I like to ditch the club and fight with my axe.
Not only does it save switching at inconvenient times, but also axes are actually good weapons for pretty much everything that isn't resistant to slash. This is especially true early game.

And a special tip for the swamp biome: If you get attacked by something that looks like a tree wants to bury your bones and sit on the spot - axe it as any other tree
(but mind that this one is more actively engaged in their crushing desire to sit on you)