Golf Sets

Golfing greens are an exquisite sight. However it was not like this when the game was first played. It was the Scottish who invented this game of golf. Golf was first played in Scotland during the 15th century. In those days, golfers would hit small rocks or pebbles with a stick. The game was played in the sand and not on the beautiful greens that golf is played on today. It wasn't until 1750 that golf took on the form that we now know it as. 1774 was the year when golfers in Edinburgh wrote out the rules for the game, known as Standardised Rules.

The history of golfing equipment is also very interesting. For instance when the Scots got tired with hitting pebbles, they tried making balls out of leather and feathers. Improvements on this were made as the game grew in popularity. The ball we now use today was designed by William Taylor – the dimpled golf ball. Golf clubs likewise went through years of experimentation which has created the wide variety we see today.

It is an interesting fact that the golf clubs created for King James IV of Scotland were made by a bow-maker. It was necessary to be able to hit the ball properly. Thus was created the tee which is a device on which the ball rests before it is hit. This too went through many manifestations until PM Mathews, in 1897 created a design for the tee that golfers use today.

Golf is a deceptively simple game. It calls for the highest degree of concentration, cool-headedness and the ability to relax. A round of golf consists of 18 holes. They are placed according to a distinct layout. Playing a hole means that you hit the ball from the tee, and after it comes to a halt, strike it again until the ball is putted into the cup.

A golf set is composed of:

• Golf clubs – a golfer needs different kinds of clubs for the game. However, they cannot exceed 14. There are 3 main kinds of clubs that are used:
  A) Woods – these are not made of wood anymore, but they are still called by this name. These are the longest clubs, and you would use them for the long shots.
  B) Irons – irons are used for shorter shots. These are the most used on account of their versatility. Iron clubs can be found in 3 variations: the Forged Irons which are made of soft metal, the Cast Irons made of harder metal, and the Hybrids which are a combination of wood and metal.
  C) Wedges – Pitching, Gap, Sand and Lob wedges are specialized irons.
  D) Putters – these are the golfer’s friend, and help the golfer put the ball over a short distance.
  E) The Driver – this club hits the ball the farthest of all the clubs. It is a beautiful sight to see a golf ball in flight arching its way back to the ground.

• Golf bag – all 14 golf clubs are carried in a golf bag. Since you have to move around, you will need something convenient to carry your golfing equipment in. Golf bags are made of nylon or leather. They are cylindrical in shape and have many pockets. Whatever is required for a round of golf is carried in this bag. Designing convenient golf bags has become a science. They can be carried and may even have retractable legs on the base which will make it sit upright when you are at play.

• Golf balls – the specifications of the golf ball are that it should have a diameter of 42.67 mm and a mass of 45.93 gm. Up until 1905, golf balls were smooth until golfers realised that they had a better game when the balls were worn out and therefore rough. This is when the very first dimpled ball came into existence thanks to William Taylor. Since the ball is hit and moves over a fair distance, the science of aerodynamics comes into effect. A ball therefore that would move lightly over a long or short distance was designed. The surface of the golf ball has 300 to 450 dimples. This enhances the aerodynamics of the ball. There are three groups of golf balls: two-piece, three-piece and four-piece covers. As the years pass and the game grows in competition and becomes more and more challenging, technology is brought to its aid. Since 2006, RFID, or Radio-Frequency Identification technology has been used to locate the ball when it has gone beyond the vision of the human eye. RFID is either applied to a product or a product could have this incorporated into it. The radio waves would be transmitted from the ball to a device that the golfer has in their hand. This helps them to track where the ball has gone.

1. Tees – in order to give an advantage to the golfer, the ball is kept on a small, cup-like object made of either wood or plastic. This can be placed on the ground, or pushed in. The ball rests on this tee. It is only used for the first shot on each hole. Depending on the club being used, the length of the tee changes. You can decide on the kind of tee that you are comfortable with. If you want the ball to be off the ground a little higher than usual, then a longer tee is used. This would be in the region of 3 to 3.5 inches. Tees which are 1.5 to 2.5 inches are good for use with irons. These can be inserted into the ground easily and are stronger than the longer tees.

