2009 Shafts Buyer’s Guide

Shafts might just be the most misunderstood piece of golf equipment.
Shafts might just be the most misunderstood piece of golf equipment.
Irons have changed a lot in the past few years. Now, you’re just as likely to see iron-woods as you are traditional blades.
There are four different kinds of wedges, and each is designed with different distances and shot shapes in mind. But one thing is certain, if you know how to hit them, you’ll have a day’s worth of close shots and tap-ins.
They might not be as exciting to hit as drivers, or as fun to collect as putters, but if you master your woods and hybrids, you can keep the golf ball in the fairway and knock it closer to the pin than ever before. Trust us. If you’ve ever teed off with a 3-wood, you’ve Read more…
Today’s drivers are so fine-tuned and well-made that it’s a cinch to find the right model for your game._Ê If your old model_Ê doesn’t have you hitting it long and straight, one of this year’s new drivers definitely will. Remember when hitting 300-yard drives was something you only dreamed about? Well those days are over now that drivers are more powerful, more forgiving and more fun to hit than ever before.
One of the best ways to get your golf gear back into tip-top shape is to consider a new shaft upgrade. Sounds simple enough, right? If you’re among the many confused, heed the following. Choosing the right shaft is a matter of first determining what you need. Do you want more distance? More control? Both? The variations of shafts available are crafted to meet specific demands, and it looks like no demands are too great.
Better players know that the secret to scoring well comes from being a better iron player. Better iron shots mean shorter putts, and shorter putts lead to more pars and birdies. What irons you put in your bag are important to your golfing success, and although we say it every year, there’s more to choose from this year than there was last year!_Ê
Sometimes nothing beats hitting a drive on the screws, right down the middle. For you youngsters, “hitting it on the screws” is an old, but literal saying that harkens back a whopping 20 years to when golfers used persimmon heads with screws that held the clubface together. These days, things sure have changed. Drivers don’t have screws in the front, instead you’ll sometimes find them in the back and to the sides. In other models, you’ll find carbon, titanium, tungsten and steel, all designed to serve a particular purpose, which is to help you hit the ball farther and straighter than ever._Ê
In golf’s modern era, the small, round dimpled orbs that fill the pockets of your golf bags are truly the sum of their parts. From the materials that make up its cover to how it’s filled inside, a golf ball’s composition greatly affects its behavior on the course. Among other things, it determines how high or low it launches off your clubface and spins around the green and how much it compresses when hit. In short, the modern golf ball is a technological masterpiece, with a number of different varieties built specifically for players of varying skill levels. They’ve truly come a long way since a bunch of feathers were sewn inside a ratty piece of leather.
If you’re in the mood for a new flatstick, this is a good year to find one—’08 brings forth a slew of new shapes, sizes and materials that are visually appealing, feel great and are often adjustable for your specific needs. Speaking of which, whether it’s mallet, blade, movable weights or specific inserts that you’re looking for, there’s a putter for you. The question shouldn’t be what type of putter do you want, but what kind of putter are you?