So, you’ve decided that golf is the game for you and now you need to choose which clubs to buy. You take a trip to your local golf superstore or pro-shop, and wow, there are a lot to choose from! Perhaps you should buy the set that’s on offer, or the brand that Rory McIlroy uses? Carbon shafts look good, and what about that new driver you keep seeing adverts for on TV? Wow, how much?!!
The good news is that choosing the right set of clubs for you, ones that will help you maximise YOUR game, and ensure you enjoy playing, need not be confusing or indeed expensive. Here’s our guide on choosing the right clubs for you.
Are all golf clubs the same?
Of course, golf clubs are not all the same, but it’s worth considering the many ways in which they differ, as it’s far more than just the style, brand, and cost. Here are four key factors that make golf clubs different, and things you need to consider when selecting the right clubs for you.
- Grips: Just as people have different sized hands, clubs have different sized grips. Try out a few clubs with thinner and thick grips and see which you get on with. The correct sized grip will allow you to gently hold the club in your left hand (if you are right-handed) and your middle and ring finger should just touch the pad of your hand. Too much gap and the grip is too big, too much overlap and the grip is too small. The good news is that grips can easily be changed for ones of different sizes.
- Shafts: There are three things to consider with shafts; the length, stiffness, and construction materials. Golfers who are significantly taller or shorter than normal, may need longer or shorter shafts, though the vast majority of people will be able to use regular length clubs. Likewise for stiffness, where ‘regular’ is the correct decision for many players. Very athletic golfers with a fast swing might benefit from stiffer shafts, and senior players may get more from flexible shafts. If you think that might be you, try a few different types out at the driving range and see how you get on. In terms of materials, for irons the choice is graphite versus steel, and this comes down to how they feel when you hit them. Graphite sounds nice, but modern steel shafts can be just as good. There are clubs designed specifically for junior and women golfers too.
- Lofts: Loft is simply the angle of the hitting face of the club. A relatively low loft club, such as a 3 iron, might have a loft of around 19–21 degrees, which should make the ball go further than one with a higher loft, such as a 7 iron (27-31 degrees) or pitching wedge (42 to 47). Don’t get hung up about how far you can hit a ball with a certain club, compared to other players, your 7 iron may have an identical loft to another player’s 8 iron!
- Club-head design: Whilst the fancy styling of clubs probably doesn’t make a difference, the overall size and shape of the club head does. Many manufacturers offer standard, midsize, and oversized heads for their irons, and the larger the head, the larger the sweet spot, and the easier it should be to use. For irons, “cavity-back” or peripheral weighted irons also help most players. Avoid ‘blade’ designs, which lack this feature, until you are very good at golf indeed!
Woods vs Hybrids vs Irons
If you are a less experienced player choosing a first set, then it’s important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of different types of clubs.
Woods, such as a driver, or fairway woods, hit the ball further than irons and hybrids, but can be more difficult to control. Often, they are used for the tee shot. Many club players use a 3 wood, rather than a driver, as having a shorter shaft, they are easier to control.
Irons are primarily used for shorter shots and getting the ball on the green. In general, the greater the loft, the easier it is to hit the ball. Beginners may be best to stay away from the harder to control longer irons, such as 3, 4, or 5 irons.
Hybrids combine the best of both worlds, making it easier to hit longer shots. Many club golfers use hybrids to replace their longer irons. Virtually all golfers will have one or two hybrids in their bag, sometimes more!
Wedges and Specialist clubs
There are some specialist clubs too, such as wedges, driving irons and chippers. Most players should carry a sand wedge, to help them get out of bunkers, and a wedge to use from the fairway. The greater the loft, the more spin and height you can create, which is a vital attribute near to the green. Spend some time finding out which loft of wedge will allow you to hit forty- or sixty-yard shots. Your score will thank you!
Putters
Your putter is arguably the most important club in the bag. It’s certainly the one you will use the most. Spend some time trying different styles out. Some people prefer a heavier mallet head, some a lighter and more traditional blade. A good putter can last you a life-time, so it’s worth spending some time and money to find one that works for you!
Try lots of different clubs before you decide!
If all that seems a lot to take in, then the advice is simple, try and play with as many different clubs as you can, and see which you get on with. Friends may have a spare set of clubs you can take to the driving range, or even let you try out their clubs. Once you have found a club you like, take a note of things like the grip size, shaft length, stiffness, and club head style, and try others that are similar. And don’t worry if you prefer one make of irons, another make of hybrids and a third brand for your driver. That’s perfectly normal!
Mix and Match Half-set verses the Complete Big Bag
It can be tempting to buy a ready-to-go starter set of 14 clubs and a bag, but often you are not getting the best value for money. Many players start by building up a ‘half’ set of 7 or eight clubs, which they can add to as they improve. Such a set might involve a 7 iron, 9 iron and sand wedge, a couple of hybrid clubs, a 3 wood (or driver) and a putter. As you improve, you will start to discover which type of clubs suit your game, and you can add more of them to your bag.
Where to buy your clubs from?
Once you have decided on the style of clubs that suit you best, you need to find a cost-effective way of putting your set together. At CashForeClubs we sell second-hand clubs, checked by a qualified PGA professional, that come with a 30-day money back guarantee. This means you can create a bespoke set of clubs that meet your needs, and that can change as your golf improves. Your perfect bag is just three steps away!
STEP 1: Find the used golf clubs you like, add them to your cart (use our advanced club search or build a bag feature to help find your perfect clubs)
STEP 2: Pay in full, or choose one of our flexible payment options.
STEP 3: Enjoy your new golf clubs, with the reassurance of a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Use our new wish list feature! And remember, as your game evolves you can always trade your old clubs in, ready to upgrade your set! Good luck, and have a great round!
