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If you are a golfer or desire to be the one it’s pointless to say- you need the perfect set of clubs to hit the nail on the head on the golf course. Irrespective of where you stand on the podium of golfing skills, you always want to enter the golf course with the right set of clubs hanging on your shoulder.
You might think it would be the best idea to buy the same set of clubs your favorite golfer brought into the tournament that had helped him to win the tournament. Right?
Wrong!
You should never select the golf clubs in a snap. No matter whether you are buying a single club or a set, you must not make up your mind so early. Another problem with this approach is the kind of golf club set a Pro uses is a lot different from the one that a beginner should use.
Because you know, the selection of the right clubs involves a lot of research and understanding of your own needs. Rather than opting for the one that is working for someone else.
Unfortunately, with the presence of a sheer volume of golf clubs from different brands, the decision of choosing the right club becomes hard. And, you can’t buy the same club of multiple brands just for experimentation because of budget constraints obviously.
To help you out in Choosing the Best Golf Club You Should buy; I independently did research and have found some crucial information that will help you find the answer to, “Which Golf Club Should I Buy in 2021?”
Golf Club Buying Guide 2021
Choosing the best golf club demands focusing on some significantly important factors. You cannot ignore them. After all, you want to hold the right clubs in your hand. So, without wasting our time on the less important things let’s directly throw the light on the things that are more important.
How to Choose the Right Golf Club?
The Process of Knowing What Golf Clubs to Buy Involves the Following Steps:
- Know Your Handicap
- Know the Clubs
- Know the Number of Each Club You Need
- Know the Shaft Length
- Take Experts’ Advice
- Know Your Budget
Now the time is to understand each of these factors to great lengths.
#1. Know Your Handicap
The first step to choose the golf club is to know your handicap. In simple words, your skill level. Naturally, if you are still a small baby in golf you can’t control the clubs like a pro. It’s almost impossible.
On the contrary, a scratch golfer wouldn’t get the intended distance and height from standard clubs. So, the gist is you need to focus on your handicap before selecting the golf clubs.
How to Choose Golf Clubs as a Beginner?
Imagine yourself as a kindergarten student. When you start learning writing; you can’t use the pen straight out. Instead, you first learn to move your muscles in a controlled motion to get the desired shape of the alphabet.
Likewise in golf, when you start playing your muscles are not ready to swing in a controlled manner and with the same force as a scratch golfer. So, your first target would be to train your muscles to adapt to golf needs.
At this stage, I advise you, start with either cheap golf clubs or buy used ones. After, playing a reasonable number of rounds and spending a lot of time on the course you’ll develop an understanding of the game, the clubs, and your own strengths and weaknesses. Now, this is the time to upgrade your golf club set.
How to Choose Golf Clubs as an Intermediate Golfer?
When you reach the intermediate level your handicap would be somewhere around 15. Now, you have a thorough understanding of golf as well as your own game. Possibly, you can hit the ball perfectly using a driver and have learned to control the hybrid.
Being an intermediate golfer, now you want to move towards the custom golf club set. Based on your needs. You can also go for all new branded clubs if your budget gives you permission to do that.
Best Golf Clubs beginners to Intermediate
3. How to Choose Golf Clubs as an Experienced Golfer?
Scratch Golders are players with 0 handicap. They have reached this level after a huge investment of time and secreting volumes of sweat on the golf course.
By this time players have an in-depth understanding of their strengths-weaknesses. And also clubs. Several golfers go for custom fitting that is completely okay.
In fact, it’s advisable to tailor the shaft length, loft, and clubhead based on your needs.
One can also go for premium golf club brands that are tailored to the needs of scratch golfers.
#2. Know the Clubs
Knowing your skill level is not sufficient. You also need to know the clubs. When I am talking about knowing the clubs, I mean to know about them in detail. Just knowing their names is not enough. Because you must have a complete understanding about which club is better to use than another for a particular shot and in a particular situation.
Without further ado. Let’s know them.
Read more: Golf Clubs Types and Their Uses
Driver
There is one and only one objective of using the driver— to hit the ball as far as you can.
