Golf Equipment and Training Aids
Drivers, irons, woods, putters, wedges, bag,
balls, tees and clothes.
What's in the bag?
To play golf, it is essential that one have the proper
equipment.
Golf equipment can be a costly investment, as there are so
many gimmicks and gadgets being sold to improve one’s game.
However, for the weekend player, nothing more is needed than
the essentials: golf clubs, a bag to carry the clubs in, golf
balls and perhaps golf shoes.
No more than 14 golf woods, irons and putters
According to United States Golf Association rules, a golfer
should carry no more than fourteen clubs in the bag. The
essential clubs needed are a driver, fairway woods, irons,
wedges and a putter. The golfer can mix and match the
number of particular clubs to suit his game as long as he does
not exceed fourteen clubs. Golf is not an inexpensive
game, as the average golfer will normally spend between $500
and $1,000 to purchase a complete set of clubs.
For your golf equipment, a golf bag
Golf bags are an essential part of golf equipment because it
would be impractical, if not impossible, to haul fourteen clubs
plus golf balls around a golf course. Bags can be made of
fine leather but most golfers usually use some sort of
lightweight nylon bag.
A golfer should choose his bag based on how he will
primarily be getting around the course. If he will be
riding on a golf cart, he may want to choose a larger bag that
will accommodate more accessories, balls, towels,
etc.
If he plans on walking, as I recommend, then a light
bag with a comfortable shoulder strap is recommended.
Many of the light, nylon bags are being made with retractable
legs that will allow the walking golfer to prop up his bag
while on the course.
The balata versus the surlyn golf balls
Golf balls are usually sold in boxes of three, called
sleeves. Many times it is most economical to purchase
packages that include five or six sleeves. The two main
balls sold are balata and two-piece balls.
Balata balls are made with a hard rubber core, wound with
rubber bands, and covered with balata (a soft, plastic
cover).
The two-piece ball is normally a large, hard rubber core,
surrounded by a surlyn cover. Surlyn is a hard plastic
that is more resistant to nicks and cuts. The balata is
softer and more easily damaged, but most advanced golfers feel
they can shape the flight of the ball easier with this than
with the harder two-piece ball.
Non slip golf shoes and no blister golf gloves
There are other pieces of golf equipment that the beginning
golfer may wish to obtain. The first is a good pair of
golf shoes. Golf shoes range in variety from wingtip, to
tennis shoes, to sandals. Most shoes made today come with
soft rubber spikes, to assist the golfer in keeping his
feet firm in the ground.
Try wearing a golf glove. After a day of swinging a
club around 80 times, blisters can form on the grip hand if not
protected by a glove.
Other pieces of golf equipment that could be considered
essential are golf tees, ball markers, a club brush, sun
screen and an umbrella, for rainy days.
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