When you’re considering changing golf clubs – perhaps so that they suit you more as you get older – you might want to think about changing to golf clubs that can give you extra distance as well as being more forgiving. You might consider irons that are custom made or even custom fitted to your exact size and swing style; you might prefer hybrid clubs (especially to replace the long irons, say the 3,4 and 5 iron); or you might give some thought to a clone wood, which could give you most of the performance of high ticket clubs at a fraction of the cost. Those are just a few of the many different things to keep in mind at this critical time.
We mentioned clone clubs above, and you might be thinking that there is something a little bit ‘shady’ about the concept behind these. It’s true that although clone clubs differ slightly from the originals they are styled on, many golfers do find that they are better suited to the adaptations they are making to their game. The problem many older players – and lots of younger ones too! – face is that the original clubs are often far beyond their means.
We are not condoning copyright infringements, of course, but the purpose of this article is not to judge, just to offer practical advice.
So, that’s so called clone clubs covered!
Now, lets talk about the shafts. Whether you decide that you want to change your driver, woods or irons you need to think about the shafts. In general, the older we get, the slower we swing. So, now might be a good time to think about more flex in the shafts you have fitted – either cistom fitted or ‘off the rack’ – to your choice of new clubs. The key is to find clubs fitted with shafts that have enough flex so that they can help you to gain more distance. Flex enables the club to bend as you make your swing and connect with the ball, giving you that precious distance, and extra control too in many cases.
Manufacturers of senior golf clubs includes companies like Calloway, Adams and Nike – in fact most of the major manufacturers now have a line of senior clubs. As we mentioned earlier, you should choose clubs that give you sufficient shaft flex, but not too much. The amount of flex you require will depend on your ability to swing the club, the extent of any restictions on your swing, and your swing speed. Choices here include ladies flex, senior flex, regular flex, stiff flex and even extra stiff flex (although this last option is rarely used by anyone other than the fastest swinging pro golfers!). This is one of the areas where vanity can get in the way – but for the good of your game, don’t let it! You DO want to be a better, more effective player don’t you? Remember, if the shaft flex does not match your swing, you could be leaving yourself wide open to aggravated swing faults and miscalculations. Vclubshop rugenerally speaking, a senior golf club has a little bit more flex than that of a golfer just starting out in the game. That is perfectly normal.
Most golf pro shops will stock clubs with a variety of shafts with different flex ratings. take a trip to speak to your local pro and try some clubs with different shafts out on the practice range. This enables the senior golf player to find which club feels right for them and which will give them the distance they are seeking. Before you buy any club, trying as many different shaft flexes as you can. This should enable you to find the perfect one for you, and avoid buying the wrong one only to regret it later. Often you will find that pro shops will custom make golf clubs, or at least custom fit them for senior golfers. This way you can have a special set of clubs made that are perfectly suited to your game.
You might find that you wind up buying an expensive custom-fit senior golf club; or the perfect solution for you could be a discounted club. In the long run it really does not not matter, just so long as the club or clubs you buy are the right clubs, and have the correct amount of flex to suit your game.
Remember, though that you should buy something durable. In fact, this is the point at which you need to be critical if you are considering discount clubs. Keep in mind that even though the club gives you the distance you want, that still might not mean it is the best. Many discount clubs can loosen up the more you use them. This can cause the flex to change over time, and it can end up becoming softer than you need.
The senior golfer of today has a number of advantages over senior golfers in the past. The range of senior clubs available today are often designed more for their use and flexibility. In the past golfers often only had a few shaft flexes to choose from, and progressed through the range the more experienced they became in the game.
Nowadays things are very different. Choosing from the range of different golf clubs, and gaining an understanding of what clubs best suit your game makes life easier for today’s modern senior golfer. Check out different websites, and look at what the manufacturers of senior clubs are offering. This way you can often see what other people think about each type of club before you go and speak to your local club pro, who will often be able to let you try the club on the range.