Get Ready with Good Golf Equipment

You've seen it all at home on TV. The magnolias and the dogwood are in full bloom. The red and lavender flowers surround the green which is perched at a steep incline just beyond a pond that is waiting for golf balls to fall into it.

The greatest golfer in the world consults with his caddy and throws a few blades of grass up into the wind. The flag stick is tucked into the upper right hand corner of the green and a decision must be made whether to go for the flag or hit the ball safely into the middle of the green. Tiger Woods caddy, Steve Williams, reaches into the gargantuan golf bag and pulls out an eight iron that has been specifcally manufactured to match Tiger's height weight and swing and all the things that he's looking for including loft, distance, ball control and spin, and the ability to shape his shot.

Now you have the bag and you want to get out there and duplicate Tiger. We have some tips for you on selecting golf equipment. You want to buy equipment and look professsional, but your pocketbook is not the same size as Tiger's and you are just a beginner.

Let's start with a bag to put your golf clubs into. Tiger's bag is huge and is an endurance test for his caddy. Maybe you need something smaller that will fit nicely on an electric golf cart, or that you can fling over your shoulder if you want to play nine holes. Spalding makes a classy looking, medium sized bag for the right price, starting at around $60.00.

Nowadays bags come with a place to put your cellphone and you will need a strap for an umbrella in case you get caught up in an afteroon shower. Large pouches are essential because a few of your balls may find their way into the water and you may hit a tee shot or two into the trees.

When buying golf balls for the first few rounds, try to find a ball with a good hard cover that can withstand some mis-swings and not be left with a deep gouge in the side. Titleist has a nice sturdy ball, the ProV1, that gives you some distance and is durable at the same time. Its Tour ball is designed for the better player and gives you control and spin. Go with the harder ball the first time out and save the soft ball for after you break 100.

Tees are wooden or plastic and are used when you are driving the ball on your first shot of the hole. You can't tee the ball up anywhere else. They are free in just about any pro shop in America and come with some nice print advertising.

You're almost set; now all you need are clubs. Try to purchase a driver or number one wood with an oversized head for your first year on the turf. This gives you a larger striking area and if your swing comes unglued you still have a chance to hit the ball solidly. A titanium head is nice and allows the club to gide through on its downward journey to the ball.

When it comes to irons for the fairway, look for something with a lot of flex in the shaft to compensate for any problems you may have with your backswing. Hollow irons move out and away as you start your swing and give you a better chance for ultimtately making contact. Remember how you choked up on a baseball bat for some more swing control as a kid? Ask your pro about giving you clubs that are slightly shorter so as to compact your swing and allow for less things to go wrong.

A putter with a weighted, straight, solid head is good for keeping your ball on line right into the cup. Of course, all of your clubs will have soft rubber grips and your woods will have matching headcovers. The Jack Nickluas Signature Series is right up your alley. Jack gives an 18 club set (you can only carry 14 under the rules of golf) and he includes a real nice bag. All of this costs a modest $298.00.