Will the right equipment help your golf score?

It is not unusual for golfers to come to my lesson tee with clubs that don’t fit them. Buying golf clubs from a friend, hand-me-downs or purchasing clubs online will get you clubs, but may not help your golf score.

So often they tell me “I don’t want to buy golf equipment until I get better.” The problem is that they will not improve significantly if they are playing with clubs that don’t fit their height, hand size, strength and flexibility. I highly recommend to them to get a fitting.

The local golf shops and fitters at golf courses will be glad to give you a fitting.They can put you on Trackman and discuss your results. Trackman is radar-based technology that captures precise data on ball flight, club movement, and impact points which Trackman provides club fitters to analyze performance, optimize equipment, and deliver a precision-driven fitting experience. The golf shops will take good care of you. This is the advantage of buying local and not over the internet (many of the golf clubs sold online may be counterfeit.) They can tell you what clubs and balls are best for your game.

Trackman can measure all the following during a golf swing fitting: ball speed, club speed, smash factor, spin rate, dynamic loft, launch angle, club path and face angle.

If science isn’t your thing, then Trackman might not be for you.

Things to consider when purchasing golf clubs:

Grip size – box sets may have clubs that don’t fit your hands

Shaft Flex – if the shaft is too flexible, it will cause the ball to fly too high and left (if right-handed). If too stiff, the ball will fly low and to the right.
Set make-up – For most amateurs I recommend a set that has a driver, 3 or 5 wood, 2 to 3 hybrids, 7 iron to 9 iron, and 2 to 3 wedges, and a putter

Driver – Many new drivers are adjustable with different lofts. Beginners should look for a driver with at least 12 to 14 degrees loft.

Putter – the putter is the most important club in your bag. Many of the box sets have putters with very small grips. I recommend a putter with a larger grip (Super Stroke is good). If you have the money, test several putters since there are so many types to pick from.

Finally, your goal is to know how far you hit each of the clubs in your golf bag. It will take time and a lot of practice. Getting on a launch monitor can measure your distances once you are making solid, consistent swings.

The right golf clubs can help your game tremendously. However, no clubs can fix a bad swing that lacks the proper fundamentals. That’s where you need proper instruction.

Dr. Jean Harris is an LPGA Master Professional and teaches at local golf courses. jean.golfdoctor.harris@gmail.com; golfdoctorjean.com