Golf clubs, like most things in life, have an expiration date. There may come a time when they just are not working like they used to. Reasons you should regrip golf clubs. Some sets of clubs can cost a lot of money, so you may be asking yourself, “How long will golf clubs last?”

The History of Golf Clubs

Back in the old days when golf was just beginning, a golfer could expect a club to last just a short amount of time. The shafts were often made of hickory, and the balls were wooden as well.

This meant that golf clubs would break easier and faster. The clubs were expensive to repair or buy new, so that is one of the main reasons why only the elite people of the time playing the game.

As softer, feather-type balls started to become more popular, clubs began to last longer because the clubs would not break so easily. Soon, less expensive iron clubs were being produced, so more people could afford to hit the links.

Modern Day Golf Clubs

As the technology continued to advance, club shafts, heads, and grips became stronger and more resilient.

Heads were starting to be made of better materials, and the lifespan of golf clubs changed drastically. Glue was often used to keep the heads and grips affixed to the shaft. If the glue came undone, it was a simple fix for just about anyone.

Unless you get angry and slam your clubs into the ground or throw them against trees, you can expect your clubs to last for countless numbers of years. Every time you play, you are increasing the odds of damage, but the chances of a club simply breaking are slim during this era of golf.

The Main Parts of the Golf Club

The Grip

The grip is the most likely part of the club to show wear and damage. It is essential to keep your grips in proper condition to play your best golf. Nowadays, there are wraps and slide-on grips that make repairs and improvements easier, so clubs can last longer.

The Shaft

Practically every golf club that you can buy now is made of stainless steel, titanium, graphite, or other composite materials that is weather-resistant. You won’t have to worry about the shafts rusting, and they are built to handle more stress than ever before while still maintaining the appropriate balance.

The Heads

Golf club heads can get damaged, especially when used in the deep rough, woods, or other areas where unknown items are below the surface of the ground. It is possible to get dings and dents on just about all of your clubs, but they should continue to perform adequately.

To Repair or Replace?

You’ll know when to replace golf clubs rather quickly. If they become difficult to repair or are out of balance, daily golfers will see and feel the difference when hitting shots.

You may have a “go-to” club in your bag like most players do. The last thing you probably want to do is replace that club, so you can try to repair it first. You can take that club or all of your clubs to a golf pro shop and have them evaluated for the loft, lie, offset, and bounce.

The golf club professional will be able to help you determine the golf club lifespan by comparing your clubs to the standard regulations for the industry.

The loft is the angle at which the club head sits at address. Major damage would likely have to occur to change the loft of your clubs, but it is possible.

The lie of your golf clubs is the angle that is formed from the sole of the club and the middle of the shaft. This can change over time and is an important factor in ball control.

When the leading edge of a golf club is set back from the hosel, the club is offset. This number should remain consistent from driver through sand wedge, but it can vary if any part of the club becomes loose from the other parts.

The bounce is most often referred to in terms of the wedges in your bag. It basically is used to figure out how much of the bottom of the club helps to lift the leading edge during a swing.

If the bounce is off, you may notice less than spectacular shots, especially with your short irons.

Golf Club Lifespan

In short, the lifespan of the golf club with newer clubs can be anywhere from three years to a lifetime if repairs are made.

The main reason that people change clubs is to use the advancements in technology to improve their games. Unless drastic damage occurs to the club, you can expect them to serve your purposes for countless rounds of golf.

To help your clubs last as long as possible, it is important to take care of them. The best way to care for your heads is by cleaning them after each and every shot.

Use a metallic brush for the irons to keep the grooves clean and a plastic brush for the metal woods. While cleaning, you are more likely to notice problems so doing this should become a routine.

Let the Big Dog Eat!

You’ll know when to replace golf clubs by the way they look, feel, sound, and perform. If you’re unsure, see a golf professional at least on a yearly basis to determine if your clubs are still meeting the golf clubs standard measurements.

If you like your clubs and don’t want to change them then regrip golf clubs is the way to keep them for a longer period of time.

As your game evolves, your clubs may have to evolve too. How long will golf clubs last? They will last for many years with proper care, but it is hopeful that your game will improve and you’ll need to also advance your clubs to the next level.

