TW


vol. 1, number 9

In This Issue
AimPoint Green Reading Technology
Grips 101
Annual AGCP Roundtable!




Golf Digest image
Game Improvement Golf Newsletter

Information to improve your golf game (October 2011)

Greetings!

That ONE Improvement You Need for Your Game?

 

My best golfing buddy (who has a lot of my golf money) is a pretty analytical guy.  He likes his driver, most times hits his fairway woods well.  A few years ago decided he needed to get some hybrids for his less lofted clubs, and then a set of wedges he could count on that would spin the ball more.  He had a local clubfitter build these for him (!) and he consistently hits all of these well.  And (did he get vibes from me writing this?) he just decided he needs a 6 hybrid, since he is not getting the distance he wants from his 6 iron.

 

The message is that he analyzed what his misses and his needs were, and found options to correct these.  It was not necessary for him to change all of his clubs, just those that were not helping his game.

 

For you, why not consider evaluating your clubs and take a step by step approach to "fixing your misses."  Maybe you do not hit your driver well, maybe you need better technique with your wedges, maybe you just do not seem to putt consistently well.  Instead of continuing to hit poor shots over and over, maybe you can pick one area to improve and commit to that.  To lower your scores, but maybe also for the satisfaction of simply playing better.

 

So...........there is not ONE improvement that is best.......but there can be one or a few improvements that will lower your scores and help you enjoy this wonderful game more.

 

AimPoint Technology - The Future of Green Reading

  

Last month I mentioned that I would work to find additional information on the AimPoint Green Reading Technology developed by Mark Sweeney.  A quote from an article I read about AimPoint captures well, I think, the potential value of this for golfers....

  

"There's a pre-determined amount of break for every single putt before you even walk up there. What we do is teach people how to know what that break is (Mark Sweeney)."  

 

If you go the AimPoint Technology web site     AimPoint    you can find a list of PGA tour players and well known golf learning facilities that have either learned about AimPoint and/or are using it.  AimPoint is also being used by an LPGA tour player who won one of the LPGA majors this year.

  

There are AimPoint Certified Instructors in different locations in the U.S. and abroad where you can take instruction in how to use AimPoint; one of these instructors is in the Franklin, TN area.

  

One of the AimPoint instructors is John Graham from John Graham Golf in Rochester, NY.  John sent me this note about the value of AimPoint for the average golfer....

 

"The value that AimPoint has for the average golfer is that it gives the player a process for determining where they should be aiming to make the putt.  This allows them to see if there are stroke and/or speed issues that need attention (John Graham)."

 

John also provided me with this link to an extensive group of articles on AimPoint...

 

     John Graham Golf AimPoint Articles

 

My crystal ball suggests that this technology will provide value for Tour players and average golfers for years to come.

 

Grips 101 - More Than Just Look and Feel

 

One of my golf equipment supplier catalogs has 38 pages of different types of grips, and about 6 grip types showing on each page.  Grips of ladies and junior sizes, standard, mid size, and jumbo grips, grips and different textures and softness, grips of different weights, grips for players with arthritic hands, putter grips of different sizes and weights. This means that there are good options for all players.

 

So, what are the important things that you need to be aware of in choosing grips for your clubs?  And are there club performance issues associated with different types of grips?  Here are some basics...

 

  • For many players a top-level criteria for a grip is how it looks and feels to them.  Some like rubber composite grips that look like the old leather wrap grips, some like a very soft grip, others one with a hard feel.  Regardless of these preferences, it is important that the grip chosen be one that helps a player to maintain a proper hold on the golf club throughout his/her swing.
  • Most custom clubfitters make measurements related to the player's hand size and get an approximate size for the grip that should be used.  However, these measurements are just starting guidelines.  I have found that many players simply like the feel of a larger grip, particularly if they have some hand problems.
  • You should not assume that because you are a female or a junior player you should be playing with ladies or junior grips. Many ladies I have worked with need "men's" grips.
  • The weight of a grip affects the final swingweight of a golf club. A standard men's grip typically weighs about 50 grams.  Each 5 grams of grip weight changes the club swingweight about 1 swingweight point - heavier grips produce lighter swingweights. A few grams of weight may not produce changes in club performance, but changes in grip weight of say 20 grams or so might affect the feel of the golf club.  Testing with the grip to be used, particularly for very heavy or very light grips, is important.
  • The new lightweight grips that are available - weighing between 25 and 35 grams - can be particularly helpful for players with slower swing speeds in the range of 50 to 60 mph.  Consider giving these grips a try and maybe you can get a few more yards with your driver!
  • The biggest variable with putter grips these days is how big they are.  The size of these grips can affect the type of stroke you make with your putter.  In addition, the larger putter grips can be quite heavy - some of them in the range of 100 to 120 grams or more - and these can affect the weight feel of the putter.
  • Finally, be sure if you are having grips put on your clubs that whoever installs them knows how to correctly size grips for different sizes of shafts.  Most grips are sized with the assumption that the butt end of the shaft is 0.600 inches in diameter.  But many are less are more than 0.600 inches, and so adjustments are needed (adding build up tape for example) to get the grip sizing correct.

 

Coming Next Month - the "AGCP Roundtable" and You

 

I will be heading to Columbus, GA next week for 4 days of the annual Association of Golf Clubfitting Professionals (AGCP) Roundtable.   About 70 of the best clubfitters in the world will be attending and learning ways to improve their custom clubfitting skills.  I will devote the entire newsletter next month to things I learned there that can improve your golf game.

 

And, if you know anyone interested in reading past issues of this newsletter, there is now a link on my home page for all published newsletters.

 

The Fit Is IT!

 

Tony Wright (The Golfer's Clubfitter)

GAME IMPROVEMENT GOLF

Oak Ridge, TN

tony@gameimprovementgolf.com

www.gameimprovementgolf.com