Are you guilty of these equipment mistakes? | Fully Equipped Mailbag

Welcome to another edition of the Fully Equipped Mailbag, sponsored by Cleveland/Srixon Golf, an interactive GOLF.com series in which we field your hard-hitting gear questions.

What are some of the most common mistakes people make with their golf equipment? – Drex S., Washington

Here at Fully Equipped, we spend the majority of our time obsessing over golf equipment, usually on behalf of and with fellow equipment lovers who share a common passion for the gear we use to play this great game. But even still, despite our affection (and for a matter, our livelihood) surrounding equipment, we sometimes make mistakes with our own gear.

For example, we may know more about equipment than the Average Joe, but that doesn’t mean we’re immune to making some of the same equipment blunders we see golfers of all skill levels make sometimes.

So, to answer your question more directly, let’s look at a few of what we think are some of the most common gaffs, goofs, and omissions we’ve made alongside many other golfers out there.

1. Using worn-out grips

This is one we see often. Grips can wear out and get downright nasty over time, especially if you’re someone who plays in hot or humid conditions. And when grips get old, they not only lose their tackiness, but they get even more slippery when they get wet (think of holding soap in the shower. It’s kinda like that). We recommend changing your grips once a season, or at least as soon as you start to see your grips wearing out, cracking, or becoming slick. This is equally true for the putter grip, too.

2. Dirty clubs

Sometimes you’re in a hurry to get to the 19th hole after a round and just want to throw your clubs in the trunk and be on your way. But, neglecting to clean your clubs can lead to a caked-on layer of mud, grass and sand on your clubfaces and in the grooves. It’s not only a bad look, but dirty clubheads can affect the spin and trajectory of your shots. So, take a minute to give your clubs a good scrubbing. It’ll pay off in the long run. And if you live in a place where there are outside service people who will clean your clubs for you, the few bucks you throw their way brings good karma for your next round. We promise.

“The wet club scrub.”

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3. Lazy packing

Traveling with your clubs can be a relatively painless experience (it’s really never that much fun), but it can be made a whole lot worse if you don’t pack your clubs carefully and your clubs get damaged in transit. Sadly, this happens a lot — it’s even happened to several of us. And when you’re on vacation, a dented clubhead or broken shaft can be a major downer. The best way to pack your gear is to ensure your clubs are filled your travel bag completely with as much padding (clothes and towels are good options) so there’s minimal wiggle room in the travel bag or hard case.

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4. Playing with the wrong ball

While you may believe that all golf balls are created equal, that’s like saying all coffee, pizza or even french fries are created equal. Clearly, they are not. Some balls are better suited for your game than others, and using the wrong ball for your swing can result in missing out on serious performance gains. Choosing a ball that suits you is the way to go, no matter what skill level you are.

5. Not being mindful of wedge selection

Choosing the right wedge with the appropriate loft and bounce angle can mean the difference between getting up and down and being trapped in a bunker. Ensure you use a wedge that matches your style, swing and personal needs. For some, this may entail foregoing the standard 56° and 60° wedges and opting for more custom-fit options like 53°, 55° and 58° wedges in your arsenal.

6. Using outdated technology that’s more than five years old

Golf equipment is continuously evolving, and if you’re still using clubs that your grandfather played with, chances are you’re not doing yourself any favors. While today’s technology may not yield significant gains year over year, compared to five years ago or more, you’ll notice substantial improvements in how the latest gear outperforms the old.

7. Not getting custom-fit

Look, we get it. It’s tempting to save a few bucks by grabbing some off-the-rack clubs and racing to the first tee. But think of that like you would wear a pair of your roommate’s shoes — they might fit alright, but they’re not going to be as comfortable on your feet as they are on your roommate. Golf clubs are much the same way. You can probably play with off-the-rack clubs, but it’s likely they won’t deliver the results you’d get from a custom-fit set.

It may take longer and cost a few bucks more, but ensuring your clubs are calibrated to your swing and shot tendencies is definitely worth it. In fact, we can’t think of anyone we’ve ever met who got custom-fit and wished they hadn’t.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf. For more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below!