Buyers Guide: Equipment Every Golfer Needs

Every golfer aspires to get great shots and perfect scores. On top of the routines a golfer has to perfect, he has to have the right equipment. The thing is, there are quite a number of choices and an abundance of equipment available in the many stores. Some stores have good name brands like Callaway, Ashworth or Footjoy. Some stores carry generic unknown brands, but are equally useful. Choosing the right one is even harder for a golfer to do. Choosing the wrong ones will affect a golfer’s game scores. So a player must make an informed decision before buying his golfing equipment

A player needs to have the following:

Drivers

Utility Clubs

Irons

Wedges

Putters

Bags and Balls

Apparel

There are basically three levels of player handicaps on which a golfer can base his decision when buying the right equipment: low-handicap, mid-handicap and high-handicap.

Below are the descriptions:

Golf Equipment for Low-Handicap Golfer

A player who maintains a single digit handicap and scores less than ten over par is considered a low-handicap golfer. For this type of player, the following is recommended:

Driver: A low-handicap golfer needs just one fairway wood, preferably a 3-wood

Iron: Irons lower than a 3-iron is recommended for a low-handicap player and will greatly benefit from it. Those higher than a 3-iron may become difficult to hit. But if control is not a problem, then it should be acceptable to include them in the bag.

Wedges: Wedges have to be at least 3 — for pitching and sand wedging. The third can be used for approach wedging or low wedging.

Golf Equipment for Mid-Handicap Golfer

A player who is able to score below one over par in every hole (bogey golf) and whose handicap ranges from 11-20 is considered a mid-handicap golfer. For this type of player, the following is recommended:

Drivers: A mid-handicap player can choose between a 3-wood, 5-wood or a 7-wood and possibly even a 9-wood.

Iron: Any iron between 3 and 9 can work for a player with mid-handicap

Wedges: Similar to a low-handicap player, wedges have to be at least 3 — for pitching and sand wedging. The third can be used for approach wedging or low wedging.

Golf Equipment for the High-Handicap Golfer

A player who just started with golf or has not found the time to practice and get better is considered a high-handicap golfer. His shots go over and above 100 in one whole round of golfing. For this type of player, the following is recommended:

Drive: Driving may not even be a priority to a golfer with a high-handicap.

Iron: A 3-wood is recommended for tees; also a 7-wood or 9-wood, as they are easier to hit and control.

Wedges: Wedges have to be at least 3 — for pitching and sand wedging. The third can be used for approach wedging or low wedging.

Kinds of Clubs

Shafts and club heads come in all designs and composition. A golfer has to find its perfect match in order to play a good game of golf. Below are some descriptions of the different clubs a player must be able to distinguish from:

Shaft

The shaft usually comes in two kinds of materials — graphite and steel.

Steel shafts offer more durability and are more affordable than graphite shafts. It also provides better control but must need a faster swing per shot. Steel shafts are good for players who have stronger grip and handling.

Graphite shafts on the other hand are lighter, much more expensive and less durable. It does offer more power per hit, but it is rather difficult to control.

Flex

Flex pertains to the bending of a shaft. A player’s flex must be able to match with the speed of his or her swing. Beginners could well use a more flexible shaft since they have to master their swings first. A player with an average swing of 75 to 90 mph could benefit from regular shafts. Those with powerful swings must have a stiff iron for better control.

Shafts also come in uniflex types that should fit any kind of golfer’s swings.

Kinds of Wood

A golfer can choose a variety of wood to suit his skills. Wood comes in two types of materials — stainless steel and titanium. A stainless steel is less expensive but a lot heavier than the titanium kind.

Sizes:

Standard: 150-155 cu cm

Midsize: 195 cu cm

Oversized: 250 cu cm

Kind of Irons

There are two kinds of iron a golfer needs to be familiar with — cast iron and forged iron. Below are its characteristics:

Cast Iron

Its construction is also known as perimeter weighted iron or cavity back iron

Its head weight is found outside of the head

It has more weight on the border of the club face

It is recommended for beginners as they would benefit from cavity back irons

Forged Irons

It does not have weight at the club head’s back

Gravity is at the center of the club head

Its sweet spots offer more control for those with lower handicaps

It is recommended for seasoned players who consistently strike from the center of the club