Sources and References:

• How often do you replace your putter grip? – thehackersparadise.com
• Shaft – wikipedia.org

You probably want to hit the golf ball as long and accurate as possible, so what type of golf shaft should you choose. Finding the best shaft for your game can be done by visiting a professional club fitting shop. In most cases, you will have to choose from stiff vs regular flex.

These places can be at your local country club or an actual store. When you just want to get some clubs from a retail or online store, it is a good idea to at least know which shaft you should get.

It is also important to realize that the shaft you choose for your driver may be different than the shafts you use for your irons. You typically swing a driver with a wide arc and hit your irons with a more shallow swing. This variation could be the main reason why you may hit a driver better than your irons or vice versa.

Stiff vs Regular flex

The stiff shafted clubs are going to flex less during the swing than the regular shafted clubs. Conversely, the regular shafted clubs are going to flex more.

If you have a slower swing speed, you are probably going to want to choose regular shafted clubs because the additional flex will provide a little more power and accuracy. When you swing harder, the stiff flex will be more controlled and give you the punch you need to hit better shots.

One of the most common problems that many golfers face is finding the right flex. You could have a smooth and mechanically-proper swing but still not play your best golf because of the flex in the shafts.

You need to really evaluate your game and not hit a club with a stiff flex if your swing speed is not high enough and avoid playing mental games with yourself and choose the right golf shaft for your swing.

Additional Analysis

There are three basic numbers that you will need to understand to find the right woods, irons, or hybrids. They are the swing speed, driver distance, and the club you hit from about 150 yards.

Swing Speed

This is the most accurate depiction of your the type of flex you should have in your clubs. If you cannot get properly evaluated in your area, you can consider the other two options. If you have the right type of cellular device, you may be able to find an application that can assist you. The recommended swing speeds are:

• Stiff – Between 90 and 105 miles per hour

• Regular – Between 80 and 95 miles per hour

Driver Carry Distance

This is how far you typically hit the ball from the tee to where it lands with your driver and most of your woods. You can possibly do this at the driving range or work with a partner to mark the landing spots for you and then measure.

The typical statistics using this measurement technique are:

• Stiff– 240 to 260 yards

• Regular– 210 to 240 yards

Club From 150 Yards

This will help you find the right flex for your irons. When using this method, be sure to make a typical, rhythmical swing. Again, going to the range is a great way to find this measurement.

The key measurements for this are:

• Stiff– 6 or 7 iron

• Regular– 5 or 6

Distance vs. Accuracy

Hitting the golf ball a mile can be a confidence booster and impress everyone around you, but if you aren’t hitting it where you want this can be a problem. If you have a driver with a regular flex and are hitting the ball long but inaccurately, you may want to consider going to a stiffer shaft.

The stiffer shafts should provide you with a little more control with your swing without having to swing faster provided you have the right club in your hands.

Graphite and Steel

You should also take into consideration the shaft’s material when making these important decisions. Graphite and titanium shafts are lighter and will likely make you swing a little faster than with a steel shaft.

Driver Dave hits a regular shafted steel driver 240 yards. Then, he used a graphite driver and hits it about 250 because of the increased clubhead speed. You need to be aware of the type of shaft material you are measuring with and make sure that it matches the clubs you would use when out on the course. It is a good idea to use the clubs that you typically use to make these decisions.

Tee It Up

Before you begin your next round, consider finding the right types of clubs for your game. The information provided throughout this article should help you to choose the right shafts for your swing.

You may still want to go to a professional club fitting at some point and learn all there is to learn about stiff vs regular flex. These services are usually free of charge, but they can help you to become a better golfer by helping you to use the right equipment.

Sources and References:

• Regular vs Stiff for driver shaft – thehackersparadise.com
• Shaft – wikipedia.org

Improving your golf handicap can happen with just some practice and by following some key course management practices.

What do you think you can do to improve your game? Some players think they need to get longer off the tee, but the most important way to improve your game is by improving your short game.

The following list provides you with multiple strategies to get better from tee to green and everywhere in between. This is not an exhaustive list, but it is filled with some simple techniques to get better quicker. They are in no particular order of importance.

The Mental Game

No matter how much skill you have, it will take some time to develop a strong mental game. You can achieve a lower golf handicap by being a thoughtful player. You need to be honest with yourself and your abilities.

