DATE: 04/23/2008 01:31:41 / MOOD: i love golf

GigaGolf GX Squared Ti Draw Driver

(as alternative to the Callaway® FT-i Draw Driver)

 

In this review we take a closer look at the cousin of the highly popular GXSquared Ti Driver which we have reviewed previously on this website. We have received many questions about which of these two clubs to choose, so I think it's warranted to give the GX Squared Ti Draw Driver some special attention.


The GX2 Draw Driver is built after Callaway's FT-I Draw Driver and was specifically designed for golfers who are troubled by regularly fading or even slicing their tee shot. Even for golfers who hit their ball straight a draw can be beneficial as it can add quite a few yards to your drive, more on that below.

Here's how it works

A draw, from a right-handed golfer's perspective, is a shot that starts out to the right and then gently curves back left, basically the opposite of a fade (You can learn how to play a draw using your standard club i.e. by watching an instructional DVD on the subject). If you constantly hit a fade (ball curving to the right for RH players) a draw biased club should be able to offset this problem. Let's look at why the ball fades in the first place:

On address, when you align the clubface of your driver exactly perpendicular to the target line the face angle is considered 'neutral'. The effect is that, upon absolutely square impact, the golf ball will fly straight along the intended target line. However, many golfers, especially those who have a tendency to regularly fade or even slice the ball, have difficulties to deliver the club face in an absolutely square (perpendicular) position. Upon impact their clubface tends to be a bit open, which in turn causes the golf ball to slide or roll across the club face towards the toe of the club. This sliding/rolling puts some side spin on the ball which makes the ball go off the target line. The more open your club face is the more side spin the ball gets, and the worse your slice will be.

In order to compensate for this open club face problem you have three options:

• work on your swing

• buy a driver with a closed club face angle: when you put the club down at address the club face actually points towards the left (for RH golfers)

• buy a driver that has some extra weight put into the heel of the club head. This causes the clubface to automatically close faster, thereby preventing a fade or slice. When struck 'normally' this would cause a hook, but for a slicer it may actually correct the open club face problem and result in a straight shot down the target line. The GX Squared Ti Draw Driver works on this principle.

If a player without a fade or slice problem hits a draw-biased driver he/she will deliver the clubface slightly closed, thereby imparting a spin in the opposite direction as mentioned above. This causes the ball not only to slightly curve from right to left but also adds quite a bit of roll. This extra roll makes a draw shot highly desirable and is a great skill if mastered well.

Let's go and play...

The GX Squared Ti Draw Driver combines the advantages of a square driver head (as discussed in the review of the neutral GX square driver) with the benefits of drawing a golf shot as described above. Our low handicap testers were able to easily induce a draw on purpose, while our high handicap testers appreciated the reduction in the severity of their dreaded slice.

This, together with the forgiveness when hitting the ball off-center make this a great club. If you slice the ball with almost every club you should take a lesson or two from a good pro to work on your swing. If you mostly fade or slice your driver but are reasonably ok with your other clubs you should get the GX Squared Ti Draw Driver.

Our verdict

The club delivers on its promise. Starting from US$88.50 the GX Squared Ti Draw Driver this is great value for money.

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DATE: 03/03/2008 22:36:19 / MOOD: i love golf

Pinemeadow Golf ZR1 Driver

(as alternative to the Ping® G10 Driver)

Manufacturer: Pinemeadow Golf

Model: Pinemeadow Golf ZR1 Driver

Compares to: Ping® G10 Driver

Our Review: Pinemeadow Golf just released their new ZR1 driver, built after the popular Ping G10 driver. The new 2008 model replaces the highly successful 2007 model which was comparable to the equally successful Ping G5. The new ZR1 driver introduces some noteworthy improvements and a striking new design. It also includes the highly welcomed addition of a 12 degree club head, something that was missing from the 2007 model which only came as a 10.5 degree driver. The new 12 degree head is especially well suited for new and average players, and those who tend to slice or hook the ball (more on this below).

The club boasts the maximum USGA allowed head volume of 460 cc which, together with a massive club face of 11" bulge (= distance from left to right edge of club face) and 9" roll (= total height of club face) instil great confidence at address. One of our high handicap testers put it like this: "This thing is so big, there is no way in the world I'm gonna miss this shot…".

As an improvement to its predecessor the large beta titanium head features an insert at the bottom of the sole that lowers the center of gravity, thus making it easier to swing the club more consistently. We also felt that the club face is deeper than on the earlier model which seems to reduce unwanted side spin of the golf ball on miss-hits, a common cause for a slice or hook. However, the deeper face also cause the ball to get less airborne, so the introduction of a 12 degree head is very timely and well appreciated. These new features make this club a perfect choice for high to mid handicappers, especially those looking for greater consistency in their shots.

