Perhaps the most important thing to learn in golf is how to find out which club is suitable for you in a given position.
Every club in a golf set is designed for a particular function; they include drivers, fairway, and wedge.
When you know the difference between clubs it will help you make better decisions out on the course.
This guide will tell you when it is appropriate to use which golf club.
First of all, it’s necessary to classify the tools of a golfer basing on the type of clubs.
This includes a combination of woods, irons, wedges, hybrids and putters, and may include an occasional fairway wood.
In addition, you need to understand how to know which golf club to use as a beginner or professional player.
1. Woods
Off the tee woods are perfect for taking long shots in the field.
Drivers mainly being the most commonly used wood assist you in achieving long distances.
For example use your driver on par-4 and or par-5 holes while using a three wood on the par-4 and or par-5 holes.
The 3-woods and even any other fairway wood is great to be used in long shot on the fairway.
2. Irons
Irons are used when the golfer wants to have added control on his shot for a mid and short distance.
Longer irons, with lower numeration for example, the 3 or 4-irons are more forgiving but they go a longer distance than the other irons.
Conversely, a higher numbered iron, say 8 or 9 iron are suitable for short range, accurate shots.
3. Hybrids
Hybrids typically combine the features of woods and irons but are easier to use than both of them.
Most players, consequently, opt for hybrids as an upgrade to long irons since hybrids deliver precision and punt-like trajectory.
If you have problems with long irons, it’s advisable to use hybrid.
4. Wedges
Wedges are for short, high-precision shots near the green or in difficult terrain.
In particular, pitching wedges (PW) offer more distance, while sand wedges (SW) help you escape bunkers.
Overall, Lob wedges (LW) are perfect for getting the ball high in the air.
5. Putters
Putters are exclusively used on the green for rolling the ball into the hole.
Therefore, choosing the right putter helps you control direction and speed when putting.
How to Know Which Golf Club to Use
In order to pick the right club, you need to take into account the distance, the lie and the weather conditions. It’s now time to discuss these factors in more detail.
1. Assess Your Distance
Impact distance and the hole is the only real criterion when determining which club should be used.
For long distances you should use driver or fairway wood. If you are within 150 yards, you will probably go to irons or wedges.
Take time to hit your clubs at the range to discover how far you can actually hit your clubs.
That way, you will get to know which golf club is suitable for that distance.
2. Consider the Lie of the Ball
The lie is the point where your ball is at in the golf course.
If the ball is on the fairway you can simply take a wood or an iron.
However, if it’s in the rough or sand then you may consider using wedges or hybrids.
Wedges are ideal in getting out of a certain situation because of the increased loft.
3. Factor in the Wind
Weather conditions especially the wind can really affect the shots you are going to make.
As you play in a windy day, you can use a club with lower loft, like the 3-iron to keep the ball low.
On the other hand, when there is no wind at all, you will find that hitting high-lofted club such as 9-iron or a wedge makes it easier for you to control your shots.
4. Account for Swing Speed
Your swing speed also determines which golf club to use.
Higher club head speed produces greater distance, and thus you may require higher numbered clubs.
Hence, slow swingers should opt for woods, hybrids or other kinds of clubs which they believe can allow them to get the distance they want.
When to Use Specific Golf Clubs
The club selection here can be a real deciding factor of the game. Here’s how to know which golf club to use in various situations:
- Driver: Use for long-distance shots off the tee.
- Fairway Woods: Use for long shots on the fairway, especially on par-5s.
- 3 to 5 Irons: Use for long or mid-range shots with more control than woods.
- 6 to 9 Irons: Use for mid to short shots when accuracy is key.
- Wedges: Use when you’re close to the green, in a bunker, or navigating obstacles.
- Putter: Use only when on the green to roll the ball into the hole.
Practice and Familiarity with Your Golf Clubs
Swing is very important and understanding which golf club to use at what time requires practice.