Before hitting any shot, take a few seconds to visualize what you want to happen. If you can see it, you have a better chance of doing it. Step up to the ball with confidence, and you will shave a few strokes off your game rather quickly.

Another aspect of the mental game is playing within your limitations. If you’re driving the ball off the tee and want to hit the fairway make that your primary focus. Use the club that will give you the best opportunity for the next shot.

Hitting a driver isn’t always the most prudent play, but laying up a little shorter with a 3-wood or long iron could put you in a better position to attack the green.

Putting

Another part of the mental game has to do with putting. The old adage states that you, “Drive for show, and putt for dough.” There is a lot of truth to this statement. Putting requires great patience and thoughtfulness. Rather than trying to sink every putt outside of five feet, try to two-putt every green.

Make this a goal of yours. Just get it close enough to make a solid second putt. In the end, you will likely make a few and reduce your score.

Get the Right Clubs

You should make certain that you are hitting the clubs that are right for your game. Hitting clubs with a shaft that is too stiff or flexible could greatly decrease your success from the tee and fairway. Take a little time to be properly fitted because you need the right equipment for your personal game.

Keep It Low

When chipping or putting, try to use clubs that will get the ball on the ground as quickly as possible. Practice using a variety of different clubs around the green. It is usually more difficult to loft a shot near the bunker and have it land softly than it is to use a less lofted club and get it running faster. The bump-and-run is one of the most effective ways of chipping around the greens.

The Golf Ball

You do have the luxury of writing on your golf ball, so take some time to draw straight lines on it to aim at the hole with when putting. Some golf ball manufacturers already print the guide arrows on the balls to help keep you as aligned as possible.

Golf balls also come in different compressions and with different features based upon the number and shape of the dimples on the ball. A golf ball with a compression of 100 is used by players with higher swing speeds and 80-compression balls should be used if you have a slower swing speed.

Love Your Glove

You can improve your golf handicap by using a glove on your non-dominant hand while hitting shots. These products can help you to make a better golf grip and can reduce the chance of slipping during rainy or hot rounds.

Get a Grip

You have to grip the club before you hit the ball, so finding a proper grip is essential to your improvement. There are a variety of options available, so you need to do a little research to find the right one for your swing. Some players interlock two fingers and others put the pinky finger over the pointer finger when swinging.

A popular grip is to make a letter “V” on the grip with your thumb and pointer finger on your non-dominant hand. Make another “V” with your dominant hand and put that “V” just down the shaft from the first one. You should be able to imagine a straight line from both of the “V” vertices.

Know the Rules

When getting or trying to improve your golf handicap, it is essential to know the rules. There are many times when knowing the rules can be quite advantageous. Did you know that you don’t have to stand on sprinkler heads to hit shots? You can also get relief from standing water just about anywhere on the course.

Find a Target

You should always try to align yourself with a target. This target can be a tree or a couple of inches away from you when you putt. If you put your body in the right direction before you swing, you can probably shave a stroke or two off your round.

The Swing

Whenever you’re going to take a stroke, you should make sure that you are on balance. You may want to put a little additional weight on your back foot to give you some more power. You may want to place about 60 percent of your weight on the back foot and 40 percent on the front.

Keep your legs flexed and your back as straight as possible. Once you have made contact with the ball, be certain to continue with the follow-through. A proper finish will leave you standing pretty upright with your belt buckle pointing at the target line.

Where Does the Ball Go?

Some players like to put the ball in the middle of the stance no matter which club they are hitting.

Other players like to play the ball farther or closer to the middle based upon the club they are using. Aligning your front foot with the ball is a popular location for some players to swing. As the clubs decrease in size, you can move the ball back in your stance.

The Conclusion

It’s clear to see that many of the items on this list don’t have to be done at the course. You can read up on the rules, practice your grip, and find the right clubs without ever going to the course. It just takes some time and perseverance.

Watch some videos online or get some instructional DVDs if you don’t have access to a PGA professional to help you earn a lower golf handicap. Most importantly, have fun while you play. Keep your head in the game and remember to stay focused even when things aren’t going your way.

Shake off the bad shots before you approach your next shot to keep your positive attitude going throughout the round.

Sources and References:

• Handicap (golf) – wikipedia.org