If you are new to golf, you might not be sure about how many golf clubs you need to play golf or how many clubs are allowed. In this article we will give some clear advice on the minimum number of clubs in golf bag and the maximum amount of clubs you can use. Let’s dive in.
Rules of golf
The R&A (Royal and Ancient) one of golf’s governing bodies who govern the game of golf have set the maximum number of golf clubs a player can use in tournament play to 14. If you damage a club during a round of golf, you are not allowed to replace the damaged club. You must learn the rules and terminology to improve at this game.
Less than 14 clubs in a golf bag
It is perfectly fine to play golf with less than 14 clubs. Many recreational golfers prefer to carry fewer clubs and may actually benefit from less clubs to choose from. I have played some of my best golf with half a bag and my favorite club competition to play in is “3 clubs and a putter.”
The world record for number of rounds of golf in a day was achieved by a player using nothing other than a 7 iron! Sometimes less is more.
Can I add golf clubs
If you manage to start your round and realize that you’ve left one of your clubs in your or your playing partner’s car, you are allowed to add a club to your bag during a round, providing you don’t exceed the maximum number of 14. You also have to make sure that:
That the act is not causing a delay in play
That the clubs are not from another player
Try to be organised though. If you’re playing a golf tournament, have your golf equipment ready. Even if you’re just playing a casual round, it better for yourself and those you’re playing with if you’re ready to play.
More than 14 clubs in a golf bag
Oh no! You’ve started a competitive round and you realise that you’ve got more that 14 clubs in your bag. Even experienced golfers can do this, but the rules of golf are the rules.
So what type of punishment can you expect to receive?
Exceeding 14 clubs penalty
If you’ve exceed the number of clubs allowed in your bag, the punishment you will receive depends on the type of game you’re playing. In a match play situation, you’d get a hole deduction from your score for each hole you with too many golf clubs – up to two holes deduction. In stroke play, you’d be penalized two shots for every hole that you play with too many clubs – up to a maximum penalty of four strokes.
You used to get disqualified for breaking this rule, so make sure that you minimize the damage by declaring the extra clubs as soon as you can.
Why the limit on golf clubs?
Golfers are limited to 14 clubs to encourage creativity on the golf course and to speed up play. Anything more than 14 clubs would make your golf bag very heavy and also make the game even more expensive than it already is! Amateur golfers don’t need too many clubs to enjoy the game, so I think the limit helps golfers. Professional golfers might want more options in their bags, and more clubs to choose from, but again, creativity needs to be encouraged.
Does a putter count in the 14 clubs?
Yes, the putter is a typical golf club found in a golf bag and is counted in the 14. Playing golf without a putter isn’t impossible, but it would make the game even harder.
This is a beginner set of clubs which comes with everything you'd need to start playing golf as a beginner.
What are the typical clubs found in a golf bag?
Most golfers will have a core of 12 clubs in their golf bag. These include:
Three woods or hybrids – driver, 3-wood, 5-wood or hybrids
Eight (8) irons or hybrids – 3-9 iron and pitching wedge or 2 hybrids and 6 irons
Putter
Some golfers may nor choose to add clubs to the 12 listed, but many will depending on their specific skills and requirements. I carry 4 wedges, a pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge as this is the area of my own bag where I need the most flexibility. Less experienced golfers may carry more fairway woods or hybrids to replace long irons which they find harder to hit.
Highly skilled golfers will usually switch clubs depending on the courses they play. For example during the Open, professional golfers will carry a driving iron and specialist wedges to play from tight lies and bunkers.
Par is the standard that golfers try to achieve. It is important to note that par is a score which an expert golfer or professional golfer would be expected to make on that individual hole. Most golfers expected score on a hole could be anywhere from 1 to 3 shots over par depending on their golfing ability and experience.
How does par work?
Every hole on a course is given its own par rating which is defined loosely by the length of an individual hole. Typically, longer holes require more shots to complete, therefore the par for these holes is greater in comparison to holes with fewer yards.
Is par a good score?
If you're making pars on the golf course, you are playing to a high standard. Professional golfers will make mostly pars when playing a complete round. Recreational golfers making pars regularly should be proud. A scratch golfer would be considered to be playing to a par score regularly.
How many strokes to score a par?
Most golf courses will consist of par 3, par 4 and par 5 holes. On a par four for example, an expert golfer is expected to score four shorts: hit two shots to reach the green, then take two putts to get the ball into the hole.
A scorecard would read like this for 3 pars in a row:
What is par for 18 holes in golf?
Par over 18 holes is usually 72 strokes. Some course may be as much as par 74 or 73. There are executive courses which could be a lower par, from par 54 to par 69. Most professional level golf courses will have pars between 70 and 73.
What is par for 9 holes?
Half a round is usually the 18 hole par divided by any random 9 holes could have a par anywhere between 27 and 38.
What does par 72 mean?
Par 72 means that the 18 holes on that golf course should be playable by a scratch handicap in 72 strokes.
Scoring relationship and par
If you have ever watched golf on the television, you will have heard the golf terms "level par", "even par", "under par" and "over par."
These are used to describe a player's scoring relationship relative to par. For example if a player plays the first hole of a golf course, (a par 4) in for shots, they would be level par or even par through one hole. If they then made a hole in one on the next par 3, (unlikely) they would be 2 under par.
Under par means the golfer scores a number of strokes into the hole, less than the number stipulated on the scorecard. The names for these scores are birdie, eagle and albatross.
On a par 4, that would be 3 or fewer strokes.
On a par 5, that would be 4 or fewer strokes.
On a par 3, that would be 2 or fewer strokes.
Over 9 holes, you can add up a score and be considered 'under par' if your total score is below the total number for par on that nine.
Over 18 holes, you add up your score and be considered 'under par' if your total score is below the total number for par on that course.
What is an eagle in golf?
Scoring an "eagle" means to get the ball in the hole in 2 strokes under par for that golf hole. It is a score which is usually made by expert or professional golfers.
How many shots do you need to score an eagle?
We know that an eagle corresponds to getting the ball into the hole in 2 under the par of that hole. Therefore to score an eagle, you would need to have the ball in the hole in:
One stroke on a par-3 hole
This is normally called a hole in one and is extremely rare! Pretty much a miracle golf shot.
Two strokes on a par-4 hole is an eagle.
Usually a result of a holed approach shot or chip in. In golf terms this is still pretty rare but can happen on shorter holes.
Three strokes on a par-5 hole is an eagle.
Most eagles are made this way. Hit the ball off the tee, second shot hits the putting green, hole the putt.
What shape is used for an Eagle on a scorecard?
Two concentric circles are used to represent an eagle on a scorecard or a PGA Tour overlay.
Where does the term eagle come from?
The basis of the term eagle is linked with the other ornithological golfing term “birdie.” An eagle is a big rare bird or "big birdie" and is thus considered to be less common and better version of a "birdie." It's one of many golfing terms which we need to learn.
What’s better than an eagle in golf?
A double-eagle or albatross is better than an eagle. So albatross or double-eagle is 3-under par. And it’s supposed to be an even more infrequent or rarer occurrence in the game of golf, hence even more celebratory.
What is a double-eagle?
A double eagle (also known as an albatross) is a score of 3-under par on the hole, which, only when possible, is done on a par-4 hole and a par-5 hole.
A par-4 double eagle would require a hole-in-one. Double eagle can be made on a par-5 if you hold your second shot.
What is a birdie in golf?
A player makes a birdie when he uses one fewer strokes than the par of the hole.
Let's break this down using an example from the golf course. We are on a par 4 hole. The aim here is to get the ball into the cup in 4 shots, to make par. If you manage to get the ball into the hole in 3 shots, this would be 1 under par for that hole and called a birdie. If you were on a par 5 hole and took 4 strokes to hole out, this would also be a birdie.
What is double bogey in golf?
A Double Bogey is a golfing termthat refers to a player scoring two strokes more than the par of the particular hole that they are playing. It's one of the more common golf scoring terms and will be all too familiar to most recreational golfers!
Ideally, we want to avoid double bogey at all costs, but for most golfers it's an inevitable part of a round of golf.
Here's a quick guide to make it super clear what scores make up a double bogey on holes with a different par rating:
A score of 5 is a double bogey in a par 3 hole
A score of 6 is a double bogey in a par 4 hole
A score of 7 is a double bogey in a par 5 hole
What shape is used for a double bogey?
On scorecards and on the overlays in the PGA Tour broadcasts, you'll see shapes around the numbers on the scoreboard. When you score a double bogey, you can draw a double square around the number to represent and make it easier to count the score up at the end.
Is a double bogey good?
If you're a total beginner golfer, double bogey is actually a good score on the golf course. As you get better, you will try to eliminate double bogey as a score. For professional golfers, scores of bogey or double bogey are pretty disastrous for their score.
What's worse than a double bogey?
A triple bogey or quadruple bogey is worse than a double bogey. While double bogey is two over regulation par for a scratch golfer, a triple bogey is 3 over par while a quadruple bogey is 4 over. No one wants these!
Does everyone make double bogeys?
The simple answer is, yes! Even the best golfers will make double bogeys and worse throughout their golfing life so don't be too hard on yourself when you inevitably make one. the best thing you can do is put a bad score behind you and move onto the next hole. Who knows, your next shot could be your best shot.
Double bogey golf handicap
If you make double bogey on every hole, your handicap will be around 30. Your score will be 108 shots or 36 over par on a par 72 course.
Often double digit handicap golfers hit a good drive which leaves 130-160 yards approach to the green - which is often an 8 iron. They think they do not know how to hit an 8 iron. With an over expectation, the pressure thinking that you need to hit 3 out of 4 greens with your 8 iron, plus low confidence, many things can happen:
Chunk the shot
Pull the shot
Slice the shot
Thin the shot
Hit it short or long because you don't know the average distance of your 8 iron
Hitting the 8 iron is easier than you think. The six simple tips below will help you hit a solid shot that goes where you need it. You'll hit it the correct distance and with a consistent result on or near the green. If you miss the green, you can even chip with your 8 iron.
How To Hit An 8 Iron: 6 Easy Fixes
You're a good golfer already you just need to work on a few things:
Taking a good divot
Knowing your shot shape
Selecting the best aiming spot in front of the ball
It doesn't matter if it's the 8 iron, a 5 iron or a sand wedge, the first important tip is to be able to control where the iron contacts the ground and takes a divot. When you take a divot, you create solid contact and more consistent distances with your 8 iron. The difference between low and high handicap golfers comes down to pure iron strikes.
