The golf world is filled with classes. We’ve participant’s golf equipment, game-improvement golf equipment, distance balls, “Tour-level” balls, and so forth. One of many greatest mislabels (a minimum of in my ebook) is the tendency to lump excessive handicappers and newbies into the identical tools bucket.
After spending greater than a decade instructing golfers, I can let you know there are vital variations between a high-handicap golfer and a newbie by way of the tools they want. On this article, I’ll dive into why I feel this distinction issues and the way it could prevent some time and cash.
What makes a excessive handicapper totally different from a newbie?
All golfers are a bit of unpredictable however newbies take the cake. One shot may slice, the subsequent hook. Newbies can see vital week-to-week modifications of their sport. They’re attempting to gauge how a lot athletic capacity and hand-eye coordination they’ve and the way that may play into their sport because it develops.
Excessive handicappers, however, have habits.
Some have battled the identical slice for 30 years. Each day trip, it’s the identical shot on the primary tee. Excessive handicappers know their misses.
They’ve fought and tailored. They’ve gained some battles and conceded others. Compensating for his or her flaws is an actual a part of their technique.
Why this issues
The wants of a golfer whose swing modifications always differ from these of somebody who’s been hitting the identical kind of shot form (or miss) for a decade.
I just lately performed golf with my uncle who struggles with a slice. From the second he grips the membership to the second he addresses the ball, there are already 4 or 5 errors that virtually scream “slice.”
He’s labored on it for years, taken classes with 4 professionals and it gained’t go away. At this level, he goals down the left facet of the golf green. His tools wants are usually not the identical as a newbie.
Why generic golf tools options fall brief
Open any “best clubs for beginners and high handicappers” listing and also you’ll see the identical suggestions:
Extraordinarily forgiving drivers
Extremely wide-soled irons with cavity-backs
Excessive-lofted fairway woods or hybrids, usually with added offset
And let’s not overlook the two-piece, low-compression golf ball below $25 as a result of it’s certain to finish up on the backside of the lake anyway. Proper?
It’s true newbies and seasoned high-handicappers need assistance with off-center strikes and constant launch. Assuming they want the identical options ignores some vital factors:
Newbies want adaptability. A brand-new golfer’s swing can evolve so shortly {that a} draw-biased, anti-slice driver in Could may be the worst attainable match by August.
Excessive handicappers must leverage predictability. For those who’ve been slicing or hooking without end and anticipate to proceed, you may profit from golf equipment designed to scale back sidespin (like a driver with draw bias or an adjustable heel weight).
After we deal with each teams as an identical, we skip over the truth that a newbie’s sport is in a quickly altering state whereas a long-term excessive handicapper’s sport is often extra secure.
How newbies ought to method tools
It’s positive to separate newbies and excessive handicappers in concept however how does every group really select tools?
1. Embrace adjustability
Golf golf equipment with adjustable options are a should. An adjustable hosel allows you to tweak the loft and lie as your swing evolves. Moveable weights may help shift the middle of gravity to combat a slice or straighten out any of your misses.
2. Assume brief and long run
Beginning with used golf equipment isn’t the worst concept. When you develop some consistency, think about a full becoming. Don’t spend money on anti-slice gear straight away. Let’s see if that slice is a short- or long-term downside first.
3. Issue In athletic capacity (and velocity)
Having athletic capacity helps ease your transition into the sport. Many golf equipment labeled for newbies or excessive handicappers have versatile shafts and excessive lofts. For those who’re spending 5 mornings every week lifting on the fitness center, you may break a type of golf equipment in your first vary session.
How excessive handicappers ought to method tools
For those who’re a excessive handicapper bored with being lumped in with newbies, I get it. You’re at some extent the place you possibly can really reap the benefits of the information and know-how obtainable (and it is best to). As new tools is popping out in 2025, we’re seeing extra producers deal with fine-tuning each the clubhead and the shaft to fulfill your sport’s particular wants.
1. Play your miss
In case your ball leaks proper more often than not, search for draw-biased golf equipment. Modify the settings, decide the shaft with essentially the most shot correction and go all in. The possibility of fixing a long-term slice with out tools assist or a major funding of time might be slim.
2. Skilled fittings for every membership
Minor changes to shaft weight or grip dimension could make an enormous distinction. Spin charges matter they usually’re usually missed by excessive handicappers. A very good fitter will assist dial in every membership particularly for you.
3. Don’t be afraid of premium gear
After we examined drivers in 2024, the Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (sometimes thought of a “player’s driver”) proved to be probably the greatest all-around for distance and forgiveness, no matter handicap. After we examined golf balls in 2023, the Titleist Professional V1 and Professional V1x confirmed severe advantages for golfers looking for distance and consistency, irrespective of their ability degree.
Conclusion: Look deeper than these broad tools classes
Grouping excessive handicappers and newbies in tools guides does on a regular basis golfers a disservice. A real newbie’s swing can rework in just some weeks in order that they want adjustable, forward-thinking gear.
A protracted-term excessive handicapper has constant tendencies that the suitable shaft, driver or ball can tackle.
With know-how, knowledge and customized becoming, there has by no means been a greater time to seek out tools to match your sport.
If I have been a excessive handicapper or newbie, I’d deal with what tools golfers with related swing speeds and spin charges are utilizing no matter their handicap.
Earlier than your subsequent buy, think about a becoming or a minimum of a demo session. Take this information with you and examine your numbers in opposition to any preconceived notions of what’s “for high handicappers,” “for beginners” or “just for pros.” You may be stunned at what works finest on your sport.
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