Bring the Right Golf Clubs for the Course

Aside from hitting a ball toward a hole, full-scale regulation golf doesn't have a lot in common with put-put miniature golf courses. Walking around a regulation course with only a putter in tow won't get you very far. You need different clubs to do different jobs.

A typical set of golf clubs has at least 12 clubs, with many people opting to carry an additional wood and iron in their bag. A basic set includes a driver (also called the 1-wood), 3-wood, 5-wood, 3-9 irons, pitching wedge (PW), and putter.
Drivers and other woods

Players use drivers and fairway woods when they stand more than 175 yards away from the green. The lower the number wood, the lower its loft. Manufacturer can use steel or titanium to make the head of a wood.

* Stainless steel: If you want a classic-looking club, buy stainless steel woods. They look small and weigh more than titanium woods.
* Titanium: Lightweight titanium woods often have larger heads and sweet spots than stainless steel woods.

Irons

Use an iron when you're less than 200 yards away from the green. A standard set of irons includes the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9-irons as well as a pitching wedge. Most people find it easier to hit with the 7 and 9-irons than the 3 and 4-irons preferred by some seasoned golfers. Choose which type of steel you want in your irons:

* Cast/Perimeter-weighted: These irons have more weight on the outside of the club, creating a large sweet spot. They work well for mid-to-high handicap golfers.
* Forged steel: Softer metal makes forged steel clubs more difficult to hit. They work best for mid-to-low handicap players.

Wedges

Wedges have a lot of loft with a high trajectory. Use one when you want to fulfill a specific task.

* Pitching wedge: Use the long pitching wedge for shots from the fairway into the green.
* Sand wedge: Dig your ball out of a bunker (sand trap) without causing a lot of damage with a sand wedge.
* Lob wedge: Use a lob wedge to make short-distance shots around the green.
* Gap wedge: Use a gap wedge when you want results between those you could achieve with a pitching wedge and lob wedge.

Know your handicap

If you know how well you play on a regulation par-72 course, you can get a rough idea of which clubs you need. How far over par (the standard number of strokes for a course) you play reflects your golfing ability. Always try for a lower score.

Suggested Clubs

High Handicap Course Score: 100+
Mid Handicap Course Score: 83 - 92
Low Handicap Course Score: 72-82

Wood
Driver, 3-wood, 7-wood, and 9-wood.
Driver, 3-wood, and 7-wood or 9-wood
Driver, 3-wood

Wedge
Pitching wedge, sand wedge, and a lob wedge or approach wedge.
Pitching wedge, sand wedge, and a lob wedge or approach wedge.
Pitching wedge, sand wedge, and a lob wedge or approach wedge.

Iron
No recommendation
Irons 3 through 9
3 or 4-iron