The Golf Jock

The golfers game around the green can make up for many shortcomings in their long game. So even if you are not the perfect driver or long ball hitter, you can make do in many cases if you have a good short game at the greens .

The golf clubs that you’ll be using when you get inside 100 yards of the green are called wedges, and there are four general kinds of wedges that most golfers should be concerned with, depending on their skill . Let’s take a look at each type of wedge and determine how to use each . Remember that all the wedges can be purchased at any supplier of discount golf clubs and golf equipment.

The most common of the wedges that can be found in almost any golf bag is the pitching wedge . These are great clubs to use for approach shots of around a hundred yards or so away from the flag . Usually they have a club loft of between 45 to 49 degrees.

The next wedge to consider is the gap wedge which is more suitable for shots that are 80 to 90 yards away from the flag or your intended target . The loft on this club is usually between 49 to 54 degrees.

The sand wedge is a must for all golfers . A sand wedge has a loft of between 53 to 57 degrees, and so is most effective from about 60 – 70 yards from the target . Of course, the sand wedge also doubles as the weapon needed for hitting out of a sand trap. The clubhead is designed to prevent allowing the club to dig into the sand as the shot is made, assisting yo to hit the ball out of the sand trap instead.

And other type of wedge that has become increasingly popular in recent years is the lob wedge . This club head has typically 60 degrees of loft, making it only useful for shots that are close to the green, perhaps around 40 yards or less. They lend themselves very well to short high shots where you need to go over obstacles and stop quickly .

As you can see , there is a series of club loft angles that can fit almost any shot that you are faced with when you are in near the green. It may seem like a good idea to carry all four wedges with you in your golf bag when you play, but keep in mind that rules limit you to only have 14 golf clubs with you in your bag as you play. To most , that means that one or two of these wedges may have to be sacrificed to make room for other clubs that are more commonly used.

In that case, the pitching wedge and sand wedge make good all-around choices for clubs that will be needed in short yardage situations. However, if you repeatedly find yourself in certain situations that call for a different club loft, choosing one of the other two wedges mentioned above to take along with you may work out well.

Beginners generally don’t need to worry about having each type of wedge represented in their bag though, and usually just the pitching and sand wedge will do nicely.

As we age we find that we need to make some changes in our golf equipment . The time eventually comes when we need senior clubs . So, how do you go about finding the right seniors golf clubs?

First, you must learn what your clubs should be doing for you . Is accuracy a problem, or is it lack of distance or putting? Accuracy and distance can be corrected by using clubs with sufficient flex in the shaft, that being senior (or “A”) flex.

Callaway, Nike, Taylor Made, Ping, Titleist are all well known manufacturers of senior golf clubs, but if these are too pricey , you can purchase clone clubs . A clone is manufactured from very similar materials to the original and has the same technology to the extent allowed by patent laws. Best of all, though, a clone golf club will be 60 to 75% cheaper than the big name brand.

Whichever you choose, you need to consider the flex of the club . The flex in the shaft of the club is what makes the club bend as you swing and hit the ball. Your continuing ability to swing the club will dictate how much flex you need. There are a variety of different flexes including those for ladies, regular, stiff and extra stiff. You will probably need the senior flex.

If you don’t choose the right flex which matches your swing, then the face of the club will be out of alignment when it hits the ball, causing you to lose accuracy . This is because as you swing, the shaft flexes and the club head changes position. If the face of the club isn’t perfectly straight onto the ball at impact, then the ball won’t go straight.

You can get your swing measured by a pro at a golf club or go somewhere where you can try out a variety of clubs before you make your decision. Maybe your own golf club will allow you to try out some different clubs on their driving range. Alternatively, you could locate a shop which specialises in seniors’ discount golf clubs and get them to make you a set specially.

Today there is far more golf equipment designed specifically for senior use, so be patient and find what’s right for you.