Tag: balls

Things To Know About Starter Golf Equipment And Gear

Things To Know About Starter Golf Equipment And Gear

Article by Joanna Jacobs







You don’t need as much equipment as you’d think when you first start golfing. You won’t need the fancy equipment until you’ve learned more about the basics of the game. You won’t really benefit from the more advanced equipment until then. As you assemble your beginning golf kit, keep the following important pieces in mind.

The first item you should spend money on is a decent driver. The first thing you need to be aware of is that there are some “specialty” drivers which aren’t quite certified by the PGA. Reliant upon where you are and what your aims as a golfer may be, this might not be an issue for you. Everyone has his or her own needs when it comes to driver. Normally, drivers that have flexible shafts grant greater distance yet a lower amount of control. If you have issues with hooks, slices, or rogue balls you may choose to forfeit distance for additional control by utilizing a steel shafted driver.

You should also take a bit of time to investigate the most comfortable shaft length for you to use prior to making your purchase too. This will take a little experimenting to find the perfect length but it will be time well spent in terms of less back pain after 18-holes. Ball markers are also important pieces of golf equipment to have.

This is especially important if you play with a group. These markers allow you to mark where your ball came to a stop without interfering with the play of the others in your group. Golf etiquette dictates that the person farthest from the hole plays first. So without a ball marker to mark your ball’s spot, it could interfere with the play of the other balls on the green. When playing with a group, it is incredibly important to have ball markers and they’re not expensive.

You should also invest in protective eyewear. Many beginning golfers overlook the importance of this piece of equipment. It is important to remember, however, that golf is a game played outdoors in the elements. The sun can seriously damage unprotected eyes. Additionally, it will be much easier to see where your ball is going as well as where you want it to go if you aren’t constantly shielding your eyes from the sun.

Buying the right equipment can add years of enjoyment to the game but your beginner equipment doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With all the new, fancy equipment, it can be easy to get distracted whether you’re new or returning to the game. Stick with these great pieces of beginning golf equipment and you should be in great shape.



About the Author

Joanna’s websites: Drink Bottles, Liquor Bottles, Pet Bottles and Travel Bottles.

Show Off With Personalized Golf Balls

Show Off With Personalized Golf Balls

It is a wonderful idea to give out personalized gifts to friends or colleagues. The sheer joy seen on their face when they open the box is a sight to not be missed. This trend has caught on in every industry, and there are personalized golf balls in various stores around the world. People who are into the sport, and for others who are slowly developing an interest in this game are thronging stores to order their set of personalized balls. This could be for their own, or for someone they know will enjoy them. These balls are a creative way of marketing your products or services, and announcing to the world of your specialty.

Golf balls are bought in a box of 12, and most of the time they have only the logo of the company that manufactures them. It would be unique to have golf balls with a person’s name or their initials in them. Another facet of personalizing balls is to have them made depending on your preferences. If you prefer using heavy balls, you could get them tailor made for you. The lesser the amount of graphite, the lighter the ball might become. So, keep the manufacturer informed on your handicap and the kind of golf balls you find easy to play with. The same applies to having balls in different colors and patterns, just so there is a bit of excitement when you hit it off the tee.

As long as the ball does not have too many words or symbols on them, making them appealing to the eye. People at times tend to go overboard with their enthusiasm and might get a whole sentence inscribed on it, which means only a few words visible at a time. Also, this does not serve any purpose, better to have a symbol or picture on the ball. Before getting all worked up about these, you need to enquire with the manufactures if it is possible and how long it would take to get them done and ready. Normal time frame is upto a week, and within this time the balls are printed, packaged and shipped out to your address.

Instead of picking out golf balls off the shelf of a sports store, if you were to have your own collection, it would be wonderful and interesting to see the reaction of others when you take them out of the box. In a game where equipment, and accessories are expensive, having your own balls would mean no sharing and knowing where they are. If anyone else were to pick them up and use, you would be able to locate them far easily than the other regular golf balls. Personalized golf balls enable corporates to make an impression and sell their brand to their clients. This will become a sort of a souvenir and cherished by most who receive them. Make them and show them off or give them out during special occasions,either way it will draw attention.

