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Golf Gear Buyers Guide

If you’re new at the great game of golf or want to buy a gift for your golfing friends, we’re here to help! The age, size, skill level and personal tastes of the player are all important considerations when looking for the right equipment, accessories and attire.

First things first: Let’s start with the basic equipment every golfer needs.

Golf Clubs: Players just getting into the game might want to begin with a starter set of clubs. With experience, golfers generally invest in clubs—either in sets or one club at a time—that suit their style and game.

• Golf Club Sets: Just because you’re allowed to carry up to14 clubs doesn’t mean you have to! Beginners might do best with a basic set of clubs, adding special clubs as you gain skills and experience.
• Beginners need a putter, 3 – 9 irons, three woods (driver, plus 3- and 5-woods), a sand wedge and a pitching wedge.
• Experienced players may want to carry a lob or approach wedge, a 3.5-, 7- or 9-wood, and possibly a 2-iron.
• Children’s Clubs: Starter sets are sized for young children, pre-teens and teenagers. Most kids’ sets have a reduced number of clubs, simplifying their choices out on the links and limiting the weight of the bag. Kids’ clubs should be well-balanced, but light enough to be easily swung. The 6-iron is usually the lowest, and drivers are often replaced by 3- or 5- woods. The size of the child’s putter is extremely important. Get the best fit by measuring from just above his or her waist to the ground and use that as your guide to a putter length.
• Irons: The staple of your golf bag—and your game—irons make up the majority of your clubs, and iron-play is, arguably, the most important part of your game. Irons are used from the fairway and they’re used from the tee. Featuring thin club heads and grooved facings of various lofts, irons often have steel shafts, but they’re called “irons” because of their metal heads (yes, woods’ club heads are also made of metal these days, but such was not always the case). The loft of your irons increases with its number; so, a 3-iron has less loft than a 4-iron, etc. However, the length of your irons decreases with its number, so a 3-iron is longer than a 4-iron, and so on.
• Woods: Woods feature deep heads, usually made of titanium, steel or an alloy (these days, few of them are made of wood), and include your driver, which is the longest club in your golf bag. The loft of your woods is progressive, like your irons. Fairway woods are shorter and have smaller heads than drivers. Beginners often use them in place of long irons.
• Putters: Putters come in all shapes and sizes, and it’ll take some experimentation to discover which putter is right for you. The most often used club in your bag, the right putter can shave strokes off of your game. Putter heads are generally traditional blades, heel-toe or mallet, and shafts come in varying lengths. If you’re nervous on the green, you might have better luck with a longer than conventional putter.
• Hybrid Clubs: Hybrids include elements of woods and irons and are designed to be more easily hit. Most hybrids are meant to replace the long irons 2-, 3-, 4- and sometimes 5-irons. Hybrids are more forgiving in the case of imperfectly hit balls, plus they can move the ball greater distances.

Golf Balls: Obviously, the golf ball is—along with the holes themselves—the object of your golf game. The golf ball has come a long way since the 1600s, when they were made of wood! Dimpled balls fly farther than smooth balls because the dimples reduce drag. These days, balls are usually white (aside from their logos), but also come in easy-to-find bright colors.

• Beginner Golf Balls: If you’re a beginner, you may go through more golf balls than more experienced players do—those little projectiles can be elusive, and easily lost! Consider buying less expensive balls when starting out in the game and progressing to more expensive, technologically advanced balls later. Used balls (from driving ranges, etc.) are very affordable, as are X-outs—big-name balls which have some minor cosmetic flaw. Also look for close-out balls (discontinued models) and value balls, which are new, reduced-price balls distributed through major golf ball manufacturers.
• Recreational Golf Balls: Composed of two layers—a firm cover and a softer core—recreational balls are the norm out at your local golf course.
• Advanced Golf Balls: Professional golfers and those with a great swing speed may use advanced balls, made up of three or more layers. They have more spin on chip shots, but can actually result in less distance when hit by a less than powerful swing. These high-tech balls are more expensive than recreational balls.

Golf Bags: The golf bag you need should be determined by the kinds of courses you play, the number of clubs you carry and your personal taste. Golf travel bags (with a hood) are also a good investment if you travel with your clubs.

• Stand Bags: Meant to be carried, a stand bag should have sturdy legs, so it can be stood up while you make your shot. Even more importantly, unless you’re looking for a workout, look for a lightweight bag (5 pounds or less), probably made of nylon. Also be sure it has a broad, comfortable shoulder strap.
• Staff Bags: Staff bags are large bags, usually designed after the custom golf bags used by the pros. Often made of leather, staff bags will hold a full set of 14 golf clubs. Staff bags pack the most prestige and often have roomy outside pockets for water bottles and accessories, but they’re heavy—not a problem if you’ll be employing a caddy.
• Cart Bags: If you use a motorized golf cart on the links, a cart bag may be a fine choice. They weigh more than stand bags because they’re meant to be kept on the cart through most of your game. Multiple, large exterior pockets make up the extra weight. Be sure to choose a bag with pockets facing away from the golf cart so you can get to all your gear when you need it.

Golf Carts: The debate on golf carts used to be gas vs. electric. Most green-minded people these days opt for electric carts. Models range from 2 – 4-seaters. If you intend to use your cart off the golf course, be sure it’s equipped with safety belts and lights. Lots of cart accessories are available these days, from hoods, umbrellas and covers to drink holders and windshields.

Golf Accessories: There are thousands of golf accessories on the market. Some are essential to the game, others are training aids and most are great fun! Here are just a few golf tools and toys to make your golf game special.

• Essentials: You’ll need tees, markers, grips and possibly club head covers. Good, comfortable golf shoes are absolutely necessary and many golfers count on a good golf glove or gloves. Depending on your climate, you’ll want a golf umbrella, sunscreen, weather gear and, of course, a cap and sunglasses.
• Training Aids: Putting mats and ball grabbers and dispensers are great for brushing up on your game when you’re not on the course, as are driving nets. There are thousands of instructional books, tapes and videos on the market produced by pros and experts.
• Electronic accessories: Range finders are becoming increasingly popular. There are many styles to choose from at various prices.
• Golf Apparel: Aside from good golf shoes, a cap, visor or hat, sunglasses and gloves, you’ll want to look sharp on the links. Many pros and just about all sporting goods companies have a line of clothing just for male and female golfers. Some country clubs have rules as to golfers’ attire, but otherwise, you’ll have no trouble finding great looking golf clothes in the styles, colors and thirsty fabrics you need. Obviously, the first consideration when choosing golf shoes is comfort! Also consider the climate you golf in and the rules of the golf courses you play.

We hope you find everything you need right here!

Happy shopping— and great golfing—

from all of us at

ChicagoGolfTennis.com