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Golf ClubsFor all your Golfing needs, Reviews and News |
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When it comes to choosing golf clubs there are so many options available to you it may be very hard to find the right type of club that suits you and your golf swing. So hare are a few points you should consider before choosing Golf Clubs.
So, What Should I Know About Golf Heads? Golf Heads can be made from a variety of materials. Examples include zinc and aluminum (popular in beginners sets and putters); HST aluminum (a harder aluminum that includes trace elements of titanium, that is popular in very large drivers); 431 stainless steel, a softer stainless steel usually used for iron heads; 17-4 stainless steel, a harder steel found in irons and wood heads; titanium, an expensive alloy with light weight and excellent strength; and, maraging metal, a stainless steel put through a very good hardening process that makes it very very hard and is popular in woods). Other materials include the ceramics, graphite and plastics. We don't see those much anymore, but they should begin to make a return in the next few years as the manufacturing technologies improve. To conclude our section on materials, we tend to rank material for golf heads as follows
Best irons: 17-4ph stainless steel: Putters: material choices are immaterial; shape, weighting and type of inserts generally override materials in your decision. Golf heads can be made in a variety of shapes. Key principles are weight distribution (perimeter, low center of gravity, etc.), size (traditional, oversize, super-oversize, etc.) and styling (keel sole, deep face, wide body, etc.). There are not very many utility patents (please see our upcoming section on patents) in this area so most clubmakers can use most shapes that they desire without violating another company's rights. Golf Heads come in a variety of weights. Here there are some important factors. To achieve the desired swing weight (now we are going to get really complicated) there is an important dynamic between the weight of a golf head, the length of the club and the weight of the grip and shaft. Don't worry too much about it because every decent club maker uses golf club casting foundries that cast golf heads with the correct weights. It would be pretty rare to find a golf head maker that messes up in this area. Generally, if a club is made from the same materials, using the same shapes, with the same weight distributions and overall weight, it should perform the same as another club similarly constructed. We call this Physics. The trick is that many companies and retail stores do not explain or know what their clubs are made from. For example, an aluminum driver that looks just like a Name Brand club made from stainless steel will be inferior to that club and vice versa. We will do our best to tell you the straight truth about products and what they are made from so you will be educated to judge quality for yourself. Look at a product on our web site and you will see specifications for materials, size and weight. Compare and You Will Buy From Us! How Important Are Shafts? We have been in the golf business for many years and have bought shafts from every significant steel and graphite shaft maker. We have found much greater quality differences in graphite shafts versus steel shafts, but the good news is that the quality of both materials has improved significantly over the past ten years. In fact the quality of graphite shafts and their affordability is much much better than just two or three years ago. So, here are our short thoughts on shafts and why we use whom we do as suppliers. In our opinion, the shaft is as important as the head of a golf club. In fact, we often find greater performance differences in using different shafts with the same head than we do using different heads (provided the heads are made from the same materials) with the same shaft. Did that make any sense to you? Well, it's the truth. So, the bottom line: SHAFTS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. Should I Use Graphite or Steel Shafts? Strongly consider using graphite shafts in your woods if:
Strongly consider using graphite shafts in your irons if:
So, what is the logic of our advice? Well, graphite shafts reduce the weight of your club (it is actually quite remarkable to feel the weight difference in an entire set of clubs made with steel versus graphite shafts) - this is good for all players, but especially women and seniors. Graphite shafts weigh from 50 grams to 85 grams, while steel shafts generally start at 120 grams. Graphite shafts reduce the shock at impact - this is good for women, seniors, aging baby boomers and those of us with joint problems. Graphite shafts allow for longer clubs - this is good for distance (but maybe not so good for control). Graphite shafts have greater construction alternatives so that they can be designed to affect the flight of the ball to a greater degree than steel shafts. How Important Are Grips? Grips are the least expensive yet one of the most important parts of a golf club. Out most important advice is - CHANGE YOUR GOLF GRIPS OFTEN. Grips tend to oxidize, harden, get slick, and LOSE THEIR GRIP over time. It is a two edged sword - the grips with the best grip are usually the grips that lose their grip the fastest. So, we have taken a position that attempts to cut it both ways. We buy the highest quality grips that have a greater than normal longevity, but not the absolute highest grip factor. This way, if you don't re-grip when you are supposed to at least you will have good grips. But, we do recommend re-gripping often - it will have a positive effect on your game. It's just like changing the oil in your car. Only every six months or 3,000 rounds. |