The new design reminds of Formula 1 or Nascar racing rather than that of a traditional golf club. 'Purists' may disagree, but we like the more colourful designs that are now entering the market. The new ZR1 line from Pinemeadow Golf if a good example of high-tech clubs that brighten up your golf bag with their bright, shiny colors.

The Pinemeadow ZR1 Driver comes with the exclusive Pinemeadow Limited Graphite shaft and costs only $99, inclusive of custom fitting. This is great value for money, especially if you compare it to the price of the Ping G10 at $299 (with their flimsy stock shaft and without custom fitting!).

Likes: Upgraded technology covered in a nice, colourful design

Dislikes: Comes in right hand only

Link to Product Details: Pinemeadow Golf ZR1 Driver

 

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DATE: 01/25/2008 06:22:28 / MOOD: i love golf

Characteristics of a Wood Club Face: Loft, Face Angle, Bulge and Roll

Loft is the vertical angle formed between the club face and the hosel (where shaft and club head are connected). A driver has usually the lowest loft of all woods, ranging somewhere from 7 to 13 degrees. The loft causes the ball to spin: once the ball touches the club face it will start to quickly roll up the face, causing it to rotate around its horizontal axis. This spin is good as it will make the ball fly further and make it less susceptible to wind blowing from the side. The higher the loft of the club the greater the spin and the higher the trajectory of the ball flight, but the ball will not roll very far. In contrast, a ball hit with a lower lofted club will not fly very high by roll a lot more. Generally a beginner golfer is best served by a higher lofted club.

Face Angle refers to the horizontal angle of the club face versus the target line: if the club face is exactly perpendicular to the target line the face angle is considered ‘neutral’. This is the case for most drivers/woods and considered the default. The effect is that, upon square impact, the golf ball will fly along the intended target line.

However, some golfers, especially those who have a tendency to regularly slice the ball, have difficulties to deliver the club face in an absolutely square (perpendicular) position. Upon impact their clubface tends to be a bit open, which in turn causes the golf ball to slide or roll across the club face towards the toe of the club, thereby putting some side spin on the ball. This side spin makes the ball go off the target line. The more open your club face is the more spin the ball gets, and the worse your slice will be.

In order to compensate for this open club face problem you can either work on your swing or buy a wood with a closed club face angle: when you put the club down at address the club face actually points towards the left (for RH golfers). When struck ‘normally’ this would cause a hook, but for a slicer it may actually correct the open club face problem and result in a straight shot down the target line.

Bulge and Roll: if you look closely at the clubface of any wood you will see that the face is not totally flat but slightly curved both horizontally and vertically. This is needed to give the face proper stability, and not to cave in upon impact with a golf ball. The horizontal curvature is called ‘bulge’, and the vertical (you probably guessed that…) is called ‘roll’.

Bulge is no problem as long as you hit the ball with the center of the club face. However, if you hit it at the toe of the club you would have basically an open club face as mentioned above. This is even more exaggerated because the clubhead rotates around its vertical center-of-gravity axis whenever the ball is hit off the toe (or heel for that matter). The effect would again be to impart side spin on the ball, resulting in a slice. On the other hand, if you hit the ball on the heel of the club your shot would go left (for RH golfers) but will curve back towards the target line. If you experience inconsistency with your shots going left and right you may benefit from a driver/wood with a larger (flat and non-curved) sweet spot, i.e. the currently popular square drivers.

In short, bulge is your enemy. Case in point: I once hit the ball with the extreme toe corner of my driver, resulting in the ball shooting off in a 90 degree angle to the intended target line. It hit my wife who waited in the golf car at a presumably safe spot – fortunately she wasn’t injured seriously (‘only’ a ball sized mark on her upper thigh that changed color from red to blue to green over the following weeks), but it cost me a couple of dinners and 2 pair of shoes to be released from sleeping on the sofa.

Roll, as mentioned, refers to the vertical curvature of the club face. The club face has already an angle (i.e. some 9 – 12 degrees of loft for a driver) which helps to impart some desired spin onto the ball, thus helping it to get higher and farther than it would fly without spin. However, following in essence the same principles as above you can imagine that a ball that is struck too high on the club face will have a high trajectory but a short distance, while a ball struck too low will become a ‘worm burner’.



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DATE: 01/24/2008 00:53:41 / MOOD: i love golf

Command Hybrid Irons

(as alternative to the Taylor Made® Dual TP Hybrids)

Manufacturer: Pinemeadow Golf

Model: Command Hybrid Irons

Compares to: TaylorMade® Dual TP Hybrids

Manufacturer's Description Details: Take Command of your game by introducing yourself to the new Command hybrid series by Pinemeadow. The club is available in three lofts: 19, 22 and 25. The hybrids feature two rear six gram weights that are designed to lower the center of gravity and increase MOI (moment-of-inertia). By increasing MOI it will prevent the clubhead from twisting at impact resulting in straighter shots.

