trying out your backswing. For the backswing, you are supposed to lift your club from the starting position and bring it above your head. Shift your weight from the ball of your front foot to the back foot.
Keep these three steps in mind:
Now you will have to follow through with the downswing. Perform the downswing so the head of the club hauls down and lags behind everything else. Allow the 90o to increase and then relax through the impact area. This drastically increases clubhead speed while allowing you to maintain control.
Ensure the shaft is leaning forward towards the target during the moment of impact. Additionally, pay attention to directional control. Apart from your hands, use your lower body to create energy into the shot.
It does not matter how far back you take the club but whether you release it correctly or not.
After a long hard day of swinging, putting, chipping and perhaps even swearing at the golf course, your clubs will need a nice cleaning session. Cleaning your golf club the right way will not only ensure it lasts longer but might even improve your performance. Having dirt and debris on your equipment can negatively impact your performance on the course. To keep your clubs looking spotless, here's a guide on how to clean them properly :
To scrub your golf clubs new, you have to prepare a cleaning solution. Simply fill a bucket or the sink with a few inches of warm water. Ensure the water is not too hot or else it might damage your club. Next, pour a few drops of dishwashing soap and allow the solution to become soapy.
Do not simply submerge the entire golf club in the bucketful of water or in the sink. Instead, only soak the iron head. The iron head should be fully submerged in the water. Let it rest for about 2 minutes. The soapy detergent will soon start to loosen up any oils, dirt or mud.
Now it is time to clean the dirt out of the club head grooves. For this task, it is best you use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a wire club brush to extract the dirt easily. Additionally, brush the soles and sides of the club to get rid of lingering debris. Use gentle strokes as scrubbing the golf clubs too hard can result in scratches.
Once you are done with scrubbing and soaking the clubs, it is time for rinsing. Use lukewarm water to rinse the iron head to get rid of excess soap. Be careful not to get the other parts of the golf club wet in the process.
Excess moisture can damage your golf clubs, hence use a towel or soft rag to completely dry your golf clubs. Don’t forget to inspect the grooves of the club to ensure all the dirt and grime has been removed.
Use warm water to clean the grip on your clubs. Ensure you remove any dirt, grime or oil which may have been left behind. This dirt and debris can have a negative effect on your ability to grip the club. Additionally, inspect the grip to decide whether a replacement is needed. Now use a towel to gently dry your grip.
Before you put your golf club back in its proper spot, ensure it is properly clean and dry. Follow these easy steps to clean your golf clubs. Dirt and debris might hamper the performance of your golf clubs, hence it is essential you clean them every once in a while.
Hopefully, this guide has provided you ample information on how to purchase, properly use and take care of your golf clubs. To further enhance your skills, get as much practice as you can and perhaps invest in a home simulator so you can practice indoors as well.
Two-Way Putter - Left and Right Hand
Our Rating
Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge
Our Rating
Callaway Men's Strata Complete Golf Club Set
Our Rating