BY CHRIS CAMPBELL

Woah, keep the wallet in your pants big boy. We’ve got some explaining to do first. Basic golf equipment of some kind is a must for anyone looking to take up this ancient game. Golf equipment like a good set of golf clubs, comfortable golf shoes, and a roomy but practical golf bag are essential to start your golfing adventure. But don’t go overboard here.

You’re just learning the game after all, and while good golf equipment is essential, there’s no point in blowing a whole wad before you really decide how much you like the game of golf and vice a versa. And as with many sports, the ultra high tech, high performance golf equipment won’t really make a big difference to the beginner, or average golfer for that matter. After a few years, once you’ve achieved brilliance on the course, and are beginning to pass the average to above average skill level, then it’s time to consider the more advanced golf equipment.

Hitting the Clubs

Your clubs are probably the first piece of golf equipment to consider for an upgrade, once you’re on the verge of challenging Tiger for the crown. You could decide to replace the entire set of clubs, if money is no object, and your appetite for golf domination has no bounds. But there is another option to consider.

There are probably many golf clubs in your bag that haven’t seen the light of day, or the green since the last time you paid for drinks on the 19th hole. So, maybe you should just consider gradually replacing the clubs you really use with new high performance clubs.

The next few times you go golfing, don’t just keep track of the strokes on each hole. Take an extra golf score card, and just track the golf clubs you use each hole. A little more work, but after a few weeks, you should have a pretty good idea which golf clubs you use the most, and which are just coming along for the ride. You may want to make up your own little custom golf club score card just for this exercise.

These Shoes Were Made for Swinging

Comfort is of course a major consideration when choosing golf shoes. You’re going to be traipsing across 18 fairways (or more), and you don’t need to be doing that in blisters. A good grip and solid support are also important in picking out golf shoes. As with many sports, a good base (your feet) can make all the difference in the world. Proper foot positioning, and support, are essentially the beginnings of a great golf swing.

The pros, or staff at a good golf equipment store can be helpful in choosing a pair of golf shoes that are appropriate for you. Don’t be afraid to spend in this category, as it is practically impossible to blow the bank on a pair of shoes, and your feet will love you for it.

Golf Goes Bizarre

Alright, I’m sure you’ve seen all the contraptions and medieval like torture devices in the infomercials guaranteeing to take strokes off your golf game. Well, like I said in the first paragraph, put away the wallet big boy. Instead find your self a good golf pro instead.

I’m sure every golf course you frequent has a pro of at least dubious stature. Ask around a bit, and see if any of your other buddies have had good success with a pro. Set up some regular lessons, and put in the practice time. That’s the best surefire way to improve your game. And then, once your golf game has ascended stratospheric levels, maybe you can justify buying those ultra super fantastic new clubs you’ve been drooling over all season.

Visit Chris Campbell’s Golf Links & Information site for more on golf equipment.

BY KEN LOPEZ

If you read any of the popular golf magazines, you know that low handicappers are told to look for shafts that have low torque and a little more weight for stability. Ultra light shafts with higher torque are supposed to be aimed squarely at slow swing speed players.

So it was surprising to read that Stuart Appleby was using a Fujikura Six in his driver. His clubs were profiled in one of Golf Digest’s “What’s in My Bag?” features.

The Fujikura Six is a 55 gram shaft with about 4.5° of torque. Not many club fitters would put a player like Appleby in that shaft. You might have even toyed with the idea of using a super light, but just couldn’t bring yourself to try one.

Last year Appleby averaged a little over 300 yards per drive. And that gets your attention. I was already using fairly light driver shafts, so I started experimenting with super lights to see if there was something to it.

Super light shafts do work… if you pick the right flex…

Extremely light shafts play softer than advertised flex, so you need to go with stiffer flex readings to get them to perform.

I didn’t use a Fujikura Six, but did try an MCC/Apache MFS 50+. After dialing in the flex I was able to add some distance instantly. Another benefit? I found no drop off in accuracy.

So, exactly what do you have to do to make a super light work?

Well, besides using a stiffer flex, boosting your driver’s swingweight so you can feel the clubhead is critical. You don’t need a very heavy shaft to maintain stability, but you do need to feel the clubhead during the swing if you want to stay in the short grass.

The only downside? You won’t be playing these shafts at shorter lengths. They’re simply too light. If you struggle with accuracy, go with a heavier shaft at a shorter length for control. Otherwise, give one a whirl and see if you don’t pick up a few extra yards.

Now, here’s another shaft type better players seem to avoid.

