| Summertime is just around the corner and the | | | | 1. Check your budget. There are many brands |
| amount of things people can do outside is almost | | | | available. Also the notion that the more expensive |
| endless. People that are active and really enjoy being | | | | the club, the better it is, simply is not true. If you do |
| outdoors usually get involved in their favorite sports. | | | | your home work and read reviews, you will find a |
| One of the most played sports during the summer is | | | | club that matches your level of skill and interest. |
| Golf. Golf is a game that can easily be learned. To | | | | Don't be afraid of checking out used clubs as they |
| learn golf all one needs is time, patience, and some | | | | can give you a great club at a great price. |
| equipment. It takes time to learn which clubs to use | | | | 2. Decide how often you will use the clubs. If you are |
| and how to drive and putt properly. Playing golf | | | | just starting to play the price will be a more |
| means being with nature. The sport entices you to | | | | important decision than brand. If you become more |
| get up early in the morning and play the game in the | | | | proficient and begin to spend a lot more time on the |
| company of friends. Golf provides a great form of | | | | golf course, then naturally a pricier and better quality |
| relaxation and escape from the daily pressures of life. | | | | club will be needed to handle the greater use. |
| There are many variations of golfers from the | | | | 3. Study the differences in brands. Some people can't |
| beginner to the average to the skilled. It may take | | | | tell the difference in brands relating to which is good, |
| several years of practice and playing to develop your | | | | better, or best. Again do some homework here. |
| golfing skills. No matter what skill level you may be, | | | | Read reviews and ask experienced golfers for their |
| there is essential equipment for every golfer. These | | | | opinions. You can also ask a salesmen about the |
| essentials include: balls, tees, shoes, clubs, and a nice | | | | differences in brands, but be careful of their biases |
| bag to carry all the equipment. To properly equip | | | | inpromoting the brand they sell. |
| yourself with these essentials, it is important to be | | | | GOLF BALLS |
| honest with yourself about your skill level. The rookie | | | | Golf balls are the celebrities of the game. Golf balls |
| golfer will not be starting out with expensive | | | | are made in a variation of designs but should weigh |
| equipment if he or she is honest with their skill level; | | | | 45.93 grams or less; have a diameter of 42.67 mm or |
| whereas, a skilled golfer will be matching his or her | | | | less; and should be symmetrically sphere-shaped. The |
| skills with better equipment. | | | | complexity of golf balls comes from their transitional |
| Golf has been around since the 15th century and has | | | | periods of change. This is due to the fact the physics |
| evolved itself in the social market as the sport of the | | | | of golf balls are based on the materials used in |
| leaders and business people. Because of golf's social | | | | making them. Golf balls today are more effective in |
| effects, many business managers find time to | | | | terms of physical performance than in the past. |
| provide tournaments and matches. In fact golf is | | | | Contemporary golf balls have 300 to 450 dimples |
| informally known as the sport of the "business | | | | which are the primary characteristics that make the |
| world". | | | | balls fly high in the air. |
| GOLF ESSENTIALS | | | | The golf ball is the most skillfully designed ball in |
| The most important equipment for the golfer is the | | | | sports. There have been thousands of patented |
| clubs. As stated earlier it is important to purchase | | | | designs approved since the 1990's which makes |
| equipment that matches your skill level. Also the | | | | choosing a golf ball a baffling decision. The many |
| reason you find yourself at the golf course is another | | | | different designs have been made by manufactures |
| factor to consider when buying clubs. If you are a | | | | in effort to match individual preferences. If the ball is |
| beginner and play with friends just for the fun of | | | | correctly matched to the player's game, they can |
| playing, a basic set of clubs may be for you. If you | | | | increase enjoyment and skill level. |
| are at the golf course as an avenue to build social | | | | TIPS ON BUYING BALLS |
| relationships then you might want to buy clubs that | | | | 1. Check the structure of the ball. |
| reflect elegance and classiness that make a good | | | | Two-piece balls are recognized for their distance. |
| statement in the business world. | | | | They are made of a harder and stronger cover |
| CLUBS | | | | which is resistant to cuts. The compact inner center |
| Golf clubs are categorized into four key types: | | | | is made from a variety of materials. The harder the |
| IRONS...Irons are usually used when shorter more | | | | material of the inner core, the further the ball will |
| detailed shots are required, or when the play involves | | | | travel. The negative aspect of these balls is that |
| shots that are moving towards the greens. Irons | | | | they lack the capacity to manage the ball because of |
| feature thin club heads with grooves on it. | | | | their limited spin amounts. |
| Experienced golfers prefer a blade style iron which | | | | Three-piece balls are constructed for feel and spin. |
| has a full back, while beginners prefer a cavity-back | | | | They are made of a softer cover with compact inner |
| style which has a hollow back. The cavity-back style | | | | core and an extra layer of fabric between the cover |
| is hollowed out to create a perimeter weighting | | | | and the core that "softens" the blow or impact of |
| effect which is helpful for less experienced golfers. | | | | the head of the club. This provides improved feel and |
| Irons are categorized as long (1,2,3,4), mid (5,6,7) and | | | | spin, but loss of durability and distance. |
| short (8,9). Short irons are easier to hit with than the | | | | Multiple layer balls are also known as "all purpose" |
| long irons. The shorter irons also create more loft on | | | | balls. They are made of a durable, soft cover that is |
| the ball which is better for beginners. | | | | separated by many very thin layers which are made |
| WOODS...Woods are typically long clubs and are used | | | | up of a variety of materials. These balls have an |
| for making long shots. Woods are characterized by | | | | improved inner core resulting in a ball that gives |
| their shaft length that range from 40 to 46 inches. | | | | better all around execution. |
| Because of their length, woods are the hardest clubs | | | | 2. Know your skill level. |
| to control during a swing. Most golfers will have a | | | | Beginners or high handicap players require a ball that |
| driver, called a #1 wood, and a couple of fairway | | | | will give distance. They are players that are likely to |
| woodswhich are #3 and/or #5 woods. | | | | miss hit the ball and should choose a two-piece ball |
| HYBRID WOODS...These clubs combine features of | | | | because it has a more durable cover. Two-piece balls |
| woods and irons. They combine the "straight hitting" | | | | are also affordable. |
| feature of the irons and the "low center of gravity" | | | | Medium skill level or mid handicap players can play |
| feature of woods with higher lofts. They are great | | | | with a three-piece ball. This ball has a softer cover to |
| for beginners who may not want to buy many clubs | | | | give more feel and spin. These balls offer a faster |
| to start. Hybrid woods are generally used for long | | | | swing speed and therefore will not suffer distance |
| shots in a challenging rough area. | | | | loss. |
| PUTTERS...Putters are generally characterized with | | | | Skilled or low handicap players should use the multiple |
| low shafts, which are also sometimes short. Putters | | | | layered ball. These players naturally have developed a |
| come in club head styles of blade, heel-toe and mallet. | | | | quicker swing speed and will achieve extra distance |
| Lengths come in belly putters, standard and long. This | | | | and have the feel and spin benefits. |
| club is used to play the greens where short shots | | | | All the golf equipment, whether clubs or ball, will entail |
| are necessary. Putters are also the most used clubs | | | | a lot of trial and testing to find the perfect |
| in the game. | | | | equipment for your playing style and ability. |
| TIPS ON BUYING CLUBS | | | | |