Golf Basics - Types Of Golf Clubs And Golf Club Distances

Golf, like every sport, has so many details and all of them are so important that it can be hard to understand everything. First, there is technique: the grip, the stance, the swing. Then, the set of golf clubs with the different types: Irons, woods, putters and other subcategories. And finally, the game itself: Birdies, boggies and eagles.

For people who understand all the concepts mentioned above, you may find this article simple. However, there is tons of people out there (probably you are one of them), who want to learn about this game because they enjoy watching it, or because someone has told them how unbelievably great it is.

Either way, I hope after reading these lines you get a better understanding of some golf principles. In this article, we are going to be talking about types of golf clubs and other concepts related to them. Please feel free to leave your comments and share with us your experience.

Types of golf clubs.

A typical set of clubs can be divided in three main categories (although you may find some other subcategories).

1. Woods: This kind of clubs is used for long shots. The biggest club in this category is the number 1, often referred to as a driver. Depending on the ability of the player, a stroke with one of these clubs can travel up to 300 yards. For shorter distances, woods 3 and 5 can be used. Some manufacturers also sell woods 7, 9 and 11, which can be helpful in some specific situations of the game, although they aren’t very common.

2. Irons: You normally use irons for finer, shorter shots. They are numbered from 1 to 9, although numbers 1 and 2 are not usually included in a regular set because few players use them. The difference between them is the loft (the face of the club has different slopes so when you hit the ball it can go straight or it can fly over an obstacle).

Learning to use irons is one of the most interesting thing in this sport. However, it is a matter of guidelines rather than rules, especially because every situation in golf is particular. It is suggested to use bigger slopes (irons 7, 8, 9) for shorter shots or “approach” shots (when you are near the green).

There is a special kind of clubs that might or might not be included in this category (correct me if I’m wrong): wedges. We have the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. The second is very obvious where you would use it (for newbies, you use it when you fall in a bunker to get your ball out of this area).

The pitching wedge is used when you are almost inside the green and you want to get your ball as close to the hole as you can. It takes great sensitivity and touch to master the use of the pitching wedge.

3. Putters: This is the last category and for me, the most beautiful of them. This club (usually you will have only one) is used when your ball is inside the green and you want to put it inside the hole.

The form of this club is usually the same (flat face and flat surface so it can slide better). Some manufacturers started designing putters with longer shafts trying to find a different, more stable way to make this shot. With this new design, players had to put the tip of the shaft against their body. This technique wasn’t very popular and today very few golfers still use it.

The putting technique is very special and it is what separates great players from regular ones. You need to be a good observer and to have a very fine touch to put the ball in the hole from a considerable distance (up to 10 yards).

I would like to finish saying that most players are worried about finding the best golf clubs. Whether you are new to this game or you have a good level of expertise I can assure you that the best golf clubs are the one that fit you. I don’t argue that some manufacturers or brands are better than other, but the most important thing is that you feel comfortable when you are out there playing.

A very important detail to consider is the length of the clubs. If you buy a set and they are designed for a taller or shorter player, you will find it difficult to make good shots and it is probable that you will be frustrated.

I hope you found this article interesting and I would love to hear your experiences: How you decided to buy your golf set and what types of golf clubs it contains, which is your favorite club and which part of the game you are stronger in.