It takes skill — and good equipment — to make winning possible
By Rod Engblom
Besides the golf course itself, golf equipment is the second half of the game that make the sport possible.
Clubs are, of course, the most important part of a golfer’s equipment.
While any set of golf clubs works perfectly fine for a novice player, college and other higher-level golfers need a set of clubs that are more precise to their bodies, swings, and personal feel.
A preference to a certain type of brand develops generally from a young age and may persist throughout a golfer’s life.
“I played Ping irons when I was younger, probably around 10 or 11 years old,” Hawkeye junior Raymond Knoll said. “I just love the way it feels and love the way it looks. It’s all personal, like just the way the club looks to you; that’s how you find your preference in terms of equipment.”
The way the club looks when addressing a golf ball is actually very important when determining what clubs to use.
Some models of irons may have a thin top line while others may prefer a thicker top line. The top line is the top edge of the iron that separates the face from the back end of the club.
While many college players use the same clubs that they have had since high school, the coaches sometimes make suggestions on certain clubs to use.
“We try to make sure that we allow our guys to try out a lot of different combinations,” head coach Tyler Stith said. “That way they’re getting something that fits their launch angle and spin rates appropriately.”
When it comes to clubs that require more touch, such as putters and wedges for chipping instead of just hitting the golf ball with a full swing, having the club that allows for the best feel is very important to make precision shots.
While the university doesn’t pay for the golfer’s equipment, manufacturers will send players clubs if requested to use until their college careers are over. After that, they have the option to buy the clubs themselves at discount.
Golf balls also make a difference in a high-level competitive golfer’s game. Certain balls allow for more spin and control where some offer greater distance but without as much spin.
“I play the Pro V1x, it’s a little harder of a ball and it doesn’t allow me to spin the ball as much,” junior Carson Schaake said. “It gives me a little bit more distance, which I don’t really need, I just am able to control my spin a little better.”
The Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x are the most common golf balls used on the Iowa team. Generally speaking, the Pro V1 is characteristic of having high spin while the Pro V1x is characteristic of having less spin but more distance when hit.
For novice golfers, buying such expensive golf balls as the Pro V1 or Pro V1x is unnecessary, but for college golfers, having a higher quality of ball makes a difference.
When it comes to equipment, feel is the most important aspect a golfer should take into account. Switching up clubs too often won’t allow a golfer to get into the groove with her or his swing to hit consistent shots with the ball, which is key in being a good golfer.
“During the season it’s not always the greatest idea to switch out your complete iron set,” Schaake said. “That could change your swing lot, and your golf swing is based on what clubs you’re hitting,”
Follow @RodEngblom for Iowa men’s golf news, updates, and analysis.
