by A. South

Created on: March 26, 2009

Whether you're a seasoned golfer or new to the game, having a set of clubs that is suited to you will have a significant impact on your game.

Pros have an arsenal of personalized clubs that are usually unavailable to the general public. However, cutting edge golf technology is showing up on the shelves at pro shops everywhere. Now, all golfers at all skill levels have access to the best possible clubs and equipment. Golfers everywhere can get clubs based on their own personal specifications, skill and goals.

Before you invest in new clubs, make sure they follow USGA regulations. New, high tech clubs have larger size (460cc-cubic centimeters), amounts of MOI (moment of inertia) and groove patterns and an optimized club head.

Now, club designers are focusing their efforts on the shaft. The shaft is the driving force of the club, the instrument that connects the golfer's body to the club head and ultimately to the golf ball. The shaft is as important as the club head, it helps the athlete feel the shot and holds the power of the shot. Before you select your next set of clubs, make sure to investigate the shaft.

Adjustable shaft technology is a new concept that initially started with the manufacturer's club fitting cart, where changeable shafts were regularly offered to golfers so they could try out multiple combinations to find the best possible fit.

Callaway Golf introduced the idea with a fitting system that had half a dozen club heads and several shafts. After picking a club head, you try several shafts for the best fit, feel and farthest trajectory. MAC tech was the first to introduce the concept to the general public, but skeptical golfers were slow to catch on. Now, almost all the top golf manufacturers have interchangeable fitting carts so you can try out different shafts before you buy clubs.

The interchangeable clubs have changeable shafts as well as changeable lofts and lies, all designed to help the golfer quickly and easily adjust the club's trajectory by selecting the position of the metalwood's face angle. This offers the ultimate customization. Nike's STR8 and TaylorMade's Flight Control Technology-FCT both offer this new technology.

To take total advantage of the new technology, it's important to know your swing. If you're an outside-in hitter or inside-out hitter, the shaft should be customized for your swing. A quick swing-analysis can clue you in to your swing characteristics and help you determine the club that's best for you.

With the right clubs, you'll hit better, farther and more accurate. Even better, you'll earn bragging rights on the course. What's better than that?

Learn more about this author, A. South.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.