This new and improve weight port technology allows you to move two rear weights to configure the club to play a shot type that suits your game. Whether you want to play a draw, fade or straight shot the club can be configured to optimize your game. Expect to see longer shots, increased launch and improve accuracy. Whether it’s off the tee, out of the rough or off the short grass the Command Hybrid Irons are the club to play. They are versatile, long and forgiving! Giving you confidence to make any type of shot you are challenged with on the course. Command the respect from your golf buddies and take your game to another level.

Our Review: The Command Hybrid Iron is a hybrid club in the style of a iron wood. It looks a bit like a fairway wood and has an iron-like feel to it when hit. The deeper and lower center of gravity and the relatively large MOI (moment of inertia) gets the ball up off the ground quicker than a traditional long iron. The club series is designed to replace the 2, 3, and 4 irons, and especially for the beginners it give some valuable confidence for otherwise long iron shots.

The Command Hybrid Iron is an useful alternative out of the rough, rather than trying to hit say a 2 iron. It also gives a surprisingly sensitive touch while chipping around the green.

One has to be aware that, with the low and deep center of gravity, one tends to hit the ball very high. In fact I could take this club over trees if I had to cut a corner on a par 5. Also, a very nice option for the better player or someone who draws the ball or wants to play a fade is the ability to be customize the club due to movable weights.

Likes: Easy to hit, high trajectory. Movable weights allow for draw, fade, or straight shots.

Dislikes: The club in neutral setting has a mild draw bias (nothing serious, may actually benefit players with a slice)

Link to Product Details: Command Hybrid Irons



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DATE: 01/06/2008 19:11:57 / MOOD: i love golf

How to choose a Putter? Buying a putter often intimidates recreational golfers. A wide variety of types and styles exist, making the choice of a putter complicated. Faced with this complexity, many golfers get confused and make the wrong choice. The goal is to buy not the most expensive club on the market or the most popular in your clubhouse, but the putter offering the best value. It also helps to first read some GolfClub Reviews.

Several features to consider when buying a putter are price, quality, style, and club head. Additional features to consider are insert, loft, alignment system, and hosel. Below is a brief discussion of each of these features. [NOTE: Click the following link if you are interested in a more comprehensive set of articles on howto choose the best golf clubs for your game].

(1) Price/Quality: The price of putters ranges anywhere from $30 to $300 or more. The higher the putter's price, the better the quality is a general assumption, but Price is not necessarily a good indicator of quality. You don't have to pay a lot to find a good putter. In fact, a less expensive putter may be better for you than a more expensive one. It's a matter of feel. If the putter feels right to you, it will build self-confidence, and self-confidence will help you sink more putts. So consider putters from all price ranges and quality spectrums.

(2) Putter type - conventional, belly, or long: The type of putter you choose depends on which type works best for you and which fits your physical make-up.

Most people prefer a conventional putter, which is a little easier to use and master than belly or long putters. Conventional putters allow for the perfect blend of feel and mechanical precision. The downside of conventional putters is that they require an absolute minimum of wrist action. Unfortunately, some golfers find it hard to keep their wrists "quiet" when putting. Hence, the growing use of the belly and the long putters. Conventional putters are also a challenge for people with back problems.

Golfers with active wrists or back problems often prefer a belly putter or a long putter. A belly putter provides a third point of contact - the abdomen (along with each hand) - between the putter and the player. The added contact provides stability and balance to the putting stroke. The belly putter enables a golfer to better control his/her wrist action and assume a near perfect putting posture. Since belly putters are longer and generally have a thicker grip than conventional putters, they inhibit feel and feedback. Distance control is also a problem thanks to the longer shaft.

A long putter turns the putting stroke into a true pendulum arc. And since golfers take an almost upright stance, it is ideal for golfers with bad backs [NOTE: if you suffer from a bad back I suggest you take a look at some videos about Stretchingand Golf Fitness]. However, the length of the putter's shaft reduces feel and feedback even more than does a belly putter. It also hampers distance control. Some pros refer to the long putter as the "last hope for a bad putter" because it completely eliminates wrist action.

(3) Alignment System: Aligning the putter to the hole is a key to putting well. If the putter isn't lined up properly, the ball won't go in. Look for a putter with a visual aid to help line up the club with the hole. There's no research showing that one alignment system is better than another, so choose one that feels right to you.

(4) Loft: Putters have loft, just like an iron or a wood. Most come with 4 degrees of loft. If the loft is greater or lesser than this, the ball bounces when struck. Most golfers require a putter with standard loft because their hands are vertical to the ball at impact. Loft can be added or taken away depending on whether you hit the ball with your hands in front of or behind the ball at impact.