Article written by Robert Riles, who is the owner of

skyfireproducts.com. Where we sell a large selection of sports items

such as golf training equipment, Personalized golf balls and golf

tournament gifts.

The Secret of Improving Your Golf Game is Sports Hypnosis

The Secret of Improving Your Golf Game is Sports Hypnosis

Would you like to Drive the ball 300 yards and putt for birdies on every hole? Sports Hypnosis can help you get there. In fact, it’s most likely the only thing that can help you get there. Get ready for the answers to the most asked questions about sports hypnosis because I’m going to spell it all out in this article. I’ll talk about what’s needed for change, the homework you will have to do and why hypnosis is the preferred tool for quick and lasting change.

How can I improve my game?

If you have been practicing and practicing, beating balls at the driving range and not getting anywhere, then you know that what I am about to say is the truth: practice doesn’t help! You just keep hitting the ball in the same way over and over. The reason is, practice makes permanent.

All of the golfers on the PGA tour have grown up visualizing the golf swing. They know how to change their swing to suit the occasion because they have mastered the mental game. The mental game extends far beyond just having a good attitude. The real secret to the mental game is the ability to see and feel the golf swing needed to create a shot shape that will land the ball on the green and bring it to a stop. In very real terms, the mental part of golf programs the body to behave in specific ways. That is how golfers are able to pull off incredible drives and amazing approaches.

But let’s look at the difference between the average golfer’s swing and a professional’s swing. Yes, there swing is faster. This accounts for the distance. Yes there ball’s flight path is more predictable. This is because they get the ball on the right spot on the clubface which came from the right angle of approach. It really doesn’t matter what you do on the backswing as long as you connect with the ball on the middle of the clubface and swing on the right path or from the right angle.

That said, most golf swings are essentially similar. The real difference is fractions of an inch or seconds. This is known as timing. The time the club head reaches the ball should be fractionally different in order to produce a more optimal flight path of the ball. This is most apparent when we really try to rip one and the harder we swing the wilder the slice or hook.

So visualization is the answer?

Yes, and no. Visualizations purpose is to help you focus inwardly and program your body to perform. This is a form of self hypnosis and can be used to get you into the zone, imagine the perfect ball flight and the swing you will need to make. It will also help you fix that slice or hook and over time help you swing faster and faster while maintaining your timing.

The key to visualization is to do it regularly. Don’t just visualize when you are playing golf. Visualize for five to ten minutes every day. See yourself playing a hole perfectly. See and feel every shot. Watch the ball fly toward the green with pinpoint accuracy. Start preparing your mind and body to respond to your desires.

How can hypnosis help my golf game?

Golf is known as a mental game. Hypnosis is a method of reprogramming the subconscious mind – the part of us that controls our muscle memory! Isn’t it obvious how hypnosis can help now?

Hypnosis directly affects the subconscious mind and, coupled with visualization, can give you more confidence in yourself and your game. Then as you play better golf, you start to rely more and more heavily on your new-found power to play golf the way you have always wanted to play. This starts a upward spiraling cycle where your confidence creates increased ability which instills more confidence.

Hypnosis can directly remove the blocks standing in the way of your game and reprogram your mind to, not only swing the club with better timing, but also to allow you to actually learn from your mistakes and practice more effectively. This way, when you go out to the driving range, you can have fun and not feel like you are continually “working on your game.”

Hypnosis can help any athlete refine their ability to play their chosen sport to the best of their potential. Once you realize that the difference between average and professional is tiny fractions of a second, then you realize that the change you need to make is marginal. So if you have been hitting the ball the same way for 20 years, you have to begin to think that the behavior has been ingrained into your subconscious mind. What you need to do is change the pattern and reprogram your brain.

