Be Cautious When Buying

photo credit: teamstickergiant     Counterfeit clubs continue to proliferate the marketplace.   Granted, everyone is looking for a bargain price when making the decision to buy a new set of golf clubs, however, great caution must be used before you put your hard earned cash on the counter.  

There is no question that club prices have risen to outrageous levels over the past several years.   These high prices  exacerbate the counterfeiting problem since they  are the causation for bargain hunting by most consumers.

Consumers are becoming more informed and inquisitive about prices that are just “too good to be true.”   Counterfeiters are beginning to bring the price of their clubs more in line with what one might call  a “decent sale price.”   In so doing, counterfeiters are also  paying more attention to quality.    No matter how they look,  counterfeit clubs just do not perform like an original.

The Launch Monitor

photo credit: jrspeaks     Checking your swing on a launch monitor accomplishes three things, it determines:   A)    ball speed.   B)   Launch Angle.   C)   Backspin.

Ball speed >   Nothing is more important to distance which is the initial velocity of the ball as it leaves the clubface.   It should be 1 and one half times swing speed.   Launch Angle >   this is not the angle of the loft on the driver's clubface, it is the angle in relation to the ground of the trajectory of the ball.   The typical launch angle should be about 10 degrees or higher.   Backspin >   The rotation of the ball after impact.   It should typically be 2000 – 3000 rpms.   Slightly higher rpms. are acceptable.

Launch monitors are can detrmine the right equipment for you.

Golf Pride Tour Wrap Grips

photo credit: jwillier2     Golf Pride has introduced  it's new Tour Wrap  2G golf  grip.   The  2G grip has the look and feel of patent leather  and the durability  of high-tack rubber.    Golf Pride  engineered the new grips  for comfort and control with a softer and more secure feel.   The company  maintains that  the  2G is revolutionary in that it promotes smooth, tension-free golf shots.

Improper grip size is a problem that can  easily be corrected with the purchase of new grips AFTER being measured for the proper fit (grip size) by a person fully qualified to do so.

The Tour Wrap  2g grips  have the feel of leather and durability of rubber.   The  Tour Wrap grips  come in three colors:   red, white and black  .   To learn more, go to to www.golfpride.com.

The Callaway iQ Rangefinder

photo credit: jasleen_kaur     Callaway has joined forces with Nikon  to  introduce the new iQ Rangefinder.   The new iQ Rangefinder is what Callaway  calls “their most advanced laser rangefinder ever.”   The  new rangefinder has an  Active  Brightness Control Viewfinder which  illuminates the field of view for enhanced visibility.   Weighing less than 1/2 lb., the unit has a range of 1/2 mile   and can  easily fit into a golfer's pocket.

The new  laser  rangefinder makes it easy for the golfer to  judge distances in an accurate and speedy manner.   It is waterproof and shock-resistant and  capable of withstanding many, many years of use.   Nikon is known  the world over for  it's  research and development in the field of optics.   For more information go to www.callawaygolf.com.

Ecco Footwear

photo credit: nsaplayer     Ecco Footwear is quite the rage after Freddie Couples was seen wearing a pair at a recent Champions Tour event.   The pair Couples had on were a sneaker-like design with bright orange soles.   Couples had on the very popular Golf Street Premier shoes ($140).   After Couples was seen wearing these unique shoes, demand soared.   It escalated to the point where golfers had to put their names on a waiting list.

The shoes can be worn casually or on the golf course.   They have a thermoplastic urethane rubber-like sole that has pre-molded angled knobs that improve traction and distribute weight more evenly across the foot.   They come in various upper/sole color combos for both men and women.   There is a removable antibacterial insole.   To learn more go to www.EccoUsa.com.

Choosing the Right Ball

photo credit: HaraldMM     The golf ball is the single most important item in the game of golf.   In today's market there are four types of golf balls:    The  One-Piece is  a lower end ball usually used at practice ranges throughout the world.   The Two, Three and Four Piece balls are designated as such depending on the amount of layers they contain.   The greater the amount of layers, the softer the ball feels when struck.  

If you have an average swing speed, a two piece-ball  should be ideal, however, a three-piece ball may work well for you  also.   Harder balls usually mean more distance, however, feel and touch around the greens is far more important to most golfers.  

To find the ball that suits your game, do some experimenting !

Putter Jargon

photo credit: MelvinSchlubman     The putter is used 45% of the time during a round of golf.   Know the following terms:   Loft  (typically 2 – 4 degrees)  = the angle of the clubface which gets the ball up and rolling.   Lie Angle (21 degree average) = how upright, or flat, the putter is when sitting parallel on the ground.   Toe Hang  = the heaviest part of it's mass in the toe (heavier is usually better).   Face Inserts = creates various reactions to the ball off the putter-face.   Putter head  = most important component depending on shape and style.   Grip Size  = diameter.   Hosel  offset = an angled S-shaped neck.    Shaft Length  = should suit personal preference.   Shaft and  Butt  Weighting =  overall  dead weight and swing weight.

Knowing Club Jargon

photo credit: nimish_gogri     Bounce = allows the club to make minimal impact with the ground, preventing the club's leading bottom edge from digging into the ground.   Cavity Back = is a scooped out back which moves the weight around the perimeter of the clubhead and makes the club more forgiving.   Clubhead = can  have a determining  effect on  club-head speed.   Launch Angle = the angle at which the ball leaves the clubhead.   Lie Angle = allows the club to be custom fitted to the individual, it is the angle of the sole of the club in relation to the ground.   Loft = causes the ball to fly at different trajectories.   Offset = the  clubhead is set back from the  shaft.   Shaft = allows you to find  the optimum ball flight and power.

Cobra S2 Irons

photo credit: lucaboldrini69     Cobra has recently introduced it's S2 Iron series featuring it's 9 Point Face Technology.   The Face technology creates 9 sweet spots on the face of each iron, instead of just one.   With 9 sweet spots, the likelihood of producing straight shots with plenty of backspin, is greatly increased.  

The irons are engineered with, what Cobra calls, a “multi-material design” throughout the clubhead.   The clubs are much more forgiving and accurate than most.   The irons have a stepped sole design which allows better turf interaction for better playability.   The multi-material irons are made with only the highest quality materials which Cobra is well known for.

The cavity-back design is much more forgiving for both amateurs and professionals alike.    To learn more,  check out these new additions to the Cobra line at:   www.Cobragolf.com

Leupold GX-4 Rangefinder

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolfThe new GX-4 rangefinder by Leupold is the latest in their line of quality rangefinders.   Leupold  makes the claim that  it is the #1 rangefinder on the PGA Tour.   The device factors in yardage measurements, sloped approaches, course altitude, hitting strength and air temperature to give precise yardage.   There is a “club selector” which suggests the correct iron for your next shot.

The unit comes with a yellow “smart key” which, when removed, disarms all functions and allows it to measure distance only.   Leupold's patented PinHunter Laser Technology gives unmatched distance measurement on any target.   With “Prism lock,” you can instantly lock-on to prism equipped pins on 2,700 courses nationwide.   The readout consists of a high-contrast red OLED display.   To learn more go to:   www.Leupold.com/Golf.

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