Begin with striking balls in a practicing area to determine the distance that covers each club.
Wedge and putter practice is known to involve short game practice hence making it easier in the area near the green.
This makes it easier to know which particular golf club to use during a round the more one is in practice.
Best Golf Clubs to Help You Improve Your Game
Let’s look at some of the best golf clubs on the market that can help you make better decisions about which club to use.
1. Callaway Strata Complete Golf Set
The Callaway Strata Complete Golf Set is the best option for those who are starting their way in the field of golf and for those who have been performing at an intermediate level.
It carries a driver, three wood, five hybrid, six through to nine irons, a pitching wedge, and a putter.
So, you have the best of every situation.
The Callaway Strata Complete Golf Set components are lightweight, very easy to hit and made for covering long distances.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Easy to use for beginners – Very high on the aspect of forgiveness from off-center hits – Great value for a full set | – Lacks sand and lob wedges – Not recommended for the more experienced players |
2. TaylorMade SIM Max Irons
If distance and accuracy are the traits you are seeking in irons, the TaylorMade SIM Max Irons are good for you.
These irons are designed to be fast, with help from the Speed Bridge Technology and also provide for mis-hits.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Good for those players who are searching for a long drive. – Great forgiveness and feel – Sleek, modern design | – Premium price point – May not appeal golfer who like the traditional irons |
3. Ping G425 Hybrid
For those who find it difficult to choose the right long irons the Ping G425 Hybrid will be a worthy substitute.
The aerodynamic construction is hoped that the ball trajectory is correct as the distance between the wood and iron, it is the most suitable for medium and long distance golf.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Quite an easy target and very lenient on any kind of posture or style. – An aid to increasing the probability of scoring from a distance. – Designed for use as long irons replacements | – Not suitable for fairway woods players – Hybrid cars are within a slightly higher price range of regular cars |
4. Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedges
The Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedges are among the best that golfers can get on the market as they are some of the best wedges.
These wedges are highly accurate with great backspin for the kind of golfer who work on his short game.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Provides even better spin and great control – You can get it in different lofting capacity – Great for the bunker shots and approach shots | – Expensive as compared to other wedges. – Not ideal for beginners |
5. Odyssey White Hot OG Putter
So if you are in a desperate need of a putter, the Odyssey White Hot OG Putter should do the trick for you.
This is a putter that is famous for its insert it offers a soft feel and provides that right roll that can help you make those putts.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Reliability in the putting – Soft feel with a smooth roll – Available in different styles | – May not please players who like firm feel of feedback – Premium price for a putter |
FAQs
What Is The Most Forgiving Golf Club For Beginners?
Among sets for the newbies, the Callaway Strata Complete Set is as forgiving as it can be.
These clubs are very forgiving and for new golfers, they can easily achieve better accuracy than with conventional clubs.
What Is The Difference Between Irons And Woods?
That is why woods are produced for shooting the balls farther away, while irons are used for mid and short shots.
Clubs usually in woods have bigger mass where as the loft of woods is low so they make one hit the ball to greater distance, while with iron the shots are more controlled.
Why Are Hybrids Becoming So Popular?
They are widely used because they possess the advantages of both woods and irons.
It easier to get a good shot with them compared to long irons and gives better control and distance compared to fairway woods.
He said that it has become common for many players to opt for hybrids over the long irons in their sets.
How Many Wedges Should I Have In My Golf Bag?
Most golfers carry at least three wedges: These are a pitching wedgePW, a sand wedge SW, and a lob wedge LW.
Every wedge has varying loft numbers to assist you in hitting your shots well around the greens.
Conclusion
So, when to use which golf club is not one of the easiest things to do, however it does involve time, practice and observation.
You will be making better decisions on the course since distance, wind and even swing speed are taken into consideration.
Therefore, when you understand the purpose of each club, you will easily handle every hole.
The more often you play the better you will become at this and the more information you will have to make the right decision about which club to use.
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