.350 tip driver shafts – only for mid to high handicappers?

Have you ever wondered what the differences are between the drivers tour pros use, as opposed to what you usually play?

Aside from the fact that tour vans customize clubs for pros under contract, there is one thing many manufacturers do that separates the “consumer” product from the “tour preferred” kind. If you check out a lot of stock, off-the-rack drivers, and TaylorMade is a good example of this, you’ll notice that they use .350 tip shafts instead of the smaller .335 tip shafts. Look carefully at their different driver models, and you’ll discover that their “Tour Issue,” or “Tour Preferred” drivers, are designed to be used with .335 tip shafts.

A lot of better players turn their noses up at .350 tip shafts and won’t play them. There are a couple of reasons they feel this way:

First, few if any tour pros use them. The claim is that .335 tip shafts deliver better feel with more responsiveness.

Second, manufacturers use them in their consumer products because they’re more rugged and cut down on breakage and returns. That is true. I’ve noticed they do hold up better with fast swing speed players.

After working with these shafts for a while, I’ve found no evidence to support the claim that .335 tip shafts feel better.

More importantly? I’ve noticed that low handicappers can’t distinguish between .350 tip versus .335 tip shafts in the same drivers. They feel virtually the same. The only negligible difference? The .350 tip shaft may play a hair stiffer.

The take-away message? Don’t always wait for tour pros to start using a product before you try something new yourself. They’re notorious for being late adopters, and they’re slow to make changes in their set makeup.

A little experimentation is a good thing. At the end of the day? You’re the only one who’s going to know what equipment works best for your game.

Ken Lopez writes articles for Pure Impact Custom Golf where you can get answers to your questions on custom golf clubs.

BY MICHAEL RUSSELL

When you first decide to begin playing golf, don’t make the mistake of going out and buying an expensive set of golf clubs. Why do I say that? There are a couple of good reasons. First, what happens if you find out you really don’t like the game? You’ve just spent a lot of good money for something you don’t like. Secondly, you haven’t found the type of clubs that fit your ability, or your size. The best thing you can do when starting out is to buy a used set of golf clubs. Here are some simple guidelines to help you.

Look at using golf rental clubs from the pro shop or driving range. This is a great way to find out which clubs feel comfortable and that you like. Ask to hit some range balls with a friend’s clubs and try them out. After hitting several golf balls you’ll start to get a good feel for what type of clubs you like.

Talk with a pro. When you feel it’s time to purchase your own set of golf clubs, be sure to speak with a pro at your local golf course. You can also talk to a golf instructor, or even an expert at the golf shop. The Internet can be helpful in giving you information on golf club reviews. You can ask others for advice, but keep in mind that everyone is different. What may be the perfect club for them may not be the one for you.

How does the club feel? One of the good ways in knowing if the used set of golf clubs you’re looking at is for you or not is to simply hold them in your hands. How do they feel to you when you swing them? The professionals on the PGA tour will all tell you that feel is the most important aspect of their game. If the club doesn’t feel right, move on to something else.

Oversized irons. Using bigger, oversized irons will dramatically help out the beginning golfer. They give you a much larger hitting area, which greatly reduces the most common cause of mishits. Larger club heads are more forgiving because they have a much larger sweet spot. This gives you maximum distance and less off center contact.

Graphite shafts. Using golf clubs that have graphite shafts can be another benefit for the new golfer. They are lighter and allow you to swing the club faster, which means, added distance. Keep in mind that graphite will cost a little more than steel shafts.

Good grips. Be sure that the golf grips on the set of clubs you are considering to purchase have good grips. If they are worn, or don’t fit you properly, have them changed. Grips are very easy to have replaced and they are also very inexpensive. You can have them replaced at your local pro shop or golf store. Make no mistake about it, golf grips can help lower your scores.

Finally, keep this in mind. When you are first starting out in the golf world, most likely your golf swing is going to let you down more than the golf clubs themselves. But even with that said, it is very important to find a set of golf clubs that fit you and your swing. The right golf clubs will give you the added confidence you’re looking for. That confidence will translate into lower scores and more enjoyment!

Michael Russell writes for the Your Golf Guide website.

BY JIMMIE NEWELL

Seems like a silly question, however, using a golf bag that matches your style of play will make the game more enjoyable, and if you are enjoying your game more, you will usually play better. In recent years there have been vast improvements in how golf bags are made, the materials they are made from, the durability of those materials. The styles or types of golf bags has also evolved.

