Stocking Stuffers for the Golfer

Finishing up with you holiday shopping? If you are like me, you leave a little things until last . . . such as the stocking stuffers  Here are some good ideas for the other golfers on your list . . . 

1. Game improvement software - Egolfplan  http://www.egolfplan.com/
My preferred software.  Receive complimentary coaching for golfers who are on my instructional packages.  Ten day free trial available.

2.  Golf balls.  
There are many quality golf balls on the market that make it unnecessary to purchase over-priced balls brand such as Nike, Titleist ProV1, or Callaway, etc..

Before you get caught up in the marketing for low spin, keep in mind that spin creates lift to fly the ball higher, thus longer.  Unless you have a wicked hook or fight a pull slice, stay away from low spin balls.  Below are my top choices for reasonably priced balls:
Bridgestone - E5, $27
Maxfli - Noodle, & U/3, $25
Callaway - HX Diablo, $20
Srixon Q-Star, $25
Titleist - Velocity, $27

In addition, the following balls benefit children and adults who have lower clubhead speeds.  These balls are geared toward creating higher ball flight for greater carry.  More spin & lower compression.  Good qualities for increasing distance.  My top three picks are:
Bridgestone -  FIIXX, $20
Maxfli - U/2, $20
Srixon - Soft Feel, $20

Winter Short Game Shots. A Decision-Making Process

This time of year short shots around the green can be treacherous.  If you don't have a plan, its easy to take a shot a few feet off the green, and turn it into a double or triple bogey.  


Below is a decision-making process for successful chipping and pitching around the green:

•  Evaluate
• Lie of the ball – 
• Slope
• Grass type - mowed or rough “hardpan”, etc.
• Ball sitting up, buried or on an uneven surface

• Carry to roll ratio
• Slope of the green

• Consider
• Landing Zone
• Trajectory

• Use your imagination   
• Visualize your shot & target
• Decide & state your INTENTION
• Execute
• Evaluate

Lie/Club Option Matrix

1. Lie - Closely mowed area (apron) smooth and/or similar speed to the putting surface.
   Club options:  Putter or SW through 6-iron   
   
2. Lie - Closely mowed area (apron) but ball on uneven, bumpy and/or longish grass.
   Club options:  SW through 6-iron, hybrid with low loft or 3-wood (Avoid the putter.  It is not reliable in navigating the differences in grass resistance, e.g. longer grass vs. putting surface speeds)
   
3. Lie– Light rough, just short of the apron
   Club options:  Lob, sand, pitching or gap wedges (Allow for "run" and aim for target landing area short of the hole)
   
4. Lie - Deep rough
   Club options: Lob or sand wedges (Allow for "run" and aim for target landing area short of the hole)

Final thoughts:  Use caution when chipping off dormant Bermuda grass once it has matted down. It is very easy to "chunk" or "blade" the shot.  Consider utilizing a low-lofted hybrid club, e.g. 3- or 4-hybrid.  The mass and length of the club will move the ball quite easily through bumpy lies, up slopes or to multiple plateaued greens.  e.g. Tega Cay GC, Pines #2, 3, 8 or 9.

Never tried using your hybrid?  Its simple.  Grip down on the handle and imagine using a putter with a long stick. (No wrist hinging.)  You will notice the ball taking off the clubface briskly, but developing feel will come easily with a little practice.

Questions?  What's your story?  Tell it here.

USGA, R&A propose anchoring ban starting in 2016

What do you think?  Read this . . .  http://bit.ly/Tqz1IM

Purchasing Equipment for Kids 101

My first recommendation is to beware when you shop the "big box" stores whether you are purchasing golf equipment for children or adults.   Retailers like Dick's and the new Academy Sports will offer box sets priced around $150-$200 (good if your number one priority is price) .   In order to remain in the $200 price range, the manufacturers use Zinc and Die Cast Aluminums including HST and 6061 Aluminum instead of stainless steel. These materials are softer than steel resulting in bending at the hosel (neck of the clubhead) generally within 18-24 months, rendering it a flat lie angle.  Its not typically visible to an untrained eye.  In layman's terms, ball flight in direction and trajectory are seriously compromised. 

Here are two points of caution: One, the box set may not list Zinc or Aluminum as materials.  However, if you see the word ALLOY, this means materials other than stainless steel are present.  Two, kids can swing just about anything at a golf ball and discover a strategy to get a ball airborne.  However, in the long run,  they will likely develop bad habits to do so.  Later on this affects skill development.

What I recommend:

Tour Edge.  Equipment available for kids through adult.  Quality made with stainless steel club head and available in graphite shafts.  Complete packages available with golf bag.  See more at http://www.touredge.com/   Their higher end equipment is Exotics. (You may not have heard of them, because they don't have a big advertising budget.  They have consistently received good reviews the past few years & have reasonable price points.)

Wilson.  My equipment guru tells me the equipment is good quality.  Wilson has been in the golf market for a long time.

U.S. Kids. Good introductory clubs for your child, but beyond 8 years of age, I find clubs for older children too flexible.

Cleveland. Great equipment.  If price is not an issue, the Tega Cay Golf Shop regularly carries a few sets for children.

My advisory staff:
John Mottolese - Equipment Specialist.  Certified in club repair and club making.  John is meticulous in his work and extremely knowledgeable. (When I have an equipment question, John is the first person I call.)  Contact John at 980-621-6094.  Email:  jmottolese@hotmail.com  Studio in Pineville.

