How to Choose Your Golf Club

It’s not easy to choose a golf club. Not only is there a seemingly endless variety of clubs available, but choosing the right ones is a matter of finding the best fit for your body and your game. The golf club that makes one person play like a superstar could leave you hunting through the rough. So before you shop, take stock of your game. Know what you need to improve, then choose golf clubs that will help you reach your goal.

Woods, irons and hybrids

Woods are the longest golf clubs and they’re used for long shots and driving. Woods have large, spherically shaped heads and a slight bulge on the club face. The most common woods used are the 3 and the 5. The 2, 4, 7 and 9 are used less often and are sometimes referred to as fairway woods. The name is mostly traditional, as wood has given way to more durable steel and titanium construction.

Irons, which range in number from 1 to 9, are the golf clubs most often used while playing the final 150 to 200 yards of a hole. Irons 1 to 5 are the long irons and have longer shafts built for long, slow shots. Irons 7 through 9 are the short irons, with shorter shafts and a steeper club head shots with more loft. Beginners should avoid 1 and 2 irons that are very difficult to control. Some players simply prefer woods to longer irons.

Irons can be forged, cast or hybrids. Forged irons, also known as blades, are made of softer metal and sometimes feature chrome plating. Experienced players say forged irons contribute to greater spin and control of the ball.

Cast irons are geared to beginners and high-handicappers. Generally made from harder metals than forged irons, cast irons feature a hollow on the back side of the club that distributes the club weight around the perimeter, creating a larger sweet spot.

Hybrid golf clubs, also called utility clubs, combine the features of woods and irons and are designed to make it easier to hit the ball. Used in place of longer irons that are harder to hit, hybrid golf clubs are available in sets or as individual clubs. Hybrid club sets typically feature full-cavity long irons, half- or partial-cavity mid irons and classic blade-style short irons and wedges.