Investing in a new golf club - Is it worth the cost and what are the benefits for beginners and recreational golfers?
Maybe you're new to golf or have been playing recreationally for years but are ready to take the game seriously and invest in your equipment. But at some point you're bound to ask yourself: Will a new golf club improve my game? We at 2Gringos often ask ourselves that question after a failed stroke.
If you spend over 5000 kroner on a new golf club, maybe the best club on the market, will you suddenly become like Brooks Koepka? Or will it just make you long and end up wrong?
Can the new technology help beginners and recreational golfers? Or does it take more skill to reap the benefits?
The quick answer is yes. A new/better golf club can help any player, but it is not a magic wand and may not be worth the big investment. There's no substitute for good old-fashioned exercise... unfortunately.
There are several things to consider before spending a small fortune on a new club. What type of club do you currently use?
The first thing to consider is how much your current club is holding you back. If your club is made of wood, it's probably time to upgrade to something from the 21st century.
How big is the head of your club? For many years the maximum size allowed was 460cc - if your current club is significantly smaller, it may be time to buy a new one.
Does the shaft fit your swing? When you're just learning the game, it's not a big deal, but if your club was a gift from your grandfather and feels like a fishing rod, you probably need a newer, stiffer option.
At the end of the day, there has been a lot of development in golf club technology over the last 10-15 years, but it can be summed up as better materials, bigger heads and more advanced shafts.
The last thing to consider regarding your current club. Do you hate it? It may sound strange, but golf is all about mental confidence, and if you're looking at your club and having negative thoughts, a change could do you good!
Are you consistently hitting your club well?
Now that you've thought about your current club, evaluate your current game. What percentage of the time do you hit your club well? How often do you hit the club head?
How much time do you spend practicing your swing? Do you visit the range before playing a round? How many drivers do you hit on the range before you walk to the first tee?
There are several ways to invest in improving your game. You can invest time - more training, etc. Or you can invest money, but how should you spend it? You can invest in an expensive new club or you can use the same money to take a lesson from your local golf pro or join a group practice. We at 2Gringos think that the most important thing is to also have the right clothes and cap , it gives mental self-confidence.
The bigger question - what's stopping you from getting better? Is it your clubs, your technique or the time you spend training?
If you're honest with yourself, it's probably not one of these three factors, but a combination of them all.
How to become a better golfer with the driver?
For the sake of discussion, let's assume that you have come to the conclusion that, like most amateur golfers, you are struggling to improve your game due to a combination of older clubs, technique, and little time for practice.
We all have busy lives, so adding more exercise time may not be possible. The goal should be that when you do exercise, you do it in a meaningful way. Don't just hit tons of balls on the range, take your time. Visualize a hole on a course you play often and try to hit the fairway. How many times out of 10 can you hit a solid drive down the middle?
The next step is to think about how you will use the money you have to invest in your game. If you look at new drivers that were released this year, they will probably cost between 4000 and 6000 kroner. Spending that much on a single stick can be tough on the wallet. The secret is to look for drivers that were released last year or the year before. You will be amazed at the savings.
Then use the money you save by choosing a club that is 1-2 years old and invest in your technique. Many local golf pros offer packages of lessons at a reasonable price. Spending a few hours with a certified instructor will help your game more than any new club. If an individual lesson is too expensive, you can look for group training. Increasingly, courses are offering free practice sessions to promote golf and get people to visit their club.
Do new clubs really give more distance?
When it comes to drastic differences in length, newer clubs contain improved technology that helps golfers get more distance, but it depends on the year the club was created. A new club will give more distance than a 20 year old club. Two factors that have changed over time are ball speed and clubhead surfaces. Newer clubs have smaller hitting surfaces that produce longer strokes and help increase ball speed. 
How long does it take to get used to a new golf club?
Everyone's adjustment process to new equipment will be different. A lot depends on how much time you have to practice and play with your new equipment. The more you practice, the faster you will adapt.
How often should I replace my golf club?
Most golfers recommend replacing their clubs every five years. But are they just following the recommendations of manufacturers who want to make money? Then it says if you play 30 to 40 rounds a year you should replace your club every 5 years due to regular wear and tear. If you don't play much, you can wait 5 to 7 years. But we think you know this best yourself. Buying a new club is also about treating yourself in life. Which is perhaps just as important in the purchase.
Is it worth upgrading my golf club?
We also recommend that you consider how often you want to upgrade your club. If it's only every few years, a cheaper used option may be the best choice. If you only upgrade every ten years, however, it may be worth paying a little extra money for you.
Should a beginner golfer buy a new golf club?
Beginners also have a slower swing than more experienced players, making it harder to get the ball in the air. Starting with a club with higher loft can compensate for this deficiency while keeping the ball on the fairway.
Final thoughts on buying a new golf club
A better and more advanced golf club can definitely help you improve your tee shots, but don't think you can buy a better golf game. To improve, you need to invest in training and get help with your technique.
Golf is a journey, not a destination. You'll never be perfect, but if you're smart about how you invest in your game, you can keep getting better and better. Find a club that feels good in your hands as you proudly walk to the first tee. Find an instructor that fits your budget and gives you helpful tips and ideas. Develop an exercise routine that works for you and make sure to exercise regularly.
Doing these things will improve your golf game and hopefully have more fun on the course. Remember, golf is about enjoying the time and the experience, not just hitting longer shots or having the latest clubs.
