Golf Clubs Guid

Hybrid clubs keep growing in popularity. And the lofts on hybrids keep getting lower. This gives you more options but blurs the distinction between hybrid clubs and fairway woods.

Some hybrids come in lofts as low as 14*. That’s lower than many 3 woods. When deciding on fairway woods or hybrids, how do you know you’re making the right choice?

Hybrids come in two flavors

Before comparing hybrid clubs and fairway woods, you need to look at the two types of hybrids and decide which suits your game. They’re a little different and affect set makeup differently too.

Knowing how to make distinctions between these clubs can help you develop a short list of hybrids and fairway woods to field-test the next time out.

Hybrid irons. These hybrids replace irons, have the same lofts and weights as the irons they replace and come in the same finished lengths and swingweights. That means they’ll feel the same as the irons in your current set.

The advantages?

That’s simple. Hybrid irons simplify the replacement of corresponding long irons. It also keeps your set’s progression consistent. This maintains a predictable 10 yard gap between clubs throughout your set. That makes club selection easier.

Another benefit?

Higher long iron trajectories. The lower center of gravity (CG) in hybrid irons produces a higher trajectory with the same effort. Players with lower swing speeds can take advantage of hybrids to get back the long iron yardages for longer approaches to the green.

If you never thought you’d be able to hit a two iron, hybrid irons deliver the out-and-out perfect solution.

Hybrid fairways. These mimic fairway woods to some extent. They’re longer in length than hybrid irons and use different shafts. Hybrid fairways use wood shafts with a .335 tip diameter instead of the .370 tip found in irons.

Hybrid fairways are not as deep from front to back as fairway woods and that affects how they play. Hybrid fairways have the center of gravity (CG) closer to the clubface than traditional fairway woods. This tends to lower trajectory a bit.

How this works

Fairway woods are a little larger in volume than hybrids, and are wider from front to back. This places the CG farther away from the clubface. During the swing, centrifugal force and gravity push the back of the clubhead down raising the dynamic loft of the club and elevating trajectory. The farter away from the clubface you position the CG the higher the dynamic loft.

Who benefits from hybrid fairways?

My theory is that high swing speed players looking to flatten trajectory do well with hybrid fairways in place of fairway woods. Most fairway woods tend to drift a little higher. Anyone looking to keep the ball under the wind can do that easier with a hybrid.

There are exceptions. An example? The KZG U-Series utility comes to mind. Its very low profile quickly gets the ball up the air. Make sure you know the design characteristics of a utility wood before diving in.

Another advantage? A hybrid fairway’s smaller size makes it a better club from difficult or fluffy lies. They simply won’t get hung up in the grass as easily as a fairway wood.

Fairway woods have their place too

Traditional fairway woods are good choices when you want a club that works well from either the tee or fairway. Their slightly larger appearance instills confidence at address.

If your swing speed is about 90 mph or less, a good fairway wood with a low center of gravity helps keep your trajectory a little higher. The lower center of gravity also means you can use stronger lofts for a slight increase in distance.

Putting it all together

If you struggle with long irons take a look at hybrid iron replacements. They work better for slower swing speeds and integrate easily into your current iron set. Stay with traditional fairway woods with a low center of gravity for an elevated trajectory, better hang time and more stopping power on the green.

Manufacturers are now creating iron sets that progress from traditional short irons to hybrid mid and long irons. The seamless progression from blade-like short irons to hybrid long irons makes more sense for players that have difficulty with long iron distances.

Faster swings and players with naturally high trajectories do well with hybrid fairways. Their higher center of gravity keeps trajectories in check.

Match the right hybrids, fairway woods, or a combination of the two to your swing and you’ll have more options when facing long approach shots on par fives, long par fours or tee shots on tight driving holes.

Ken Lopez writes articles for Pure Impact Custom Golf. If you have questions or want assistance in selecting custom golf clubs, you can contact him here:
http://www.pureimpactgolf.com/golf/Default.asp

Tags: fairway woods, hybrid fairways, hybrid golf clubs, hybrid ironsfairway woods, hybrid fairways, hybrid golf clubs, hybrid irons

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There are so many clubs out there to choose from and deciding which set to get can be a tough decision. Here are some tips on how to narrow down the selection.

Decide on your levels for playing
Some players only play on the weekend or less and there are others who like to play more often. If the occasional game is your pace, a low to mid performance club can work for you, while a high performance club is suited to those who will play more regularly.