Consider the Sunday Bag. This is typically meant to carry a smaller assortment of golf clubs and equipment; it is meant to be carried and usually for a quick 9 holes, maybe even on an executive or par 3 course. They have been around for a while; they are usually constructed of lightweight nylon, and usually are not designed to carry a full set of clubs.

The typical carry bag has evolved so much that carrying your own full set of clubs in becoming much more popular. The lightweight ballistic nylon materials used to make most of these bags keeps the weight down, and the new 2 shoulder carry strap systems distribute the weight evenly across your back and shoulders, as well as make it very easy to pick up and put down. Many of them also have the spring loaded retractable legs that are common on stand bags. Will carry a full 14 club set.

The stand bag, so named because of the lightweight, spring loaded, and retractable legs that extend automatically when you set the bag down. This feature allows ready access to your clubs at a natural angle without bending down. Stand bags are constructed of lightweight materials and designed to be carried. Will carry a full 14 club set.

The grand daddy of golf bags, the staff bag, is still available and is really meant to be carried by a caddie. These bags are heavy, usually made of heavier materials. These are the bags seen on tour, and are made to carry anything you think you might need during your round, extra balls, extra towels, extra gloves, snacks, water, as well as your 14 golf clubs. Fully loaded they can weight in at 40-70 pounds.

A fairly new innovation is the cart bag. These are usually a little larger than the typical carry or stand bag, which makes them a little awkward to carry for more than a short distance. They are designed for use with a cart, either a push, pull or power cart. They feature many pockets most of which are accessible without removing the bag from the cart. These bags will carry the full 14 club set.

Have a junior golfer in the group? The junior bag is a lightweight bag just the right size to be carried by the aspiring young golfer from age 5 up to early teens. They will carry the typical junior set of 5-8 clubs.

There are also many new and old features you should look for when buying a golf bag.

• A divided main club compartment; the dividers will help you organize and protect your clubs from damage.
• An outside of the main compartment putter tube, handy for quick access.
• A place to carry your umbrella.
• A golf glove hook or snap.
• A padded valuables pocket.
• A detachable rain hood.
• And remember you can never have enough pockets!

Golf bags even have their own accessory items.

• Clear rain canopy that allows easy viewing and access to clubs while keeping the entire bag dry.
• Umbrella holder that attaches to the bag.
• Many different cup or beverage holders.
• Beverage storage tubes that will accommodate a six pack.
• Special sized umbrellas designed specifically to cover your clubs.
• Detachable shoe and duffel bags.
• Travel covers; you can choose from zip up nylon bags to hard shell club cases on wheels, all designed to keep your clubs together and provide a degree of protection.

Now that you are fully armed with information go to your pro shop, sporting goods store, or shop online. Prices range from under $100 to over $1,000. You should be able to find a bag with the logo and colors of your favorite club manufacturer, your favorite sports team, or even have your own name on it. Just be sure to look for the golf bag that matches your style of play, and you may see an improvement in your game!

Jim is the owner/publisher of TalkingGolf101, a website celebrating “The Passion for the Game” offering golf news, resources, and information. Jim writes articles on a variety of other subjects, and publishes additional websites.

BY JOHN BOLT

Clone golf putters are ideal for golf enthusiasts who are searching for quality clubs but at a fraction of the price of full price, name brand, authentic cousins. There is no shortage of knock off putters that are of high quality, both in terms of performance and durability, instead it is just working out which clone putters to look for and where to find clone golf putters that is the key to success.

Clone golf putters are a great way to get the best bang for your buck without jeopardizing the quality of your putters or indeed the quality of your golf game. These days knock off putters are very sophisticated putters manufactured using the same materials and technology as is used in the manufacture of some of the more popular brands such as Titleist, TaylorMade, Ping and Callaway/Odyssey. These are just a few examples of popular brands of putters which compare directly to clone golf putters in terms of quality and performance.

Clone golf putters are made from the same high-quality materials that pro line clubs are, and often in the same foundries and most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference. And naturally, if you pay a little extra to have your knock off putters customized for you, then you might even have a better game than one of your peers who is carrying around a pricier, non-customized name brand on course. The best thing about this is that your playing partners won’t even consider you a threat until, of course, you start sinking more putts than they do because your putter actually fits you.

Ultimately though knock off putters have one clear advantage — clone golf putters are much more affordable then their name brand counterparts. So how can they do this? It’s simple. Because clone golf companies do not have large advertising campaigns, high-cost event sponsorships of tournaments and players, and extensive marketing budgets, clone manufacturers do not need to inflate their prices on the golf clubs. They do their best to give the players a great product at an even better price.