• Gloves – since the golf club has to be held firmly for good play, it can be hard on the palms of the hands. Therefore many golfers wear gloves to prevent their hands from blistering. A right-handed player would wear the glove on the left hand, and a left-handed player would wear the glove on the right hand. Gloves give a good grip. Consequently, the golfer will have more control over their swing.

• Shoes – there are special shoes which golfers use, especially when it is wet. These shoes have metal or plastic spikes on the soles. The golfer needs good balance if they are to play well. These shoes increase the friction and prevent the golfer from slipping when they swing out. Metal spikes can spoil the grass, so more and more golfers use shoes with plastic spikes.

• Towels – golf bags are equipped with carabiners (metal loop), or grommets (rubber rings), for golf towels. The towel comes in handy to wipe your hands or maybe even the ball.

• Ball markers – this is a flat, round piece of either metal or plastic which is used to mark the place where the ball laid. You would use a ball marker if you picked up the ball because it was in the way of your opponent, or if you wanted to wipe it. Usually a coin is used.

• Ball washers – these are devices used to clean the golf ball. They could be small brushes. Motorized ball cleaners are used frequently as well.

• Pitch mark repair tool – when a pitch mark is created in the ground, an instrument that would repair the green is used. It is like a pitchfork, and some tees actually have such a tool at the end. To repair the damage caused by a hard hit, this tool is used to loosen the surrounding turf and smooth out the ground.

Golf carts are available for golfers who would like to use them to move from one part of the greens to another. These carts are designed to carry the player and their equipment.

There are other aids that can be used and which can form a part of the golf set for players. For example, there are ball retrievers which are telescoping poles. If there is a water body on the greens and the ball rolls towards it, this device can be used to scoop it up. Some golf clubs use a rangefinder to measure the distance from where they are to the next hole they have to play. There are rangefinders that use the principles of optics and the latest rangefinders use laser technology. Since you are concentrating on the game you may lose track of the number of strokes you have played. A stroke counter would keep tabs on this.

Golf is a game that requires concentration and focus. It is a game that is also used to relax. If you are relaxed you will be able to play well. However if you are tense, then your swings will be all wrong and you will end up not playing a game that you enjoy. There is a code of conduct that all golfers follow and an etiquette that is maintained on the greens. This enhances the enjoyment that you get when playing the game. Greens are sometimes created in terrain that is far from smooth and sometimes even at high altitudes.

Golfers view this as a challenge, adding to their passion for their game. If you are a serious golfer then you will make sure that you have the best possible equipment in your golf bag. When you start getting your golf set together, the first thing you need to do is research the game and the equipment used. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the United States Golf Association are the custodians of the game. They govern the rules. Golf competitions are manned by them and they accredit golfing equipment.

When you shop for your golf set, make sure that what you buy has been approved by these two organisations. Remember that well-made golf balls and golf clubs are indeed expensive, but they are worth it, and you will be able to enjoy a good worry-free game. One way to get a good golf set would be to find out what golf sets the experts use. Joining groups of golf enthusiasts will also help you to better choose your equipment, as well as improve your game.

You may want to choose custom-made equipment. If you should decide in favour of custom-made equipment, then get a golf pro to analyze your swing and they will then advise you as to what kind of clubs you need to improve your game and enjoy it. In the golf world, the leading equipment manufacturer is the OEM, or Original Equipment Manufacturer. They are the best in the field of ready-made golfing equipment. Some example companies are Titleist and Callaway.

Golf is a wonderful game and there are many who take it seriously. The best way to keep checking your game and improving on your score would be to follow the pros on their tours. You will get to know what kind of equipment they use. That will help you in your purchasing of your golf set. You will see that as you grow in the knowledge of the game, you will need to improve on your equipment. The wrong size clubs can cause terrible backaches, so you must see to it that the clubs you buy are of the right length and weight.

Your shoes are another matter that you will need to think carefully about. Wrong footwear can cause pain in the back and prevent you from enjoying your game. The very fact that you are out on the greens is a soothing experience. Add to that a good golf set and you are ready to enjoy a good game of golf.