Choosing the Right Golf Clubs
Are those new Callaway Fusion’s right for your game?
Choose your golf club purchases wisely based upon these factors: your body, your game, your swing and your preference. Your scores will drop as a result.
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer are all golf legends and all struggled to find the right clubs when they started playing golf. So, as far as buying the correct golf clubs goes, don’t think you’re alone in your inability to make a decision. It shouldn’t be made at hastily. Purchase your equipment based on these factors: your body, your game, your swing and your preference.
There are dozens of manufacturers, tons of club models, shafts, club-heads, grips and the list goes on. For example, in 2006, including their women’s clubs, Callaway Golf manufactured ten different iron sets, ten drivers, and eight fairway wood models. That is a lot from which to choose, especially if you don’t know what you should be considering.
Let’s take a look at a fictional golfer. John "Tiger Woods" Smith is looking for a new iron set. He carries a 20-handicap, he is 5'11 tall and has a medium build. His swing speed with a driver is generally around 85 mph. He plays a couple of rounds per week, usually on the weekend. John is an average guy and average golfer. Tiger Woods is obviously his favorite player, thus the nickname. When The Golf Channel last checked what was in Tiger’s bag, he was playing the Nike Blade irons. A more beautiful, sleek set of irons would be difficult to find and John thinks he must have them; however, they are not right for John.
The Nike Blade irons are not made with the average golfer in mind. They are made for a low-handicapper who plays regularly. A forged club, such as the Nike Blade’s, has a smaller sweet-spot and is much more difficult to hit. If John purchased these clubs, he would not be happy on the course.
For John’s game, a game-improvement set would be a better choice and achieve better results. "Game improvement" is not a negative connotation. After all, many professionals use them. It simply means they are built to last and they are often easier to use. A larger club-face, perimeter weighting, and thicker top-line and sole, among other factors, contribute to their ease of use.
Since our fictional golfer has an average swing speed of 85 mph, the type and flexibility of the club shafts is also a big consideration. Since Tiger Woods has a typical swing speed approximating 120 mph, he would use an extra-stiff shaft. Since John’s speed is within the average range, he would need a different flex. Although he may want the same shaft as Tiger, he needs a shaft with an average flex, most often termed as "Regular." Depending on the manufacturer, shaft stiffness usually goes from regular, to firm or stiff, to extra-stiff. Most manufacturers also produce Senior’s and Women’s shaft flexes, as well.
With so many club models and types available, aesthetics is a valid consideration. To many golfers, the look of the club is as important as a correct technical fit. Since John seems to prefer the classic look of the Nike Blade clubs, he may want to look at, for example, the Nike Pro Combo Tour irons, the Callaway Golf X-20 irons, or the Titleist Forged 735 CM irons. All three offer increased playability while retaining much of the classic look and feel. There are tons of others that fit the same description.
Another thing to remember is that a golfer should not buy a set of clubs based on their price. An $800 or $900 price tag for a set of irons, or $400 for a driver, does not mean they are the best clubs. Likewise, if you buy the cheapest club or clubs, you will often, as they say, "get what you pay for." Often, beginning and experienced golfers alike will be duped into buying replicas of popular brands at a fraction of the price. They may look like the famous brand, but that is the extent of their value. Many years and millions of dollars have gone into the development and production of all clubs produced by the major manufacturers. A "knock-off" company simply can’t match their level of performance.
Many retailers and manufacturers offer custom club-fitting. Take advantage of those services. Find the clubs that fit you and your preferences and, as much as possible, don’t even consider the cost. Your game will improve.
For some of this year's hottest clubs and equipment unveiled at the PGA Merchandise Show in January, read New Golf Equipment.