When searching for clone golf putters it is best to use an Internet site that offers the most useful benefits. In particular, you want to ensure that they offer full refunds and returns on golf clubs and clone putters and other accessories you might purchase from them. Also look for companies that offer a custom fitting section that will help you pick the perfect putter for your game. Some companies even offer free delivery or free insurance for purchases over a certain value. The key to buying clone putters is to do your homework and shop around — you won’t be disappointed.

John Bolt writes for Golf Equipment Source where you get the answers you need about golf equipment, apparel, tips and more.

BY BRIAN JOHANSSON

The game of golf is one that encompasses many different facets. One must be focused, courteous and be well trained in his skill. The latter must be crafted by practice and using the right tools that can bring out the best result of your skill. In no way does equipment define the player, but it can refine the overall result. Almost any professional will stress that it is hard to project your best effort without the right tools.

Finding the right tools is not as easy as just dropping a large amount of money at a pro shop. There are some things you should know when you are choosing your equipment that will make a big difference.

Many amateur golfers will stress that getting the best equipment for the least price is key. As you refine your skill, you refine your tools to perpetuate your game. An expensive set of clubs will never ensure a better score. Taking the time to select all of your equipment will be well spent if you do it correctly. Begin your search by visiting a couple of local golf shops and inquire your desire for equipment. Make sure to throw your existing equipment in the trunk of your car, because this way you can compare your old stuff with some of what they can offer you. Good shops have a practice range set up so that you can demo clubs.

If your drive is what you are looking to improve, first look at only drivers. Swing with your old club and then try three recommended clubs. Correcting your slice or distance could come from two very different clubs. Treat every club the same. You may only need a new 9 iron for chipping. Buying a full set of brand new Ping clubs could hurt your game more than it helps. Stay with what works and go from there. People who work in pro shops are avid and fellow players; there is a lot of free advice that you can get from people who work in these shops.

The main reason to buy a brand new set of clubs is that you are proficient with your existing set of clubs and simply want to extend your game. This is an uncommon situation for most amateurs, and it is a common mistake to simply buy a new set of clubs. If you separate your game into three parts (long, middle and short game), you will be able to start dissecting what you really need to improve.

Brian Johansson writes for Find-golf-equipmentonline.info.

BY JOHN BOLT

How can you lower your scores by simply cleaning your golf clubs you ask? It’s actually very simple. If you have clean golf clubs you can make better contact with the ball. This allows the clubs to do what they are designed to do without any interference from grass, sand or mud on the face.

Since golf is a game about battling the elements, golfers need all the help they can get. You deal with the hot sun, a quick summer shower and even a little mud or wet grass on your shoes. All these weather conditions can wreak havoc on your body let alone your golf clubs.

It’s easy for you to shower and clean up, but your golf clubs can’t! You have to clean them as much as possible. If you do they will perform better, last longer, and help keep you clean by keeping you on the short grass!

What’s the best way to clean them?

There are two ways to clean your clubs:

1. You can buy a golf club cleaning kit from just about any pro shop.

2. You can also easily do it yourself at home or at the course. Let’s look at how to do it yourself. Here’s what you will need:

• A plastic bucket
• Mild dishwashing detergent
• An old toothbrush or nonwire bristle brush
• A clean towel or rag

Let’s clean!

1. First, fill the bucket with a little detergent and warm water so it becomes sudsy. Add enough water to the bucket to cover the heads of the clubs.

2. Second, submerge only the clubheads in the water, making sure not to get the ferrules wet because this will damage the finish. Soak the clubheads for a few minutes to help loosen the dirt, oils, or remaining chemicals that may be stuck in the grooves of the club.

3. Next, scrub each of the clubs individually with the soft or medium bristled non-wire brush to remove all the dirt, grass stains, or any other debris that might be on the clubface. If you have difficulty getting it off the first time, just soak and scrub the clubs again.

4. Now, rinse the clubs off with water from your garden hose outside or a sink faucet if you are inside. Try your best to not get the shafts wet when doing this.

5. Finally check over the clubheads to make sure the grooves are dirt free. Then dry them of with a clean towel or rag. That’s it, you’re done.

Now you can enjoy playing the game with the added confidence of knowing your clubs are nice and clean. Clean clubs produce a better ball flight with more spin to stop the ball closer to the hole. Play well!

John Bolt is the full time owner of Golf Equipment Source. With years of competitive golf experience under his belt, he understands the importance of having properly fitted golf equipment.

