Whether you’ve just started playing the game of golf or you’ve managed to convince yourself that you’re the next Tiger Woods, there are a lot of things to take into consideration when buying new golf clubs.

The following are 10 tips for buying golf gear for beginner golf players and advanced golf players:

Beginner Golf Players:

❶ Try before you buy - It’s a good idea to try clubs out before you buy them. Remember, there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all in regards to golf clubs (unless you were somehow carved out of a mold yourself). Sporting good stores will often have indoor driving ranges that allow you to test the clubs. Also, if you know of any golf club demos check them out! You never know till you try.

❷ Buy a half set - Full sets usually contain a driver and three irons that are missing from half sets. Beginners usually have trouble using these clubs, which is why concentrating on learning how to play properly with those included in the half set is a good idea.

❸ Choose perimeter-weighted heads - Clubs that have perimeter-weighted heads have a larger sweet spot than normal clubs, making it easier to get a clean hit. This is because the weight in the clubhead is more evenly distributed around the club.

❹ Choose graphite shafts - Graphite shafts are lighter than steel shafts, which means more of the weight is concentrated in the head, thereby making the club easier for you to swing. (This is suggested for golfers with slower swing speeds)

❺ Avoid buying 3-, 4- and 5-irons - Manufacturers are producing these irons with less loft so they can market them as being able to hit farther. This makes them extremely difficult to use for the average/beginner golfer.

Advanced Golf Players:

Choosing your driver - General rule of thumb is that the shorter the driver is, the easier it will be to hit the ball squarely. No matter what your partying buddy may tell you, a closed clubface angle is also preferable to an open clubface.

Consider using your 3-wood as your driver - If you hit your 3-wood as far as your driver, then it means that the driver doesn’t have enough loft. If this is the case, then you might as well just choose a new 3-wood instead of buying a new driver.

Choosing between hybrids and fairway woods - If your swing tends to sweep your shots cleanly off of the green, then go with fairway woods. Hybrids are a better option for golfers that tend to have a deeper swing.

Choosing your putter - The most important factors of a good putter are the loft, length and lie angle. The loft has to be right and the sole has to be parallel to the ground at impact for you to use the putter properly--otherwise it will push or pull too much.

Choosing your wedge - Consider the course you typically play on. A course that has small, elevated and fast greens requires a wedge with plenty of loft. A course that has bunkers filled with soft sand requires a sand wedge that has a wider sole or more bounce. Think about it.

These tips should help you to purchase the golf clubs that are right for you, whether you are a beginner or a more advanced player. Of course, the right balls are imperative as well. Get them from LesmartGolf.com. At the top of your game, at a fraction of the cost.