When starting golf, many new players make a fatal error almost immeditely. They borrow equipment from their parents or grandparents. Even though they are only just starting, this has a massive effect on speed in which they can improve their skills. Professional golfers know that not all clubs are created equal. Even the same identical club on the rack at the golf shop is not the same identical club that it claims to be. Beginner golf players read on for more revealing information.
The past 20 years in particluar has seen a massive advancement in golf club design and technology. In fact the standards used right across the industry have changed several times that today’s 5 iron is nothing like your grandfather’s 5 iron that you have borrowed for a game of golf or trip to the driving range. The things that have changed are:
The standard length of the shaft has incresaed by 1/2 inch for irons and by 1 inch plus for woods or metal woods. This means that the 5 iron of 1980 or 1990 was 37 1/2 inches long. It is now 38 inches long.
This new length was created for a few reasons. Firstly the population is getting taller, many youngsters aged 16 years old are much taller than their fathers and grandfathers at the same age. Secondly many golfers with back pain have trouble bending forward to hit short clubs, the extra length means the golfer doesn’t bend as far forward. Thirdly, a distance war amongst club manufacturers has meant that all manufactures have increased the standard length of their clubs. For a testing robot, with all other factors the same an extra 1/2 inch means 2 1/2 yards extra distance. This can increase depending on the golfer and what it does for their swing, ball striking and ball flight.
Also the standard lie angle has changed over the past 20 to 30 years. Lie angle is the angle formed between the shaft and the sole of the club when placed in the playing position. The length of club has an effect on the lie angle. Making the golf club an extra 1/2 inch longer means that the lie angle is effectively 1 degree more upright. For a testing robot, with all other factors the same this means the ball will curve slightly to the left for a right hander. This can have positive and negative effects depending on the player.
The loft on the club has also decreasd by 1-2 degrees over the past 20-30 years. This has occured due to a few reasons. Firstly this has been a tool in the distance war between manufactures and helps new clubs travel much further than the old clubs. For a testing robot, with all other factors the same this means that the ball should travel up to 5 yards further with each iron. Secondly many golfers due to poor technique hit the ball too high and lose control of their ball. The lower loft hits the ball on a lower trajectory and seemingly more control.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of Beginner Golf Clubs- what you need to start
