"Recommended to purchase after seeking advice from road shops or professionals"
The Ping G425 MAX driver, widely known for its high 'MOI' and 'forgiveness'. [Image source=Ping Golf]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] The most confusing aspect for golf beginners when purchasing their first golf club is the 'terminology.' Not only official product descriptions but also buyers' reviews are filled with words they've never seen before. To help clearly understand club information and purchase the right club, we introduce frequently used golf club-related terms.
One of the most commonly seen terms is MOI (Moment of Inertia). Literally translated, it means moment of inertia. When the MOI is large, even if the ball is hit off-center during the swing, the twisting around the club head's center of gravity is minimized, helping to correct direction and distance. This figure is especially important for drivers. However, professionals tend to prefer lower MOI to execute various shots rather than relying on shot correction, as their impact is usually precise.
Along with MOI, the term Forgiveness is also frequently mentioned. It refers to the effect of correcting mishits during the swing. The English word 'Forgiveness' is directly translated as 관용성 (Gwanyongseong) in Korean. It is easy to understand if you think of it as the club showing leniency when you make a mistake by not hitting the sweet spot. A club with high forgiveness means it guarantees a certain level of distance and direction even if the ball is not struck perfectly.
Terms often mentioned together when explaining high forgiveness include 'Bulge'-type face and Draw Bias. Bulge refers to the convex curvature of the club head face. It helps compensate spin even if the impact is not exact. Draw Bias means the club head's center of gravity is set to promote a draw shot shape. It prevents slice shots and focuses on maximizing forgiveness. This is useful for beginners.
Another term that has recently gained attention and confuses golf beginners is Jail Break. It refers to a design developed by Callaway where two titanium bars are inserted inside the golf club head. These titanium bars support the club so it does not bend at the moment of impact, thereby increasing distance. The name Jail Break was given because it is like a 'cheating club that maximizes distance without breaking the rules.'
As golf equipment technology advances, terms related to detailed parts also frequently appear. Crown, which refers to the top cover of the face on drivers or woods, is a representative example. It is usually designed to be relatively lightweight so that the center of gravity shifts downward. Recently, it is also manufactured to reduce air resistance and increase head speed.
The love-hate target of all golfers, the Sweet Spot, refers to the exact center of the club head. It is the place where the ball must be struck for an accurate impact. However, in the case of drivers, hitting the ball on the Hot Spot rather than the Sweet Spot can sometimes be more advantageous. This is because the launch angle and spin decrease, allowing the ball to fly farther.
A term necessary for intermediate and advanced players is Weight. It refers to the weights that can be added or removed from the sole of drivers or woods to efficiently use various shot shapes such as draw or fade. Weight is used as a setting for the desired shot. Some models come with weights already installed inside the sole.
A professional active in the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) 2nd Tour said, "Beginners receive more help from clubs than advanced players. It is important to have clubs that can efficiently compensate for their weaknesses," adding, "If understanding the clubs accurately through technical terms is difficult, I recommend seeking advice from a road shop or a professional before purchasing."
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