Drivers have a large head. The large head of the driver helps you to hit the ball easily off the tee. Manufacturers try to make the head of the driver as large as they can. To get this right, they use titanium or composite carbon rather than steel which helps them control their weight.
This is a club that you will see in every golfer’s bag irrespective of his/her skill level.
Woods
Before you decide which wood to purchase, it’s better to know what are the three alternatives you have.
Each Wood (3, 5, or 7 Wood) has a different shaft length, loft, and shaft material.
How to decide which wood is for you?
Like the other golf clubs, woods should also be chosen according to the characteristics of your body, particularly your height.
As we move in the increasing order the shaft length decreases and loft increases.
Remember, higher loft gives you more spin and higher trajectory but it will limit your distance. On the other hand, lower loft keeps your trajectory lower but it makes it difficult to stop the ball in trees. So, you should choose wood with the appropriate shaft length and loft angle.
When it comes to material graphite shafts can bite the ball longer while steel shafts will give you better-controlled shots.
Irons
Irons in golf run from number 1 to 9 each number represents a different shaft length, loft, and size of clubhead. They are used to hit the ball from the fairway towards the green.
A higher number on iron means shorter shaft, larger loft, and heavier clubhead. A lower number enables you to cover longer distances accompanied by lower flight and higher spin.
For beginners, it’s advisable to use irons with alternate numbers such as 3, 5, 7, and 9 the ability to hit the ball if these irons vary with 10-12 yards lesser as we move in increasing order.
Cast Iron or Forged Iron?
Another decision you have to make is to choose between Cast Iron and Forged Iron.
The process of making iron by casting allows manufacturers to design customized irons so this process is more suited for scratch golfers. While forged irons give a better feel. They are better for beginners.
Wedge
Wedges are irons with more loft and shorter shafts. They are used to hit the shots from 140 to 70 yards. The following table will help you understand them better:
| Wedge | Loft | Distance | Shots |
| Pitching Wedge | 44-50 degree | 110-140 yards | To hit towards the green |
| Gap Wedge | 46-54 degree | 90-110 yards | To hit shorts too short for pitching wedge and too long for a sand wedge |
| Sand Wedge | 54-58 degree | Up to 90 yards | To escape the ball through Sand, Bunker Ir Rough |
| Lob Wedge | 60-64 degree | 70-90 yards | To raise the ball into the air and keep it in the green. |
Things to know about Golf Wedges.
Putter
The last club that you use to finally hit the ball into the hole in the putter. Their length may vary from 33″ to 35″. Primarily, putters can be differentiated on the basis of their clubhead.
| Putter Design | Function |
| Blade | Simple and Forgiving |
| Half-Mallet | Easiest to Hit |
| Mallet | Heaviest and More Accurate than the former two. |
Hybrid
Technically, a hybrid is a cross between Woods and Irons. They are mostly used to replace long irons less than or equal to 5.
Hybrids are used mostly by pro golfers. Earlier hybrids were used to escape the ball from the rough or under the bushes only. But nowadays, golfers even like to play fairway shots towards the green using hybrids.
If you are a beginner you will find it difficult to hit with a hybrid. So, it’s better you not bother about including them in the golf bag.
#3. Know the Number of Each Club You Need
After understanding the different clubs and their uses, the next step is to choose how many clubs you need in each category.
The lower your skill level is the fewer clubs you need, and vice versa.
Beginners are pretty happy using a driver, some, irons, and putters. They feel difficulty in using a hybrid and wedges. Apart from this, they also can’t see any logic in using hybrids and wedges because their game is not as refined as pros and intermediate golfers.
#4. Knowing Perfect Ideal Shaft Length
Shaft length is the distance from the top of the grip of the clubhead to the ground.
The distance of your shot is highly affected by the length of your shaft. You should choose the shaft according to your height and the swing of your arms.
As a general rule, if you have a consistent swing then going for a longer shaft would add up to the swing. This produces a higher impact. As a result, you get a longer distance.
On the contrary, if you struggle to obtain a consistent swing then a longer shaft will make it even more difficult to hit the ball. So, don’t go for longer shafts till you attain consistency in the swing of your arm.