Are you ready to take your game to the next level? With Sports Hypnosis, you can! Michael Miller, Owner of Miller Hypnosis in Atlanta, Georgia, can show you how to have more confidence, more endurance, more feel and get into the zone at will. Sports Hypnosis is just one of the many areas that you can improve your life with hypnosis. Call or email Michael today! You can find out more at Miller Hypnosis Atlanta.

Three Tips For Choosing The Right Beginner Golf Equipment

Three Tips For Choosing The Right Beginner Golf Equipment

Article by Anita Happer







Every beginning golfer needs some equipment essentials in order to really get started with the game of golf. There are some parts that are really no-brainers and others that may cause you to be flabbergasted when you learn you need them. This article explores some of the surprises you might not think of when purchasing your first pieces of equipment to help you play the game of golf. When you start out with excellent golf equipment you’ll come to find out that you enjoy the game a whole lot more and that you get a whole lot more out of the complete experience.

The first thing that you should devote your money toward is a nice driver. The first thing you need to know is that there are some “specialty” drivers out there that aren’t exactly PGA sanctioned. Reliant upon where you are and what your aims as a golfer may be, this might not be an issue for you. When you discuss drivers, everyone has their own individual needs. On the whole, drivers with flexible shafts allow more distance, however less domination. If you have problems with hooks, slices, or rogue balls you might prefer sacrificing distance for added control by using a steel shafted driver. You should also take a bit of time to investigate the most comfortable shaft length for you to use prior to making your purchase too. This will take a little experimenting to find the perfect length but it will be time well spent in terms of less back pain after 18-holes.

Ball markers are also important. If you play with a group of people, this is especially important. These markers are used to mark where your ball stopped on the green and won’t interfere with the play of the others in your group. Etiquette demands that the person farthest from the hole plays first. So without a ball marker to mark your ball’s spot, it could interfere with the play of the other balls on the green. These are not expensive at all but incredibly necessary for a good game of golf when playing with others.

A decent divot tool is also something you will need to invest in. This item won’t help your game play but golf has always been and still is a gentleman’s sport. One of the rules of the green is to repair any damage your ball does to the green so the next player isn’t impaired by dents and clumps you’ve left behind.

There are many different pieces of golf equipment that beginners will want to consider buying. This is one sport where there are all kinds of bright, shiny, and distracting gadgets and gizmos to choose from. When you take your time and buy only the pieces of golf equipment you absolutely need as a beginner then you can build up your inventory as you become more proficient at the game and more serious about playing. You’ll be ready to move to the next level in no time if you start with these basics.



About the Author

Anita’s website: Parker 51, Parker Pen Refills, Parvo Virus in Dogs and Pelikan Pen.

Sell Decorated Wholesale Golf Balls to Golf fanciers Online in Just $100

Sell Decorated Wholesale Golf Balls to Golf fanciers Online in Just 0

Do you feel like you will never bring out of debt? Just as you will not be able to shop when you wish to without experiencing humiliated for spending money that you should not? Just once, would you care to bargain a greaser without getting to go all over supporting in bed?

Just commit 0 in decorating wholesale golf balls primary pattern, all you get to participants and you can sell online.

Break open egg nest and draw 0 for the leverage wholesale golf balls and numerous cunning pigment. You should choose the special patterns as the expressions of men or women can easily interpret the essential, wife or mother in law. You can apply other figures such as blossoms, happy faces, Skulls or whatever befits your project. Are their groups of five or ten. You can rapidly double or three-fold investment funds. Which golfer can refuse the opportunity to knock on the head next Tuesday? Promoted them as facilitating to better their game.

one time you have your merchandises ready, go to the eBay online auction website and make an account. Choose keywords that will draw you golfing fanciers. Prepared end of your auction cost and date and sit back to check what occurs. This activity could head promptly, wholesale golf balls are presents that are invariably welcomed by the golf player who possesses everything else. You may desire to make a site so that you can get an order for special design or personalization. If you invest your profits and continue this business running, you can leave the tacos, you will be consuming meat in any eating place you want, whenever you desire

I have great interest in wholesale china goods.

As a famous wholesaler, I have engaged in this line for more than 10 years.