Set a budget
The notion that the more expensive the club, the better it is simply doesn’t hold water anymore. If you do enough homework and read reviews you’ll find a club that matches your level of interest. Don’t be afraid to check out used clubs as they can give you the best chances of getting the club you need at a good price.

Now that you know your interest level and have established a budget, here’s a brief run-through of kinds of golf clubs and what each one does.

Woods
A typical golfer’s bag will have a driver (called 1-wood) and a couple of fairway woods (3- and/or 5-wood). A driver is the longest club (usually 45 inches) making it the toughest to control during a swing.

Irons
Irons feature thin club heads with grooves on it. Experienced players opt for a blade style iron while beginners get a cavity-back style. A blade-style has a club head with a full back, whereas a cavity back’s club head is hollow. It is hollowed out to create a perimeter weighting effect helpful for less experienced golfers.

Irons are categorized as long (1, 2, 3,4), mid- (5,6,7) and short (8,9). Short irons are the easiest to hit while the long ones are the hardest. The shorter the iron, the more loft there is and for beginners, the more loft, the better.

Putters
Putters are the clubs most often used in the game and come in club head styles of blade, heel-toe and mallet. Lengths come in belly putters, standard and broomstick (long) putters. Which option to get is a personal choice.

Utility clubs/hybrids
The clubs combine features of woods and irons and are best for beginners who may not want to buy too many clubs at first.

Finally, as a final word before taking them out of the store, most new clubs fit individuals at the average height of 5′10″ for men and 5′5″ for women. If you are significantly shorter or taller than these figures, you should get your club fitted to your height.

Start off with these considerations to build on your research when choosing your golf clubs. The game becomes a lot more fun with the little effort you make now.

Paul Bittle is the owner of Bits N Wits an information web site. Search the web, our directories, free courses, plus add your article or URL link for free.

Tags: golf, golf clubs, recreation, sportsgolf, golf clubs, recreation, sports

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First and foremost, it is important to note the benefits of opting to walk the course rather than riding in a cart. If your significant other asked you to go for a 3.5 mile walk, would you hesitate? An 18-hole round, however, will carry you well over 3.5 miles, and is yet another reason to justify spending so much time at the course. While this in itself won’t necessarily help your game, walking a couple of rounds per week will definitely help curb your waistline.

In recent years, PGA players have made physical fitness a predominant part of the training process. While guys like John Daly or Craig Stadler may make us question if golfers are actually athletes, by in large, the Tour players have slimmed down and toned up as of late. A monster drive is not only a result of improved equipment, but is due in large part to flexibility, core strength, balance, and stamina as well.

As far as your flexibility goes, this should include more than just blindly waving your club around on the first tee. Maybe you’re not ready to sign up for a yoga class, but by regularly performing stretching exercises you will improve your flexibility. Increased flexibility translates into a bigger and more powerful swing, and will also reduce the chance of injury and soreness. There are dozens of books focusing on stretching and calisthenics, and one of which would be a good guide to work from.

Increasing your core strength is something that is going to require a little more dedication and work. It’s also important to note that before you start a serious exercise regiment you should consult with your doctor. Rather than relying on the equipment that has been sitting in your basement for collecting dust, you may find it worthwhile to join a gym. Even if you just join a gym for a short period, take advantage of their orientation service. The trainer will be able to show you various exercises to increase your core strength, from the simple yet effective crunch to more advanced use of equipment. You may even find yourself combining your swinging motion with resistance bands in order to power up your swing.

Some great resources for improving your game through some basic fitness techniques include:

1. www.golf-trainer.com, a pay-service with a wealth of workout information

2. www.golf.com, which includes an extensive fitness section

3. Yoga for Dummies by Feuerstein, Payne and Folan

4. “Golf” or “Golf Digest,” which often contain fitness articles and tips

5. Your course pro, who is sure to have some suggestions

While the benefits of getting regular physical activity go well beyond the fairway, using an improved golf game as an excuse can make it a little more palatable. Finally, be realistic about your goals and what level of commitment you are willing to make. It is difficult and unrealistic for most of us to hit the gym every single day. If you limit yourself to three days a week, however, that keeps it from becoming such a chore.

Robert Hayes is a featured author for http://www.engolfed.com, a web site that includes golf tips, golf articles, and a golf blog.

Tags: golf, golf club, golf clubs, golf tip, golf tipsgolf, golf club, golf clubs, golf tip, golf tips

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