One of the most common questions new golfers ask is, “How many golf clubs do I need?” There are generally speaking, three basic groups of golf clubs to choose from: driver, middle, and putter. Knowing how many clubs you need and which one to choose can be a little overwhelming, so let’s discuss how to determine how many golf clubs you need in each category.
Table of Contents
Drivers
If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either a beginner or you’re somewhere in between and haven’t made up your mind yet whether to be a driver or a fan of the more traditional type. Regardless, I’m sure you’ll agree that the most important golf club – beyond the obvious, i.e., the one you use to hit the ball – is your driver.
Your driver is the club you use to hit the ball the farthest. It’s also the hardest club to control. As a beginner, you’ll need a forgiving driver that you can learn to control with practice. Luckily, there are numerous options when it comes to drivers, so you’re bound to find one that suits your needs.
Middle
If you’re reading this, you’re either a beginner or you’re somewhere in between. However, you’ve already decided that you want to be a fan of the short, sweet game and are looking for a club that helps you make the most of your game.
Your middle golf club will be the one you use to hit the ball solidly between ten and twenty yards. You’ll also need a club that fits your hand and has the right amount of weight for your liking. Once you find the right middle club, you’ll wonder why you didn’t choose it sooner!
Putter
If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either a beginner or you’re somewhere in between. You’re looking for a club that gives you a reliable shot and doesn’t disappoint you when you need it most. The last thing you want is to lose your ball because the club broke in the middle of an important hole.
Although it’s less stressful to hit shorter shots with a putter, the club does have weight and so it feels more like a real hand-held club the longer you hold it. For this reason, a putter is ideal for those looking for a more immersive golf experience or who play frequently in bad weather conditions.
How Do I Choose The Right Golf Club?
It’s important to bear in mind that all golf clubs are not created equal. Some are better than others when it comes to hitting the ball, and it’s important to find out what makes a particular club better than the rest. Here are some of the factors to consider:
- Strength: The stronger your muscles, the stronger the club will be when you hit it. Generally speaking, the stronger the muscle, the wider the club will be. With stronger muscles, you’ll generally hit the ball further.
- Curve: The more curved the club head is, the more the ball will be spit back at you. The only downside is that the more curve a club has, the more it weighs. So if you want to hit the ball the furthest, you’ll need to invest in a lighter club.
- Feel: You want a club that feels right in your hands and fits your playstyle. It should also feel like it was made for you and should give you confidence when you play. When you find the right fit, you’ll feel like you’re practically throwing it yourself!
- Distance: How far do you want to hit the ball? The longer the distance, the more the ball will travel. You don’t necessarily need a long ball distance club, but it certainly doesn’t hurt!
- Style: Some golfers prefer to hit the ball high and thin, while others like to hit it low and squat. Finding the right club for the style you prefer is essential!
- The look: Does the club head look like it could belong to a real person? You want to find a club head that looks like it could be you or someone you know! It makes a huge difference!
- Color: Do you prefer your clubs to be colorful or white and black? It’s a personal preference but many golfers prefer colorful clubs as they believe it helps them concentrate better while playing.
- Where Do I Hit It: You want a club that feels right in your hands and that suits your game style. Remember: The farther you hit it, the more it will roll! For this reason, it’s important to consider where you’ll hit it most often. If you’re going to hit it on the green, you may want to choose a shorter club to prevent bruising your hand. Remember that greens tend to be hard and so does your shoulder!
- All-around Use: Do you want a club that you can use for all sorts of shots? Some golfers like to switch between long and short shots, while others like to only use their clubs for hitting the ball as near to the pin as possible. If you’re not sure what kind of golfers your friends are going to be, it’s best to choose a club that you can use for all sorts of shots.
- Balance: Do you want your club to be heavier on one side or do you want equal weighting? Most golfers prefer their clubs to be weighted towards the front so any ball that is not hit flush will drop more. On the other hand, those who prefer their clubs to be weighted towards the back need to concentrate more on keeping the head straight up and down when swinging!
- Type: What type of ball do you want to hit with your club? If you’ve never tried golfing before, it may be beneficial to choose a club that you can use for different types of balls. Whether you want to hit it straight, fade it, or draw it, you’ll find the right club for the job!
- Overall: Do you want a complete package or will you be replacing parts of your existing golf club? The overall rating is a measure of how much the entire package weighs together. Is the weight more than you would expect for the size of the club? Generally speaking, the bigger the overall rating, the bigger and more powerful the club will be. You don’t necessarily need a huge overall rating, but it certainly doesn’t hurt!
- Who’s It For?: Who is the target audience for your chosen club? If you’re new to golf and don’t know much about it, it may be beneficial to choose a club that is designed for newbies. For instance, if you’re looking for a forgiving driver, it may be a good idea to choose one of the new, lightweight drivers available today. Many of these clubs have shorter shafts and larger head shapes than your typical driver, meaning they’re easier to control and so more suitable for beginners!
- Brand: What brand do you prefer, Ashworth or Callaway? If you’ve never tried either one of them, it may be a good idea to choose one that’s widely known for being reliable and has a good reputation. When it comes to buying golf equipment, it’s important to remember that the brand matters more than the price!
- Durability: How much do you want the club to last? If you’re not sure, it may be beneficial to choose a cheaper club that you can buy in large quantities. In most cases, you’ll find that cheaper clubs aren’t made as well as more expensive ones and so you may end up sacrificing some of the quality in order to save money!
- Aesthetics: Is the overall design of the club pleasing to the eye? There are many options when it comes to aesthetics, so it’s important to find one that suits your personality. When it comes to choosing a club, it’s important not to rush into buying the first one that comes up. Take your time and look at a variety of options before making a decision. The last thing you want is to buy a club that doesn’t suit your needs. Remember: You’re not paying for the club, you’re paying for the head!
Finding the right golf club takes some time, but it’s definitely worth it. Once you’ve found it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t choose it sooner! Remember: All golf clubs are not created equal and so it’s important to find out what makes a particular club better than the rest. A good place to start is the pros’ favorite clubs section on golf forums like GolfNinja.com because they’ll frequently post about the various clubs they use and how good they are for their game. By reading and responding to these posts from experts who play the game daily, you’ll learn a lot about how to choose the right set of golf clubs for you.