| There are so many different styles and makes | | | | shallow cavity which enables you to work the |
| of clubs nowadays that it can be hard to know | | | | ball more and get it to do what you want, but |
| where to begin. The most important factor is | | | | it is also the least forgiving if you hit the |
| not if these are the best golf irons on the | | | | ball wrong. |
| market, but if they are the best golf irons | | | | |
| for you. | | | | Shaft type |
| | | | |
| You see you need to choose the club to suit | | | | The two main types of shaft are steel or |
| your skill level and your particular | | | | graphite. Steel shafts make for a club with a |
| preferences, if you have elbow trouble you | | | | heavier feel, and they don't have as many |
| may want to get a club with a graphite shaft | | | | options for shaft flex, but are the most |
| and a polymer or rubber insert in the head to | | | | durable. Graphite shafts are a lot easier to |
| reduce the transmission of the impact with | | | | get the flex you want with, but are not as |
| the ball, but other people may be horrified | | | | durable and don't give that heavy feel some |
| by that selection. | | | | people like. |
| | | | |
| There are three main factors you should take | | | | The best way to choose is to go and try out |
| into account in your club selection, the club | | | | variations of both and see which you like so |
| head design, the shaft type and the shaft | | | | you can find the one with the best 'feel' to |
| flex. Combined together these will form the | | | | it for your playing style. |
| 'personality' of your club and directly | | | | |
| affect the quality of your game. Let's look | | | | Shaft flex |
| at each in turn: | | | | |
| | | | The shaft flex affects the balls trajectory |
| Club head design | | | | and is linked to how fast you swing your |
| | | | club. As you swing your club you will get a |
| The club head is the most important part of | | | | certain amount of bend, so choosing the right |
| the club, after all that is what makes | | | | stiffness of shaft ensures that the club is |
| contact with the ball! There are three | | | | at the optimal shape when it connects with |
| distinct styles of head, the oversized head, | | | | the ball. |
| the midsize head and the traditional blade | | | | |
| style head. You can think of these pretty | | | | Typically if you swing at 105mph + you need |
| much as beginner, intermediate and advanced | | | | extra stiff, 90 - 105 then you need a stiff, |
| heads. | | | | 80 - 95 would be regular, 70 - 85 would be |
| | | | senior rating and less than 70 would be |
| When you are just starting off then you may | | | | ladies rating. |
| want to try an oversized head, these are | | | | |
| purposely built with deep cavity-back designs | | | | You can either go out with a golf instructor |
| to give a bit of forgiveness if you don't hit | | | | and get them to suggest what type of shaft |
| the ball right. They also have a lower centre | | | | flex you need, or borrow some different clubs |
| of gravity which enables you to get the ball | | | | from the golf shop at the course and see |
| into the air easier. | | | | which one suits your swing style better. |
| | | | |
| Midsize heads are a compromise, they still | | | | The key to choosing the best golf irons is to |
| have a slightly over accentuated cavity-back | | | | test, seeing figures and result on paper is |
| design which gives forgiveness and a wider | | | | not enough to choose something so important |
| sweetspot, but are not as deep or wide as the | | | | to your game, get out there and try the |
| oversized head. | | | | different types and you will find your ideal |
| | | | clubs in no time. |
| The blade head is the true golf club with a | | | | |