Archive for the 'Golf Equipment' Category

Putting: The Inexact Science

posted by SportsNut
July 30, 2009

golf-equipment

Seasoned golfers like to say that “you drive for show, but you putt for dough.” It’s impossible to overstate the importance of the short game, and no two people share the same precise technique. Some golfers study their putts meticulously, judging the slope of the green from every angle. Others spend more time estimating a putt’s speed by concentrating on the grain of the grass and other physical factors.

The most effective putting strokes are relatively uniform – they feature a short backswing and confident follow-through. On the other hand, putter designs can range from traditional mallets to bizarre new creations. The long putter, which is gripped like a broom and stands as tall as a player’s shoulders, became a popular piece of golf equipment when pros such as Vijay Singh employed it on the greens.

Anatomy of a Golf Club

posted by SportsNut
June 22, 2009

golf-chip-shotIf you want to shoot your best golf game, you’re going to have to use the right equipment. But in order to find the best equipment, it’s a good idea to be as familiar with that equipment as possible before you invest in any club. Every golf club has a basic form and format that any golfer should be aware of. First and foremost is the shaft. This is the tapered long metal tube, and it should be selected according to stability, strength, weight, and length. As with any good piece of equipment, it must fit your body type and be entirely comfortable.

Another important aspect of golf clubs is the grip. Where the player holds the club, the grip should offer non-stick properties without feeling cumbersome or intrusive. Every club also has a hosel, which is where the club head attaches to the shaft. This is pivotal to the balance and power of the club. While many people forget about this essential part of the club, it can greatly affect the feel and trajectory of your swings. And, of course, every club must have a club head. The shape and type of club head largely determines what kind of club you’re using, whether it’s a putter, chipper, iron, or wood.

zachjohnsonWhen the final round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament began, Zach Johnson held a 1 stroke lead over Paul Goydos, but when Goydos birdied the 16th hole things were reversed.  Goydos now held a 1 stroke over Johnson.  Unfortunately for Goydos, he would bogey both of the 2 remaining holes to miss a playoff by 1 stroke.

James Driscoll began the final round at 7 under par, 8 strokes behind Johnson.  Driscoll shot an 8 under par final round 62, and when Johnson could only manage an even par 70 in the final round, they headed to a sudden death playoff.

Johnson hit his approach shot to about 10 feet on the first playoff hole, leaving him a very makeable birdie putt.  Driscoll missed his 20 foot birdie putt leaving the outcome of the golf tournament in Johnson’s hands.  Johnson took advantage of the situation, rolling in his 10 footer, giving him his second when on tour this year.

With his win, Johnson vaulted to the number one spot on the FedExCup standings, passing Geoff Ogilvy and Phil Mickleson.  Ogilvy and Michelson are the only other players on the PGA Tour with two wins this season.

The Right Equipment For The Right Price

posted by SportsNut
April 28, 2009

cheapgolfclubsbeginner-worldofsportsinfo

The avid golfer will tell you that the score is indicative of several factors. For one, it directly reflects your skill and dedication. The more work you put in, the better your score. But there is also a very real difference that can be made to your score by investing in high quality golf clubs. This doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that high quality equipment has to break the bank. There are, of course, very pricey and very high end options available for the golfer with some extra cash, but there are also more reasonable options.

It’s something that every bargain hunter must learn. Cheap doesn’t mean low quality, and that holds true for cheap golf clubs. Do your research and discover the brands that you think will really work to improve your score. Then start browsing the internet for sales, discounts, or promotions. You might just be surprised at the deals you can find on various websites for truly high quality products. Be careful, though, as you want to make sure you are actually receiving the real deal and not a knock off brand or damaged material.

Golf Club Review: Adams Speedline Driver

posted by Striker
March 4, 2009

We are always searching for that special golf club that will help us hit the golf ball longer and straighter off the tee.  Adams Golf has come out with a new driver that may help you do just that, the Speedline Driver.  Check out the review below.

I hope you find this review informative. I will periodically have reviews of other golf equipment, so check back and see what will be reviewed next.



Adams Speedline Driver Review
Feb 16th, 2009
by dderoeck.

Adams Speedline Driver

Overview/Tadams-speedlineechnology-

Well, it looks like Adams has done it again. Just when the big boys are thinking they are creating distance from their competitors, Adams Golf comes up with another winner, the Adams Speedline. Too early to tell just how well this driver will do, but by the looks of it, well. Real well in fact.