#5. Take Experts Advice
Experts are experts in every field. They can see even those strengths and weaknesses that you can’t see. An expert can act as a litmus paper and can tell you what’s in your game; and, what you should do to improve it. I am not saying to accept whatever they say with closed eyes. But, talking to them will benefit you. And, you can make a better choice about the clubs that you should buy.
#6. Know Your Budget
The last step in choosing a golf club set is knowing your budget. If you are on a tight budget or you are a beginner; don’t go for the most expensive clubs or the most famous brands. Instead, go with clubs that are economical. You also have an option to buy a used club.
Contrarily, if you don’t bother about budget and want to keep the best brands in your bag, then there are plenty of options for you to choose from.
On the basis of the points discussed above the standard golf club set for the different level players would be:
What Golf Club Should I Buy as a Beginner?
The Standard Set of Golf Clubs for Beginners:
- A Driver
- 3-Wood
- 3, 5 7, and 9 Irons,
- Pitching Wedge, Lob Wedge, and Sand Wedge, and
- A Putter
What Golf Club Should I Buy as an Intermediate Golfer?
The Standard Set of Golf Clubs for an Intermediate Golfer:
- A Driver
- 3-Wood
- Hybrids (4 and 5)
- Wedges ( Sand Wedge and Pitching Wedge)
- Irons(from 5 to 9), and
- A Putter.
Best Golf Clubs For Intermediate
What Golf Club Should I Buy as an Expert?
The Standard Set of Golf Clubs for a Scatch Golfer:
- A Driver
- Woods (3 and 5-Wood)
- Hybrid of 17 to 18 degree or 2-Iron
- Hybrid of 21-22 degree or 3-Iron
- Irons(4,5,6,7,8 and 9)
- Wedges (PW, GW, SW, and LW)
- A Putter
Best Hybrid Golf Clubs for Seniors
You can also use this Golf Club Selection Chart in future whenever you shop for golf clubs in the future.
Share your opinion about the article in the comment box and visit the Golferarena golf tips section for more useful information and tips.
FAQs:
What is a good set of golf clubs for an average golfer?
As I have discussed above a good golf club set for an average golfer should be: ● A Driver ● 3-Wood ● Hybrids (4 and 5) ● Wedges ( Sand Wedge and Pitching Wedge) ● Irons(from 5, to 9), and ● A Putter.
How do I know what golf clubs to buy?
In this article, I have discussed in detail the process of choosing the best golf clubs for you. So, to choose the best golf clubs for you follow the following steps: ● Determine your skill level ● Understand the structure and function of each club ● Choose how many clubs you need ● Choose the height of the shaft for irons ● Decide your budget
Do expensive golf clubs make a difference?
Not really! Expensive golf clubs are hardware to hit. You need a lot of skills and experience to derive full advantage out of them. Also, golf should be chosen on the basis of your strengths and weaknesses and budget is the last thing to consider. So, if your needs are met by intermediate golf clubs then there is no logic to go for the expensive ones.
Is it worth getting fitted for golf clubs?
Yes it is! But not when you are a beginner. When you starting to try your hands in golf for the first few months you want to understand the game, know how an individual club is performing in your hand and also find out your strengths and weaknesses. Once you complete this phase, now is the time to go for customized golf clubs based on your needs.
How to Choose Golf Clubs for Your Height?
You may use the following table to decide the height of your club
- 6ft 9″ – 7ft: Add 2 inches to the standard shaft length
- 6ft 6″ – 6ft 9″: Add 1.5 inches to the standard shaft length
- 6ft 3″ – 6ft 6″: Add 1 inch to the standard shaft length
- 6ft 0″ – 6ft 3″: Add 0.5 inches to the standard shaft length
- 5ft 9″ – 6ft 0″: Use a shaft of standard Length
- 5ft 6″ – 5ft 9″: Subtract 0.5 inches from the standard shaft length
- 5ft 3″ – 5ft 6″: Subtract 1 inch from the standard shaft length
- 5ft 0″ – 5ft 3″: Subtract 1.5 inches from the standard shaft length