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Golf balls:
The minimum allowed diameter of a golf ball is 42.67mm
and its mass may not exceed 45.93g. Modern golf balls
have a two-, three-, or four-layer design constructed
from various synthetic materials. The surface usually
has a pattern of 300-400 dimples designed to improve the
ball's aerodynamics. As of 2006 there are even golf
balls that utilize RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
technology, relying on storing and remotely retrieving
data using devices called RFID tags, this allows golfers
to more easily locate errant shots using a handheld
homing device.
Golf clubs:
There are five major types of clubs:
Wood: are the longest clubs in the bag and mostly
used for long shots. They have large heads that are
somewhat spherical in shape with a slightly bulging
clubface and a flattened sole that slides over the
ground without digging in during the swing.
The longest wood, the 1 wood, is usually referred
to as the driver. It also has the biggest head, making
it ideal for use off the tee.
The shorter woods are referred to as fairway
woods, and feature a shallower face height which enables
players to hit them off the turf. The driver can also be
hit from the turf, although it requires a high level of
skill to execute the shot correctly.
Nicknames:
[1] Driver (Big Dog)
[2] Brassie
[3] Spoon
[4] Cleek
[5] Baffy
Hybrids: A new type of wood known as a "hybrid"
combines the straight hitting characteristics of irons
with the low center of gravity characteristics of higher
lofted woods. A "hybrid" is often used for long shots
from difficult rough. Hybrids are also used by players
who have a difficult time getting the ball airborne with
long irons. In a 2005 study by the Darrell Survey
Company, nearly 19% of U.S. consumer golfers were using
at least one hybrid club, up from only 7.5% in 2004
Putters: they come in a variety of head shapes
and have a very low loft and often a short shaft. They
are used to play the ball on the green, but may
occasionally be useful for playing from bunkers or for
some approach shots on courses with tightly mown fringe
and fairways
Iron: Irons are the most versatile clubs in the
bag ranging from numbers 1 to 9, with lower numbered
irons having lower lofts. The typical iron set however
consists of the irons 3 to pitching wedge. Iron heads
are typically solid with a flat clubface. There are
roughly two types of irons, cavity back irons and muscle
back irons. Muscle back irons are smooth at the back,
while cavity back irons have a hollowed out back, a
'cavity'. Traditionally all irons were muscle back
designs. These are also called 'blades' for their low
amounts of offset, thin top lines and thin soles.
Nicknames:
[1] Driving Iron
[5] Mashie
[7] Mashie-Niblick
[9] Niblick
Wedges: they are irons that usually have a loft
of more than 44 degrees. Pitching wedges (also known as
10 irons) have a loft of 44-50 degrees and are rather
similar to other irons. Sand wedges have specially
designed undersides that use a feature known as
"bounce", which combined with a loft of 54-58 degrees
make them suitable for shots from bunkers or from the
rough. Gap wedges represent a compromise between a
pitching wedge and sand wedge?hence the name. Lob wedges
have a very high loft (up to 64 degrees) and are used
for approach shots, from sand, or difficult recovery
shots requiring an extraordinarily high shot and short
distance.
Nicknames:
[48 degree] Pitching Wedge (PW)
[56 degree] Sand Wedge (SW)
[52 degree] Gap Wedge (GW)
[60 degree] Lob Wedge (LW)
Even though you can play several shots using only one
club by modifying the speed and direction of swing it's
not always a successful technique. To facilitate the
choice of a club for any particular situation, all irons
(and many woods and wedges) come in sets of similar
clubs graded by loft shaft length, and weight. Clubs are
numbered for identification with the smallest numbers
indicating the lower lofts (a 5 iron has fewer lofts
than a 6 iron).
The parts of a club are:
1. The shaft: is a tapered tube made of metal
(usually steel), or graphite fiber. it is roughly 1/2
inch in diameter (12 mm) near the grip and between 35 to
45 inches (89-115 cm) in length.
2. The grip: The end of the shaft opposite the
head is covered either with a rubber, synthetic leather,
or colloquially, a leather grip for the player to hold.
The modern grip has also undergone a number of
iterations and the vast variety of models makes it far
easier for a discriminating golfer to find a model that
is comfortable to him or her.
3. The club head: Each head has one face which
contacts the ball during the stroke. Clubs may have two
striking faces; as long as they are identical and
symmetrical (some putters and chippers are designed in
this fashion, and may be used by left or right handed
players).
4. Golf cart: also known as a golf car, is a
small vehicle designed originally to carry two golfers
and their golf clubs around a golf course faster and
with less effort than walking. Some come with small gas
engines and others are electrically powered.
5. Other equipments:
- Golfers wear special shoes with exchangeable
spikes (or small plastic claws termed soft spikes)
attached to the soles. They also often wear gloves that
help grip the club and prevent blistering.
- Golf tees resemble nails with a small cup on the head
and are usually made of wood or plastic. it is pushed
into the ground to rest a ball on top of for an easier
shot; however, this is only allowed for the first stroke
of each hole.
- Ball marker: a flat, round piece of plastic or a coin
used when the ball is picked up to be cleaned or if it
is in the way of an opponent's putting line; its
position must then be marked.
- A ball mark repair tool (or pitchfork) is used to
repair a ball mark (depression in the green where a ball
has hit the ground). To repair a ball mark, one pushes
the tool under the mark, and lifts upwards gently,
loosening the compacted turf to allow rapid re growth of
grass. Scores are recorded on a score card during the
round.
- Golf bag: used to carry clubs and other golfing
equipments. |
