When people hit the golf course for the first time, they have an idea of whether or not they are going to enjoy the challenge of the game of golf. However, before running out and plopping down several hundred dollars on the nest clubs that fit their budget, they may want to consider buying a golf club starter set until they know they want to continue with the sport. Although a spouse, neighbor or friend probably has a boat load of used clubs lying around the house, but trying to learn to play with clubs with old worn out grips is like learning to drive a car with no tires on the wheels.

In most cases, a golf club starter set can be bought for around $100 and if later you decide the game is too stressful for you, or not what you thought it was you can always save them for a younger relative who may have shown an interest in the game. At worst, a few years later you toss them out and you are out $100.

Typically, a golf club starter set will contain a driver and one fairway wood, a couple two or three mid range irons and a putter. Some may include a wedge and a cheap bag, but most contain five or six of the most commonly used clubs. If you are not happy with the clubs contained in a golf club starter set, you can also buy them one at a time and put together your own set.

Remember That Size Matters With Golf Clubs

Most of the golf club starter sets sold in discount stores will be less expensive than in a pro shop or sporting goods store, but they are made to accommodate the average person. If you are considerably taller, or shorter than average, putting together your own golf club starter set may be a better idea.

The length of the shaft is probably the most important consideration for someone just learning the game. Clubs that are too long may spend a lot of time buried in the turf. On the flip side a golf club starter set that is too short will find the head flying over the ball or topping it, burying it in the ground in front of the tee. Either way, the new golfer will quickly become exasperated with the game and walk away without really knowing if they enjoy it or not.

  Other sizes:M | L	Junior Golf Pro-Style Starter Set - Boy’sPrice: $39.99 USD
  Other sizes:M | L	Accu-Length Expandable Junior Clubs AL1000 Boy’s Starter Set, Height range 44″ to 54″ (Right-Handed)Price: $114.99 USD

If you want to improve your golf score, it’s a good idea to understand the importance of flex regarding golf club shafts. Flex is basically the bending that occurs to the shaft when you create force while swinging the club.

The force that is applied to the golf club depends basically on how fast you swing the golf club and whether you have a smooth swing or if you have a jerking motion while swinging the golf club. In golfing there are basically five ratings that are applied to shaft flex which are extra stiff, stiff, regular, senior and ladies.

If you don’t have the golf club shafts that are best for your type of swing the clubface of the golf club will typically not be lined up properly when you strike the golf ball which will produce a golf shot that sends the ball somewhere that you did not intend for it to go. It’s important to realize that when choosing golf club shafts that flex is a vital factor. The flex of the club will be a factor regarding the accuracy of your golf shots, the trajectory as well as how far the ball will go.

Shaft Selection

While shopping for golf clubs it’s a good idea to work with a professional who can watch your swing and then recommend which type of golf club shafts will work best for you. Some experts suggest that if you hit the golf ball more than two hundred and fifty yards with a driver you might want to select a stiff shaft.

Golfers who hit the ball with the driver between two hundred and two hundred and thirty yards should select a golf club shaft that is rated as regular. Choose a shaft that has been rated senior if you hit the ball with the driver less than two hundred yards. The big hitters can choose a shaft that have been rated extra stiff.

Golf Swing

For golfers that have a smooth golf club swing they should choose softer flex golf club shafts. Golfers that have a jerky type of swing will benefit from a stiffer variety of a shaft. If you have clubs that have stiff shafts and you don’t use them properly you could end up hitting the golf ball lower and a shorter distance when compared to a shaft with a softer flex. If the shaft is not stiff enough the golf ball could go higher than you intended it to go. When selecting golf club shafts it’s important to choose clubs that are best for your type of swing.

Other sizes:M | L	Intech Future Tour Pee Wee Oversize Fairway Driver (Right-Handed, Composite Shaft, age 5 and Under)Price: $15.19 USD
Other sizes:M | L	Intech Future Tour Pee Wee 7 Iron (Right-Handed, Composite Shaft, Age 5 and Under)Price: $15.99 USD

Golf club ratings measure all sorts of things about the equipment that, one hopes, gets the ball from the tee to the green to the hole. You need to understand the ratings before you go shopping for golf clubs to see if one club or another is the right club for you.

Nike Golf Clubs

After 25 years of being a footwear and apparel company, Nike appeared on the golf equipment scene in the late 1990s and has proven itself as an industry leader in a relatively short period of time. Nike has a large number of positive golf club ratings for its drivers.

Rated for accuracy and reliability, the op rated Nike golf drivers are the Nike 350cc forged driver 10.5 degree, and the Nike 450 cc driver. Nike’s CPR woods are also highly rated, getting a 4.5 out of 5 possible points at a popular golf club rating site.

Nike’s highest rated golf club driver, however, is the SasQuatch Sumo 460, receiving a 4.59 rating out of 5 points. The SasQuatch won Golf Digest’s Editor’s Choice award for drivers in 2006.

One SasQuatch reviewer wrote, “I can’t count how many times my regular playing partners ‘demanded’ to hit this driver.” Another wrote, “Quick 7 month upgrade. Still in love with this club.” The user wrote that he was able to concentrate on his short game now that the Nike SasQuatch driver had gotten his long game under control.

Finally, a third reviewer wrote that he got “huge distance, literally unbelievable forgiveness, yet workable when you want it to be.” The rater urged everyone who reads golf club ratings to “buy this, not some ‘draw’ or ‘fade’ driver of a weight adjustable club.”

Titleist Golf Clubs

Titleist is more of a long-term player in the golf equipment industry. Golf club ratings for Titelist clubs reveal that the highest rated Titleist driver is the Titleist 905T driver. However, the Titleist golf club ratings were inferior compared to the Nike club ratings.

Readers Beware

When reading golf club ratings on the Internet, beware of ratings that sound too good to be true and find nothing at all to criticize about the club. Some manufacturers or marketing companies hire freelance writes to write positive product reviews of products they have never even tried before.

When reading an online review, click the user’s name and see what other product he or she has reviewed. People tend to get a reputation on the Internet, and by reading a few reviews this person has written, you will better be able to assess how much value to give their golf club ratings.