These Rules Can Get You in Trouble. Golf’s Weirdest Rules!

If you’ve ever been the victim of your ball falling off the tee and had someone merrily call “one”, you will know only too well the frustration and, often, confusion, the rules of golf can cause.

Regulated by the R & A, you could say that golf is a well-governed sport, with countless eventualities being covered by the Rules of Golf. With so many rules, you would think playing golf would be easy yet there are still plenty of situations that leave your average golfer scratching their head.

With the arrival of the new golf season, we’ve shared some of the strangest golf rules to help you stay out of trouble on the green.

Situation 1 – Hide & Seek

As usual, your ball has ended up in a bunker. On the first inspection, you think your ball has completely vanished, and there is no trace of it in the hazard. However, after further searching, you realise that your ball is in the hazard, but has somehow been buried in the bunker. What do you do?

According to Rule 12-1a, if your ball is believed to be covered by sand to the extent that you can’t find or identify it, you can touch or move the sand in order to find or identify your ball without penalty.

However, if your ball is found and identified, you must re-create the lie as accurately as possible.

Under this Rule, you are permitted to leave a small area of your ball uncovered and visible.

Situation 2 – Something in the Wind

You’re lucky enough to be playing a links course in Ireland (see some of the best links courses in Ireland here) and about to take your turn when a gust of wind moves your ball. Under Rule 18, the wind is not an ‘outside agency’ and therefore you should play from where it came to rest. However, if your ball is moved by artificially propelled air, you must replace your ball without penalty. No fans on the green, please.

Speaking of wind, how do you test wind direction without being disqualified? Picking and throwing grass into the air, a handkerchief or the smoke from a cigar or cigarette are all allowed under Rule 14-3. However, a ‘windsock’ would not be compliant as its sole purpose is to measure conditions that may affect your play.

Situation 3 – Tools of the Trade

You’re about to tee off when you notice some dirt on your Driver. Under Rule 4-2, you can spit on your clubface before playing a shot to clean it. However, if it is your intention to influence your ball’s movement and reduce spin to hit an opponent’s shot, you would fall foul of Rule 4-2b.

You’ve finally perfected your swing, but your club lets you down with the clubhead falling off. However, depending on when the clubhead fell off, you might be able to retake the stroke. Whilst your clubhead falling off during the backswing of a completed swing which misses the ball doesn’t count as a stroke, if the situation occurred during the downswing it would count (Rule 4-2 & 4-3).

Situation 4 – Current Situation

You’re enjoying a golf holiday in the Algarve and are having a round at Quinta de Cima Golf Course. Things were going great until your ball landed in the stream with permeant flowing water on the 5^th hole. What happens next?

Under Rule 14-6, you have two options. You can either hit the ball whilst it’s still moving or take a stroke. However, you must ensure that you don’t delay play in order for the current to move your ball into a more beneficial position.

Situation 5 – Snake in the Grass

Guaranteed to cause confusion on the course, ‘loose impediments’ are defined by the R & A as natural objects such as stones, dung and insects that are not fixed, growing, solidly embedded or adhering to the ball. Whilst this might sound simple, in practice, it’s anything but.

Let’s talk about fruit first. Unsurprisingly, a half-eaten apple is considered a loose impediment regardless of whether there are any apple trees close by. However, if your ball becomes embedded inside an apple or any other piece of fruit, you must play the ball as it lies or declare it unplayable and face the penalty (Rule 23-10).

Whilst you can’t usually control wildlife, you can sometimes remove them. Whilst a dead snake would be treated as a loose impediment and can be removed, a live snake is classed as an ‘outside agent’ and therefore cannot be moved before continuing play (Rule 23).

Situation 6 – A Prickly Situation

Whilst visiting Tenerife in the Canary Islands, you play a round at Golf Del Sur. Whilst admiring the incredible sea views, you lose concentration and your ball lands next to a cactus. What do you do?

According to the Rules, you can wrap an arm or leg in a towel to protect yourself from the needs whilst playing your shot but can’t cover the cactus with the towel (Rule 1-2/10).

Situation 7 – An Inside Job

Under Rule 24-2b/14, if your shot ends up inside the clubhouse, and the clubhouse isn’t considered out-of-bounds, you can open a window or door and play your next shot without a penalty.

Similarly, if you hit your ball under a parked car, but can readily move the car, the car is treated as a movable obstruction and moved. However, if it can’t be moved, it is classed as an immovable obstruction and you are entitled to free relief (Rule 24-2b).

