Golf may seem like a relatively straightforward sport until you try it out. This activity can be the most challenging sport for the uninitiated. You need to learn about numerous rules, and there’s also the lingo, which includes terms like birdies, bogeys, and par, that you need to familiarize yourself with. Moreover, you must bring the essentials for each playing session, regardless if it’s an official match or a practice game.
Here, you can learn about the four essential items you need, especially if you’re a beginner. Let this be the start of your new golfing journey so you can proceed to understand the other aspects of the activity soon.
1. Golf Bag
Every golfer needs a bag unless you plan on carrying your clubs, water bottle, and other essential items while walking on the course.
Different golf bags exist, contrary to what some people might believe. Some examples of golf bag types you’ll find are: sundaygolf.com. Also, there’s not a “perfect” bag for every player. Thus, you need to consider some essential factors as you shop around for the right container for your essentials
Some examples of golf bag types you’ll find are:
- Carry Bags – These are ideal for casual and recreational players. Carry bags are lightweight and can transport different golf items easily. These models tend to have shoulder straps, allowing players to carry them around the course with comfort and ease.
- Stand Bags – Go for this variant if you want versatility while carrying your essential items. Stand bags tend to be heavier than carry bags, but these containers shouldn’t be too troublesome to carry around the course. As per CherrywoodGolfClub, stand bags, like the TaylorMade Golf TM Stand Golf Bag 5.0, have stands to keep your items accessible and upright. Furthermore, stand bags are ideal for players who don’t want to hire caddies while playing.
- Cart Bags – If you want to rent a cart (or bring your own), consider using a cart bag. This particular bag tends to be heavier than carry or stand variants. It’s because cart bags tend to have several extra pockets so that you can keep more things, like your water bottle, towels, sunscreen, and smartphone.
- Tour Bags – These containers are for players who want to make the most out of their travels. These bags are excellent for tournament participants traveling to different locations.
2. Golf Clubs
Do you need a nine-iron? How about a three-wood? Which putter do you need to buy?
These questions might be going around your mind right now. As a beginner, the thought of buying your first set of clubs can be intimidating.
A newbie golfer may have the following clubs in their bag:
- One gap wedge
- One pitching wedge
- A three-wood or two hybrids
- One of each iron from one to nine
- One driver
- A lob wedge
This set should be adequate for beginners to tackle a range of scenarios in the course. Some of the clubs mentioned above may also help you get out of sticky situations, such as sand traps and out-of-bound balls.
According to The Left Rough, one driver is enough for a beginner player since you might not yet have excellent control of your shots. This club will be your “go-to” tool to hit the ball the farthest. But, without proper control, you might be at a high risk of committing mistakes, like slices.
Still, you might wonder why you can’t take full advantage of a 12-club set yet. It’s because your body might not yet be familiar with the correct striking form and posture.
For example, if you’re not familiar with the proper swing speed, it might be unlikely for you to see significant positive results from using a six-iron and a five-iron. You may also leave the odd-numbered clubs at home during training sessions. It’s because you might not feel the difference between hitting the three, five, seven, and nine irons versus the two, four, six, and eight irons.
Take the time in scouring the market for beginner-friendly clubs. Some brands will put labels on their clubs to separate their merchandise for newbies from those of senior players.
3. Golf Balls
You can practice your swings without a golf ball, but you can’t train or play a decent round of the sport without the correct balls.
Remember, the ball is the only piece of equipment you use for every shot. Hence, it’s crucial to find the best ball for your specific playstyle. It also means that a golf ball isn’t ‘just a ball.’
Choosing beginner-friendly balls is vital for your current skill level. With a broad range of balls to choose from, it can be challenging to select the correct set to use. So, here are some quick tips to help you find the appropriate balls for your games:
- Different golf balls have different materials, ranging from solid rubber to polyurethane. Still, consider using a ball made from polyurethane for greater control.
- Invest in high-quality balls. Reliable brands tend to use unique dimple patterns that provide excellent performance for players with different skill levels, including beginners.
- Choose two-piece or two-layer balls. These variants tend to promote maximum distance while minimizing the spin. Consider staying away from three- and four-piece balls for now as these models tend to perform better at the hands of veteran players.
4. Golf Clothing
Always wear comfortable clothing during your playthroughs. Some pieces of clothing may help improve your performance at the course. These items include:
- Glove – Wear this item on your right hand if you’re left-handed and on your left if you’re right-handed. The glove adds extra grip while holding clubs so that you won’t throw them accidentally.
- Spiked Shoes – These shoes help you by giving you a firm foundation during swings. Also, consider wearing waterproof footwear to help keep the shoes clean when walking on damp grass.
Conclusion
Don’t forget your golf bag, clubs, balls, and clothing every time you play the sport, especially if you’re going to practice at a course. Ensure that you use high-quality items to help you get a good ‘feel’ of playing the activity, allowing you to fine-tune your play style. If you’re budget savvy though, Golfing Exchange has some awesome deals you can check. Also, remember to keep practicing, and you might be bumping fists with the pros sooner than you expect.
Tina Camacho is a sports enthusiast who shares her experience by publishing articles online. Tina also gives out tips on how readers can start a new sport, and where they can find the best deals when buying sports equipment.
