While the world’s best players are toiling with the intricacies of Augusta National and dealing with the pressure of playing in the Masters, golfers in Maine are looking for their own edge. It’s the start of a new season, and with it comes all the latest drivers, irons, wedges and putters clamoring for golfers’ attention and their dollars.

Every March, Golf Digest magazine comes out with its “Hot List,” featuring the latest technology in clubs. Sports Illustrated has an annual “Equipment Issue,” as do other golf publications.

Manufacturers claim the clubs will save you strokes with “a larger and more forgiving club face,” “better control” or “internal perimeter weighting,” playing on the desire of a potential purchaser for more distance and lower scores.

“Ninety-nine percent of the guys coming in here are looking for more distance,” said Matt Greenleaf of the Golf and Ski Warehouse in Scarborough. “Technology changes every year for the better. There are golfers who think they can buy a game, and to a certain point they can. Some buy a new set of irons, woods or both every year.”

TECHNOLOGY CHANGES RAPIDLY

Most golf manufacturers offer moveable weighted-head drivers, long putters and other innovations. A putter by Odyssey offers a flip face where you can change the face to suit fast or slow greens.

“Boys like to have toys,” said Jon Brogan of Cape Elizabeth, a multiple club champion at the Purpoodock Club. “I know I do. I once played with a golfer who owned seven sets of irons.”

Brogan, who has played Ping irons for years, purchased a set of Ping i20 irons, including wedges, in March. He keeps close tabs on the latest technology, looking at golf club websites and researching clubs during the winter. He recently purchased a 3-wood on eBay that he said “is the best 3-wood I’ve had in 37 years.”

“I like to follow what’s new,” said Brogan. “I’m always trying to find the best clubs to fit my game. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t.”

And sometimes there’s no real reason to switch clubs.

“I would never take a club out of a player’s hand,” said Greenleaf, meaning he wouldn’t advocate change for the sake of change. “Especially a putter. We have customers who are looking for a new driver. I ask them what driver they’re using and how they’re hitting it. Some say they hit it great. So why do you want to change, I’ll ask.

“Golfers who play with the same clubs for several years aren’t at a disadvantage.”

GOING TO THE EXTREME

The lure of new clubs and technology has had a strong hold on George Doucette, 70, of Gorham. Doucette, who plays at Willowdale Golf Club in Scarborough, purchased a new set of clubs four days in a row last year.

He played with the first three sets once and turned each one in the next day. It was an expensive proposition as he took a loss with each return, but he was determined to find the right set — TaylorMade woods and irons.

“I hate playing lousy golf,” said Doucette. “I like the feel of my new clubs. I’m willing to pay extra money.”

Doucette once carried a 3-handicap but has seen it climb because of physical limitations from two strokes and open heart surgery.

“I lost my whole left side from the first stroke two years ago,” said Doucette. “The second stroke I lost part of my vision in my right eye. I have little strength in my left hand so I needed something lighter and better in clubs.”

Doucette plays five days a week and loves his clubs.

“The R11 irons I have are so much lighter, They’re easier to swing,” he said.

GET HELP FROM A PRO

There’s so much to consider other than price when buying clubs. That’s why it’s imperative to get custom-fitted for new clubs by a professional.

“It will absolutely make a difference,” said Greenleaf. “Custom fitting will help a higher handicapper more than it will a single-digit player. A good player will adapt to his clubs better than a higher handicapper.”

Ricky Jones, who has won the Maine Amateur twice and the Maine Open once, doesn’t change clubs often, but decided to be custom-fitted for both irons and woods last year. His bag consists of TaylorMade woods and irons, and a Titleist 3-wood.

“I had never been customed-fitted before. I planned on just being fitted for a driver, but I decided to go for the irons, too. I stayed with the same brand, but with a different golf shaft for more control,” he said.

One of the most important aspects of being fitted is getting the right shaft.

“The shaft is the engine of the golf club,” said Greenleaf. “A good set of irons will cost $800 for an eight-piece set, while a driver is $300. It could be higher if it’s an upgrade.”

Trying new clubs is in the blood of every golfer.

“I remember Arnold Palmer walking into the Purpoodock Club pro shop before the Union Mutual Seniors Classic and grabbing 10 putters to try out on the putting green,” said Brogan. “He tried them all before picking one.”

In 1986, Palmer won the tournament.

It must have been the putter.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH