Utility Golf Clubs

Utility golf clubs, also known as rescue clubs or hybrid clubs, have been around since the King Cobra Baffler debuted over 30 years ago. But it is only recently that the utility club industry has started to gain serious attention. More and more golf club manufacturers and getting into the market as amateur golfers and pros alike have begun to see the benefits of the specially crafted clubs.

By combining elements of both woods and irons, utility golf clubs are designed to address certain situations on the golf course, like a shot with a length or lie that doesn’t fit the average club selection. They are used when in a trouble spot, such as a sand trap or thick, tall rough. And utility golf clubs are also used to replace standard clubs that are difficult to hit or to address common problems golfers have such as lack of loft and accuracy.

Two Types Of Utility Clubs
There are generally two types of utility golf clubs, the metal woods and metal irons. Metal woods, or utility woods, are the most common type of utility golf clubs produced. These clubs have higher lofts, smaller club heads and weighted soles to create a lower center of gravity. The result is that the player is able to get the shot up in the air higher and more quickly. A #7, 9 or even an 11 wood can be an ideal club to help hit out of a bad lie and still get some distance and accuracy. A metal wood also hugs the ground better than a long iron, so is often easier to hit from hard surfaces or even the middle of the fairway.

The iron woods, or utility irons, are similar to your long irons but also have the power of the wood. These utility golf clubs have a shorter shaft, which makes them much more forgiving than your long irons. They can be played from just about anywhere on the golf course when you need distance and accuracy.

Where To Find Them
Most major golf club manufacturers, including King Cobra, Adams, TaylorMade, Ben Hogan, and La Jolla, offer a selection of utility golf clubs. There is even a brand of utility golf clubs called The Perfect Club, which specializes in utility clubs. Manufacturers typically offer utility clubs in both right and left-handed designs, ensuring that all golfers have access to the advantages provided by these specially designed clubs.

The USGA Rules of Golf allow a player to carry 14 clubs. Many golfers are finding that one utility club can adapt to many different situations, thus taking the place of several other traditional clubs. You can buy complete sets of new golf clubs where utility clubs are substituted for long irons. Rather than getting 3-iron through PW, these sets include two utility clubs and 5-iron through PW. You can also buy utility clubs individually. They are a bit more pricey than traditional clubs but many golfers find that the flexibility and better scores that utility golf clubs bring to their game more than justify the cost. Maybe it’s time you tried out these clubs for your self.