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While golf is still played on the same Scottish fields at places such as St. Andrews, today’s golf equipment bears little resemblance to those used by the game’s forefathers. Shafts, for example, have evolved from hickory to steel to graphite. Woods have progressed from small, tough to hit persimmon to 460cc titanium club heads. Similarly, today’s cast and cavity-back forged irons are easier to hit than the muscle-forgings of just 20 years ago.
Technology and research in golf equipment continues to evolve as golfers throughout the world are always looking for an edge. In fact, a golfer’s passion for the game is often overshadowed by their obsession to have the latest and greatest in golf technology. It keeps getting better every year.
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| Click on each of the following golf equipment questions to reveal its answer. Test your own knowledge by trying to answer each question before you view the correct answer. |
| Questions |
Answers |
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Where can I go to find out about golf equipment?
Are there any resources to help learn more about golf equipment?
What is Club Fitting?
What’s in Your Bag?
What do beginners need to know about equipment?
Do I need to upgrade my equipment?
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Where can I go to find out about golf equipment?
Today’s golfer is fortunate to have more options than ever to access the latest and greatest in golf equipment. What used to be limited to golf shops at golf courses has expanded to sporting goods stores, golf super stores and even the Internet.
Regardless of where you go to buy golf equipment, be advised to:
- Seek advice of a qualified PGA or LPGA Professional for additional insight.
- Find a location that allows you to demo golf equipment.
- Make the time and commitment to get properly fitted for your golf equipment.
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Are there any resources to help learn more about golf equipment?
PGA Value Guide: A great resource for consumers providing details about golf clubs, values of your equipment and other special features.
PGA Trade-In Network: Looking for new equipment? Consider trading in your current set through the PGA Trade-In Network and earn credit towards the purchase of new clubs.
April is PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month: PGA Professionals across the country will give away FREE 15 minute club fitting sessions each April.
PGA.com regularly posts some of the best articles in golf, including this link to stories on equipment. |
What is Club Fitting?
most expensive clubs in the world will not work unless they fit you and your game properly. Just as you need to be properly fit for a pair of shoes or eyeglasses, you need to be properly fit for golf clubs.
Getting just the right fit for a set of golf clubs can take as little as 15 minutes or as long as an hour, depending on how detail-oriented you and your PGA Professional want to be for your game.
- Work closely with your PGA Professional when making decisions concerning equipment.
- PGA Professionals are schooled in the latest advances in club fitting and most major equipment companies today offer club fitting as an option.
- An increasing number of equipment companies have demo-testing days at clubs or courses where a player can be tested for his or her best club specifications.
- Perhaps the biggest advance in club fitting is in the development of club fitting stations, where high-end equipment, such as portable launch monitors measure such factors as launch angle, swing speed, swing path, spin rate, energy transfer to the ball and distance the ball will carry.
- Keep in mind that each April is PGA Free-Fitting & Trade-Up month.
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What’s in Your Bag?
Deciding what to carry in your golf bag is largely determined by the size of the bag and the weather conditions you’ll be facing. Also, remember that if you’re walking or using a caddy for that day’s round, use a lighter bag. Many “walking” bags today weigh less than five pounds (empty), so it’s not difficult to find a lightweight bag to fit all of your equipment needs.
- You should carry at least two sleeves of golf balls (six total balls). Depending on you handicap and difficulty of the course, you can easily need several more.
- If you’re playing in hot, humid or rainy conditions and wear a glove, you should have at least two to three with you.
- You’ll need tees and ball markers.
- Consider a small notebook to write down any recurring swing or short game problems and the solutions your PGA Professional has suggested to get you back on track.
- It’s important to carry sunscreen and lip protection with a minimum SPF of 30.
- Carry the proper medications if you are allergic to bee stings or insect bites and let your playing partners know what to do if you are stricken. It’s also a good idea to carry some aspirin or other pain relievers just in case.
- It’s especially important to keep your hands and grips dry because wet hands and grips virtually ensure you won’t be able to control the golf club. You should carry at least one large and one small towel.
- Pack a good lightweight rain jacket or at least a waterproof or water-resistant wind shirt.
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What do beginners need to know about equipment?
- There is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to golf equipment. The biggest mistake any player, especially a beginner, can make is to assume that a friend’s clubs or an off-the-rack set will suffice. However, there are certainly some cases when a beginner is lucky and the stock set of clubs fits adequately or just requires some fine-tuning from a PGA Professional.
- Everyone is different physically and in a way they swing a golf club. Therefore, each player needs properly fitted equipment, especially beginners, as they learn the nuances of their swing.
- The Rules of Golf allow for 14 clubs in a bag. Beyond that, you’re on your own in deciding what clubs and how many should make up your set.
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Do I need to upgrade my equipment?
As your game improves, you might want to upgrade your equipment. That is, move from equipment designed for high handicap players to equipment designed for middle and low handicap players.
Check out the Play Golf America Equipment page for additional information and resources.
Take advantage of the national promotion Free Fitting & Trade Up
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