TGW Answers Your Most-Asked Golf Questions

At TGW, we are there for golfers because we are golfers. And we know that golfers have questions when it comes to their game because the more you know, the better you can play. So we opened up the inbox to answer your most-asked questions!

What is the difference between men’s and women’s golf clubs?

In modern golf, club manufacturers make both men’s and women’s versions of the majority of their golf clubs. All of the underlying technology and performance is the same just with a few changes for each player.

• Length – Women’s golf club models will generally be a shorter than the men’s version to account for the average height of the women’s player.
• Shaft – Shafts in women’s golf club models are lighter and more flexible to help generate more speed and launch. In the irons, women’s clubs will usually always come in graphite while men’s versions will have the option of graphite or steel.
• Grip – Grips included on women’s golf clubs are thinner and lighter as well. As women’s players generally have smaller hands, a thinner grip helps promote the proper way of holding the club
• Weight – Finally, the overall weight of women’s golf clubs is less. This is due to lighter components like the shaft and grip as well as lighter club heads to promote the proper swing speed and tempo.
  

Is it legal to carry a left handed wedge in your right handed set in case of a shot you cannot hit right handed?

Yes it is. As long as you do not exceed the 14-club limit, your clubs can be any mix of left or right-handed. There is no rule that all your clubs have to be the same handedness. 

I currently play a driver with 10.5° of loft but find I am losing distance because the ball goes too high. Is there any way to adjust my club for a lower ball flight?

If you find your ball flight is too high and the golf ball is ballooning, causing you to lose distance, we do recommend lowering the loft to bring that flight down. Many drivers have adjustable loft sleeves so you can make that adjustment quickly and easily. 

I am trying to choose between the Bridgestone RX and RXs golf balls. I use Bridgestone E12 Contact balls currently but am looking for a more premium ball to enhance senior club tournament performance. Which ball should I try next?

Choosing between the B RX and B RXS comes down to the performance you are looking to get out of your new golf ball. If your top priority is more distance, go for the RX. If your main goal is maximum spin and you like a softer feeling golf ball, then go for the RXS. For more recommendations, check out our guide to which Bridgestone Tour B golf ball is right for you.

What happens if on the approach to the green and another golfer’s ball hits another ball on the green and knocks it into the hole?

If a golf ball in motion makes contact with a golf ball at rest, the golf ball that was struck must be replaced back to its original position. 

When taking measurements for PING Color Code chart, should I measure barefoot or in my golf shoes?

We recommend taking your measurements with your golf shoes on as that will provide you the most accurate results as they pertain to how they apply when using your golf clubs on the course.

Is it better to custom order irons and wedges or have them adjusted/bent after I order them?

Ordering Custom Clubs built by the manufacturer is your best bet. Not only do you benefit from today’s tighter tolerances but some clubs are cast with different specifications and are not easily bent after they are made. You also risk damaging the finish of your new clubs when making adjustments after the fact. For even more information, learn why every golf needs custom golf clubs.

Is it legal to put a line on your iron club face to help you hit the ball better?

According to the rules of golf, as long as decorative markings are not added in an effort to unduly influence the movement of the golf ball, they are allowable. This is especially helpful in practice. Golfers will often place tape with a line on it to check impact locations. For the purposes of improving alignment, this would generally be allowed.

Should I use urethane or surlyn cover golf balls?

Both refer to the material the cover of the golf ball is made of. Urethane is more “grabby” to the club face and provides more spin for stopping power into and around the green. Urethane balls are typically preferred by better players who like to work their shots but also tend to be more expensive. Surlyn cover balls are easier on the pocket book and a good choice for players looking to straighten out their long shots and like to keep the ball lower around the green.

Should I wear spiked or spikeless golf shoes?

The choice between spiked and spikeless golf shoes ultimately comes down to personal preference. The best way to decide is to consider five main factors: traction, durability, comfort, versatility, and fit, and see which ones matter more to you. If you need more traction, then you will rate spiked golf shoes higher. If versatility is a key feature, then you want a spikeless shoe you can wear anywhere. Check out TGW’s guide for an in-depth breakdown and choose what’s right for your game.

At what point should I consider graphite shafts whether that is age, swing speed, distance, handicap, etc?

Unfortunately, as we age, we tend to lose swing speed and distance. If you feel this has affected your handicap (negatively) and hitting the ball farther would help you play better then you should consider graphite shafts. Most graphite shafts are much lighter than steel. Some of the irons on the market today have shafts in the 60-gram range versus 120 grams of a traditional steel shaft. The overall lighter weight of the club is easier to swing faster and with that weight savings, the manufacturers can add more weight to the club head without disrupting the balance/swing weight of the club (Mass x Velocity = Momentum of the ball). With its dampening properties, graphite is also a good option for anyone that has aches or pains after a round of golf or a practice session.

