Golf Club Shopping for the Golfer Over 50

If you haven’t bought new golf clubs in a while, the task can be pretty daunting. There are many choices and the golfer over 50 can get overwhelmed with all the new technology.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind before you set out shopping for that new set of golf clubs.

Be Clear About Your Goals
Identifying realistic goals before you set out to buy is important and it will make the shopping process much easier. Don’t buy golf clubs based on how you hope your game will shape up. If you’re really committed to the game and plan to play a lot, spend more time, money and effort in trying out different clubs. If you’re only going to play a few times per year, set an appropriate budget and buy game-improvement golf clubs that will make your rounds more enjoyable.

New or Used Golf Clubs?
Since the golf club manufacturers come out with the latest gear every year, there is a great market out there for used golf clubs. If you’re not sure of your commitment yet, it’s not a bad idea to do a little shopping on Ebay and try to find a great deal on recent models that are just a couple of years old.

However, there have been some vast improvement in technology over the past few years. Take a trip to your local Golfsmith store or pro shop and try some demo clubs. You may even be able to swing a deal for the demo set at a discount price.

Budget
Golf clubs can be very expensive. Again, set your budget based upon your experience and dedication to the game. If you’re just starting out, set a reasonable budget like $250 – $400 for a complete set. If you’ve been playing for a long time and are looking for a new set that better suits your game as you age, you might consider high-end clubs that could cost $1000+ complete.

Shaft Options – The Basics
The two main differences in golf shafts are shaft composition (steel or graphite) and shaft flex (the amount of bend in the shaft during your swing). Graphite generates more swing speed, which is usually a plus for senior golfers and women golfers. A common club mistake that many golfers have is too much ‘flex’ in their golf shafts. You’ll probably want to look for ‘senior’ flex or ‘regular’ flex.

For some great information on shaft selection and other golf-related issues for golfers over 50-years-old, check out the Senior Golfer’s Guide . It’s a 210-page eBook created especially for older golfers.

Getting a Club Fitting
If this is your first set of golf clubs, you might want to consider a professional club fitting. Many teaching pros and retail outlets provide the service. It consists of measuring different areas to make sure the clubs you choose are ideally suited to your body size. If you’re a 5-foot-10 male, most clubs off the rack will suit you. However, if you’re shorter or taller you might consider a club fitting.

Easier Golf with the Right Golf Clubs
Of course, the swing is king but every golfer can make their game more enjoyable by selecting the right clubs, particularly if you are a high-handicapper. There is a category called ‘game improvement clubs’ that are much more forgiving. These clubs typically are cavity-backed and perimeter weighted. Another great option are ‘hybrids’. These clubs replace the long irons and are a hybrid between irons and metal woods. They’re much easier to hit, particular out of the rough.

Ask Questions and Seek Advice
As you consider new clubs, start asking around. Ask fellow golfers, ask your local golf pro, visit a retail store…just start looking and asking. Don’t fall in love with the hottest club being played on the tour. And don’t buy the first set you try out – it may fit you well that particular day because you are swinging well on that particular day.

Prices can vary widely, so shop around. You can check out our own Golf Store here at Golf Over 50 – it’s actually a store pulling from the top golf outlets across the country who list on Amazon, so you’ll get a great selection. We’d also recommend the Senior Golfer’s Guide as a great resource as we mentioned above. It will not only help you select clubs, the book also has great tips on fitness, game improvement, and other important topics for the Golfer Over 50.