I am glad to share experiences of china wholesale with you.

The Perfect Golf Swing

The Perfect Golf Swing

We all dream of hitting the ball straight and far, landing softly on the green and rolling towards the hole, walk up to the ball, make the putt and move to the next tee…

In our dreams golf is simple and easy, no hassle, no looking after lost balls, no feeling of embarrassment, we are just mastering the art of golf, we have a good golf swing and we are in control of our mind.

discount golf clubs

A lovely dream! But what is our reality? Getting little late on the course and not having time to go to the range, nervously driving on the first hole into the woods, but forgiving ourselves because after all we were late, and didn’t have that time to warm up… double bogey on the first hole, not feeling good at the second either… after 9 holes the game is lost, but our thoughts are already on the next round, or maybe we just want to get quickly home and forget about this miserable game…

In our dream it wasn’t like this. In our dream we controlled the ball with our perfect golf swing and we were also in control of our emotions. We know it can happen, because we have done it so often on odd holes, we just don’t seem to be able to make it work for the whole round, but the dream is there… someday I will do it, someday I will play that perfect round or golf. After I done that, my self confidence is going to be so high, I will keep on playing at that level. I don’t have to play with these guys I’m currently playing with… the important low scoring guys in the club will ask me to play with them, and I will be looked up to! This is who I am and what I deserve! I just need some time to work on my game… next summer I will do it…

Taylormade / Mizuno/Ping/Callaway/ Cleveland /Titleist golf clubs

If these feelings sound even remotely familiar to you, read on.

Firstly, the dream can come true. But it is going to take some sacrifices before it will be reality. It will mean a good golf swing and physical control, but above all mind control and taking control of the nerves.

One very important part of being successful at anything is self understanding. Now I don’t mean that we make a training program, which might also be important, but it is a question of our dreams versus reality psychologically speaking. Let me explain this concept little more:

If we crave for fantastic results and have unrealistic dreams that we cannot reach, we are going to create unnecessary pressure in our system. This pressure is going to lead to uncontrolled psychological state of mind, and that will result as bad golf, which again is going to burst out as anger.

Golf is a mind game above all. We can play much better within our limits, if we can be clear minded about our skills and what we want and not have unrealistic expectations.

Have you ever tried to be calm and untouched even though you play badly? Is it possible to decide that no matter what is going to happen out there, I’m not going to loose my calm? If you can do this, you are controlling your mind and not letting the mind control you. It is very easy to get out there and just “see” what the round has to give you today. No expectations, no worries, just looking at your game as it was somebody else’s game. And you know what, it is somebody else’s game to everybody else but you… others will not punish you because you missed an easy putt, it is you being hard to you’re self that is creating the bad feelings and pressure. The problem is called “what needs to be and what is”. What needs to be is not reality, what is, IS REALITY, but we don’t want to see it because of “what needs to be”.

I will go deeper into this later, in my next article coming soon, so stay tuned and you will be getting results!

 

 

Our mission is to provide golfers with top name brand equipment at the lowest prices available. We carry the largest selection of the latest equipment from Callaway, Minuzo TaylorMade, Titleist, Ping, Bushnell, FootJoy and more. http://www.ordergolfonline.com

 

 

Know how to correct a golf hook shot

Know how to correct a golf hook shot

Article by Nicolus Cage







A golf hook is a shot that starts right of the target and curves left of the target. The golf hook is one of the most common swing faults. The golf hook most commonly occurs when the clubface is closed relative to the swing path and/or when the swing follows an excessive “in to out” swing path. Other common causes of the golf hook are too strong of a grip (which encourages a closed club face) or body alignment that is too far right of the target.

Quick Fixes for the Golf Hook Shot

Here are a couple of quick fixes that address the golf hook.* Align parallel to target line. To help visualize, think of standing on railway line.* Swing down the target line-not in-to-out.* Check your golf grip and ensure it is neutral – not too weak or too strong.* Take some practice swings and ensure that your club face is square at impact.

