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Archive for the ‘Golf Equipment’ Category

May 6th, 2022 Club Repair and Fitting, Golf Equipment No Comments »

ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR A NEW DRIVER

Everyone who plays the game of golf is always searching for that one Driver which will produce the greatest distance and accuracy for them. Where should one start their search? I have a suggestion, follow the link below and one should help narrow down the field of candidates. This is great research and categorization provided by MySpyGolf which I have found an extremely reliable search for general knowledge about the game.

Click this link for the latest in their trail of good articles: 2022 Most Wanted Driver

From this list of information (and several years of experience) I have been able to able to narrow down my choices and believe I have found the best driver for my game. Currently Playing to a 10.8 index, as of the date of this article, I have recently upped my Fairway’s hit to 9-10 out of 14 from 5-6 and with the work on my short game and putting I hope to be in the single digit index by summer’s end, but I digress.

Using this message and the embedded will give each golfer a better understanding of the design intent of the different drivers and which part of the market the manufacturers are trying to assist. The data included should not be used as the final answer to your search but as a starting point. It is also recommended that you go out (with your search information) and find a reputable best club fitter. There are other articles on this webpage that should help you address that portion of the market.

Hope this provided you with some great insight into the improvement of your game.

Supporting the Greatest Game Ever……

May 6th, 2022 Accessories, Course Management, Golf Equipment No Comments »

HOW CAN I GET THE BEST YARDAGE FOR MY GOLF SHOTS?

There is an ongoing discussion what is the best way to get distances when on the golf course. Should I use a GPS or Rangefinder Unit? The first is the Rule book interjection on the topic which limits them, for the most part, to casual play. There are tournament exceptions to the point but even at that point the player must know what the limits to the capability of the equipment one is using.

If Rangefinders are your choice of equipment, the read the following article from my friends at MySpyGolf: Best Rangefinder for 2022 

Personally, I am more inclined to play with a GPS unit than a Rangefinder because of the fact that I grew up in the yardage book era. For that reason, I feel more comfortable when pulling a club knowing that I can clear that obstacle or not reach the water when playing than knowing just how far the pin is away. Not all, but most GPS systems have a link to or internal green maps which aids to the decision process. The use of the Rangefinder here can also help with the knowledge of the size of the green and the distance to the center of the green. At this point the player/caddie must use the brain power to make that great decision and get closer to the pin.

So look carefully at the many GPS system out there on the market in addition to the reviewed rangefinders. Your game will improve with the proper application for your game.

Supporting the Greatest Game Ever…

 

January 29th, 2022 Club Repair and Fitting, Golf Equipment, Techniques, Uncategorized No Comments »

Do All Players need same length clubs?

The ultimate answer to this question is NO! Reading the article link below from GOLF.com you will see the basic reasons for the answer. This should be a good start for players seeking a club fitting with the intention improving your game. Next immediate question is where and followed by what it will cost you anything to get fitted. I have been on all sides of this question and basically, I believe that the primary fitting for the first time golfer to get started can be free but the greater technical examination will cost you.

Do short golfers need short clubs, and tall golfers need long clubs?

Why should the early fitting is cheaper? Basic reason is that the player is most likely learning a golf swing and advanced technical knowledge about such things as flight, launch and swing speed (all that affect the fitting) have not always been established at this point. The biggest character that effects the player is posture which directly correlates to length and weight. Adjustments in basic club set at this point is relatively easy and after several lessons the adjustment modifications can be dictated by the teaching professional.

Club technicians should have some experience in this matter and the box stores can help. I believe that the biggest problem is that the use of static measurements to make the primary fitting is not a good idea. Why, you would ask? Well from personal experience I have had a couple of really outside the box players come to me and found that their first club sets were very poorly matched.

First is my male example. Player comes to me and complains that he is all over the golf course with the ball. The distance isn’t too bad but he says, “I don’t know where it is going because I seem to be loosing the club.” Quick check here for his hands and it was quickly apparent that the jumbo grips (by the way did I mention he was 6′-6″) didn’t allow him to grip the club. Checking the hand position on the club found that when the grip was laid along the base of the fingers (See Ralph Maltby’s grip assessment) he can now hold the club without loosing the control he had said was not there. Results were that he had more action, longer distance and better control.

Second example was a female client with no experience. Don’t know if it was just a mistake but because she was so short the set fitted to her as actually a junior (i.e. a Varsity) set. Similar complaints to my first example but she was much more athletic and had extensive baseball background. Going thru the basics found that the grips were too small for her hand and the shafts were way too flexible.