Situation 8 – The Forgetful Friend

You’re playing a round with your golf buddies and have just finished playing a hole. Whilst moving to the next one, you realise that you left your putter at the previous hole. Of course, you return back to the hole to get your putter, but will your forgetfulness earn you a penalty?

Unfortunately, you’ve fallen victim to Rule 6-7 (Undue Delay) and will be subject to loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play (6-7/1).

Situation 9 – A Sticky Situation

Your ball has landed in the bunker and, following a recent rain shower, you’re playing from wet sand. As you take your stroke, the ball becomes stuck to the face of your club because of the wet sand.

Thankfully, the Rules offer a logical solution with Rule 1-4/2 allowing you to drop the ball, without penalty, as near to the spot where the club was when the ball becomes stuck.

Situation 10 – Anger Management

You are playing a round of golf on a golfing holiday in the Vilamoura. Whilst playing the course, you are nearly struck by a ball played by a player in the group behind you. In anger, you hit the ball back towards the group. Has your moment of madness resulted in a penalty?

Yes. Unfortunately, you should incur the general penalty of loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play (Rule 1-4/4).

Angry at your penalty, you break your putter. In a bid to recover from your disadvantage, you buy a new one in the Pro Shop after the first nine holes and use it for the rest of the round. However, as long as you started the round with 13 clubs, you are entitled to add another club under Rule 4-4a and so will escape further penalties.

We hope these situations have entertained and educated you on some of the strangest rules in golf.

Test your newfound knowledge on your next golfing holiday

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Who is the Number 1 Golfing Nation?

We all know who the regulars are when it comes to the best golfers in the world. And we all, of course, know who consistently has a huge number of golfers in the top 200 in the world (cough) the USA. However, what we really wanted to know, is who’s the best golfing nation by population.

The USA’s population dwarfs the likes of Denmark and Scotland for example, so it is no surprise that they regularly have a larger amount of top golfers than their smaller counterparts by population. We decided to mix things up a bit and judge the best pound for pound golfing nation through their total number of major championship wins and population.

Here’s where the maths came in… We worked out the total number of major championship wins from each nation. We then divided that number by the total population. Giving us the ranking figure of population per major championship win.

Now for the important part, who really is the best pound for pound golfing nation??

The Top 19 Pound for Pound Nations

19. France

Major Championship Wins: 1

Population: 66,900,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 66,900,000

The first entry onto our list of the best pound for pound golf nations is France. Male French golfers have a total of 1 major championship to their names. This win dates all the way back to 1907 and that winner was Arnaud Massy. Massy won the Open Championship back in 1907. With it being over 110 years since French players won a major championship, one should be due in the near future, surely?

17. Canada

Major Championship Wins: 1

Population: 36,290,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 36,290,000

Golf is a widely popular sport in Canada. Golf Canada has over 300,000 individual members. Judging by that, it may be a surprise to see Canada only come in the best pound for pound nations table at 17th place. However, with 1 major championship win to their name and a population of 36m, they cannot move any higher. They’re one and only major championship winner is Mike Weir, who spent over 110 weeks in the world top 10 between 2001 and 2005 and won the Masters in 2003.

16. Germany

Major Championship Wins: 4

Population: 82,670,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 20,667,500

Two golfers have pushed Germany into 16th place in the best pound for pound nation table. Those golfers are Martin Kaymer and Bernhard Langer who have both won 2 major championships during their career. Kaymer was actually the first German to win a major championship when he won the PGA Championship in 2010. Remarkably, one year later he rose to World No. 1, before winning another major championship in 2014, when he won the U.S Open.

15. Argentina

Major Championship Wins: 3

Population: 43,850,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 14,616,666

Nationals from Argentina have won a total of 3 major championships in their careers and they sit comfortably at 15th place in the all-time pound for pound nations table. Their most successful player is Ángel Cabrera who is also known as “El Pato” (Spanish for “The Duck”) for his waddling gait. Ángel was and still remains the first Argentine to win either the U.S. Open or the Masters, which he won respectively in 2007 and 2009.

14. Sweden

Major Championship Wins: 1

Population: 9,903,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 9,903,000

Henrick Stenson is the one and only major championship winner for people from the nation of Sweden. Henrick won the Open Championship back in 2006. Stenson competed in the 2016 Olympic Games (the first Olympics that golf was rightfully reinstated as an Olympic sport since 1904). He was so close to victory for Sweden if it wasn’t for Justin Rose who pipped him at the post and denied him a feat of victories on all six continents that golf is played.