Practice Drills to Fix the Golf Hook Shot

To help fix the golf hook shot, top PGA teaching professionals recommend practice drills that help incorporate the proper golf swing mechanics into the golf swing and ingrain the correct “feeling” of a well-executed golf shot. Here are several popular practice drills to fix the golf hook.

LEFT TOE BACK DRILL

Corrects golf hooks caused by excessive IN-OUT swing and encourages proper IN-SQUARE-IN swing path. Also promotes strong balance.

* Assume setup with 7-iron and without ball.* Draw left foot back and keep toe on ground. Keep weight on right side.* Staying balanced, take 5 to 10 practice swings.* Continue drill by hitting balls off tee at half-speed.

HOOK TEE DRILL

Corrects golf hooks caused by excessive IN-OUT swing and encourages proper IN-SQUARE-IN swing path.

* Place two tees and ball left to right diagonally, creating an IN-SQUARE-IN swing path. Allow about 4″x 4″ spacing from each tee to ball.* Assume normal setup and ball position with 7-iron.* Hit ball crisply without hitting tees.

To quickly get rid of your golf hook, incorporate both of these drills into your practice routine whenever a golf hook creeps into your game.



About the Author

Golf hook shot is one of the common swing faults in Golf. Get perfect golf training aids to correct all your golf swing related issues.

Tips for Correcting a Slice in Your Golf Swing

Tips for Correcting a Slice in Your Golf Swing

Here we’re going to discuss one of the most common issues with the golf swing… the dreaded golf slice. There are seemingly countless issues that can led to slicing in the the golf swing, and we’ll discuss some time-tested corrections that can help you get rid of that slice in your golf swing.

Address

One of the most frequent causes of the slice happens during address. Most golfers prefer a square stance at address, where the feet, hips, and shoulders are in line with the target. If you move your left foot too far forward, the club face is likely to open at impact and the ball will fly to the right. The left foot should be directly under the left shoulder.The same holds true for the shoulders and hips. Unless they too are square at impact, the ball will not fly straight and true. Your body must be in complete alignment and totally square to the ball when the club hits the ball. That’s the first step…

Grip

The next step is correcting the grip. Many newer players grasp the club too tightly, which can cause the club head to open as it strikes the ball. Again, this will make the ball fly to the right. If the grip is too loose, the head will wobble at impact and that, too, can lead to slicing or hooking.There are several different types of grips, but to cure the slice in your golf swing, start with a neutral grip. It works for the majority of golfers, and it’s a good base to start and it’s easier to make adjustments from a totally neutral position. To check that your grip is neutral: you should be able to see two or three of your left-hand knuckles. If you cannot see any knuckles at all, this is a sign of an improper grip. As your hands come back into the hitting zone, they will rotate to a neutral position, causing the face to open.Rotate your hands—not the club, just your hands—until you see a couple of knuckles. Try hitting a few balls using this new grip. Keep in mind that minor adjustments to your grip can go a long way. Keep working at it until you discover the right position for you. Once you have it, remember it!

Tempo

When correcting a slice, swing tempo is important. Many golfers have a tendency to try to use their arms as their power source to get some extra yards, but this almost never works. Once they get to the top of their backswing, they allow their hands to take over and lead the downswing. As the hands come down, with everything else following, the club face will almost undoubtedly open. From start to finish, your swing should be smooth and relaxed. Avoid the temptation to jerk the club once you get to the top of your backswing. Let your hips start the downswing and everything else will follow.

Above all, correcting a slice is a matter of finding the one or two things you are doing wrong and fixing them. This, of course, takes time and patience. If you work through the possible causes, you will eventually find the solution, and your enjoyment of the game will soar to new levels.

 

 

 

Sign up for my FREE newsletter and get golf tips designed to help you lower your golf score by as much as 7 strokes. Even if you don’t drive 300 yards, you can improve your golf game. At http://golftipsforyou.com, I’ll show you how.

