Steve Lee
Articles by this Author
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.
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.
Know Your Golf Clubs - Seven Key Points You Need To Be Aware Of
Most golf improvement advice concentrates on helping to
achieve a better golf swing or getting more distance
through the use of tips and drills.
Whilst this information may be useful, little or none of it
ever takes account of one of the most important factors
that will allow us to play the best golf we are capable of
playing; i.e. the specification of our clubs. Indeed, the
over-zealous teacher may try to cure a pupil's slice by
trying to change their swing when, in fact, the problem may
not be the swing but the clubs!
In this article - which will concentrate on the irons - I
shall be giving an overview of the seven key elements of
the golf club that should be taken into account when
assessing which clubs are best for you.
1 - Head Design
Essentially there are two types of Iron Head Design; cavity
back or "perimeter weighted", and muscleback or "blades".
As the name suggests, the former is distinguishable by the
recessed area in the back of the head and the visible
re-distribution of the weight around the perimeter;
conversely, "blades" are identifiable by their relatively
flat backs.
The purpose of re-distributing the weight around the head
perimeter in cavity backs is, putting it technically, to
increase "the moment of inertia". This is the scientific
way of saying "reducing club head twist on off-center hits".
Because the vast majority of golfers are inconsistent in
the way they strike the ball, the more "forgiving" cavity
back clubs will be better suited to them than the "blade".
2 - Length
Firstly let me dispel one of the great myths of golf and
that is, "The taller you are, the longer your clubs should
be".
One of the primary factors to take into account when
determining how long your clubs should be is the length of
your arms, so it is important that this is taken into
account when deciding which clubs to buy.
To be fair, "standard" length clubs will suit the majority
of players (that's why they're "standard"!) , but it is
something you need to be aware of.
3 - Lie
The ideal lie of the club is that which allows the sole to
be flat to the ground at impact.
If a club is too "upright" at impact, the heel "digs" in,
turns the head to the left resulting in a shot to the left.
Conversely, a club that is too "flat" at impact will dig
its toe in and cause a shot to the right.
I have been careful to define the lie at impact. This is
very important; if the sole of the club sits flat on the
ground at set up, it is highly unlikely to be in that
position at impact. This is because the shaft will bow
during the swing with the result that the lie angle at
impact will be flatter.
4 - Loft
Generally speaking the "standard" loft on clubs is pretty
much suited to everyone.
There is, however, one thing to be aware of if you consider
altering the loft on your clubs and that is by adjusting
the loft you will change the "bounce". The effects of
"bounce" are outside the scope of this article but I will
just say that if you considered increasing the loft on your
clubs with the intention of making it easier to get the
ball airborne, you would increase the "bounce" which could
actually be counter-productive insofar as you would risk
"thinning" your shots.
5 - Shaft Flex
The importance of having the correct flex in your shafts
cannot be over-stated. This is a huge subject but,
generally speaking, the faster you swing the golf club the
stiffer your shafts will need to be.
The shaft is really the most important component of the
golf club and is often described as the "Engine"; get the
right shaft flex and your game can improve beyond
recognition.
6 - Grips
We all know there are a huge variety of grips on the market
today and it is important to find a grip that feels
comfortable; you may prefer the softer feel of a tour
velvet, a rougher-feeling corded or a combination of the
two.
It is also extremely important to check the wear on your
grips as worn grips can result in the golf club twisting at
impact.
Last but not least you should be measured for the size of
grip that is right for you. The wrong size grip can
seriously affect your performance by encouraging, for
example, a slice or hook.
7 - Weight
There are really two elements in one here.
First, the overall weight of the club: second, the swing
weight. The first is self-explanatory: the second can be
defined as the relationship between the weight in the grip
end of the club and that in the head end.
Again, this is more about comfort than anything else, and
as long as the club feels comfortable there is no need to
worry too much about weight considerations which is, in
itself, a subject that can warrant much discussion.
