| Planning on becoming the next Tiger | | | | can miss hitting the ball directly on |
| Woods? If so, the first thing you might | | | | the center of the club face and still |
| consider is getting some new golf clubs. | | | | end up with a decent shot. Forged irons |
| Choosing the right golf clubs can make | | | | are better for more advanced golfers |
| the difference between spending your | | | | because they allow for better control of |
| time on the fairways and greens and | | | | trajectory, allowing you to hit the ball |
| spending your time in the rough. | | | | at a desired angle to get the height |
| Although famed golfer Ben Hogan once | | | | necessary for the result you want. |
| said, "The only thing a golfer needs is | | | | The next thing to consider is the size |
| more daylight", for my money, having the | | | | of the head. As a novice golfer, you'll |
| right set of golf clubs runs this a | | | | find a definite trade-off here. A |
| close second. | | | | bigger head equals a bigger sweet spot |
| First, I'll assume you aren't a pro. | | | | and more tolerance of miss-hits. |
| Otherwise, you probably wouldn't be | | | | However, at the same time, a bigger head |
| here; you'd be out perfecting that | | | | is also a little harder to control. |
| already outstanding golf swing. For the | | | | You'll probably want to start with a set |
| amateur golfer, choosing the right golf | | | | of irons with medium-sized heads. |
| clubs hinges on two factors - distance | | | | They're easier to control than the |
| and accuracy - and, of these, accuracy | | | | oversized-heads, but they still have a |
| is the more important. The ability to | | | | bigger sweet spot than the traditional, |
| hit the ball half-way across town may | | | | smaller heads. |
| sound great, but if you can't keep it on | | | | Bet you didn't know there were this many |
| the fairway, out of the bunkers, and | | | | factors to choosing the right set of |
| heading for the flag, then all the | | | | golf clubs! Well, I'm not quite done |
| distance in the world isn't going to | | | | yet. |
| help your game. So, the starting point | | | | Another factor to think about when |
| for all of us needs to be accuracy. Once | | | | choosing golf clubs is what the head is |
| the ball starts going just where we want | | | | made of - cast iron, stainless steel, or |
| it to go with reasonable consistency we | | | | titanium. Titanium heads are best for |
| can start working on building distance. | | | | novice golfers as this light material |
| Of course, cost can be a big issue when | | | | allows for a bigger head, without making |
| choosing a new set of clubs, but since | | | | the club too heavy. Bigger head equals |
| that's a personal conversation between | | | | bigger sweet spot! If the cost of |
| you your wallet - and maybe your spouse | | | | titanium heads is beyond your wallet's |
| - we won't cover it here. Don't forget | | | | reach, then consider cast iron rather |
| though that you don't need to buy | | | | than steel. They're durable and the |
| tailor-made golf clubs and that a good | | | | harder material can help improve both |
| starting point may well be one of the | | | | accuracy and consistency. |
| many outlets for discount golf | | | | Swing speed is also important in |
| equipment. Another good starting point | | | | deciding upon the right golf clubs. |
| is to look at pre-owned golf clubs. | | | | Golfers with lower swing speeds can |
| Begin by analyzing what's going to best | | | | benefit from more flexible graphite |
| fit your needs. The primary set of | | | | shafts that are a bit longer and |
| clubs in every golfer's bag is the | | | | lighter. With a higher swing speed, |
| irons, so that's what I'm going to | | | | it's more likely you want to focus on |
| concentrate on here. Irons have several | | | | accuracy, so stiffer and heavier steel |
| characteristics to consider when you're | | | | shafts can help you develop that |
| choosing golf clubs. The first thing | | | | accurate ball placement that gets your |
| to look at is the method of manufacture. | | | | name on the leader board. |
| Irons are normally made either by | | | | Obviously, there are many factors to |
| casting or forging. For the novice | | | | consider when choosing the right golf |
| golfer cast irons are generally better | | | | clubs. But consider what the comedian |
| because they have a bigger sweet spot on | | | | Henny Youngman once said, "The other day |
| the club face. The sweet spot is the | | | | I broke 70. That's a lot of clubs." |
| area on the club face that you want to | | | | Choosing the right golf clubs for your |
| contact the ball and, as a general rule, | | | | game and level of play can reduce both |
| the larger the sweet spot the greater | | | | your handicap and the number of clubs |
| the room for error in your swing. In | | | | you get the urge to break! |
| other words, with a large sweet spot you | | | | |