Will rental clubs mess up your golf swing? | Fully Equipped Mailbag

Welcome to a different version of the Fully Equipped Mailbagsponsored by Cleveland/Srixon Golf, an interactive GOLF.com sequence during which we discipline your hard-hitting gear questions.

I’m touring with household arising, and I received’t have room for my golf equipment. Will utilizing rental golf equipment mess up my sport? – Kevin

Rental golf equipment are sometimes a crucial selection for golfers who journey for enterprise, with household, or who search a handy round of golf with out the trouble of touring with their very own golf equipment. Relying on the placement, some programs supply top-of-the-line choices, others not-so-much. Generally you’re confronted with older units that will embrace golf equipment in tough form.

Whatever the high quality of rental golf equipment are the course you’re visiting, listed here are a number of tricks to think about that will help you play your greatest utilizing a set of golf equipment that aren’t your individual:

It by no means hurts to ask

Contact the golf course upfront to ask in regards to the out there leases golf equipment and see what they’ve. Ask about membership varieties, shaft flexes and different choices that will fit your wants higher. Some programs might have units tailor-made for seniors, juniors or gamers with quicker swings. The extra you realize beforehand, the simpler it’s to arrange accordingly.

Modify to completely different shafts

Rental units usually characteristic both R-Flex (common) or S-Flex (stiff) shafts. Whereas appropriate for many gamers, they is probably not excellent if in case you have a quick or gradual swing. As an alternative of altering your transfer, adapt your technique as a substitute. Quick swingers can choke down on the grip and use punch shots for higher management, whereas gradual swingers ought to anticipate a decrease ball flight and a few left-to-right curve. Moreover, think about adjusting your tempo to accommodate longer or heavier golf equipment, selling stability and timing. In the event that they’re shorter and lighter than you’re used to, give attention to making higher contact along with your swing at about 75%, and keep away from something at full throttle.

Modify your shot choice

Rental units might not produce the identical shot distances and kinds as your individual golf equipment. Count on cavity-back irons and game-improvement driversso it’s greatest to give attention to aiming immediately at your targets and account for potential slice correction off the tee. In some circumstances, rental golf equipment may surpass the standard of your individual set, and if out there, you might even have the chance to buy the identical set from the golf course. How do we all know? We’ve seen a buddy fall in love with a set of rental golf equipment on trip, solely to purchase all of them and take them house.

Examine and heat up

Scratches and dings are widespread on rental golf equipment, so rigorously examine the set earlier than use. Guarantee there are not any damaged, lacking or misplaced parts. Minor scuffs or scratches are often no massive whoop, however any cracks, bends or lacking weight cartridges warrant exchanging the set. Additionally, earlier than your spherical, heat up on the apply space or driving vary to turn out to be acquainted with the rental golf equipment. Experiment with numerous swings to know their efficiency and regulate your sport accordingly.

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Take into account a distinct golf ball

Since rental golf equipment might not present the identical shot efficiency as your individual set, utilizing your regular ball won’t yield optimum outcomes. Choose a ball that aligns higher with the rental golf equipment and regulate your expectations relating to shotmaking capabilities. Choosing a value-driven, mid-range performer makes extra sense financially when utilizing game-improvement rental golf equipment.

Prioritize course administration

Taking part in with ill-fitting golf equipment emphasizes the significance of strategic play and sensible decision-making on the course. Give attention to accuracy and shot placement moderately than relying solely on distance and energy. Embrace the chance to refine facets akin to alignment, tempo and course administration, and discover enjoyment within the course of moderately than fixating solely on the result.

You possibly can nonetheless pack important objects

Even should you don’t deliver your individual golf equipment, you possibly can nonetheless deliver alongside sure golf necessities in your journey bag or suitcase. Take into account objects like your golf glove, rangefinder, sunblock, moveable music speaker, and golf footwear should you can match them in. Carrying this stuff permits flexibility in case your schedule opens up and an impromptu spherical turns into possible, saving you from further prices.

Rental golf equipment may be satisfying to make use of, simply make sure you realize what they’re beforehand, have had loads of apply, and your expectations are in test.

Wish to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

Ryan Noll

Golf.com Contributor