How to choose golf clubs?
Fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters: there are so many types of golf clubs to choose from! Follow our guide and find out which club to select for which type of game.
Woods
Woods are usually used for hitting long distances off a tee or on the fairway. As their name indicates, these clubs were once made of wood. You may recognize them by their large heads. The driver is the largest club that you’ll find in a golf bag. It’s used to hit from a tee. Golf clubs come in four sizes: 3, 5, 7, and 9.
The further back the golf club’s weight is located, the easier and more powerful your tee-off will be. A golf club whose weight is distributed along the sides will remain stable at the moment of impact, even during off-centre shots. A low centre of gravity will send the ball higher.
Iron sets
Irons are used for hitting shorter distances and when approaching the green. In fact, most shots are made with this universal type of golf club.
These days, most sets range from a 5-iron to a pitching wedge. The 3- and 4-irons can be ordered separately from most brands. The lower the number, the further the ball will go. A club head with a wide sole will help you hit the ball higher and produce excellent results. A narrower sole will result in shorter, more precise trajectories.
To get better results, go for an offset iron. Offset refers to the angle of the club in relation to the shaft. You can use this angle to limit unwanted spin. With the right iron, golfers can keep their hands above the club’s face at impact, which increases the probability that the ball will roll further after landing.
For more power, choose an iron with a lower centre of gravity. If you’re looking for more precision, choose an iron with a higher centre of gravity.
Hybrids
Hybrid golf clubs combine the characteristics of irons and woods. This type of club is easy to play with and can replace long irons (1, 2, and 3). They’re primarily used for getting the ball out of the rough, and when using an iron isn’t practical. Hybrids are also known as “rescues” because they can get you out of difficult spots. A hybrid club will have the characteristics of a wood (5 or 7) and a long iron (1 to 4) but have the same weight distribution for extremely precise shots and optimal results. In other words, hybrid clubs are easier to use in more complex conditions, or if you are a less experienced player.
Wedges
Wedges (short, angled clubs) are mostly used for short shots and bunker shots. With a wedge, you achieve short, high hits.
There are three types of wedges:
52° gap wedge: Created to compensate for the large difference between the sand wedge and pitching wedge.
56° sand wedge: Standard opening. Specially designed for getting out of the bunker and hitting shorter shots.
60° lob wedge: This club sends the ball very high so it doesn’t roll too much upon landing.
Putters
These clubs are used to roll the ball on the green. Their weights vary. The slower the green, the wider the putter should be.
A standard putter’s weight is distributed along its sides. It delivers optimal off-centre shots. The club head’s angle in relation to the putting line allows you to hit with more precision.
Mallet putters and oversized mallets have larger heads. The optimal weight distribution along the curved portions of their heads make them perfect for slower shots. Plus, their head size facilitates a naturally balanced movement.
Putter heads may contain flexible material to improve grip. They also have a guide to help line up your shot.
