Choosing the right golf equipment.

Golf has been described as a 400-year-old game played by millions but understood by few. And the wide array of equipment beckoning would-be afficionados doesn't help first-time players at all.

Just what type of clubs should you have in your bag? How much money should you expect to spend on your first time out? And, lost amid all the hoopla about your clubs, just how important are the golf balls in this process anyway?

Around the globe, golfers spend approximately $5 billion a year in the pursuit of knocking a little white ball into a hole in the ground. And most of that money is reportedly spent on finding just the right club to do the knocking with. Whether it's an iron, a wood or a putter, the right club can make a big difference between landing a hole-in-one or fishing your ball out of a nearby pond.

But as important and expensive as your golf clubs are apt to be, scientists have argued for the past several years (yes, there are arguments over such things) that when it comes to performance, it's the ball that really carries weight.

In fact, the Professional Golfers Association recognized this back in 1976, when it put the "Overall Distance Standard" into effect, limiting the distance a hit ball could fly. There are well-established rules on ball weight and diameter, and some manufacturers have even touted the raised dimple count on a golf ball as being a factor in performance.

So what's a beginner to do?

According to Chuck Renner, a former golf pro who is currently manager of club fitting/consumer relations for golf equipment producer Karsten Manufacturing Corp. in Phoenix, it's to a beginners' benefit to start out with adjustable golf clubs until his game fully develops.

"A new person with no performance habits should consider Ping model clubs because of the flexibility involved. Buying clubs is a sizable investment and the beauty of Ping is once they have established habits they can adjust the angle of the equipment to suit their needs," says the 13-year golf veteran.

There are essentially three types of golf clubs: irons, woods and putters. Irons are generally used to produce a certain number of yards, as determined by the head size of the club, within a given range; woods are used to produce maximum distance on a shot, and putters are used when you are either on the green or close to it.

David Aznavorian, associate marketing manager of Titleist and Foot-Joy Worldwide, which make a wide array of golf equipment, says making sure equipment is properly fitted is also essential to getting your game started properly.

Of course, this is easier said than done. "For the first-time buyer, it's often difficult to walk into a golf shop and see equipment lined up along the walls and know what is properly fitted for you," he says.

That's why he recommends taking advantage of various services that allow players to get custom fitted for particular clubs before spending a ton of money. Titleist has such a service called Direct Central Impact. "It's very much like getting a custom-made pair of prescription eyeglasses that will help to maximize your game," Aznavorian says.

Among the clubs the company has available are models named "The Howitzer 10" driver. Like tennis rackets, many club models are now being built using a lighter graphite alloy, as opposed to the traditional steel models. These versions, which will cost, on average, 30% more than their steel counterparts, tend to be lighter and have features that allow the ball to be brought up in the air more quickly.

"They are lighter, easier to control and easier to swing," Aznavorian says. However, he cautions that new players who already have a well-controlled, powerful swing might want to opt for the traditional steel models.

Not to be underestimated in nailing down your game is the importance the golf ball takes in this process.

"We feel the ball is critically important," says Aznavorian. "It depends on what you want out of your game. You might want a ball that putts well and spins on iron shots. Or you might want one that curves from right to left or left to right when hit. There are balls that, even if improperly hit, will still give you a pretty good shot. So, depending on what ball you use, you could gain more yards."

When purchasing golf balls, focus on durability because the beginner can count on hitting more than a few chip shots before nailing down a swing. Also take into account the expense, because you're apt to lose a few along the way to finding your game.

So if you want to start nailing those birdies, finding the right clubs and ball is half the battle.

"Golf is difficult enough with all the different variables involved," Renner says. "So having the right equipment is essential."