Get Started with Golf in 15 Minutes!
Starting with a new stuff will require knowledge in the field, may it be in sport (and in this case, golf). Knowledge of the game itself may add further interest and may lead to one's best play. So for a start, let us discuss one of the basic equipment in golf, the golf clubs.
Golf Clubs
A player can carry a maximum of 14 standard golf clubs in a tournament play. Several types of golf clubs exist but there are only 2 main classes. One is the wood golf club the other-iron golf club. Their names suggest their distinct characteristics; they cannot be used interchangeably.
For some years, wood golf clubs are made of wood but recently they were modified replacing steel for its head. Woods are generally used to achieve more distant hits called drives - a shot starting from the tee on to the fairway. On the other hand, iron golf clubs are of smaller heads designed for short-distanced hits called approach shot. Both types have steel or cast-graphite for shafts. Another type of golf clubs is called wedges, which are used, in short-ranged shots aiming to put the ball into the green.
During a game, a player can conveniently use several types of these woods and iron golf clubs.
It is practical to use different types of golf clubs to achieve the desired height, distance and ball placement during the game for different golf clubs serves different purposes. Like when driving a ball for an initial shot through the fairway, golfers use wood club no. 1, also known as the driver. Combined with an aimed strike, this club would guarantee a distanced shot. Other golf clubs used with the same purpose are clubs no.3 and no. 5. Meanwhile, wood clubs numbered 1,2, and 3 are called long-irons. Specifically, wood no. 2 is used for long, lower shots on the fairway and higher-numbered woods are used for higher and shorter shots. Customarily, golfers can select from an array of 15 wood clubs but beginners can start with a complete set that may be composed of only 3 or 4 of these clubs.
Note also that there is a new type of golf clubs, this is called the hybrid designed to make shots easier for golfers having difficulty making the ball airborne.
As already mentioned, iron clubs are made of iron or steel but let us add that they too are often plated with chrome. One can make a selection of 10 irons that, as with the woods, are numbered upward. Each number corresponds with a different angle of the clubface. This principle also applies with woods.
Approach shots (shots aiming to put the ball onto the green or the hole) are done with iron clubs.
To complement the functions of the irons, specialized wedges were made for sand plays and ball pitching.
Since golf is a costly game, manufacturers have created golf clubs that are not original but may serve the same purpose. These are called cloned clubs. They command lower prices but they may impede the players from playing his best.
A Beginner's Combination
A beginner's set may be completed with a few combinations of clubs. Generally, it may consist of 5 iron clubs (no.'s 4,6, and 8 should at least be in the set), a sand iron and a pitching wedge, add to these woods no, 3 and 5. A putter must be in place to complete the set. A driver can also be added but it is not often practical because it is difficult to be controlled. Also, irons 1, 2, and 3 should not be often used because mastery is required so one can strike the ball with each of these irons from the center of the clubface.