13. Spain

Major Championship Wins: 8

Population: 46,560,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 5,820,000

Spain is a country with a rich sporting past & golf contributes a huge amount to their overall sporting success. The sport is becoming ever more popular throughout Spain and the country is now home to many of the top European golf courses, with the likes of the Costa del Sol and the Costa Brava being golf tourist hotspots. It goes without saying who Spain’s most successful golfer is, but we’ll say anyway, the one and only Seve Ballesteros. Seve has a total of 5 major championship wins during his career. His admiral career led him to be one of golf leading figures through the 70s to the 90s.

12. Zimbabwe

Major Championship Wins: 3

Population: 16,150,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 5,383,333

Zimbabwe makes the list all down to one man… Nick Price. Nick has had an incredibly successful career. He’s won a total of 3 major championships between the short period in 1992-1994, where he won 2 Open titles and 1 PGA title. Price actually gave up his Zimbabwean citizenship in 1984 and played under his British passport, until 1996 when Price regained his dual citizenship.

11. Wales

Major Championship Wins: 1

Population: 3,063,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 3,063,000

Golf in the UK mainly has an association with Scotland and England. However, golf in Wales actually dates back to the late 19th century. Taking into account the long tradition of playing the sport in Wales it is actually no surprise to see them make the list. That being said, the population of 3 million does go in their favour, with only 1 major championship win for Welsh players. That win was from Ian Woosnam in 1991, when he famously won the Masters.

10. South Africa

Major Championship Wins: 22

Population: 55,910,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 2,541,363

There are more than 125,000 golfers who are served by over 450 affiliated clubs across South Africa. Golf has always been a popular sport in South Africa and it was actually where famous English golfer Justin Rose was born until he moved to England aged 5. Gary Player is the most successful South African golfer. He has won a total of 9 major championships during his career. Gary is actually the joint 4th most successful golfer ever in terms of titles, which is no mean feat.

9. New Zealand

Major Championship Wins: 2

Population: 4,693,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 2,346,500

Next up, is the home of the All Blacks, Lord of the Rings and world-famous vineyards. That’s right, the one and only New Zealand. New Zealanders can bost a total of 2 major championship titles in their time. The most recent title came in 2005 from 36-year old Michael Campbell when he won the U.S. Open by holding off the charging Tiger Woods by 2 shots to claim the title on the Sunday.

8. Ireland

Major Championship Wins: 3

Population: 4,773,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 1,591,000

The Emerald Isle is home to plenty of stunning golf courses, helped along the way by the constant greenery and picturesque shorelines through the country. Pádraig Harrington is their most successful golfer, with a total of 3 major championship titles to his name. Pádraig hails from Dublin and this sport-centric man was also a boxer and a hurler before becoming a professional golfer.

7. England

Major Championship Wins: 35

Population: 53,010,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 1,514,571

Around 8% of the English population play golf at least one time per year, so it is no surprise to see this golf loving nation at number 7. English golfers can shout about a total of 35 major championships between them, with 4 Masters titles, 7 U.S. Open titles, 22 Open titles and 2 PGA titles. Not bad for a nation on a small island hey? Nick Faldo is the most successful golfers in English golf history, with a total of 6 major championships, won from 1987-1996.

6. Australia

Major Championship Wins: 17

Population: 24,130,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 1,419,411

Golf in Australia officially dates back to 1931, when the first golf club was opened. Unofficially, golf was first played in Australia sometime during the 19th century, with several claims to the actual date that was. Australian golfers have won a total of 17 major championships in their time, with their most recent win coming from Jason Day. However, their most decorated Player is Peter Thomson, who won 5 Open titles between 1954-1965.

5. USA

Major Championship Wins: 268

Population: 325,700,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 1,215,298

If this was a list solely based on the number of major championship wins, then the USA would be streets ahead of any other nation, with a total of 268 major championship wins in their history. Ther are’s many well-decorated golfers through the history of the United States. The most decorated US golfer and in fact the most decorated golfer of all times it the one and only Jack Nicklaus. However, we couldn’t write this post without mentioning the likes of; Tiger Woods, Water Hagen and Ben Hogan. There are, of course, many more, but we would be here all day.

4. Fiji

Major Championship Wins: 3

Population: 898,760

Population Per Championship Wins: 299,586

Fiji is well known for its white sand beaches and crystal clear Pacific waters. It may come as a surprise to see this small Pacific island make the list at number 4. The Fijian push is all down to one man – Vijay Singh. Vijay has had a fantastic career. He was the 12th man to reach the world number 1 spot and rather interestingly, he was the only new number 1 in the 2000s decade.

