Golf clubbing
Posted by RSVP on
Golf is notoriously difficult. There are so many variables to get just right to make that perfect shot. If your swing is off just a fraction, your hands not gripped properly or your weight not shifted just so, you can forget the par (or even your triple bogie). One way to give yourself a rare - but usually much needed - advantage is to choose the right club for your swing.Whether you're an amateur or professional, it seems that to master the sport you need everything in your favour - from your temperament, stance, and grip, to the weather.
Your clubs also play an important part. Good clubs can help you hit the ball longer, higher and more accurately. And choosing a club that caters for the nuances in your game, such as slicing or hooking, can really make a difference.
The next question is: how do you choose clubs to suit your game?
When the slice is right
Ramon Kesur is a professional golf instructor at Moore Park Golf Club, Sydney.
"The most common problem with golfers is that they slice the ball", he says. "Golfers who slice the ball tend to swing a club that is too stiff. There's not enough flexibility in the shaft and usually the head design of the club is not suitable for them".
Irons. Choosing the right irons is crucial to help hit the ball straighter if you slice.
"You need the leading part of the club to be ahead of the sole of the club because that will enable you to rotate more to the left, stopping the slice," Ramon continues. "If the sole of the club isn't wide enough it won't allow the ball to get sufficient height and therefore it will go to the right more often. It will be like a glancing blow every time you hit the ball."
Drivers/Woods. Your woods are vital for getting your round off to a good start.
"Most golfers play with woods with not enough loft on them," explains Ramon. "They think a loft of 10 degrees is sufficient, but if you slice, you need a loft of 12 degrees. Any more than 12 degrees and the ball goes too high instead of long."
"An off-set driver helps you avoid slicing the ball. The flex point on the club shaft can make a difference - if it is low it will stop the club face from opening up, thereby reducing your chances of slicing."
A mean left hook
Golfers who hook the ball fall into the second most common category.
Irons. "The clubs you need if you hook the ball should be straight up and down," says Ramon. "With a hook you need a stiffer shaft because it stops the club turning in your hand, reducing the chances of you hooking the ball."
Because they are stiffer, "steel shafts are preferable to graphite" says Ramon.
Drivers/Woods. "A slightly more open club face is preferable for someone who hooks", says Ramon. "Half a degree clubs are better, but generally a 10.5 degree club will suffice. You can go up to a 12.5 degree driver. These clubs will help keep the ball in the air and reduce the hook for you."
The right clubs - a question of degrees?There's a wide range of golf clubs out there but, as with anything, some are better than others. The hybrid clubs that replace the long irons are proving to be popular.
"A 21 degree hybrid replaces the three iron and the 23 degree replaces the four iron, for example," says Ramon. "Off centre hits still go well and there is more consistency."
According to Ramon, "Calloway has the best and biggest variety to help the novice through to scratch golfer. They have the widest range of clubhead options and club fitters that can help anyone."
"Titleist and Taylor Made brands of clubs are good for the advanced golfer while Cobra Golf have a good fitting system," he says.
It just goes to show that improving your game and eliminating your slice or hook could only be a golf club away...
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