The Golf

Developing Golf Skills and Improving Performance.

2008-07-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

Few people enjoy doing anything poorly and golfers are always passionate about developing their golf skills and improving performance. While it is sometimes difficult to see immediate results from practice and learning on the golf course, there are many benchmarks of success that are achievable and rewarding.

Many professional and amateur golfers set skill-development goals and then craft an effective practice system to meet those goals. Professionals in particular, use on-course performance information to analyze strengths and weaknesses in their golf games and then set practice goals based on this information. This is an effective strategy that works for golfers of all levels.

First, keep a record of vital statistics while you play a round of golf. This is rather easy to do if you simply record a little extra information on your scorecard. Basic performance statistics focus on four areas: hits on the fairways, greens, putts and short-game skills. The first two statistics provide an indication of full swing mechanics; the last two identify player skill within the crucial area 100 yards from the green - the touch shots. Identifying the strongest and weakest areas in your game will allow you to take the second step; setting goals.

If you don't hit the fairway very often, it is difficult to get the ball on the green and give yourself a chance to make a putt for a good score. Missing the fairway means finding your ball in the rough, in the trees, in a hazard or out of bounds. If your game analysis shows that you hit a low percentage of fairways, then this may be an area where you can construct a practice goal. Once your practice goals are set, you are ready for the third step; practice for improving performance.

Golf practice involves comprehension, a deep commitment and evaluation. In other words, you must know what you are working towards and how you are working towards it. You must be committed to achieving that goal and be willing to put in the necessary time, and you must monitor your progress so that once you achieve that goal, you can set and pursue the next goal.

If you were to set a routine goal such as hitting 50 percent of fairways and accompanied that goal by the practice goal of hitting 13 out of 21 practice fairways, you could establish a schedule and monitor your progress.

Next, commit to a regular practice time each week. Begin by taking practice swings in your living room to evaluate your mechanics, but even better, plan on spending an hour or two several evenings a week at a practice range, working on drills. Practice your golf with a goal in mind, because practice without purpose achieves nothing.

Finally, have a mechanism in place to monitor your progress. To see if you can hit 12 out of 20 practice fairways, go to the practice range, take 20 golf balls and see how many you can stroke into a fairway,

Skill improvement doesn't always need to be firmly united to performance, especially for the novice. Developing and achieving practice goals on a practice putting green will speed your progress toward becoming an accomplished putter.

by Dave Nimmo

1961 - TODAY: THE TRULY GLOBAL GAME OF GOLF.

2008-07-30T05:42:00.001-07:00

The record books do not lie and Scottish Golf, though healthy at home, was faring ill abroad. The game had become truly global with players from Taiwan and Japan threatening for major honours. The Swedes were gathering amateur honours throughout Europe and there seemed no end to the talent emerging from Spain.

American Golf had come into maturity with a vengeance in the form of Arnold Palmer. Palmer played the game as it should be played - with verve and a swashbuckling style. Palmer was of course idolised in his own country but he found real appreciation in the discerning crowds that lined the links fairways of the Open Championship. Together with Tip Anderson, his St Andrews caddie, Palmer was lord of every links he surveyed.

In Palmers absence in 1964, Tip Anderson carried the bag of Tony Lema through the most testing gales on the Old Course. It was Lema's win more than any other event that put paid to the excuse that the game had changed and that the new form of golf required only an accurate lofted shot to a soft pulpy green - a shot at which the Americans were clearly adept. The leader board of the '64 Open showed that Jack Nicklaus and plenty more US stars could play the chip-and-run under the wind as well as any that had gone before and as well as any of the home bred players.

The reason for the Scottish golfing hiatus during this period may be simply statistical, as the game had grown to the extent that the numbers now playing in every developed country dwarfed the numbers playing in Scotland. There is no doubt that the game itself had changed with the new courses that were being built throughout the world. American architects led by Robert Trent Jones were building courses that were both long and difficult. Greens were soft and holding in contrast to the hard running greens of the links. The grassy fairways presented another type of problem as the ball sat up on the lush grasses and required club contact quite different to that on the tight lies of the links. Possibly of greater significance was the early adoption in the US of the 'big ball' - the 1.66-inch ball that required a different strike and made for greater control.

