| When choosing their equipment, women golfers | | | | measurement is 36 to 37 inches, you will need |
| have largely the same considerations to think | | | | clubs half an inch longer. |
| about as men. Just as for men, we would advise | | | | Callaway and Ping both supply excellent ranges of |
| starting with a club pack as your first set, with a | | | | clubs for women, with their Big Bertha ladies |
| combination of driver, fairway woods, hybrids to | | | | ranges (Callaway) and G5L (Ping). Wilson also has |
| replace the long irons, irons from 5-SW and a | | | | a substantial women's range, with their L6 series |
| putter. Most new golfers find that they rely on | | | | of irons, hybrids, woods and more. |
| their 7-iron and pitching wedge at first, slowly | | | | Choose the right golf balls |
| gaining familiarity with the other clubs. Equally the | | | | For women as much as men balls can make a big |
| same as for men, we would recommend cheaper | | | | difference to your game, the more complex |
| cavity back, cast head on your clubs, as the | | | | multi-layer constructions will provide more feel and |
| more refined forged blades are really for the | | | | control, whilst the simple two-layer offerings will |
| better player. And we'd recommend a set of two | | | | give you the distance you need before you start |
| or three wedges, to play all the chip shots, and | | | | to think about finesse. But for women, balls such |
| probably a mallet putter as these are easiest to | | | | as the Srixon Soft Feel for Ladies (pic) are |
| align, and weighted to help you achieve a square, | | | | designed to give a higher launch trajectory for |
| balanced stroke. | | | | greater overall distance, performing best in |
| Women's shafts are crucial to help you play your | | | | tandem with women's slower swing speeds. They |
| best | | | | should also provide excellent feel around the |
| However, for the women's game, there are | | | | greens. |
| special options to consider. The shaft is the axle | | | | Choosing the right golf shoes |
| of the club, so the better the shaft, the better | | | | There two different types are recommended for |
| the club. As your game improves, it is very much | | | | both men and women - a heavier-duty winter pair |
| worth considering investing in decent ladies' clubs, | | | | and a lighter summer one which allows the feet |
| with ladies' flex. | | | | to breathe. For women, of course, style is all |
| Ladies' flex | | | | important, so why not consider something like |
| Flex has a major effect on the feel of the club, | | | | FootJoy AquaLites which offer women golfers |
| and also makes a difference to the distance you | | | | ultra-lightweight comfort with added stability. This |
| will achieve. Most women struggle to really power | | | | performance waterproof golf shoe comes in a |
| down on the ball - when hitting a driver, they tend | | | | choice of styles, at affordable prices. Meanwhile, |
| to achieve a swing speed of less than 60mph. | | | | Hi-Tec has now brought out several shoes |
| This would give a carry distance of under 180 | | | | incorporating their excellent CDT (custom |
| yards. If you use a driver with a ladies' flex, then | | | | directional tracking) technology for women, for |
| you will be maximising the carry of the ball, | | | | unbeatable stability. |
| whereas if you tried to hit a driver with a stiff | | | | Choosing the right golf bag |
| shaft, designed for swing speeds of over 80mph, | | | | For women just as for men, golf bags have |
| you would probably find it difficult to achieve the | | | | enjoyed a high-tech makeover in recent years |
| momentum you desire. | | | | with everything from lightweight parachute |
| Ladies' loft | | | | materials and graphite-friendly tops to 'club |
| Loft angle has a major effect on distance off the | | | | management systems' and mobile phone pockets |
| tee, and generally the slower your swing speed, | | | | revolutionizing the market. 2007 will see the bag |
| the higher loft you should choose, to really get | | | | scientists pushing the boundaries further, with |
| the ball airborne so it can travel further. You | | | | ergonomic handles, adjustable dividers, elaborate |
| should be looking at lofts of 13-15 degrees in a | | | | trolley-fixing mechanisms, ingenious shoulder |
| driver. | | | | harnesses and more. |
| Graphite shafts | | | | But for all that, your main options when choosing |
| To help achieve a faster swing speed, women | | | | a bag are a sturdy cart bag (some are specifically |
| are also more likely to do well with graphite | | | | designed for buggies, so be sure to check), a |
| shafts in their woods, as these are more flexible | | | | stand bag suitable for trolley or carrying; or the |
| and lighter than steel. You may also consider them | | | | new generation of lightweight 'pencil' carry models |
| for your irons, as you will probably find them | | | | for a quick nine holes. And when it comes to |
| easier to swing. | | | | women's bags, the idea is to make them as |
| Get the length right | | | | light-weight and easy to handle as possible, as well |
| In terms of length, it is worth getting measured | | | | as colour-coordinated to go with the rest of your |
| to make sure your clubs are right for your height. | | | | equipment. Sun Mountain, Wilson and Yonex all |
| If they are too long, you will find your whole | | | | have excellent women's bag ranges available. |
| set-up is out of kilter and you are probably | | | | Finally of course when it comes to clothing you |
| making lots of mis-hits. Do it yourself by taking a | | | | want to look your best, and these days there are |
| wrist-to-floor measurement from the crease of | | | | golf clothes that perform, keeping you cool in hot |
| your left hand (for right-handed players) down to | | | | weather and dry in wet, without making you look |
| your feet and then making a simple calculation. For | | | | like you've been stranded in the 70s! All leading |
| example, if you are between 5'4" and 5'7" in | | | | manufacturers provide women's options, from |
| height, but your wrist-to-floor measurement is | | | | simple golf tops through to waterproofs, and |
| between 33 and 34", then you will need shafts | | | | there are even gloves, such as the Wilson Staff |
| which are a quarter to half an inch shorter than | | | | Grip Soft, which are designed for the shape of |
| standard. If however your wrist to floor | | | | women's hands. |