| The answer to this question is always relative. Most | | | | club or ball; and you will never see him wearing a |
| major golf publications will attempt to answer this | | | | competitor's golf cap or outfit. If you were to ask Tiger, |
| question a few times a year. This dispute is settled by | | | | "Who makes the best golf clubs?" he would be quick |
| selecting golfers of different abilities to test specific | | | | to name his long time sponsor. |
| clubs (or sets). From there the following is taken into | | | | Ask any golf pro and he or she will tell you that it is a |
| account:o Shapeo Constructiono Manufacturingo Feel | | | | good idea to update your equipment every couple of |
| comforto Metrics/distances | | | | years. As to the question of who makes the best golf |
| This technique deciding who makes the best golf clubs | | | | clubs, most pros have a favorite brand but will make |
| serves two purposes: | | | | recommendations based upon your specific needs. |
| 1. It showcases leading brands (whose advertising | | | | Using a new set of clubs is similar to starting a new |
| dollars make print publications possible). | | | | relationship. It starts out as a courtship, and eventually |
| 2. It attracts readers. If the reader doesn't purchase | | | | becomes more intimate. The excitement on the part |
| these clubs immediately, the seeds have been planted. | | | | of the player progresses to the point where the player |
| It is by no coincidence that the clubs tested by the | | | | and his/her clubs become virtually inseparable. |
| leading gold publications are endorsed by tour pros and | | | | A seasoned golfer rarely purchases a set of clubs he |
| are the publications' biggest advertisers. These usually | | | | has never tried. Better golf stores have ranges where |
| include the following brands (played by):o Adams | | | | floor models can be tested. Some country club pro |
| (Aaron Baddeley)o Callaway (Gary Player)o Cleveland | | | | shops will lend or rent these clubs to potential buyers. |
| (Vijay Singh)o Cobra (Camilo Villegas)o Mizuno (Luke | | | | Take advantage of this before plunking your hundreds |
| Donald)o Nickent (Jeff Quinney)o Nike (Tiger Woods)o | | | | thousands of dollars down on the latest gear. You will |
| Ping (Miguel Angel Jimenez)o Srixon (Jim Furyk)o | | | | find that one golfer's "Excalibur" is another golfer's |
| TaylorMade (Gary McCord)o Titleist (Zack Johnson)o | | | | "so-what". |
| Tour Edge (Stacy Prammanasudh) | | | | If you are planning to purchase new clubs to improve |
| Note: There are many new designs from companies | | | | your game, try to keep the brand/player hype in the |
| that can barely afford the expense of an eighth page | | | | very back of your mind. Try out a wide range of |
| print ad. They may have up-and-comers or long- past | | | | different manufacturers and designs. Take feel, |
| heroes endorsing their products. | | | | performance and distance into consideration based on |
| However, the leading pros always follow the big | | | | your personal experience. Allow yourself the chance |
| money. Throughout his career, Tiger Woods has been | | | | to decide what works best for you. |
| with Nike. You will never catch him using a competitor's | | | | |