Post University: How to recharge your career through higher education: Be a learner, not just a knower

Post University: How to recharge your career through higher education: Be a learner, not just a knower

Is Your Putter Fit Causing a Problem?

Several aspects of the proper fitting of a putter can be important such as length, Grip and swingweight to name a few. But ask your self this Putter fitting question...are you a "square-to-square" (square2) or an "inside-to-inside"(In-In) putter?" In a square2 stroke you try to keep the face square to the target both in the backstroke and forward stroke. With the In-In, the putter curves back and in toward your body during the backswing, returnes to square at impact and then turns back in during the follow-through.
Certain Putter Styles are more suited to one or the other. Ask your Club Pro or Custom Club fitter if your putter fits you stroke.

Swing Changes Could = Club fitting Needs

Many golfers work hard at improving their swing dynamics. When swing changes are made it can make the fitting set up of current clubs out of sync. Example, I recently observed a golfer go through a swing change to get the weight shift and use of the power of the lower body into the swing.
This resulted in a better swing but a lower body position at contact from getting the lower body into the swing. This resulted into a number of fat or heavy hits and chunked shots. In this case, perhaps adding a bit more bounce to the Irons or slighly shorter club length might be justified,

Is Your Driver Loft Too Strong?

Maybe it's ego or just lack of good fitting advice but a number of golfers are playing with a Driver that has too strong a loft. They could benefit significantly from a bit more loft in the Driver.

If you have a swing speed with you driver of less than 90 mph, and your current Driver is 10.5 degrees or less, test out a Driver with between 11 - 12 degrees of loft. The slower the swing-speed the more loft will help you carry the shot for greater distance. Driver swing-speeds under 80 mph should try a 12 degree loft.

Hybrid Club Fitting

The Hybrid Woods & Irons have made a huge increase in popularity among Pro's and everyday golfers alike. Which Hybrids should a golfer select? Let's talk about Hybrid Woods because Hybrid Irons replace their corresponding Iron club.

Pick the first long iron you are inconsistent with and start there. Suppose you hit your 6 Iron OK but start being inconsistent with your 5 Iron. The lofts of various Hybrid Woods can differ by 1 or 2 degrees but basically if you want to replace your 5 Iron, start with a 27 degree Hybrid. A 4 Iron would be about a 22 - 24 degree Hybrid, etc.

Putter Fitting - Lie Angle

Among the Putter fitting characteristics most over-looked is the "lie angle". Many times I will look at Player at putt set-up and see the toe off the ground or the heel off the ground. Both are not good and can cause the toe or heel to hit the ground first and deflect the putter left or right.

Here is a simple way to check your Putter Lie-angle. Set up as if you were ready to put. Have a friend slide a 3 x5 card under the toe and heel until they just touch the putter sole. If they are not equal distance from the center of the putter you have a bad Lie and need to get the Putter adjusted.

Fitting Putter Grips

Today's putter grips come in all sizes, shapes and configurations. You see very Big oversized Putters in may options available today. What is right for you?

The key is your Stroke, Feel and Release. Try out some different sizes. Close your eyes and see which "feels' natural. Watch to see how freely your release is with small, medium and large grips, See how natural and free your release of the Putter is toward the target line. It can really help.

Putter Fitting for Length

A key aspect of proper Putter fitting is the length of the Putter. Length is important for proper feel and stance. There is another aspect that is very important...Stroke execution.

If your Putter is too short or too long the stroke back and through the ball is not natural. When you have the proper length, you have a natural fluid stroke. Too short or long and you have to contrive a stroke that is not free and can restrict your stroke.

Fitting Wedges - Check the Bounce

The bounce is the amount of sole angle. On Wedges, more bounce equals Less Dig into the ground or sand. Less bounce...you get more Dig into the ground or Sand. The amount of "bounce" on your wedges is important to Fit correctly to your game and course conditions.



Equally important to Shot making for better golfers is the amount of Bounce when you lay the club face Open as in a flop shot. Most Wedges that you lay open to get more loft on a shot end up with more bounce when open. Consider a Wedge with "zero bounce" when layed open. A Zero-golf Wedge will not increase Loft when opened.

Buy the Right GOlf Ball for Your Game

With the large number and variety of golf balls today, don't just by the most popular brand without checking into it more. Most golfers don't need the most expensive golf balls to achive good results. I read an article last year that said something to the affect that if you aren't a single digit handicapper, don't spend more than $15.oo per dozen for golf balls.

While the manufactuers advertise a lot of hype about their particular golf ball, thre is valuable information on the Box and on-line. Check it out compared to you needs before you pay a bunch for golf balls.