What’s the best way to store golf balls?

Golf balls should be kept out of extreme temperatures for prolonged amounts of time. Stored at normal room temperatures, like 70°-80°, golf balls should have an incredibly long shelf life. However, if they are kept in extremely hot or cold conditions, they can lose their effectiveness faster.

How does a regular and a stiff shaft differ?

First, a stiff flex golf shaft is going to be a bit heavier than the regular flex option. It is also firmer and harder to bend. To make the shaft flex the way it should and to produce a quality golf shot, a stiff flex shaft needs to be swung faster. That is why the general rule of thumb to picking a golf shaft is the faster you swing, the stiffer the golf shaft needs to be. For a deeper dive into selecting the right shaft, check out the TGW Golf Shaft Buying Guide.

When should you consider custom golf clubs?

Golfers of all ability levels can benefit from custom golf clubs. The right time to get those clubs is the big question. Simply put, once you have a swing you are comfortable with and can repeat, you’re ready. You don’t want to get custom fit if you are still planning a major swing change because you would be changing to a different swing than the one your golf clubs were fit for. For more information on why custom golf clubs can help every golfer, read our custom golf clubs guide. 

Why do golf balls have dimples?

The dimples on a golf ball create turbulence in the air as the ball flies, keeping the airflow closer to the ball which reduces drag. The dimples hold the air closer to the ball longer, creating less wake which means less drag. If a golf ball didn’t have dimples, the air would fly around the ball and as the air swirls by, it would slow the ball down with more drag due to the larger wake of air.  

What are the best irons for high handicap golfers?

Irons with more distance and forgiveness technology, called game improvement irons, are perfect for higher handicap players. They most often feature cavity back designs, more weight around the perimeter, and wider soles to help launch the ball easier. For a complete rundown of the best iron sets for high handicap golfers, watch our exclusive testing. 

Do hybrid golf clubs work just as well as regular irons?

Hybrids are a great example of a recent innovation making the game of golf easier for many players. Because they are built with a more spring-like effect in the clubface (as you would see in a driver or fairway wood), you will see more distance than you would in an iron. Hybrids are also longer and have lighter shafts which help increase distance. However, because of the larger club head and longer shaft, you may not have as much control as you would over an iron. So whether or not a hybrid works as well as an iron comes down to the performance you are looking for in the long game. If you need help with distance and reaching greens from farther out, a hybrid will help you. If you need more control and precision, you may be more of a long iron player. 

How important is bounce in wedges?

Bounce is immensely important when it comes to wedge play. Having the right bounce and sole grind is what ensures your club interacts with the turf properly and helps you hit the ball the way you need to around the greens. Bounce works with your swing to make sure the ground doesn’t stop your momentum and slow down your swing. Our guide to bounce has a complete explanation of what bounce is, how it works, and how to find the right bounce for you.

How do you choose between a face-balanced and toe hang putter?

This choice comes down to your putting stroke. The more arc you have in your putting stroke, the more toe hang you will want your putter to have. Toe hang lets the clubface open and close as you swing along an arcing path. The more arc, the more toe hang you need to allow for that natural action. If your putting stroke is straight back, straight through and stays square through the whole stroke, then a face-balanced putter will fit you best.

Does lie angle really make that big of a difference in your game?

Lie angle can go a long way in making you a more accurate golfer. The general rule is for every one degree your clubs are off in lie angle, it can cause your shots to travel up to four yards off of your intended target line. If your clubs are too upright, then the toe will not make contact with the ground at impact and your shots will travel left of your target. If your clubs are too flat, then the heel will not make contact with the ground at impact and your shots will travel right of your target. Read our complete guide to lie angle to go in-depth with this aspect of your clubs.

Why is the center of gravity location important in my driver?

Many drivers now have adjustable weights on the sole or around the perimeter of the club head. They help you personalize the performance of your driver to fit your swing, often by adjusting the location of the center of gravity or CG. The center of gravity is the point within the club head where all the weight acts through. CG location makes a difference in performance and feel as you move it in four directions: forward, back, up, or down. Moving it forward decreases spin, MOI, and dynamic loft for a lower, more piercing ball flight. Moving the CG up also decreases dynamic loft but increases spin. When you move the center of gravity back, it increases spin and MOI as well as dynamic loft for a higher launch. Moving the CG down will also increase dynamic launch but decrease spin.

Do you have a question about golf equipment and performance you have been wanting to ask? Leave a comment on this post or find us on Facebook and Twitter. Your question might just be answered in the next edition of the TGW Inbox.