If you are a keen golfer you have probably attended a golf
demonstration day at some point during your golfing
'career'. If you are considering going to one soon, then
you really should read what follows because you need to,
'Beware of the demonstration day - you could well learn
something to your disadvantage" .

Until a few years ago, these simply consisted of a
manufacturer or manufacturers turning up with a few bags of
their latest clubs for us to try out on the driving range
in the hope that we would be tempted to part with our
hard-earned cash. If you are anything like me, you go
through as many clubs as the time allows, or until you
discover the one (which, in my case, was invariably there)
that you just know will take your golf game to a whole new
level

From the very first moment I held that shiny new driver I
just knew this was the one; the Holy Grail of golf clubs
that I'd been searching for all my golfing life; and not
only that, the proof of its power was there for all to see
as I nailed every drive straight and true towards the end
of the range, leaving me wondering what to do next; hit
another screaming drive or reach for my credit card.

Having bought the club, at the very moment I used it 'in
anger' for the first time, I was subjected to what remains
to me one of the Great Mysteries Of The Universe. It didn't
work anymore. It was as if its power had suddenly drained
away.

With the passing of time and the advance of new technology,
however, not only do we see bags full of golf clubs
nowadays, but also an array of laptops perched on lecterns,
with strange looking boxes sitting ominously adjacent to
the spot from where we hit the ball. The first time I saw
all this paraphernalia, I was convinced it had been
invented for the sole purpose of solving the aforementioned
'Great Mystery'.

I recently went to one of these 'demo' days with a pro
friend who plays on one of the minor tours, and as well as
three or four major club companies, there was one
demonstrating their golf balls.

My friend always uses what is probably the best-known and
most played ball on tour, but is always open to try
anything which might save him a shot or so a round.

We called in on the 'golf ball guy', he asked my friend
what ball he normally played, handed three to him and told
him to hit driver into the net. Whilst my friend was
getting prepared (he had his own driver with him), the
'golf ball guy' started fiddling with his laptop and once
he was ready the three shots were hit.

After a short appraisal of the results, the guy said he was
playing the wrong ball and to try the one made by his
company.

Another tweak of the laptop, another three shots and
another appraisal but this time, miraculously, the ball was
perfect. More distance, straighter, better ball flight,
less backspin, sidespin and so on.

My friend was staggered but I was not quite so excited and
while they were discussing his performance I retrieved all
six balls from the net, suggesting he hit them all again in
no particular order.

The 'golf ball guy' was not happy, particularly when the
new set of results revealed that the ball my friend
normally used had now significantly outperformed his own
company's ball.

We then moved to another bay where a major club
manufacturer had a launch monitor installed.

After another computer setting-up process, my friend hit
three range balls dead straight into the distance with his
own driver. We were both convinced each ball had carried
the 250 yard marker comfortably, which was pretty much in
line with his average driver carry distance of around 275
yards.

Unfortunately the launch monitor showed a different story;
according to it, the carry distance was 234 yards with an
overall 'shot efficiency' of only 65% taking such things as
launch angle and spin rates as well as distance and
direction into account.

After another tweak of the computer, my friend was handed
the company's latest driver; another three good shots which
appeared little different from those with his own club and
another appraisal.

This time the results were far better; more distance, more
accuracy, better spin rates and an overall shot efficiency
of around 90%!

When we queried these results with what can best be
described as very probing questions, the guy finally
conceded that it looked as if his launch monitor was
"wrong" and "must have been affected by the sun"!

Whether or not in the two cases above the equipment was
wrong I shall leave for you to judge. The point is, enjoy
your 'Demo Day' but beware, you could well learn something
to your disadvantage.