The Top Ten Golf Balls for Distance

The Top Ten Golf Balls for Distance

Low scores in golf can be achieved by getting the most out of each club in your arsenal. If you can get the most distance out of each shot you will be able to make fewer shots at the beginning, allowing you to have more chances at scoring on the green. One important factor for getting more distance is the golf ball that is used.

Most new players I have seen fall victim to choosing the wrong ball. Most of them believe they “need more spin”, thinking this will help them hold the green on their approach shots. The truth is the majority of these players should focus less on spin and more on distance.

Why is that you ask. Well, for one most amateurs rarely hit the green with their approach shots and are often running the ball up to the green which requires no spin at all. Excessive spin will actually hurt the player during these follow-ups.

Secondly, if the player has too much spin coming off the tee it will make an inadequate shot that much worse. For example, if you tend to slice the ball or fade it, a high spin ball will turn a fade into a slice and a draw into a hook. To compare, if you were using a ball with low spin and much greater distance potential, you will find that your shots are much straighter and longer.

Consider our list of the top ten golf balls for distance below, and find the ball that helps you achieve maximum distance and performance on the green.

1. Taylor Made Penta TP: The Penta does everything well. This ball has everything: great distance, perfect spin, a beautiful launch.

Off the tee, it will provide massive distance while it is perfectly suited for short shots with enough spin to score lights out. My preferred ball before coming across this was the Pro V1x, and after playing with both I have to say you can’t go wrong with either.

2. Titleist Pro V1x: This is my go-to ball, and I love it. This ball is a great all-around ball, and is second only to the Penta. The Pro V1X is a ball designed for the lower handicapper to professionals. Although all levels of players love to say “I use Pro V1X”.

The Pro V1x has both a soft feel to it and great spin and distance potential, making it the perfect ball no matter where on the course you happen to be. I prefer a ball with a lot of spin for some special shots I try around the green, so this ball has a great bite to it. The average to high handicappers usually get tripped up on this aspect because their approach shots do not “run out” like they expect and they come up well short.

Popular or not, I would not recommend this ball to the new or average player. This is the only reason I didn’t rank my ball #1. But, once you know just how this ball will react to your swing, you really can’t go wrong with it.

3. Titleist Pro V1: Titleist made another good ball when it came up with the V1. The only reason this ball landed in the #3 position is its distance is about 1.4 yards shorter than the V1x.
The V1 is better for a player with a high handicap than the V1x as it is more durable and has greater launch potential.

4. Callaway Tour i (z): Drag is reduced on the ball by its hex-shaped dimple design, which helps increase distance. The ball is soft yet durable while providing great distance off the tee and high spin with scoring clubs. If you are a fan of Callaway products you can’t go wrong with this ball, no matter your skill level.

5. Taylor Made Burner: I was very happy with this ball when I tried it out over the summer. This ball achieves amazing distance with its low drag characteristics and low-compression core.

It was comparable to the Pro V1x in nearly all areas that count.

6. Callaway HX Hot Bite: This ball sports the same hex dimple design as the Tour i (z), giving it great distance potential due to its low drag characteristics. It is a favorite amongst players of all levels but especially with those who swing their clubs at average speed.

7. Bridgestone e6: I have friends who swear by the e6 and they say they prefer it over the Titleist ProV’s. The ball is designed with an anti-spin layer, giving the ball great distance and perfectly level flight.

8. Srixon Z-STAR: I was not initially impressed with the hype surrounding this ball. After trying it out I’m willing to admit that it lives up to it. I played awful that day, so I am sure it skewed my review, but overall not bad.

The average player will benefit from the low compression core on the Z-STAR, which gives the ball greater speed and distance.

9. Callaway Big Bertha Diablo: This ball just keeps going! The ball has very little spin, giving it amazing distance off the tee. This ball cannot be matched if distance is all you are looking for.

10. Titleist DT SoLo: This golf balls compression statistics are extremely friendly to players with low swing speeds providing great distance for the low-to-average swing speed golfer.

Many factors determine what golf ball is good fit for an individual player. For example, golf balls compression statistics is an important factor. This is how much club head is required to activate the ball’s specific layer, typically the core for distance, in order to get the desired characteristics. The only way to determine which of these balls is best for you is to get out there and try them!

