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Golf rules allow you to have no more than fourteen (14) golf clubs on the course. You get to choose whether you buy different clubs for different shots or have more than one club for a single shot.
Choosing the right golf club for your set can be a very difficult (not to mention expensive) task, especially if you are a new golfer. But do golf clubs have to match?
There is no rule suggesting that golf clubs have to match. From the woods to the brand, club head, shaft, weight, length, or even the grip – all these are variables that you can choose according to your play style.
It doesn’t mean that you should always go for different clubs, though. The ultimate decision should always be based on your comfort and the goal you are trying to accomplish with this club.
Let’s take a closer look at different considerations when buying golf clubs and whether golf clubs should match based on your play style.
Do Golf Clubs Have to Match? Should They Match?
When crafting a set of clubs, start with the driver. Every golfer is obsessed with distance, and therefore, drivers are extremely important for your satisfaction and make an impression on other golfers.
Whatever you choose, though, should help you stay confident while playing.
For some, this may mean having the same brand or type of golf club. The best way to approach this is by taking every club you want to buy for a spin and seeing which ones give you the most consistent results.
Consistency can come in many forms, though, such as;
- Consistent length to reduce the strain on your back
- Matching woods
- Club head
- Shaft
- Length
- Loft
- Lie Angle
- Grip.
- Brand options.
This means that the decision isn’t as simple and can take you quite a while to make your set – which is not a problem. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your golfing set is your personal Rome.
How to Choose Golf Clubs?
According to club fitting experts, the standard drivers and fairway woods do not have consistent shaft length, flex, and weight. Every manufacturer has its formula and standards, which often results in people being comfortable with brands.
We think that it’s the brand that appeals to us, but in reality, it’s the manufacturer standard that we get used to.
Take TaylorMade, for example. It is among the best golf equipment manufacturers, but you will find several pros who prefer another brand. Some have different-branded clubs for different shots as well.
So, in essence, golf club brands do not have to match.
Then there’s the matter of woods vs. drivers. Just because you are comfortable with the driver’s flex, it doesn’t automatically mean that you should match your woods with that as well.
Remember, the two clubs have very different uses.
When testing, put together a combination of drivers and woods and ignore the general perception in your Tee-time circle. Just because most of your friends prefer Dunlop, don’t give in to peer pressure or preconceived notions.
Focus solely on the feel and the confidence you get with each club.
Choosing The Driver & Woods
It is a common misconception that the driver and 3-wood should match. While it works for many, I recommend doing your research before buying.
Even if you buy the same brand, there are many variations that you should consider analyzing.
As you go pro, you will find that drivers often have several upgrades made to them, but the same cannot be said about the woods.
The more expensive your driver and the 3 wood is, the more prominent the difference will be.
You can get away with the wrong shaft flex, but the wrong weight or length can introduce a lot of uncertainties.
When choosing a 3 wood and driver, weight is one of the biggest considerations to make. Expert golf club fitters recommend that your 3 woods should be slightly heavier than the driver – roughly 10 grams heavier.
Of course, there are exceptions.
It is also recommended that the wood shaft be more flexible and that the 3 woods for males should be 1-3 inches shorter than the driver, between 42.75 to 43.5 inches. For female golfers, the woods should be 2-4 inches shorter.
These are just recommendations, though, which is why you should always consider trying out the club before you make a purchase. Almost every golf shop has a specific area for golfers to try out the clubs – use that to your advantage.
Do Golf Clubs Have To Match – Driver & 5 Wood
A 5 wood or a hybrid (albeit very rare) will be one of the longest clubs in your set – so, how to match them up? They aren’t as common.
A similar rule applies to ‘matching’ these golf clubs when choosing the driver and 3 wood. There is no need to stick to one brand if you are more comfortable with another, nor do you have to go for the same weight, flex, length, or more.
Generally, club fitters recommend that the shaft flex of your driver needs to be stiffer than your 5 woods. If you are going for a hybrid, these should be the most flexible among the three.
Consider the adjustability and the loft of your woods or the irons.
If you are looking at pros and choosing your brand or matching golf clubs accordingly, remember that pros get paid millions to play with a specific brand, and in most cases, these brands create a club specifically for them. They won’t make a club specifically for you unless you pay them a fortune.
Ultimately, focus on the feel and your comfort level when choosing your golf club instead of simply going with one brand or type.