3. Northern Ireland

Major Championship Wins: 7

Population: 1,810,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 258,714

Northern Ireland takes spot number 3 on the list. Once again, their small population has ensured a population per championship win smaller than some golf heavyweights. Rory McIlroy is Northern Ireland’s most decorated golfer, with a total of 4 major championship wins to his name. At the age of 28, Rory is still going strong, although he’s not won a major championship since 2014, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him add to Northern Irelands major championships in the near future.

2. Scotland

Major Championship Wins: 55

Population: 5,295,000

Population Per Championship Wins: 96,272

Scotland is a nation with great golfing heritage, with it being the birthplace of this great sport. There are over 550 golf courses spread across Scotland with many of these courses being known to be some of the finest in the world, so it comes as no surprise that Scottish golfers have won their fair share of major championships. A total of 55 is no small feat, especially when Scotland doesn’t have the huge population that some other golf heaviest do have. Scotlands most decorated golfer is James Braid with a total of 5 major championship wins.

1. Jersey

Major Championship Wins: 9

Population: 100,080

Population Per Championship Wins: 11,120

Drum roll… It’s Jersey who takes the number 1 spot as the best pound for pound country in golf. We know this may be controversial to some, but this small island which lays between England and France has a total of 9 major championship wins. With a population of only 100,080, it made Jersey a clear winner. Those 9 major championships are shared between two golfers from Jersey; Ted Ray with two championships to his name and Harry Vardon with a whopping 7 major championships, including 6 Open titles.

How to Choose the Right Golf Club for You!

Whether you are thinking of playing golf for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro planning ahead of your next golf trip, choosing the right golf clubs is key to your performance. Using the right clubs can change the way you play on the golf course and help you reduce your handicap dramatically.

But which golf clubs should you buy? What should you look for when choosing your golf clubs? 

Whatever your ability, whether you are buying one club or a full set, the sheer volume of clubs on the market can be overwhelming.

To make choosing the right golf clubs less daunting, we’ve shared our top tips to help you make the right choice.

1. Golf Club Essentials

Whether completely new to the sport, or a golfing enthusiast, you should think about the same six things when trying to choose the right golf clubs.

Take your time

The sheer volume of golf clubs on the market is enough to confuse the most experienced golf professional.

Depending on your ability and budget, buying a new golf club can be a significant investment, so it’s important to do your research and not make any spontaneous decisions.

Ignore the name

If you regularly watch European Tour events, it’s easy to think buying the same make and model as your favourite professionals will help you score well on your golf holiday.

By all means, use this insight to help you choose your clubs, but be willing to try and test other brands too. As golf club technology has advanced, manufacturers have targeted different players when creating the latest models.

From body type and gender to physical condition and ability needs, focus on the clubs that cater to your requirements and not the name. After all, it’s your score that counts.

Grip Thickness

The thickness of the grip can have a massive effect on your swing. A grip that is too thin can lead to golfers having large hand actions leading into the swing. However, too thick a grip will restrict your hands and have an equally devastating impact.

What does the right grip look like?

The proper grip should let you hold the club using your middle and ring fingers of your left hand with very little touching the pad with the thumb. If your finger doesn’t touch your thumb, it’s a sign that the grip is too big.

The Shaft

Although obvious, getting the correct length of shaft is a fundamental consideration when buying golf clubs.

Key considerations to check are your height, body type and physical strength.

As a general rule, taller players usually need a longer shaft to play at their best.

In addition, you should also consider the shaft flex and its suitability to your swing.

Selecting a shaft too stiff will cause lower ball flight and a loss of distance, whereas a shaft too soft can result in ballooning and, again, loss in distance.

How can you judge if the shaft flex is correct? Shafts too stiff usually make you slice the ball to the right whilst shafts too soft hook your ball fly to the left.

Loft

A vital measurement, the loft, or loft angle, refers to the angle formed by a line running down the centre of the shaft and the face of the club.

Measured in degrees, a golf club with a relatively low loft, such as 3 iron sitting at 21–23 degrees, will make the ball go further than one with a higher loft. Alternatively, a golf club with a high loft, such as a 9 iron sitting at 45–48 degrees, will result in the ball rising and descending into the air on a steeper angle.

You can judge the loft by how much of the face of a club is angled upward or how much the top of the face is angled away from the shaft. Visually, a clubface with a higher degree of loft will appear to be more horizontally angled compared to that of one with a lower degree.

The clubhead

If you want to make the most of your golf club, having different sized clubheads can be a real advantage. Most brands offer standard, midsize and oversized heads for their golf clubs and your choice of clubhead size is mainly dependent on your experience level.

