The modern golfer has an arsenal of golf clubs in their golf bag. The typical set would contain a driver, fairway woods, irons, and a putter. Each golfer has their own unique style and would have different combinations of these golf clubs. Also included would be a replacement golf club for the longer irons and fairway woods known as the golf club hybrid.



The United States Golf Association (USGA) sets the rules of golf. In those rules, it limits the number of golf clubs in a golfer's golf bag to 14 golf clubs. A classic golfer would have a driver, 2 fairway woods, 7 golf irons, 3 golf wedges and a putter. You will find a different set combination in each golfers bag. Hybrid golf clubs, of late, may replace some of the longer golf irons and fairway woods.

The most expensive golf club would be the golf club driver. It also has the longest shaft and the biggest head. The driver properties allow the golfer to hit the golf ball the farthest of any of the golf clubs. This distance is usually at the sacrifice of accuracy. Club head size is limited to around 460cc. Prices will range from $200 to upward of $400 or more. Less expensive golf club drivers can be found for usually under $100.

Sometimes referred to in modern days as metal woods, these clubs have more lofted club heads than drivers. A set of fairway metal woods, consisting of a 3, 5 and 7 wood, can run anywhere from $150 to $300. A set of discount golf woods would provide quite a savings over name brand golf clubs. A typical use of the fairway metal wood is a second shot on a par 5 golf hole or for accuracy off the tee on a narrow fairway.

Hybrid golf clubs are a kind of cross between a fairway wood and a longer golf club iron. The shaft is usually a bit shorter, but the golf club hybrid head is similar to a fairway wood. They can be used from the rough or off the fairway and are very versatile golf clubs. Some are even used to putt from just off the green. Retail prices for hybrid golf clubs can be similar to a driver.

Golf club irons are considered the most important group of clubs in a golf club set. Golf club irons are used in the range of 125 yards to 225 yards from the putting green. A set of golf club irons consists of the numbered irons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The higher the number of the golf club iron, the higher the loft and the shorter distance the golf ball will fly. The shaft length will be shorter for the higher numbered golf club irons.

Wedges are normally included in the purchase of a set of irons. The most common wedges are the pitching wedge, the sand wedge and the lob wedge. These golf clubs are used for short, controlled shots, normally very close to the putting green. Some golfers may choose to remove one of the wedges in lieu of a 2-iron or hybrid club.

Golf club irons have two primary types to choose from. Fro the lower handicapped golfer, forged irons enable shaping of golf shots for easier draws and fades. For the higher handicapped golfer, cavity-backed golf club irons are more forgiving on off-center shots, have a larger sweet spot and allow the golfer to hit straight shots easier. A set of golf club irons is usually considered a 2 through 9 iron, a pitching wedge (PW) and a sand wedge (SW). This set of 10 irons can range in price from $250 up to and over $1,500. Knockoff golf irons would provide similar quality for a significant savings. These are also known as clone golf club irons or discount golf club irons.

The last and probably most utilized golf club is the putter. The golf club irons are used for the money shots. The putter is the money club. The old saying "Drive for show, putt for dough" is a very true statement. The putter is used on every golf hole at least once. The putter will be the golf club that ultimately puts the golf ball in the hole. This club provides the golfer the best opportunity to cut strokes from their golf round.

There are many varieties of putters in all shapes and sizes. Some of the putter shafts are so short that the golfer grips it near his knees, and some are so long that they are gripped at the golfer's chest. Many golfers spend their entire lives changing putters to find the one that feels right for them. Simple putters can cost as little as $20 but some of the more exotic putters can cost as much as $300.