The high handicap golfer struggles to take divots out of fear of messing up the fairway or fear of chunking the ball. You must banish the fear of hitting a fat shot and PRACTICE TAKING DIVOTS.
How to hit a divot with your 8 iron
Find a piece of grass anywhere that you don't mind messing up
Start by hitting the ground without a ball and take divots. You can swing and take a satisfying divot over and over as many times as necessary
Use a wiffle ball and hit shots with the wiffle ball, focusing on the front of the ball - the part of the golf ball closest to the target. Try start your divot on the target side of the ball.
On the golf course: Take practice swings in the rough when no one is hitting. Before your shot, practice swings should take a shallow divot before your real shot.
If you are can't control the low point where the divot starts, try put 60% of your weight on your front leg. Keep that head from swaying and hit a divot.
Fix 2: Know your shot shape or curve on the ball
Knowing the shape your ball makes in the air is so important but so overlooked by golfers. A lot of higher handicappers with their irons will aim for the phantom straight shot. This shot appears once per round and never when you want it.
Instead, learn your shot shape over time. Perhaps you think you hit a two way miss. Write down which side you miss the most. Be honest with yourself and your golf shot shape. A lot of golfers fall into the trap of being embarrassed about hitting a fade. Do not be. Top pro's on the PGA Tour prefer a fade.
The simplest way to understand your shot shape is to play practice rounds by yourself on a golf course. Hit multiple balls and note which way the ball flies with a fade or with a draw. A fade moves left to right while the draw moves right to left.
Whichever is your shot shape, accept it and play it. It will help you in Fix #3 where you must aim the club face correctly according to your shot shape. Without proper alignment suited to your shot shape, you cannot hit good iron shots.
Fix 3: Aim your 8 iron club face and your body
After you know which shot shape you hit, you must aim your club to something on your TARGET line. You will learn your target line by taking into account your shot shape above. If you fade the ball 10 yards, aim 10 yards left. If you draw the ball 5 yard, aim 5 yards to the right of your target.
But the most important is to aim your club face to account for that.
Find something in front of your ball on the ground. It could be a leaf, or a divot or a piece of grass.
Check that it is on your target line taking into account your shape so the ball curves to the target
The thing you align to must be 1-3 feet in front of the ball
Pick a target beyond the pin or the green. You can select a tree branch or something high up behind your target. This will clear your mind of the trouble in front of you.
If you align your 8 iron club face to the spot in front of the ball and then just before hitting, you glance at your spot in the distance, you will hit better 8 iron shots
Through the gate alignment drill
Set up an alignment stick down your target line about 12-15 feet in front of you.
Put a second alignment stick 2-4 feet right of the first alignment stick.
Using your plastic or foam ball, try hit the ball through the gate.
If you have a driving range that lets you do this, use real golf balls.
If you have access to a golf studio with a hitting bay, try hit the bullseye they may paint on the white screen. Take that feeling to the course
Most low handicap golfers could do 15 out of 20 but if you are struggling, just work up from your number whatever it is. You want to create a visual in your mind to take to the course and a feeling. Remember your process and thought when you do any drills so it converts to the golf course.
Fix 4: Know you carry distance
Here's a secret: All the distances you see people claiming in forums and Reddit are nonsense. The average PGA Tour pro hits a ball 295 yards. The average PGA Tour pro hits his 8 iron 160 to 180 yards. No amateur playing off a handicap over 10 can claim those distances with a straight face.
Why do I tell you this? Because it DOES NOT MATTER what distance others hit the ball. It only matters how far you hit your 8 iron. The distance is neither good nor bad. It is only that you KNOW for a fact YOUR distance with the 8 iron.
Do not claim that 8 iron that you hit 178 yards as your average. Resist the ego driven distance bragging. You will be a great golfer if you know exactly your distance of the 8 iron and play to it. You will beat everyone who claims their max distance is their average.
Using a rangefinder and then working out the difference between your target and where your ball finished
You can use this information for your shots and know if you can carry the hazards, stay short of the hazards or hit the middle of the green. This is HUGE. The most important thing anyone can do when learning how to hit their irons is to KNOW their CARRY distance.
Fix 5: Trust the 8 iron loft
A lot of high handicap golfers and beginners think you need to help the ball into the air by adding loft or 'getting underneath' the golf ball when they hit short irons like 8 iron, 9 iron or PW. The truth is, you actually deloft the iron at impact. The backspin that you impart on the ball will create the lift that you need.
This is VERY KEY: TRUST THE LOFT OF THE GOLF CLUB - THE MANUFACTURERS KNOW MORE THAN YOU ABOUT BALL FLIGHT DYNAMICS
The easiest way to stop trying to lift the ball with this club is to consciously NOT fall back with your weight onto the back foot. You must keep 60% of your weight on the front foot
When you hit DOWN on the golf ball, you compress it and that creates speed and spin. There is something very important you want to get right to be able to compress the ball. Impact position is critical.
Here is the impact position you want. Click the image or HERE for the Youtube video lesson on impact.
Fix 6 (bonus): Hit chips with your 8 iron
You can file this one under pro tips. When you find a chance to hit some chip shots, practice with your 8 iron. You can make small swings to practice club face control to understand hitting the sweet spot. You can learn how it feels to hit it solid by avoiding the full swing to practice impact position.
Stand about 2 yards off the green and chip the golf ball to a flag about 11-12 yards away from you. Try land the ball on a specific spot. Play the ball off your back foot to understand you don't need to help lift the ball in the air. Just imagine you are using your pitching wedge.
You can learn more about how chipping works in golf. Just make decent contact with the golf ball and hit 100 balls if you can. You'll come away feeling much better.
Fix 7 (Bonus tip): Use FORGIVING irons!
If you have trouble with your irons, I recommend finding forgiving irons in the guides here: for best irons for mid handicappers and the most forgiving irons on the market.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to execute an 8 iron shot and perform better with this club, it's time to practice a lot. You can practice at the range, on the golf course, or into a net. Just get that feeling of making good contact.
I highly recommend a lesson but if not, just keep hitting balls. You will get it. One more BONUS tip is to LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS. You are not on the PGA Tour, you are not Tiger Woods. You just need to relax and enjoy hitting the 8 iron at the driving range, on the practice green, and in your mind!
In 1990, the USGA and R&A came together and agreed on the weight and diameter of the golf ball that is in use today. They agreed that a ball should have a minimum weight of 1.62 ounces and an inch diameter of 1.68. Golf ball size has remained the same for over 30 years.
Golf equipment manufacturers have made this the standard golf ball size, regardless of what type of measurement system is used in different countries.
But how did we get to this standardized ball? Some will know that the earliest golf balls used feathers, tree sap, and wood and that now the more modern two-piece and three-balls use man-made compounds like Urethane and rubber wound cores. Older golf balls, known as a British ball, can be found with a diameter less than 1.68 inches, as some golf balls, pre-1990s, had a width of 1.62 inches.
Let's go back in time and look at the history of golf ball size. We’ll take a look at how far the golf ball has come over hundreds of years to become the modern ball we all know.
The history of Golf Ball Size (British Ball to American Ball)
British Golf Ball - The Original
At the dawn of golf in England and Scotland, players used hard wooden golf balls usually on links golf courses. The firm wooden balls were difficult to control, and golfers switched over to what was known as the featherie in the 18th century. This new golf ball was far softer than the wooden golf ball, because they had feathers inside them, covered with a leather exterior. They were, however, too costly to produce. Imagine losing two or three of them a round!
The featherie was also not always round so when players hit the ball, knowing the ball flight was a lottery.
The new ball that players used was made with materials extracted from a former British territory in Malaysia. This ball was called the "Guttie" made from the dry sap of the Malaysian sapodilla tree. This ball was easy to make in quantity, could be reshaped when damaged, and cost much less than any prior version of the featherie ball.
American Golf Ball - Closer to today's ball
Once the guttie was the standard issue ball in England, a man from Cleveland, Ohio, created a new ball no one had ever seen before, turning the market on its head. This ball gave birth to the modern golf ball we are used to today. It was made with rubber threads almost like elastic bands, around a rubber ball shaped core.
That round core of rubber was covered with a material which was still used into the late 90s and early 2000s - balata. Material for the ball started coming from Central and South America and the Malaysian sapodilla was abandoned. Balata covers are made of balata sap, from the balata tree found growing in Central and South America.
The balata outer layer was soft and created backspin. In fact, if you haven't hit a balata covered golf ball, you have to try find some on eBay and give them a whack to see how much they spin. Dimples were finally introduced because of the malleability of the new cover which is the key to a predictable ball flight flight. Without dimples, the ball squirrels all over the place. The springy nature of the core of this new American golf ball increased distances the ball could be hit.
Balata balls were the golf standard for Tour quality golf balls even up to the Professional 90 and 100, as well as the Tour Balata golf balls by Titleist. Surlyn however, became a very popular material and is found surrounding most 2-piece golf balls currently on the market. It's a compound of a few materials and is much more durable than balata. Balata balls are known to split or deform, showing pimples on parts of the golf ball that strike hard surfaces. The rubber surrounding the core would snap and create a pimple on the cover.
Surlyn lowered spin rates and also lasted much longer, providing a straighter ball flight on a ball that could be used for many rounds. A balata ball would need to be replaced every few holes. Now everyday golfers had a more economical and fun ball to play.
Key Differences Between the British and American Golf Balls
The American ball, by USGA (United States Golf Association) Rules, must reach a diameter of 1.680 inches and not exceed 1.620 ounces, or 45.93 grams. Until the 1990s, the British governing body, the R&A, allowed the standard use of golf balls less than a diameter of 1.68 inches. These smaller golf balls were nicknamed the “British ball” by professional and amateur golfers.
Standard Golf Ball Size Today - The Rules
What is the diameter of a golf ball - and the weight?
A USGA-legal golf ball must have a diameter of 1.68 inches or 42.67 mm. Its weight must be a maximum of 1.62 oz. or 45.93 grams. These standards have been set by the USGA for America and by the British R&A, that governs golf in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and beyond.
A golf ball found to be heavier or larger than these standard diameters or weights is considered against the rules by the USGA and R&A, and golfers playing these balls will be disqualified from tournament competitions.
There are numerous golf balls on the market which game the system. They are of course not allowed in competition, but the general rule is that if the ball has a smaller diameter, it will go further. I have a few golf balls from a company called Zeus Impact and the golf balls are marked as 'non-conforming' on the pack so you know they are too small and against the rules.
