The game of golf can be both exciting and frustrating at the same time. It fuels our competitive fire and takes unwarranted shots at our psyches, but there is no doubt that golf is quickly becoming one of the most popular sports in the entire nation. Players are very particular about the type of equipment they use, as the clubs that are used are often the first place a golfer looks to if they are not golfing as they feel they should be. It is important, then, to take a look at the golf club components in order to understand what is possible to modify if you are not getting the results that you are looking for.
Club Head
This is going to be the most important aspect of the entire golf club. The head can be made out of many different materials, such as nickel, titanium, or steel. You can also adjust the loft and lie angle of the club’s head if you are consistently hitting low or high ball flights as well as shots that are consistently going right or left. The variations that can be made to the club head are numerous, and your local golf professional should be able to prescribe exactly what changes will need to be made in order to maximize your particular golf swing.
Shaft
Like the club head, the golf club shafts can have many different variations involved with them, although these changes usually have to come from the factory where the shaft, or club, is manufactured. Many of these are becoming known as golf club clones, think of them as no-name brands made by brand names. Though shafts can be tweaked by a good golf club repairman, you usually don’t want to make large-scale changes to the shaft without ordering a brand new one. Shafts come in either steel or graphite, and they normally offer regular, stiff, seniors, and ladies flex.
The flex of the shaft relates to how much it will bend during the backswing and the follow-through. Seniors and ladies flex shafts are usually much more lightweight, which makes them bend more throughout the length of the swing. This allows for increased power and more forgiveness throughout the entire club. Regular or stiff flex shafts are what most clubs ship from the factory with. The regular flex shaft is usually the standard, while the stiff flex allows players with a little more skill the opportunity to shape their shots more easily. Pay attention to this important golf component for you own personal needs.
Grip
The last of the golf club components that will be explored is the club’s grip. This golf club component is often overlooked by many golfers. Many other people are however, very particular about the look and feel of their grip, and with good reason. Grips that are larger in circumference are going to make it more difficult for your wrists to break at any point within the swing. Straight wrists allow for more accurate, consistent shots.
The skinnier the grip is, the more likely it will be to cause a breakdown at different points throughout the length of the swinging motion. Golfers also vary on their individual opinions relating to smooth versus tacky grips. Some prefer the increased tackiness, as they feel it keeps their hands from moving. Others go with the smooth grip due to the fact that it gives the player a better feel with the club that they are using at that particular time.