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
What a Good Golf Bag Can Do For You
Golf bags are not always appreciated by the players who own them. While they are willing to spend a lot of time and money selecting their clubs, they are reluctant to do the same for other equipment. In fact it makes no sense to buy high quality clubs and then look around for the cheapest bag to carry them.
Golf bags are not usually an expensive item and there is not so much difference in dollar terms between a high quality bag and a cheap one. A good golf bag protects the clubs that the golfer has invested so much into, and is often so much more convenient that it can save you effort and trouble on the course and even improve your game.
You will see the value of this piece of golfing equipment if you consider the possibility of traveling with your golf clubs. Perhaps I should say the probability of traveling with them, because most every golfer loves to try out a course wherever he goes. You may want to take a golf vacation from time to time and even if your spouse does not play, you will be able to find many resorts which include attractions for your spouse along with a good golf course.
If possible, you will want your own clubs along when you travel. You could surely hire them at your vacation or conference resort but you would be unlikely to play at your best with a strange set of clubs. When you think of taking your clubs on a plane or even with a trunk full of other luggage in your own car, you will see the importance of having a strong, high quality bag to protect them on the trip.
Even if you never travel, you will always be driving to and from your own course with your clubs in the trunk. You will want your favorite clubs to last a lifetime if possible, and for that you will need the best golf bag to house them.
Another advantage of having a good golf club carry bag is that it will allow you to keep everything organized as you go around the course. The clubs will be well stored so that you can immediately pick out the one that you need. A good bag will also have plenty of pockets to store other items and keep them easily accessible, including balls, tees, and other things that you will be carrying like a water bottle, notebook, rangefinder, etc. It is very important to have all of these well organized and easily accessible. This helps golfers to keep their focus and concentration on their game, instead of having to take time out to search for items in their golf bags.
