THE CLUBMAKER

Lets face it, to glue a head on to a stick does not take alot of skill. However,  to epoxy the same head onto the stick/ shaft had orient the head to produce consistent performance, know the exact flex, measure and bend the correct loft and lie angles and finally install a grip to the perfect orientation along with the right size takes significantly more education, skill and desire than the average guy.

Some may say that being a professional is nothing more than the ability to take money for a service or skill rendered.  To truly be a professional it takes more than cash register. It takes a drive to become educated, the desire to learn more every year and maintain the professional environment.

From a clubmaking and club fitting point of view a professional is one that has taken a certification test of one kind or another. The no defunct Professional clubmakers society demanded the best of the clubmaker with a 300+ question test and a practical test. If you failed just one portion the testing you failed the entire test. Thus the certified member truly did accomplish the minimum to be at the best in the industry. th is certification was required for clubmaking, club fitting and club repair. Only a few actually completed all thre sections to become a certified advance professional.

Other indications of a professional is the shop. Is the shop clean and neat. Well organized? is the clubmaker dressed to project a professional image when he/she deals with you?

Finally what kind of golf gear does the clubmaker deal with? If the type of equipment conversation starts with ” this is just like ….” then its time to walk away.

When dealing with the clubmaker or club fitter ask them what education they have completed. What schools they have attended.  Every guy in the golf world has some sort of “I love me” wall.

what do i have after reading this>>>

Certified Clubmaker

Certified Clubfitter

Certified Club repairer.

Rifle Certification

Advanced Rifle Center Certification

Graduate Club fitting and assembly school

Graduate of the Masters clubmaking school.

Regional Clubmaker of the year 2006, 2007, 2008

International Clubmaker of the year 2008

top 100 club fitter 2006

The memorial or the tournament the Jack built is one of the most popular tournament stops annually. The players and their family get a treatment unlike any other on the tour. The condition of the course this year is outstanding.  The housing that surrounds most of the course was so impressive I think I took as many pictures of the gardens as I did the players. Mr Nicklaus has done a phenomenal job creating What I would call a tournament equivalent to the Masters.

The tournament relies on volunteers. The corp of volunteers is like a platoon of marines. Everybody had a job and new exactly what to do when needed. Keep in mind most of the volunteers were of Mr. Nicklaus’s age.  The folks are freindly and stalwart at the same time. If you think you are brining in a cell phone or a camera case forget it.  You are not getting anything into this tournament that you can purchase while you are in the prpoerty and dont think it will be a Kroger pricing. Keep in mind the proceeds go to a charity.

Although this years final round was exciting and the weather cooperated I prefer the practice rounds as you get to see how the player prepare for competion and are far more approachable. Think about being interupted while you are in the middle million dollar meeting.  That is how the real rounds are conducted. If you have never been to a professional golf tournament and want to see a top notch production with the worlds best players playing on what is one of the worlds best courses the Memorial is the place to do it.

         “                                                                             Survivor” Kim Tibbets.                                                                                                           

McGolf had the privilege to help support the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Indianapolis. A very good friend of ours from Indiana had breast cancer and is a survivor. We walk with her and for the memory of all of those that can’t any longer.

This walk takes place all over the United States and in Indianapolis it draws over 40,000 people. Columbus, Ohio race for the cure is May 16^th and there is still time to sign up to help support the cause in our area.

 Note: Notice the Golf Pride Pink hat Robin is sporting.

The Wedge is usually related to the sand wedge. The modern sand wedge was brought to the game of golf by Gene Sarazen.  Mr. Sarazen was the first golfer to with the career grand slam.

The wedge now can describe the Pitching wedge, the Gap or Attack wedge, the Sand wedge or the Lob wedge. When looking into a new wedge consider the following, the length, the loft, the lie angle, the flex, the shaft type, the grip size, the bounce and the face coarseness.

That seems to be a lot for such a small club but this club gets the most scrutiny right next the putter. We can bomb one in the trees with a driver but miss a chip by skulling the golf egg across the green and the blood starts to boil and the mind starts to recall the latest golf sales.

The length is probably the most overlooked parameter on the wedge. Because it is short most golfers can handle the wedge without much comfort. However, if you are shorter or taller than average golfer the result can be fat duffs or screaming line drives. Get the right length that provides comfort and consistency.