Generally, the larger the club head, the more forgiveness your swing has. Although you can make a poor hit and still achieve a good result with an oversized head, these are often heavy and hard to control.

2. Golf Clubs for Beginners

It’s very easy to get caught up in the initial enthusiasm of starting a new sport and buying the best golf gear, but beginners beware.

Golf clubs are best bought slowly, collecting more advanced ones as your experience increases and you progress in the sport.

If you are just getting your first taste of golf, it’s well worth borrowing a set or buying used clubs. Once you have played a couple of rounds and have become familiar with the game, you can decide if you want to continue and buy your first golf clubs.

As we’ve explained previously, custom-fitted or top brand name clubs are not necessary or suitable for beginners. For your first golf clubs, we recommend buying a beginner set of clubs that include a driver and 3-wood, odd-numbered irons (3, 5, 7, 9) and a putter.

Apart from the basic decisions between men’s and women’s clubs and right or left-handed clubs, you might have a choice between steel and graphite shaft clubs. At this stage, we recommend choosing steel shafts as they are more durable and less expensive.

3. Golf Clubs for Intermediate & Experienced Golfers

For players with a year or more experience, you might want to start building a set of golf clubs that is more tailored to your physical characteristics and ability.

Intermediate players should begin to slowly build their set as their game improves over the years.

For experienced players, considering the top brand names and latest models is not such a risky investment. Whilst your understanding of your strengths and weaknesses will guide your choice, custom fitting could also be an option. Tailoring the club shaft length and flex, and club head lie angle and loft to your specifications, is a worthwhile investment if you are looking to become a serious golfer.

4. Type of Golf Clubs

4.1 Driver

Used off the tee on long holes, the purpose of using a driver is to hit the ball as far as you can.

Measured by volume in cubic centimetres, the biggest driver head allowed is 460cc.

Most drivers are made of titanium and/or carbon composite because they are much lighter than steel, letting manufacturers increase the size of the head.

If you are buying used drivers or those manufactured prior to January 2008, ensure that they are still legal for club competitions. The maximum legal Coefficient of Restitution is now 0.83, which means that if you hit a golf ball at a clubface of 100mph, the rebound would be 83mph. If a rebound is at a higher speed, the driver would be deemed illegal.

Driver Models

In addition to the standard models, golfers also have a choice of ‘Offset’, ‘Draw’ and ‘Neutral’ options. These options help to fix golfers slicing the ball (e.g. balls veering right unintentionally for right-handed golfers) by placing weight inside the clubhead to help you keep it more ‘closed’ at impact.

Driver Shape

Another consideration is the shape of the head. Manufactured by a few brands, square-shaped drivers help players align tee shots and visualise the line of shot much easier than traditional shaped drivers.

Driver Loft

Typically, the loft of drivers ranges from 8 degrees to 13 degrees. When deciding what loft to select, you should consider the speed of your swing:

• Fast swing? Clubs with a loft of 8-9 degrees are great for very powerful golfers who want to hit further. ‘Normal’ players should avoid these clubs as they will achieve less distance.
• Slower swing? Ideal for seniors, juniors or ladies, a club with a loft between 12-13 will help get the ball airborne more easily.
• Average swing? Most players opt for a loft between 9-11 degrees which suits all handicaps.

4.2 Woods

When considering what woods to purchase, your first consideration should be what you want to use it for. Do you want to hit off the tee or replace long irons? Maybe you want to reach par 5s in two on your golf holiday? Whatever your reason, this should guide your purchase.

Which Wood?

When deciding which golf club number (3, 5, 7 etc) to purchase, think of the following:

• The higher the golf club number, the higher the loft.
• The higher the golf club number, the shorter the club shaft length.

Wood Shafts

Golfers have a choice of graphite or steel shafted woods:

• Graphite woods tend to be more popular and generally reach a further distance.
• Steel woods help to achieve a lower, more accurate ball flight.

Wood Head Design

Just like with drivers, manufacturers offer a choice of ‘Offset’, ‘Draw’ or ‘Neutral’ head designs on woods.

Attempting to correct any side-spin on the ball, weight has been placed inside the clubhead to help keep it square at impact.

Wood Head Material

There are three choices of head material to choose from, each with its own characteristics:

• Steel – Not too expensive and durable, steel is the most popular material.
• Titanium – Great for hitting from the tee, titanium is half the weight of steel and helps to get the ball airborne sooner.
• Composite – Combining materials such as carbon with steel or titanium, this material is great for fixing twisting or off-centre hits.

4.3 Irons

Making up the bulk of your set, irons are numbered like woods.

