Choosing Golf Clubs

There are many things to consider when choosing golf clubs for the first time. How much do you want to spend? How often will you be golfing and where? What materials do you prefer? What is your skill level? Do you want new or used clubs? All of these questions will help you determine where to shop and what to look for to ensure that you end up with a set of golf clubs that fits your golf style and budget.

Materials
As opposed to forged iron clubs, cast irons usually have a cavity back construction. They are sometimes called perimeter weighted irons because most of the club head weight is on the outside. Cast iron clubs tend to have a larger sweet spot, or area for a good hit. Beginners who tend to miss-hit the ball more often would benefit from cavity back/perimeter weighted irons because they are more forgiving of poor swings and off center shots.

Cast iron, as a material, is typically more durable than stainless steel and provides greater consistency of quality. Titanium is much lighter than either cast iron or stainless steel, which allows for larger clubheads and thus a larger sweet spot. But the material is more expensive as well. These are all factors to consider when choosing golf clubs.

You will also need to decide between steel or graphite shafts. Graphite is the newer of the two materials and was created to improve shaft flexibility and make for a lighter club as well. Swing speed and distance are increased, but the greater flexibility in the shaft requires extra control and expertise to maintain accuracy. Graphite shafts can be customized for your swing and build more easily, but they are less durable and more expensive.

There are often trade offs of this sort that need to be considered when choosing golf clubs. And advertising tactics can make it even more confusing by touting the newest materials and technologies as the best thing going, regardless of the needs of the individual golfer. If you are a stronger player with a faster swing, steel clubs may be a better choice despite all the hype over graphite.

Deciding On a Manufacturer
Once you have decided on materials, you may want to decide if you have a preference for a certain manufacturer, such as Ping, Wilson, Cobra, Titleist, or other top club makers that have become household names. Each brand claims to have its own unique advantages, and certain pros seem to swear by this brand or that one. But that may have more to do with sponsorship and gifts of clubs than actual differences in quality or playability. Nevertheless, if you have a club that you have researched or feel an affinity toward, give it a try. All the top manufacturers provide choices between different types of materials and special design features, and some even include utility golf club sets. At the very least, if you go with your favorite brand, you’ll satisfy your curiosity and you’ll get a first hand opinion on which to base future club purchases.

The Price You Pay
Prices for new golf clubs vary greatly depending on the manufacturer, whether or not you purchase discount clubs, what part of the country you live in and even what time of year you buy. When choosing golf clubs for the first time, the best bet is to determine what you can afford and see if you can find quality clubs that fall within your budget. You should expect to spend several hundred dollars for a basic set of name brand clubs. Higher quality sets can cost over $1000. Discount clubs sell for less, but you need to be sure you know what you’re buying. Many golfers have started out in the sport and quickly come to the conclusion that they didn’t have the skills or that the game was too difficult, when really the problem was a poor set of clubs or incorrect fit.

It is often best to start with a good, but basic set of clubs that don’t have a lot of fancy features to interfere with your assessment of the game or your skills. Perhaps after playing for awhile, you will decide that you are ready for more advanced clubs, and you can likely sell your clubs to another beginner who is just getting a feel for the game.

Buying Online, In Person or From a Catalog
Thanks to the amazing resources available through the Internet, golfers now have the added option of buying golf clubs online. You will need to research different clubs and be knowledgeable enough to determine which set is right for you. Or you will need to find a store or pro shop that you trust. Most experts recommend going in person the first time you purchase clubs because if you chose a good store, you will get the in person assistance and experience of a sales representative who can help with a professional fit. This typically includes and analysis of your size, swing and playing habits as well as answers to any questions you might have about the clubs.

Buying New or Used
Budget is probably the biggest reason new golfers go with a used set when choosing golf clubs. But even those who can afford a new set realize that it might not be a good idea to fork out the big bucks for the new clubs until they are certain their interest in golf is not just a passing fancy. There are so many places selling used golf clubs these days that an Internet search will turn up many options right in your neighborhood or online. If you know what kind of materials you want and how much you are willing to spend, it is not difficult to find a set of used clubs to fit your needs and golf style.

There are many factors to consider when choosing golf clubs. All the advertisements and new advances in golf technology can make buying new clubs an overwhelming experience, especially when the cost of new clubs often means that a poor choice is also a costly mistake. In the end, some people get so intimidated by the wealth of options out there that they buy the first set they come across or give up altogether. But choosing golf clubs can be a fun and exciting experience if you take some time to research your options and consider different aspects about yourself and your golf game that will help pinpoint the right clubs for you.