In 1952, there were two sizes of the ball standardized: the smaller British ball had to be bigger than 1.62 inches in diameter and weigh less than 1.62 ounces whereas the larger American ball was to be no less than 1.68 inches in diameter and had to also weight less than 1.62 ounces. The difference is small, but the smaller golf ball flew farther and straighter than the larger ball. American players who went to play in the British Opens would change to the small golf ball during those tournaments because of the advantage.
In September 1970 both sides of the ocean tried to find consensus to use a 1.66-inch diameter golf ball. After 3 years of talking and negotiating and arguing, the idea was withdrawn in 1973.
In 1974, The R&A made the 1.68-inch ball mandatory at their Open Championship. The Royal and Ancient only outlawed the smaller golf ball in 1990. All this arguing over the size of a golf ball. Madness.
Dimples
There is no standard when it comes to the number of dimples on the surface of a golf ball. Equipment manufacturers can implement technology to create as many dimples as they want, although the small size of the golf ball prevents more than around 500 at most. The famous Titleist Pro V1 golf ball has 392 dimples.
Old Titleist Pro V1 golf ball with 392 dimples.
Differences Between two Piece, three Piece, and Multi-Layer Golf Balls
Two-Piece Golf Ball
Two-piece golf balls are 42.67 mm in weight and 1.68 inches in diameter. They consist of an outer cover layer usually made from Surlyn, and a smaller interior consisting of one solid core made from a plastic compound.
These two-piece golf balls offer more distance because they are usually harder than other balls, providing better compression for players with slower swing speeds. The 2-piece golf ball is the most common ball found on the market for average golfers. It's cheap and durable so they last very long, as long as you don't lose them.
Three-Piece Golf Ball
Three-piece golf balls have the same standard 1.68 inch and 42.67 mm width, and the same weight at a maximum of 1.62 oz. These balls have three parts; the cover, the small inner core, and a third layer between the cover and core. It sounds complicated but it's not - the core and 2nd layer are basically the same item just defined by different densities and colors.
The cover is almost always a urethane cover on a 3-piece golf ball. There are surlyn golf balls with more than one inner core but generally, you find the 3-piece is used by golfers who want more spin performance so they have a urethane cover.
Three-piece balls are becoming more and more affordable for players, providing enhanced levels of control and spin for golfers of all standards. The price of manufacturing a Titleist Pro V1 which is the most expensive ball on the market is ridiculously cheap - something like 10c.
Multi-Layer Golf Ball
A multi-layer ball offers more options for skilled players. These balls combine softness, spin control, and exceptional distance while adhering to the minimum rules on size and weight. Like 2 and 3 piece balls, these golf balls offer the same diameter, 1.68 in. or 42.67 mm and heft, 45.93 grams or 1.62 oz.
The ball has several smaller inner layers that surround a smaller core. The way these layers interact with the club face when the ball is struck can produce unique ball flight characteristics which are needed by better players. Professional golfers like Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Bryson Dechambeau all use Multi-layer golf balls. Imagine how good the old greats like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus might have been with this technology available to them.
Questions and answers on golf ball size
Are all golf balls the same size?
Yes, for tournament play, the golf ball has a universal standard that must reach 1.68 inches, or 42.67 mm, in diameter, and a weight of no more than 1.62 ounces, or 45.93 grams.
This weight and diameter of golf balls is optimized for golfers to provide the most ball velocity and distance possible, along with a controllable spin rate. The diameter of modern golf balls is designed to work well with the size of the cup or hole on courses at 4.25 inches.
There are however quite a lot of manufacturers, especially in Asia that produce non-conforming golf balls. These golf balls are smaller, so they fly straight and further. The balls I have used are made by Kasco, called Zeus Impact. They must have had fun naming that golf ball.
Then there are other manufacturers like Callaway who make the SuperSoft MAX golf ball which are slightly bigger than the standardized golf ball. It's a mere 3-4% larger but it's supposed to promote distance and control.
When did the golf ball change size?
The golf ball has changed sizes multiple times over its history, but the standard of 1.68 in. and no more than 1.62 oz., were set as the minimum measurements in 1990. The R&A wanted the British ball to stay at 1.62 inches in diameter for their own rules of golf.
As the game increased in popularity in the USA, the size became universal after a compromise Manufacturers soon adopted the technology to create these golf balls to this size for the open market, so amateurs could play with the same ball as the pros.
What is the size of a golf ball in centimeters and mm?
The golf ball size in centimeters is 4.268 cm or 42.67 mm in diameter. For playing equipment, this standard is equivalent to 1.680 inches, as every golf ball must meet that minimum to be legal to play in tournaments.
The size of these golf balls, as approved by the rules of golf authored by the United States Golf Association, or USGA, is uniform because this specific weight and diameter provide the best velocity and distance for all playing conditions.
Golf ball weight
For a golf ball to be legal it must have a weight of no more than 1.62 ounces, or 45.93 grams.
Why is a golf hole 4.25 inches?
In 1891, the British R&A rules governing body established the 4.25-inch diameter for a golf hole. Before installing these regulations, the size of the hole was larger, up to six inches in depth in some instances. The hole is this size to make the game difficult yet possible to hole out from a distance.
Anyone arguing that the hole is too small will have a tough time. The point of golf is for people like us to try something difficult and overcome the difficulty with the hope of those perfect shots that go in the hole. Golf has been going strong for years and years with the 4.25 inch cup so it won't stop now.
There has been chatter about making the hole bigger for weekend players and casual golfers. Some courses will cut bigger holes for some fun tournaments. There is also a game called golf soccer where the holes are cut big enough to contain several soccer balls. The question you have to ask is, will a bigger hole actually make people score lower?
There is no real talk about changing the 4.25-inches for professional golf by either of the two governing bodies.
What is the volume of a golf ball?
Because the USGA and R&A allow a ball to have a diameter of 1.68 inches, when you calculate the volume of a ball, the answer of the volume of a golf ball is 2.48 cubic inches or 40.68 cm3. The number of dimples and how deep they are can also reduce that volume though.
Circumference of a golf ball
The circumference of a standard golf ball is approximately 68 millimeters (2.68 inches) as per the regulations set by the United States Golf Association (USGA). However, there can be slight variations in the exact size of a golf ball produced by different manufacturers.
Golf ball size in cm
The size of a standard golf ball is approximately 4.27 centimeters (or 42.7 millimeters) in diameter, as per the regulations set by the United States Golf Association (USGA). The circumference of the golf ball, which is the distance around the ball, is approximately 13.42 centimeters (or 134.2 millimeters).
Golf ball size in mm
The size of a standard golf ball is approximately 42.7 millimeters (or 4.27 centimeters) in diameter, as per the regulations set by the United States Golf Association (USGA).
Final Thoughts on Golf Balls Size
The golf ball is a confusing thing so we hope to clear the info up for you through our lists of golf balls and explanations in further detail about the nature of the balls, how they react to being hit, how they react to landing. The golf ball is such a talked-about topic and knowing some history about it can help you understand just how good we have it nowadays in terms of costs and benefits of the golf ball.
It's standard for everyone now and we can play anywhere under the same regulations on the ball.
It sounds simple, take the putter back on a straight line and then follow that line back though the ball but often our putter is not suited to this stroke. Using a putter designed for an arc-style putting stroke makes it much harder.
The solution to this problem could be in the putter you’re using. Blade putters look good but will show up any glitches in your stroke. Switching to a mallet design could help you hole more putts and get the Big Dick Energy of a putting maestro.
Let’s take a look at a few different models to see if we can find the best putter for straight back and through stroke in your game.
This is a great putter. Simple. It is counterbalanced meaning the balance point of the club is closer to the hands which is ideal for a straight back and through stroke. The head has a matte black anti glare finish and features simple alignment guides which match up perfectly with the centre aligned shaft.
The double milled CNC face feels amazing - even with harder distance balls. This is a hard putter to beat for the price!
A really interesting design which gives centre shafted fans a blade option
Yes, the Truss design looks a bit strange, but it is there to add supreme stability to the club head throughout the putting stroke. This bladed version of the Truss line looks AWESOME down at address and you don’t notice the extra metal near the shaft at all.
This is a super premium product and everything about it looks and feels quality. TaylorMade says the Truss design can reduce head rotation but 70% in the centre shafted model, so this could be the silver bullet for straight back and through putters who are struggling for consistency. Worth a try if you have the budget!
No frills mallet from probably the best in the business
If you don’t like the idea of a centre shafted putter but want the stability of a mallet, you can’t look past the Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0.
The White Hot Pro 2.0 has a white urethane face insert, which provides golfers with a soft and receptive face allowing the putter to have similar characteristics to that of a hard-faced putter but with much more feel and forgiveness.
The Eyefit alignment systems make framing the ball simple and the black finish rounds out the sleek look. A solid option for any golfer.
Tour Edge makes excellent value products with premium features. I am a huge fan of their fairway woods and was interested to try this putter out. It’s packed full of technology and the weights can be adjusted to suit your putting stroke.
This putter has a super high MoI but it doesn’t feel like a sledgehammer in your hands. The alignment aid on the top is different to many designs out there but I really liked how it focused my attention on the ball. It was pretty obvious when you were misaligned, and combined with the centre shaft it was perfect for my stroke.
The Odyssey #7 is an iconic putter shape and with the EXO features it includes all of the latest technology Callaway has to offer.
This version is claimed to be 50% more forgiving than the standard Seven which when combined with the centre shaft and Microhinged White Hot face , make this putter a seriously gameable option for players with a straight back and through stroke.
It’s on the pricey side, but with Odyssey, you know you’re getting a quality piece of kit which will deliver round after round.
Factors for picking a Straight Back and Through putter
Your putter is easily the most important scoring club and that's why i focus so much on the short game in my videos and articles. You use the putter every round, on every hole between 25 and 45 times depending on your skill. Hopefully you move toward the 25 putts benchmark and not higher than 34 or so.
The putter keeps you in the game if you're having a bad ball-striking day and takes you low when you're hitting it close.
How to match putting stroke to putter style
Most golfers fit into a two styles of putting stroke. Remember there isn't really a putting swing, it's a different motion:
Straight Back and Through - A face-balanced putter will be best for the straight back and through stroke. The putters mentioned above are good for Straight Back Straight Through strokes.
Arc Stroke - You want more weight toward the toe of the putter because this type of stroke means the toe will actually come around almost like a full golf shot. These are usually putters like blades where the toe hangs down below the heel when you balance it on your finger.
