Five New Models

photo credit: .HEI     Five  new  models worth considering:   (1) Callaway FT-9 Driver $399 graphite,  incorporates a  complete inertial design, carbon composite body and titanium face cup for longer distance and more trajectory  www.CallawayGolf.com.   (2)   Cobra S9-1 (F orM)  Driver $299 graphite, each model  has a distinct center of gravity location for  optimum ball flight conditions for different players www.Cobragolf.com.   (3)   Mizuno MX-100 Irons $699 offer maximum distance due to hybrid long irons and  Y-Tune iron technology, www.MizunoUSA.com.    (4)   Nike Slingshot HL Irons $699 graphite, with the new “Slingback” technology and 3-dimensional  flow weighting, www.Nikegolf.com.   Ping Rhapsody Irons $899 graphite, are engineered with larger loft gaps to provide useful distances between irons.   Instead of  3 degree increments, 4 degree increments are used in the Rhapsody irons,  www.Pinggolf.com.

Hitting it Straight

photo credit: Playadura*     The subject that every golfer seems to be obsessed with is “distance.”   We're all  seeking ways to hit longer shots, especially off the tee.   Could it be that, through advertising hype, we have been convinced that longer is better.   I say length is secondary to accuracy.

Most golfers do play within their means with all their shots except the tee shot and that is when they “unload.”   Blasting your tee shot can lead to only one thing, missed fairways.   Question:   Would you rather be in the rough or in the middle of the fairway, even if you are 15 yards shorter than you would like to be?   Most players would love to hit every shot straight, why not just swing within your means?

Golf Balls for Women

photo credit: Fevi in Cayman     Golf  ball manufacturers  are getting very serious about making golf balls suitable for slower swing speeds.   A golfer with a slower swing speed cannot compress a regular ball enough to make it rise and stay in the air, the new women's balls are designed to launch higher than any other category, even when struck at limited clubhead speeds.

Computer generated statistics reveal that increasing the launch angel by 2 degrees – while keeping ball speed and backspin the same – results in about 5 yards more distance.   “The two ways to make a ball fly higher for a slow swing speed player are to give it a high trajectory dimple pattern and a soft compression,” so says Rock Ishii of Nike Golf.

Golf With A Plan

photo credit: Cristina DeAraujo A lot of golfers just don't think about the “next shot,” they just don't have a plan. They don't have a plan for each shot or a total plan for the golf course they are playing. Somehow, when the purpose of a swing is more than merely getting the ball airborne, the shot comes off better.

Having a plan involves strategy which is the itellectual part of the game. Creating a visual image is the artistic side of it. The fun part of the game is the calculation which involves distance, weather conditions and terrain contour. Mentally, make a picture with it all and add instinct to the mix, be artistic. You will be amazed at the results you get!

A Realistic Approach

Proper club selection is not just a matter of knowing your shot distance it also can depend on your mindset. It is a reflection of the attitude you have toward your game. Thinking too much about hitting a good shot and not enough about your total score can have negative effects.

Any LPGA Tour Pro will tell you that it is really difficult to hit a good golf shot. That being the case, errant shots should not discourage you. You cannot expect to hit every shot well.

The most important question to ask yourself is “what do I want from the game?” The most common answer is that we all want to have fun. Don't worry about each and every golf shot think of your total score and just go out and have some fun!

Golfshot Distance

Most women amateur golfers struggle with distance. Although accuracy is so much more important than length, getting good distance should not be underestimated. Physically, women do not have the strength of men, however, that doesn't mean that women cannot be
competitive on the golf course. With proper swing dynamics and the use of good equipment there is no reason that women cannot be scratch players.

Remember, achieving good distance is not about hitting the ball harder it's about hitting the ball faster. Swing speed is the determining factor in getting greater length. Using good fundamentals, maintaining the proper address position and remaining very relaxed are all contributing factors for more shot distance. Swing easy and watch your distance improve.

Tips on Women’s Golf

Because women are built with wider hips than men, they are much more flexible in the hip area. Their hips turn easily and naturally on the back swing.   A hip-width stance allows for a more dramatic weight shift back and away from the ball. Women also have a lower center of gravity, which is useful to generate the power in their swings.

Women’s Golf Stance

A good golf swing must start with a solid foundation. Some feel women need to widen their stances to be successful. Women actually look more comfortable and better balanced with wider, hip-width stances.