Adams has a reputation of catering to the average golfer, the avid golfers that make the sport what it is today. And it looks like they have another one here, the Speedline was introduced and has gotten the attention with the recent Gold rating from 2009′ Golf Digest Hot List for Drivers Under $350.

The driver has been streamlined to help achieve aerodynamic efficiency. The design features a scooped heel and toe slots, a smaller face and optimal crown height and curve. The Speedline is the first driver in golf to be engineered using wind tunnel technology for superior aerodynamics. The unparalleled aerodynamics translates into higher swing speeds for all types of golfers looking for more distance.



Speedline Spec Sheet-

Comes in 3 lofts for the standard 8.5, 9.5, 10.5.

Also available in the Draw at 9.5, 10.5, 12.5 and HL.

Pros/Positives-

This driver is geared for the player looking for distance, the aerodynmics should provide a boost. In fact, the talk from Adams is the Speedline will provide 3-4 mph more clubhead speed which translates to 3-9 more yards on the average carry!

Cons/Negatives-

It’s a high launch driver geared for the recreational player. Certainly not to say it will not suit the lower handicap, as proven it does with 3 Tour wins already!

Actual Player Feedback-

“We have a great one here…The New Speedline Driver…it’s fantastic!”

“The trajectory, feel and control is beyond any driver I’ve ever hit”

Overall Rating-

Golf Digest gave it two thumbs up, need we say more. I think this driver will do very well. Early indications are it provides the every-day golfer a big boost in distance. Already a three-time winner on tour, the Adams Speedline is designed with three main features that reduce drag for more speed which equates to additional distance, something most all golfers look for in today’s high tech drivers.

Golf Club Review: Callaway X-22 Irons

posted by Striker
February 24, 2009

This year will be like any other year.  All the major golf equipment manufacturers are releasing their latest game-changing equipment this spring.  Below is a review of the new Callaway X-22 irons.  If you would like to learn more about these clubs go to Callaway Golf.

I hope you find this review informative. I will periodically have reviews of other golf equipment, so check back and see what will be reviewed next.

Callaway X-22 Irons Review

Posted January 16th, 2009 by Josh B

Over the last few months we have had the pleasure of testing and experimenting with a number of quality clubs. Whether it be a set of high performance blades or a set of super game-improvement irons, I take away a number of valuable experiences with each and every set. Thanks to THP and its relationship with some of the greatest club makers in the world, my perception and experience with club design and technology has expanded exponentially. In the past I would have automatically sought after a set of
player’s irons but my recent experiences with game improvement irons has shown me that technology and forgiveness simply work. This past week I was fortunate enough to test and evaluate the Callaway X-22 irons. The X-22 irons are Callaway’s latest development targeting the player who is seeking the ultimate combination of playability and forgiveness. Callaway continues to expand their designs and push the limits of innovation. The X-22 irons are a perfect example of Callaway’s commitment of setting the industry standard for performance and forgiveness.

The irons according to Callaway have loads of technology behind them:
Precision Notch Weighting
Precisely positions more weight to the perimeter of the iron to create a higher moment of inertia (MOI) for greater forgiveness and stability while maintaining the center of gravity position that produces ideal trajectories and feel.
Tour-Inspired Head Shape
Our engineers took elements designed for Tour players, like a thinner top line and narrower sole, and incorporated them into highly forgiving irons with a higher MOI so they can be played by a wide range of golfers.
Modified Tru-Bore
An advanced version of the original Tru-Bore design, the polycarbonate tip plug at the end of the shaft dampens vibration for enhanced feel and performance.
VFT Technology
VFT Technology maximizes ball speed and perimeter weighting for more distance and forgiveness; S2H2 increases discretionary weight by removing it from the hosel and repositioning it in the perimeter of the clubhead; 360-Degree Undercut Channel maximizes perimeter weighting by moving the CG lower and farther back in the clubhead, enlarging the hitting area and stabilizing the clubhead for more forgiveness.

There seems to be an ongoing argument with these and just about everything Callaway is producing right now having to do with their looks. I was always on the side of “these clubs are ugly”. Once I saw them first hand, my opinion has changed drastically! The overall appearance of a club is very important, especially in the confidence side of things and these clubs up close and in your hands look so much better than when I was viewing pictures of them online.

