Tales From The Bunker

Tags: Tips by admin
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I have absolutely no preference what golf ball I use. Price and availability are the two main factors. When I get low on balls I usually either go to the local mega sports store looking for the best price on a ball I am not ashamed to play, or if I have the time I look on eBay to see if I can find a great deal. Is this the best thing for my golf game?

On the PGA tour the longest hitters swing speed is around 130 miles per hour. The shorter tour hitters are around 107-110 mph. Impressive! The average male middle handicapper’s swing speed is 80-90 mph. Women generally average around 60 mph.

Another way to look at this comparison is by ball speed. A tour player’s ball speed for a driver is around 170 mph, for a three iron 150 mph, for a 5 iron 140 mph and for an 8 iron 120mph.  The ball speed for an average male player’s driver is around 145 mph; the speed for women is around 115 mph.

That is a lot of numbers but are they relevant to your choice of ball. The high performance golf ball manufacturers (think Titleist)  want you to believe that since tour players must employ lower swing speeds to execute certain shots, a high performance ball ( think Pro V1) is designed to perform for all golfers at all swing speeds.

With a thank you to Livestong.com  let’s take a closer look at different types of golf balls:

Premium Balls
The Titleist ProV1 and ProV1x are the clear leaders of the golf ball industry. The ProV1x has slightly lower spin rates and so is more suitable for faster swing speeds.. The reason that they offer two or more versions of the same ball is related to swing speed. Higher swing speeds, as a rule, create more spin and so the lower spin versions are for faster speeds and the higher spin balls are for more moderate swing speeds.

Quality Balls
The second tier of golf balls caters more for moderate swing speeds. The use of lower compression cores allows for greater energy transfer and increased ball speed. Balls in this sector include the Titleist NXT Tour and the Nike One Vapor Speed, each designed for swing speeds of 85 to 95 mph.

Women’s Balls
Women’s golf balls are designed for slower swing speeds.  Women’s golf balls are designed with very low compression cores that help to increase ball speed. Most feature ionomer covers for improved feel. The Nike Karma is designed for women with swing speeds between 70 and 80 mph, who are looking to increase carry distance.

2-piece Balls
2-piece golf balls are suited to players who have average or slow swing speeds and are looking for distance. These golf balls provide a higher launch angle and have low spin rates. You may struggle to stop a 2-piece ball on a firm green but with the extra yards from the tee, you’ll be a little closer to the green than with a softer ball. The Callaway Diablo, Maxfli Noodle and Pinnacle dimension are all 2-piece balls .

My conclusion, when I am looking for bargains for golf balls I am most likely purchasing a ball that is designed for my slower swing speed. So I think no change in strategy is necessary.

Bottom line – I am going to lose the golf ball anyway so why spend big bucks!

As always, keep ‘em in the fairway!

Tags: Tips by admin
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As we stated in our last blog, poor posture has lasting effects that can have significantly alter your results on the golf course. Today we will review the important keys to correct posture. It is somewhat akin to dieting, we all know what we should do but we still do not do to. (How many people know they should not cross their legs but still do?)

The keys to proper posture:

Make sure your chair fits correctly. There should be 2 inches between the front edge of the seat and the back of your knees. Ideally the chair should tilt back so you can rest while you are reading what’s on the computer screen.

Sit with your knees at approximately a 90 to 120 degree angle. Using an angled foot rest to support your feet may help you sit more comfortably.

Position your computer monitor so the top of the screen is at or below eye level, and make sure you have adequate lighting.

Make sure there is no glare; use an antiglare screen if necessary.

Keep your wrists in the neutral position, not angled up or down, while you type. A wrist rest can help you keep a more neutral wrist posture. Keep your elbow angle within a 70 to 135 degree range.

Take periodic breaks, Clench you hands in a fist and move your hands like this: 10 circles in, then 10 circles out. Put your hands in a praying position and squeeze for 10 seconds, then “pray” with the backs of your hands together, fingers pointed downward for 10 seconds. Spread your fingers apart and then close them one by one.

Do the “hug your best friend” stretch a couple of times. Stand and wrap your arms around your body and turn as far as you can to the left, then to the right.

Now that we know what we should do, how many of us are going to follow these instructions? Let us know!

As all ways, keep ‘em in the fairway!

Tags: Golf Fitness by admin
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As I am sure everyone is aware, May is correct posture month!!

If you are not careful, slouching at a desk all day or tapping away at a computer keyboard can lead to painful and disabling strains to your wrists, shoulders, elbows and back. I certainly am a victim of the modern office as I have spent untold hours in front of a computer, slouching and sitting on a big fat wallet in my left back pocket. The wallet put pressure on my SI Joint (sacroiliac joint), which now is mad at me, and slightly twisted my pelvis.  The slouching creates pain between my shoulder blades and makes my back stiff.

None of these things are helpful when I step on the course at the first tee and find my swing is shortened.  These problems are reversible but it takes time. When you have had poor posture for a long period of time it takes a long period to reverse the damage. But it can be changed. Stretching (everyone loves to stretch), core strengthening and Yoga are three ways to achieve help (plus a few whacks from your friendly chiropractor).

Katherine Roberts has numerous DVDs available to show you how to stretch, and help your flexibility and strengthening specifically designed for golf.  Below is an example of one exercise she recommends to help you game (It is actually two exercises but she goes through the first one so fast you will miss it). This is also an exercise given to me by my chiropractor to strengthen by lower back. See what you think and maybe consider watching one of her DVDs so after a round the first thing you want is a beer and not Advil.

Our next blog will have recommendations on how to avoid the posture problems created by the computer.

As always, keep ‘em in the fairway.

Tags: Golf Fitness by admin
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