(5) Putter head: Putter heads come in three styles. Cavity back putters have a hollow area in the middle of the back of the putter, creating a larger sweet spot. Blade style putters have the weight of the club head distributed to the heel or bottom of the putter, leaving a thin top line to look at when addressing the ball. Mallet putters are much bigger than traditional putters. Their shapes vary widely. Traditional blades are harder to control than cavity back or mallet putters. Check out the face-balanced mallets and heel-toe-weighted putters as well. Both promote a straight-back-and-straight-through stroke, minimizing mis-hits.

(6) Face Inserts: Face inserts are available in a variety of materials including metal, rubber, ceramic, plastic, glass, and wood. Inserts provide more feel and feedback, which is ideal for a putter. They also better define a club's sweet spot and increase heel-toe weighting. Face inserts are nice, but not necessary.

(7) Offset: A putter with an offset shaft or hosel suits recreational golfers. The offset helps the golfer address the ball with his or her forward eye over the ball and with a good line of sight to the hole. More importantly, the offset keeps the hands ahead of the ball when putting, increasing accuracy.

(8) Grip/Weight: Additional factors are grip and weight. A thicker grip reduces feel and feedback. Weight is entirely a personal preference. Putters run the gamut from light to heavy. Most people prefer something in between. Choose one that feels comfortable to you.

Following this approach won't guarantee you'll find the perfect putter, but it will help organize the selection process. For additional pointers you should read the following article as well: GeneralInfo about Golf Putters.

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DATE: 01/02/2008 00:28:39 / MOOD: i love golf

There is no need for a beginner to buy the golf set that your favorite PGA Golfer plays. Besides the fact that these clubs will be too difficult to play they are also way too expensive. Any money saved on clubs should be used for proper golf lessons, a much better investment by any standard.

You are allowed to carry 14 clubs, but you actually don't need that many. The first clubs to leave out are the long irons (3, 4). Your iron set should start with the 5 or 6 iron and go up to the pitching wedge (PW) and sand wedge (SW). For longer shots use lofted fairway woods (3, 5) and hybrid clubs (3, 4, 5). You may find you still hit them all about the same distance, so if you can experiment, test them all to see which ones feel the best. Don't take the ones that you don't hit well and leave them at home. You should still buy them because you will get better and need them later.

The right set also depends on swing speed. Swing speeds between 65-80 mph (women, juniors and some seniors) will need more woods and hybrid clubs as well as more loft to help get the ball up in the air. Average male golfers with swing speeds of 80-90 mph can begin to add a few more irons (5-6), but you still should use hybrids and lofted woods instead of long irons. Woods are always easier to hit for beginners, so why make life difficult? Their larger heads and flat soles compared to irons also create more confidence. Slightly shortened versions of 3, 5, and 7 woods (-.5") should be considered for all beginners regardless of swing speed.

The driver should have a 440-460 cc titanium head. These new large headed drivers are a lot easier to hit, there are no second thoughts about it. Make sure you have extra loft - at least 10 - 12 degrees for men and above 12 degrees for Ladies - to increase accuracy and distance. If you find you still have problems hitting it accurately try holding the grip an inch or so lower down than usual. Many golfers, especially beginners, have a tendency to slice their shots. If you do you should consider an offset driver as their design helps to counteract a slice. Don't buy a driver with fancy weight ports for now, it will confuse you unnecessarily. Later on once your game improves you may consider one to further fine tune your game.

For a putter, you should get one of the new large headed mallet putters. These impressive putters provide great stability (i.e. they don't twist on mi???s), and their alignment aids make short putts much easier.

In our opinion your preferred set configuration should be: Woods (1, 3, 5), Hybrids (4, 5), Irons (Super Game Improvement) (6-SW), Putter (Mallet).

So here is what we think would be a great set for you:

Driver: The popular ZR1Offset Ti Driver 460cc from Pinemeadow Golf is modelled after the Ping® G5 Offset Driver. The offset characteristic will counter your slice, and the large clubface will make your shots a lot easier and more consistent. This design is perfect for beginner golfers.

Fairway Woods: To maintain consistency thru the different woods we recommend to stick with the ZR1Offset Fairway Woods. They offer the same playing characteristics as their 'big brother', and you should get both the #3 and #5 woods.

Irons/Hybrids: Instead of mixing and matching different shorter irons and longer hybrid clubs the ZR1Hybrid Iron Set has done the work for you. As a perfect iron/hybrid set for beginners it replaces the hard to hit 3, 4 and 5 irons with perfectly matching hybrids. We recommend to get the full set with graphite shafts if your swing speed is slow, or to get at least the hybrid clubs with graphite shafts no matter how fast your swing speed is.

Putter: As a beginner golfer you will use the putter more often than any other club in your bag, so it makes sense to get one that will make the task of putting as easy as possible. The M-4putter is a great candidate for this: it is big, well balanced and has a superb alignment aid to help particularly with shorter puts.