The loft and lie can be addressed together. The loft of the wedge changes from maker to maker, in general the PW is 46-48 degrees, the AW/GW is 50-52 degrees, the SW is usually 55-56 degrees and the LW is about 60 degrees. The Lie angle for these clubs is paramount to accuracy. If the length is correct and you tend to leave the ball to you’re inside of the target then the lie angle might be to upright and the opposite is true when landing the ball to the outside from the target.  A quick lie test is the best way to determine the best lie angle for you.

Flex and shaft type are together too. The flex is usually posted as “wedge Flex” what in the name of golf does that mean?  Who knows, it could be a dynamic gold trimmed to wedge length it could be a Rifle shaft trimmed to an 8 iron flex. If you approach shots are less than full swings then get a more flexible shaft. I don’t mean a noodle, just something a bit more flexible than the shaft in your irons.  Another consideration is weight. Don’t be afraid to use graphite in the wedges. The shaft quality is second to none right now.

Grip size is important to comfort. The correct grip size will allow for a fluid swing and better control.

The bounce of the wedge is vital for great performance. If the turf or sand you play is fluffy then a wedge with a higher bounce number is the way to go. If the turf is tight or the sand is hard then the bounce number should be lower.

Last is face coarseness, grooves normally get credit for face coarseness however, grooves are not the items that make the ball spin. It the angle of attack of the club and face coarseness.  Grooves carry away the impediments that can hamper the wedges capability to spin the ball. Milling or forging patterns add to the coarseness which make the ball spin. That is not say that grooves can add to the coarseness of the face but that is not the primary duty of the groove.

The current trend is to drop a higher iron in favor for another wedge. I agree. Most courses around here have elevated greens which required some imagination when it comes to short game. A larger selection is better in my opinion.

We have seen the great weather on the west coast , Hawaii and here in Ohio. The golf bug is biting.

The need to dust off the bag in place of the bow, shot gun or bowling ball is starting to take hold.

So, how you start the season right? Check your equipment; check your swing and practice. Jack Nicklaus got a lesson at the beginning of each season with his instructor. He did this to Groove the basicsbefore going some thing more advanced.

The local golf courses have instructors; our range has an instructor too. The important thing here is to make an appointment and go through the basics. Grip, stance or posture, swing path and finish are just a few things a lesson will help you work through to a better season. Think its funny an equipment guy recommends lessons? It is a poor instructor that thinks a golfer can adjust to the club and a poor fitter that thinks all a golfer needs is a club to over come the swing faults. A great fitter or instructor knows it’s a combination of both. What good is the bow and arrow without the archer?

Equipment checks are just as important. From an equipment perspective each golfer needs to evaluate their gear. You should look for the general condition of your bag. Do you need new grips? Did you have some sort of medical condition that might prevent you from swinging like you did when you were yonger? You might look into a fitting to ensure the clubs in the bag are right choice and the set make up. For instance,  the configuration of clubs in the bag can be holding you back. If you are carrying a 3 iron and you might use it once in the round it is not a club you need. Exchange it for another wedge or perhaps a hybrid.

Finally, PRACTICE!!! Particularly the short game, it is the first thing to leave and the last to come back. We have set a net at 75Yard to help golfer get there short game back faster. I can bet more greens are going to be hit this year because of that little beastie.

If you’re the low handicapper, a high school golfer, the average golf or just the beginner all golfers can do better if they get a lesson, get a fitting and practice.

Robin and I attended the “kick off” meeting for the Columbus chapter of the Executive Women Golfers Association, the EWGA.

The members are an enthusiast group of ladies from all walks of business and levels of golfing accomplishments.  This is a great group to be involved with, if you are looking for an active group of women golfers I would consider the EWGA in Columbus

Yesterday a painful blow was dealt to the McGolf Clan. Divot our range dog had a shock to the system that he could not recover from causing a massive colapse of cirulatory system.

He was with us only 2 1/2 year but each day was memorable. Robin and I will miss him terribly.

Here are a few pics from us to you for him

baby divot

divot,the partner

serious divot my buddy

Here are some of the folks I met at the PGA Show

TrionZ friends Taylor and Friend

Eric of Club Connex and quality guy to be sure

Me and Mike Dobbyn and Joe Shuba of Geek Golf

Todd of optimal Flight

Here’s a few more from the “show”

New offerings from Golf pride, the Vyne and newer putter grips

I like to call this romulan putter

traineye putter tool. Available at McGolf