In each of these cases it was found that only a preliminary examination of the basics (i.e. grips, length and player feel) made significant improvements in the players enjoyment of the game. Handicap in each case got significantly lowered and there were alot fewer missing golf balls at the end of the day.

As noted in the basic article and here you should be able to find a competent technician and/or fitter to meet your needs at a minimum of cost. The next best investment from this point is to find you a good teaching professional which could most likely be found at the local course or country club where you want to become a member.

Hope that this is helps you in understanding how to get started with your first clubs and getting to the professional to help your game.

Supporting the Greatest Game Ever…

 

 

September 7th, 2021 Course Management, Golf Equipment, Training Aids, Uncategorized No Comments »

Is you Golf Bag designed for your needs?

Over the years I have found that the golf bag makers have built a number of very good and functional bags. There is not one manufacturer that I can think of which I haven’t seen or even sold and one time or another. However, I have a lingering problem which I have posed to several manufacturers, but, I have yet to get a response. My problem with golf bags is restricted to a very specific sector of the market (i.e. individual divided club bags) and this has nothing to do with the overall construction of the bags which are usually very good. It has to do with one singular picky part of a bag’s makeup. Why you may ask, well for myself, it has to do with being penalized at a tournament for having too many clubs in my bag. Please do not believe that I  place the blame of this calamity on anyone but myself. Read more »

August 24th, 2021 Course Management, Golf Equipment, Techniques, Training Aids 7 Comments »

HOW ARE YOU TRACKING YOUR HANDICAP?

There has been a significant number of questions about handicapping and the different systems and sources. Here in the USA, there is a system promoted by the USGA called the GHIN system. I have been around golf operations for some time and believe this is the most recognized system currently in use. I know that licensing by USGA is available to country clubs and golf courses to maintain their memberships stats. But there are a great number of golfers who are not members of those organized facilities and on occasion are Guests at membership events. Many have GHIN numbers as they come from other facilities that conscribe to the GHIN system. Of these people without GHIN numbers and who use other systems are with some skepticism and scrutinized by the organizing committees totry and keep their events fair. This is a good effort but with the advent of a new tournament system, Golf Genius in 2019 to replace the older TTP system, it has become easier to setup with GHIN as the common handicap system. This is not to say that other systems are bad, just that they are questioned heavily. There is why I would recommend every golfer getting a GHIN number that is now also using the World Handicap System. The use of Golf Genius has been such and great help to local tournament operations.

Read more »

August 1st, 2021 Course Management, Golf Equipment, Training Aids No Comments »

BEST GPS REVIEW

I have found that the GOLFPADGPS is the best overall system to use without special TAGS or links. The nice part is that the scorepad and GPS are free.  There are TAGS (grip inserts) that can be uses with the system but are not necessary. They just makes it easier to get more data and help you improve. Here is the link to their website.

https://golfpadgps.com/

Compared to the other systems, I find this the easiest to use. It finds you local course quickly (when you are at the course) and is quick responding to basic info input. You have the benefit of adding your playing partners if you wish and getting them connected. For a premium subscription of $49/year and dependent on your cellphone you can get a fully integrated Shots-Gained analysis from the TAGS available but there is a way of using manual input that gives you the same information. I have discovered the most newer Android phones have NFC sensors as do iPhones which makes the addition $99 for the tags worth the investment. Once sync is acomplished it works well.

Be sure to take the time to practice inputting information onto you cell phone when you are near the course to get the hang of the operation. The instructions on the website are very good but practice makes it much easier when playing a round and not slowing the pace of play for you and your group.

I will have to say that there are a number of other systems on the market which will accomplish the same results so do you research and choose the best system for you. Best of Luck to your and your foursome.

Supporting the Greatest Game Ever…

June 23rd, 2021 Club Repair and Fitting, Golf Equipment 3 Comments »

COMMENTARY: Golf Digest and Phil’s secret weapon

In a recent article published by Golf Digest for the U.S. Open 2021:
“The new secret weapon Phil Mickelson has in his bag at Torrey Pines”. (see link below)
It is my belief that they are commenting on the specialty driver (i.e. a 2-wood type) that Phil has used in the past. The history of a 2-wood in golf is worth looking at as well as examining the benefits it would provide. Personally, I used a 2-wood in my early days. The fact is that this type of club was specifically designed for easing the difficulty of hitting a driver off the deck. I have played with many players who can do that but this specialty design makes the error less likely. Note that I don’t say it eliminates the error just lessens the likelihood. 