With the lowest loft (around 20 degrees), the 3 irons achieve a low and long hit with approximately 200 yards. In contrast, a Pitching Wedge (50 degrees loft) or Sand Wedge (56 degrees loft) produce a high flight but a low distance of approximately 100 yards.

Other irons such as the 7-iron sit between these two extremes, with around 12-15 yards difference between each club.

Essentially, the lower the golf club number is, the lower the flight, the further it will travel but the harder it is to control.

Which weight?

Like woods and drivers, irons offer different models depending on your needs:

• Perimeter-weighted Irons – Having more weight around the perimeter of the head, these are much easier to hit and help get the ball airborne easily.
• Offset & draw weighted Irons – Designed to keep your hands ahead of the ball, these clubs help counteract slicing.

Casting or Forging?

Golfers choose between two manufacturing processes when buying a new iron:

Cast Irons

Aimed at low handicappers, most irons are made by casting as this process allows manufacturers to design more creatively.

Common terms used include:

• Cast 17-4 stainless steel – strong, durable and very hard.
• 431 stainless steel – softer than 17-4 but has a better ‘feel’.

Forged Irons

Using a softer metal than cast irons, forged irons are often said to have a better ‘feel’.

Iron Shafts

• Steel Shafts – Steel shafts are the most popular option and are considerably cheaper than graphite shafts. More durable than graphite, it offers consistency of flex and torque throughout all of the irons.
• Graphite Shafts – Lighter than steel shafts, graphite shafts absorb vibration better than steel shafts but offer less feedback on impact.

4.4 Wedge

Crucial to post a good score, choosing the right wedge can help improve your game dramatically.

Wedge Loft

• Pitching Wedge (PW) – Usually featuring a loft between 46 and 50 degrees, the PW is used for shots of around 120 yards into the green.
• Gap or Approach Wedge (GW) or (AW) – More lofted than a PW, the approach wedge has a loft between 50-55 degrees.
• Sand Wedge (SW) – Generally used for bunker play, SWs have a loft of 54-58 degrees.
• Lob Wedge (LW) – With a loft between 60 and 64 degrees, LWs are ideal for high flights from short distances.

Bounce Angle

Referring to the curved section on the sole of the wedge, the ‘bounce’ prevents the club from snagging in the sand or rough.

Visually, the bounce is the gap between the ground and the leading edge of the wedge when placed in the address position.

As a general rule, most golfers are best with a bounce between 10 to 14 degrees.

• High Bounce Wedges – Those with a high space between the ground and the leading edge, the biggest bounce is around 18 degrees. Best for play out of soft turf and sand, they are good for golfers with steep attack angles.
• Low Bounce Wedges – Ideal for shots from tight lies and firm turf, low bounce wedges are best for those who have shallow attack angles through impact.
• Standard Bounce Wedges – A great all-around wedge, a standard bounce wedge is versatile and a great choice if you like an open or square face out of a bunker, and an average to slightly steeper attack angle.

4.5 Putter

One of the most important clubs in your bag, yet one of the most neglected, putters can transform your game.

Ranging between £10.00 and £200.00, it can be difficult to decide which putter to get, but there are four things you should consider:

Putter Design

There are three main types of putter:

• Blade – Very simple, this type of putter tends not to be very forgiving if hit from the middle of the surface.
• Half-Mallet – Similar to the blade but much easier to hit.
• Mallet – Heavier than the others, this option offers lots of designs that help you align the ball up more accurately.

Putter Length

The typical putter length is 35″, but anything from 33″ to 35″ is used.

4.6 Hybrid

A cross between a wood and iron, hybrid clubs are slowly replacing traditional long irons.

Do you need a Hybrid club?

Nobody needs a hybrid club, but they can be helpful. Featuring a ‘deeper’ face-to-back than a regular iron, the centre of gravity has been placed further back making it much easier to get the ball airborne.

Hybrid clubs are also great from the rough with smooth edges that don’t drag through thick grass.

We hope this guide has helped you choose the perfect golf clubs for your next golf holiday.

If you’re planning on taking your golf clubs on holiday with you, why not get an instant quote from Golf Drives for your transfers? With golf bags included as standard, Golf Drives will transfer you from the airport to hotel, hotel to course, and back again! 

Our Top 20 Favourite Golf Bloggers

Where do you go when you want to get your golf fix? Whilst we love talking golf with our friends and coaches, sometimes it’s nice to get a fresh perspective. Providing unique and entertaining content, golf blogs are the perfect way to keep up to date no matter where you are. 

