Back when I started playing golf, the driver (made out of wood) was probably the most difficult club to hit. So everyone started off with a fairway wood and only started using the driver when they were better golfers. This taught you to keep the ball in the fairway, which is very important.

Nowadays, the driver is one of the easiest clubs to hit, so it’s also one of the first clubs a golfer pulls out. The problem is that very few golfers have the control to hit a driver straight in the beginning and therefore need a safety club on holes that are tight with lots of trouble on the sides.

Make sure you have the right fairway woods in your bag, learn to hit them, and use them off the tee on difficult driving holes. They’ll help you keep the blackouts off your scorecard.

Longer hitters should have more wedges because they have shorter shots into the green. Also, ensure the gaps between your wedges are consistent and right for your needs.

Shorter hitters should have more fairway woods and hybrids. Hybrids launch the ball higher than long irons, which helps golfers with slower swing speeds.

Also, consider different clubs for different courses. A parkland course with big trees may call for a 5-wood. A links course near the sea may require a utility iron like a 2 or 3.

Wedge bounce matters too. Low bounce works better on firm ground and hard bunkers. Higher bounce helps on soft turf (like Cape winters) and soft bunkers.

Lastly, make sure you have the right shafts. If you’ve lost distance, try lighter shafts – either graphite or lightweight steel.
If you’re unsure if your clubs are right for you, feel free to book some coaching time with me.

Happy Golfing
Ben Fouchee" />