If you are about to buy a new set of clubs or are not
playing as well as you would like with your existing set, a
little time spent considering the above Elements could
result in a huge improvement in your golf game.
achieve a better golf swing or getting more distance
through the use of tips and drills.
Whilst this information may be useful, little or none of it
ever takes account of one of the most important factors
that will allow us to play the best golf we are capable of
playing; i.e. the specification of our clubs. Indeed, the
over-zealous teacher may try to cure a pupil's slice by
trying to change their swing when, in fact, the problem may
not be the swing but the clubs!
In this article - which will concentrate on the irons - I
shall be giving an overview of the seven key elements of
the golf club that should be taken into account when
assessing which clubs are best for you.
1 - Head Design
Essentially there are two types of Iron Head Design; cavity
back or "perimeter weighted", and muscleback or "blades".
As the name suggests, the former is distinguishable by the
recessed area in the back of the head and the visible
re-distribution of the weight around the perimeter;
conversely, "blades" are identifiable by their relatively
flat backs.
The purpose of re-distributing the weight around the head
perimeter in cavity backs is, putting it technically, to
increase "the moment of inertia". This is the scientific
way of saying "reducing club head twist on off-center hits".
Because the vast majority of golfers are inconsistent in
the way they strike the ball, the more "forgiving" cavity
back clubs will be better suited to them than the "blade".
2 - Length
Firstly let me dispel one of the great myths of golf and
that is, "The taller you are, the longer your clubs should
be".
One of the primary factors to take into account when
determining how long your clubs should be is the length of
your arms, so it is important that this is taken into
account when deciding which clubs to buy.
To be fair, "standard" length clubs will suit the majority
of players (that's why they're "standard"!) , but it is
something you need to be aware of.
3 - Lie
The ideal lie of the club is that which allows the sole to
be flat to the ground at impact.
If a club is too "upright" at impact, the heel "digs" in,
turns the head to the left resulting in a shot to the left.
Conversely, a club that is too "flat" at impact will dig
its toe in and cause a shot to the right.
I have been careful to define the lie at impact. This is
very important; if the sole of the club sits flat on the
ground at set up, it is highly unlikely to be in that
position at impact. This is because the shaft will bow
during the swing with the result that the lie angle at
impact will be flatter.
4 - Loft
Generally speaking the "standard" loft on clubs is pretty
much suited to everyone.
There is, however, one thing to be aware of if you consider
altering the loft on your clubs and that is by adjusting
the loft you will change the "bounce". The effects of
"bounce" are outside the scope of this article but I will
just say that if you considered increasing the loft on your
clubs with the intention of making it easier to get the
ball airborne, you would increase the "bounce" which could
actually be counter-productive insofar as you would risk
"thinning" your shots.
5 - Shaft Flex
The importance of having the correct flex in your shafts
cannot be over-stated. This is a huge subject but,
generally speaking, the faster you swing the golf club the
stiffer your shafts will need to be.
The shaft is really the most important component of the
golf club and is often described as the "Engine"; get the
right shaft flex and your game can improve beyond
recognition.
6 - Grips
We all know there are a huge variety of grips on the market
today and it is important to find a grip that feels
comfortable; you may prefer the softer feel of a tour
velvet, a rougher-feeling corded or a combination of the
two.
It is also extremely important to check the wear on your
grips as worn grips can result in the golf club twisting at
impact.
Last but not least you should be measured for the size of
grip that is right for you. The wrong size grip can
seriously affect your performance by encouraging, for
example, a slice or hook.
7 - Weight
There are really two elements in one here.
First, the overall weight of the club: second, the swing
weight. The first is self-explanatory: the second can be
defined as the relationship between the weight in the grip
end of the club and that in the head end.
Again, this is more about comfort than anything else, and
as long as the club feels comfortable there is no need to
worry too much about weight considerations which is, in
itself, a subject that can warrant much discussion.
If you are about to buy a new set of clubs or are not
playing as well as you would like with your existing set, a
little time spent considering the above Elements could
result in a huge improvement in your golf game.