How to Choose a Golf Club

As explained in our section on Golf Club Types and the Golf Club Characteristics, one of the biggest decisions in Golf is choosing the right Golf Club to use in a particular circumstance and in a particular part of the Golf Course. For this, you need to consider the distance between you and your target, the wind and the elevation of the Green compared to where you are standing.

Here are some guidelines on Choosing the Right Golf Club:

• Distance to the Target
  Your decision on which Club you should use depends most on the distance between your current position and your target. If you are really far from the Hole, like in the Par-Five, you will want to use a club with greater distance like the Driver or the Fairway Woods. For shorter distances, the Irons and Wedges will give you greater accuracy.
• Wind Strength and Direction
  Just like in Reading the Green, the wind plays a subtle part in choosing the Golf Club. If the wind blow is relatively hard in your face, use more club (use the next longest club in the set to get more distance). If it is blowing hard on your back, use less club (Use a shorter club.) Judging from the direction and strength of the wind and how it will effect your shot takes practice.
• Elevation and Height Differences
  Difference in elevation between your location and your target also affects your choice. Hitting on an elevated Green requires more club (using the next longest club in the set). Hitting to a green that is below the level of your ground, requires less club. Try to make a mental picture of the trajectory of your Golf Ball and the location where it will hit ground, and taking the elevation and curves of the golf course in mind.
• Terrain and Surface
  If you are in the rough, in a sand bunker or otherwise difficult terrain you will want to choose a club that gives a great chance of getting outside of the hazard and back onto the fairway or green. If you are in a bunker with still 200 yards between your location and the green you might be tempted to grab a driver but drivers generally do not work in a bunker. In general rough lies require high loft irons.

These are the guidelines you need to consider when choosing what golf club you should use. Learning the type of club to use will not only help you when teeing, but also when you are facing the hazards and when you are in the other parts of the Golf Course.