It’s not easy being an intermediate golfer. You have your foot in the door, but you’re not quite where you want to be. The clubs you use can have a significant impact on your game, so how do you choose golf clubs that work for your skill level?
Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing clubs as an intermediate golfer:
- Don’t buy the most expensive clubs.
- Look for clubs that offer forgiveness.
- Consider your swing speed.
- Get custom-fitted clubs.
- Consider getting a complete set of clubs.
- Get the right shafts.
- Get the right grip.
- Consider the loft on your irons.
- Don’t forget about your wedges.
As you improve your game, you can always upgrade your clubs. In the meantime, these tips will help you choose the best golf clubs for intermediate golfers. I will discuss each of these tips in more depth below.
1. Don’t Buy the Most Expensive Clubs
One common misconception is that you need to have the most expensive clubs to play well. This simply isn’t true. While high-end clubs can offer some benefits, they aren’t necessary for most golfers. Instead, focus on finding clubs that are of good value.
By this, I mean clubs that offer a good mix of quality and price, and that starts with knowing your options.
Every golfer should have a few essential clubs in their bag, regardless of skill level. These include:
- A driver
- A fairway wood
- An iron
- A wedge
- A putter
You’ll notice that I didn’t include a specific number for each type of club. This is because the number of each type of club you need will depend on your playing style.
For example, if you tend to hit the ball straight, you might only need one fairway wood, but if you manage to slice the ball, you might need two or three woods. The same goes for irons: If you hit the ball high and long, you might only need one or two irons, but if you have trouble getting the ball airborne, you might need three or four.
Some clubs can be expensive, but if you’re on a budget, you don’t need to spend that much. In fact, I would recommend against it if you don’t go golfing regularly. Instead, focus on finding clubs that offer good value. You can find quality clubs at reasonable prices if you know where to look.
An excellent place to start your search would be your local sporting goods store. Another option would be to search for used clubs online. Just be sure to do your research before buying anything.
2. Look for Clubs That Offer Forgiveness
Let’s be honest. You probably don’t have the same swing speed or accuracy as a professional golfer, and that’s okay. We all have to start somewhere.
The good news is that some clubs are designed specifically for golfers with slower swing speeds. These clubs are typically more forgiving, which means they’re less likely to lead to slicing or hooking the ball.
Forgiving clubs often have larger heads and longer shafts. They also tend to have a lower center of gravity, making it easier to get the ball airborne.
An excellent example of a forgiving club is the TaylorMade SIM2 Driver. This club is designed specifically for golfers who create a lot of spin through impact. As a result, it’s more forgiving and less likely to cause a slice.
The same company also has a SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max D designed for people who want to maximize their potential off the tee. They do this by helping you launch the ball high and create more spin.
A SIM2 series is an excellent option for intermediate golfers looking for more forgiving clubs, but they’re not the only ones. There are plenty of other manufacturers that offer forgiving clubs as well.
Other forgiving options include the Ping G425 Max Driver, Yonex Ezone GS Driver, and the Titleist TS12 Driver. These are all great clubs that offer a high degree of forgiveness.
3. Consider Your Swing Speed
Your swing speed is the amount of force you generate when you swing your club. Swing speed is typically measured in miles per hour (mph).
The average male amateur has a swing speed of around 90 mph, while the average female has about 80 mph.
If you fall into either of these categories, you should look for clubs designed for golfers with slower swing speeds. These clubs will have larger heads and longer shafts. They will also be more forgiving.
I recommend getting the Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver. This club is designed for golfers with a swing speed of 80 mph or less. It has a large head and a long shaft, making it easier to hit a straight ball.
You could also consider the Callaway Mavrik Max Driver if you have a slightly higher swing speed. This club is designed for golfers with a swing speed of 95 mph or less. It has a smaller head than the Big Bertha but is still very forgiving.
With either of these clubs, you should be able to improve your accuracy and distance off the tee. However, if you have a swing speed that’s significantly higher than average, you might want to consider getting fitted for custom clubs.
4. Get Custom-Fitted Clubs
If you’re serious about improving your game, I recommend getting custom-fitted clubs. This is where a professional club fitter analyzes your swing and suggests the best clubs for your needs.
Getting fitted for clubs is particularly important if you have a high swing speed. That’s because the standard clubs are designed for golfers with slower swing speeds who might not be able to keep up with the pace.
If you’re unsure where to get fitted for clubs, I recommend checking out a local golf shop or driving range. They should be able to put you in touch with a club-fitter in your area. Expect to pay around $100 for a professional fitting.
