Ask the Gear Doctor
Every Wednesday, we'll tap into the expertise of our exclusive research partner, Hot Stix Golf, to answer reader questions and help you navigate the increasingly complex word of golf equipment. If you have a question for the Gear Doc, e-mail it to geardoc@hotstixgolf.com or post a comment below. He'll answer a few lucky readers' questions every week on GOLF.com. The latest installment is after the jump.
Dear Doc,
After being away from the game for 10 years, I'm playing golf again for the first time since high school. Some friends tell me that the best way to improve is to take lessons, but others say I should get fitted for clubs first. Should I get fitted based on my horrible current swing, or should I get some lessons and a better swing and then get fitted?
Thanks, Scott
Dear Scott,
This is an excellent question, and one that I get often. I think if you are committed to lessons and will stick to the practice regimen, then you should take lessons until you and your instructor agree that your swing is beginning to take shape. At that point, get fitted.
Gear Doc,
I play a Nike Sumo2 8.5-degree driver with an Aldila SV 65 proto stiff shaft. My swing speed is 100 mph and I hit my driver 270 yards with very little or no roll. Sometimes the ball even bounces backward. Someone suggested that I should get a 9.5-degree driver and a shaft with a high kick point. I live outside United States and don't have access to a launch monitor, but I was thinking about buying a Titleist 907D1 with a Pro Force v2 7070 shaft. Do you think that will help me reduce the backspin of my drives?
Best regards, Jose
Dear Jose,
It sounds to me like you generate a lot of spin. This could be due to many factors, but going to a 9.5-degree driver with a higher kick point shaft almost certainly will NOT fix the problem. I would say you would benefit more by switching to a much lower spin driver head like the Bridgestone J33 or the Callaway HyperX. And you might also benefit from experimenting with a lower-spinning ball. Here are several good options; TaylorMade Burner LDP, Bridgestone E6, Callaway Tour iX and TaylorMade TP Red.
Hey, Gear Doc,
How important is the weight of a shaft (driver, hybrid, wedge, etc.)? Most companies push 65-gram driver shafts, but I heard that Tiger plays an 83-gram shaft. All things being equal, do heavier shafts add distance? Could it increase clubhead speed? Would it be worth it?
Thanks, Justin Blair
Dear Justin,
Shaft weight makes a very big difference, but maybe not in the way you think. Heavier shafts are usually more effective for players with a fast tempo. They often improve accuracy, but they decrease clubhead speed, which means less distance. I often see better players (I think Tiger qualifies) using heavier shafts because the weight helps them "feel" the club during the swing, and that improves accuracy.
I talk with golfers every day who say they would give up a little distance to hit more fairways. But in reality, they want to hit more fairways and add distance.
My advice is to experiment with various shaft weights in your driver until you find your comfort level.
Posted by: Kev | Aug 4, 2008 1:28:19 AM
The best way I have found to keep golf clubs clean is the orig soap and water. Rinse the grip/shaft with lukewarm water then use soap on it. After soaping it clean it off with lukewarm water. Then go after the clubhead using a nylon brush of somekind to get all the dirt out of the grooves. As you wont have any spin off the ball with dirty grooves.
Good luck
Posted by: Justin Blair | Aug 3, 2008 11:51:27 AM
Just good ol' soap and water. Dish soap works the best, in my opinion. I have a clubface cleaner that you can fill with water (from Dunham's) and I put a dab of dish soap in with water and just rub the grips with that, then I towel dry them. Works pretty well.
Posted by: Jim Gobetz | Aug 2, 2008 11:27:15 AM
I am pretty good about keeping my clubs clean but would like to know if there is a "best practice" for keeping the grips clean.
Posted by: ricky | Jul 31, 2008 11:09:25 AM
whats the differnce between long medium short irons
Posted by: Mike V | Jul 28, 2008 9:22:11 AM
I've read Reena's comments several times and I have come to the conclusion that I need to get a life, and she needs an editor.
Posted by: DJ | Jul 25, 2008 1:37:06 AM
WTF is poster "Reena" talking about?!
Posted by: Zane Marx | Jul 24, 2008 12:14:49 AM
Hey Thomas,
the logo is for the clothing brand 'Canterbury'. Its a NewZeland brand well known for rugby balls and jersey's. you can check out their website
http://www.canterburynz.com/site/static/index_global.htm
I think you'll find that they were wearing one of their baselayers. Its very well know here in Australia.
Z.
Posted by: Reena | Jul 23, 2008 3:53:21 AM
Hi,
Sport and corporate worlds are now closely interlinked from point of view of brand building and bond building. The game of golf now clearly boasts a celebrity status. You can be on course to some serious networking and branding exercise since so many high-profile people nowadays swing their arms at a golf course.
Find out if your close corporate buddy plays different golf courses rather frequently.!!!
Posted by: Thomas Pretsch | Jul 22, 2008 3:03:01 PM
Hey.
In the british open i saw many players with a long shirt under their poloshirt. The amateaur Wood and the spanish Larrazabel.
The shirt had a logo on the right armside.
Do you know the name of the brand?
Thank you.
Thomas, Denmark