March 2008
Monthly Archive
Fri 7 Mar 2008
When people hit the links for the first time, they have an idea of whether or not they are going to enjoy the challenge of the game of golf. However, before running out and plopping down several hundred dollars on the nest clubs that fit their budget, they may want to consider buying a golf club starter set until they know they want to continue with the sport. Although a spouse, neighbor or friend probably has a boat load of used clubs lying around the house, but trying to learn to play with clubs with old worn out grips is like learning to drive a car with no tires on the wheels.
In most cases, a golf club starter set can be bought for around $100 and if later you decide the game is too stressful for you, or not what you thought it was you can always save them for a younger relative who may have shown an interest in the game. At worst, a few years later you toss them out and you are out $100.
Typically, a golf club starter set will contain a driver and one fairway wood, a couple two or three mid range irons and a putter. Some may include a wedge and a cheap bag, but most contain five or six of the most commonly used clubs. If you are not happy with the clubs contained in a golf club starter set, you can also buy them one at a time and put together your own set.
Remember That Size Matters With Golf Clubs
Most of the golf club starter sets sold in discount stores will be less expensive than in a pro shop or sporting goods store, but they are made to accommodate the average person. If you are considerably taller, or shorter than average, putting together your own golf club starter set may be a better idea.
The length of the shaft is probably the most important consideration for someone just learning the game. Clubs that are too long may spend a lot of time buried in the turf. On the flip side a golf club starter set that is too short will find the head flying over the ball or topping it, burying it in the ground in front of the tee. Either way, the new golfer will quickly become exasperated with the game and walk away without really knowing if they enjoy it or not.
Wed 5 Mar 2008
Each golfer swings a little different than everyone else, from the backswing and downswing through the follow up and in order to play the best possible game of golf they are capable of playing they should have golf clubs to match their swing. Most manufacturers have specific golf club specifications from which golfers can choose and when they cannot find the one that meets their needs, they can always choose to have one custom made for their height, weight, arm length and body type.
All drivers for example, are looked at from three primary areas, the loft, length of the shaft and the face angle. The position at which the club face strikes the ball will help determine the loft recommended for each golfer with the golf club specifications on lofy varying as much as seven to 16-degrees. Club length on drivers is typically 45-inches and the face angles varies greatly by manufacturer, with some choosing not to consider it in the golf club specifications of the clubs they produce.
One of what many consider one of the more important golf club specifications for hitting the long ball is the swing weight. That is the full weight of the club head at the end of the downswing, when the head strikes the ball. A heavier swing weight is considered by many to provide a greater opportunity at a clean strike and appropriate follow through.
Irons And Putters Consistently Shorter
Just as many shorter golfers may have to have the shafts on drivers and fairway woods altered to fit their stature, taller golfers may have to find custom made putters, which are typically 36-inches from the factory as well and high irons and pitching wedges. For many the golf club specifications are for an average size population and those that do not fit the typical mold may have to have their clubs made for them or adjust their style to match the clubs they can find.
There are many terms associated with the golf club specifications that will usually only serve to confuse the average golfer looking for the right clubs. The flexibility of a club shaft may be important to some golfers, usually designated as low, medium and high, which measures how much the shaft bends when transitioning between the back swing and downswing, as well as at the point of impact. Most weekend golfers will have little clue about what many of the terms mean and their only knowledge of golf club specifications is if they can hit the ball long and straight, it works for them.
Mon 3 Mar 2008
If you want to improve your golf game it’s a good idea to understand the importance of flex regarding golf club shafts. Flex is basically the bending that occurs to the shaft when you create force while swinging the club.
The force that is applied to the golf club depends basically on how fast you swing the golf club and whether you have a smooth swing or if you have a jerking motion while swinging the golf club. In golfing there are basically five ratings that are applied to shaft flex which are extra stiff, stiff, regular, senior and ladies.
If you don’t have the golf club shafts that are best for your type of swing the clubface of the golf club will typically not be lined up properly when you strike the golf ball which will produce a golf shot that sends the ball somewhere that you did not intend for it to go. It’s important to realize that when choosing golf club shafts that flex is a vital factor. The flex of the club will be a factor regarding the accuracy of your golf shots, the trajectory as well as how far the ball will go.
Shaft Selection
While shopping for golf clubs it’s a good idea to work with a professional who can watch your swing and then recommend which type of golf club shafts will work best for you. Some experts suggest that if you hit the golf ball more than two hundred and fifty yards with a driver you might want to select a stiff shaft.
