Blades, cavity backs, straight backs, stiff, regular, lofted, or not, golf clubs are not the simple instruments they appeared to be in the past.

When players were young, golf clubs were most likely a cut-down set given to them by an older relative. If they were really lucky they came from the second-hand bin at the local pro shop. As long as they didn't have to bend over 90 degress to use them they were usually good to go.

However, that was before golf exploded, went mainstream, and turned the science of golf equipment into a billion dollar industry.

Now the sport is far more accessible than it once was and everyone can be fitted out like the pros.

Want the new driver Tiger uses, you can. Think you could have Phil Mickelson's short game if you had his Odyssey putter or Callaway irons, go ahead. Convinced you'd win a major if only you had the newest carbon fibre, over-sized, square-headed thingy with ultimate forgiveness and maximum spin, it's available.

Port Royal Golf Club professional Judithanne Astwood is as fascinated as anyone by the constant evolution in club design, and after being trained on the new Nike club-fitting system her next step is to travel to the manufacturer's factory in America and learn as much as she can about the latest improvements in equipment.

"Nike came to the course and asked if I wanted to join their staff," said Astwood. "So the system came, they trained me on the club-fitting system, and ran through how to look at ball flight and turn that into finding the right club.

"I fitted myself for some new clubs, and now I want to go to the factory, and learn even more about the fitting and making. It's something I've always been interested in. I knew a lot of the basics, but every club maker has a different approach."

Astwood's new knowledge is already being put to good use at Port Royal, where she has used the club-fitting system to kit out several members, but that's just for this year's models.

"It's constantly changing," said Astwood, "and I'm always studying the game to keep up with new shafts, grips, and clubs. You never stop learning."