Golf : Advice on golf clubs and shaft selection

First of all, I am a registered Golf Coach with the PGA.

Golf club selection is VITAL to your improvement in golf no matter what Level you are at, as well as lessons from someone who knows how to help you improve.

The biggest drawback with golf is everyone you know will offer advice and game improvement tips to help you improve. If thier handicap is over five forget it. Get lessons with a pro. This guide will give you advice on buying golf clubs from the driver to the putter but there is no substitute for professional advice. If in doubt seek advice.

Blades,Combo Sets, Over sized.

Blades: These are designed for the better player with a handicap of 5 or below, these allow the player to shape the ball from left to right, or right to left. They have a SMALL head and the strike on the ball must be precise to hit the sweet spot (centre of the club face) every time. They allow the players with the ability, to spin the ball, they are not for the faint hearted and will cause no end of misery to anyone with an inconsistent swing.

Combo sets: These are designed for players with handicaps of10 or below. These consist of usually a 3,4,5,6 in Cavity backs, 7,8,9,pw,sw in Blades. This allows the player using 7 to sw the control of the blade and spin when on the shorter clubs (near the green) the 3 to 6 have Cavity Backs (not Blades) to allow the player an easier strike and get the ball into the air while reducing side spin (the ability to curve the ball) and therefore hit the ball straighter. For this level of player the best of both worlds. without fully committing to blades.

Oversized : These clubs have larger heads and are designed to help you get the ball into the air, Reducing side spin on the ball (the ability to curve the ball). They have a larger head to allow you also to make contact with the center of the club face more often, Miss hit shots are not affected as much and tend not to lose as much distance, Allowing most players to get away with the odd duff shot?.

Club Length: This is important as it dictates how far or close you will be to the ball if in the right setup position. To far away and the tendency is to swing flat (around your body) causing hooked (big curve low and left) or pushed shots ( straight out to right) ball flights. To close and the tendency will be to slice (big curve to the right) or pulled shots (straight left). Most golf club makers make clubs to fit mr average ( approx 5ft 8 to 5ft 10inches) over this height you will need to get your clubs extended. This is not expensive as most pros can add a extension to the top of your clubs and regrip them. Under this height and you will probably need them reduced in length.

Club Flex: This is the kind of shaft fitted: Please note this is a guide only:

We will stick to the main types of flex: Soft, Regular,Firm, Stiff in graphite or steel:

Steel shafts are made of steel, Graphite are made of a compound of carbon fibers for this ref we will use steel and all other shafts. Steel are more consistent in the ability to match the full set of clubs with the same shaft. Graphite are more expensive and are lighter in weight.

Soft: a very whippy shaft, allows you to swing slow but moves the club head fast at impact, ideal for kids, older people who can not swing fast.

Regular: Normal shaft flex for the average swing speed (speed at which the club makes impact with the ball).

Firm: For the golfer who has a higher swings speed:

Stiff: for the golfer who swings very fast:

Test one of each and decide which gives you the best ball flight and distance, to do this test all the clubs must be the same eg 6 iron do not use a driver to test this as your driving could be erratic and not give a true result to the test.

Putter: one of the most if not the most important club in the bag: nearly every amateur is playing with the wrong length shaft on thier putter get it Measured for your stance and arm length the average length of a putter is 34inches to 35 inches when you buy it of the shelf. The average length on tour of a putter is 32.5 inches. Get it checked!!!!