Golfers who hit the ball with the driver between two hundred and two hundred and thirty yards should select a golf club shaft that is rated as regular. Choose a shaft that has been rated senior if you hit the ball with the driver less than two hundred yards. The big hitters can choose a shaft that have been rated extra stiff.
Golf Swing
For golfers that have a smooth golf club swing they should choose softer flex golf club shafts. Golfers that have a jerky type of swing will benefit from a stiffer variety of a shaft. If you have clubs that have stiff shafts and you don’t use them properly you could end up hitting the golf ball lower and a shorter distance when compared to a shaft with a softer flex. If the shaft is not stiff enough the golf ball could go higher than you intended it to go. When selecting golf club shafts it’s important to choose clubs that are best for your type of swing.
Sat 1 Mar 2008
Did you know that it has been often claimed that golf is an acronym gentlemen only, ladies forbidden. Ours is the age of sexual equality and women empowerment. More and more women are playing sports that used to be only a man’s world.
Suddenly women have become an unsaturated market for sports and women’s sports apparel has come out a dime a dozen. In golf where men used to dominate Annika Sorenstam ushered the surge of recognition for women playing golf.
Now, there are women’s golf club sets, and women’s golf apparel. Golf enthusiasts know that the proper golf club sets can highly improve a person’s game. So now, let us see as to how we can find the best women’s golf club sets for you
Go to a Professional Golf Club Fitter
The best way to find the best women’s golf club sets is to do what men do, go to someone who knows what they’re doing. Go to a store that has a professional golf club fitter, someone who knows what they’re doing. Here are some ideas on what to ask your professional fitter about the right women’s golf club sets.
It is important to recognize your grip. Grip is determined by the size of your hands; it is the most inexpensive thing in a women’s golf club set. Grips have a tendency to harden, get slick, oxidize, and then loose their hold as time goes by. The grips that have their best grip are usually the one’s that loose their grips the fastest.
So to play it safe, buy the highest quality grip with a greater normal longevity, but not the most absolute highest grip factor. This way when you don’t change your grip regularly, you will still have good grips.
But it is recommended that you change your grip from time to time, it will have a positive effect on your game. Think of your women’s golf club sets like a car that needs oil change regularly, except that its grip needs to be changed every 3,000 rounds or six months.
Next thing to consider is length, the length of your women’s golf club sets is important both for comfort and swing momentum. Generally the longer the golf club the farther the ball will travel, but then it will be very difficult to control. So my advice especially for beginners is to find the right length that is proportionate to your height, and the distance between your wrist and the ground when in astride position.
Lastly consider the flex of your women’s golf club sets. Stiffer shafts are usually better for stronger hitting golfers, so go ahead and half the professional golf fitter asses the strength of your swing.
Being a woman playing golf does not mean paying for very expensive gold club sets. Expensive equipment does not equal better playing. It just means expensive, so do your research and go to a customer and wallet friendly store.
Sat 1 Mar 2008
While a few golfers will choose each club in their bag based on its reputation for making certain shots better than clubs from other manufacturers, most golfers will look for golf club sets that offer them the best way to complete their game in competitive fashion. Not only will they generally be able to pick up golf club sets that every club they will most likely use on the course, it makes them look like they know what they are doing, regardless of their skill level.
One of the key advantages of using golf club sets is that the swing mechanics will generally be consistent, regardless of the club being used. The weight, feel and balance of the individual woods and irons will be similar, unlike many of the original hickory shafted clubs that felt different due to the qualities of the wood shafts. Regardless of the manufacturer or the price of the golf club sets, the swing will feel the same for every club in the bag.
When the golfer can take consistency into every swing, they can perfect their balance and take their game to the next higher level. With every club constructed with the same materials as opposed to buying them one at a time from different makers, golf club sets will also have the same style of grips for even more consistency in the swing.
Buying One At A Time Rarely Completes A Set
When golfers opt to buy one club at a time instead of golf club sets, they will typically never complete the set. Many golfer might choose to replace their woods one year, planning to replace the irons in the future, but most times the future never comes and by the time they are ready to buy their new irons, the woods also need replaced and they start the same dream over again.
It is also usual for golfers to receive golf club sets as a gift from a spouse or children on a special holiday and since the gift giver has no idea which clubs they may want, they simply purchase complete golf club sets, including the bag, to make a better impression on the recipient.
Price is also a consideration for buying golf club sets, as the cost of a complete set bought together is usually lower than each individual club was purchased separately. Even the same manufacturer will typically charge more for single clubs than they charge for the same golf club sets.
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