Golf Club Testing: Does it Help Your Golf Game?
August 28th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
The USGA is constantly testing golf clubs to make sure the equipment manufactures are complying with the rules. The primary reason the USGA tests golf equipment is to make sure that skill is still the most important factor in golf and not high technology equipment. The Research and Test Center of the USGA has over twenty thousand square feet of space and an outdoor area for testing golf equipment.
The Center contains golf club testing equipment as well as golf ball testing equipment and a staff of experts who have the background to understand the technology that manufactures are bringing to the game of golf and they have the ability to understand the ramifications of certain types of high technology equipment can have for the game for golf.
Employees
The Center is the workplace of highly skilled technicians as well as administrative people who are involved with the submissions by the manufactures and the various rulings. The USGA center also employs engineers who are involved in a variety of research programs for the game of golf including golf club testing. The employees of the USGA Research and Test Center have a common goal of creating and enforcing the standards that have been set for golf equipment in the rules of golf.
The USGA is considered to be the governing authority for the rules of golf and this authority also covers golf club testing. The technical workers at the center follow the concepts provided in the Joint Statement of Principles that was set in 2002 with the assistance of the R&A located in St. Andrews in Scotland. These principles are the guides that are used while testing golf clubs and other equipment and enforcing rules regarding the types of equipment they approve for the game.
Equipment Advances
Golf equipment has seen numerous advances over the years which has improved the ability of golfers and perhaps has added more pleasure for those who play the game of golf; however the USGA is concerned about equipment making the game too easy and taking away from skill as being the main factor for excellent play.
The USGA Research and Test Center is sent almost three thousand golf equipment submissions on an annual basis. They receive about nine hundred different types of golf balls each year as well as over two thousand golf equipment items including golf clubs, shafts, tees, club heads as well as other devices. The golf equipment typically comes from manufactures; however they also receive requests for testing by individuals who have made equipment.
Regarding the testing of golf clubs, all the various components of a club are analyzed and tested in order to determine the performance of the golf club. The different components of the club also have to meet their specifications. The USGA is pleased to perform golf club testing to make sure that technology does not dominate the game of golf.
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Use Golf Club Starter Set Until You Learn You Hate The Game
August 22nd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
When people hit the links for the first time, they have an idea of whether or not they are going to enjoy the challenge of the game of golf. However, before running out and plopping down several hundred dollars on the nest clubs that fit their budget, they may want to consider buying a golf club starter set until they know they want to continue with the sport. Although a spouse, neighbor or friend probably has a boat load of used clubs lying around the house, but trying to learn to play with clubs with old worn out grips is like learning to drive a car with no tires on the wheels.
In most cases, a golf club starter set can be bought for around $100 and if later you decide the game is too stressful for you, or not what you thought it was you can always save them for a younger relative who may have shown an interest in the game. At worst, a few years later you toss them out and you are out $100.
Typically, a golf club starter set will contain a driver and one fairway wood, a couple two or three mid range irons and a putter. Some may include a wedge and a cheap bag, but most contain five or six of the most commonly used clubs. If you are not happy with the clubs contained in a golf club starter set, you can also buy them one at a time and put together your own set.
Remember That Size Matters With Golf Clubs
Most of the golf club starter sets sold in discount stores will be less expensive than in a pro shop or sporting goods store, but they are made to accommodate the average person. If you are considerably taller, or shorter than average, putting together your own golf club starter set may be a better idea.
The length of the shaft is probably the most important consideration for someone just learning the game. Clubs that are too long may spend a lot of time buried in the turf. On the flip side a golf club starter set that is too short will find the head flying over the ball or topping it, burying it in the ground in front of the tee. Either way, the new golfer will quickly become exasperated with the game and walk away without really knowing if they enjoy it or not.
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Different Golf Club Specifications Needed For Different Golfers
August 16th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Each golfer swings a little different than everyone else, from the backswing and downswing through the follow up and in order to play the best possible game of golf they are capable of playing they should have golf clubs to match their swing. Most manufacturers have specific golf club specifications from which golfers can choose and when they cannot find the one that meets their needs, they can always choose to have one custom made for their height, weight, arm length and body type.
All drivers for example, are looked at from three primary areas, the loft, length of the shaft and the face angle. The position at which the club face strikes the ball will help determine the loft recommended for each golfer with the golf club specifications on lofy varying as much as seven to 16-degrees. Club length on drivers is typically 45-inches and the face angles varies greatly by manufacturer, with some choosing not to consider it in the golf club specifications of the clubs they produce.
One of what many consider one of the more important golf club specifications for hitting the long ball is the swing weight. That is the full weight of the club head at the end of the downswing, when the head strikes the ball. A heavier swing weight is considered by many to provide a greater opportunity at a clean strike and appropriate follow through.
Irons And Putters Consistently Shorter
Just as many shorter golfers may have to have the shafts on drivers and fairway woods altered to fit their stature, taller golfers may have to find custom made putters, which are typically 36-inches from the factory as well and high irons and pitching wedges. For many the golf club specifications are for an average size population and those that do not fit the typical mold may have to have their clubs made for them or adjust their style to match the clubs they can find.
There are many terms associated with the golf club specifications that will usually only serve to confuse the average golfer looking for the right clubs. The flexibility of a club shaft may be important to some golfers, usually designated as low, medium and high, which measures how much the shaft bends when transitioning between the back swing and downswing, as well as at the point of impact. Most weekend golfers will have little clue about what many of the terms mean and their only knowledge of golf club specifications is if they can hit the ball long and straight, it works for them.