Mallet or High MOI Putter
Mallets often behave more like a blade often. They have a longer back section for alignment but they have been taken over by the High MOI putter such as the Spider, some putters from Odyssey and also Scotty Cameron. The differences between the two are somewhat noticeable in the shape alone but there are some tech differences.
The mallet is smaller than the high MOI putter. The mallet can be face-balanced but often has toe hang. This can affect your ability to keep the head and face square in the straight back and straight through technique. Often the High MOI putters are face-balanced.
Shape and Weight of Putter Head
The feeling in your hands and the look at address you prefer is completely subjective. I can't tell you which you should like more but I have some suggestions.
Shape - when you look at the putter behind the ball, you want to feel like it is easy to align. The rear of the putter alignment aid should be long and clear enough for you to know your face is aimed at your target. The overall shape whether square, round, or weirdly shaped is up to your taste.
Weight - your tastes my vary to mine, but for quicker greens, I prefer a LIGHTER putter or a mallet. For slower greens, I prefer a HEAVIER putter or a HIgh MOI putter because it gets the ball moving with very little effort. On slower greens, you want to have the ball rolling assertively without much 'slap' or 'hit'. On quicker greens, you want to stroke the ball with minimal effort but maximum feel.
Best putter shaft for straight back and through stroke
There are 3 types of shaft to choose from on putters and each will have its own characteristics and suitability for a straight straight stroke.
Double Bend Shaft - The face of a putter with a double bend shaft rotates much less. The double bend is probably your best choice for straight back and through putting. It minimizes potential errors in your wrist or hand action by preventing the twisting of the face. You'll be able to start the ball on line very easily.
Plumbers Neck - This type of neck is where the shaft ends and the putter begins with a 90° angle into the club head. The club face is set moderately behind the connection to the hosel. It encourages having your hands in front of the ball at address with minimal effort. This type of hosel typically has some toe hang. It will suit you if you sometimes take it back straight and follow through straight and sometimes use an arc.
Center Shaft - The center shaft is my choice for straight back and through putting. You do need steady hands and must be sure your stroke is pure enough not to rotate the face because it is now set right in the middle of the head. You can really become a steady, straight back, straight through putter with this shaft and if you can get the stroke consistent, you can be sure of every putt starting right on line. If you have a slight arc in your stroke, this is not for you.
Alignment Aid
The alignment aid is a huge factor so that you can be confident that your putts are lined up to where the ball must go. If you ever doubt your alignment, you have lost the ability to putt correctly. Commitment and confidence is key. There are many putters out there with multiple alignment aids on one putter and these are your best bet if you're not a natural at lining up. If you're really confident with your natural alignment, you should choose a putter that just suits your eye because you're one of the lucky few.
Always use a good ballmarker to make sure your line is right and you are getting out the way of others.
Conclusion
With a straight back and straight through putting stroke, you will be a machine on the greens. You do need the correct putter so that you groove good habits. If you practice enough, and use the correct tools for the job, you can start the ball on the line you intend and after some time, you will get the feeling of the pace with your new putter. I hope this guide helps you find the best putter for a straight stroke.
TaylorMade produce the most popular drivers on tour. In the age of hybrid club deals, where professional golfers can pick and choose what golf clubs go into their bag from any manufacturer, TaylorMade regularly come out as favourites.
Why?
For starters they are constantly innovating and adding new tech to their lineup, and their products offer a nearly infinite level of adjustability.
But what is the most forgiving TaylorMade driver? Are they suitable for players of all skill levels? Let’s take a look at some of their golf drivers and see.
The new STEALTH from TaylorMade looks pretty much like a TaylorMade SIM MAX or SIM 2 MAX but with some subtle but significant differences. The sole has been simplified and the new colors are red and black, like they were in the M range of TaylorMade clubs.
The black finish with matte crown makes this club look really neat and compact behind the ball. The first thing you notice about this new STEALTH driver is the depth of the face. Yes the face is red, but honestly, it's way less bright than the promo photos you will have seen of this club. Also, unless you're playing a super high lifted version with the face wide open, you won't even see much of the face at address.
The club looks the same size as the SIM 2, so how did TaylorMade manage to make the face deeper and more forgiving? The answer is in the new lightweight carbon material the face is made from. This weight saving mean there can be more material put into he face without making the driver illegal. The new carbon fiber face also makes it feel like golf balls explode off the club, it's a great feeling!
Site contributor Joe hit the STEALTH at the Belfry in the UK with the stock Project X Smoke shaft and was blown away by how easy it was to hit. He had the Cobra F Max in his bag and was struggling with hitting the ball high in the face. The deeper face of the STEALTH turned those hits into centre strikes out of the sweet spot with the same swing and tee height. He also noticed in increase in clubhead speed. It was like cheating. He now has the club on order.
Definitely the most forgiving TaylorMade golf driver the OEM has ever produced.
Improved topline looks more appealing than the TaylorMade M6 or SIMs
Packed with new technology
Higher spin benefits high handicappers for more control
New carbon face increases ball speed with out a drop in MoI
Simple driver, no adjustable weights.
Sounds great!
Cons
Expensive at the moment
Carbon face might take some getting used to
TaylorMade SIM MAX
Best golf driver for eliminating a slice
Now an older model, the TaylorMade SIM max driver straight out the gate impressed with the matte color charcoal gray crown. The muted gray top line looks so much sleeker and BOSS than the chunkier versions found on the older models.
Inertia Generator is the name they gave to the bulky thing in the back. You have to see it from the rear to fully FEEL it. When you see someone else holding the club behind the ball, you automatically get a feeling of power. It almost looks like a jet exhaust on a fighter plane. What it means is that when you get to hit with the club, that vision of power is in your mind.
That's the mental, but the physical is that it's supposed to reduce drag on your down swing. Whether that works or not, nothing takes away from the immensely powerful figure it creates behind the ball. I also felt like this feature helped me feel where the sweet spot was in my swing, allowing me to just grip it and rip it.
If you have ever hit a TaylorMade driver, this is much the same as the prior models. I see no difference in performance on the golf course other than the confidence that the underside of the club gave me. Truly, that mental improvement alone is worth the money involved for a potential upgrade.
Hot face and particularly good off low heel and high toe strikes
Great price as it is two models old - past most forgiving driver winner
Appealing head shape
Draw biased version available for slicers
Cons
Takes time to get used to the new looks compared to older drivers
Ugliest headcover of all time
TaylorMade Gloire M Driver
Best driver for slow swing speeds
The TaylorMade Gloire line of clubs was specifically created for Asian markets and released in 2012. Don't ask me how to pronounce it. This is some fandangled language!
These clubs are expensive, but they do contain features which aren’t found in the standard TaylorMade models. This Gloire driver is straight point and shoot. There's no fiddling with weights or shaft options for changing the lofts. The low centre of gravity in this model will suit players with slower swing speeds who struggle to get the ball airborne.
You'll find the same Speed Slot and Twist Face in the Gloire series but there is no Inertia Generator as found in the latest STEALTH and SIM models. In terms of looks this club most closely resembles the excellent M4 driver and might remind some players of the legendary TaylorMade RBZ. As the Gloire is a premium line, you can be sure that each golf club has been built to the highest standards.
If you want to stand out from the crowd and add some distance to your drives, this is the club for you, especially if you have a steady or slower swing speed.
Forged face technology and lightweight for much more speed and higher launch
Striking looks very premium
Same premium technology as other TaylorMade options just a focus on slower swings
Cons
Your initial reaction is that it's fake but I promise it's a real name
TaylorMade M5 Driver
I played this driver for some time on my channel and I loved it. But like all drivers, I moved onto another model. During its time on my channel, I hit some big dogs with it. It's a good driver.
The weight adjustment is useful as you can control the flight left and right and up and down. The only negative is this thing gets FULL of turf after a round of golf.
Once you have your settings dialed in, don't mess around with them both on the shaft and on the bottom of the club with the weights. The Speed Slot and Twist Face are still major features of this club. For the M5 and M6 they added speed foam into the face to take it past legal limits, then bring it back(?).
If you're in the market for a more budget friendly option, this one will be like a much cheaper STEALTH HD. The reason I would go for the STEALTH HD always is purely because of the sole design. The STEALTH gives me so much confidence because of that.
But if you like a solid, no frills looking driver, the M5 is a delicious piece of machinery available at bargain prices.
Adjustable for endless possibilities for your golf ball flight
Lightweight and punchy face for more explosive impact
Good from the high toe and low heel
Hot face with big sweet spot
Cons
Lots of turd gets caught in between the little edges and nooks and crannies on the sole
What makes a driver forgiving?
If you are looking to buy a forgiving new driver it can be a bit intimidating, especially if you're a beginner. There are so many brands, features and options to navigate.
What we want to focus on is choosing the club which has the most forgiving features - designed to reduce bad shots. Golf brands want to sell their clubs to as many players as possible. To do this they have designed drivers which are easy to hit, promote straight shots, and make the game more fun to play.
Drivers used to made from materials like persimmon and steel. Their shafts were very heavy and heads very small. With the introduction of new compounds like titanium and carbon fiber, manufactures could make bigger, easier to hit heads. Now big drives were an option for everyone! Here's an in depth look at some of the common terms associated with driver forgiveness.
Moment of Inertia
MoI increases the forgiveness of a driver through perimeter weighting. It means that any off center hits are less likely to twist the face and cause a drive to go wildly offline. The higher the MOI the more forgiving the club head. An increase in MoI will also lead to a larger sweet spot. All of this should lead to a good shot being the outcome.
Launch Angle
Forgiving drivers will give you the ability to get he ball into the air more easily. For higher handicap golfers with moderate swing speeds, we want the golf ball to be in the air for as long at possible. This will give it the best chance to fly as far as possible.
Increasing your launch angle will increase forgiveness but it has to be combined with a positive attack angle. Here, we are trying to reduce excessive spin which will prevent roll out on drives.
Loft
If you want forgiveness in a driver, forget anything below 11 degrees of loft. Yes there will be exceptions to this rule, but the average player won't be able to successfully hit an 8 degree driver. You need the optimum loft for your swing speed and face delivery. The lower the loft, the harder it will be to square up the face at impact.
Ever hit a low drive which falls out of the sky quickly? Check your loft! You may be playing with a driver which has far too little loft for you. If in doubt, go and see a PGA professional or qualified club fitter and hit some balls with a different driver. If you take one thing away from this guide, playing the correct loft should be it.
