Choosing Your Equipment

If you are like me at all, you may want to learn the game of golf but as you wander the aisles of the stores, it becomes overwhelming. There are so many products and pieces of equipment to choose from, how in the world do you make educated choices? My first thought would be to ask for help from an employee, but I have learned from experience that not all people who work for sporting goods stores are knowledgeable in the world of sports. They are there to make sales for their company and while that is not a bad thing, you may walk away with things you may not really need. So what would be a good list to start with? Well, in order to do anything, you really need a set of golf clubs. As a beginner, being fitted for a set is not truly necessary, just finding a set that allows you the proper posture without hitting the ground with your club all the time will work. No need to invest enormous amounts of money up front either. Find your groove. Figure out what clubs are your favorites as you practice on this first set and then invest in a really nice set when you have learned more about yourself. A driver, a couple of woods, a couple of irons, a pitcher, a sand wedge and a putter should do it to start. You don’t even need the biggest, baddest driver out there either. Be modest, you may be able to hit it further down the fairway, but it will also fly farther into the trees if you miss! Know your skill level and use the clubs that match you. Upgrade as you learn. Just because your clubs may advertise that they will make you play like the pros, doesn’t mean that you will. You know those beautiful, expensive balls that line the shelves? Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will golf a better game by spending two or three times as much on them. If someone wants to buy them for you as a gift, wonderful! But if you are paying for them, be conscious of the cost and get the ones you want. Having a launch monitor may help you improve by seeing your progress. These measure many aspects of your swing and different speeds that are important in identifying problem areas that need attention. If your local sports shop doesn’t have one, search them online. You may find this tool to be invaluable. Glove or no glove? One or two? That is completely up to you. From personal experience, I found that I benefitted from having one on my left hand and it saved me from having to remove my wedding ring. Without one, as I would swing up with the club, my upper palm would rub and feel raw. The glove definitely relieved that discomfort a bunch. My right hand really didn’t seem to need one. Both hands hurt the next day, but it was probably more attributed to holding my club slightly incorrectly or not having perfected my swing quite yet. Slide it on and make sure it fits comfortably before you purchase, good ones are made of leather and will conform nicely to your hand as you wear it. Besides having the right equipment to begin your golfing journey, a lesson or two is a great investment. Now get out there and play! And when you are not enjoying Branson golf courses you can stay in Branson cabins rentals.