is it normal for  a person to hit better with irons than the woods?
925917
Normally, the lower the iron, the easier it is to it.  People in golf will determine effictiveness by height.  No one wants to hit a worm burner!  \n\nProfessionals will most often start warming up with the wedges, then go from 9 irons to 3 iron, then back down.  Once they are warmed up, then they move to the woods.\n\nIn my personal opinion, Irons are easier to hit than woods because they are shorter, but also, you often times won't try to swing too hard with irons.  With woods, everyone wants to 'grip it and rip it.'
1007985
funny you should say, I really thought I was the only one left, having bought them as my first real set and have never bothered to change. Mine have stiff trutemper shafts and play great, though I dont. They are not easy clubs to play, but can be played very well (my lesson pro did and loved them) and provide a lot of control if you're good, so I am told. I have grown to love them
751937
ksinghvir - Young man I would say this.  Are your clubs fitted to your body type and swing? Because if they are not your parents have wasted a lot of money buying you those clubs. Those are expensive clubs that you have. Expensive isn't always the best, go get them fitted, if you haven't had them fitted already. Good luck trying out for your Freshman golf team.\nA response to your comment:\nGood for you. The best lesson you learned is the value of hard work (both caddieing and practicing to bring your handicap down).  When you get older, stronger and better, believe me you will, Switch to steel in your irons, and get irons with less offset as you will want to be able to keep your ball flight down. They will also provide you with more workability.\nSkidude - 5'5"? 315? The yardage at your golf course is off. Or maybe since your name is Skidude you play at 10,000 ft. altitude. Bring your game down to FL.(at sea level) doubt it's 315 here.
599788
It's easier to swing from the trees.
501527
You need to find equilibrium between the practice range and the golf course.  Too much of one without the other has consequences.  When you practice at the range you can relax and work on improving the mechanics of your swing without feeling the added pressure of having to "score well". Besides, practicing your swing (especially the short game!) and improving your skills will make playing for REAL on the golf course a MUCH more pleasurable experience.  Golf is a lot more fun when you don't have to be looking for your ball all the time!
96985
The key is being smooth and accelerating through the shot. I abbreviate my back swing as well, but only because it helps me with my tempo. From what I've seen it's more about what you're comfortable with. I have friends who open the clubface and take a full swing, but that's not comfortable to me. Bunker shots are tough for me too. Good luck.
354519
Steel shafts are good if you are average male player.  Usually only women pros or very good women golfers use thems.  You can get them in various flexes..men will use more stiff shafts an women use steel shafts that have more flex in them.  Graphites are usually more whippy and generates more club head spead and is used more by women, older men or those who want a more flexible shaft to gain distance.  If you are a serious golfer and got the money, than you can go with the platanium shafts or the newer type of metal shafts.  Have your swing checked out at a golf store that can tell you what type would be best for you.
445374
If you are going to "get back into playing a lot again this summer" I'll assume you haven't been playing as much recently, right? I'm thinking that just playing more will bring back some yardage.\n\nYou also mentioned that you won the "club championship 2 years ago" but you "have been significantly shorter with all my clubs for about 4 years now." Maybe being shorter is a good thing. Did you win any championships over four years ago when you were longer?\n\nWhen playing golf we do some peculiar things. The main thing better players do is learn is how to score. Scoring comes from putting the ball in good positions to attack pins. However, players that hit it full bore on most shots have to contend with issues of poor accuracy. Even Tiger Woods has learned to back off a little.\n\nI believe that once you start playing (read: practicing) more, then your crisp ball striking will come back. With it will come some (or all) of your lost yardage. \n\nNow, concerning shallowing out your swing...\n\nBen Hogan states on page 79 of "Five Fundamentals..." the following: "HOWEVER, YOU ARE HEADING FOR DISASTER IF YOU THRUST YOUR ARMS UP ABOVE THE PLANE SO THAT THEY WOULD SHATTER THE PLANE OF GLASS. Poor golfers [I'm not saying you're a poor golfer...poor golfers don't win club championships] make this error at any and all stages of the backswing, but it occurs most commonly when they are nearing the top of the backswing. Then, when their hands are about shoulder high, they suddenly lift their arms almost vertically towards the sky--crash goes the glass... and their shot. They conclude the backswing on an entirely different and far more upright plane, ...."\n\nWhen you start trying to get a little of that lost yardage back, you probably try to get a little more backswing. In doing so I would wagger a small bet that you are lifting your hands towards the end of your backswing instead of continuing AROUND in your backswing. Doing so will cause several bad things to happen. The first thing to go will be accuracy. If you played a slight draw before, then the draw will now be more pronounced. To straighten out the shot, you start blocking the shot by hanging on or you weaken your grip. An overly weak grip then causes you to flip at it to square it up. By this time the whole swing has fallen apart. You lost your fundamentals.\n\nAssuming your fundamentals were sound in the past, your fix is probably very simple and very slight. Don't go making any sort of major overhauls. Concentrate on the last part of your backswing. Do not let your hands shoot up towards the sky at the very end. You will need to feel your flaw before you can fix it. Swing very slowly and concentrate on the end of your backswing (the part leading up to the transition from back to forward). This is where you've gone wrong. \n\nOnce you get your swing back on plane, then your ballstriking will return. When you are on plane you don't have to make any compensations. You just drive through the ball without fear of it turning left (for a right-handed  golfer). \n\nOne other note... Driver and ball technology has improved in the last few years. You might consider looking into the latest drivers and balls. Your friends can buy an extra ten yards even with their swings. Why not get a little yourself? But first work out the flaw you developed by not playing lately. \n\nGo practice.