Adjustability
I would approach adjustable drivers with caution BUT they can give you options to increase forgiveness. The weights and loft can be adjusted to adapt to your game as it changes. I would always suggest getting a club fitter or PGA pro to make adjustments. Then put the wrench away!
I saw a professional fitter and he moved the weights in my TaylorMade driver into the back and perimeter of the club head. This immediately created a more forgiving ball flight. May people have the weights too close to the club face to chase "low spin." This concept has become an obsession with the industry but it is completely misunderstood. Lowering spin on drives can help to keep them straight and add roll out, but spin is what gets the ball into the air. We need to find the optimum position of the weights in our club, combined with the correct loft to give us our desired launch conditions.
Center of Gravity
This can get really confusing but let's try and simplify this concept. For a driver to be forgiving, the club's centre of gravity (CoG) and sweet spot needs to be low and back in the driver head. This means that the club is doing everything it can to promote a higher launch angle and positive angle of attack.
As we have seen with the above points, these are essential to hitting better drives which go higher and farther.
Shaft flex and material
This is another key feature for a forgiving driver but be very careful. Shafts can become a rabbit hole which we can fall into and never come out of.
As a rule of thumb, the slower the swing, the more flexible the shaft needs to be. The idea here is that we want the shaft to help us square the club face up at impact. If you swing slow with a very stiff shaft, you will have to time every part of the club's delivery perfectly to make pure contact with the ball.
Shafts marked, A, R or Lite will be the most forgiving for the vast majority of golfers. All of the main brands will provide these options with their clubs.
It's really not a thing these days, but avoid steel shafts in your woods. Some better players may put them in (rarely) for their own reasons but we need the help provided by modern multi material golf shafts.
Conclusion
Overall TaylorMade makes very forgiving drivers. You can't really go wrong with any that have been made in the last 4-5 years. If you're trying to break 100 or 90, these could be the drivers to but in your golf bag.
The Gloire is great golf club for slow speeds, and any of the others are great for every speed, depending on the shaft you use and if it's right for your swing.
The additional settings on the lie and loft as well as the weights under the club should be set up with a club fitter or a PGA professional and from there, you really can't go wrong. As always, give your golf equipment the attention it deserves.
If you're looking for a forgiving driver and you have any doubt in your mind, get the new STEALTH big stick, it really does live up to the hype.
I’m a fair weather golfer now, but there was a time I would play in near freezing temperatures in the dry Johannesburg sun.
Wearing warm clothing and the right shoes is essential, but considered your golf ball. Which one is going to help you the most in cold conditions?
Playing the best cold weather golf balls can stop that painful sting of a mis-hit and get you a few more yards.
What to look for in a cold weather golf ball
Cold weather means that the golf course will be playing differently. The turf is likely to be soggy and the air heavy with moisture.
There can be leaves on the ground, obscuring your golf ball in the rough.
There are a lot of things to consider when looking for the best golf balls for cold weather.
Here is what we suggest that you should be looking for:
Durability
Cold, wintery conditions are tough on balls and they are more likely to scuff. We need to choose a golf ball which can withstand the cold weather elements and perform round after round.
Speed (best distance golf ball)
Cold air is denser than warm air and creates additional drag on the golf ball. For every 10 degrees drop in temperature, the ball loses two yards of distance. We must choose a winter golf ball which maximises every MPH of club head speed in cold temperatures.
Visibility (best colour golf balls for winter)
Light can be low in cold, wintry conditions and balls can get plugged or obscured by leaves in the rough. Choosing a brightly coloured winter golf ball can be the difference between losing a ball in the semi rough or finding it.
Price
A premium ball with a soft cover isn’t going to add much to your game in the winter. Save your money for the summer season and choose a more economical golf ball for your low temperature rounds.
What makes this such an attractive winter option is the use of the fastest material Titleist can create in the ball’s construction. This golf ball flies really high in the colder air and I found that it wasn’t overly affected by the windy conditions.
As you would expect from a Titleist ball, there were no issues with durability, even when playing out of wet bunkers and soggy lies. Around the greens this ball performed really despite being harder than other balls in the range. It doesn't feel like a two piece ball, and has the softer feeling you'd associate with a more expensive golf ball.
The yellow ball is my preferred color option and I was able to pick it up really well on a misty February morning. The side stamp decal was really useful for lining up putts. It's not a Pro V1, but would you notice the difference in cold damp conditions?
Premium urethane option which ticks all of the boxes
If you crave the soft feel of urethane but don’t want to risk scuffing or losing a super premium golf ball, this might just be the golf ball for you. I found this ball to feel very similar to the TP5 and performed really well even though my swing speed was slower than normal due to the amount of winter clothing I was wearing.
The ball was stopping dead on the softer greens and gave me the confidence I needed to fire at the pin. On short wedge shots the ball skidded in the dew once before checking up near to the hole. Off the putter, the ball has a good feel, soft but with enough resistance to give good levels of feedback.
Available in yellow or white, this would’ve taken the top spot if it were slightly cheaper.
I’ve used and reviewed the Bridgestone e6 before so I was interested to see how they would perform in cold conditions. I have come to expect a golf ball that goes long and straight but isn’t super soft.
It turns out this combination is PERFECT for cold weather and wintery conditions. The two piece construction and low compression allows this ball to fly in the dense air and the unique Dual Dimple pattern reduces sidespin making the ball super stable in the wind. The 2021 e6 Speed is an improvement on older models and the yellow version is particularly striking and easy to follow.
Dimple pattern designed to significantly reduce slices and hooks
More distance from less unwanted side spin and increased rollout
High durability and visibility
Nitro Pulsar
Surprising results from a super budget option
Ok I’ll level with you. When I pulled these out of the sleeve, I wasn’t expecting much. The matte finish reminded me of my go-to Volvik Vivid, but something wasn’t sitting right. Was it the colour? Anyway, long story short is that these are EPIC. Ignore the fantastical claims on the box and let the golf ball do the talking because these things produce BOMBS!
This could be the stealth contender for one of the best golf balls for cold weather. They come in a silly low price, they are available in lots of colours and they are consistent in the cold, dense air. This is everything we’re looking for from a cold weather ball.
This is a 3 piece ball so they did spin well around the green and felt very soft which was a surprise considering how far they flew. The ionomer cover meant they were super durable. I will definitely be keeping some of these in my bag.
I love Volvik balls. I regularly game the Volvik Vivid so I wanted to try out the ViMax as I’d heard they offered similar performance at a slightly lower price point.
Volvik ViMAX Soft balls have a 2 piece construction, 75 compression and high launch with soft greenside spin. This ball felt slightly harder than the Vivid, but the matte finish and high visibility color made it feel very familiar.
This ball felt hot and long off the driver with a medium ball flight. With my long irons this ball went so high, I was glad that I had selected the red finish as I might’ve lost it! Spin on and around the greens wasn’t the most I’ve experienced, but I was playing on pretty moist surfaces. In the summer these would probably suit a player who prefers to roll up their chips and pitches.
Great visibility due to matte finish and color options
Perfect for slower swingers - 75 - 90 MPH.
Matte finish gives balls a nice feeling off the putter face
Should you switch golf balls in winter conditions?
Does Cold Weather Affect Golf Balls?
Yes, it does. The temperature of the weather affects your golf balls a lot. The material of a ball has a thermal reaction. It can expand and shrink due to the high and low of the weather. The ability of the ball to compress and rebound is hindered in cold weather and enhanced in warm weather.
Golf balls go further on a dry 100 degree day compared to a 0 degree day.
Do Golf Balls Go Shorter in Cold Weather?
Yes, they do. Cold weather makes the golf balls go less distance. The best way to prevent totally cold balls is to keep one in your pocket and change balls every hole, swapping between the one in your pocket and the one in play.
Why Do Golf Balls Go Farther in Warm Weather?
The warm air is less dense than the cool air. The “temperature” we talk about is a measure of how fast the air molecules are moving. When the temperature is cold, air molecules pack closely together and move slower which results in a high density. When the temperature is hot, the air molecules are wider spaced and move much faster. This results in a lower air density so there is less resistance on the golf ball.
How Much Distance Do You Lose in Cold Weather Golf?
According to Trackman Golf, you could lose 2 yards for every 10-degree Fahrenheit lowering in temperature with your driver.
As the loft increases, you will notice smaller increments in distance change, with a pitching wedge having around 1 yard loss per 10 degrees in cooling.
If you play on a 100 degree day compared to your normal 60 degree day, you will gain 8 yards of carry with your driver.
Golf ball distance temperature chart
Here's a simple chart to break down how weather conditions and temperature will affect the distance of a golf ball.
Temperature (Fahrenheit)
Driver (yards)
4-iron (yards)
7-iron (yards)
PW (yards)
30°
242
183
153
123
40°
244
185
155
125
50°
246
186
156
126
60°
248
188
158
128
70°
250
190
160
130
80°
252
192
162
131
90°
254
194
163
133
100°
256
195
165
134
110°
258
197
167
135
Is It Legal To Warm Golf Balls?
No, it isn’t. According to USGA rules, warming a golf ball artificially is illegal (rule 14-3 or 13.5). However, you can put a ball in your pants or vest pocket which will keep it warm anyway.
What is the longest golf ball in cold weather?
The longest golf ball for cold weather is the Bridgestone E6. BUT this ball is better suited to average to below average swing speeds.
Higher swing speeds will get more distance from the Titleist TruFeel or TaylorMade Tour response.
Final thoughts
You want to have durable and high visibility golf balls for cold weather golf, that will still go a decent distance.
The threat of losing balls, not finding them for no apparent reason and also the lack of distance will render most golf balls the same.
As an organized golfer with easy access to your clubs, you will love switching to a 14 way carry bag.
But, these modern 14 way carry golf bags could even solve more than one problem for you, at once.
The best 14 way stand bag is actually called a 'hybrid golf bag' - golf bag manufacturers mostly make 14 way carry bags that also function as push-cart or golf buggy-compatible bags.
They create them in this way because most people who like a 14 way golf bag are cart users so these bags kill 3 birds with 1 stone, giving you 3 way to use the bag: carry, push cart and buggy.
Our top picks consist of only 4 bags to make the cut. Most bags in this category did not meet our standards, so we included bags with 14 full length dividers, maximum storage, strong legs and unfolding mechanism plus we made sure we feature bags of reasonable weight. Anything not on this list, in our opinion is not good enough.
