You went on a golfing trip with a few of your friends recently and enjoyed yourself. You’re thinking that you’ve found your new hobby. Once you learn how to play that is.

The first step to learning how to play golf is picking up your equipment. There’s a lot of stuff that you’ll need but nothing is more important than your clubs. Choosing from the different types of golf clubs available to you can be confusing.

That’s why we’re here to clear things up. Check out this guide to learn more about the different types of clubs so you can have your own set the next time you hit the golf course.

Woods 

Woods come complete with your driver and fairway woods. This category of clubs is called woods even though none of the clubheads are made out of wood anymore. Today, most of them are created out of titanium or steel.

Speaking of clubheads, woods have the largest ones. They're hollow with long shafts which makes them lightweight and easy to swing around. They're used for making killer long shots and allow the player to hit the ball the hardest. 

Irons

Irons are numbered 3-iron through 9-iron. What number you use depends on the kind of shot that you're trying to make. There are short irons, long irons, and middle irons. 

Even the long irons are mostly used for shots that are less than 200 yards away. Long irons are also a bit hard to use because they don't have much loft. Meaning that they have the habit of making the ball bounce way too much. 

When compared to woods, their clubheads are much smaller and a lot thinner. They're also usually solid, though you can buy some that are hallowed. 

Hybrids 

Hybrids are the newest type of golf clubs to pop up on the market. They are a cross between woods and iron. They allow you to take advantage of the best features of both types without having to worry about the negatives. 

If you're just starting out, it's a good idea to swap out all of your irons for hybrids as they are the best clubs for beginners. The design makes it easier to hit the ball and they allow for a little wiggle room if you don't hit the ball as straight as you would like. 

Wedges 

Next up on the list is wedges. They are a subset of irons that allow for accurate, low-distance shots. There are four different types of wedges that can pull you out of any problem situation that you may find yourself in when you're on the green. 

Pitching Wedges

Out of all the different types of wedges, you'll use the pitching one the most. A lot of the time these wedges are used for approach shots but many golfers use them for chip shots as well. 

They can make between a 50 to a 120-yard shot and have the least amount of bounce out of all the different types of wedges. 

Gap Wedges 

You can use a pitching wedge to hit 120 yards and a sand wedge to hit 90 yards but what if you need to hit 100 yards? You'll have to hold back a bit if you use the pitch wedge or go full force if you use the sand wedge. 

That's what the gab wedge is for. It's there to bridge the gaps between the other types of wedges. Gap wedges tend to have a lot more loft than pitching wedges and can be used in a lot of specific circumstances. 

Sand Wedges 

Sand wedges are made to have a ton of loft so you can really get the ball into the air. This makes them useful for getting balls out of  sand traps but you can also use them for fairway or rough shots. 

Lob Wedges 

Out of all the different types of wedges, lob wedges have the most loft. This makes them useful if you happen to get your ball stuck in a deep rough. The loft wedge will be able to knock the ball into the air quickly and allow you to get it back onto the green where it belongs. 

Putters 

The game is almost over. You've got the ball so close to the hole that you can taste the par. That means that it's time to pull the putter out of your bag. 

The putter is the most specialized type of club in your bag. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes but no matter which one you get, the function is still the same. They are made to put the ball in the hole when the game is at its end. 

Your putter is the club that you'll be using the most so it's important that you're using one that you're comfortable with. Always try out the putter in the store before you commit to a purchase. 

Take a look at the length. One of the biggest mistakes beginner golfers make is using a putter that's too long for them.

Let your arms hang down by your side and ask someone to measure the distance between the floor and the tops of your hands. That's the height that you should be looking for. 

Different Types of Golf Clubs to Familiarize Yourself With 

If you want to be at the top of your golfing game, you're going to need the right equipment. This starts by familiarizing yourself with the different types of golf clubs and choosing the right set for you.

This process can be a little confusing but remember not all clubs are built the same. What's right for someone else may not work for you. Always test before you buy. 

Once you find the right golf clubs it's time to break them in and get a little bit of practice. Contact us to ask about our golf club memberships.