The set recommended here is only about $450, compared to over $2000 you would have to pay for the equivalent branded clubs. The golf set will help you to get your game into shape, and it will suit you for at least a couple of years depending on how often you play. Use at least some of the money saved to get good lessons from a golf teaching pro, and you're on your way for a lifetime of fun (…and frustration…).

Here is some additional info about the clubs we recommended above:

• ZR1 Offset Ti Driver 460cc



• ZR1 Offset 3 and 5 Fairway Woods



• ZR1 Hybrid Iron Set



• Xeon M-4 Putter

NOTE: since new golf clubs enter the market on a regular basis our recommendation will change if anything even more suitable becomes available in the future. Please visit us at GolfClubClone.com for updates.

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DATE: 12/31/2007 20:32:55 / MOOD: i love golf

Pinemeadow Command BK Irons

(as alternative to the TaylorMade® r7 Irons)

Manufacturer: Pinemeadow Golf

Model: Pinemeadow Command Q Irons

Compares to: TaylorMade® r7 Irons

Manufacturer's Description Details: Everyone at Pinemeadow HQ agrees the Command BK irons are a must have. Ever since the Command series was created they've been highly regarded as an ultra-forgiving line suitable for golfers of all skill levels. The Command BK design is no different.

A flush feel at impact satisfies your needs. And the design goal was to create a deep cavity and fine top line that pushes the weight to the perimeter of the club-face generating a bigger sweet spot. Whether you are hitting the ball square or a little off-center, an ideal ball flight and longer carry is the end result of every shot.

Our exclusive finish creates a sleek, black surface giving you a smooth, full-bodied appearance every time you grab the club. Over time the finish on the bottom of the club will wear into a retro grey oil can look very similar to recent black finished wedges.

Compare features and performance to TaylorMade® r7 Irons at $899.00

Our Review: To be honest this was the first time I played irons that were black rather than matt or polished steel, so it took a moment to get used to it. The shining black color gives the irons a unique look, very elegant and sophisticated. The black color, although glossy, gives less glare than a polished steel clubhead in bright sunlight. A small drawback of the black color is that the number on the clubhead is a bit difficult to see, so you have to look closely before you pull one out of your bag.

The clubs are very playable and are, as most Pinemeadow irons, very forgiving. These irons sport a large cavity in the rear, which increases the sweetspot. They also aggregate most of the weight at the bottom of the clubhead (sole) by making the top line very fine and by adding an extra weight (see the 'BK' insert) from the back of the sole behind the cavity, which lowers the overall center of gravity. This small extra weight that sort of 'floats' behind the cavity also reduces vibrations, giving this club a rather smooth feel.

These clubs are perfect for double digit handicappers who are able to hit the ball hard but sometimes lack accuracy in finding the sweet spot. The Pinemeadow Command Q Irons, given their low center of gravity and large sweet spot, encourage fast swings by providing excellent forgiveness due to their design. According to Pinemeadow this is one of their best selling iron sets, and at $179 for 3 to PW (inclusive of the premium 'Apollo lite' steel shaft!) they deliver excellent playability and value.
 
Likes: Can be hit hard and fast, no need to hold back in fear of off-center hits.

Dislikes: Numbers on the club are a bit difficult to read.

Link to Product Details: Pinemeadow Command BK Irons

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DATE: 12/27/2007 05:34:34 / MOOD: i love golf

Manufacturer: Pinemeadow Golf

Model: Pinemeadow Excel Strong Irons

Compares to: Callaway® X-20 Irons

Manufacturer's Description Details: The Pinemeadow Excel Strong Irons are a perfect blend of technology and game improving advantage. The sleek radius of the sole and notch weighting system throughout the club head create an optimum launch trajectory that maximizes distance through added carry and roll. Like all of our irons, the clubs are easy to hit and very forgiving. The short hosel, rounded toe and moderate top line of these clubs a favorite to both low and high handicap players.
Compare features, performance and price to the Callaway® X-20 Irons at $799.

Our Review: The most obvious characteristics of these irons is their wide sole, partially due to the notch cavity at the back of the clubhead. This, together with the bevelled toe reduce the turf drag when hitting in the rough.
 
The transfer of the weight to the perimeter of the clubhead allows for a bigger sweet spot and greater stability during miss hits, something highly appreciated by beginner and average golfers. Together with the wider sole this makes these irons very forgiving clubs.

The short hosel and compact design render this a very appealing club, perfectly suited for high- and mid handicap players. At $149 for a set from 3 to PW they deliver excellent playability and value.
 
Likes: Remarkably accurate even with off center hits (hence a great club for beginners and average players); nice 'traditional' design.

Dislikes: Nothing negative found.

Link to Product Details: Pinemeadow Excel Strong Irons

 

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DATE: 10/17/2007 20:45:29 / MOOD: i love golf

There are an infinite number of excuses in golf for hitting a bad shot, but few sound more irrational than blaming your clubs.