Once you’ve been fitted for clubs, you’ll be amazed at how much better you play. Your accuracy and distance will improve, and you’ll start hitting the ball straighter.
5. Consider Getting a Complete Set of Clubs
If you’re just getting started in golf, you might consider buying a complete set of clubs. This is a great way to get all the clubs you need without spending a lot of money upfront.
Most complete sets come with everything you need to play the game, including a driver, woods, irons, a putter, and a bag.
I recommend the Callaway Strata set for beginners. It’s an affordable set with all the clubs you need to start. And it’s also very forgiving, which is ideal for beginner golfers.
However, if you’re looking for a more high-end set, you could also consider the TaylorMade M4 set. This set is slightly more expensive but comes with some higher-quality clubs.
After playing for a while, you can start to upgrade your clubs one at a time. This way, you’ll only have to spend money on the clubs you really need.
6. Get the Right Shafts
The shaft is the part of the club that connects the head to the grip. It’s an essential piece of equipment because it generates power in your swing.
There are three main types of shafts: steel, graphite, and composite.
- Steel shafts are the most common type of shaft. They’re very durable and offer good value for the money. However, they’re also the heaviest shaft type, making them difficult to swing for some golfers.
- Graphite shafts are lighter than steel shafts and offer more flexibility. This makes them a good option for golfers with slower swing speeds.
- Composite shafts are made from materials, including graphite and steel. They’re the most expensive type of shaft but offer the best of both worlds in terms of weight and flexibility.
When choosing shafts, it’s essential to consider your swing speed. The faster your swing speed, the stiffer the shaft should be.
If you’re unsure what shaft to choose, I recommend getting fitted for clubs. A professional club fitter will be able to recommend the best shafts for your swing.
7. Get the Right Grip
The grip is the part of the club that you hold on to. It’s important to have a good grip to help you control the club and hit the ball more accurately.
There are three main types of grips: corded, rubber, and hybrid.
- Corded grips are made from a material that looks like rope. They’re very absorbent and offer a lot of traction. This makes them a good choice for golfers who sweat a lot or play in humid conditions.
- Rubber grips are not as absorbent as corded grips but still offer good traction. They’re a good “middle-of-the-road” option for most golfers.
- Hybrid grips are made from materials, including rubber and cord. They offer the best of both worlds in terms of absorption and traction.
When choosing a grip, it’s important to consider the weather conditions you’ll be playing in. If you tend to play in wet or humid conditions, I recommend choosing a corded or hybrid grip.
It’s also important to choose a grip that’s comfortable for you. If you have small hands, you might want to choose a thinner grip. If you have larger hands, you might want to choose a thicker grip.
8. Consider the Loft on Your Irons
Irons are the clubs you use to hit the ball on the fairway or the green. They come in various sizes and can be used for multiple shots.
The most important thing to consider when choosing irons is the loft. The loft is the angle between the clubface and the ground. It determines how high or low the ball will fly.
The higher the loft, the higher the ball will fly. This is good for shots that need to go over obstacles, like trees. The opposite is true for a lower loft, which will result in a soft flying ball. This is good for shots that need to stay close to the ground, like approach shots.
When choosing irons, it’s important to consider the type of shots you’ll be hitting. If you need to shoot many high shots, I recommend choosing a set with higher lofts. On the other hand, if you need to hit many low shots, I recommend choosing a set with lower lofts.
I also recommend getting fitted for irons. A professional club fitter will be able to recommend the best irons for your swing.
9. Don’t Forget About Your Wedges
If you’re like most golfers, you probably don’t give much thought to your wedges. After all, they’re just simple clubs that are used to get you out of challenging situations, right? Wrong!
Your wedges are some of the most important clubs in your bag and can make or break your game.
When it comes to choosing the right wedges, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
- Make sure you have the correct loft for your game.
- You need to choose a club with the right amount of bounce for your swing.
- You need to make sure the club is the correct length for you.
If you take the time to choose the right wedges, you’ll be surprised at how much they can improve your game.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best golf clubs for your game can be a daunting task, but if you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to select the right clubs for your game.
If you’re still unsure which clubs to choose, I recommend getting fitted for clubs. A professional club fitter will be able to assess your swing and recommend the best clubs for your swing.
No matter what clubs you choose, make sure you practice with them before taking them out on the course. The more comfortable you are with your clubs, the better your game will be.