Many golfers are confused when they begin the sport of golf and golfing as to what golf clubs they should buy – how many and what specific numbers. Often the whole nomenclature – that is the numbering system of the sets of golf clubs – becomes confusing. Which clubs types , which numbers and how many clubs should a novice beginning golfer start of with in order that they can play good and basic rounds of golf ?
In terms of the lay of the land, nomenclature and vocabulary of golfers and the sporting world of golf many outsiders are confused about the numbering system of golf clubs. For the most part other than being of three types of clubs – woods, irons and the putter golf clubs look fairly similar. What is the numbering system for golf clubs and the basics rules that follow the amount and types of golf clubs a player can play a golf round with?
The basic reason and reason for instituting a numbering system to label golf clubs was to provide more club types, in the middle and intermediate ranges, so that golfers, especially those at the high end of the sport, would have more options when it came to bridging the distance gap between the early sets of traditional clubs. Within a full set of clubs there is a gap off about 10 feet between each individual club number. Having this more complete and even more specific full range of golf club types allows experienced golfers to select the most suitable club to hit with, for the specific distance on the golf fairway that the golfer needs. It’s all about fuller, better and more specific choice of clubs for better golfing and lower golf scores.
The maximum number of clubs that a golfer playing a round of golf is permitted to carry is a full complement of 14 golf clubs. Although the exact composition may vary according to the wishes and individual preferences of the golfer on hand , the average player usually selects the following “woods” – Nos, 1 ,3 4 and 5 along with the “irons” – Nos. 3, 4 , 5 , 6, 7 , 8, 9 , pitching wedge and sand iron and finally last but not least the “putter”
However for a beginner golfer who may not have good feel yet either for the game, their interest level, the clubs that suit they and they prefer and lastly their allocated golfing budget it may be unwise to invest in such a full complement of golf clubs at the onset of their “golfing career”. Indeed most beginner golfers can quite easily manage well with a half set of golf clubs – which can most likely be made up as follows : “woods” Nos. 1 (provided it has a good amount of loft on its face) and 3 wood, “irons:- pick either odd or even numbers. For example Nos. 3, 5, 7, 9 or Nos. 2, 4, 6 and 8 clubs, and either a number 9 club or a pitching web club , which is most suitable for short shots to the green or greens and some of the time for getting out of resistant sand bunkers.
The last club of your set of course, no matter what, will be a good “putter” club, all the better to putt properly with.
It can be said that in principle, the idea of buying the minimum number of clubs necessary to get started and then adding as and when you have a complete set of golf clubs makes a lot of sense. However on the other side the coin more than one golfer has found that when they reached the point and decision to add to their golf club collection that their brand or specific models of clubs were not available from the manufacturer or at their local golf or golfing pro shop.
If there can be one summary and set of rules for beginner golfers it can be said is that when you take up the sport and pastime of golf and golfing purchase either a half set of clubs or the minimum amount of clubs.