Great exponents of the game poured out of the US and the US Tour was becoming a multi-million dollar industry with even mediocre golfers, grossing millions of dollars not only through tournament play but also through commercial endorsements. Tip Anderson was still caddying at home in St Andrews when he attained celebrity status in the US without ever setting foot outside the British Isles, backing Palmer in a beer commercial. Television coverage ensured star-status for many players and the American College System, to their credit, acted as a virtual conveyor belt of talent.

Following the foundation of the European Tour and the opening of the Ryder Cup to European players, sponsorship grew and European golf blossomed into a money market comparable to that of the US tour. One final ingredient was required however - a star with the charisma of a Palmer and the appeal of a Nicklaus. And so as they say, a star was born. 1979 saw a smiling young genius becoming the first Spaniard to win the Open, with Jack Nicklaus coming second in the race for the Claret Jug for a record seventh time - Seve had arrived on the world scene.

The 1980's began with Seve Ballesteros becoming the first European to win the Masters and at 23 years old, the then youngest champion. Nicklaus however, continued his remarkable career with his fifth double-major year, winning his fourth US Open and fifth PGA title. Seve won his second Masters title in 1983 and the following season, he collected his second Open Championship when finishing two strokes ahead of Bernhard Langer and Tom Watson, who was attempting to equal Harry Vardon's record of six Open Championship successes.

Lee Trevino won his second US PGA Championship in 1984, made all the more special by the fact that only eight years previously, he was seriously injured having been struck by a lightning bolt. Germany's Bernhard Langer turned the tables on Ballesteros in 1985, beating him in the Masters and gaining revenge for his two-shot defeat in the Open the previous year. 1985 also witnessed the first European success in the Ryder Cup and two years later the US team tasted defeat again but this time on home soil. The Masters of 1986 was perhaps the most thrilling of all. A fantastic late surge from the Golden Bear saw him win his sixth Masters title at the age of 46 - his 21st major victory in an as of yet unparalleled career.

The glory days of Scottish golf briefly returned in 1985 when Sandy Lyle triumphed in the Open Championship at Royal St George's and the amiable Scot added a further major title at the Masters in 1988. Though Ballesteros won his third Open with a scintillating final round of 65, domination of the world game by Nick Faldo had already begun when he won his first major title at Muirfield in 1987, shooting par on every hole in his final round. Two years later, Faldo shot an amazing closing 65 to force a Masters play off with Scott Hoch, which he duly won on the second extra hole. Faldo's best year came in 1990 when he became the only player since Nicklaus to defend his Masters title. Just a few months later, Faldo played the most devastating golf of his life in winning his second Open title at St Andrews and he duly added his third Open two years later, again at Muirfield.

Greg Norman's second Open success came at Royal St George's in 1993. His two-stroke victory over Faldo prompted the late, great Gene Sarazen to comment that this was the greatest championship of all time. Major champions have come and gone over the years, with O' Meara, Olazabal, Stewart and Lawrie among those whose names are now etched on the most prized possessions in golf.

Not until 1994, did a player with the potential to match the greatness of past legends, come along. Speculation started when Tiger Woods won the US Amateur Championship, continued when he retained it the following year, grew when he became the youngest ever champion at the Masters and climaxed as he stormed to six wins out of six starts in the 1999/2000 season. Though Tiger may have a long way to go to be classed in the same league as Palmer and Nicklaus, there are not many who would bet against it.

1946 - 1960 : THE EMERGENCE OF THE WORLD GAME.

2008-07-30T05:36:00.001-07:00

If the First World War decimated Scottish golf, the second came close to gutting it completely. The First War took the players - the Second War took the golf courses.

The Scottish links lands border long sandy beaches, usually in remote places of low population density. As a result, it did not take a brilliant military mind to reason that the links beaches would make for ideal disembarkation sites and the courses equally perfect places for airborne landings. The huge concrete blocks that were erected to stop the movement of tanks from the beaches can still be seen today. The hallowed fairways of the Old Course were staked with massive wooden poles to prevent aircraft landings and Turnberry made the ultimate sacrifice when it was turned into a runway. Few courses remained unscathed - golf was not only suspended for the duration of the War, it was very nearly extinguished.

