Players can use similar equipment with different balls. While it is important to choose club shaft for flexibility and swing weight, balls can be chosen in accordance with convenience to get desired results, says Akhil Nayar, a senior Professional Coach in India. Here’s a list of equipment and ball tips from Akhil about selection.
[Q] How do you go about selecting your equipment? [/Q]
[A] Choosing the right iron club head depending on feel, precision and distance; muscle back , cavity back or forged club heads. Determine the swing speed of the player to pick the correct flex for irons. The correct loft and shaft flex for the driver and fairway woods for desired launch angles, minimising spin and maximising distance. [/A]
[Q] How important is it for a pro to keep their equipment up to date? [/Q]
[A] Its very important to keep up to date with the latest equipment, especially woods. Changing technology is making golf simpler and golf courses shorter. Lighter crowns on drivers with super strong materials like forged composite and latest speed frame face, maximises ball speed and reduces spin rate resulting in explosive distance. Every player strives for distance and accuracy. Distance can be achieved by using the latest technology. [/A]
[Q] What are the keys things to watch out for while selecting the equipment. [/Q]
[A] It’s important to properly choose the club shaft flexibility and swing weight. This would depend on swing speed and physical strength. Its extremely important to have the correct Length and lie angle of the clubs. Player must try different clubs to determine what suits him the best. [/A]
[Q] Buying a new set is important? Can a newly minted pro even look at a good set of second hand clubs? [/Q]
[A] It is important the of irons and the woods fit the players swing speed physical strength, height and ball flight. Second hand irons can work well if they’re in good playing condition and suit the player keeping the above factors in mind. [/A]
[Q] How should upcoming pros look at the shaft options? [/Q]
[A] Shaft is the engine of a golf club. The weight of the shaft is more important for matching the total weight of the clubs to our sense of swing timing and swing tempo. The Flex and the Bend of the shaft can contribute to the launch angle and spin rate of the shot. The shaft can also have a measurable effect on clubhead speed and on consistency of contact for the golfer. [/A]
[Q] How important is a club fitting? [/Q]
[A] Golf requires precision and skill to be successful. Custom fitting a golf club to one’s natural swing and body type is important for achieving consistency and enhancing performance. An improper club fit or clubs not suited to the players swing and ability will result in inconsistent results. [/A]
[Q] Are golf grips key to the game? How should a pro go about getting these done? [/Q]
[A] The grip largely determines how the golf club feels in a player’s hands, the grip size will have an effect on how the club face meets the ball. A grip too thick will not allow the clubhead to release where as a grip too thin may lead to early release both influencing direction. There are different grip materials and surface patterns to choose from, so it is important that the player finds the one that is most comfortable for feel and hand size. [/A]
[Q] Are balls an integral part of equipment selection? Why? [/Q]
[A] The equipment a golfer uses does not entirely influence the golf ball selection. Different players using the same equipment can work with different golf balls and get desired results. Golf ball selection is based more on feel and results such as trajectory, spin & compression. A player using the same equipment may also change the specs or brand of the golf ball at various stages in his career. [/A]
[Q] Why is it important to have the correct length of clubs? [/Q]
Players can use similar equipments with different balls. While it is important to choose club shaft for flexibility and swing weight, balls can be chosen in accordance with convenience to get desired results, says Akhil Nayar, a senior Pro. Coach.
[A] The length of a club determines where a player will strike the ball. An incorrect length will alter a player’s natural swing, resulting in an arc that leads to inconsistent impact of the club head with the ball. Incorrect length can also influence a good set up; bending too much if the length of the club is too short or standing too upright if the length of the club is too long. [/A]
[Q] These days thanks to Mickelson and Roger Cleveland, a lot of wedges have become popular. But which ones are the ideal ones to have in the bag? [/Q]
[A] The ideal combination of wedges is a personal choice of a player based on feel and distance. Bounce is another key factor that influences wedge selection. However a player could have a gap wedge 50-52*, sand wedge 54-56* and lob wedge 58-60-64* in the bag with medium to low bounce. [/A]