Once armed with this new set of clubs we headed out to the range and to play a quick 18 holes. On the range we noted that especially at setup, these irons look fabulous. Similar to most GI irons, (game improvement) the Callaway X-22’s have a thick topline, but overall size and shape are very much different than many of the GI clubs we have played recently. The shape is very much “Player’s type” with just a thicker overall feeling. Definitely a thinner topline than we have been used to in the past. As someone that has played both types of clubs, thick lines have never bothered me. Results are what matters.

That is where these irons shine. One the range we noticed two things with this set of clubs. The first is that THEY ARE VERY FORGIVING. When you miss them on the toe or heel, they fly as straight as an arrow. The good thing about the X-22’s compared to others we have tried though is that when you do miss it, you still get the feedback that lets you know how to correct it. That is something we did not expect but was a pleasant surprise. The second thing we noticed with this set is that the feeling of good impact was better than we had felt in many of the GI irons. Many times we feel as though with clubs that are built for forgiveness, you miss that “great shot feeling”. With these you definitely get that.

On the course we had the same thoughts. The ball traveled long and straight. One thing I want to add here is that most irons in this class get the ball up quick and have a very high trajectory. The X-22 irons did not have that. They had more of a “tour trajectory” and we really liked that aspect of them. We played four rounds with them and not once did I ever complain of wanting my player’s irons back. In fact after the last few GI sets that we have reviewed, it is making this reviewer wonder if playing them full time would make a better option? On the course we had 8 people play these clubs over the time we had them and all eight remarked about ball flight and forgiveness.

Overall we enjoyed this set quite a bit. If someone has been a Callaway fan in the past, they will really love these. They have raised the bar on the “X” series quite a bit this year, and we noticed instantly. The set we reviewed did have graphite shafts, but this set is available in either graphite or steel. Price everywhere seems to be $699 for steel shafts and $899 for the graphite version. You can read all about these clubs at Callaway Golf.

Till Next Time

Josh B.

Article from thehackersparadise.com

Golf Clubs - What’s in a Name

posted by Striker
February 23, 2009

Historically, in golf, the “woods” were made of wood and the “irons” were made of iron, which is why they were called “woods” and “irons”.  In golf today the woods are made out of titanium and the irons are madegolf_clubs_golf_irons2 out of steel.

golfdriver2

In recent years I have heard several golf commentators refer to a 3-wood as a 3-metal.  Why don’t they cal a 5-iron a 5-steel?  To me, the words “woods” and “irons” are more of a classification of the type of club rather than a description of the material the club is made of.

When you go to a restaurant and order a glass of iced tea, is the glass your tea comes in really made out of glass?  Maybe if you’re in a nice restaurant, but most of the time your glass of tea comes in a glass that is made out of plastic, but we still call it a glass of tea.  Then why do some people insist on calling a fairway wood a fairway metal?

Let’s keep it simple.  Let’s all refer to a 3-wood as a 3-wood and a 5-iron as a 5-iron, no matter what material they are made of.  That way in the future, when the club manufactures come up with some new material to make the golf clubs out of, we won’t have to change what we call them again.

Nike SQ Dymo Golf Driver

posted by Striker
February 22, 2009

Every year at this time the major golf equipment manufacturers are preparing to unveil their latest offering to the golf world by way of new game-changing equipment.  Below is a review of the new Nike SQ Dymo STR8-FIT Driver.  When it becomes available, check out our Austad’s page under golf suppliers.

I hope you find this review informative. I will periodically have reviews of other golf equipment, so check back and see what will be reviewed next.

The New Nike SQ Dymo STR8-FIT Driver

By Johnny Mixx

Nike Golf continues to make accessible to consumers the same game-changing technology that is used by its talented group of athletes on the professional tours. The latest and most exciting representation of this is Nike’s groundbreaking STR8-FIT technology found in Nike’s new SQ DYMO STR8-FIT and SQ DYMO² (square-shape) STR8-FIT drivers. A choice of eight club head positions that can dramatically or subtly perfect ball flight makes the SQ Dymo STR8-FIT the first of its kind in the market place.

The new Nike Dymo driver has an adjustable head with an amazing eight settings that can change the club to give a choice of up to 2 degrees closed or 2 degrees open, giving golfers of all abilities a wider choice than any other driver out there.

