Summertime is just around the corner and the amount of things people can do outside is almost endless. People that are active and really enjoy being outdoors usually get involved in their favorite sports. One of the most played sports during the summer is Golf. Golf is a game that can easily be learned. To learn golf all one needs is time, patience, and some equipment. It takes time to learn which clubs to use and how to drive and putt properly. Playing golf means being with nature. The sport entices you to get up early in the morning and play the game in the company of friends. Golf provides a great form of relaxation and escape from the daily pressures of life.
There are many variations of golfers from the beginner to the average to the skilled. It may take several years of practice and playing to develop your golfing skills. No matter what skill level you may be, there is essential equipment for every golfer. These essentials include: balls, tees, shoes, clubs, and a nice bag to carry all the equipment. To properly equip yourself with these essentials, it is important to be honest with yourself about your skill level. The rookie golfer will not be starting out with expensive equipment if he or she is honest with their skill level; whereas, a skilled golfer will be matching his or her skills with better equipment.
Golf has been around since the 15th century and has evolved itself in the social market as the sport of the leaders and business people. Because of golf’s social effects, many business managers find time to provide tournaments and matches. In fact golf is informally known as the sport of the “business world”.
GOLF ESSENTIALS
The most important equipment for the golfer is the clubs. As stated earlier it is important to purchase equipment that matches your skill level. Also the reason you find yourself at the golf course is another factor to consider when buying clubs. If you are a beginner and play with friends just for the fun of playing, a basic set of clubs may be for you. If you are at the golf course as an avenue to build social relationships then you might want to buy clubs that reflect elegance and classiness that make a good statement in the business world.
CLUBS
Golf clubs are categorized into four key types:
IRONS…Irons are usually used when shorter more detailed shots are required, or when the play involves shots that are moving towards the greens. Irons feature thin club heads with grooves on it. Experienced golfers prefer a blade style iron which has a full back, while beginners prefer a cavity-back style which has a hollow back. The cavity-back style is hollowed out to create a perimeter weighting effect which is helpful for less experienced golfers. Irons are categorized as long (1,2,3,4), mid (5,6,7) and short (8,9). Short irons are easier to hit with than the long irons. The shorter irons also create more loft on the ball which is better for beginners.
WOODS…Woods are typically long clubs and are used for making long shots. Woods are characterized by their shaft length that range from 40 to 46 inches. Because of their length, woods are the hardest clubs to control during a swing. Most golfers will have a driver, called a #1 wood, and a couple of fairway woods which are #3 and/or #5 woods.
HYBRID WOODS…These clubs combine features of woods and irons. They combine the “straight hitting” feature of the irons and the “low center of gravity” feature of woods with higher lofts. They are great for beginners who may not want to buy many clubs to start. Hybrid woods are generally used for long shots in a challenging rough area.
PUTTERS…Putters are generally characterized with low shafts, which are also sometimes short. Putters come in club head styles of blade, heel-toe and mallet. Lengths come in belly putters, standard and long. This club is used to play the greens where short shots are necessary. Putters are also the most used clubs in the game.
TIPS ON BUYING CLUBS
1. Check your budget. There are many brands available. Also the notion that the more expensive the club, the better it is, simply is not true. If you do your home work and read reviews, you will find a club that matches your level of skill and interest. Don’t be afraid of checking out used clubs as they can give you a great club at a great price. www.AmazingSportsProducts.com offers a large selection ofused TaylorMade clubs which will give you a high quality club at a great price.
2. Decide how often you will use the clubs. If you are just starting to play the price will be a more important decision than brand. If you become more proficient and begin to spend a lot more time on the golf course, then naturally a pricier and better quality club will be needed to handle the greater use.
3. Study the differences in brands. Some people can’t tell the difference in brands relating to which is good, better, or best. Again do some homework here. Read reviews and ask experienced golfers for their opinions. You can also ask a salesmen about the differences in brands, but be careful of their biases in promoting the brand they sell.
GOLF BALLS
Golf balls are the celebrities of the game. Golf balls are made in a variation of designs but should weigh 45.93 grams or less; have a diameter of 42.67 mm or less; and should be symmetrically sphere-shaped. The complexity of golf balls comes from their transitional periods of change. This is due to the fact the physics of golf balls are based on the materials used in making them. Golf balls today are more effective in terms of physical performance than in the past. Contemporary golf balls have 300 to 450 dimples which are the primary characteristics that make the balls fly high in the air.
The golf ball is the most skillfully designed ball in sports. There have been thousands of patented designs approved since the 1990’s which makes choosing a golf ball a baffling decision. The many different designs have been made by manufactures in effort to match individual preferences. If the ball is correctly matched to the player’s game, they can increase enjoyment and skill level.
TIPS ON BUYING BALLS
1. Check the structure of the ball.
Two-piece balls are recognized for their distance. They are made of a harder and stronger cover which is resistant to cuts. The compact inner center is made from a variety of materials. The harder the material of the inner core, the further the ball will travel. The negative aspect of these balls is that they lack the capacity to manage the ball because of their limited spin amounts.
Three-piece balls are constructed for feel and spin. They are made of a softer cover with compact inner core and an extra layer of fabric between the cover and the core that “softens” the blow or impact of the head of the club. This provides improved feel and spin, but loss of durability and distance.
Multi-layer balls are also known as “all purpose” balls. They are made of a durable, soft cover that is separated by many very thin layers which are made up of a variety of materials. These balls have an improved inner core resulting in a ball that gives better all around execution.
2. Know your skill level.
Beginners or high handicap players require a ball that will give distance. They are players that are likely to mis-hit the ball and should choose a two-piece ball because it has a more durable cover. Two-piece balls are also affordable.
Medium skill level or mid handicap players can play with a three-piece ball. This ball has a softer cover to give more feel and spin. These balls offer a faster swing speed and therefore will not suffer distance loss.
Skilled or low handicap players should use the multi-layered ball. These players naturally have developed a quicker swing speed and will achieve extra distance and have the feel and spin benefits.
All the golf equipment, whether clubs or ball, will entail a lot of trial and testing to find the perfect equipment for your playing style and ability.
No matter where you are in your golfing experience, www.AmazingSportsProducts.com can offer you the equipment you need at a price you can afford. Check out our inventory of golf supplies and especially the great buys on TaylorMade golf clubs, which are among the best made.
Happy Golfing!!
By: Stephen Stillman
