Those big box golf superstores are like a candy store to anyone who loves the game of golf. All that equipment in one place gets some golf junkies drooling.
Sure they have an unbeatable selection with clubs available from every major brand. But those rows and rows of clubs you see there all have one thing in common - They're all standard size specifications.
Standard specs as they're known are the lengths, lie angles, lofts and grip thickness that all manufacturers mass produce their equipment to, and most of the major brands irons, woods, wedges and putters are within a quarter of an inch of each other with overall length, a degree with lie angle and lofts and the exact same with grip thickness.
Why would (and should) a person who is 5'5 play (and purchase off the rack) the same clubs as someone who is 6'2 ??!!! The length, lie and grip thickness would be way off for one or both of them 99% of the time if they both purchased 'off the rack' equipment.
Hitting balls on a driving range with a certified, professional club fitter is the way to go. Seeing your ball flight and how your current set and potential new clubs perform in real conditions is better than even the best golf simulator at any golf retail outlet.
Below are some of the various components of the golf club and the vital importance of a proper fit...
Lie Angle -
How the clubhead interacts with the turf when you come into the impact zome can greatly influence how the golf ball flies and where it ends up. At address one should ideally see the toe of the clubhead ever so slightly raised off the ground. This is easier to see when one takes their address on a hardwood floor or thin turf matt. You do not want the sole perfectly flush and level at address and the reason for this is that on the downswing the shaft of the golf club will actually bow outward, away from the player and thus change the angle of the clubhead coming into impact into a more upright position.
A lie angle that is too upright will result in a open clubface at impact because upon interaction with the turf the heel of the club moves at a faster rate due to less friction and thus the clubface opens and the ball flight would be to the right of the intended target line. The opposite would happen if the lie angle was too flat. Heel digs into turf and the clubface closes and ball would go left.
Length -
If clubs are too short, one is hunched over too much as they extend beyond the natural hanging of their arms in order to meet the golf ball with the clubface. This would result in a loss in distance and accuracy. The same could be said if the clubs were too long for someone and the additional weight would add another element of difficulty to be able to consistenly hit quality golf shots. Length can also affect the lie angle of the club as a club that is too long for someone would probably be too flat a lie angle and one too short would be too upright.
Shaft flex -
Important to find the right flex that allows the golf club to act as efficiently as possible and help 'whip' the ball as far and as straight as possible. A club that is too flexible (whippy) for a golfer would result in inaccuracies as the weight of the clubhead snaps the shaft back at the improper time coming into impact. The same can be said for a club that is too stiff as one would not get the benefits or have the ability to get the golf club to act as a whip and thus propel the golf ball its maximum distance.
Shaft torque -
Torque relates to the amount a golf club can withstand twisting when swung so violently at a golf ball. One who swings smooth and easy and at slower speeds would need a club with much different torque properties than that of one who swings faster and has a quicker transition from backswing to downswing.
Shaft weight -
A lighter shaft is usually more beneficial to average skilled golfers, but higher skilled golfers with very fast swing speeds would benefit more from a heavier shaft that is capable of withstanding the forces placed on it by faster swing speeds. Someone with a slow swing speed swinging a shaft too heavy (or stiff) for them is going to find it more difficult to get the ball in the air and maximize their distance capabilities with that specific club and will most likely also be missing shots to the right of their intended target line (if right handed) because they're unable to square the club face.
Loft -
Affects ball flight and ball spin. Iron sets have a usual standard of lofts progressing through the set so all yardages are covered when out on the golf course. Optimizing your distance from your driver is where it is important to find the right loft. Hitting it too low can result in the ball hitting the ground sooner thus coming to a stop well before your maximum possible yardage. Hitting it too high could result in the ball spinning too much in the air and upon landing the ball not rolling at all or minimally.
Grip Thickness -
Affects feel of club (swingweight, balance) and can impact flight of ball due to ability of hands to release the clubhead. A thinner grip makes it easier to release and possibly hook the golf ball, a thicker grip delays/makes releasing the clubhead more difficult thus promoting a fade to the right of the intended target line. A thicker grip also affects overall feel of the club and can diminish feedback at impact as contact is absorbed more through the thicker grip.
There are also hundreds of different styles of grips to suit your preference or usual playing conditions.
Swingweight -
A balance measurement of a golf club translating the clubhead weight relation to overall weight of a golf club. Swingweight is expressed with a letter and number; "C9," for example.
The letters used are A, B, C, D, E, F and G, and the numerals 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 (G goes up to 10). Each combination of letter and number is known as a "swingweight point," and there are 73 possible swingweight measurements.
A0 is the lightest measurement (think like a feather), progressing up to the heaviest, G10 (a sledgehammer). If you feel your clubs are too light in the swing, then you'll want to go up the scale; too heavy, down the scale. The idea is to find the right balance that feels right and that you can control and get the most benefit out of.
The manufacturers' standard for men's clubs is around D2, and for women's clubs, C6. The swingweight can be adjusted by adding lead tape or changing out components, a lighter shaft or grip or heavier shaft or grip.
So as you can see there are many variables that one has to consider before investing in golf equipment and the best way to find out what works for you is to visit your local golf professional and have them fit you properly and order golf equipment that is tailored to you and your swing.
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