There is no doubt that one of the main concerns of any golfer, whatever their level: beginner, intermediate or expert, is the right choice of golf clubs.
We are all aware that only with clubs that adapt to our physical and playing characteristics can we achieve all the goals we set ourselves every time we go out to the course: increase the distance, perfect the swing, hit the ball better… among others.
That is the reason why I decided to give you some directions on how to choose the right golf clubs for you.
It is undoubtedly an important decision, since not all of us can afford to change clubs every few years, so everything that can help us make the right decision will be welcome.
Below we try to give you a summary of the most important points we think you should consider when buying your next golf clubs.
How do I choose the right golf clubs for me?
The first thing to keep in mind is that clubs are undoubtedly a great help to improve our game, but they are not “miraculous”; to improve results you have to practice.
Even if you have the best clubs, only practice and perseverance will allow us to develop and achieve the goals we have set for ourselves.
That said, there is no doubt that, especially for beginners, having the right clubs for your game and your characteristics is a fundamental support.
The first doubt when we start playing is whether or not to get a set of custom clubs, is it worth it for someone who is just starting out?
Of course there is no single and exclusive answer for all cases; many think that investing in such clubs for a beginner may be “excessive”, however we do not believe that this is true in 100% of cases.
And the fact is that, when someone is starting in golf, having the right equipment that adapts to your characteristics can greatly contribute to your evolution; and the more you evolve the more you “get hooked”, and the more you get hooked the more you practice and the more you practice, the more you improve.
That said, we summarize below the main factors that we believe can help you in the selection of golf clubs:
- The height: this is undoubtedly the first thing to keep in mind. If you are 1.90 m tall, you cannot buy a standard set of clubs, it would be a big mistake; but if, on the other hand, you are 1.60 m tall, you cannot choose a club that is too long. At this point, it’s just common sense. Remember that the priority is to feel comfortable; a golfer cannot compete with a size 48 if he wears a size 40, even if he is the fastest.
- Determining the speed of your swing is essential, because with this information you will be able to determine the level of hardness that your ideal shaft should have. This way you will be able to be aware of the distance you achieve with your golf clubs. But do not be overwhelmed, speed is undoubtedly a factor that is trained and improved over time and only with practice you will determine if you are consistent with the strokes.
- Another factor that is intertwined with the previous point is the speed of the ball, referring to the type of shaft, you can hit at a certain speed. But it is not the same to hit it in the center of the face than in the heel of the face. If this happens, much of the speed will be lost, so it is important that you choose the right type of club face. Today there are many brands that handle excellent innovative technologies to support you in this blow and to be able to break your distance.
- The fusion between the speed of the shaft in conjunction with the speed of the ball, gives rise to the Smash Factor. This occurs with the right club and the right size combined with a lot of practice. It exists only when the shot is hit all the way down the center. If you have chosen well, taking into account the above factors, getting a Smash Factor is simply a matter of time.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Your Golf Clubs
Before buying your golf clubs, regardless of whether it is your first or second set, you should invest the necessary time to be well informed.
You should be very clear about the level of play you have at the time you are going to make the purchase, it is useless to lie to yourself, you have to be realistic and as critical as possible.
You should also be very clear about your goals in this sport, where you want to “aim” in golf as an athlete: are you just looking to have fun, do you want to improve your handicap, do you want to go to tournaments.
Then you must go to the detailed analysis of the clubs that exist at that time in the market, trying to make a thorough comparison to determine the technologies, types of shafts and their function in each stroke.
If you are clear about your objectives and what each of the technologies advertised by the brands offers you, you will be able to “match” one thing with the other, to determine which clubs are the most suitable for you.
Here is a summary of what we consider to be the main mistakes made when choosing golf clubs:
- Compulsive buying is one of the main causes that will limit your development as a player, never get carried away by “I need it right now”, or “these look cool”, or “they are fashionable”. Try to make the decision in the most reasoned and critical way possible.
- Buying a specific brand of clubs because everyone uses the same ones. This is a common mistake: getting carried away by what we see others doing. However, it is important to keep in mind that there is a lot of diversity and that what works very well for your partner does not necessarily have to be good for you, each player has his own characteristics.
- Opting for the cheapest or the most expensive. Another mistake, there are people who consider that the most expensive is the best and it will not necessarily be the best for you. It is also true that it should be adapted to each person’s pocket, but price should not be a determining factor.
- Buying without trying the material is another mistake, you should feel the movement and determine if you are really comfortable using it.
Performing a golf fitting
The golf fitting is a personalized analysis of your physical characteristics and your game, it must be done by a professional who is able to correctly analyze each of these conditions in order to establish a clear and accurate “diagnosis” of which clubs are best suited to you.
It is undoubtedly the most accurate and correct way to be clear about the characteristics of the clubs that can help you improve and therefore, we always recommend a golf fitting before changing any club, whether you need a new driver or if you want to modify the entire set of irons.
A good fitting should be personalized, the professional should dedicate all the time you need and you should be able to try different clubs and brands. It is advisable that during the fitting you also play with your clubs, so you can appreciate the difference.
If you opt for Indoor Fitting, you run the risk that the results are not entirely accurate, since the data are handled with algorithms and mathematical calculations to make estimates on the strokes made.
That is why we always recommend a fitting carried out on the golf course, which has nothing to do with a club test in a store. Being able to test clubs on the course, in “real” is the only true way to experience the sensations transmitted by the clubs.
Practice Journal
Having a practice log is ideal for keeping track of your values for each stroke and each shaft.
If you are meticulous, this will allow you to have all the information you need to determine the weight of the shaft or the type of face you need, or even help you determine if you need to have all the clubs to achieve your goals.
All this data will also be of great help if you are going to make a fitting. You should try to keep the following data under control:
- Dispersion with the driver.
- Complete distance gapping.
- Swing speed of each club.
- Identify what do you want to improve? For example, the angles of attack or improve the stroke in the center of the face.
