Do different golf clubs make a difference?

If you’re new to golf, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: “Do different golf clubs make a difference?” The short answer is yes — but it depends on your skill level, swing and what type of clubs you play. 

Golf may look easy on TV, but it’s a game of precision. The clubs you play with, Dorgan, play a major part in just how far the ball goes, how straight it flies, and even how confident you feel as you swing. Let’s break it down in plain English so that you can understand why different golf clubs are important.

Why Golf Clubs Are Different

Golf is not like other sports in that one ball or one racket does it all. Instead, golfers use a collection of approximately 12–14 clubs, each designed for a different role. Here’s why:

• Distance – A few clubs are specifically made to be used to hit the ball far (i.e. a driver).
• Control – Others will be accuracy and short range shots (like wedges).
• Situations – Each golf hole is a new one. You could be dealing with long fairways, short grass, thick rough, sand traps or greens. Clubs are intended to save in both cases.

So yes, every club has a job to do.

Also Read: When should a new golfer buy his first set of golf clubs?

Primary Golf Clubs Categories Clubs are categorized into 4 types.

Driver

The driver is your bag’s “big stick.” It’s designed to hit the ball the longest — typically off the tee. Drivers have the biggest clubhead and the longest shaft, so they are powerful, but sometimes more difficult to control.

Fairway Woods

These are the clubs you would hit when you still have a long way to go to reach the green, but not nearly as much ground as you cover with a driver. They’re easier to hit off the grass and they give you a good balance of distance and control.

Irons

The claim: Irons are the most versatile clubs. They can vary from long (for distance) to short (for accuracy). You will hit more irons than any other club in a round.

Wedges

Wedges are short irons used for approach shots, chips and getting out of bunkers. They have a high loft, so they get the ball up high and make it stop fast on the green.

Also Read: Why is golf considered a rich man’s game?

Putter

The putter is the closer. It’s something used on the green to roll the ball into the hole. It may not get the ball that much distance, but it’s the club you use most in your bag.

Are Expensive Clubs Worth Buying?

Let’s face it: a set of expensive clubs won’t transform you into a pro. But they can serve in some capacities.

• Forgiveness – Better quality clubs tend to have larger “sweet spots.” This means you’ll get a decent shot even if you don’t make great contact with the ball.
• Distance & Accuracy – The technology in today’s clubs maximizes your distance and accuracy on every shot.
• Confidence – You know, sometimes you feel a little better if you know you are hitting with a good set of clubs. And confidence is a big deal in golf.

But if you’re a novice, you don’t need to drop thousands of dollars. One of these inexpensive starter sets will at least be a temporary solution until you get your game up to snuff.

How Different Clubs Change the Way You Play

Distance Gaps – Each club is made to travel a certain length. For instance, your 7-iron might carry 140 yards, and your 9-iron flies 110 yards. A variety of clubs allows you to cover all distances.

• Curve – Higher level players can alter the shape of their shot by choosing different clubs to make the ball curve left or right. This is something beginners may not notice so much, but as you begin to improve it becomes all the more noticeable.
• Special Situations — You can’t use one club on every hole. Need to escape the sand? Grab a sand wedge. Long fairways? Use wood. Putting? Only a putter works.
• Control vs. Power – Drivers will give you distance, not control. Wedges help control but lose distance. Those two trade-offs are optimized differently under each club.

Also Read: How long should you keep golf clubs?

Do Beginners Require All Clubs?

Not really. Beginners may wish to start with a half-set: perhaps a driver, a couple of irons, a wedge and a putter. As you begin to improve, you’ll learn when a particular missing club would have come in handy. That’s when you might expand your set.

The Ultimate Answer: Do Golf Clubs Matter?

Yes, they do. Other golf clubs make a tremendous difference in that:

• They provide you with choices for any distance and situation.
• They help you hit the ball correctly.
• They give confidence to you and the game as a whole.

There’s a hitch, though — clubs only work if you practice. It’s not like even the best driver is going to save a terrible swing. Golf is part skill and part practice.

So if you’re new to the game, you really don’t need to worry about having the best clubs. Concentrate on trying to master the basic moves, and upgrade as you improve. As you start getting the hang of swinging correctly, you’ll realize just how different each club can make the game.