UK Golf.org.uk

Welcome to a page dedicated to helping amateur golfers find the ideal equipment for their game. Hopefully we can also provide an insight into the sport for those considering taking it up.

The Basics

Golf is at heart a simple game, even if some drop ball rules can leave some of the pros scratching their heads. A full golf course will feature eighteen holes, the holes will vary from a par 3 to a par 5. This means you will need to hit the balls into the hole in either 3, 4 or 5 shots to achieve a par. You begin each hole at the tee, which is usually placed near the end of the previous hole. You will need to make sure that other golfers have finished on the hole before teeing off. As a beginner this is just about all you need to know. For more information about the rules visit here.

So lets begin with the basics, what exactly will you need to play golf?

• A half set of golf clubs, this should include five irons, one driver, a wedge and a putter.
• Some golf balls, better make this plenty of golf balls if your starting out.
• A bag to store your clubs in.
• A set of tees to drive off at the beginning of each hole.
• A pair of shoes with a decent rubber grip.

As you begin to advance in the game you can add the following items.

• Golf shoes with spikes to give the best grip.
• A trolley, which can relieve the effort of lugging a bag around 18 holes.
• A full set of clubs; nine irons, three drivers, wedges, putters and rescue clubs.
• Distance golf balls, which provide experienced golfers with a few extra yards.

Picking the right clubs

As a beginner it may appear perfect sense to buy yourself the most expensive set of golf clubs in the clubhouse. This is a mistake often made by many amateurs. As a beginner there is a likelihood of you damaging your clubs during your learning period. Therefore from a common sense standpoint it's better if your damage a cheaper set of clubs than a set costing £500 or more. Luckily most manufacturers now makes clubs specifically targeted for beginners, more forgiving than other clubs they encompass all the needs of a beginner. Likewise ladies and juniors can find clubs designed for their stature and strength. Most beginners sets use graphite shafts because they are lighter and compensate for a slower swing speeds. A more advanced golfer may gravitate to picking a set on a club by club basis to cover their specific needs. A beginner is in the learning period, and will not as yet know what's best for them long-term. Only time on the golf course will develop this. Therefore a package set gives the best value for money, and some stability club for club.

Putters

The club most responsible for seeing golfers bang their head against the wall. A bad case of the 'yips' can send a golfer to the nut house or permanently to the clubhouse bar. Of all the clubs, putters have seen their basic shape and dimensions altered the most. Below are a few of the more interesting incarnations of the putter.

The only advice that can be given is to try as many as you can. No manufacturer has found the secret of creating the perfect putter. It seems an art form which resides in the head rather in the steal.

Driving Iron

Ideal for beginners who still haven't got to grips with a driver. It's still on occasion used by the professionals. The head face is larger than a one iron, providing a bigger sweet spot and more distance. If your a nervous beginner or amateur, who hates a line of golfers watching your tee shot, this club provides the control of an iron with a little extra distance.

Rescue club

The 3 and 4 irons are beginning to fall out of vogue. Presently many pros and semi-pros have begun to incorporate a 'rescue club' into their bag. This club is used after a drive has landed in the rough. Also described as a 'hybrid' club, the below image shows why, shaped like a mini driver's head, its made from steal like a iron and of a similar head size,

The club provides next to no elevation, and typically a head face of between 19 and 22 degree. Providing more distance like a wood, but less lift and shaft length like a iron, it's perfect for rectifying a bad drive.

Wedges

They come in four loft types; sand, pitching, gap and lob wedge. With head faces with varying degrees of angle they usually use a steel shaft for optimum accuracy. Read on for a further breakdown of the distance of golf clubs available.

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