US golf became pre-eminent and though the Americans may not have been entirely responsible for winning the war, they did win the battle of post-war golf. One could argue that not having experienced the social and economic upheaval of Europe or the long interruption of play, they were infinitely better prepared for the resumption of golfing hostilities. Equally, the sheer numbers that were now playing golf in the US made pre-eminence statistically inevitable. Whatever the reason however, American golfers certainly came to the fore, following the War years.

The US domination of the Open Championship itself however, did not occur after the war as it had in the pre-war era of Hagan and Jones. Sceptics argue that the Americans did not play because doing so would have resulted in loss of earnings at home but history tells a different story. Though Sam Snead won the first post-war Open at St Andrews in 1946 and Ben Hogan was victorious in his only visit to Carnoustie in 1953; every other major figure in US golf had come and gone with notably less success. English players were dominant in the immediate post-war years, with Cotton, Burton, Faulkner and Daly (Irish) all winning.

It was the Colonials however, who were to do the real damage as far as the Open was concerned. Bobby Locke from the Transvaal, a first generation South African Irishman and Peter Thomson, an Australian of solid Scots stock were about to take the golfing world by storm. These two overwhelmed golf in a period of a few years when Locke won in 1947 and '51 and Thomson in '54, '55, '56, '58 and again in '65. Indeed, Thomson never finished worse than second from 1952 to 1958. Their achievements, although less impressive in the US, were nevertheless significant. Thomson beat Hogan on his home turf to take the Texas Open, while Locke was the leading money winner on the US tour. Both these players found their spiritual home on the Scottish links where their best golf was played. Locke was a near resident visitor throughout his life and Thomson now has his home in St Andrews, only a wedge away from the R&A.

1890 - 1914: THE GREAT TRIUMVIRATE

2008-07-30T05:31:00.000-07:00

1890 - 1914: THE GREAT TRIUMVIRATE
This era will always be remembered for the mark left on the game of golf by John Henry Taylor, Harry Vardon and James Braid. Known as the great triumvirate, theycollected sixteen Open Championships between them and have left an indelible impression on the game of golf.

Harry Vardon hailed from the Channel Island of Jersey and Henry Taylor from Devon in England. The emergence of Vardon and Taylor before the end of the 19th century attests to the rapid spread and widespread play of the game. Both had already established themselves as Open Champions before they were joined by James Braid. The three between them collected 16 Open titles and 13 second-place finishes and almost completely excluded a host of great Scots players from the records of the game during that particular period of time.

John Henry Taylor won the first of his five Open titles in 1894 at St George's in England, now Royal St George's, while Harry Vardon pipped Taylor in a play off in 1896 to land the first of a record six titles. James Braid won his first of five Open Championships in 1901 to join Vardon and Taylor as the dominant forces of the day. Though also winning the French Open, unlike Vardon and Taylor, Braid never made the transatlantic crossing to enjoy the spoils of the newly emerged golfing scene in the USA.

While Vardon won the US Open of 1900 during a tour of America where he played in approximately 80 matches and winning 70 of them, Braid's decision to remain at home was well rewarded as an exhibition match player. Braid also established himself in course design, building Gleneagles and Nairn to name but two of his many jewels.

What started as a trickle of Scots golfers to the US, became commonplace by the turn of the century when anyone who could swing a club on a Scots links was able to find a lucrative niche as a professional in the US. The early US Open Champions were all Scots born players who, as teachers and mentors produced players that would come to further transform the game. One notable such player was Willie Anderson from North Berwick in Scotland, who won the US Open four times including a present day record of three in a row from 1903 to 1905.

1920 - 1939 : BETWEEN THE GREAT WARS

The First World War decimated Scottish golf. Every village war memorial attests to the numbers who fell in France and few clubs are without a memorial to some rising star, who played out his last match on the fields of Flanders. Some great players survived but the consequence of terror gutted their game. Those that came through unscathed were few in number, determined never to see the like again and often took the decision to play in America - golf's promised land.

