Women must be careful in selecting clubs

For women, golf can serve as a chance to move up the corporate ladder or an opportunity for a family outing or social gathering.

Aside from juniors, women are the fastest growing segment in golf. For many it becomes a life-long love. Some, however, are set to fail right away.

One of the main reasons is the clubs they use.

Golf is hard enough, but without the proper equipment that fits their ability it's nearly impossible to enjoy.

If you've taken up golf and find it humiliating or want to start, Joni Meyer, an LPGA professional at Grand View Lodge, has some advice.

"Please don't use those old, rusty, cast aside clubs sitting in the garage corner and think you'll be successful," said Meyer. "A men's regular shaft in steel wouldn't be a good for many women golfers.

"Most women golfers are in the 40-60 mph swing speed range, needing a fairly flexible shaft for a successful ball flight."

There are five shaft types available for women; soft, flexible, standard, senior and stiff. The swing speed determines what club works best for each individual.

"If they can find maybe another set of women's clubs verses an old men's set that would be ideal if they can't go and get clubs right away," said Meyer. "A lot of people can go and buy clubs right off the bat."

Pro shops or golf shops don't carry many women's clubs, or a wide variety of them. They do fit clubs and it only takes a week to 10 days for them to arrive. Many shops also have demo clubs that women can use before they decide to spend the money for new ones.

There are club companies that specializes in women's clubs like Square-Two, Kathy Wentworth, Patty Berg and Nancy Lopez.

Some more well name brands such as Callaway, Taylor Made, Wilson and Ping also have women's clubs.

Another concern for beginners is what clubs they need. A full set of clubs is 14 and according to Meyer that can be overwhelming or confusing to a new golfer.

"There are so many new things to learn when you start that I feel two woods, four irons and a putter are sufficient," said Meyer. "I would recommend a 5-, 7-, 9-iron and a pitching wedge, a putter, and a 5- and 7-wood to start with and later add a 3-wood.

"The cost is approximately $50-60 per iron and $55-80 per wood. Putters range from $50-75. The total coast approximately would be $350-400."

Meyer gave the example of playing basketball with shoes that are two sizes too big. She said it wouldn't work and it doesn't work to play golf with equipment that is two sizes too big when learning the game.

When Meyer fits players for clubs she first finds with their swing speed and that's going to narrow down the shaft types.

"I have them try some different shafts that are close to their swing speed and then I'm going to watch ball flight," said Meyer. "As far as grips, I have a small hand with small fingers and I use an extra small grip. A lady with a larger hand might be a standard grip or they might be a men's small grip.

"There are at least four women's grip. Women with arthritis they're going to want a larger grip so they don't have to squeeze the club so tight."

The last bit of advice Meyer added was getting the putter fitted properly. With putter fitting length of the shaft, the lie of the clubhead and the grip are important when choosing a putter.

"The way a ball comes off the face of a putter is very different, whether it is a copper face, steel face, plastic insert, rubber face," Meyer said. "One will feel special when you try them. Also feel and appearance is very important to the mental side of putting, as you gain confidence over time with a putter."

Golf is an expensive hobby, but don't waste $400 on clubs that aren't fashioned to your specific needs. Take the time, talk to a golf professional and find clubs that will work best for your game.