Erick Crawford, owner Golf Zone Outlet located at the Cadillac Ranch in Pineville
New and used equipment.  Good prices. Quality equipment.
http://golfzonenc.com
On Facebook or Ebay
10401 Cadillac Dr; Pineville, NC 28134
erickscustomclubs@live.com
704-962-3840

Please tell John & Erick I sent you.  You'll be in good hands.

Rules of Golf Changes for 2012

Its great to return to my blog in 2012 and I plan on doing much more to create a dialogue with all of you this year.

As the 2012 golf season begins, be aware of the new changes to the Rules of Golf. The United States Golf Association USGA and the R and A Rules Limited have finally come together with single rules of golf publication. A new Rules of Golf book has been published and you can even order two copies FREE of charge from the USGA. Order online.

Here is a listing of the principal changes in 2012:

Definitions

Addressing the Ball

Rules

Rule 1-2. Exerting Influence on Movement of Ball or Altering

Physical Conditions

Rule 6-3a. Time of Starting

Rule 12-1. Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball

Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions

Rule 18-2b. Ball Moving After Address

Rule 19-1. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped; By Outside Agency

Rule 20-7c. Playing from Wrong Place; Stroke Play

Appendix IV

A new Appendix is added to prescribe general regulations for the design of devices and other equipment, such as tees, gloves and distance measuring devices.

Go to the below link for a short description of each rules change.

The full Rules of Golf in PDF

I strongly suggest you take the time to review the 2012 changes;

they are important & likely to affect your daily rounds

Want to improve your knowledge of the rules? The USGA has online QUIZZES.

Going mobile? A Rules of Golf App is now available for the Android, BlackBerry or iPhones. Take “The Rules of Golf” and the “Decisions” with you wherever you go. (I especially like the feature that allows you to e-mail rules questions to the USGA or Rules to friends!)

Etiquette 101

The Spirit of the Game

Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

Other areas of focus:

• Safety
• Consideration for Other Players
• Pace of Play
• Priority on the Course
• Care for the Course

My Top Ten Interesting Observations from Round One of 2010 Masters

Friday, April 9, 2010

Yesterday I journeyed down to Augusta, Georgia to attend the Masters Tournament. Here are My Top Ten Interesting Observations during Round One of the 2010 Masters

1. Fitness Prevails: Phil looks stronger and has lost a few more lbs. Kenny Perry has slimmed down quite a bit too. Best “guns” – Camlio Villegas has some seriously ripped biceps. (Unfortunately it didn’t help keep his driver out of trouble!)
   
   
2. Poor Taste – Regardless of your opinion regarding Tiger Woods, this act was tasteless. An airplane flew over the golf course at the start of Tiger's round displaying a sign, “Tiger, did you mean bootyism?” Whoever paid for that message is also illiterate . . .
   
   
3. Dazzling. As beautiful as Augusta National is on TV, it doesn’t begin to capture the stunning beauty & glory of the golf course. You’ve got to experience it.
   
   
4. Challenge & Creativity. At Augusta National being off the edge of the green by a few feet can be just as treacherous as several yards. Ben Crenshaw demonstrated coolness under pressure, creativity, and touch by using his hybrid to chip off the edge of the 7th green. And yes, he made his par putt!
   
   
5. Unique Player Branding goes to the golf shirt of Camlio Villegas. In recent years a professional golfer’s clothing & equipment has begun to look like a mega billboard. Logos adorn the sleeves, breast, back, etc. However Camlio likes to wear the collars of his golf shirts up, so Master Card has their logo on the flip side. I noticed the only logo of the many he was sporting! (Yes, I enjoy following Camlio as he is one of my favorite players and made my list twice!!)
   
   
6. Best AARP Performance – Tom Watson. No fluke from last year’s British Open, this man can flat out play at 60 years young! He is getting better with age. First round score, a 5 under par 67. Go Tom!!
   
   
7. The “Jimmy Buffet” Laid Back Award goes to Fred Couples wearing ECCO Street Premiere shoes. (ESPN's Scott Van Pelt referred to the shoes as "skateboard" sneakers!) They were cool nonetheless and must have made a positive contribution to his round one leading score of 66. Magic shoes no more unfortunately . . . today, Fred posted a 75 for round two.
   
   
8. Adjusting to Adversity. Gusty winds prevailed during round one. No sweat for these guys. I noticed a change (immediately) in the width of stance of the players for full swing and putting when winds picked up.
   
   
9. Pressure, what pressure? All of the tour professionals at this level have meticulous preshot routines. They switch their golf swings to auto-pilot to deal with the pressure and perform at the very highest level. Most, if timed with a stopwatch, display darn near the same routine pace for each and every shot.
   
   
10. Meanest Tree, STILL! The Eisenhower Pine. The 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower was an avid golfer and member of Augusta National Golf Club. The president hit the tree so many times he proposed it be cut down during a 1956 club meeting. According to Wikipedia, “Not wanting to offend the President, the club's chairman, Clifford Roberts, immediately adjourned the meeting rather than reject the request.”
    
    Yesterday, when crossing the 17th fairway near the Eisenhower Pine I noticed the most menacing limbs still remain due to steel cables holding them in place. Now that’s flat out MEAN!!! “Drive” carefully.