A putter with the wrong length and lie angle will cause pushes and pulls. Too little or too much loft will cause the ball to bounce and roll off-line.

9. The worse you are, the more you need custom-fit equipment. Custom clubs are not just for low handicappers and pros. They could play well with garden tools. The worse (or newer) you are, the more you need clubs that match you and your swing properly. The game has enough impediments. You don't need another with ill-fitting clubs.

10. Don't forget about the ball. Ball technology is so much better that you no longer have to choose between a rock and marshmallow. In general, you want a ball with low spin off a driver and high spin off a wedge. But most golfers should remember three things: distance, distance, distance. Extra yardage off the tee is far more important than a bit more spin around the greens.