Club guide
Know what you’re comparing.
Start with the job of the club, then its design. The right choice is the one that produces useful, repeatable shots for you.
01
Driver
Built primarily for tee shots. Compare strike pattern, ball speed, launch, spin and dispersion. Head loft and shaft fit must be tested together.
02
Fairway wood
A long-game option from the tee or turf. Test carry distance and launch from the lies where you plan to use it. A utility wood, such as the Apex UW, belongs here rather than in the iron category.
03
Hybrid
An alternative to long irons or fairway woods. Match it to the carry gap in your bag; a hybrid and iron with the same loft need not fly the same distance.
04
Irons
Used for approach shots and some tee shots. Head design, shaft, length and lie all matter. Iron sets vary in makeup, so compare the actual lofts rather than just the club numbers.
05
Wedges
Used for partial shots, approaches and shots around the green. Choose loft gaps, bounce and sole grind around your delivery, turf and sand conditions.
06
Putter
Fit for length, lie, loft, aim and stroke. Blade and mallet describe head shapes, not handicap levels. Neck design can change the balance within a single head family.
Four iron categories
These are useful design labels, not universal industry standards or handicap requirements. A blended set may use more than one category.
Game Improvement
Larger, more forgiving designs aimed at making launch and off-center strikes easier to manage. Golfers of many handicaps can benefit.
Players Distance
Combines a relatively compact profile with distance-oriented construction. Examples include the 2023 Titleist T200 and TaylorMade P790; these should not be lumped together with every game-improvement iron.
Players
Compact designs that emphasize control and feedback. Cavity-back players irons can offer forgiveness without becoming game-improvement models.
Blade
A compact muscle-back iron with less help on off-center strikes. It asks more of ball striking; a low handicap alone does not make it the best choice.
Product reference: Titleist’s 2023 T-Series guide.