When it comes to golf, many people think that the perfect swing is determined by the size of one’s golf club. While it is true that the perfect fit of your club can result in a perfect swing, it is not the only factor. Many golfers believe that the type of wood used in the club makes a difference as well. In this article, we will discuss how to tell if a golf club is too stiff, as well as what makes a club feel right.
Table of Contents
Comfort
The first and most obvious sign that a golf club is too stiff is when experiencing discomfort while swinging. Unless you play golf on a regular basis, you probably don’t realize how important comfort is when it comes to golf clubs. The right club should feel light and easy to swing, which is determined by the design and the material used to make the club. Some examples of low-comfort clubs are metal woods, steel shafts, and graphite clubs. These types of clubs produce more torque, which means that they are harder to swing. Therefore, players using these clubs often experience more muscle strain. It’s not always the case, but it is common sense that the lighter and more comfortable a club is, the easier it will be for you to swing.
Feel
A golf club that feels right to the touch is a good sign that it is not too stiff. Wood clubs are always going to feel heavier and more hollow than metal ones, due to the fact that they have a natural give to them. When you grab a hold of a wooden club and start swinging, it should feel like it is absorbing the impact instead of transferring it to your hands. Thicker woods, like persimmon and sandalwood are also great absorbers of impact and tend to be used in clubs for seniors or people with back problems. Another good quality that makes up a wooden club is that it is easy to identify and thus easy to replace if it gets damaged or wears out.
Performance
Last but not least, we have performance. The best type of wood for golf clubs is always going to be the most efficient in terms of performance. The better the wood, the more potent the club will be in terms of distance and accuracy. Typically, higher-end woods are made from more efficient tree species, which are harder to find and thus more expensive. For example, alder wood is considered one of the best woods for golf, but it is very expensive. You will pay more for a set of alder wood clubs than you would for a set of stainless steel clubs.
It’s also important to consider how the clubhead reacts when impacted by a ball. The type of wood used in the clubhead can affect the sound it makes when striking a ball, as well as how the ball travels when it is hit by the club. A club made from hickory wood will have a different sound and feel than one made with persimmon wood. You will be able to tell the difference, even when they feel and perform roughly the same.
Now that you are equipped with the know-how to pick out a good club, it’s time to hit the course and let your golf game shine!