by Mary Ann Neber

Created on: November 14, 2008

When should you use the 3 wood and when should you use the 6 iron? Distance and your personal swing determines the answer to this question.

WOODS

Prior to the 1980's , woods were made of wood. Now, woods are made of metal, but retained the same name. In general, woods are used for the long distances, (about 175 yards or more). A basic set of golf clubs would include a 3 and 5 wood as well as a driver, which is the name of the 1 wood. These clubs are differentiated by their loft, or angle, of the club face. The lower the number of the club, the lower the angle is of the club face. Greater skill is required of the golfer who utilizes these lower loft clubs. The higher loft clubs are easier to hit and can become your confidence club very easily. The confidence club is the wood or iron you hit well. You use it when your game is starting to fall apart. A few shots with your confidence club will get you back into the swing of things (so to speak). Most people tee off with a wood depending upon the distance to the green. If your golf score card shows you a distance of 539 yards, you would tee off with a wood to get the most distance. .Since the driver has the lowest loft , you should get the greatest distance with it. However, many people have difficulty with the driver because it requires greater skill to hit the ball with a low loft. These people sometimes use the 3 wood instead. As you progress with your game, you will learn which clubs you favor from the tee and or the fairway for those long distance shots.

IRONS

The irons are used for shorter distances and follow the same rule as woods . The lower the number, the smaller the loft or angle. Therefore, the most difficult irons to hit are the 3 and 4. They are used for long distances. Sometimes golfers use their 5 wood in place of the 3 or 4 iron because the greater loft makes it easier to hit. The rest of the irons have greater angles and are more user friendly. They are the 5, 6 , 7, 8, and 9. Remember, the higher numbered clubs are used for shorter distances. As you play your game, you will come to realize which irons suit you the best and a good sense will develop for how much distance you will get from each numbered club.

SPECIALTY CLUBS

The wedge ,(W), can be used for short distances to the green. It can help you get out of high grass, get you out of a sand trap and can also be used for chip and run (you hit the ball without using a full swing where it pops up and then rolls across the green. Then with careful aim

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