There was one notable exception in the mercurial George Duncan. Born near Aberdeen, George served his time as a carpenter before rejecting his trade and the offer of professional football with Aberdeen FC to become the professional at Stonehaven, before moving to the lucrative South and acclaim. He won the first post-war Open at Deal in 1920 when Sandy Herd at the age of 51 was runner-up. Duncan also played in the Ryder Cups of '27 and '29, captaining the side in 1931. Scottish golfers were sorely tried by the wave of first generation Americans that returned to assault the Championships after the War. These players transformed the game, bringing a flair and lifestyle that induced some disquiet in the home based players.

Though life in America did not suit all tastes, with the Dunne's and Willie Park Jr. among those who went and returned, there were many more who did not make the return journey. Alistair Mackenzie and Donald Ross from Dornoch were just two who left an indelible mark on America as course architects. The Smiths from Carnoustie, Ben Sayers from North Berwick, Tommy Armour from Edinburgh, the Simpsons from Elie and many others from St Andrews all left lasting impressions in the States and left Scotland bereft of its best and dearest.

Jock Hutchison was the last St Andrews born player to win the Open, while Paul Lawrie was the last native Scot when he won at Carnoustie in 1999. After Jock's win, the Open was dominated by the American, Walter Hagen who won the first of his four Open titles in 1922 at St George's and followed up with victories in '24, '28 and '29. Together with his compatriots Jim Barnes (1925), Gene Sarazen (1932) and the incomparable Bobby Jones who won in 1926 and '27, this was an unprecedented period of Open Championship domination by US players.

The year 1922 saw 20 years old Gene Sarazen burst onto the scene in dramatic fashion, landing both the US Open and US PGA Championship, retaining the latter the following year after a play off with Walter Hagen. Hagen bounced right back after this setback and won the next four PGA Championships from 1924 to 1927. 1923 witnessed the mercurial talent of Bobby Jones winning the first of his four US Open titles and Jones followed this with victory in the Open at Royal Lytham in 1926, retaining it at St Andrews in 1927. The Ryder Cup was held for the first time in 1927, when the United States, captained by Walter Hagen, took on and comprehensively defeated their counterparts from Great Britain & Ireland.

1850 - 1890 : THE MORRIS AND PARK ERA.

2008-07-30T05:27:00.000-07:00

If golf as we know it had its birth in the dim and distant past of the 17th century and its upbringing under the Robertson family on the links of St Andrews, then its adolescence occurred abruptly between 1848 and 1852. Three highly significant events occurred in St Andrews that were to turn the game from the parochial into the global. The first of these events was the discovery of the "gutta percha" based ball, known as the "gutty" by James Patterson in 1848. More importantly, the durability of this new ball in turn encouraged the development of iron-faced clubs and so continued the process of evolution.

Then in 1852 the railway came to St Andrews and with it the progenitors of the millions who have made the pilgrimage since. Now the links was played by all and sundry throughout the year and not simply restricted to the busy spring and autumn meetings. The R&A erected it's now famous clubhouse in consequence of the railway, scores of ex-pat colonialists retired to the town and families took up residence so that their sons could attend the University, which was gradually assuming a stature comparable with Oxford and Cambridge. If the 'gutty' transformed the game, the railway certainly transformed the town of St Andrews.

The third event of this period, which comes in two parts, is surely one of the most important events in the long history of the game. Every individual who has made a living out of hitting a golf ball should hold April 20th 1851 as the nativity for that was the birth date of Young Tom Morris, one of the game's greatest early exponents. Similarly, every green-keeper, designer or administrator should express some word of gratitude on the 1st of July for it was on that day in 1851 that Old Tom Morris left for Prestwick to create the first purpose built golf course on the links of Monkton parish.

It was in 1860 that the first Open Championship was held at Prestwick and was contested by eight leading professionals. The first winner was Willie Park for which he received a red Morocco leather belt with silver clasps as the first prize. The Open continued to be held at Prestwick for 11 years and the Morris's dominated the early events. Old Tom had won the event four times by 1867 and Young Tom subsequently completed a quartet of wins, after which he was allowed to keep the Belt.

