What has the most affect on a shot?

Hi,
I started to wonder about the importance of a golf ball and it lead to thinking about other elements on golf equipment. Let's classify them as:
1) golf ball
2) club face/head
3) shaft
4) grip
5) glove
6) shoes

What has the most affect on a shot and would this vary on different shots? Would the order be different in a drive, chip or a put?

My oder for a drive would be: club head, grip, shaft, ball, glove and shoes. Shoes is difficult to evaluate. You cannot play with bad shoes, but for one shot or maybe one round, you can manage.

Hannu

Hi Hannu,


The person holding the club is the only variance.






Ian.

Yep,

Person is the most important

But you can change the ball you are hitting, improve the grip in your club, find better clubs... and so on.

I had a talk with one playing pro and his advice was, not to do anything to my clubs before I play a while. I should use my current clubs to learn and after I know what I am doing, I can start looking for better tools.

I think he is very right in my case. I wouldn't know what to buy and my swing will change a lot in next 4 months.


Hannu

Hannu,

All the thing you mention will aid in overall better performance and aid in confidence, therefore all are nesassary to the best of your budget.


As for game improvement, lessons on the swing will aid more, only my opinion but I have a few old wooden shafted clubs, one being a 1 iron.....................the first thing I did was take a dozen ball down the field and hit them just to find out what it was like in thoses days.................the results, not a great deal different from today.

The feel of the clubs felt a little weaker due to the shafts, but I could make good contact with the ball...........................the question is could a novice........the answer NO.


Therefore the modern clubs with large heads, great shafts, cavity back irons etc etc all have helped the game, and more enjoyment to the novice.


It what particular order is a great question............................my thoughts are that the swing and the study of the swing is the greatest improvement in golf from the days of feather filled balls.

Ian.

__________________
Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

I'm inclined to think that shoes don't make a tremendous difference (unless you're trying to swing out of them).
A glove aids in gripping the club (provided it fits well), but again, could be left at home by a golfer.
The grip is your connection with the club. I've read accounts of guys being able to overpower softer grips (lagging the club and getting a slice, or a weak block to the right). So, it's important, but not as important as shaft or head)
The ball you play should match how you play. I don't know that there's enough sidespin differential between 'spin' balls and 'distance' balls to make playing distance balls worthwhile. All I know is that I prefer a ball classed more as a spin ball over a distance ball. But I like holding greens, too.
What's left? Head and shaft. I'd call these 1 and A, especially when it comes to drivers. The only word I have on irons is that Joe Average golfer should be playing cavity backs. The reason I place the shaft just as high is that finding your 'minimum flex' is important. Too weak and the head is doing all sorts of stuff at impact, none of it repeatable. Too strong, and you lose feel (I'm not convinced you'll be 'leaving them short and right'). But I do know you lose feel.

__________________
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A new highlight: Golfing the home course on Christmas Day.

I say it too often: If it's golf club shaped, you can play with it.

For the record, I'm a club doctor, not a swing doctor.

Trevino said it was"Playing for a Hundred dollars when he only had 10 in his pocket".

Hello Hannu,
I would agree with the person swinging the club having the most effect. Having said that I think there is some validity in the idea that the parts having an effect on the whole. In my experience the ball has something to do with the shot. I still primarily play with balls that I find around the course. I've played with higher end balls (Pro V 1 and X, Nike Platinum Black, Bridgestone) and I found I was able to hold more greens using them rather than Top Flites or any other cheap ball. It probably has something to do with the hardness or softness but I feel that higher end balls give me more "feel". With the club face and head I am assuming you mean the type of head rather than the type of material or which grooves are used. I started playing with forged clubs (Wilson Staff circa 1984) so I didn't really know that there were clubs that were more forgiving. I still use Staff's (RM model) so I get a cavity back with the feel of a forged club. I really don't like the newer Calloway, Cleveland or Taylor Made clubs because of the width of the sole or the heavy top line. I think most of the "game improvement" club look clunky. If I were starting the game all over tomorrow I would probably choose a game improvement club if it helped improve my confidence. As far as a shaft I would agree with Low Post. I play with extra stiff shafts in my driver, irons but I have a slightly weaker flex in my hybrids. For me I tend to hook a regular flex shaft more. I would think finding a proper fitting club would be more important in making consistant shots. With the grip I would have to say that unless it is worn there probably aren't much differences in brand. I use a mid-size grip because they feel more like my softball bat handle. I would assume that a grip could be too small or too large but that would be an easy fix. The glove is a personal preference. I never wear one, I don't like the way they feel but for some they feel naked without one. That leaves the shoes. I don't own golf shoes, I should because I play some of my rounds in the early morning dew. I have literally spun completely out of a shot in my cross trainers. When I find a pair I like I will make a purchase.