photo credit: idovermani  

No. 1)  Get fitted.  You don’t wear clothes that are too small or large, so why use a putter that is too short or long?  The length of your putter should be no longer than the point at which your hands grip the club (while they are hanging down naturally).  No. 2)  Putt with both blade AND mallet-head putters.  Decide which one feels right and also looks right to you.  No. 3)  Try the belly putters and long putters also.  No. 4)  After you’ve made the purchase, have your alignment checked and the putter adjusted to it.  Good Luck !

photo credit: lrargerich

One of the favorite balls on the PGA Tour is the Titleist Pro V1 which is a multilayer ball.  The Pro V1 will give a player maximum spin which is desirable for all approach shots.  For most amateurs with swing speeds of 95 mph. or under, this type of ball may not give the same results.  Pro’s trap the ball between the clubface and turf for maximum backspin.  Ask your local pro for advice on choosing a ball for your game.

photo credit: mhofstrand

Hybrids are called “utility clubs” because of their versatility.  They can be used for long fairway shots, deep rough, sand and even for chipping from the fringe.  They are one of the most popular clubs of all time.

The benefit in using a hybrid is that it creates maximum backspin and shot height.  Consequently the ball will fly higher, land softer and with limited roll.  The hybrid is perfect for long approach shots. 

Using a hybrid is no different than using a long iron, except perhaps the ball is played a bit more left of center.  They are reasonably priced and come in all sizes, shapes and prices.

photo credit: Kevitivity

Odyssey, one of the top manufacturers of putters, has recently introduced a new Chipper, The Marxman X-act putting wedge.  It has a 37 degree loft (equivalent to a 7 iron) and resembles a putter, except it is meant for playing shots from off the green.  It has the feel and accuracy of a putter and is very easy to use.  This club can make even a hardcore golf purist,  a believer.  Check one out, this is one club that’s hard not to fall in love with !

photo credit: fredcamino

There are many factors to look for.  Because of fierce competition, most brands offer excellent quality.  Some are more expensive than others but don’t be fooled.  You should be looking for a set of clubs that “feel” right to you and the only way to decide, is to handle as many as possible when in the store.  You will find that some clubs just don’t feel right and others feel quite good.  Go with the clubs that feel the best, not with clubs that are the most expensive.

Once you’ve chosen the clubs they can be fitted to your liking.

photo credit: ArchiM

A club with the “draw” design has it’s clubface angled slightly inward (toe forward).  The angled clubface is meant to counteract a golfers tendency to slice or push the ball.  A ball slices from excess left to right spin, caused by an outside to inside swing path.  Because of the clubhead angle, the “draw” tends to put  right to left spin on the ball which counteracts the slice.

Many players are not inclined to use the new design, however those that do use this modified club, swear by them.

photo credit: Steven Wilke

Wedges are replaced for one reason, wear.  Some wedges, such as the Titleist Vokey have etched faces.  The etching is there to increase the “grab” on the ball.  The problem is, that after about 1000 strikes, these types of surfaces wear away.  The tour players want the wedges they use to exert as much spin as possible on the golf ball. 

TIP:  To maintain the life of your wedge/s, keep the club-face clean.  Some players will maintain two wedges of the same make and model, the new one for play and the old one for practice.

photo credit: m.eckelberg

There were 240 million golf balls sold in the United States last year, many of which are sitting in water hazards and forests.  An average golf ball requires hundreds of years to biodegrade.  The Dixon Earth ball won’t biodegrade much faster than a standard ball but the company does have a program that lets golfers return their used, scuffed golf balls for future discounts.

The typical golf ball contains nonrenewable synthetics and traces of heavy-metal pollutants, like tungsten, which adds weight to the core.  Because the Dixon ball does not contain these products the used balls can be converted to polymer dust for other products.

photo credit: lrargerich

For years golfers have used a myriad of clubs for chipping, from 5 irons to sand wedges.  As of late, players have started using hybrid clubs to hit these delicate little chip shots.  Enter the Chipping Iron, which come in various lofts and shorter shaft lengths.  They are relatively heavy and move through high grass in a relatively easy manner.

Whether these clubs will catch on is another matter.  The real question is whether natural talent is being compromised through the use of all this new technology?  For short chips, I’ll take my 48 yr. old 8 iron any day, no fooling !