To play the game of golf, it is essential that one has the proper golf equipment. Golf equipment can be a costly investment, as there are so many gimmicks and gadgets being sold to improve one’s game. However, for the weekend duffer, nothing more is needed than the essentials: golf clubs, a bag to carry the clubs in and golf balls.
According to United States Golf Association rules, a golfer should carry no more than fourteen clubs in the bag. The essential clubs needed are a driver, fairway woods, irons, wedges and a putter. The golfer can mix and match the number of particular clubs to suit his game as long as he does not exceed fourteen clubs. Golf is not an inexpensive game, as the average golfer will normally spend between $500 and $1,000 to purchase a complete set of clubs.
Golf bags are an essential part of golf equipment because it would be impractical, if not impossible, to haul fourteen clubs and golf balls around a golf course. Bags can be made of fine leather but most golfers usually use some sort of lightweight nylon bag. It is advised that a golfer choose his bag based on how he will primarily be getting around the course. If he will primarily be riding on a golf cart, he may want to choose a larger bag that will accommodate more accessories, balls, towels, etc. If he plans on walking, then a light bag with a comfortable shoulder strap is recommended. Many of the light, nylon bags are being made with retractable legs that will allow the walking golfer to prop up his bag while on the course.
Golf balls are usually sold in boxes of three, called sleeves. Many times it is most economical to purchase packages that include five or six sleeves. The two main balls sold are balata and two-piece balls. Balata balls are made with a hard rubber core, wound with rubber bands, and covered with balata (a soft, plastic cover). The two-piece ball is normally a large, hard rubber core, surrounded by a surlyn cover. Surlyn is a hard plastic that is more resistant to nicks and cuts. The balata is softer, but most advanced golfers feel they can shape the flight of the ball easier than with a two-piece ball.
There are other pieces of golf equipment that the beginning golfer may wish to obtain. The first is a pair of golf shoes. Golf shoes range in variety from wingtip, to tennis shoes, to sandals. Most shoes made today come with soft rubber spikes, to assist the golfer in setting his feet into the ground. Another recommended piece of equipment would be a golf glove. After a day of swinging a club around 80 times, blisters can form on the grip hand if not protected by a glove. Other pieces of golf equipment that should be considered are golf tees, ball markers, a club brush and an umbrella, for rainy days.
The Essentials of Golf Equipment
Golf for the Whole Family
It used to be that the man in the family would go out for the afternoon with his buddies and spend the day playing golf. Over the years, more women have become interested in golf and they started playing too. With the popularity of some of the more popular golf professionals, especially Tiger Woods, children are also very interested in the game. Now, golf time looks a bit different. Still, people go out with their friends for a round of golf but the family taking the afternoon together to play is becoming even more popular and a great time for everyone to bond and do something enjoyable for the afternoon. Golf has become a great family past time.
For people who want something fun to do as a family, golf is ideal. The family can spend some quality time together, in the outdoors enjoying the scenery. They can add a bit of competitive spirit by playing the game and can also help one another honing the skills of the game. There are many courses that encourage family time by offering certain days and times at a discount for families. There are also activities that are designed specifically for families such as lessons and golf vacations.
Golf vacations are increasingly popular ways of taking a vacation. Many of the golf vacations that are available are to locations that are beautiful, sunny and have plenty of things to do besides golf. The packages that are available often include lessons, games and lodging at luxurious resorts. The entire family can enjoy the travel experience together. They can enjoy the luxury of their accommodations as anyone would on a vacation.
When it is lesson time, everyone can split up into their respective classes and learn how to better their performance on the course. This is a great way to get some alone time while giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy themselves. When it comes time to play, the whole family can hit the course and enjoy putting into practice what they learned. After golf, they family can enjoy sight seeing and restaurants in the location in which they are staying. It is an ideal, well rounded vacation that the entire family can enjoy.
With so many options available now for all ages and genders, it is no wonder golf is becoming a family past time. Golf can be played by everyone and enjoyed by everyone. Practice can be a lot more fun too with everyone participating. When it comes time to play, it’s fun to compete with one another and enjoy each others’ company.
All about Golf Clubs
A good set of golf clubs is the weapon of choice for the advanced golfer. A complete set of clubs consists of woods, irons and a putter. According to the rules of golf, as set forth by the United States Golf Association (USGA), a golfer’s bag may hold 14 clubs. Most golfers will carry a driver, two fairway woods, 7 irons, 3 wedges and the putter.
A driver is a long-shafted club with a full head used to strike the ball that is set upon a tee. The club head does not have much lift to it, to achieve maximum distance off the tee. The fairway woods have club heads that are slightly more lofted than the driver, and are used for long shots when the ball is lying on the ground. Most brand name drivers cost between $200 and $400. Fairway woods normally retail from $150 to $300.
Golf irons are the essence of a set of golf clubs. Two thirds of the shots in a normal round of golf will utilize an iron. Irons are used to hit the golf ball off the ground from distances of 125 yards to 225 yards. Each iron is assigned a number based upon the loft angle of the club head. The 9-iron has the most loft, and is used to hit short, high shots. A 2-iron has very little loft, and is used to hit low, long shorts.
Wedges are normally included in the purchase of a set of irons. The most common wedges are the pitching wedge, the sand wedge and the lob wedge. These golf clubs are used for short, controlled shots, normally very close to the putting green. Some golfers may choose to remove one of the wedges in lieu of a 2-iron. Also worth noting, there are two primary types of irons available. Forged irons are precision clubs that can give experienced golfers a greater ability to shape their shots. Cavity-back irons are considered to be more forgiving, with a larger sweet spot and primarily for golfers who want to focus on hitting straight shots. A set of 10 irons can range in price from as little as $250, to as much as $1,500.
The final and perhaps most important golf club, is the putter. The putter is also known as the “money club” because it is the club used to tap the ball into the hole. The purpose of the putter is to roll the ball, so there is no loft on the club head. There are many varieties of putters in all shapes and sizes. Some of the putter shafts are so short that the golfer grips it near his knees, and some are so long that they are gripped at the golfer’s chest. Many golfers spend their entire lives changing putters to find the one that feels right for them. Simple putters can cost as little as $20 but some of the more exotic putters can cost as much as $300.
