Three Common equipment woes easily Corrected

As a teaching professional who does not own a shop, nor relies on equipment sales to pay my bills I'm in an extremely powerful position to make recommendations to my students on their equipment. They realize I'm not making recommendations for financial gain, but purely because I feel there is a better club, or technology that they will benefit from....Even today almost 20 years after I was first introduced to formal fitting, it amazes me just how many amateurs who come to my lesson tee have equipment in their bags which is not only not maximizing their efforts, but in fact actually hurting there performance severally!!

What I would like to discuss in this piece with you folks out there in the golf world are the three most common things that my recreational golfers bring to my tee that relates to equipment woes, and are easily,and quickly fixable. If corrected would make your golf life much more enjoyable, and your performance better overnight!!

1. It is hard for me to believe just how many golf clubs I pull out of my student's golf bags on a daily basis whose grips are in a condition that almost makes them difficult, if not impossible to hold, based on the excessive wear. Please keep in mind that when your grips are worn, and become slick it requires you,the player to increase your grip pressure to control the club face. However that increased pressure, in fact creates tension..... Tension destroys golf swings!! It will inhibit your ability to freely release the club, make your best turn, and there fore hinder your ability to create speed as well. If your grips become even the least bit worn (shinny or slick), change them ASAP!! I also recommend you clean your grips often with warm water, a light scrub with a soapy solution,and a wire brush....Give them a light scrub , then a warm rinse, and allow them to air dry. They will feel like new. When you drive your car it is required you control the steering wheel, when you drive your golf ball , please control the club face with a sound fundamental grip, placed upon a club grip in excellent condition to control your club face.

2. Do you carry a 60 degree wedge? It was really not that long ago this animal did not even exist...I remember having to be extremely creative, some would say manipulative with a 56 degree wedge to hit shots that flew high and soft when the situation dictated the need. Today many amateurs put themselves in positions that if they carried a 60 degree club would allow them to escape with a basic pitch shot motion, with no need to be a tour player, or magician!! The technology of the 60 degree club, and the quality of the bounce configurations in today's equipment market, has taken a great deal of pressure off the average player who has invested in this wonderful tool...Not only is this gem a wonderful pitching tool, but it stands to reason it has a tremendous application in the bunker world as well. Have your PGA professional help you fit the bounce configuration that best suits the lies, and sand at your home club.

3. I have never been a great long iron player myself personally. My down swing sometimes gets a bit steep, and therefore the 2 or 3 iron were never dear friends of mine!! Along comes the hybrid type clubs and suddenly the some what longer Par 4's I play don't feel like quite so much work any longer. Now it has gotten to the point that I welcome the challenges the golf course presents tome in the previous 2, 3, or 4 iron range. The hybrid technology has also paid huge dividends in light rough or lies in the fairway I would previously cringed at....If your an average golfer , who struggles with his or her mid to long irons , jump on the hybrid train ASAP!! I must also say I find it very interesting that even at the tour level, when I work with my professional students how many hybrids are showing up in their bags as well. Let's face it, why not make this sometimes difficult game easier for us whenever possible?

Please take some easy to follow advise. Have your grips checked on a regular basis, by your PGA professional. Also have him fit you for a proper 60 degree club, and talk over with him the correct, and fitted hybrid, or hybrid(s) you need to have in your bag....Do this ASAP, and continue to enjoy your golf. Always remember to give back to this wonderful sport that gives us so much enjoyment.