EDITORIAL – Clubs Do Make a Difference

In addition to my teaching position at a major golf retailer and as the teaching professional at Southbridge Savannah Golf Club in – where else? – Savannah, Georgia, I am tasked with club fitting at the golf store. This has given me an appreciation for the improvement in golf equipment over the years, although since the clubs can’t swing themselves, there will always be a demand for qualified golf teachers.

But equipment can and does make a difference. I’ve had more than a few students show up with clubs that are either a bad fit for them or so old that my students are just doing themselves no favors by employing such implements. In this day and age, there really is no excuse for golfers to not have clubs that give them the best chance for success.

This doesn’t mean dropping $3,000 or more on a set of clubs, although I’ve seen people do that. But it does mean getting the right shaft flex, flex point and weight, and getting clubheads that will provide both forgiveness and more distance. Lie angles are a major consideration in the irons. Oh, and let’s not forget the grip. Standard-sized grips are really too small for most male golfers, who need either a couple of extra wraps of tape under a standard-sized grip or a midside (or even a jumbo) grip.

Set makeup is a critical component. Retired PGA Tour Champions player Dana Quigley did not have any iron longer than a 7-iron in his bag for many years, and it’s common for LPGA players to carry several hybrid clubs.

Give your students’ equipment a thorough evaluation to make sure they’re using clubs that not only help them perform their best, but also give them maximum enjoyment out of hitting them.

By Mark Harman, USGTF National Course Director