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Cast Iron Golf Clubs Or Forged?

By: Lee MacRae

Are you looking to buy new golf clubs? Finding it difficult to determine what will work the best for you? Newcomers especially can become bewildered by the large variety of golf clubs you see when you are looking to buy.

Read along as we discuss the types available and what they each can do for your game of golf.

First of all, it should be noted that standard golf clubs will work for most everyone standing between 5 feet and six feet tall. And that holds equally for males and females. If you are outside those parameters, then you may need to look at custom fitted clubs.

Cast or Forged Golf Club?

Generally, you will find that cast iron clubs are the way to go.

And there is a reason for that. Well, cast iron golf clubs normally have a bigger "sweet spot". This is the are in the center of the club face where "forces" are said to be perfectly balanced to deliver the perfect shot. The larger the "sweet spot" on a club face, the more area you have to strike the ball well. You can still be a little "off center" and the ball is still struck well because you have a larger margin of error. This makes cast iron clubs ideal for anyone who wants a more consistant shot., especially beginners. Without a steady consistant swing, a larger striking area will produce better shots overall. This is the major reason why you see larger or even "oversized" clubs made, especially the oversized drivers today. These clubs allow for a larger sweet spot and make the game a lot easier for the average player

Forged iron clubs are generally the opposite. Harder to hit with because of a smaller sweet spot on the club face.

So why even make golf clubs out of forged iron, you ask?

For a very simple reason. Cast iron is a softer metal that offers a better "feel" on a shot. The more seasoned player, especially the pros on the circuit, don't need that larger sweet spot. They have a more consistant swing plane and strike the ball with far more accuracy. They use the "feel" of the the forged iron clubs to influence the flight of the ball in a way that a beginner or average player can't.

The next thing to look at is the shaft itself. Will we get one made from steel? Or will it be a composite material?

The basic factor to consider here is swing speed. How fast do you swing your golf clubs? Slower swing speeds will send you over to the composite shafted golf clubs. Slower swing speeds mean less distance on your shots. Not a good thing. Composite shafts will allow you to get that much needed distance on your shots. And even within the composite shaft class, you will find variations in flex and materials that will affect your game.

By contrast, those with good distances on their shots, will fare much better by using a steel shaft that will give them some touch and control on their shots.

Visit your local golf pro shop or look for a store that offers custom work and they will help you to determine your own club head speed and which type of shaft you should use. Or you can buy one of the many swing speed radar devices on the market and clock your speed yourself.

With only these few starting tips, it is typically best if you rent a few different sets of clubs as you play and take note of how each club serves or handicaps your game. You are looking to ascertain your own strengths as well as weaknesses. Check out the assorted types and varieties of golf clubs you may find in a rental shop, for example, and discover what works best for you.

Work on these tips and make sure you tee off with a positive mindset. The more you practice and implement what you learn, the more confidence you will gain in your ability to hit it straight and long. And watch your scores begin to plummet!

Start our right with a great beginners's golf training aid now!

Thoughts On Golf

There are a number of possible reasons for hitting behind the ball. If you are not shifting your weight properly on the downswing, from the back leg to the front leg, your swing will bottom out before the club gets to the ball. Also, if you do not keep your head steady, you do not know where your swing will bottom out. Also, if you do not keep your leading arm reasonably straight, the arc of your swing will vary, so you can improve your consistency by focusing on these 3 areas.
...US Golf Association

Use Your Body For Power
Every good golfer knows that power comes from the body, not the arms. To learn to power the club with your body instead of your arms and hands, put the club behind the ball at address, with your body in a dead-stop position. Without taking a backswing, try to drag the ball into the air. If you're a player who uses his or her hands to control the club, you'll probably struggle at first. However, you'll quickly find that once you start moving the club with your body, you'll begin to get the ball in the air more consistently. This helps you turn fully through the ball on the downswing.
...Golf Tips magazine

To achieve the goal of hitting the ball at the bottom of the swing arc. Your drives should be hit slightly on the upswing, iron shots are struck slightly on the downswing. Fairway woods are hit at the bottom of the swing arc.
...PGA of America

A Rehearsal Routine for Hitting Pinpoint Pitches and Chips
How you make a practice swing when chipping from off the green is especially critical. First of all, you're not just trying to calculate how far you need to hit the ball, you're also trying to determine how high the ball should fly and how much roll you want it to have. Also, a practice stroke helps you to assess the lie, which can range from having a ball that's sunken down in the rough to one sitting high on the collar. All these variables come into play when making a practice swing, which is why I think it's critical that every golfer learn a constant preshot technique.
...Golf Link

A proper grip will reduce your tendency to slice. A good grip will keep the clubhead square at impact and keep the shaft from turning in your hands. Pictured is the popular overlap grip, also known as the Vardon grip.
...Golf Instruction Guide

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