Golf equipment – what you need to get started

Like any sport golf requires you to possess the correct equipment to play from golf clubs to accessories.

There are many brands and types of golf clubs including drivers, fairway woods, rescue clubs, irons and putters. Each type of golf club has a relevant purpose on the golf course; the driver for example is used from the tee for long distance shots, the irons are used for short approach shots – approaching the green and naturally the putter is used for finishing. Which golf club you choose and at which stage of the game is a combination of personal preference and experience.

A golf bag is used to transport and protect your clubs to and from the golf course and throughout the game. There are four main types of golf bag including carry, stand, trolley and light editions – which bag you select is usually down to both personal preference and requirements e.g. number of golf clubs or how you intend to transport the bag and clubs around the golf course. If you prefer to not use a golf trolley then a stand or carry bag is suitable. A number of golf bags offer protection for graphite shafts – whilst individual dividers prevent clubs from smashing into each other. All golf bags supply a number of storage pockets for the safe keeping of golfing accessories including golf balls, towels and valuables.

A head-cover is another item of golf equipment which can offer an excellent degree of protection for golf club heads including drivers, woods, hybrids and irons.

Golf shoes are a compulsory addition to any golfing outfit and are needed to provide additional grip when performing a shot. A high quality pair of golf shoes will offer breathability and waterproofing for optimal comfort in most playing conditions. Manufacturers have replaced metal spikes with plastic ones in recent times to prevent unnecessary damage to the course – the spikes also facilitate a golf swing, preventing a player from slipping when delivering a shot. When selecting a pair of golf shoes be sure to select a durable pair which can deliver maximum comfort when walking the full length of a golf course. If you do not feel comfortable with your golf shoes you are likely to lose concentration more quickly – which is non-conducive for inspiring confidence.

Golf tees are another necessary addition to a golfing outfit. Two types of tees are available to players either plastic or wooden ones. A golf ball is balanced on top of the tee to allow players to strike the ball from off the ground – typically used for a tee-shot.

A golf glove is another addition to a players golf outfit and is traditionally worn on the opposite hand – if you’re right-handed for example a glove is worn on the left-hand. During a swing a golf glove prevents the club from slipping through the hand by offering an additional level of grip. There are many different types of golf glove – each designed to worn snugly to the hand as though it was second layer of skin.

A golf trolley allows a player to push, pull or transport a set of golf clubs and bag across a golf course – eliminating the strain of carrying a heavy set of golf clubs and therefore maintaining the energy of the player for stronger, most accurate golf swings. An electric golf trolley allows a player to transport their golf clubs by aid of an electronic motor which is powered by a long-life battery.

A golf trolley allows a player to push, pull or transport a set of golf clubs and bag across a golf course – eliminating the strain of carrying a heavy set of golf clubs and therefore maintaining the energy of the player for stronger, most accurate golf swings. An electric golf trolley allows a player to transport their golf clubs by aid of an electronic motor which is powered by a long-life battery.

These are fundamental items of equipment for playing golf which can be purchased from various online retailers including The Sports HQ. Historically, golf equipment was expensive to purchase before online retailers like The Sports HQ offered savings of up to 85% on factory direct golf equipment.

The rules in golf are fairly simple if you already know them, however explaining them could take a while. If you are not very familiar with the basics, the first thing you would need to know would be the main objective of the game: you have to hit the ball at the start or at the tee into the hole for every section in the course’s 18 sections or 18 holes.

The hole is located on the green, which is a piece of short and well-maintained grass. Once you are already on the green, you need to use your putter, which is the club that has a slab-like end, instead of your other normal clubs.

Every hole has a specified target number of shots to be done from the tee to the hole. This is called the par. For instance, if you are on a par 5 hole, you would need to get the ball from the tee to the hole in five shots or less. If you were able to do it with exactly the number of shots specified, then your score would be a par. If you did it in one less than the par, your score would be a birdie. If you did it in two less than the par, your score would be an eagle. Three below par would be called an albatross and the best score would be a hole in one, which happens if you were able to get the ball from the tee to the hole in one hit.

On the other hand, if you scored one more than the par then that would be a bogey. Two more than the par would be a double bogey. If you have tried for more that 12 shots, then you forfeit the hole. You would then have to move to the next hole.

Eventually, as you go through the game, there would be various hazards that you would have to deal with. If your ball lands on the rough, which is an area on the course that has long grass, you could find it difficult to move on from that area. There could also be trees on the rough of some courses, which could make them harder to get out of. The worst hazards would be the lakes and the ponds, because if you hit the ball into one, it would cost you the shot you took and another shot as a penalty, which would make it harder to reach par.