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/us-open-2021-secret-weapon-phil-mickelson-has-in-his-bag-at-torrey-pines

With the considerable advancements in the design of the 3-woods I would think that it would be less likely for the average player to have this specialty club in their bag. Only think that I can see this type club does is to increase the size of a 3-wood head and add some length to the shaft for more speed, which both conditions will add slightly more carry. However, with the bomb and gouge play see today it would be very course specific when put in play. That is where the PGA Professional can show his worth in understanding that modifications to his club supporting the course management decisions he makes on a weekly basis.

Most of us, even avid golfers, don’t necessarily have that precise a game needing this type of specialty club in our bag on a daily basis. However, I would not discourage any player from looking into the ‘mini-driver’ or 2-wood for specific courses. There are plenty of options out there for acquiring this option. Taylormade attacked the problem several years ago but they had limited success and the product has disappeared from their line.

Every player must consider every aspect of his game an the needed equipment to find success so don’t discount the idea. Investigate thoroughly and decide from there you needs.

Supporting the Greatest Game Every…

June 23rd, 2021 Techniques, Training Aids 5 Comments »

Best Training Aid Carried by Most Golf Professionals

In the current era of home bound golfers we have all been on a search for the best products to help improve our game. Golf.com published a recent article on some very common training aids used by my professionals. Prominent in the article are items used by Dustin Johnson who in the past has a problem with putting. The aid of emphasis is a alignment aid for putting to help your stroke. I, like Dustin have putting problems, but the aids shown have helped him improve and are helping me improve.

Experience has shown me that a Putting Mirror has been a good purchase. There are multiple items out there on the market to chose from so you can choose what is best. I suggest that you visit the website GolfTrainingAids.com which is run and recommended by a friend, Dr. Gary Wiren, and his son. You can find the link at the top of CleekGeekGolf.com home page to reach the this website. This is an item I highly recommend as it was used during my college days learning the various aspects of the golf game. The good part is that this item is relatively inexpensive.

Another product, though more expensive, you will find at GolfTrainingAids.com is the Putting Matt. This is a pre-printed, auto-return matt that has very true green feel and alignment aids which work well with the mirror. These two items enjoined for your practice should help improve your putting.

Supporting the Greatest Game Ever…….

June 1st, 2021 Club Repair and Fitting, Golf Equipment, Uncategorized 27 Comments »

Bonded Hosel vs Adjustable

The following story is from a great source (see Logo upper left and click link below) and my comments on this are for those which have a technical interest in club making and fitting. There is a special inside look at the different designs that effect the proper fitting of golf clubs. This inside look is about Callaway golf and how they address the variables for their different staffers, non-staffers and pass along those adjustments and variables to the public.

http://Bonded Hosel VS Adjustable, Whats the Difference

As a golf club maker I have experienced the variables. Most of the bonded marker’s products are not adjustable (i.e. bendable) so if it is necessary to adjust for the game of a player I usually have to  advise to purchase a separate club. Personally, I have a bonded hosel in my hybrid and have found that by relocating the weights I can affect bias and I have not been required to adjust the lie.

Be advised that not everyone is required to make the adjustments the same way it is explained in the related story.  Some manufactures (very few) have provided the necessary length in the hosel area to allow for bending. The older methods of weight distribution are usually still available in todays clubs but finding a good club maker with the necessary skills to produce the right adjustments is still pretty hard.

Hopefully this will give you some insight into the technical expertise of your local club maker and help you improve your game.

Supporting the Greatest Game Ever….

January 21st, 2021 Club Repair and Fitting, Golf Equipment, Uncategorized 47 Comments »

AXIS1 PUTTER REVIEW

UPDATE: 2020-05-29  With a little more exposure and practice, I have gotten a little better. I feel that my problem is more with the read than the equipment. I have however noticed that I am closer to the hole on the miss affected by distance. Recommendation is to stay with it and get a refresher course from your local PGA Pro on the mechanics.

Here is a review on the my recently received new AXIS1 ‘Joey” putter. I have been able to try the putter on the golf course and for a few drills at home and find that this is a very good product. I have tried about 6 different types of putter during my time playing the game and find this one the easiest to get used to.

For a good discussion you need to see the related video review by Justin Rose at https://youtu.be/g-Lk0kn85_4

There are a number of sources out there with various prices. In my opinion, at this time for someone looking for a change due it is a good choice. I have a problem with the backswing wabbling and not getting the club face back to the ball with the center of the club face at the ball. With all the training I have received I find this club the easiest and more stable during the backswing. The lighter ‘Joey’ blade model fits my eye well and I have reasonable distance control. The biggest improvement in my putting with this equipment is getting the ball on line.

I would recommend this product but it is the owner’s choice in the various models available (don’t just get Justin’s because he is a pro) based on your preference in the style from a blade to a large mallet like Justin’s.

Good luck by supporting the Greatest Game Ever…..

 

 

 

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