Golf Club Components
There are three basic golf club components and each has multiple variations. For regulation play, two organizations have established definite standards for these components.
Any golf club that is used in a tournament or a round of golf that might influence establishment of a handicap must conform to the standards of two organizations. In the United States, it is the United States Golf Association (USGA) and for the rest of the World, it is The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. As far as the basic rules for golf club components, the two organization's standards are mostly similar.
The three basic gold club components are the grip, the shaft, and the head. The grip is the part of the club that is held and the regulations say that it must be round with no obvious lumps, bumps, or hollows. They are mostly made of rubber or leather and are dimpled with small bumps that improve the grip without running afoul of the rules against "obvious" lumps, etc. Many golfers overlook the grip when selecting clubs, but the highly personal nature of the grip makes it worthy of more consideration.
The shaft connects the grip and the head. Most modern shafts are made of either steel or a carbon-fiber composite. They must also be, by regulation, basically round. Although there is a distinct difference to the feel of the two types, it is mostly because of the vibration transmitting qualities of the materials. It is really a matter of personal preference as with the grips. The shafts are rated also for flexibility. The ratings are: L = ladies; A = seniors; R = regular; F = firm; X = extra firm; and S = stiff.
The head is the most important part of the club because this is where the energy generated from the swing is transferred to the ball. Heads are also made of wood or iron. The wood heads are the drivers used for distance. The irons are designed for shorter and more accurate shots. The final type of head is the putter head which is designed simply to propel the ball a short distance on the grass and into the hole.
Golf club components are important considerations in the club selection process, but they are also available separately for those who like a more personal and do-it-yourself approach. The components can be combined in any manner to make a truly personal golf club. The right golf club component depends on a number of individual factors such as the golfer's level of experience and his physical strength. An example of this is the flexibility ratings. Although a professional golfer would be likely to use a S rated club, someone without a very strong swing would do better with R. The more flexible shaft allows energy to be generated by the whip like motion of the club and this supplements the golfers own power when addressing the ball.