News
HELPING YOU MAKE SOME CHOICES 2008-03-29
Following our article that started to explore how you can each make up your own set of golf clubs to ‘fit’ your game I have had a number of you request some ‘simple to follow rules’.
My answer to that request has been consistently “there is a simple solution to fit your game” but “no general solution to fit all games”. There are however some generalisations that are worth noting:
· The gap between the Pitching Wedge, which is usually 48° or less, and the Sand Wedge, which is usually 56°, is far too big and leaves you having to either force a Sand Wedge from the fairway or ‘half strike’ a Pitching Wedge. Get a 52° Gap Wedge and you will save shots.
· Don’t play with a 60° Lob Wedge unless you are a pretty skilled short-game player or learn and practice until you are a short game wizard if you have invested in such a club.
Then look at the Seniors Tour (golfers over 50) and try and find a Pro that is playing a #3 Iron and #4 Iron instead of the Hybrid equivalent. The reason is the swing speed at their age, even with these Pros, makes it harder to get the ball up onto a high enough trajectory with an Iron. The Hybrid offers increased consistency and an easier approach to a green off a higher trajectory. Wilson is looking to simplify the transition from Fairway Wood to Iron with the new FYbrid.
They also have a ‘fitting’ guide that, after you have entered some basic questions, recommends the correct utility clubs to fit into your game and provide you with the best long range solution.
But now you are going to start asking me questions about what is the exact swing speed where you transition out of an Iron and into a Hybrid. And I am going to say: “that still depends on your personal ball striking skills”. So you do need to get out on the course and let your pro have a look at your swing and your game.
This question gets even more complicated when you start to try to determine when you should use a #7 Wood rather than a #3 Iron or Hybrid. Some manufacturers are trying to make this an off the chart selection process.
But, I would ask you to go and see your pro before making your final choice. If it was as simple as matching your swing speed, I would have a day where you get yours measured. The fact remains that your swing path and swing plane, your swing consistency and the feeling of confidence that you have with each club type will affect what is the best decision for you.
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