| a popular and relaxing sport, but to play the game well, | | | | through and back stroke. The traditional blade putter, |
| you need the right golf equipment. This buying guide will | | | | however, is always the safest design as it is the |
| take you through the different types of golf equipment | | | | easiest to use. |
| available, from balls and bags to clubs and clothes. | | | | Golf Balls: |
| What equipment do I need to play golf? | | | | Golf balls are classified as one-piece, two-piece, |
| Golf Clubs: | | | | three-piece or four-piece based on their construction. |
| Usually a golfers bag contains fourteen or more clubs. | | | | Beginners should use one-piece balls. Two-piece balls |
| Select golf clubs based on your ability. A half set | | | | are more commonly used by the average player for |
| combination of clubs is ideal for a novice and will help a | | | | every day golfing. Three-piece balls give seasoned |
| beginner develop a better swing. You need a good | | | | players more control. Four-piece balls are much rarer. |
| variety of clubs with the right combination of shafts | | | | Their four layer construction makes them the softest |
| and club heads for different shots around the course. | | | | feeling golf ball you can play with. If you are a hard |
| For left-handers, there are specially designed sets of | | | | hitter, you will most likely prefer a heavier ball. Soft balls |
| clubs. The most common types of golf clubs are | | | | spin well whereas hard balls cover more distance. |
| drivers, irons, woods, wedges and putters. | | | | Golf Bags: |
| Drivers: | | | | Just like any other golfer, you will need a bag to store |
| You can choose from steel, titanium or composite | | | | your clubs, shoes and balls as you go back and forth |
| drivers. The head of a golf driver comes in different | | | | from home to a golf course. The most common types |
| shapes like squares, triangles and scoop backs. Golf | | | | of golf bags are stand bags, cart bags and staff bags. |
| drivers are made of different metals and vary in | | | | Stand Bags: |
| weight according to the material used. Heavy headed | | | | A stand bag has legs which keeps it upright while you |
| golf drivers are preferred by many players. Steel | | | | golf. Select a lightweight stand bag with two wide |
| shafts are typically used by experienced golfers while | | | | straps rather than one so that the weight gets evenly |
| lighter graphite shafts are used mostly by beginners. | | | | distributed. |
| Graphite shafts can be rather expensive and are best | | | | Cart Bags: |
| for beginners who are serious about improving their | | | | Cart bags have many pockets and are more rigid than |
| game. Cheap golf sets with graphite shafts are readily | | | | stand bags. They are made for golfers who use carts |
| available. | | | | and buggies to get around the course. Female golfers |
| Woods: | | | | and older players tend to prefer cart bags. However, |
| Woods are made from either titanium or stainless | | | | they usually are quite expensive. |
| steel. Titanium woods are pricier of the two. If you | | | | Staff Bags: |
| prefer a classic look, then opt for stainless steel | | | | Staff bags can get very heavy, as they have |
| woods. They are heavier with a more traditional | | | | numerous pockets and enough space for a full set of |
| design. A 2, 3 or 4 wood can be used in place of a | | | | fourteen clubs. They are modeled after professional |
| driver or long iron for tee shots. Woods numbered 5 | | | | golf bags and are often made from leather. If you use |
| through 11 are best used to get your ball out of the | | | | a caddy and have the money, nothing else comes |
| rough. | | | | close to owning a staff bag. |
| Irons: | | | | Golf Gloves: |
| Iron clubs are great for shots when you are 125 to | | | | Golf gloves help you get a good grip on your golf clubs |
| 200 yards from the green. They are a staple among | | | | to provide better control over your game. Although |
| clubs and can be made of forged or cast iron. High | | | | some prefer to play without gloves, they are highly |
| handicap players should opt for cavity back irons | | | | recommended for novice to intermediate players. |
| which are designed to improve your game. Mid | | | | There are leather, synthetic, all-weather and winter |
| handicap golfers are better off experimenting with | | | | gloves that you can choose from. |
| hybrid irons and low handicap players should use blade | | | | Golf Shoes: |
| irons. | | | | You can wear classic golf shoes, sandals or golf |
| Wedges: | | | | boots when you are out on a course. Look for shoes |
| There are several different types of wedges, such as | | | | that can withstand the wear and tear of walking all |
| the pitching wedge, sand wedge, lob wedge and gap | | | | eighteen holes and are waterproof. Shoes that let your |
| wedge, all of which have different lofts. They have | | | | feet breathe are ideal for summers and provide the |
| different finishes like chrome, nickel and beryllium | | | | most comfort. |
| copper. These scoring clubs are a vital part of game | | | | Golf Clothes: |
| and should be used when you are 120 yards or less | | | | Your golfing wardrobe should contain outerwear for |
| from the hole. | | | | every season. If you are the kind of golf lover that |
| Putters: | | | | plays no matter what the weather is like, you will need |
| Once you hit the green, it is time to pull out your putter. | | | | waterproof, rainproof and windproof golf clothes. Take |
| A putter is the shortest golf club of any set and | | | | care that you are comfortable with your apparel during |
| generally the most used. You have many options to | | | | a swing. There are now many outlets to buy golf |
| choose from. Peripheral weighted putters are better | | | | equipment online if you want to keep up with the |
| for players with an in and out stroke while mallet | | | | trends. |
| headed putters can be used by players with a straight | | | | |