Take the time to play a round or two on a course you know in order to compare the shots. You won’t get an accurate idea of how good the ball is for you unless you do this.
Now, get these balls and get to it! You now have a great excuse to play a lot more golf.

Long John Higbie is an avid golfer who coaches and writes articles about everything golf-related from equipment to technique-improving classes to improving golf balls compression and all things between . Visit his web page for tips and secrets that the top professionals know that lets them to send the golf ball further and consistently maintain massive golf distance with every strike.

Picking the Right Golf Driver For You!

Picking the Right Golf Driver For You!

Article by Rick Hart







Are you getting the most out of your driver. I don’t mean just distance but a good balance of distance and accuracy. There are many factors that effect how well your driver performs for you. Lets take a look at those factors and how to get the best driver for your game.

Sure the new drivers have created a lot of excitement. Massive 460cc head sizes and new high tech shafts mean you can get more distance and accuracy than ever for your tee ball. But, unless you get the correct loft and shaft flex you may not be getting the most out of these new high-tech, high-priced wonders. To do that you need to know your clubhead swing speed. Why do you need to know your clubhead speed? Here’s the scoop.

First, something has changed in the game in the last 10 years. The development and wide acceptance of the new two-piece balls with their lower spin rates has meant that your driver loft may need to change. During the 80s and 90s people assumed that the lower the driver loft the farther the ball would go. It was not uncommon to see drivers for good amateur players in the 7-9 degree range.

What the golf scientists have found is that in order to maximize distance with the new low-spin balls, the clubhead needs to launch the ball at higher angles than in the past. This means that many of us are probably playing drivers with too little loft. Driver loft should match your swing speed. The slower your swing speed the more loft you should have. If your average swing speed is between 80 and 90 m.p.h. (the average for most male golfers) you should be using a driver with about 12 degrees of loft. Combined with the new balls this means your launch angle and spin rate will be optimized. So the good news is this means you have a real chance of adding some distance to your drives.

How much distance can you gain?Tom Wishon in his great book The Search for the Perfect Golf Club points out that…

For a 90 m.p.h. swing speed a driver with a 9 degree loft will launch the ball at a 10.5 degree launch angle and the ball will carry 206 yards.An 11 degree driver will launch the ball at 12.1 degree angle and the ball will carry 211 yards.A 13 degree driver will launch the ball at 13.7 degrees and the ball will carry 213 yards. The difference between 9 and 13 degrees is 7 yards.

For slower swing speeds, Wishon points out the added distance can be as much as 16 yards just by choosing the correct loft. At a typical woman’s swing speed of 60 m.p.h. the optimum driver loft would be 19 degrees and could mean a distance increase of 16 yards.

The correct shaft flex is just as important. A shaft that is too stiff for your swing speed will generally cause the ball to be low, short and to the right. Sound familiar. The fact is many of us play with shafts that are too stiff. If your swing speed is less than 100 m.p.h. and you are playing with a stiff shaft you’re probably losing distance and accuracy.

Another big factor is shaft length. Sure the longer the shaft the higher the clubhead speed. However there is a point of diminishing returns. If we can’t control the ball then we may find the extra yardage won’t help our games. Ten more yards into the woods is not the answer. There’s no worse feeling than not knowing where your drives are going.

As Frank Thomas, former technical guru for the USGA, points out, “…you can have more confidence in your swing by using a shorter shafted driver… you will swing better, have improved timing and gain all the distance you would achieve by using a longer shaft, which may not be so accurate.” What he’s saying is you’ll hit the ball with the sweet spot more often and that always means more distance and better accuracy than the alternative.

So don’t plunk down those big bucks on new driver until you know a little more about your game. With a little bit of swing analysis you’ll maximize your investment and maximize your drives too.



About the Author

Rick Hart is a long time golfer and owner of Golf Club Revue.com where he puts the spotlight on golf clubs.

http://www.golf-club-revue.com/golf-club-drivers.html