BY GLENN BOULTON

A golf club’s swing weight helps the player feel the club head hit the ball. This helps each of the clubs have the same feel for continuity purposes.

Low lofted iron heads, such as a 3-iron, have a much lower weight than a higher iron head, but the irons feel like the same weight, due to the increased length of the lower irons club. The sand wedge is the only exception to this rule, as it needs the higher weighted club head to move through sand and pop the ball into the air.

Graphite and steel shaft golf wood swing weights vary because of the different compositions of the shafts themselves. While playing golf with steel shaft clubs, you will feel more of the club head than you will with the graphite shafts.

One driver golf tip to keep in mind is that when deciding to change your golf club’s shaft, remember that the weight will change on the club itself, and therefore the feel of the club will change also. You may need to change the weight of the club head itself for the club to retain its feel.

Higher swing weights help players who have a faster swing tempo to control their downswing a little better, while lighter swing weights help those players whose tempo is a little slower.

If you are having trouble with feeling the club head hit the ball, then you may want to try some golf clubs with a higher swing weight. Who knows, you may play golf better, too!

Glenn Boulton is webmaster and publisher of Golf Swing Sportz Online where you’ll find reviews, information, and tips for improving your game.

BY STEVEN PASSARELL

Almost every golfer I’ve ever talked with has been unanimous in the desire for more yards off the tee. Even the ones that will tell me, “I hit it consistently 270 and always in the fairway.” I often think, but rarely ask, “Why?” The fact is there is only a small percentage of the golfing public that can hit a drive over 250 yards. Golfers seem to have a lot of unrealistic estimates of how far a ball travels when they are the hitter. It’s not that golfers themselves are the entire problem, but partly it’s the way courses measure yardage. When a course measures the distance of holes they follow the shape of the hole, such as a dogleg. If a player cuts a bit of yardage off the dogleg and ends up with a certain yardage to the green the assumption is that the distance on the card minus the distance left to the hole is how long the drive is. Knowing that the majority of golfers hit their drives less than 250 yards, most can really use those extra yards.

There are a few ways that can give the golfer more distance. Length is the first. Using a longer club will give the golfer more distance when the ball is struck on the sweet spot, but the down side is the longer the club the harder to hit the sweet spot. Larger heads are the next way. Larger heads promote a greater MOI, which in turn gives the golfer more yards on shots hit off center. Using a softer flex club will also help the golfer with more distance, but again the golfer will sacrifice accuracy.

It would be a very good thing if a golfer could get the extra distance desired without the undesirable negative effects. The good news is that there is a specification of a driver that is often misunderstood and overlooked, the club’s loft. For a long time golfers and club fitters alike have been of the belief that for faster swinging golfers lower lofts having lower trajectories promoting more roll would be best. Most players would want a driver with a loft between 8 degrees and 10.5 degrees. These were the lofts most widely produced by club head manufacturers. A large segment of the golfing population would have been more successful with higher lofts back then.

More recently, the newest ball technology has made this belief untrue. Ball manufacturers are producing balls that have a much lower spin rate than at any time in the past. Hitting tests confirm that the higher the launch angle and trajectory, the longer the total distance of drives will be. Higher loft drivers are becoming more accepted by golfers of all levels. The manufacturers are making drivers with lofts as high as 18 degrees. Even with all the testing data available most golfers still ask for drivers with lofts in the range of 9-10 degrees.

Using a higher lofted driver will definitely give the golfer more distance, but that is not the only benefit. Higher lofted drivers will also help the driver hit the ball much straighter. Take the example of the irons. Lower loft irons are well known for their difficulty for the average golfer to hit consistently. The higher lofted “scoring” clubs are much easier to keep on the target line. So if you are looking for a new driver to give you the extra yards you’re looking for and not sacrifice accuracy, look to a higher lofted club.

Steve Passarell is the owner of Custom Club Creations, a golf club fitting and building facility. He has over 15 years of experience and has had extensive training from some of the industry’s best experts. His philosophy on custom clubs is to offer the best quality products at prices that all golfers can afford.

BY STEVEN PASSARELL

There may be no better way to immediately lower your golf scores than to customize your set make-up. For a very long time the typical set of golf clubs has been what is known as an 8-3-1 set. This means there are 3 woods: driver, 3-wood, and 5-wood. The eight irons in this configuration are typically the 3-iron through pitching wedge, and the last club being the putter. This leaves room for two additional clubs, usually the sand wedge and one other club of the player’s choice.

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