The SQ Dymo STR8-Fit comes with Nike Golf’s UST Proforce AXIV Core shaft as default (with weight options of 59 grams, 69 grams and 79 grams) that is designed for stability to allow golfers to swing faster whilst maintaining control of the clubhead at all times. Nike SQ Dymo STR8-FIT Driver will be available on April 1, 2009. Price: approx. $540.

Golf Equipment Review (TaylorMade R9 driver)

posted by Striker
February 18, 2009

If you’re a fan of the TaylorMade R7 drivers, then I’m sure you’ll want to check out the new TaylorMade R9 driver.  It takes “Moveable Weight Technology” one step farther.  Check out the review below of this new driver.  It could be that the TaylorMade R9 driver is what you need to improve your driving ability.

I hope you find this review informative. I will periodically have reviews of other golf equipment, so check back and see what will be reviewed next.

TaylorMade launches new R9 driver

  • Friday, 16 January 2009
  • Neil Tappin


TaylorMade R9 new driver

The new TaylorMade R9 driver

TaylorMade has announced the launch of its revolutionary new driver, the TaylorMade R9. By giving players the ability to manually change the face angle as well as the centre of gravity, the TaylorMade R9 represents a new dawn in golf club adjustability.

A specially engineered wrench allows players to change the face angle, lie and loft into one of eight different positions. Importantly, when the face angle closes the loft increases to ensure optimum carry. As the face angle opens the loft decreases to deliver a controlled, penetrating ball flight.

There are also three weight ports in the head (positioned in the heel, centre and toe) and it comes with one 16 gram and two one gram weights. Players can use the same wrench to change the position of the weights promoting different flight shapes.

By combining the adjustability of the face with moveable weight technology, the TaylorMade R9 has 24 different options so that every player should find a set-up that feels comfortable at address and delivers a consistent shape and trajectory.

The triangular shaped head of the R9 is just 420cc which TaylorMade describes as ‘modern and traditional’.

The TaylorMade R9 driver will be available with a new Fujikura Motore stock shaft. This features a High Inertia Tip that should generate more speed through impact for greater distance. However, there will also be a TP version of the R9 head that will be available in nine different custom shafts including the following: Aldila Voodoo, Mitsubishi Fubuki, Matrix XCON 5 and Matrix HD6.

Golf Instruction - Improve Your Putting

posted by Striker
February 16, 2009

puttingHow many strokes do you “throw away” because of poor putting, by either missing short putts or 3-putting?  When I’m talking about 3-putts, I’m not talking about the times you leave yourself a first putt of 100 feet.  It’s pretty hard to not 3-putt from 100 feet.  I’m talking about the times you 3-putt from 30 feet or closer.  These are the distances you should be able to get your first putt close enough to be able to make the second putt.

The people who seem to never miss short putts or never 3-putt, either have great touch on the greens, or they have come up with a technique that helps them have better touch on the greens.

I am a feel putter and usually don’t have a problem with 3-putts, but, like everyone else, there are times when I struggle with my lag putting.  Whenever that happens, I go back to a technique I have used for over 20 years, and before long I’ll be back on track.  It’s easy to do and doesn’t take much practice before you see results.

If you struggle with lag putting, try this golf instruction tip.  Basically, all you have to do is estimate the length of your putt and then take your putter back one inch for each foot of putt you have and follow through one inch for each foot of putt.  For example, if you have a ten foot putt, take the putter back ten inches and then follow through 10 inches.  The only adjustments you need to make are for uphill or downhill putts.  This is not a putting stroke that is totally absent of feel, but a putting stroke that will assist you in improving your feel to help you get more consistent with your distances.

3-putting is only one aspect of poor putting.  The other is missing short putts.  Most people I know that miss a lot of short putts, usually take their putter back too far and then decelerate the club head when they come through the ball.  It doesn’t matter what club you have in your hand, if you decelerate the club through impact, you will not hit a good shot.  When you decelerate the putter, you tend to push or pull the putt.  The only way to keep the ball on line is to accelerate the putter through impact.  You may think, “How can I accelerate the putter on a 3-foot putt?”  If you use the tip I gave in the paragraph above, you had better accelerate or you won’t get the putt to the hole.  If you take the putter back 3 inches on a 3-foot putt, you will automatically accelerate through the ball, which will keep the ball on line much better.

I have seen a lot of people who are struggling with their putting think that if they buy a new putter it will cure their putting problems.  A new putter is not likely to fix a bad putting stroke.

Try this golf tip and see if it helps.