Frank J. Peter
Editor
LearnAboutGolf.com
|
Hello Golfer,
Welcome to the April edition of the LearnAboutGolf.com Newsletter.
As always, if you disagree with any of the info below, I welcome your opinion - please send your feedback simply by using our contact form.
If you find this newsletter helpful, please forward it to your friends, buddies, associates, instructor etc. Thanks for helping us growing.
Best wishes, Frank
|
|
|
|
Golf Tip: Getting Ready for Spring by Dr Richard Myers of thinkandreachpar.com
Daylight is gaining on darkness by two to three minutes
every day. The sun is moving closer and early spring is
fast approaching.
On the first warm day, most golfers want to and go out and
hit a full bucket of practice balls. That won't help your
game much; in fact, it can be counterproductive.
It's easy to develop bad swing habits when you practice
with too much clothing on during chilly weather. Under
these conditions, most golfers have a tendency to shorten
their backswing and that causes an unnatural rhythm.
And even if you catch a nice day or two and hit a lot of
practice balls, the benefits will be fleeting because cold
weather is sure to return and put you back indoors for
several days.
After laying off for a week or even less, it's the same as
starting from square one again. You wouldn't think a
one-week layoff would affect your game, but--after a few
days when you don't play--timing and swing thoughts
disappear like a morning mist. Any swing groove you start
to develop will vanish after a three- or four-day layoff.
Another caution: It's easy to overdo after a long period
of inactivity. Your enthusiasm is bubbling and you can't
wait to get to the driving range and then the course.
Take it easy. Many golfers are dormant for two or three
months during the winter, and the muscles and tendons used
in the golf swing lose their tone and elasticity. Golfers
with a history of back problems should be particularly
cautious; make sure you stretch and loosen up before you
play. And don't let your back get too tired because that's
when it can go out.
Relax and enjoy the early games without overdoing the
physical part, and don't worry about your score the first
few times out.
Any off-season conditioning work you do will be of great
benefit when you start playing during the first days of
warm weather. Here again, exercise within your limits
depending on your age and physical condition.
What you can work on in the early spring is your short
game. It won't hurt anything if you're all bundled up in
warm clothing. Also, if you practice your short game for a
half hour or so before one of your first games of the new
season, it will produce immediate and positive results.
Chipping and pitch shots and putting can be honed close to
the clubhouse where you can take a break to warm up. If
cold weather forces a week's layoff, you can continue to
chip and putt indoors at home--thus insuring that the
stroke developed while practicing outside doesn't go AWOL.
Working on your putting after a long layoff can be
particularly beneficial; that's especially true for long
approach putts that require a certain feel.
The time to begin hitting full shots on the driving range
is when the spring weather stabilizes to the point where no
long layoffs appear likely, and you don't have to wear
heavy clothing that restricts your swing.
If you concentrate on your short game during the
unpredictable early spring, you'll be way ahead of your
fellow competitors when stable weather arrives.
|
|
Giga Golf GX Squared Ti Driver
(as alternative to the Callaway ® FT-i Driver)
Manufacturer: GigaGolf
Model: GigaGolf GX Squared Ti Driver
Compares to: Callaway® FT-i
Manufacturer's Description Details: Second generation square driver. We took golf equipment's hottest technology and improved on what customers were already telling us was a great driver. The 2008 version has a higher MOI, comes in draw and neutral configurations and is equipped with a VFT cup face for higher ball velocity and more distance. The neutral model includes an internal weight chip that is placed to the rear and center. This is to lower the center of gravity and create higher launch conditions. The draw model incorporates the weight chip into the heel area which creates a right to left ball flight. Ideal for golfer who struggle with a slice but do not want to mess with removable weights.
Our Review: While it's looks may no be for everyone it seems the square head will stick around for Titanium drivers. The GX Squared Ti Driver is modelled after the Callaway FT-i which has been very successful. The square shape design increases both horizontal and vertical stability which in turn results in a very high Moment of Inertia (MOI, reduced 'twisting' at impact), thus assuring a long and accurate shot.
In a nutshell, the higher the MOI of a club, the more forgiving the club will be on miss-hits. As an example, let's say you hit the ball on the toe of your driver. A higher-MOI driver will twist less at impact and the ball will still end up reasonably close to the intended target compared to a similar miss-hit off a lower-MOI club (= which would twist more).
This popular driver is now also available in a draw version which will benefit golfers that are battling a slice. A small discretionary weight chip helps to close the club face upon impact with the ball, thereby inducing a draw. This can add distance and will also help reduce a slice.
