Latest Golf Club Changes

This weekend the clocks spring forward and British Summertime kicks in. That change gives us more time in the evenings to practice golf. Perhaps you haven’t dusted yours off but some have been playing through the gloomy months and practising on flood lit ranges. Those who have come to me for club changes recently have been consistent in seeing the same problems. I am working with some good players who are looking for greater consistency and the advice I am giving them is really helping.

The major problem I am seeing at the moment is driver length. In my club MOT programme I am finding drivers up to 46 inches long. On average, driver lengths should be 43-45 inches with the lower end being better. Unlike other clubs, your driver length is not fitted to you, you are not impacting the ground but playing off a tee at all times. ‘I play my driver off the deck’ some say. I always ask why when I can make you a 3 wood that will work far better and be far more consistent.

I am cutting drivers down by 1-2 inches for everyone at the moment. Loss of length is not a problem -increased straight driving is becoming a benefit. Why should this be? Well your hands are nearer the club head so you have more control. Now you have more control you gain more confidence.

So why has driver lengths been extending? Well its a con from the major manufaturers who are making you think that you can hit the ball further. This may be true but that further is under less control so you are spending more time in the rough off the tee. Add that to the other vagaries of commercial marking blinding you of the actual reality and before you know it, you have splashed out on an expensive driver which will be the cause of a diminishing game. At this point I should mention that a single figure handicap player now has a 43 inch driver with a 12 degree loft and has never driven the ball better. He is the case in point in making sure custom fitting solves your problems and guides you to the most efficent purchases. That is was www.custom-golf.co.uk is all about.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

February 2011 – Golf awakes, mistakes and creates

I have a new weather machine that is telling me the days are getting longer, the evenings are getting lighter and the clocks will be changing soon for some evening golf. Us working types are herded into weekends and avoiding senior or ladies midweek events. It is not that I begrudge the seniors, I have the ambition to join their flock in the future and they are a growing and important life blood to courses. Ladies too deserve the open tee times and unrestictions that modern mature management is rightly overturning the sexist prejudices – oh that is a newsworthy issue! Golf awakens out of the snowy wastelands where no play could be found. Club Pros were either checking stock, on holiday or more likely in the younger ones practising the well-worn skill of balancing one golf ball on top of another.

Golf awakes as our creaky bones get back to the courses, dodging the mud and professing the quality and benefits of the hedgehog wheels of the trolley. Courses are now opening up to trolley use in winter months. Hedgehogs are the main addition to the trolley wheels but Powercaddy have a similar OEM version.

Mistakes, I’ve made a few, but too few to mention. Not a true statement but a worthy lyric! ‘Mistakes’ in the Pro game have major talking points and ones for all of us to be aware of. Elliot Saltman’s three-month ban for what has been termed a “serious breach” of the rules at last year’s Russian Challenge Cup became more apparent when it was reported that he had been complained about by his two playing partners who accused him of constantly moving his ball marker to get the ball nearer the hole. It must have been millimetres but enough to warrant the complaint. Apparently the longest maker move that prompted a 10 year ban from tour was 35 feet! Lesson to us all on being clear on the green and not lowering ourselves to ungentlemanly conduct.

Padraig Harrington also came unstuck with marking his ball on the green. His ball moved as he withdrew his marker at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. It may again have been a millimetre or two but rules is rules and he was disqualified from the event. He was the victim of trial by television which brings in the other factor for Pros. Was this entirely fair? If Padraig had sensed a problem he should have sort an on course referee. If he didn’t sense a problem and his playing partners do not think there was a problem why do they have to endure this massive judgement out of context of the event? Other sports live with the human errors – football being the prime example – and golf Pros are time and again seen to call themselves up for their own errors.

Golf creates new equipment every year. Fashion is key and pampers to the player who has to have the latest in thing. Trouble is, people will come unstuck this year as all major club manufacturers will be bringing out new clubs with grooves to meet the new regulations. I must point out at this point that you don’t need to use these new grooves unless you are a Pro or playing in an event that specifies the grooves as required for competition. Manufacturers are bringing out the new grooves as they don’t want the expense of two models for one club. So all new wedges, irons and to some extent utility clubs coming on to the market will not produce to same amount of spin. www.custom-golf.co.uk explains the issue so be aware.

How can I get round this, you may ask. Well contact me I have some of last years stock that still conform and will give the same amount of spin you are used to. Together we can create what you are looking for on the course.

Another Door Opens

2011 has arrived and so a new avenue opens up. Keeping followers of www.custom-golf.co.uk upto date with all the latest news and products revolving around golf equipment has always been important so setting up a Blog seems the best avenue. Past customers and associates will soon be getting emails to sign up for this Blog and potential customers will also be emailed. The website will get a hyperlink and the word will spread.

 This Blog will be fresh and imformative so will be normally on a minimum of a monthly basis with additional bursts of timely information. This will be important in the early stages as this Blog starts with the change of groove technology that is effecting club heads in 2011. This Blog will give you the inside line and inform you of options to help you and your game.

Watch this space.

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