But in some cases, blaming a bad shot on your clubs may not be ridiculous at all.

Having your clubs fitted specifically for your own swing can have a massive impact on your game.

If your clubs aren’t fitted to your personal specifications, you could well be sacrificing critical elements of your swing to make up for it.

For an example of how big a part clubs play in your game, just take a look back at Phil Mickelson’s win in the 2006 Masters. He basically had two different drivers in his bag, one which produced a draw and the other which produced a fade. And he didn’t change his swing at all.

Now I can’t really say that there is a set list of benefits to getting your shafts properly fitted, but if you think about it, no two people’s swing is exactly the same.

So if you are using equipment that is set up for somebody else, then you are going to be sacrificing your own swing in an effort to make the equipment work.

Obviously this is backwards to the way things are meant to be. In the ideal situation, your equipment should complement your swing. Then any problems associated with your shots can be easily targeted as physical problems and fixed more quickly.

Seeing as club fitting has become so crucial these days, most golfing facilities will be able to help you out with a fitting session, which usually only costs around $100 (depending on where you are).

One of the most important aspects to consider is lie angle, which can relate to the length of the shaft too. It is said that if the lie angle is out by just a few degrees, then your shots could land as far as 40yards either side of where you were aiming.

Other things they will measure are clubhead speed, launch angle, club lie angle, ball contact position and plenty more (again depending on where you get the fitting done).

Alternatively, getting custom fitted can be easy and painless with web-based fitting tools like the 'club fitting wizard' at Pinemeadow Golf or the 'e-fit System' at GigaGolf. It helps to have a partner who assists with some of the measurements required.

So if you are looking for a new set of clubs, before you make any quick decisions, it’s definitely best to get yourself fitted to begin with, saving all the hassles later on. Or if there are so many problems with your shots that you really don’t know where to start, then I’d definitely recommend to look at getting some properly fitted clubs first.

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DATE: 10/05/2007 03:40:39 / MOOD: i love golf

Air Lift X-Tract Hybrid Iron (as alternative to the TaylorMade® Rescue Dual)

Manufacturer: Golfideas.com

Model: Air Lift X-Tract Hybrid Iron

Compares to: TaylorMade® Rescue Dual

Manufacturer's Description Details: The Air Lift X-Tract Hybrid Series is designed with a low center of gravity that can be customized by 3 interchangeable weights of 18, 22 and 26 grams. The weight port is located at the back of the head in the optimal position to create a lower center of gravity. This allows players to hit shots in the air from all areas of the course. The sole on the Air Lift X-Tract is channeled to reduce drag and increases club head stability equaling consistently higher, longer shots.

Our Review: The new Air Lift X-Tract Hybrid features one port for three different but interchangeable weights. This changes the center of gravity to create a larger draw bias or promote a neutral trajectory resulting in greater accuracy and/or increased distance. The new V-shaped sole makes for a better address setup, less drag at impact, easier aiming and maintaining clubhead speed for better distance control. This and the low center of gravity make it a lot easier to hit than a long-iron, good for confidence building.

Likes: Adjustable weighting allows a golfer to change the club’s center of gravity, making this club even more versatile.

Dislikes: The plug gives the club a bit of an odd look.

Link to Product Details: Air Lift X-Tract Hybrid Iron

 

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DATE: 10/04/2007 04:53:09 / MOOD: i love golf

GigaGolf C9 Ti Face Insert Irons (as alternative to the Ping Rapture Irons)

Manufacturer: GigaGolf

Model: GigaGolf C9 Ti Face Insert Irons

Compares to: Ping® Rapture Irons

Manufacturer's Description Details: The most advanced iron design GigaGolf has sold to date. A 6-4 Titanium face insert has several design advantages for cavity backed irons. First, it allows most of the clubhead mass to be concentrated around the perimeter of the iron head creating a larger sweet spot for more forgiveness. Second, Ti faces can be made thinner than stainless which maximizes COR or ball velocity.
A 20 gram tungsten insert was added to the toe to balance the iron head and lower the center of gravity. This creates higher, straighter golf shots.

Our Review:

These irons are made by welding a titanium face plate onto a steel frame. This brings the advantage that most of the clubheads weight is shifted to the perimeter, thereby increasing the sweet spot to almost the whole of the club face. In addition the titanium face, due to the way it's been made, packs a real punch - even with off-center hits.
 

The wide sole of these irons is very beneficial when you tend to hit out of the rough more often: with their sheer size they sort of 'muscles' their way thru the higher grass. Despite the size they swing well, aided by a small tungsten insert at the toe of the club head that stabilizes the club during the swing.
 

Taken together these are excellent game improvement clubs for beginners and average players. Advanced players may miss the feel that smaller blade irons will provide.
 

