Hopefully the information presented so far has been applicable. You might also want to consider the following:

If you think any old golf clubs will do, you haven't been on the course trying to compensate for a club that's simply too long or two short. Besides making a shambles of your golf game, ill-fitting clubs can leave your body aching after the game. If you're spending all your time compensating, you probably aren't shooting your best or even enjoying the time on the course.

So does that mean that you're going to spend hundreds of extra dollars on a set of clubs with a custom fit? While custom clubs are one answer, most people can find what they need from a well-stocked golf store. But there are some things to keep in mind.

Length of the club is important, but it's not everything. The pros say that the size of your golf club's grip should be comfortable for your hands. That's why clubs for younger players and women often have a smaller grip.

If you should decide to go for a set of custom clubs, what is the process? It's nothing like be measured for a suit. The point is not only to make the club reach from the point of your outstretched hand to the ground, but also to make the most of your body - your strengths and your weaknesses. So don't go for your custom golf club fitting session expecting to spread your arms and stand still while someone uses a tape measure.

A good custom fit will probably take place both inside and outside. The best custom fit clubs will be tailored so that your swing is taken into account. Sound expensive? Possibly.

While some major golf club manufacturers will charge (dearly) for the actual "fitting," many offer up this service for free, with your commitment to buy clubs from that company. While custom clubs are more expensive than clubs purchased "off the shelf" from your local golf supplier or even from an outlet store or individual, the results will probably show themselves right away on the golf course.

Consider the shots that you may have been compensating for all your years of playing golf. If you're taller or shorter than the "typical" golfer, or even if you have some muscle strengths or weaknesses that make your game a bit more of a challenge, custom clubs can help you compensate.

But what if you want the clubs immediately? Do you have to go with "off the shelf" clubs? Actually, many manufacturers who provide custom golf clubs promise delivery within just a few days, a week or two at most.

Among the few negatives of custom golf clubs is the potential for offering them up as a surprise gift and the potential for resale. But at the same time, the golfer who is going to receive the custom clubs will likely gladly give up the "surprise" and most who go to this expense and trouble aren't going to offer the clubs for sale.

Only you can decide whether custom golf clubs are a good investment for you. If you're going to spend a bundle of money for an awesome set of clubs, you may very well take the extra step to get custom clubs.

There's a lot to understand about golf clubs. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.