Golf clubs are a precious part of every golfer's arsenal.
It’s easy to become attached to your favourite golf clubs. But there comes a moment when every golfer needs to consider the possibility it’s time to retire their beloved tools.
Whether your current clubs are damaged or worn out, or new technology has taken over (especially if you’re still using woods made from actual wood), it could be time for an upgrade.
If you’re wondering whether or not it’s time to get some brand new golf clubs, here are a few signs why you may need to:
1. General wear and tear
With the amount of impact your golf clubs absorb every week, it’s only natural they’ll pick up a few issues.
Even though they’re made from highly-durable materials like steel, your golf clubs are still prone to scratches, dents, bends and a host of other issues.
If you’ve been using your clubs regularly for years, chances are your drivers, woods, irons or even your putter may have picked up a few unwanted afflictions.
And even if you’ve taken good care of your clubs and haven’t dropped them on any hard surfaces, marks, scratches and dents can still happen over time with continually striking a golf ball.
If you’ve found some deep scratches or dents around the club face, or the club head in general, it could be time to retire the club and invest in a new one.
Even the smallest knicks could completely throw off an iron shot or ruin a putting stroke.
When it comes to your clubface, it’s more cost-effective to choose a new club rather than trying to make repairs.
As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended to replace your golf clubs at least once every 5 years. If you play golf multiple times per week, you may need to replace them sooner.
But this is just a general rule and differs from club to club.
Drivers and fairway woods, for example, have more of a tendency to receive damage because they have a lighter head and could need replacing every 2-3 years.
For your irons, a quick look should highlight any irregularities in the grooves on the club face.
These are what tend to suffer damage first. When this happens, you should consider replacing them. But irons, on average, perform longer than drivers, with an average playable lifespan of 4-5 years.
2. Technology is moving on without you
Golf club technology continually evolves and no sooner have you got to grips with the latest technological updates, three more have come round the corner.
But the advancements made in the last decade have seen a huge improvement over previous decades. More speed and increased power are just some of the benefits golfers can expect using more recent clubs.
Golf club manufacturers spend millions in research and design efforts, to offer players the best clubs possible.
For example, the strides made in increased ball height are noteworthy.
Hitting the ball higher can help it fly longer and faster in windy conditions, significantly reducing wind resistance.
Club makers have focused on creating clubs with marginally increased lofts and club face angles to boost height without sacrificing ball speed or distance.
So if you’re still using older model golf clubs from the mid-2010s or earlier, you might be costing yourself yardage every time you step onto the tee when the wind is against you.
If you’ve had your clubs for more than a decade, consider an upgrade to a set released in the last three years in order to make use of more up-to-date technology and see instant improvements in your game.
You don’t need to punt for the very latest releases unless you really want to.
3.Your performance starts to suffer
Have you noticed you haven’t been playing as well as you usually do? And does it feel like nothing in your form has changed?
Have you been using the same clubs for several years now? Because, if you have, they could be the cause of your sudden poor scores.
Your clubs could be suffering from ailments you can’t even see. Golf clubs are complex items, crafted through what’s become a very scientific process.
If you’ve gone from hitting straight shots consistently to your golf balls flying all over the place, there could be a deeper issue with your clubs.
It’s worth looking at your clubs thoroughly and carefully - check for any surface issues on the club face or any weight or balance shifts when you hold the club.
Breaks and bending in the shaft and chips on the club face are all things that can happen over long periods without changing your clubs, so these are the things to check for if your game has suddenly taken a dip.
If any of the above issues pop up, it’s time to start researching a new set.
Ready to pick up some new clubs? Check out Clarkes Golf.
Clarkes Golf is home to a massive collection of the very best golf clubs, balls, accessories and more from the biggest golf manufacturers.
Whether you need a single club replacement, or a totally new set of clubs, we’re here for you.
Or get in touch if you need more information - we’d be happy to help.
