| A top quality set of golf clubs is essential for the | | | | Some golfers may choose to remove one of the |
| advanced golfer. A complete set of clubs consists of | | | | wedges in lieu of a 2-iron. Also worth noting, there are |
| woods, irons and a putter. | | | | two primary types of irons available. Forged irons are |
| The rules of golf, as set forth by the United States | | | | precision clubs that can give experienced golfers a |
| Golf Association (USGA), dictate that a golfer'sbag | | | | greater ability to shape their shots. |
| may hold 14 clubs. Most golfers will carry a driver, two | | | | Gravity-back irons are considered to be more |
| fairway woods, 7 irons, 3 wedges and the putter. | | | | forgiving, with a larger sweet spot and primarily for |
| A driver is a long-shafted club with a full head used to | | | | golfers who want to focus on hitting straight shots. A |
| strike the ball that is set upon a tee. | | | | set of 10 irons can range in price from as little as $250, |
| The club head does not have much lift to it, to achieve | | | | to as much as $1,500. |
| maximum distance off the tee. The fairway woods | | | | The final and perhaps most important golf club, is the |
| have club heads that are slightly more lofted than the | | | | putter. The putter is also known as the money club |
| driver, and are used for long shots when the ball is | | | | because it is the club used to tap the ball into the hole. |
| lying on the ground. | | | | The purpose of the putter is to roll the ball, so there is |
| Most brand name drivers cost between $200 and | | | | no loft on the club head. |
| $400. Fairway woods normally retail from $150 to | | | | There are many varieties of putters in all shapes and |
| $300. | | | | sizes. Some of the putter shafts are so short that the |
| Golf irons are the essential part of a set of golf clubs. | | | | golfer grips it near his knees, and some are so long |
| Two thirds of the shots in a normal round of golf will | | | | that they are gripped at the golfer's chest. |
| utilize an iron. | | | | Many golfers spend their entire lives changing putters |
| Irons are used to hit the golf ball off the ground from | | | | to find the one that feels right for them. Simple putters |
| distances of 125 yards to 225 yards. Each iron is | | | | can cost as little as $20 but some of the more exotic |
| assigned a number based upon the loft angle of the | | | | putters can cost as much as $300. |
| club head. The 9-iron has the most loft, and is used to | | | | Some players opt to avoid some of the more |
| hit short, high shots. A 2-iron has very little loft, and is | | | | difficult-to-hit longer irons in favor of higher-lofted |
| used to hit low, long shorts. | | | | "fairway" woods and extra "utility" wedges. In part, this |
| Wedges are normally included in the purchase of a set | | | | reflects a pattern of design of clubs in which club |
| of irons. The most common wedges are the pitching | | | | manufacturers have reduced the lofts of the irons so |
| wedge, the sand wedge and the lob wedge. These | | | | that they can be used from longer distances. |
| golf clubs are used for short, controlled shots, normally | | | | In effect, today's 3-iron has a loft that is equivalent to a |
| very close to the putting green. | | | | 2-iron of years ago. |