How to choose the right golf clubs

So, you’re interested in starting golf? You’re not alone. More people than ever are picking up clubs and heading down to the local course.

In fact, the number of golf rounds played in Great Britain has been rising for the past four years according to research undertaken by Sports Marketing Surveys, as reported by Golf Monthly.

Yet if you’re new to golf, you should know that choosing the right clubs is just as important as knowing how to use them.

But why are there so many clubs? What are they all used for? And how can you pick the right ones for you? We’ve written this handy guide to explain it all.

Types of golf club

Don’t let the sheer number of clubs put you off. Since each is used for a slightly different purpose, it’s easy to distinguish between them.

Drivers: The longest and most iconic clubs used in golf. They’re used from the tee to get the ball as close as possible to the green

Fairway woods: Longer clubs that are used from the tee, from the fairway or from the rough with a good lie.

Irons: These are used for medium distances and get their name from the material they’re made from.

Hybrids: A type of club that blends aspects of woods and irons to create a feel that some golfers prefer.

Wedges: Shorter clubs, used on the fringes of the green to chip the ball as close to the hole as possible.

Putters: Precision clubs that are used to putt the ball in the hole on the green.

But what do the numbers on the clubs mean? They tell you the degree of loft on the head of the club. If you want to hit the ball over a longer distance then it will need to have a lower flight path, so pick a lower number.

How to choose the right set for you

Golf clubs aren’t cheap. For this reason, we recommend that you don’t choose an expensive set until you’ve found out what you like and feel confident about making a good investment.

If you do choose an expensive set, spend a little bit more to get some insurance too. Golf insurance covers equipment damage as well as personal liability and injury. With it, you won’t have to worry about anything happening to your new pricey purchases.

Test out clubs at your local driving range to get a feel for what you prefer in each category. That way, you’ll have the best chance of choosing the right golf clubs when you’re ready to buy.

What mistakes have you made when choosing golf clubs? Tell your stories in the comments section.