Young Tom Morris was raised on the links of Prestwick Golf Club and it was there that he honed a game that was as revolutionary as the new iron clubs that he had purpose made by Stewart in St Andrews. Irons that were previously resorted to for a bad lie were now used for driving, lofting, jiggering and putting.

Young Tom Morris also knew his worth and he demanded and obtained a good living from the flair that he brought to the game. In this sense he was the first true modern professional golfer. There may well have been greater players since Young Tom but if there has been, few have left a greater legacy to the game.

The Morris's accrued an incredible record, with Old Tom winning the Open in 1861, '62, '64 and '67, while Young Tom won in 1868, '69, '70 and 72. Across the Firth of Forth in Musselburgh another family came close to matching them when Willie Park Sr. and Jr. won the Open six times between them. Willie Sr. won the first Open in 1860 and again in '63, '66, '67 and '75. His brother Mungo Park won in 1874, while Willie Jr. won in '87 and '89. Old Tom and Willie Sr. won all but one Open (1865) prior to the emergence of Young Tom. Both were much-loved figures and were responsible for the standards of sportsmanship with which the game is synonymous today.

1750 - 1850 : THE ROBERTSONS OF ST ANDREWS.

2008-07-30T05:25:00.000-07:00

This was the period when golf as we know it today came to be. It was in this time that many of today's great golf clubs were founded and the leading players of the era started to gain renown. The great club-makers and ball-makers of the era began to emerge and the clubs produced by these skilled craftsmen were coveted to the extent that forgeries became commonplace.

Top players began to regularly gather for 'meetings' when medal and match-play rounds were organised, with distinctions made for the first time between amateur and professional players. Allan Robertson, of the famous ball-making family in St Andrews, is widely credited as being the first golf professional. But before Allan, his Grandfather Peter was described as a professional golfer and although history knows little of this man, his reputation survived him and his prowess was widely acknowledged. One epic contest in 1843 was between Allan Robertson and Willie Dunn, two of the best players of that time. The challenge was held over 20 rounds (2 rounds per day over 10 days) and it was Robertson who triumphed - two rounds up with one to play.

The Robertson dynasty in itself reflects the emergence of the great game. The family can be traced back to one Thomas Buddo, a ball-maker in St Andrews in 1610. His daughter married a Robertson and from this pair was bred the stock that led to Allan himself and along the line produced generations of ball-makers. At least four separate Robertson families employing over 25 hands were engaged in making balls in St Andrews during the mid 18th Century. Allan by the way, who died in 1859, became the first man to break 80 on what is now the Old Course in 1853.

How To Improve Your Golf Swing.

2008-07-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

So you need a little help with your golf swing. This article will give you some tips that may help with golf swing improvement. Golf swing improvement is an important consideration when you are serous about the game.

Golf swing improvement tip #1: You need to have self confidence. Without self-confidence the likelihood of golf swing improvement is not very good.

Golf swing improvement tip #2: Don’t worry about what others think or say about your golf swing. Think about how you feel about your swing and then work to improve it.

Golf swing improvement tip #3: Develop a positive attitude about your golf swing.

Golf swing improvement tip #4: You may not feel relaxed but you can learn to play whether you are relaxed or not.

Golf swing improvement tip #5: If you have problems with your left knee buckling when you swing, try imagining that you are holding a basketball between your knees.

Golf swing improvement tip #6: Don’t swing too quickly. Figure out a rhythm and stick with it.

Golf swing improvement tip #7: Remember to use the muscles in your legs and trunk. Using your wrists only will not produce the swing you need.

Golf swing improvement tip #8: If it is breezy it is not going to do you any good to hit the ball harder. Try hitting the ball lower.

Golf swing improvement tip #9: Work on a golf swing that has good balance and a very smooth tempo.

Golf swing improvement can occur with a little mental and physical work.

by Tim Gorman

The Secrets To Backspin.

2008-07-30T04:44:00.000-07:00

I reckon for most of you, landing short happen nine times out of ten… but keeping this question in mind, backspin would allow you to be much more aggressive with your irons. Not to mention it looks so cool…

Here goes… the secrets to more backspin:

1) You need a high-energy ball with a soft cover. High performance golf ball’s are imperative to creating spin. Distance balls have very hard covers and the grooves on the club cannot grab the ball enough to impart a maximum amount of spin. Start spending $6 a ball, rather than a dozen and you will see a difference.