127018
There's no such thing as "perfect" golf club specs....everyone has their own swing and style of hitting the ball....which leads to many different set make ups....\n\nWhat works for me most likely will not work for you as well...
248427
Well it all depends on how badly they're worn. Basically there are two major areas of concern.\n\n1) Grooves - If the grooves are worn away in the hitting area you'll start hitting flyers (knuckleballs) out of the fairway. I'm assuming since you've worn your clubs out that you're a decent golfer and can control your ball. You DO NOT want to start hitting flyers from the fairway.\n\n2) Concave face - This is when the face starts to get like a "bowl" effect. This effectively limits the sweetspot of your club, because you have to hit it in the "bottom" of the bowl for it to go straight. If you hit the sides of the bowl, you'll hit it slightly offline and you won't be able to figure out why....this can lead to you making unecessary swing changes and adjustments....and you do not want that either. \n\nMy advice would be to show your clubs to your local pro or a reputable golf specialty shop, they'll be able to tell you if they're too worn out. \n\nI know there are a few places that "re-groove" irons. With GolfWorks probably being the best known, check out the link here:\n\nhttp://www.golfworks.com/product.asp?pn=REGROOVE
1136080
The typical clubs an amateur would carry are marked W and SW where the other irons are marked with their numbers. W is for wedge and SW is for Sand Wedge. A wedge would typically have a 50-55º loft although there are ones which are as low as 45º, a Sand Wedge more, up to 60º.\n\nI profess ignorance on the detail, but I am not aware of a formal numbering system, although I have seen wedges marked with the angle of loft recently. Thats more of a marketing thing I think : woods are often marked with their angle of loft as well and they remain Driver (1 wood), 2 wood, 3 wood etc.
276324
There's a simple way to check if your wrists are hinging properly:\n\nOn your takeaway, when the club is roughly parallel to the ground and at waist level, stop your swing, if the toe of your club is pointing straight up, you are hinging your wrists correctly and you don't have to worry about it anymore.\n\nI'd like to take credit for this piece of instruction, but I gleaned it from one of Harvey Penick's books ;)
35830
Distance in golf is generally related to club head speed at impact. The best way to increase your club head speed is to increase your flexability (hence why you usually hit longer after you've played a couple of holes, but why you get shorter later in the round as your muscles start to fatigue and tighten back up), so make sure you do plenty of stretching before you play and work on building up your muscle stamina
1162946
Try the Tour Edge Exotics driver.  It may be expensive, but it is supposed to be one of the best drivers available.  Tour Edge clubs in general, are excellent but somewhat underrated in the US, even though word of mouth is changing this quickly.  Their fairway woods which have been out for a few years now and have achieved a reputation for being the best woods available.\n\nGive the Exotics driver a try at a range and see what you think.
1073377
If you are concerned that your age is slowing down your swing, go for graphite to speed up the swing and increase your distance. Otherwise, steel shafts are the best to learn from, I've always noticed much better feel and stability with the steel shafts, which will help your control.
604973
Your best drive is your 3 wood.  I know everyone wants to hit if far, but it takes some time for you swing to handle a driver.  The 3 wood is easier to hit so it should go further and straighter for you.  Now don't let your driver sit in the bag and collect dust.  Use it on the holes it can't hurt you.  When you have a par 4 or par 5 that's going to take and extra shot, try the driver.  Make sure there is not a lot of trouble off the tee.  That way if you hit it 20 yards to the right you still have a shot.  \n\nOnce you have devloped your swing and want to find a good driver, please follow these steps:\n1.  Do not purchase a driver with out hitting one like it first.\n2.  Go to several Demo days and have them fit you.  You can go the the company websites to find Demo days in your area.  \n3.  Once you find a driver you just can't do without but it.  \nI have links to several companies websites on my blog roll. \n\nMay is free golf lesson month - Go to www.playgolfamerica.com to sign up for a free lesson with a local PGA Pro\n\nTips\ntrying your 3-wood instead of your driver.\nhttp://www.pga.com/improve/tips/swing/improve_anderson061504.cfm\nIf you struggle with your tee shots, try a couple of these drills to help you build confidence and consistency.\nhttp://www.pga.com/improve/tips/swing/improve_polites110104.cfm\nWhile it is desirable to hit down on the ball with most every club in your bag, that is not the case with your driver\nhttp://www.pga.com/improve/tips/swing/improve_rihm110104.cfm\n technical advisor Tom Wishon points out the three things about a driver that can cause you to leave valuable yards in your bag.\nhttp://www.pga.com/improve/tips/equipment/improve_wishon060905.cfm\n\ngood luck
1041198
Whatever you're comfortable with. There are cavity back irons, muscleback irons or combo irons. Since you're a beginner, cavity backs would be most wise for you. musclebacks are more for experienced players and combo irons are good for mid to low handicappers. You'll want to stay away from long irons and replace them with hybrid clubs instead. easier to hit and more versatile than regular irons. Probably forget a driver and stick with a 3 and 5 wood instead which will help your confidence a little. You'll probably be able to hit your 3 wood further than your driver if you notice. As far as brands go, cheap route would be to get a starter set from any sporting goods store or walmart or kmart. They're cheap and usually come with all the clubs you'll need to get started. from there you'll be able to see which ones you hate the most and which you like the best. If you're into brand name then I would either go with Callaway or Taylor Made. Each offer unique clubs both regular and hybrid that would make your game a little easier. But for now, i'd either get a starter set or a nice used set from 2nd Swing, Play It Again Sports or Hit 'Em Again.