Likes: Great playability; very forgiving yet good distance.

Dislikes: Not available in LH.

Link to Product Details: GigaGolf C9 Ti Face Insert Irons

 

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DATE: 10/03/2007 02:11:39 / MOOD: i love golf

Manufacturer: PinemeadowGolf.com

Model: ExcelTi Driver and Ti Woods

Compares to: Callaway®Great Big Bertha II

Manufacturer's Description Details:The Excel Titanium driver by Pinemeadow Golf has become one of the most popular drivers we carry. The club was designed with features to suit the needs for golfers of all different skill levels making it easier to improve distance and still maintain control. The ultra forgiving design and slick appearance make the Excel highly sought after. With the thin face Beta Titanium design and classic shape this club also offers the distance needed to stay competitive at all levels. It also employs a rear weight chip to increase the moment of inertia (MOI) to help you square the clubface at impact. For players looking for maximum forgiveness without having to sacrifice distance these are the perfect woods for you!

Our Review: This club has a 400cc head (well, 395cc to be exact), which is a nice change from the nowadays more common oversized 460cc heads. It is easy to swing and seems to be a great club for the average golfer (80s to 90s range).

The club was built after the ever-so-popular Great Big Bertha II and clearly does it justice. The Adila Graphite shaft complements the club well, and the combination has a positive effect on a slice and might help golfers with this problem. The weighting feels neutral, and despite not being oversized the club is surprisingly forgiving when hit off center. The thin Beta-Ti face gives a bit of a 'trampoline' effect (high Moment of Inertia) which results in good distance.

Likes: Nice and easy to hit club, definitely deserves it's popularity.

Dislikes: Left hand choice very limited.

Link to Product Details: ExcelTi Driver and Ti Woods

 

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DATE: 10/01/2007 21:21:37 / MOOD: i love golf

Manufacturer: PinemeadowGolf

Model: ExcelHollow Core Ti Irons

Compares to: Callaway®Big Bertha Fusion irons

Manufacturer's Description Details: Pushing the envelope of the golf technology, the new Pinemeadow Excel Hollow Core Irons bring your game to a whole new level. These irons are unique and one of a kind. They are designed with three types of materials to increase distance and maintain accuracy.

The club features a thin beta titanium face which will increase rebound at impact. A hollow core stainless steel body completely removes the weight from the center of the club head, which dramatically expands the area of forgiveness. A steel wall around the face improves forgiveness by moving the weigh to the back of the head for higher MOI. A unique rubber backing dampens vibration, improves sound and feel. Distance, accuracy and feel make the PMG HC irons the complete iron set in golf today.

The hollow core gives you a noticeably lighter club that will maximize distance. The PW and SW do not feature the hollow core backing because you want a little more weight in your wedges. This is normal for all iron sets.

Our Review: In the manufacturers description it says "dramatically expands the area of forgiveness". The use of 'dramatically' makes it sound like a lot of hype, but boy, trying is believing. These irons ARE forgiving. Due to their lighter weight one has to get used to the clubs, and looking at the ball marks I hit the balls all over the club face. The feel and the ball flight though were like I hit the ball dead center, with only minimal 'spraying'. I have to admit that the use of the word 'dramatically' seems justified when discribing the forgiving characteristics of these irons.

Since the clubhead is a bit lighter than that of normal irons the swing tends to be faster, which in turn adds somewhere between 10 to 20 yards in carry, plus some roll. The lighter head also causes less of a wobble which is probably the reason for the increased consistency when hitting this club.

One has to get used to the looks of the irons. Callaway©, when they released their Big Bertha Fusion irons (after which the Excel Hollow Core Ti Irons are modelled) called them "the most untraditional traditional-looking irons ever". While I'm not clear what exactly that means these irons do look 'different', but given the ease of play I can get used to that.

Likes: VERY forgiving and consistent clubs

Dislikes: The rubber backing gives this club a bit of an odd look - but maybe I'm just to old fashioned...

Link to Product Details: ExcelHollow Core Ti Irons

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DATE: 09/30/2007 19:49:11 / MOOD: i love golf

Manufacturer: Pinemeadow Golf

Model: Classic Grind Wedge

Compares to: Cleveland® CG10 Wedges

Manufacturer's Description Details: Improve your short game with a wedge that offers you control, touch and a classic sleek design. The wedge has a unique beveled sole combined with proven shape and bounce design to provide accurate play from any lie. Let the Classic Grind Wedge build confidence in your short game resulting in fewer wasted strokes around the green and lower scores.

Our Review: While these wedges are modelled after the Cleveland® CG10 Wedges they are actually made of stainless steel as compared to 'Carbon Metal Matrix', a proprietary material developed by Cleveland®.

We tested the whole set of four ClassicGrind Wedges on the course and simulated various tough lies (like in the rough, in the sand and so on) requiring good shot control with high loft.

