Buying Guide to Golf Clubs

Mark Twain once wrote that “Golf is a good walk spoiled.” Whether or not that’s true, a bad set of clubs can definitely spoil the game of golf. And while the clubs don’t make the golfer, having a proper set can greatly increase your chances for improving your game (read: shaving off some easy strokes) and not spoiling golf’s good walk.

But where do you start? Full sets of clubs can be found anywhere between Wal-Mart and the pro shop, and the prices on those clubs has a range as big as John Daly’s drives. So when looking for a good set of clubs, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions to make sure you get the set of slicers you need.


What kind of golfer am I?  Proper clubs are important for the beginner, the frustrated hacker, and the low handicapper. But in order to better match yourself to a set of clubs, it’s important to understand what kind of player you are. Your needs as a beginner will generally be different than if you’ve made a few trips around the links; it follows that that difference usually has a lot to do with skill level. So even though it might be a painful process for some, understanding your current level of play will give you a big head start on finding the right clubs for you.

Where am I looking to improve?  This is almost as important as knowing what kind of golfer you are. Most players know where their strengths lie on the golf course. But knowing where you need to improve and sharing that with your local pro shop can help focus your search for the right clubs, and may help cut costs and the amount of time it takes to search for the right sticks.