Golf Equipment

A player usually carries several clubs during the game (but no more than fourteen, the limit defined by the rules). There are three major types of clubs, known as woods, irons, and putters. Wedges resemble irons and may also be counted among these. Woods are played for long shots from the tee or fairway, while irons are for precision shots from fairways as well as from the rough. Wedges are played from difficult ground such as sand or the rough and for approach shots to the green. Putters are mostly played on the green, but can also be useful when playing from bunkers or for some approach shots. (Main article: golf clubs)

Golf balls

Wooden balls were used until the early 17th century, when the featherie ball was invented. A featherie is a handsewn cowhide bag stuffed with goose feathers and coated with paint. Due to its superior flight characteristics, the featherie remained the standard ball for more than two centuries. In 1848, Rev. Dr. Robert Adams invented the gutta percha ball (or guttie). Because gutties were cheaper to produce and could be manufactured with textured surface to improve their aerodynamic qualities, they replaced feather balls completely within a few years. In the twentieth century, multi-layer balls were developed, first as wound balls consisting of a solid or liquid-filled core wound with a layer of rubber thread and a thin outher shell. This design allowed manufacturers to fine-tune the length, spin and "feel" characteristics of balls. Today's golf balls usually consist of a two-, three-, or four-layer design, consisting of various synthetic materials, like surlyn or urethane blends, and available in a great variety of playing characteristics to suit the needs of golfers of different proficiency.

An appendix to the "Rules of Golf" defines that a golf ball must not weigh less than 45.93 grams, that its diameter must not be less than 42.67 millimetres, and that its shape may not differ significantly from a symmetric sphere. Like clubs, golf balls are subject to testing and approval by the R&A and USGA, and those that do not conform with the regulations may not be used in competitions.

Other equipment

Sometimes transportation is by special golf carts. Clubs and other equipment are carried in golf bags. Golfers wear special shoes with exchangeable spikes (or little plastic claws termed soft spikes) attached to the soles. Tees resemble nails with a flattened head and are usually made of wood or plastic. A tee is pushed into the ground to rest a ball on top of it for an easier shot; however this is only allowed for the first stroke (tee shot or drive) of each hole. When on the green, the ball may be picked up to be cleaned or if it is in the way of an opponent's putting line; its position must then be marked using a ball marker (usually a flat round piece of plastic or a coin). Scores are recorded on a score card during the round.

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