<P> A player usually carries several clubs during the game ( but no more than fourteen , the limit defined by the rules ) . There are three major types of clubs , known as woods , irons , and putters . Woods are played for long shots from the tee or fairway , and occasionally rough , while irons are for precision shots from fairways as well as from the rough . Wedges are irons used to play shorter shots . A new type of club called a hybrid combines the straight - hitting characteristics of irons with the easy - to - hit characteristics of higher - lofted woods . A hybrid is often used for long shots from difficult rough . Hybrids are also used by players who have a difficult time getting the ball airborne with long irons . Wedges are played from difficult ground such as sand or the rough and for approach shots to the green . Putters are mostly played on the green , but can also be useful when playing from bunkers or for some approach shots . Putters have minimal loft , forcing the ball to stay on the putting surface when struck . The most common clubs to find in a golfer 's bag are the driver , 3 - wood , numbered irons from 3 to 9 ( with hybrids commonly replacing the 3 and 4 iron ) , pitching and sand wedges , and a putter . Players commonly also carry a 5 - wood , and / or additional wedges such as a gap or lob wedge . </P>
what is the general name of the implement used to strike the ball in golf
club