Why does a professional golfer usually own many types of clubs?
Golf is extremely competitive and many players go the extra mile to gain an extra point on the course. The best example of this can be the use of different clubs for various shots. Each type of club is designed for a specific purpose, and having a variety of clubs allows professional golfers to adapt to the different challenges they encounter on the golf course.
Firstly, clubs are highly essential for distance and accuracy. Different clubs are designed to hit the ball at varying distances. For example, drivers are used for long shots off the tee, while irons and wedges are used for shorter approach shots.
Interestingly, course conditions also play a vital part in the selection of an ideal club. Courses come in various shapes and sizes, and their conditions can vary greatly.
A player may encounter different lies (e.g., fairway, rough, sand bunkers) and need different clubs to adapt to these conditions. The loft and design of clubs are crucial for handling these scenarios effectively.
Many players also have personal preferences when selecting a club. Similarly, a club used by the legendary Tiger Woods will be completely different from the one used by the veteran Phil Mickelson. Therefore, playing style is essential when selecting an ideal club.
Many golfers use a specialty club during different phases of the tournament
The time where a player used a single club through the entirety of the tournament is long gone, and the advancement of the gear and equipment has given rise to specialty clubs that are often used. These clubs are designed to address specific challenges on the course.
In essence, hybrid clubs combine the characteristics of irons and fairway woods. They are designed to provide the accuracy of irons while offering the distance of fairway woods. These clubs are particularly useful for hitting the ball out of rough or tricky lies.
Additionally, there’s also the wedge set and the utility iron that are used by many prominent golfers on the PGA Tour. Wedge set is a standard part of a players set, some golfers carry a set of wedges with different lofts and bounces to address various short-game situations.
Moreover, utility irons are similar to long irons but are designed for greater distance and control. They are often used in place of long irons and can be useful for tee shots or long approach shots.