Equipment
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Simple pointer to keep you on the straight and narrow…
Okay, so you’ve gone back to school a bit over rules, which will help to keep you out of the steward’s black book. But what about equipment? When you started, the good old Callaway Warbirds might have been all the rage (incidentally, what a club that was), but the game’s moved on, especially over the last year or so. Square drivers are popping up all over the place and there are 3-irons on the market with sweetspots the size of Mars (geddit?). To keep you up to date with the latest and greatest gear, TG’s own Carly Cummins is here to guide you through what you need in your bag for the new term.
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DRIVER |
The big dog, the daddy, the main man in the bag… Ideally you’ll hit it miles and straight as an arrow. If money is no object, Callaway’s FT-5 at £329 is the way to go. Balls go miles and the club is pretty forgiving, which makes it a TG favourite. If you want something a bit funkier, try a square-faced driver. Basically, because of the square face, off-centre hits should still go fairly straight, which is ideal if you’re not great off the tee. The Callaway FT-i retails at £399, but it’s well worth it. If that sort of price causes palpitations, don’t panic – the Ping G10 is a gem of a club that retails at £239 (but you can probably pick it up for less than £200), as is the Benross V6 Trimass (£149). | |
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RESCUE |
We all end up in the rough, and these babies get your little white ball out better than traditional long irons. The King Cobra Baf fl er retails at £124 and, to be honest, it might just be the best £124 you ever spend. It’s forgiving but has all the raw power of a Joe Calzaghe left hook. Other good options include the TaylorMade Burner (£129, left) and the Cleveland HiBore (£129). If you want something cheaper, the Ben Sayers M8 (£39) is a very decent option. |
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IRONS |
If you’re on a budget, you could do a lot worse than buy individual Ping G10 clubs. At £75 each (steel), you can build yourself a cracking set of clubs as well as paying If you’re on a budget, you could do a lot worse than buy individual Ping G10 clubs. At £75 each (steel), you can build yourself a cracking set of clubs as well as paying the mortgage and being able to feed the cat. Everyone’s a winner and your golf will certainly benefi t from Ping quality. Start with a wedge, 8-iron and 6-iron. In terms of buying a full set, the Callaway X-20 (£699 steel) or the Mizuno MXinclude 25 irons (£549 steel) are very forgiving. | |
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PUTTER |
You play more shots with your fl atstick than any other club in your bag. Therefore, you need one that you’re going to get on with. Putting is the most individualistic part of golf, so just because Tiger uses a certain putter, don’t expect to be holing 60-footers if you use the same model. Whether it be blade or mallet, test a load and then stick with the one you like the feel of. The Ping Redwood Zing is one of TG’s favourites, but at £190 it’s not cheap. If cash is a problem, Today’s Golfer Classifieds has loads of quality second-hand putters – Odyssey is a fi rm favourite.” | |
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BALLS |
It’s tempting to buy a dozen balls for not very much, but this isn’t a great idea. Chances are, they will be like rocks, which will help your drives go further but will give you less control than the police in Iraq. Your best bet is to go with something like the Callaway Big Bertha (£18 a dozen, right). If you want something more high-tech, try the Titleist NXT Tour (£27.80 a dozen). | |
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IN THE |
Balls and clubs help, but don’t forget also to pack tees, pitchmark repairer and ball marker. It’s also worth investing in a decent set of waterproofs, just in case the weather looks bleaker than a January daytrip to Hull. Also, make sure you get a towel to wipe mud and dirt off your ball and always remember some water – staying hydrated is essential. A banana or some chocolate will also keep those energy levels up. |