Everything about the Sun Mountain 4.5 LS bag screams quality. It weighs in at 5.2 lbs, which is on the lighter side for a bag with this many features.
Each one of the 14 way dividers runs the full length of the bag, so you will encounter no more tangled grips.
The 4.5 LS 14-Way Golf Stand Bag features padded straps made of three-layer foam construction for maximum comfort. These are some of the most comfortable shoulder straps we experienced and the back padding on the bag made it feel like the bag was barely there.
The 8 pockets hold such much gear and during our testing, we carried:
2 jackets
one medium sized bottle of water
2 phones, a wallet and keys in the valuables pouch
a dozen golf balls
2 rangefinders in the magnetic pocket
fistfuls of tees and our Waddaplaya divot tools
We didn't use it but we discovered a speaker pocket, full umbrella sleeve, and specially integrated alignment rod holder.
The legs of stand bags are critical to how they perform. Weak legs or legs that do not open wide enough can render a stand bag useless. The Sun Mountain 4.5 LS legs stand solid and the larger foot pads at the base of the legs make the stand bag sturdy on soft, uneven ground.
The 4.5 LS makes opening the pockets very easy with the easy pull system so you never have to struggle to access your gear.
The Sun Mountain is cart-friendly with a cart strap pass-through, leg-lock velcro strap and cart-friendly bottom.
Pros
Full length dividers all the way to the bottom
Multiple storage pockets for everything imaginable
Comfortable straps easy carry
Can be used with a push cart or riding cart easily
Cons
Avoid the white and tan color - the actual color is white and pea olive
The Callaway Fairway 14 hybrid stand bag design makes carrying a breeze and if you want to use a cart, the bag fits seamlessly onto a push cart or buggy.
The comfortable OptiFit straps and X-Act Fit strap system make the bag really comfortable to carry. Even senior golfers over 60 use this bag to carry.
Why we like the Callaway Fairway 14 for three big reasons and we've never found all 3 in a stand bag until this year:
The bag has 2 comfortable, well designed straps despite being a hybrid bag.
The pop out legs mean we can use the bag at the range without needing to prop it upright.
It sits perfectly on push carts and more important, does not slide and rotate around during 18 holes of golf.
The Fairway 14 also has tons of storage with a flat base. One the base, the kick-out mechanism lies under a cover, so you have no worries when you place the bag on a push cart. The bag doesn't rotate and fall off like old-school carry bags used to.
You can fit all of your gear in the 7 different pockets with room to spare for any additional balls or souvenirs you pick up along the way. You'll find more storage available on this stand bag than you find on some cart bags.
The crossover hybrid Fairway 14 bag suits you if you like to mix it up between carrying, using a push cart and taking a buggy. Versatility like that puts the Callaway near the top of our list of best 14 way stand bags.
One note, the rain hood is great for a push cart, but when it is on a riding cart I think it might be challenging to get to.I'm in my 60's and my days carrying a bag on my back are over. I still wanted a bag that was easy to carry but functioned well as a cart bag. The Fairway 14 fit the bill and I appreciate the 14 club dividers in the bag.
Pros
Easy to use on a cart or trolley because of the shape and lever system
The bag does not rotate around on the push cart
Super comfortable straps
Large and copious storage space
Top handle is very sturdy for quick moving around without needing to use straps
Lots of colors to choose from
Cons
Velcro for a golf glove is not present
The rain hood is designed for a push cart and is clumsy on a riding cart
I recommend the Titleist Hybrid 14 golf bag to anyone who wants a lightweight carry bag 50% of the time, and a push cart bag the other 50% of the time.
The Hybrid 14 cooperates with push carts and has all the storage you need if you're a gear guy like me. This bag has A LOT of storage space. You could quite possibly store every golf ball you need for an entire golf trip, plus rain gear and every other unnecessary accessory you could want!
The 14 way full length dividers work well with some minor snagging because there is only one slot near the putter well.
Titleist designed the pocket locations well and using the bag felt very intuitive, in both the standing position and when the bag is on a cart. The intuitive pockets are huge too. I stored so much inside the bag, from jackets, to beanies to water bottles and as always, 1 dozen golf balls still in the box.
We found the cart strap can pass through bag when on a riding cart which makes it much better for securing top half of bag so it doesn't fly off when you start driving.
Our favorite feature of the bag must be the sturdy legs. Good strong legs make it so much easier to trust that when you extend the legs out, the bag will stay where it is. Nothing can be more distracting than when you worry about your bag on every shot.
When we tried the bag out at the range, we like that you can buckle and unbuckle the carry straps easily. You don't think about that aspect of golf bags but if you use the bag on a push cart, you can remove the straps so they don't tangle in your push cart wheels. When you want to carry the bag to the range, you clip them easily back in, and you're ready to go.
Having said that, we did not find the straps very comfortable but we do carry more gear than the average bear. If you do not stuff your bag full of gear, the lighter weight of the bag will make carrying much easier.
The fabric is a highlight of the Titleist bag. We found that any mud or dirt that flicks up onto the bag stands no chance. You just wipe it down and the residue falls right off without staining the bag.
I suggest this bag to any golfer who wants a long lasting push cart/walking bag that stores everything you need with plenty of space to spare.
Pros
Easy to switch between carry and trolley use
Solid overall construction
Insulated drinks pouch
Titleist brand appeal
Cons
No places to keep loose tees on the outside of the bag
If you're on a budget and want a bag that can be used for carry, push trolley or golf cart the Datrek Go Lite Hybrid Stand Bag is the bag for you.
At the lowest price in our list of best 14 way carry bags, the Datrek is also the lightest at only 5.2 lbs. Carrying the bag feels like a feather with straps but if you need a bag to use on a push cart, the Datrek Go Lite does that job well too.
We like that the 14 dividers are full length and when you pull the clubs out, they do not tangle. Luckily the divider frame on the top of the bag protects your clubs grips and shafts.
Everything you expect in a top class golf bag is in the Datrek at about 30-40% lower price than most of the bags on our list. You can expect stand bag legs of equal quality to Titleist golf bags. The stand design may be one of the strongest we've seen in recent memory.
The Hybrid Go Lite has plenty of storage to hold thick jackets in the garment pouch and in the cooler pocket, you can put an ice black plus at least 3 cans of the good stuff.
We found the golf ball pouch holds up to 30 golf balls though we would not recommend carrying that many unless you really MUST.
The flat base allows you to drop it onto a push cart or a riding cart seamlessly.
I recommend the Datrek, otherwise known as Bag Boy, Hybrid Go Lite to anyone who wants a lightweight golf bag to carry but occasionally put onto a cart without breaking the budget.
Pros
Excellent price point
Multi purpose - carry, push, cart
14 full-length club dividers
One of the most impressive stand designs and sturdiness
Rubberized putter and driver wells to protect shafts
The Ping Hoofer series has always been popular as a reliable, sturdy and easy to use bag but the latest iteration performs poorly for a few serious reasons:
We found it almost impossible to get the clubs out of the bag without tangling and sticking putting them back into their slot was just as tedious
Our club shafts got roughed up by the divider at the top of the bag, leaving scratches and marks on the shafts.
Dividers are grouped instead of being individual which defeats the whole purpose of the 14 way bag
There is no cooler pocket which is standard issue on almost all modern bags
The bag is the usual sturdy, reliable quality you can depend on with Ping. Their kickstand that extends the legs remains top of the class but it blows my mind that a well-reputed company can release such a terrible golf bag.
The clubs rub together easily. We found that we need to vigorously wiggle the clubs or move other clubs around to get the one we want.
We found that when you wiggle the clubs and pull them out, the divider at te top of the bag leaves marks on our clubs. The top entrance of the bag needs another 1 or 2 inches in diameter to accommodate all the clubs.
The dividers should extend all the way down the bag, one slot for each individual club, but the grip end of the clubs group together in the bottom of the bag. We use standard size grips, so nothing about the grip makes them tangle. Sleek looks cool, but functionality is more important.
The Ping Hoofer fails one last time with no separate putter well.
As Ping fans in general, we can't hide our shock at this poor bag. A 14 way divider bag should provide an organized and easy way to access your clubs, not make it more difficult but unfortunately Ping Hoofer 14 loses on these counts.
Pros
Best kickstand for the leg mechanism in golf
Excellent quality materials
Solid extendable legs
Cons
The top divider marks the club shafts
It's difficult to remove and replace the clubs - they get tangled badly
14 clubs do not fit easily into the bag
No closable cooler pocket
No dedicated putter well
How to pick your 14 way stand bag
Weight
If you're carrying your stand bag, you want it as light as possible - try go as low as you can, under 5 lbs. If you put it on a push or pull cart, the weight could be a bit higher and if you play with a buggy or golf cart exclusively, then weight doesn't mean a thing.
The more pockets and features the bag has, the heavier it will be. It will depend on whether you play in conditions that are stable or variable whether you get a bag that has ample storage space for jackets, rain gear, towels, extra accessories.
Storage capacity/number of pockets
The number of pockets on a stand bag will be limited in general because of the are of the bag that touches your butt as you walk. There is usually a pad there so you lose that storage capacity.
On the opposite side of the bag there is the long pocket which can house your jackets and accessories for rain. Pockets on the front side of the bag keep your rangefinders, tees, drinks and other gear.
Durability and Leg sturdiness
Depending on the weather conditions and how often you play, you want a bag that is going to be tough. This will come down to the fabric they use and the build quality of the frame. These are generally fine in all stand bags, but the big one is the legs.
Check out the legs of the stand bag. They are usually folded up on display and kept in place with a velcro strap. When you check out a bag, unstrap them, and let the bag stand on the ground of the shop as it would on the course. Wiggle the legs a bit and make sure that they feel strong in the joints where they attach to the bag. Check the spring looking joint that attaches the middle of the legs to the middle of the bag. These hinge and should. be fixed securely.
Sometimes the hinge part pops out of the leg and you have a leg flying all over the place. Make sure the feel also have nice non-slip feet for when you have to put your bag on a path or paved area around the practice green.
Layout of the top of the bag
The 14 way dividers should give enough room to get the clubs in and out easily without frustration. Some of the bags may have full length liners. If they do not, sometimes your grips can tangle on other grips. There is an easy solution to this.
You can get some plastic pipes that fit into the bag to house the entire club.
Conclusion
14 way dividers are all I have used since 2015 and I can't see myself ever using a bag that has only 6 holes unless there is a special place for every clubhead to rest. Removing the frustration is so easy with the new bags that can often double as both stand bags and cart bags. The Sun Mountain is the best of the best.
