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Wednesday, 14 September 2005, 11:53 GMT 12:53 UK

The lowdown on golf clubs and gear

You are allowed a maximum of 14 clubs in your bag.

Click round the clubs to find out about what they do.

HISTORY OF CLUBS

In the early days of golf, players carved their own clubs and balls from wood.

In the 16th century, a set of clubs consisted of longnoses for driving, fairway clubs for medium range shots, spoons for short range shots, niblicks (similar to today's wedges) and a putting cleek.

Steel replaced hickory shafts in the 1920s. Choose the right golf club

By the 1980s, hi-tech materials such as graphite and titanium, which are extremely strong but very light, were commonplace among professionals.

The game's law makers have had to keep a close eye on technology to make sure science does not ruin the game of golf - a putter with wheels is among the innovations that have had to be banned.

Given the advances in technology it is perhaps surprising that the game has not changed more.

According to statistics in America, since 1980 the average professional has become only 11 yards longer and is hitting six per cent more fairways.

The range of the old hickory clubs is only 5 per cent less than modern ones.

Click on the clubs to get more info on each one.




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RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Official rules of golf
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