2) Your club’s grooves need to be clean and clear. Grass and dirt in your club’s grooves impede its ability to grab the ball’s cover to impart spin.

3) Your angle of attack cannot be too steep. If your downswing is too steep and you trap the ball, you’d be hard pressed to get much in terms of spin. Your club must make contact with the bottom half of the ball and at an angle.

4) Acceleration. This factor is by far the most important; you have to accelerate into impact to make backspin. Slowing down in golf, is rarely a good thing.

5) Your lie must be clean. I think it goes without saying a fairway lie is far batter than a lie in the rough. This is because there is less grass for the grooves to sift through, leading to better groove on ball contact.

6) Your ball position must be in the proper place to allow for the proper angle of attack. Having the ball either too far forward or too far back in your stance will change your angle of attack dramatically. Ideally it should be very near the center of your stance.

Incorporating these secrets into your golf game and you will see a dramatic increase in the amount of spin and control you have over your irons.

by SirShanksAlot

Golf History - An Overview.

2008-07-30T04:43:00.000-07:00

The analysis of history of golf by the historians reveal several fascinating facts which makes us more curious and anxious in knowing the origin and evolution of this fantastic game-‘golf’. Historians are under great dilemma in determining the history and origin of golf because the Chinese history, Dutch history, and Scottish history has evidences regarding the origin of golf in their country.

So historians are in a fix in tracing the history of golf. When we analyze the origin of golf in Chinese history, it is said in their history that the early Chinese people played a game much similar to golf which had the rules almost similar to present day golf. Such a reference is made in a Chinese book called Dongxuan Records. But the Dutch history claims the Dutch as the founders of golf. In Dutch history it is said that in 13th century A.D the Dutch played a game in which the player has a stick and the player hits the ball made of leather similar to a golf ball. The criteria for winning this golf game (in history); is similar to golf in which the player who hits the ball to the target at maximum distance is regarded as the winner.

The history of Scottish people reveals that they played a game much synonymous with golf and the historical golf game they played was called ‘gowf’. The Scotts argue that they are the inventors of golf based on their history and the origin of golf is Scotland. But modern historians believe that this game called ‘gowf’ is not similar to ‘golf’ but it is synonymous to ‘hockey’. But the Scotts still do not agree with it. The Dutch refer to the ancient words in their language like ‘kolf’ the meaning of which may be bat or stick. Further evidences in the history of golf are being continuously analyzed by the historians. They have found out a picture in England which reveals that the history of golf starts from 1340. Of all the courts in the world, the Musselburgh court acts as living historical evidence because it shows that the Scotts played golf quite often right from fifteenth century. The Scottish queen Mary often played this game in the same court.

Recent analysis on the origin and history of golf was made by a Chinese lecturer name professor. Ling Hongling. He says that the origin of golf is traced to China because the Chinese played this game in early eleventh centuries. Golf as per their history was played by the Chinese monarchy named ‘song dynasty’.

But the Scotts say that the present ay golf courts has evolved from Scotland and the reference was Scottish history in which it is said the ancient Scottish golf grounds was featured with 18 cups much synonymous to modern golf courts.

When compared to the ancient equipments the modern equipments are quite advanced. History of golf reveals that the ancient golf players used feather filled leather balls. But now the ball is made of several complex polymers. The clubs have evolved from ordinary wooden clubs in history to plastic and other polymer based ones. Newer designs in golf balls have been found out in 1980s.Several inventions are made in the history of golf which includes metallic tee instead of the ancient wooden tee. In the later days the shafts were made of compounds of graphite instead of wood.

by Steven Katz

Golf Clubs.

2008-07-30T04:23:00.000-07:00

Every golfer knows how superb golf clubs deeply affects gameplay; providing loft, making important backspins, and even those crucial moments and deft touches over the green. Golf clubs are the immediate extension of a player’s skill, the player’s game. It is a mutual collaboration of skill and contrivance that will spell how a game proceeds.