If you don't mind the shape of the club head this is an excellent club in case you are plagued by regular miss-hits.
Likes:The GX Squared Ti Driver is a good choice for a beginning player, or any player who would benefit from an increased MOI. Great value for money!
Dislikes: Not avaiable in LH
Link to Product Details: GX Squared Ti Driver
Likes: Upgraded technology covered in a nice, colourful design
Dislikes: Comes in right hand only
Link to Product Details:
Pinemeadow Golf ZR1 Driver
|
|
Range Finder or GPS unit, which one is the better distance measuring device?
by Frank J. Peter
[NOTE: After reading the below article you can get more details as well as some examples here: Range Finder or GPS unit, which one is the better distance measuring device?]
Range finders and GPS units are golf gadgets that measure the distance from the spot where your ball lies to the pin. They have been around for several years but have only recently been legalized by golf's governing bodies. This article looks at some issues that prompted this change of mind, and we will also look at the different type of devices that are now available. Are they really giving golfers an advantage, or are they just some new toys for gadget lovers?
In January 2008, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A) announced the change of Rule 14-3b, also known as the range finder rule. The amended rule now states "The Committee may make a Local Rule allowing players to use devices that measure or gauge distance only". The general trend has since been that local committees allow the use of range finders for amateur golfers on regular golfing days, and sometimes even for local golf tournaments. To the best of my knowledge no major tournament has allowed the use of artificial distance measuring devices.
So, for everyday play, what advantages can a distance measuring device bring? Let's step back for a moment and look at some other recent advances in golf equipment: the new woods and irons hit farther than last years models, and the new golf balls fly longer than ever. But, despite all the improved equipment, a round of golf played 10 years ago may have taken less than four hours to play, while it is often five hours or more today. How come?
With all the improved golf clubs and golf balls better course management becomes a major issue. Unless your ball lies directly besides a yardage marker it takes some guess work to determine the distance to the pin, which obviously directly affects the choice of club to use. Proper distance estimation becomes an even bigger issue inside say 100 yards or so. I have seen many golfers who, from 80 yards out, count steps by walking from their ball to the pin, walk back to their ball, decide which club to use and only then play their ball. This is slow play in it's worst form! So, a device that can measure the distance from the ball to the pin would take away the guess work and thus speed up play considerably. This is believed to be the USGA's and R&A's main reason for allowing the devices for amateur golfers.
Besides speeding up play these devices will also help mid- to high handicappers to lower their scores. By knowing the exact distance to the pin they just have to properly dial in their irons for better approach shots.
However, not everybody thinks that this is a good development. I spoke to some golfers who complained that distance measuring devices "remove the purity of the game" and are "non-traditional". However, these guys also played with the latest weight-adjustable drivers and three-piece balls, not really as pure as the old hickory shafted clubs and gutta percha balls either.
Distance measuring devices for golf come in two main types: range finders and GPS units. Both are quite similar in their accuracy which is definitely sufficient even for better amateur golfers.
Range finders look a bit like binoculars. You look thru it and aim at the target like a sharp shooter, and the unit will measure the distance by sending a laser beam to that particular spot. This requires a direct line of sight to the flag as well as steady hands (especially for longer distances). If the flag is around a dogleg or you have shaky hands a range finder will not help much. However, you can easily determine the distance to a bunker or other hazards that you are trying to avoid, simply aim at them and the range finder will tell you the distance. This way you can decide to either lay up or go for it. Range finders work on every course.
GPS units are a bit more complicated: a map of the course has to be loaded into the device, and your position on the course relative to the pin is determined via a satellite signal. The usability of a GPS unit depends heavily on the quality of the map. Some GPS maps only showing the distance to the front, middle and back of the green and may not show any hazards at all. Depending on the model, maps have to be purchased individually or via a subscription which adds to the cost of the device. Better GPS units offer touch screens which, combined with a good map, allows you to obtain the distance to any spot on the course. However, before buying a GPS unit you need to make sure that a map of your course is available for this model. If you play many different courses you will need all the different maps, too. Also, if the weather is cloudy or you have many tall trees around than the unit may not be able to connect to the satellite, so you won't get a reading at all. On the other hand, if the conditions are good you just walk up to your ball, look at the unit and choose your club, no need for aiming.
You can get more details as well as some examples here: Range Finder or GPS unit, which one is the better distance measuring device?
|
