Clubmaking
- March 23, 2023
Everyone loves the long ball, but at the end of the day, it is what you post for a final score that matters. With the Masters around the corner, some players are getting in their practice rounds. One of which was Rory McIlroy. According to a recent report from Todd Lewis at the Golf Channel “McIlroy drove the ball ‘beautifully’ during the two rounds on a recent trip to Augusta, where he apparently used a shorter driver shaft…” This got me pondering, what can the average golfer learn from one of the best players in the world?
- February 17, 2023
I envy those golfers who can play year-round. For most of those in the US and Canada, there is the dreaded off-season. Despite what the calendar says, the months of November through the first half of March are considered winter in my neck of the woods. Courses are officially closed and getting to the driving range is rare and dictated by how badly you want to endure the cold and the wind.
- December 20, 2022
What are the different types of golf irons to choose from today?
Currently golfers have more choices than ever when shopping for a set of irons. Because of the selections, it can make the process intimidating for those that may be new to the game or may not stay atop all the changes that have occurred in recent years. This article will shed some like on the various terms you may come upon to help educate yourself on not only the differences, but also what might be best iron for you.
- September 08, 2022
Oh no, the shaft on your driver snapped off above the clubhead. Or perhaps your grips are so slick, and you are now having difficulty securing them when it is hot and humid. Or you hit what you think are good shots with a few of your irons only to have them consistently pushed right of your target. These are just a few reasons why you may need to consult a golf repair shop.
Pricing for services like regripping, re-shafting, loft/lie adjustment, etc., can vary depending upon where you live and the overhead of the facility you are visiting.
- July 07, 2022
There are a few clubhead design parameters that influence ball flight and trajectory. These terms are face progression, offset and onset, which are either foreign to the average golfer or at least confusing at best.
- May 02, 2022
If you are interested in starting how to make your own golf clubs, one of the first things you need to do is organize a work area. One might think it takes a lot of space to be able to build and repair golf clubs and it really does not. Probably the best example is to look at one of the many equipment manufacturers' vans that follow the tour, as this is the epitome of efficiency. They are able offer full services in clubmaking and repair in approximately 150 square feet. While this is an extreme example, it does go to show you what careful planning can accomplish.
- February 23, 2022
A Putter Grip Buyers Guide
Recently Winn Grips introduced their new Pro X putter models and it reminded me of how quickly the size and shape of putter grips have evolved in such a short period of time. After all, Winn revolutionized grips approximately 25 years ago with the first golf grips made of a soft polyurethane (PU) material wrapped around a rubber underlisting. These synthetic putter grips felt so good, and their jumbo model was so much softer and lighter than rubber putter grips of similar size.
In the past 10 years, the choice of putter grips used by golfers have changed dramatically. Modern putter grips are larger, softer, colorful, and less tapered than grips previously made. Let's explore what each of these benefits are.
- February 10, 2022
What to know about golf club iron lofts
I first started playing golf in college almost 40 years ago. The year was 1984 and Miami Vice and the Cosby Show debuted on TV, you could see Ghostbusters, Revenge of the Nerds and The Karate Kid at the movie theater, or one could rock out to Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" or not to Wham! Life was good and it was going to be a lot better with my newfound sport.
After I became proficient to know how far I could comfortably hit each club, I would rely on a #7-iron if I had 150 yards to the flagstick. At my peak when I played a ton of golf and was in great shape, I would use an #8-iron. Surprisingly today or 38 years later, I vacillate between a 7 or 8 iron depending upon the conditions for that same distance. How can that be? Did I drink from the Fountain of Youth or make a pact with the devil? I know it is not because I kept up my gym membership either. Of course, I no longer have those same clubs to see how I would perform with them today. So, what has allowed me to maintain or even increase my distances after all these years?
- October 14, 2021
What is the Maximum Length of a Driver?
On October 11, 2021, the USGA announced a proposed change to the maximum length of golf clubs other than putters. Before you get your knickers or panties in a twist, this does not apply to the everyday golfer, but rather to the top 1% of golfers. Here is part of the statement:
"The USGA and The R&A have announced that new Model Local Rule (MLR G-10) will be available beginning on January 1, 2022 to provide those running professional or elite amateur golf competitions the option of limiting the maximum length of a golf club (excluding putters) to 46 inches."
- October 12, 2021
How Do I Increase My Swingweight?
The club feels too light in your hands, you cut the club shorter for more control, added a heavier grip, re-shafted with a lighter shaft or the swingweights were not a consistent in your set, these are all reasons why you might need to add weight to a golf club head. Here are some tips for properly adding weight to help balance your clubs and improve performance and confidence.
Experiment at the Range
If the swingweight of all your clubs are all over the place and you hit them well, is there any reason to change? Good question. You really won't know unless you try by adding weight first and hitting balls at the range or on the practice putting green to see if you can notice any improvement. If you don't hit the clubs as well as you think, there is even more of an argument to experiment with a few clubs. The best part is it requires very little equipment or time and if you find increasing head weight doesn't help, it is very easily remedied by simply removing the weight.