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Martin: There are a lot of factors when buying clubs
STORY TOOLS 
More from Golf TipsJust because your best friend is hitting a brand new XL5000 driver 30 yards farther doesn't mean that you should run out and buy one as well.
Before you invest in the latest and greatest club on the market, consider several key questions. Clubs are not one size fits all. Each shaft is made with a specific flex (with specific flex points), length and material. Each clubhead has a certain loft and lie specifically designed for the individual player.
Selecting a driver that fits your swing will determine how well you hit it. For example, your effective loft (i.e., the loft of the club at impact) determines the degree of loft your driver should have. Even players with similar builds and strength have very different effective lofts at contact.
Shaft flex, weight and kick point are other important factors in determining the best choice for you.
A high kick point will promote a lower ball flight and feel firmer. A low kick point will lead to a higher ball flight and feel more flexible.
A mistake people make when purchasing clubs off the rack is buying the wrong set. For years, we all bought 3-pw, which is how many shops still display clubs.
I have been fitting players for years. Unless a player is quite strong and has substantial clubhead speed, the longest iron in your bag should be a 4 or 5. The hybrids of today have made long irons obsolete. On the PGA Tour, many players have taken their 2- and 3-irons out and replaced them with hybrids. On the LPGA, the longest iron most players carry is a 5.
Getting the clubs that fit you will go a long way toward helping you play your best golf.
— Lee Martin is the director of golf at River Ridge. He can be reached at 983-4653.
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