The ultimate goal for any golfer is to hit a series of balls that will lead to a game at par or below. Although that doesn't happen easily or often, most golfers still try hard to play a good game by using a variety of clubs to suit individual shots on the golf course green.
When you are at a favorite course playing a round of nine or eighteen holes, you will probably have some uncertainties about which club to use, especially if you are a novice to the game. Here are a few tips to help you over or around those initial hurdles of sand traps, ponds, and wooded areas. Obviously, every golfer will have his or her recommended method for driving the ball, so check with experts in your area or consider taking a few lessons to develop your own individual style.
1. Generally, the shorter the range of a particular shot, the higher the number of the club will be. For example, you may want to use a wood for a long drive across the green. Start with a wood or an iron to give you plenty of swing and a powerful hit. This will move the ball swiftly to the hole where you need to get it in the cup in as few strokes as possible.
2. Then, to get closer to the next cup or hole, you may have to take a shorter swing. This is the point at which you may want to use a 3- or 4-wood or iron, as these tend to offer more control and shorter thrust with direct drive. You can experiment with a two-headed club and shafts of varying lengths to get one with a grip that you are most comfortable with. Keep it in line with your height and stance for optimum focus on the ball.
3. A putter is used to do what its name implies--it putts the ball a short, measured distance away from an obstacle or into the hole. These come in a variety of styles that include a thick or small head, curvature or slim lines, and many other options that are designed to suit each golfer's preferences. You will want to practice with several putters to find out which works best with your style. In fact, many golfers keep different type of putters in their bag so they can use varying approaches to a bevy of shots during a game.
4. Shop for a set of clubs that will work with and not against your game style. There are many great names that manufacture golf equipment, many with their own signature clubs. Check out Websites for Cleveland, Nike, Ping, Taylormade, and Wilson, among others, and special clubs like the answer or the Big Bertha. Each of these offers a unique take on a golf swing or ball shot. If you're unable or unwilling to pay top retail price, consider getting a set of clone clubs that often provide similar qualities as the big names but at a fraction of the cost.
5. If you are a woman or a teenager who is interested in golf, look for a set of clubs that are made with you in mind. You don't have to settle for a man's clubs. Now you can shop for equipment that is designed to suit your special needs and skills. Shop at any local sports equipment store or browse online Websites to find out what is available in your age or gender group.
Whatever your level of expertise or interest in the game of golf, there is a club, or several, that is waiting to help you reach your best score yet. Whether you buy used, brand-name, or clone, look for a fit, grip, and swing that matches your personality and game style.
