The Golfsmith Europe will again be Running the PGA’s of Europe Clubmaking Schools – Golfsmith Europe will again be operating clubmaking, custom fitting and club repair schools for the Danish, Belgian and Finish PGA’s in early 2006. These schools form part of the formal training for PGA Professionals and count towards their training as a qualified professional. These schools have over the last few years been run for the PGA in Finland, Switzerland, Spain, Italy and Denmark and for the PGA of India.
Custom Clubfitting Schools Update – the famous Golfsmith Europe clubmaking and custom fitting schools are again running with a full house. The ever popular training schools run through Autumn to Spring were sold out early to budding clubmakers and custom-fit believers and Golfsmith Europe will be adding new dates for Spring to satisfy demand. As always every aspect of golf club assembly and custom-fit was covered by the combinations of classroom, hands-on workshop and golf range sessions. All students managed to qualify and received their special Golfsmith Clubmakers Diploma.
Snake Eyes 2006 New Models – Joining the new Snake Eyes 653D 2006 driver recently launched in the late autumn will be a variety of high quality and technical clubs. The ever-popular Quick Strike 2 gets a stable mate for those not happy with an off-set design – the Quick Strike Tour. This high-tech recovery club comes in four different lofts starting at 15* and incorporates the famous sole weighting technology that makes this perform superbly, recently was named as Best on Test in the January 06 issue Golf Monthly. A Python Over-size joins the Python range of irons. This is a really easy club to use and is targeted to the mid to high handicapper and is available in both steel and graphite shafts and come with a free of charge custom fit option. Snake Eyes is famous for forged wedges and a new softer feel 650PM model has been added to the range, another Snake Eyes club again winning Best on Test in the September issue of Golf Monthly. Finally a fantastic Hybrid completes the range – 650 TH is its name and it really does perform well coming in 17.5*,20* and 22.5* lofts and fitted as standard with a True Temper SL Gold shaft. Don’t forget to look at the Snake Eyes range of accessories, they complete a great and stylish line-up.
Grips - Sometimes when a golfer is looking for an improvement in their game via their equipment, they ignore one of the most obvious and cheapest options. With seemingly never ending breakthroughs in clubhead and shaft technology, the humble grip is often overlooked. Whilst there is no doubt that better, more forgiving head design is of benefit and that ultra light carbon fibre nanotube shafts can assist in increased length, the golfer can greatly, and immediately, improve their game by simply changing their grips.
The problem is two fold; firstly, the grip doesn’t seem to be able to offer great improvements in distance, trajectory and accuracy. And secondly, the golfer often doesn’t realise their grips are a major hindrance to their game. Golf grips don’t deteriorate overnight. They gradually wear and the golfer doesn’t notice and slowly adjust to the grip. As the grip becomes slicker, so the grip pressure becomes greater, and once there is tension in the grip, it will create tension through the wrists, elbows and shoulders making a smooth and controlled takeaway virtually impossible. A well fitting grip in good condition certainly helps eradicate this problem and help with longer, straighter shots.
The grip is the only part of the club the golfer is in contact with during the swing and is one of the specifications that combine to make up the “feel” of the club. The same as every golfer’s swing being different, so too is every golfer’s perception of feel. The main areas to look at regarding the grip are shape, size and material. The reason that the grip has not advanced technologically at the same pace as the clubhead and shaft is that its design is so tightly controlled by both the R & A and the USGA. The grip must be “straight and plain in form” and “shall not be moulded for any part of the hands”.
There are two schools of thought regarding grip size, either that the grip size should be fitted for comfort, or that the grip should match the hand size. The first argument being that if the golfer doesn’t feel comfortable at address it will be harder to make a good swing. On the other hand, many believe the grip size should be correct to start with, and that the golfer will get accustomed to the correct grip. This theory works on the principal that if the grip is too big the tension caused will restrict hand action causing a slice, and that if the grip is too small it becomes easier to rotate the hands causing a hook.
A standard grip size is achieved by matching the shaft butt diameter with the correct grip core size plus one layer of grip tape e.g. a .600 shaft fitted with a M60 grip with one layer of tape will measure .900 at 2” from the top of the grip. Grip size can be altered by either changing the grip core size or by adding extra layers of tape. So if a M58 grip is installed on a .600 shaft the size will blow up to .920 or the same as adding two extra layers of tape. By adding three extra layers of tape to a matching shaft and grip the size would now be + 1/32” or oversize. Six extra layers would be + 1/16” or mid size, and a jumbo grip is equivalent to adding twelve extra layers of tape. In addition the shape of the grip can be altered to suit by adding extra layers of tape to either to under the left or right hand. The more common being extra layers to the bottom hand to create a more parallel grip. An under sized grip can be achieved by either stretching the grip, or by fitting a thinner grip such as a M62. When changing grip size you should be aware that the swing weight could be affected especially when fitting jumbo grips, you may have to add weight to the head to compensate.
The only moulded shape allowed under the rules is a rib or reminder which runs down the back of the grip to assist correct hand position. Most golfers are unaware of this subtle golfing aid, but if they are, there is normally a strong preference and it becomes difficult to switch designs. The exception to the rule being when a “rib” player has a round grip on their sand wedge, which makes opening the face easier and more comfortable. If in doubt to whether a grip has a reminder, simply roll back the mouth of the grip to reveal a code eg M60R is a men’s .600 round grip whereas a M60 is a men’s .600 grip with a reminder.
The area that has developed a lot recently is the use of different materials. The original rubber grips were made from natural rubber which tended to glaze and crack relatively quickly, by changing to a manmade EPDM rubber the durability was greatly improved. Since then a variety of materials have been used with varying success, including synthetic rubber, polymer, thermo plastic, full, half and even quarter cords. The current trends are to mix two compounds in one grip either to create a soft outer cover over a firmer under sleeve (dual durometer), or to produce a grip that is different under each hand, such as the Golf Pride MultiCompound which has a soft lower hand with a harder corded upper hand. Corded grips are preferred by better players because they are harder and are perceived to give better feed back and feel, but due to the harsher texture are more punishing on hands and expensive gloves.
They are considerably more expensive than rubber grips and so golfers may want value for money and see lots of cord, it is worth informing them that it is the rubber not the cord that gives a good grip on the club. It is also worth bearing in mind that black grips are better than those with a coloured compound, for it is the carbon black that is used turning the rubber black that gives the grip, that is why all car tyres are black!
The golfing public needs educating in the benefits of the golf grip and how for a relatively small expense it can greatly help their game, they need to know that their grips need changing regularly and that they can be custom fitted to their needs. If a golfer needs convincing that their grips are in need of replacing, why not offer to replace one at a discounted price, once they hit a few shots using the new grip, they will realise how bad the other grips are. Regripping is not only of benefit to the golfer’s game but also a good source of revenue to the golf professional, especially during these long winter months.