I’ve had the yips. I was standing over a 2 foot putt and had no confidence that it would go in the hole. My problems went deep and I had to overhaul many aspects of my game from my psychological approach to my technique and equipment.
Something I really struggled with was my alignment. I grew up playing bent grass greens, and when i moved to Asia where we play on mostly bermuda grass, I was dead in the water. The best putter for alignment can come in different shapes and sizes and needs to work for YOU.
There are many options out there which are designed to make your stroke more consistent, with countless features like perimeter weighting and face inserts as well as with long alignment aids in the back of the putter. Try a few and see which feels right.
Ping Fetch Mallet Putter
Best putter for slower greens
Ping Fetch putters are just beautiful. I loved the Sigma II version and this matte black update is sensual to look at. When it comes to alignment, the color is more than just a style choice. It's anti glare and contrasts with the ball and grass giving you laser like focus on the leading edge of the putter face.
It's incredibly easy to align this putter and if I didn't putt with an EVNROLL, I would have a Ping Fetch in my hands.
The fetch system is a standout feature as it saves your back from reaching down to pick up the ball. It’s a small thing to some but MASSIVE for those with a bad back.
I like this putter on quick greens as well as slower greens. I would say though, if you play on greens below 9 on the stimp meter, then this is going to a very easy putter to use. The power generated from a small stroke is excellent and the insert gives such a silky feeling off the face.
100% this is my 2nd choice after my EVNROLL blade.
Stealthy anti glare finish contrasts with the green surface for alignment mastery
Fetch system for bad backs - the ball fits in the hole
Easy to line up due to clear alignment aids and contrasting top line
Cons
A heavier putter might make you anxious on speedy greens
S7K Standing Putter
Yes it's gimmicky but this is an alignment guide
Your playing partners will not enjoy watching you do it, but you can stand this putter up and get setup, then literally let go of the putter, walk away and the putter stays where you left it. It just stands there.
If there is any way to make certain of your alignment, that's the only way. It is a bit gimmicky but it works. It is the best stand alone putter on the market today.
Amazing alignment, especially on long putts and is tournament legal
Premium construction materials for a quality product actually
Conversation starter - people won't believe it's a putter that stands up
Cons
Playing partners will probably not approve so be careful!
Odyssey Golf 2021 Ten Putter
Triple Track is the best alignment aid in years
Steve from my channel has been using the Triple Track putter with a Triple Track Callaway ERC Soft since 2020 and he has become unbeatable inside 6 feet.
That is not a coincidence as he bought this specific putter after 5 visits to the store to make sure it was what he thought it was. He wanted something to be able to give him confidence to bash the ball at least 2 or 3 feet past the hole on his birdie putts.
Never up never in is what they say, so he was tired of hitting them short leaving tap-ins like a scared person. Now he hits them past the hole, KNOWING that he will jam the returning 2, 3 or 4 footer.
The triple track on the back of the club, combined with the line on the Callaway golf balls means that if you can get them lined up together, on the correct line on the putting green, it's going in.
You'll lose all the doubt about being aligned correctly.
Triple Track in combination with the Triple Track balls works plain and simple
Forgiving insert to get mis strikes near the hole enough
Premium Stroke Lab shaft and grip options
Cons
The only issue you might find is that you don't like the insert
Evnroll ER5 Hatchback Mallet Putter
Evnroll quality with arm lock benefits
Fang style putters work for alignment. I get ciliary spasm in my eyes from too much computer work and alignment of the putter can be tough on the next rounds back. Regardless of the manufacturer, these fang style putters are some of the easiest to align in the game.
The EVNROLL has a small dot on the top line, a white line extending back and the fang portion hollowed out so you have 3 alignment tools to get set for your putt. EVNROLL black putters are easier to align because of the high contrast.
If you prefer chrome finish though, their entire range comes in chrome. The function of the face which is the main selling point of EVNROLL is also consistent throughout the range of putters. The ridges in the face help to realign your mis strikes and get them closer to the hole instead of leaving them 2-3 feet short.
I used my EVNROLL with a thin grip to start with but upgraded to the Gravity Grip and it changes the feel of the putter completely. I'd say that it activates cheat codes to hole more putts.
Gravity grip changes this putter from good to great
Face construction is designed to help roll the ball better off mis-hits and it works
Alignment of the fang design is one of the best options for lining up
Top of the line construction with superior materials
Cons
Expensive piece of gear
TaylorMade Spider EX Putter
Popular tour level putter with high level of forgiveness
There’s a number of reasons the TaylorMade Spider X is so popular on tour. They look great, and they have a reputation of being really stable and forgiving, things that even the best players in the world want from their short stick.
The Spider X is the compact model in the Spider range and this short slanted version gives you a great amount of feel through the putting stroke. The face on these putters is a little shallower than other brands and I find it makes you really focus on your putts, ensuring the ball comes off the face as smoothly as possible.
The high MOI design means that off centre strikes still perform really well and I really like the clean alignment aids on the top of the head.
Paintwork and alignment aid is as long as the Triple Track
Forgiving putter which makes it a favorite among amateurs
Plenty of shaft options to choose from
Cons
Takes time to get used to the extra power behind the stroke because of the weighting
Waddaplaya Zenlightenment Alignment Marker
Not a putter but an essential piece of equipment for any player
I’m biased as I designed this alignment marker, but I truly believe it is one of the best golf products on the market. I like taking time over reading my putts, but I don’t want to hold up play. This marker means I can make a preliminary gut based read when I mark my ball, leaving me to make a minor adjustment when it’s my turn to play.
It’s a beautiful size and weight and the detailing is mesmerising. If you don’t want to change your putter, consider this as the next best thing to enhance your putting game.
Easy addition to align your ball, to your marker, to your putter -the full system
Speeds up play
Improves your green reading skills
Amazing size and weight
How to align the ball on the greens
Putter alignment lines
The lines you have on your putter will make a big difference to how well you can align the putter to the intended target. Two key concepts decide if you make putts and it's very simple.
Line
The line is the first aspect of the putt that you will assess as you walk to the green. You'll start to get a feel for the slope, and observe how the green will affect the direction the ball will move on the green toward or away from the hole.
When your brain sees a line, remember that generally, it's already taken into account a pace. You do not need to worry about the pace of the putt since the line your brain has shown you is factoring in that speed. You just need to focus on hitting the ball starting on the target line.
Pace
Speed of the putt is important to match the line you chose.
Too hard, right line
When the ball finishes behind the hole, but in line with the cup, it means you hit it on the right line, just too hard.
Too soft, right line
If you hit it too soft on the correct line, then the ball will finish in line with the hole, but short of the cup
Too hard, wrong line
If you hit your putt too hard and finish beyond the hole, but the ball is either right or left of the cup when it settles, it means your line was incorrect
Too soft, wrong line
Usually we hit the putt too soft and do not take enough break so we finish in front of the cup, toward the side the ball is breaking. This is the weakest, most fearful style of putt and should be avoided at all costs.
How to start a putt on the target line
When you decide on your line, and see the patch that the call will take to the hole, find a piece of grass or a blemish on the line you chose, in line with the hole. So if your line is 6 inches right of the cup, select a piece of grass or ball mark 6 inches to the right of the cup and try to make your putt a straight putt to that point.
You can align your putter face to the small target near the hole, but it is quite difficult. you should find something 1-2 feet in front of the ball to align your putter face to. From there you can be very sure that the face is starting in the correct position for the putting line you chose. Make the correct stroke with the correct pace, starting the ball on your line, and you'll improve very quickly.
How to improve your putting alignment
You can watch my Youtube video where I give you in depth details on how to start the putt online and putt and how to align your putter to the correct line you chose. Also check out the Waddaplaya ball marker above to see how the marker you use can affect lining up your golf ball.
Your eyes, brain and body must all agree. There is only 100% commitment with putting. That means you must feel comfortable that your brain is telling your eyes that you are aligned. When your eyes agree, your body must accept it and allow you to make a pure stroke. If you have any doubt in your brain or body or eyes, you will make compromises and adjustments. This is the end of your alignment. You must be perfectly in sync with yourself. Check out the video below.
Which putters are best for hitting your target line?
Whether you're a low, high or medium handicapper, improving your putting is how you SLASH strokes from your game.
The best putters for you to improve your lining up are a) Mallet putters if you have a straight back and through stroke and b) blade putters are best for players who arc their putting stroke.
Mallet putters
Mallet putters can give you the advantage because of the extended rear part of the putter which contains very easy to use alignment lines. They are usually very bold and stand out in contrast to the color of the putter and because of the length of the rear of the putter, can really help your eyes line up.
Blade putters
If your swing is not straight and comes down and you have an arc to your swing, the blade is best. But you will find it more difficult to align your eyes with the alignment aid on these putters on the greens. The alignment aids are usually a single line, or maybe 2 lines and they are generally less than 1.5 inches in length.
Center shaft putter
These putters are the best for alignment if you're struggling to find the line with your eyes. The promote a more eye-over-ball putting stance which allows your eyes to track much easier along the line. Beware though that you need a a very sturdy stroke.
A loopy stroke means you can often rotate your wrists and hands which, because the shaft is attached to the sweet spot, means you can open and close the face super easily. You can negate this with a thicker grip like a Super Stroke or a Fat Cat.
Putters to avoid for alignment
Avoid the old school blades with only a single dot on the top line for alignment. They are not the ones with the plumbers neck hosel. I am talking about the ones that look like an iron or a hockey stick like in the picture below. This are very difficult to align.
Are these the best putters for the yips?
They yips can find any one of us at any time, but sometime changing your putter can make the yips go away. There are many causes, by finding a good alignment putter can help remove another thing from your mind when you're on the greens. Find the best putter for the yips and stick with it!
Conclusion
When aligning your ball on the green, you need the right line and then you need help to make sure you roll the ball on the correct starting line. if your stroke is pure enough, half the battle is won just by being aligned.
The feeling of relief knowing you're aligned allows you to focus just on the pace of the putt. With a decent putter specifically made for alignment, you can be sure of it. Couple that with a ball that either has a line drawn on it or preprinted on the ball, and you're rolling it end over end like a pro.
Whatever you choose, make sure you swing the putter a few times. The one you love the feeling of in your hands, is the one you WILL putt better with.
If you're serious about improving your golf game, you need to know how far you hit the ball.
