| Will a new set of golf clubs make a | | | | each other (these figures are as at 12th |
| difference to your game? Is the latest | | | | July 2007). |
| technology everything it is cut out to | | | | Tiger Woods 19.78 |
| be? These are just two of the questions | | | | Jim Furyk 8.70 |
| that confront the average golfer on a | | | | Phil Mickelson 8.50 |
| regular basis and I hope to be able to | | | | Do I need to carry on or is it becoming |
| help you in making the correct decision | | | | obvious? |
| of whether to buy or not. | | | | My point is that the number two and |
| First off let me just say that golf is a | | | | number three players in the world's |
| multi billion dollar business (as if you | | | | combined points will still not equal |
| didn't know that) and a large amount of | | | | Tigers points. So if I was either of |
| that money is spent on research and | | | | their coaches it would be a simple |
| development. Based on this it is safe to | | | | matter of telling them to go out and buy |
| assume that the organisations that spend | | | | a new set of clubs. Hopefully they would |
| this sort of money have done their | | | | get a bit of a jump start on Tiger |
| homework, and in a fiercely competitive | | | | before he went out and upgraded his |
| market need to keep coming up with | | | | clubs. |
| bigger, better, straighter, longer, more | | | | Now don't get me wrong I honestly |
| spin, higher, lower (the list is | | | | believe for these guys the latest |
| endless) golf clubs and balls. And that | | | | technology is essential because they are |
| does not include all the other stuff | | | | at the level where the smallest |
| like clothing, bags, trundlers, carts, | | | | adjustment/change can make a substantial |
| gloves, pegs, pitch mark repairers and | | | | difference. That is because they know |
| the millions on golfing aids all | | | | what the changes are meant to achieve |
| designed to make you play better golf. | | | | and they have the ability to do it. |
| So how come the vast majority of golfers | | | | But offer Tiger, Jim or Phil the very |
| are a 16 or higher handicap? | | | | clubs you play with and they will more |
| I have a theory. You may not want to | | | | than likely shoot a sub par round. Yes |
| hear it but here it is anyway. | | | | they could probably do something with |
| For the majority of golfers, I want to | | | | your clubs which you haven't yet been |
| repeat that - for the majority of | | | | able to achieve. So what is wrong with |
| golfers, almost any set of decent golf | | | | your clubs? |
| clubs will do. | | | | My advice to the majority of golfers is |
| Why do I say this? Well I figure if you | | | | to improve your level of skill before |
| got some of the old timers out of their | | | | spending money on expensive gear that |
| graves and gave them a day or two to get | | | | won't get you to the next level simply |
| used to some of our normal equipment | | | | because they are newer clubs. |
| they would be shooting great golf almost | | | | Look it really is nice to have a brand |
| immediately. If you had been lying in a | | | | new set of shining clubs with the latest |
| grave for a few decades you would also | | | | drivers, wedges and putter. But which |
| need a day or two to get your muscles | | | | would you rather have an old set where |
| moving! | | | | you walk off the course time and time |
| What is the difference between the great | | | | again with a good score or a shiny set |
| players and the average club golfer? | | | | where you keep playing badly. |
| Quite simply ability and practice. You | | | | So in conclusion I suggest you spend |
| see we don't all have Tiger's ability. | | | | your money on playing more (and lots) of |
| In fact he is a great example. Let's | | | | golf and then when you are playing |
| look at the top three players in the | | | | consistently well reward yourself with a |
| world and their points in relation to | | | | new set of clubs. |