With plenty of golf bloggers to choose from, it can be hard to know which ones to follow. Whether you are looking for the latest golf tournament updates or need golf holiday inspiration, you’ll find the blog for you in our top 20 favourite golf bloggers. Read our guide to find out which ones you should be following!

20. YourGolfCourses.com

This website is your one-stop shop to discover all the best public golf courses across most cities and states in the United States. Across hundreds of posts, find public golf courses ranked and even recommended for best views, good for groups, best value etc. Having travelled extensively around the U.S., they’re also experts at highlighting the best golf resorts to stay at across major golf cities. Definitely recommend you check them out at yourgolfcourses.com.

19. Golf Girl’s Diary

One of the first independent golf blogs edited by a woman, Patricia Hannigan writes for both “men and women, competitive players and casual fans”. Featured on the likes of Good Morning America, Golf Girl’s Diary shares course fashion and details of her golf travels. When not bust blogging for Golf Girl’s Diary, Patricia is running her own media company, ‘Golf Girl Media’.

18. Aussie Golfer

Based in the land down under, Aussie Golfer is written by Michael Green, a self-confessed golf obsessive. Established in 2007, Aussie Golfer is the place to go for golf lovers wanting to keep up to date with the latest golf news, find useful product reviews and get tips on improving their swing. We love the ‘best trick shots in the world’ feature, and his ‘fun’ section is hilarious.

17. The Golfer Babe

Written by an amateur golfer, Amy Sifontes, The Golfer Babe combines a love of marketing and golf to create a hub of industry news and reviews. Whether she is sharing advice on when to take a golf lesson, or why golfers need to use more sunscreen and sun protection, this is the perfect blog for someone who is relatively new to the game but passionate about the sport.

16. The Jazzy Golfer

More of an influencer than a blogger, we had to include The Jazzy Golfer in our top 20! Aiming to inspire more women to play golf whilst improving her own game, The Jazzy Golfer has earned an impressive following on social media. 

Posting photos of her progress and fashionable outfits, she has gained over 22,000 Instagram followers alone! She recently spoke about how golf clubs can appeal to a younger generation at the Lancashire County Conference, so we’re looking forward to seeing what she does next.

15. Golf For Beginners

It’s easy to forget that everyone was a beginner once and technical blog posts and in-depth videos can be a little intimidating. Sharing all her lessons and tips, New York native Stacy Solomon has documented her progress from the start of her journey. Combining her own experiences with product reviews and tour news, Golf for Beginners is the perfect place for new golfers to build their confidence and develop their technique.

14. Armchair Golf Blog

Founded in 2005 by Neil Sagebiel, Armchair Golf Blog is one of the original golf blogs, and it’s also one of the best. Beginning as an experiment, Sagebiel has written two great books, one of which includes a forward by the great Jack Nicklaus and the iconic Tony Jacklin. Featuring over 3,400 blog posts, Armchair Golf Blog includes insightful interviews and discussions on many of the global professional tours. One of the most consistent bloggers, we’re looking forward to another decade of the Armchair Golf Blog.

13. Wei Under Par

Written by golf broadcaster, writer and blogger Stephanie Wei, Wei Under Par is one of the leading golf blogs in the industry. Providing great updates and podcasts about tours and knowledgeable course reviews, Wei Under Par gives a fresh perspective on what’s happening in the golf industry.

12. Graceful Golfer

After meeting while playing professional golf, Anna and Armana decided to found Graceful Golfer. Sharing their passion, and travels, the blog aims to encourage more women to play golf. Featuring insightful interviews with leading female professionals and helpful tips to improve your game, the blog covers all aspects of the game. Expect to see updates from the golf industry mixed with golf fashion posts and even beauty guides for the course!

11. The Golf Travel Guru

If you dream of playing golf all over the world, the Golf Travel Guru is the blog you should be reading. Travelling the globe for nearly three decades, the Golf Travel Guru shares the best golf holiday tips. Featuring insights into courses in Scotland, Morocco, Ireland, China, the Canary Islands and more, it’s great for getting inspiration for your next golf trip. In addition to his great course guides, expect posts on the “Top 10 Golf Buddy Tip”, the “Top Five Airline Booking Sites” and other travel tips that can make your golf holiday go smoother.

10. PureSwingTV

Powered by an incredibly positive mental attitude, Gabriel Writer created Pure Swing TV to show that anyone can improve their game if they are willing to learn and practice. Focused on the PGA Tour, expect course vlogs, reviews, interviews and instructional videos.

