2008-08-08T13:55:00.004+01:00

A recent rule change by the PGA has opened the doors for certain manufacturers to release “Interchangeable Shaft Technology” into the market in the coming year. The assertion is that this will “revolutionise” the game for amateurs.

The major selling point behind this interchangeable club system is that in just a matter of seconds one can swap out the shaft depending on the day’s conditions and the type of course. Shafts designed to produce lower ball flight, for example, would help on windy days, and shafts that offer higher ball flight (and thus more carry) would make sense on wet days.

Now this all sounds great in theory but how will it evolve in practice? Most of the new interchangeable systems give you one club head with three different shafts, all of which you’d buy. That seems like an awful lot of expense when one of them probably fits and the other two don’t over 80% of the time…

And that’s not all. Whist most of these new systems offer changeable shafts for your driver in varying flexes and weights they’re still provided in what manufacturers call the “standard” length of 45” – 46”. The average length of driver shaft on the PGA Tour for the last three seasons is 44.5”, so if the best swingers in the world know they can’t get enough accuracy out of a 46” driver what chance do we have?

Tom Wishon, the leading name in custom club making & design will tell you that the average golfer is “consistently inconsistent” and certain swing tendencies will occur some 80-90% of the time. The answer then, as always, lies in custom fitting. Go see your local PGA club pro when you next decide a new set of clubs is in order and in just a few minutes he’ll identify those variables which occur repeatedly in your swing and then fit your clubs to match, for free.

Still undecided? If you’re interested in hearing more of Mr. Wishon’s thoughts on this newest innovation click here to listen to the full interview.

2008-01-30T20:16:00.004Z

I want you to think about your golf game and your approach to the four and a half hours that you commit to your ‘favourite’ past time.

It has often been said, amongst golf pro’s in English speaking countries, that most golfers consider taking Lessons, with a Golf Professional, as a form of cheating. I have regularly heard of golfers taking lessons with Pro’s at other clubs so that none of their friends know they are receiving coaching.

Research that we have done amongst 70,000 golfers in the UK shows that 87% of you think that getting your clubs ‘fitted’ is the most important part of the process, when purchasing new golf equipment. In my language that means that nearly every golfer playing the game knows that having their equipment fitted specifically for their physical dimensions, athletic ability and golf swing, will make the game more enjoyable.

So, why do less than 30% of golfers get their golf equipment fitted when they make that purchase? I cannot believe that they believe ‘fitting’ is a form of cheating. Maybe they don’t trust that they will be able to improve.

And then we come to the Hybrid. A golf club invented for the amateur and now played by nearly every PGA Tour Professional because it so much easier to hit than the equivalent long iron. Yet 50% of UK amateur golfers continue to either toil on with their long Irons or, probably quite likely, avoid using the clubs even when they would be the correct club selection.

The statistics only reveal part of the truth though. There are a greater percentage of golfers amongst lower handicap golfers playing with hybrids than those with higher handicaps. Yes, the golfer who would gain the most benefit from this club, is the golfer that avoids it the most.

So ask yourself this question. Are you a golfer who wants the game to be as difficult as possible or are you looking to enjoy your 18 holes as much as possible? Take a simple test. Think about your golf bag. If your handicap is over 8 and there is a #3 or #4 Iron in there, then mark yourselves down as a golfing masochist. If you have already replaced those clubs with Hybrids then you are placing an emphasis on enjoyment.

Having thought about your approach to the game I am interested in your opinion. What do you think the reasons are for golfers choosing to make the game more difficult than it already is? Click on the ‘comment’ below and leave me your thoughts.

PGA GOLFERS