All four wedges are very smooth and provide great spin and good ball control. We particularly like the Sand Wedge (SW): it cuts thru the sand like thru butter, a very smooth feel - a great club.

We did however have a slight problem with the Approach Wedge (AW). It seemed that the rounded edge (= beveled sole), together with the higher loft, caused the occassional sculled shot. It may be more beneficial if the edge were a bit sharper, but as is a beginner may be better off with more bladed wedge like the Tour Leader Wedge for the Approach Wedge.

There is no problem at all with the other three wedges, they are great to play with. The clubs look great, and of course workmanship on all wedges was great as we would expect from Pinemeadow. This is a good and very playable set of complementing wedges, so if you're looking to buy some new wedges make sure you give these a closer look - especially the sand wedge.

Likes: The Classic Grind Wedge are a good choice for the beginner to average player, maybe with the exception of the AW. They are smooth and provide excellent feedback. At under $50 they provide great value for money compared to the Cleveland® wedges at $125!

Dislikes: Only comes as a right hand club. AW design caused some sculled shots.

Link to Product Details: ClassicGrind Wedge

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DATE: 09/29/2007 20:03:11 / MOOD: i love golf

Our recommendation: The Beginners Ideal Set

The ideal set for a beginner would be one that takes into account the swing/hit issues mentioned above. Maximum forgiveness is the goal.
 
To help with inconsistent contact an oversized clubhead will help. An oversized club has a larger hitting area so there will be fewer mi???s. For irons, perimeter weighting will help to make those mi???s go a little straighter. You're shots off the heel and toe will be more solid. A wide sole will slide through the turf easier and get the ball up higher. Slightly shorter clubs will make accurate club-to-ball contact a higher possibility.
 
To help with that out-to-in swing path, an offset clubhead will get the clubface back to the ball a little later. That means the clubface will be more square to the target and not open. This will also keep the hands a little bit in front of the clubhead, which in turn will also help with those fat shots.
 
For long shots from the fairway or rough a beginner should choose woods and hybrid clubs with the most loft possible, together with a low center of gravity. More loft means it will be easier to get the ball in the air, and it will likely go a little farther as well. In addition it will create more backspin which will counteract the side spin of shots and keep them from curving as much. As a combined result your shots will be a little bit straighter.
 
A beginner's driver should have a larger head (over 430cc) to increase the size of the hitting area. Additional loft (12-15 degrees) will get the ball in the air. Added loft once again will increase backspin and make those left to right curves less of a head ache.
 
Putting is something that, with practice, will get better (although sometimes hard to believe). It's true, it doesn't take great athletic ability to be a decent putter. Yet again, it's still hard for a beginner to judge distances so 3 putts are still common. Besides keeping your head directly over the ball a good alignment system will also help getting over your inconsistency...

 

Continue reading this article here: How to choose the best Golf Clubs for Beginner Golfers

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DATE: 09/29/2007 09:42:04 / MOOD: i love golf

Manufacturer: GigaGolf

Model: Ozzy Moto 460 Ti Square Driver

Compares to: Nike® Sasquatch Sumo2

Manufacturer's Description Details: Looks like square will be the next big thing for Titanium drivers. Although square will not be for everyone the new shape does distribute weight away from the club face. This improves the MOI and reduces twist at impact. The best configuration for most golfers is an UST Competition PHG 100 graphite shaft and a VX grip.

Our Review: While it's looks may no be for everyone it seems the square head will be the new trend for Titanium drivers. The XQ MUTO 460 Ti is modelled after the Nike Sasquatch Sumo2 (as in Sumo squared to reflect it's shape) which has been very successful. The square shape design increases both horizontal and vertical stability which in turn results in a very high Moment of Inertia (MOI, reduced 'twisting' at impact), thus assuring a long and accurate shot.

In a nutshell, the higher the MOI of a club, the more forgiving the club will be on mis-hits. As an example, let's say you hit the ball on the toe of your driver. A higher-MOI driver will twist less at impact and the ball will still end up reasonably close to the intended target compared to a similar miss-hit off a lower-MOI club (= which would twist more).

If you can get over the shape this is an excellent club in case you are plagued by regular miss-hits.

Likes:The Ozzy Moto 460 Ti Square Driver are a good choice for a beginning player, or any player who would benefit from an increased MOI. Great value for money!

Dislikes: Shape needs some getting used to; not available in LH.

Link to Product Details: Ozzy Moto 460 Ti Square Driver

 

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DATE: 09/29/2007 09:32:53 / MOOD: i love golf

When I'm not out playing golf I hang out on the web. Some of my favorite sites are:

GolfLessons for Beginners

CloneGolf Clubs

GolfVideos

OnlineGolf Clinic

GolfClub Reviews

If you got some time you may want to check them out, too.

Hit 'em straight, Frank

FJPMarketing

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