Club (Golf)
The shafted golf implement, with a grip and a head, used to strike the ball; made in categories such as woods, irons, wedges and the putter.
Definition
In golf, a club is the implement used to strike the ball, consisting of a grip, a shaft and a head. Clubs come in categories suited to different shots: woods for long distance, irons for approach play, wedges for short high shots around the green, hybrids that blend the two, and the putter for rolling the ball on the green.
The rules limit how many clubs a player may carry during a round, so players choose a set that balances distance and control across the shots they expect to face. Loft, shaft length and head design vary systematically across a set to produce a ladder of distances.
Scope: This entry covers the golf implement; 'club' can also mean a sports organisation, and in rhythmic gymnastics and juggling clubs are handheld apparatus.
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Equipment
- Golf clubA shafted club with a specialised head used to strike the ball around a golf course.
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Tennis ballA hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
- Baseball batA smooth, rounded club used by batters to hit the pitched ball in baseball and softball.
Tactics
- Set-piece playRehearsed routines from a dead-ball situation such as a corner, free kick or throw-in used to create chances.
- Wing playAttacking down the flanks and crossing the ball into the box to stretch the defence and create chances.
- Serve-receive formationHow a volleyball team arranges its passers to receive the serve and set up a clean first attack.
- Full-court pressAn aggressive basketball defence that pressures the ball across the whole court to force turnovers.
Techniques
- HeaderA technique for controlling or striking the ball with the forehead in football, used to pass, shoot or clear the ball in the air.
- Volleyball SetAn overhead pass using the fingertips of both hands to place the ball accurately for a teammate to attack.
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
- Sprint StartThe explosive start of a sprint from a set, crouched position, driving forward low before gradually rising to full stride.
Skills Academy
- Object-control skillsHandling a ball or implement — controlling, receiving, passing and moving it with intent.
- Team-play skillsThe skills that make a team work — combining, covering and communicating through the ball.
- Ball-sport skillsThe skills that recur across ball games — control, passing, dribbling, shooting and defending.
- Precision skillsSkills where accuracy is everything — placing a serve, a shot, a pass or a set exactly where you want it.
Skills
- HeadingThe skill of directing the ball with the head to pass, clear or attempt to score.
- SettingThe volleyball skill of accurately placing the ball for a teammate to attack.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- Ball controlThe skill of receiving and settling the ball quickly so it is ready to use.
- ThrowingThe skill of propelling the ball accurately and with control using the arm.
Facilities
- Fitness studioAn open indoor room used for instructor-led group fitness classes such as yoga, aerobics and indoor cycling.
- Sports hallA large indoor hall with multi-sport line markings, used for court sports like basketball, volleyball and badminton.
- Ice rinkA sheet of prepared ice, usually rink-boarded with rounded corners, used for skating and ice sports.