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