9. Buzza Golf

Steve Buzza is a professional golfer and sports scientist with a highly entertaining YouTube channel. Creating helpful instruction videos like “How to hit a Punch Shot”Buzza makes it possible to improve your play wherever you are. In addition to helping subscribers, Buzza Golf also features fun challenges, equipment tests and course vlogs.

8. Adam Young Golf

Armed with a passion for teaching and learning, Adam Young has developed an impressive knowledge of motor learning and brain function. Combining this research with his golfing experience, Adam aims to develop golfers’ skills and techniques to benefit their game as a whole. 

Teaching at one of Europe’s most prestigious resorts (La Manga Club in Spain) Adam’s blog provides practical tips mixed with a few opinion pieces. A great resource for anyone looking to improve their game, Adam also offers online coaching and two different online programmes designed to take your golf to the next level.

7. How to Break 80

Written by Jack Moorehouse, How to Break 80 is the blog for competitive golfers. Whilst we all enjoy keeping up to date with the latest tour updates, this blog bypasses tournament news in favour of technical know-how. With only 5% of the world’s golfers breaking 80, How to Break 80 aims to make you one of the lucky few. 

Whether you want to master your swing, perfect your sand escape or add a backspin to your chip shots, you can find out how and much more on the blog. In addition to his blog, Moorhouse has also written a book and has created a monthly membership programme to accelerate your learning.

6. Alex Elliot Golf

Previously a caddy for Simon Dyson and Tom Murry on the European and Challenge Tours, Alex Elliot has developed incredible course management and coaching credentials. Passionate about all aspects of golf, his YouTube channel covers everything from how to stop hitting behind the ball to how to get rid of first tee nerves. Ideal for anyone who wants easy-to-follow advice that will improve your game, Alex Elliot Golf is one to watch.

5. Not The Golf Show

Offering blogs, YouTube videos and podcasts, Not The Golf Show covers all platforms. Created by Crawford Anderson-Dillion and Robert Cross, the blog is a must-read, listen and watch for those who play, or want to play, golf in England, Ireland and Scotland. Both club golfers, the podcast aims to discuss current topics from the world of golf with a refreshing perspective.

The blog is equally entertaining and both Crawford and Robert are great writers. If this wasn’t enough, their passion shines even more through their flourishing YouTube channel, with previous videos including equipment reviews and fun challenges. A great light-hearted blog, this is the perfect option for enthusiastic club golfers.

4. Peter Finch Golf

Manchester native Peter Finch is a golf coach at Quest Golf Studio in Burnley and is dedicated to training and coaching golfers of all abilities. Including instruction videos and course vlogs, Peter is one of the most entertaining content creators around. Apart from providing hints and tips, he also offers practical advice such as “What’s better, range or on course golf coaching?”course vlogs and equipment reviews. Providing the latest golf updates and fun challenges, Peter Finch Golf is one of the best golf channels on YouTube.

3. Rick Shiels Golf

Another PGA Golf Coach and Golf Professional from Quest Golf Academy, Rick Shiels has gained a reputation as one of the best coaches regardless of skill level. Featuring helpful comparisons of both courses and equipment, Rick helps golfers improve their game whilst having fun. One of our favourite videos is a comparison of a 1998 Golf Ball and a 2018 Golf Ball. Want to know the difference? You’ll just have to watch the video!

2. Top 100 Golf

If you’ve ever dreamed of playing a top golf course, Top 100 Golf is worth a read. Chronicling a single golfer’s mission to play the top 100 golf courses in the world, this blog is “equal parts golf course critique, travelogue and social commentary”. 

Including detailed descriptions, great photographs and insights into the club’s atmosphere and traditions, it is the ultimate guide to some of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world. Having now completed the mission, Top 100 Golf still publishes golf course reviews, the locations of which span the globe.

1. UK Golf Guy

Designed to help people play in some of the best courses in Europe, UK Golf Guy shares inspiration and opinions that are perfect for planning your golf holiday. Whether you are looking to play in Ireland or Scotland, or venture into France or Portugal, UK Golf Guy has rated some of the top golf clubs to make deciding where to play much easier. 

In addition to his well-thought through rating system, UK Golf Guy also posts great industry updates, new equipment reviews and general golf inspiration. Expect to see posts ranging from UK Golf Guy’s search for the perfect golf iron to discussing the USPGA broadcasting ‘omnishambles’. Essentially, UK Golf Guy Blog is the perfect all-rounder.

We hope you have discovered some new top golf bloggers. If their golf course reviews have inspired your next golf holiday, get an instant quote for your golf holiday transfers from Golf Drives. Golf Drives will transfer you from the airport to the hotel, the hotel to the course, and back again! 

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