Components of a Golf Club Set
The Basics of What's in a Typical Golfers Bag
For a new golfer, it isn't easy to decide which club to hit. Read on and learn the different types of golf clubs, when to use them and when to leave them in the bag.
As most golfers know, there's a right time for every club, but golfers new to the game may not know the various types of clubs that make up a golf club set. Starting with the biggest and working to the smallest, here is a description of the golf club set.
The Driver
The golf driver is most often used from the tee on par-4 and par-5 holes. The lower-lofted driver is rarely used from the fairway, even though its added distance would be useful. The lower loft makes hitting from the ground a difficult task for anyone. The driver is the most electrifying club in the bag, not only because it hits the ball farther than the other clubs, but also because watching the golf ball in flight is more gratifying and thrilling than most other things in sport.
Oversized. Many of today's drivers can only be characterized as absolutely huge. The size of these drivers can go up to 460 cubic centimeters (460 cc). They have huge club faces with little or no grooves, which limits spin and, for novice golfers, improves control of the golf ball. They are much easier to hit that their normal-sized ancestors.
The Woods
Although they are no longer made from wood, the name hasn't changed. Golf woods are the longest golf clubs and mostly used for long shots. They have large club heads that are somewhat spherical in shape with a slightly bulging club face and a flattened sole that slides over the ground without digging in during the swing. Today, the 3 and 5 woods are most commonly used, with 2, 4, 7 and 9 woods used less often, are referred to as fairway woods. They feature a shallower face height and increased loft, which enables players to hit them off the turf. The driver can be hit from the turf, but a high level of skill is required to execute the shot correctly. The risk usually exceeds the reward for doing so.
The Irons
Golf Irons are used for shorter shots than woods, usually shots from the fairway or rough, approaching the greens. Irons are the most versatile clubs in the bag, allowing advanced players to hit a variety of different shots with the same club. Irons usually range from numbers 1 to 9, with lower numbered irons having lower lofts. The higher the loft, the closer to the green they should be used. As a very general guide, a typical player may use a 7-iron approximately 150 yards from the hole, an 8-iron from 140 yards, 9-iron from 130 yards, and so on.
Types of Irons:
- Forged Irons: Also known as "Blades." Forged irons are often made of softer metal and possibly an exterior chrome plating. Advanced and more experienced players prefer these type of clubs for greater spin and control of the ball.
- Cast Irons: These clubs are also known as 'Cavity Backs' and are geared toward beginners or mid- to high-handicappers. They can be identified by their cavity back on the opposite side of the club face. Such golf clubs are usually cast from a mold of harder metals then bladed clubs.
- Hybrids: Hybrids are a combination of irons and woods. They typically replace longer, harder to hit irons. Some full iron sets are hybrids. They consist of full-cavity backed long irons, half or partial cavity backed mid irons, and classic blade style short irons and wedges. Hybrid offer golfers new choices to help improve their game.
Wedges
Wedges are specialized irons. Wedges feature the shortest shafts and highest lofts of any golf clubs. In fact, wedges are often identified by their loft rather than their name.
- Pitching wedge: This club will usually come with your set when it is purchased. The loft on these clubs are found to be between 46 and 50 degrees.
- Gap wedge: This club can be purchased separately from any online retailer and comes in many different varieties. The loft on these clubs is usually found to be between 51 and 54 degrees.
- Sand wedge: This club may come with your set when it is purchased. The loft on these clubs is normally found between 55 and 59 degrees.
- Lob wedge: This club can be purchased separately from any online retailer and comes in many different varieties. The loft on these clubs are normally found to be between 60 and 64 degrees.
The Putter
The putter is the most-used golf club in the bag. Think about it: If it takes you two putts per green, you'll use your putter 36 times during a round of golf. Putters have a very low loft and often a short shaft, designed to 'push' and roll the ball rather than hitting it up into the air. They are used to play the ball on the green, but may occasionally be useful for playing some approach shots on courses with tightly mown fringe and fairways. Make friends with the putter (practice, practice) and it will serve well.
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