It's MOST ESSENTIAL if you're trying to break 90 or 80. Under or over clubbing could be the difference between a par, bogey or double. You know what it's like. Great drive, nice five because you landed in the deep deep bunker short of the green with no chance of parole with only 130 yards into the green.
So what are the best golf distance measuring devices? I’ve chosen a mix of options to cover all bases. Let’s take a look at what distance measuring device will improve your game.
Why even use a GPS, Rangefinder or GPS golf watch?
It used to be that the only way to work out your distances was from the markers on the course. These are OK to a point, but they are based on specific lines to the green from specific points in the fairway, from specific locations on the course.
Then how far is the pin from the front or middle of the green? The scorecard states the hole is a certain distance but you hit a mediocre drive and the markers are telling you that it's a 290 yarder!
The scorecard states one distance of the entire hole. The tees change regularly so you never know the exact length of a hole. The hole is then measured up the middle of the fairway from the tee to the green - a dog leg will be measured up the center of the entire fairway, not over the dogleg. Sometimes the measurement is to the front of the green, sometimes it's to the middle of the green.
A lot of people are walking around not knowing how far they really hit the ball. Distance measuring devices help you dial in your true distance, and help you select the club and shot type for that distance.
You can use a touch screen, shoot a laser or have an accurate measurement to just the front, middle or the back of the green for max enjoyment.
Handheld Golf GPS Device
Handheld GPS devices are a bit old school but are designed specifically for golf. I mention this because phones have taken over a lot of peoples golfing measurement device needs.
The reasons I don't use a phone are: battery life (short), need for cell phone signal, multiple apps not just for golf and my biggest pet peeve is having to unlock them with a swipe/password/passcode.
I've tried with cell phones but I find they just do not cut the mustard. A handheld golf specific GPS device will bring infinitely more pleasure.
Pros
Easy storage in your bag - just remember to take it out for charging
Large screen for super easy navigation of the course - zoom in and out everywhere
Excellent battery life
Price has come down a lot for these
Almost every course you can imagine is mapped out
You don't need line of sight to the target to know how far you are
Cons
Limited use for golf only unlike a watch and even a rangefinder
As big as a phone without being a phone
Easy to lose if you're remotely careless
GPS Golf watch
Golf GPS watches are more compact and wearable versions of the GPS handheld devices above. I like both but the watches have a feature that make them one of the best options for calculating your shot distances.
They come with technology that can feel when you've hit a golf shot. This allows the watch to track your entire round and ask you to input your club immediately after the shot. After 20 rounds, you'll have a great estimate of how far you hit your clubs within a very tight range.
Automatic shot tracking - identifying when you have hit a shot
Newer models allow for detailed overviews albeit on a smaller screen
Many models can be used for fitness tracking and sync to your phone for messaging
Sync to your GPS providers app software for you to review rounds
Almost every course you can imagine is mapped out
You do not need line of sight to your target to know the distance
Almost impossible to lose while on your wrist!
Measurements to layup to the 100, 150, 200 markers as well as to reach and carry hazards
Cons
Small screen for zooming
Charging cables goes missing and you have to buy a specific replacement
Golf Laser Rangefinders
The golf rangefinder is a staple in my bag. I use everything, but nothing is as quick and easy as shooting a distance to a hazard, pin or green as a rangefinder.
As long as you have a line of sight to the object you're measuring, you have full confidence that that distance is accurate to within 1 yard. More expensive models are quicker and more accurate while mid range models are as accurate but not as quick. Lower priced models, and I mean really low, are usually trash.
You get what you pay for in optics, and the investment will last you years. One of the big problems people have with rangefinders is the color and how they get lost on a cart seat or left on a cart strap. Always pack away your rangefinder first after your round!
CR batteries last plenty of time - I replace mine once a year
The most accurate measuring device on the market
New models have both distance to pin and GPS measurements on the side
Slope calculations adjust the playing distance for you
No need to download any map or use GPS signal
Very strong - dropped many times and still works
Cons
No fancy tracking or special apps - this is a measuring device for distance only
Slope function must be off for tournaments
Easy to lose if you're careless
Need line of sight to target
Bushnell Phantom 2 Handheld Golf GPS
Improved screen on this impressive device
If you’ve been around golf for any decent length of time, you know Bushnell. They are considered to be the number 1 manufacturer when it comes to distance measuring devices in golf, and the Bushnell Phantom 2 Handheld GPS is another device that proves their effectiveness time and again.
The Phantom 2 is a neat little package and is easy to use for golfers of all skill levels. This version has 40% bigger text on the screen than the previous model making it easy to read, and with 38,000 courses preloaded, it’s ready to go right out of the box.
The new GreenView technology, with movable pin placements for super accurate distances to the flag helps to get more accurate readings so you can hit the correct club.
Another usefull feature is the 'Dynamic Green Mapping' which provides measurements to the front, middle and back of the green regardless of which angle you are approaching from. Wherever you are on the course, you can see how much you need to reach the green, and if there is trouble long, know how far it is to the back edge etc.
One of my favorite things about this device is the high powered magnet which lets you stick it to your bag or buggy - you just need to remember to take it off and take it home with you after the round!
Helps you to play middle, front or back of the green golf which is all most people need.
Cons
No fancy tracking or special apps - this is a measuring device for distance only
Not as full feature as a watch
Easy to lose if you're careless
Garmin Approach S40
Far and away the best golf GPS watch on the market today
I thought watches were a bit gimmicky. How could they be as accurate as my rangefinder? I have used a rangefinder for years and never thought I would buy a watch.
But then I got a Garmin Approach S40 to track my changes in distance with a swing change I made. This is such a cool piece of gear and helped me not only to track how far I am hitting the ball with every club, but when i don't feel like pulling out the rangefinder, I just check middle of the green distance and hit.
The interface is really easy to use, and the partner Garmin Golf App for smartphones makes loading courses and analyzing your post round stats very easy. Check out the comparison with the S60 here. And my full review of the S40 here.
You get front, middle and back measurements to green and the option to pick a pin placement on the touch screen. Distances to hazards - both carry and reach - are on th watch. It just takes a little bit of scrolling on the touch screen.
The best feature however, is the auto shot tracking.
This is AMAZING. The watch detects when you hit a shot and you then quickly note which club you used by telling the watch after it prompts you. After your round, you will see every shot you played in perfect detail on the app after you sync up with your phone and watch. This is such a useful tool to see your club distances and also to see where you can improve specific parts of your game. It tracks fairways missed and which side, greens missed and putts.
You can further enhance this feature with trackers which you can attach to your clubs. I haven’t seen the need to do this yet as the data I’m getting from the watch is so good. An excellent piece of kit which you can get for very reasonable prices.
Very stylish and slick look - not like a casio calculator watch at all
Clear easy to read screen even in the sun
Accurate shot tracking functionality to track your progress
Battery life is about three 18 hole rounds
Includes step/sleep tracking and multisport functions
Cons
If you lose the charging cable, as I have, it's a pain to replace as it is specific
Not stats of where exactly you missed the greens
If you don't get the satellite tracking the course before the first tee, it might vibrate on your backswing when it finds the course!
Shot Scope PRO L1 Laser Rangefinder
Solid rangefinder from a respected golf watch brand
Shot Scope are best known for their golf watches, so does their expertise in that area transfer to the rangefinder market? The Shot Scope PRO L1 offers features of the premium models but at a slightly nicer price.
I find this rangefinder to be a solid build which is always a giveaway. I've bought rangefinders from all sorts of manufacturers, and the first thing you notice is always the build quality. Any rattling, weird empty feeling etc and I'm turned off.
The L1 is pretty basic in its design and build, but it's very reliable when providing distances on the course. The Target-Lock Vibration feature is very helpful to let you know it's locked onto a target and the slope feature gives accurate numbers. The red/blacks optics switch worked well, but red is not my style as I have a slight color blindness.
This is a very light rangefinder, weighing in nearly 100 grams less than my Bushnell. You may think it suggests the build quality is cheaper, but I didn't find this to be the case.
This is perfect for a golfer who wants a rangefinder but doesn’t want to blow a stash of cash for a premium model.
Slope distance adjustment to pick the right club up or downhill
Lightweight design
Scan mode useful for scanning and hitting objects in your line of target
Cons
Slower (than Bushnell) to display the distances on screen
The only problem with a rangefinder will be inaccurate distances and this one displays accurately, so no complaint
Bushnell Tour V5 Shift
One of the best rangefinders on the market today
The Bushnell “Tour V” range is the rangefinder equivalent of the Pro V1 to the golf ball market. Bushnell are always looking for ways to optimize their flagship product and the Tour V5 Shift model is focused on the speed that a target is acquired and confirmed on the course.
This rangefinder is sturdy and robust in your hands. It justifies its higher price point. All of the buttons and sliders are easily accessible and solid.
The yards to meters button helps a lot for me between altitude and sea level as I use yards at sea level and meters at altitude. The slope feature works excellently and the target acquisition on this model is simply the best in class. Not other rangefinder comes close to speed and accuracy of the pin pointing of the target.
A small ring appears on the screen to confirm you have locked on and a little vibration acts as secondary confirmation.
Like all of the Bushnell’s products, the accessories that come with this device are premium and the case is particularly eye-catching. I’m a big fan of the BITE magnetic cart mount as it means your beautiful rangefinder isn’t sliding about in the buggy, potentially getting lost or scratched!
If you have the resources, this is definitely worth getting, it’s that good.
In optics, whether binoculars, scopes or rangefinders, you get what you pay for I promise.
Golf rangefinders have been specifically designs to see targets IN FRONT of the general bush or backdrop. Hunting rangefinders have been designs to pick up targets with a lot of backdrop or foreground - in other words, animals walking around.
Why short-change yourself by going cheap? I have tried a lot of distance finding devices and you will be disappointed with the following items due to inaccuracy, defective production and unsuitable utility for golf:
1. Milessey Rangefinder
I tried 3 models and they all showed distance differences on the same measurement of +7 and -7 yards. Total trash.
2. Tectectec Rangefinder
I don't know how this thing has so many amazing reviews? For similar money, Precision Pro is a much better option.
3. Any hunting rangefinder
there is no point purchasing something ill suited to the task you need it for, just because it may be cheaper. Get a golf rangefinder and you will not regret it. Buyers remorse sucks!
Conclusion
You only have to decide what your priority is. From there, the selection is easy and with the above choices, you can't go wrong. Watches are for convenience and quick glance distances. Rangefinders are for specific distances to specific targets. Handheld devices are for those who want a bigger screen and don't want to use their phone.