Suffice to say (or simply put!), getting the best golf club can always make your game improve. Some clubs are designed to compensate your weak spot. The only hindrance though is the seemingly endless option of good clubs out there that would ultimately leave you more confused than when you first started.

Getting the best golf clubs doesn’t require a mean technique. It’s a matter of choosing the right one in case something else’s isn’t working. Take for instance Utility Woods over Long Irons. Utility Woods is perfect for those who can’t wield Long Irons. Likewise, many people tend to forget how essential shaft lengths can be. The rule is: Make sure length and lie angle matched to your swing. Shortening the shafts can lead to a more comfortable stroke; however you might not notice the weakening of the power of the strokes you’ve made. Why is that? Physics. The lesser the length of the shaft, the lesser too the speed at which the club head travels In such event you need to add a bit lead tape at the back of the putter to compensate the power loss. Alternatively, Graphite Shafts are also other cool choice for selection of golf clubs –for those who don’t have much strength to wield a heavy one.

While Woods are fairly non existent in any golfers’ bags in the past, almost everybody now uses the Fairway Woods. That is because everybody knows how Woods provide a reasonable power with minimal precision, unlike the Long Iron which requires a strong swing and a fairly accurate hit to get the ball up, especially on rough grass.

Remember though, it’s by experiencing each type that you can eventually decide which is best. Like the aspect of flexibility with the golf shafts and how it also can affect ball delivery which is relatively unknown to starter players. Make sure of golf clubs if they have the appropriate flex for you. Start with the softest flex then move towards the stiffer ones while choosing the best flex. And weight is always beneficial to any strokes as it makes your swing smoother and adds impact.

By Milos Pesic

Golf Club Types.

2008-07-30T03:29:00.000-07:00

Every avid golfer requires a good quality set of golf clubs. Golf clubs are a golfer's best friend and if a golfer finds free time you will rarely them without their golf clubs. In fact, the best gift you can think of purchasing a golfer is a set of golf clubs or several new golf clubs to add to his or her existing set. Let's closely review the different types of clubs available. Moreover, let's determine how to go about purchasing clubs.

Essentially, there are five different types of clubs to choose. You can choose woods with heads of titanium alloy, irons with steel heads, wedges, and putters and finally, hybrid clubs are available for purchase. Clubs can be ordered from online distributors, or you can pay a visit to the nearest sports store in your neighborhood.

Different brands of clubs

The different brands of clubs may astound you as you will find that there are many manufacturers of clubs. Adams, Callaway, Ben Hogan, Bridgestone, Cleveland Golf, Dunlop, Hippo, Mizuno, Nancy Lopez, Nickent & Nickent Goddess Series, Precept, Ram Golf, Srixon Golf, Taylor Made Irons, Tommy Armour, and Wilson all produce different brands of clubs for the golfer to choose from. How do you know which brand is right for you or the future recipient of your gift? You may want to chat with a few golfers to get their recommendations or you can strike up a conversation with your intended recipient to see what kind of clubs they recommend. In doing so, you will b sure to purchase the clubs that they really will like.

You can find various reviews on the Internet pertaining to an assortment of golf products. You can get a good idea about what golf products and clubs are popular and determine which clubs to purchase from there. Either way, reviews will provide you with a wealth of invaluable information pertaining to clubs and club purchasing.

Alternatively, if you decide against purchasing clubs you can always purchase other golfing items. Many web distributors sell far more than just clubs on their websites. For instance, you can buy golf bags, golf apparel, golf balls, ball retrievers, chippers, carts (although a bit expensive for gift purposes), coolers, Divot tools, drivers, gloves, hats, aides and more. Conversely, if you are unsure as to what would be appropriate or you don't know what a golfer really needs you can simply purchase a gift certificate and let them shop for their own golf gift.

When you have finally decided upon your purchase you will find that website distributors of golf products typically have good deals in terms of shipping your items. Some sites offer free delivery if you order up to a certain amount of golf products and many sites will ship items within 48 hours of the placement of your order. Typically, items are delivered by the United Parcel Service.

By Michael Russell