Getting the Right Clubs for You.
20/01/2014 14:35
Basics of the Game – Equipment Using it to Your Advantage.
Getting the Right Clubs for You.
These days it seems that we’re bombarded with every marketing tool under the sun, and for golf players, what club, balls, clothes and shoes we should use are no exception. Every pro golfer wants us to buy their product – so how do you choose? Custom fitting might be better than relying on advertisements.
Each golfer has his or her own swing characteristics – they may have a favorite club in their set, a club that they hit really well with. The chances are excellent that they are dealing with a club that is close to their frequency. During a custom club fitting session, you will use several clubs – all with different shaft frequencies, lengths, lie angles, materials, grip sizes, and grip materials. Proper club fitting can give you the consistency and distance you've been looking for, that you can’t find on television adverts. Once these club specifications are matched to your swing, you will experience maximum performance. With the right equipment you will enjoy the game more, as your game will improve dramatically, and your handicap will be driven down.
Balls.
A bad ball can ruin not only a swing, but a whole day. Using the right type of ball is imperative – using the wrong type of ball will waste a shot. There are basically three types of balls: balata, two-piece, or a combination of both. There are two things to consider when choosing the correct ball:
1. What Do You Need? Do you have a low handicap, but are looking for ultimate spin and control? If so, choose a balata. This is fundamentally a softer ball, which has a softer cover and allows for more spin. This is what Tiger and a lot of the great players use (they are a bit more expensive). If you are a higher handicap, you will be looking more for distance and durability. This is where a good two-piece ball will be best. This ball has a harder cover, and hence creates less backspin, which allows for you to hit it further.
2. The Elements. Weather and course conditions play an important part in what ball you will need on a given day’s play. If the course is soaked, then you will need a ball that will travel further and produce less spin. If you are playing on a dry course, choose something softer that will land soft and spin.
Also, bear in mind things such as temperature. On a cold day, the ball will not compress as much, so you would need a 90-compression (there are two compressions for men, 90 and 100.) Hot days require the reverse.
These are three great golf balls:
- Balata - Maxfli HT or Titleist Professional
- Half balata, half two piece - Precept EV Extra Spin or Titleist HP2 Tour
- Two-piece - Maxfli MD or Wilson Staff TC2
More and more pros these days are opting for the half-and-half over the pure balata. Remember, you can slice a few strokes off each round by simply choosing the correct ball. Try playing with a few of each, and learn how they feel. Decide which ones you like, and play with these for the competitive edge!
Ball Position.
Ball position is personal preference. “Acceptable” ball position is somewhere between the middle of your stance, and the heel of your target side foot. Your hands should be slightly touching your target side leg, a hand-thumb out from your leg at address. Hit a ball from all four corners of the ball box, and gradually adjust until you optimize ball contact and initial direction. This will help find your best spot. Some players find this spot with every club. Others think it's more consistent to have one spot for all clubs. Then you just need to change your spine angle and width of stance to accommodate the club you are swinging. Obviously, adjusting the front to back parameter enables you to affect the direction and trajectory. Front is higher trajectory, and possibly in the direction of the front foot. Back is lower trajectory, and possibly in the direction of the back foot. ”Possibly”, because you could change your swing path if you wanted to. After all, you can do whatever you want. Bear in mind that a slight positioning of your body or clubface may be easier to do.
Whenever practicing, spend some time playing with your ball flight. Experiment with all the variables – spin the ball left and right, a little and a lot. Then make the ball go high and low, a little and a lot. Practice this routine with all of your clubs. As you are able to do more with your ball flight, you will lower your score and have more fun. Putting.
Putting is simply combining distance and direction – and for the most part, direction should be fairly automatic. Even beginners should be able to roll a ball in the right direction; getting the distance right is what takes time and practice. When you carry out your practice stroke, the strength of the stroke is how hard you need to putt when you carry out the actual stroke. For putts of a few feet, aim the ball to the back of the cup – this will eliminate or lessen the amount of ‘break’, reduce the chances of leaving the putt short, and get the ball over the little imperfections found on putting greens.
Trouble Shots.
Deep rough: Long grass has the effect of closing the face of the club and decreasing the loft of the club. Therefore, you should use a more lofted club than if the ball were in the fairway. If you still have a long distance left, your first consideration should be getting the ball out of the rough. Use of lofted fairway woods #5, #6, #7 is best for this situation. As long grass decreases the loft of clubs, the ball will actually go the distance using the less lofted fairway woods. You should also again use a more lofted club around the green. These types of shots are custom made for a wedge or a 9-iron. Once again, loft of the club is decreased in a long green. The ball will therefore fly lower and run more, than if it were in the fairway. Remember, allow the loft of the club to lift the ball out of the rough!
Sidehill, Downhill & Uphill Lies: It’s a fact that few golf courses are flat. Use these suggestions for playing hilly lies. Take a practice swing, and note where the club is striking the ground. If the club is striking the ground nearer the back foot, move the ball back in your stance; if the club is striking the ground nearer the front foot, move the ball forward in your stance. This system is the most accurate way to determine where the ball should be placed in the stance. Not that often does a player have a purely sidehill or uphill lie. This system takes all the factors into account, as the practice swing is the forerunner to the actual shot. The general rule of thumb is: position the ball in the stance nearer the higher foot on the downhill lies, about center on the uphill lies, and on sidehill lies, position the ball left center (as you normally would). You will normally hit the ball straight, or pull it to the left, if the ball is above your feet on the sidehill lie. If the ball is below your feet, most players will actually pull the ball to the left. This is because their leg action will slow down as they try to maintain their balance. Try ten practice balls from each sidehill position and see what really happens. This is the best system for determining which way the ball will travel for you on sidehill lies.
How to Get Out of Trouble
How often have you gotten into trouble, and compounded your difficulties by trying to play a miracle shot to get out? The best approach is not to play the shot Arnold Palmer would be dubious about, but to play the shot you know you can play. When hitting over a tree, take one club extra. If you think you can clear the tree with a 7-iron, take an 8 or 9 iron. If you think a 5-iron will just stay under those branches, hit a 4 or 3 iron. Use the benefit of the doubt and take the pressure off yourself - it also puts the percentages on your side. This is the chess side of golf, and it is as important to master as hitting the ball well.
Purchasing the right equipment is only the tip of the iceberg – knowing how to use it effectively is just as important. Where to put your golf balls for the best results, what clubs to use in what situations, and even the basics of putting all rely on the right tools of the trade – now all you need to do is pick out a nice pair of shorts and gloves!