Putter Components
Descriptions and Uses of Different Golf Clubs
If you are new to the game of golf, choosing the golf clubs to carry in your set can be quite confusing. A knowledgeable friend or a golf instructor can provide some help, but you still need some guidelines that will cover what to look for before you make a purchase. The consistency and efficiency of your golf game is going to be largely determined by the set of clubs that you have.
The following is a overview on frequently used golf clubs to help make the buying decision easier:
The different types of golf clubs are:
- Drivers
- Woods
- Irons
- Wedges
- Putters
- Hybrids
Driver
The driver is the very first club that you use when you “tee off” (i.e., your first shot) and is the club that will get you off the tee and onto the fairway. This club is usually the tallest and largest in your bag. Drivers are available in both left hand and right hand versions as well as those that are more suited for ladies. Most manufacturers design their drivers so that ball speed is increased, launch angles are optimized, and spin is minimized once contact is made with the golf ball.
Woods
Irons
Irons are so named because the heads of the clubs are made up of metal, which historically have been cast-iron. They are marked by their flat angle faces and shorter shafts. Golfers typically use them when approaching the green as they work really well with difficult to hit shots such as those in the rough or when hitting the ball over trees or hills.
When it comes to irons think 90 degrees as the general rule of thumb with the higher the number, the lower the angle difference from 90 degrees. Irons can be either hybrids, cavity-backs (where a small to medium quantity of metal is removed from across the back of the head) or muscle backs (irons that have no cavity at the back of the head which means that the weight is evenly distributed at the back of the head).
Irons therefore drive a ball to the hole. They have three key components: head, shaft and grip. The head will usually have grooves for the purposes of spin and control. The clubs are numbered 1 to 9 (ranging from lowest loft and longest shaft on to higher lofts and shortest shafts).
Wedges
Wedges are used for short distance shots, high altitude shots, approach shots or hitting the ball out of difficult spots. Golfers can choose from four types – pitch, gap, sand, or lob.
Wedges have a very special use in golf. You can recognize them by their soles which have been designed to help a ball out of the sand and rough. Wedges are also generally easier to control because of their short shafts and also produce the most ball spin as they have the highest loft among the clubs.
Putters
Putters require precision and concentration, two attributes which are essential to a solid golf game. Putters also offer players additional technical advantage including smooth rolling, efficient gliding, good impact and a no-bounce topspin launching of the golf ball.
Hybrids
- Many golfers prefer to use the clubs in place of a high-number wood or a low-number iron. Hybrids are often used in golf’s more difficult and trying moments hence their reputation as “rescue clubs”.
About the Author
Mike Cole is a freelance writer who writes about sports, often focusing on a particular product used in sports such as golf clubs .