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The Importance of Golf Club Shafts
August 10th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
If you want to improve your golf game it’s a good idea to understand the importance of flex regarding golf club shafts. Flex is basically the bending that occurs to the shaft when you create force while swinging the club.
The force that is applied to the golf club depends basically on how fast you swing the golf club and whether you have a smooth swing or if you have a jerking motion while swinging the golf club. In golfing there are basically five ratings that are applied to shaft flex which are extra stiff, stiff, regular, senior and ladies.
If you don’t have the golf club shafts that are best for your type of swing the clubface of the golf club will typically not be lined up properly when you strike the golf ball which will produce a golf shot that sends the ball somewhere that you did not intend for it to go. It’s important to realize that when choosing golf club shafts that flex is a vital factor. The flex of the club will be a factor regarding the accuracy of your golf shots, the trajectory as well as how far the ball will go.
Shaft Selection
While shopping for golf clubs it’s a good idea to work with a professional who can watch your swing and then recommend which type of golf club shafts will work best for you. Some experts suggest that if you hit the golf ball more than two hundred and fifty yards with a driver you might want to select a stiff shaft.
Golfers who hit the ball with the driver between two hundred and two hundred and thirty yards should select a golf club shaft that is rated as regular. Choose a shaft that has been rated senior if you hit the ball with the driver less than two hundred yards. The big hitters can choose a shaft that have been rated extra stiff.
Golf Swing
For golfers that have a smooth golf club swing they should choose softer flex golf club shafts. Golfers that have a jerky type of swing will benefit from a stiffer variety of a shaft. If you have clubs that have stiff shafts and you don’t use them properly you could end up hitting the golf ball lower and a shorter distance when compared to a shaft with a softer flex. If the shaft is not stiff enough the golf ball could go higher than you intended it to go. When selecting golf club shafts it’s important to choose clubs that are best for your type of swing.
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Golf Club Sets Will Have Consistent Swing Tendencies
August 4th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
While a few golfers will choose each club in their bag based on its reputation for making certain shots better than clubs from other manufacturers, most golfers will look for golf club sets that offer them the best way to complete their game in competitive fashion. Not only will they generally be able to pick up golf club sets that every club they will most likely use on the course, it makes them look like they know what they are doing, regardless of their skill level.
One of the key advantages of using golf club sets is that the swing mechanics will generally be consistent, regardless of the club being used. The weight, feel and balance of the individual woods and irons will be similar, unlike many of the original hickory shafted clubs that felt different due to the qualities of the wood shafts. Regardless of the manufacturer or the price of the golf club sets, the swing will feel the same for every club in the bag.
When the golfer can take consistency into every swing, they can perfect their balance and take their game to the next higher level. With every club constructed with the same materials as opposed to buying them one at a time from different makers, golf club sets will also have the same style of grips for even more consistency in the swing.
Buying One At A Time Rarely Completes A Set
When golfers opt to buy one club at a time instead of golf club sets, they will typically never complete the set. Many golfer might choose to replace their woods one year, planning to replace the irons in the future, but most times the future never comes and by the time they are ready to buy their new irons, the woods also need replaced and they start the same dream over again.
It is also usual for golfers to receive golf club sets as a gift from a spouse or children on a special holiday and since the gift giver has no idea which clubs they may want, they simply purchase complete golf club sets, including the bag, to make a better impression on the recipient.
Price is also a consideration for buying golf club sets, as the cost of a complete set bought together is usually lower than each individual club was purchased separately. Even the same manufacturer will typically charge more for single clubs than they charge for the same golf club sets.
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Golf Club Sales; Where Would Golfing Be Without It?
July 29th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Golf has become its own. With so many sporting goods out there, golf club sales have consistently been at par with that of other sports equipment. Golfing specialty stores have sprung up like mushrooms everywhere. They cater to golfing enthusiasts as well as the beginners.
Golf club sales have sky rocketed over the last ten years and companies have taken advantage of this sudden rise.
Golf Equipment Companies.
With Golf club sales skyrocketing, and reaching all parts of the world companies have resorted to all types of gimmicks and innovations to keep up with competitors as well as maintain high golf club sales. For the marketing people this is a task that is not easy, takes a whole lot of time, effort and imagination.
Here are the companies out there filling up your golfing bag:
Adams golf is well known for its tight lies line of drivers and irons.
Aserta sports are well known for their lineup of putters. They also recently purchased Photon Golf.
Ben Hogan Golf, known for its Hogan apex irons, and apex tour balls was founded by Ben Hogan.
Bettinardi Golf is well known for the ingenious design of putters by its founder. They are well known for high end high performance putters.
Bridgestone Golf, not only markets their line of clubs but also their own line of putters and balls.
Callaway Golf, one of the biggest and most well known brands launched the big bertha line and commanded the attention of the golfing world. They are the leader in terms of golf club sales. They also own the odyssey line of putters.
Curv golf made a beeline for modern innovation and came up with a line of curved putters.
Diamond touch golf, now here’s a girl’s best friend in golf, because they use diamonds for their golf club faces, resulting in an ultra hard face that produces less spin. Although the golf club sales in this one is not high numerically, the golf clubs prices alone will more than make up for it.
Dunlop sports, with all their sporting lines also took a dip in golf club sales, and came up with their own line of wedges, irons, shoes and balls. Their most popular product is the Tad Moore Line.
Honma Golf is known as one of the most expensive golf clubs in the world. Even though their product lines are a bit wallet burning their golf club sales are amazingly at par with that of top competitors. This Japanese company really takes to heart the saying quality for your money.
Last but not least is the Yonex brand with their popular V-mass woods and irons.
Hopefully this article has given you a view on golf club sales, and how they work through clever marketing and innovations.
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