Golf News 48

Low-End vs. High-End Golf Balls

9 months ago Golf News, , ,

golf ball core

It’s one thing to upgrade your golf clubs in the hopes of improving your golf game. But can you find a ball that will dramatically improve your handicap? Some golfers find a high-end or low-end ball they like and stick to it forever. Changing it up might be worth the effort.

Beginner golfers might wonder if it’s worth it to invest in high-end golf balls when just beginning. There is an argument to using quality gear, even when beginning a sport. However, low-end golf balls can aid beginner golfers in learning and loving the game. There are physical differences between high and low-end balls: it’s not just all in the brand name. The coating and layers of the ball deeply affect the spin and durability of the golf ball and can make a big difference in your swing and score.

Here are the features of high-end and low-end golf balls:

HIGH-END GOLF BALLS
  • Often have a urethane cover, which is plasticky – when one of these balls is struck, it will make a sharp and short click
  • Generates more spin, which can exaggerate existing hook and slice tendencies
  • More easily damaged because of the softer exterior
  • Need to be replaced more often, which adds to the original higher cost
  • Often constructed with multiple layers, which maximize control and give a soft feel
LOW-END GOLF BALLS
  • Often have a Surlyn Ionomer cover, which is almost rubbery – when one of these balls is struck, it will make a soft and echoed whack
  • Generates less spin, which is great for beginning golfers trying to hit straight
  • Extremely durable because of the harder exterior material
  • Rarely need to be replaced
  • Often constructed in two pieces: an inner core and an outer layer, which maximizes distance but does not offer expert control

Beginner golfers will fare better with less expensive balls. While learning, it’s important to focus on hitting straight. High-end golf balls will be frustrating due to their high spin.

Serious golfers will want the control and softness of a more expensive ball, features that make the elevated price point and need for more frequent replacements worth it.

Note that low-end golf balls do not include range balls, which are a different beast entirely. When compared to low-end golf balls, range balls are like rocks. They bring cheap to a whole new level because they undergo so much wear and tear. Imagine how often you hit a single golf ball in its lifetime. Now, imagine the thousands of times a range ball gets struck by a huge variety of golfers of different skill levels. Don’t play with range balls. Read Free Golf Balls at the Course to learn more about them.

In the end, the best way to discover your perfect fit golf ball is to play different balls throughout a round on a course that you know and love. Playing a new ball on a new course will use too many variables. Test your new golf balls on holes you’ve played over and over again in order to accurately compare where you usually hit vs. where the new ball hits. As with anything sports-related, your mileage may vary. Test balls from all different price points and see which offer you the stability, control, and distance you most desire for your golf game.


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When to Replace Your Golf Glove

11 months ago Golf News, ,

replace golf glove

If your glove looks anything like this one, it’s time.

If you’re looking up the question of when to replace your golf glove, the answer is, “right now.” Or, “yesterday.”

But that’s just the short answer.

Golf gloves are complicated. You’ve probably taken a break from golf before. You return to your bag, dig around in the pocket, and find that your golf glove has turned into a sad, dirty, shriveled thing reminiscent of used carwash rags. What happened? And can you try to breathe life back into your ancient glove by putting it on and stretching it out a bit? Not really.

Think of your golf gloves like a pair of nice sandals. They do, over time, reach that perfect broken-in point where they fit comfortably and give you an extra spring in your step. However, at a certain point, they wear out and need to be replaced. You don’t keep wearing the same old leather sandals. Why would you continue to wear the same old leather glove?

Indications You Should Get a New Glove

  1. It’s dirty. If the white looks more like post-slide baseball pants than a butler’s glove, it’s probably time to assess your glove’s health. Over time, your grimy hands and sweat and nature’s dirt will discolor the glove. While pristine color is not the only reason to switch gloves (unless you’re super fancy), it can be a good indication of how long you’ve been using the glove, which tells you if it’s time for a replacement.
  2. It’s crispy. Yes, a crispy glove. I said it. We all know what that means. Your glove is so permeated with hand sweat that it hardens in your golf bag. It becomes better suited for a science project than a piece of sporting equipment. Don’t keep forcing your hand into a hardened glove.
  3. It doesn’t fit right. Over time your glove will warp, due to the sweat mentioned above. If you put it on and it feels too small, lay the thing to rest and go pick up a new one.
  4. You play A LOT of golf. If you’re a serious golfer, you might need more than one glove in your arsenal. You might even switch them out during a single round. You might alternate between gloves each day. If gloves are like shoes, you’re the rainy day marathon runner. You’ve gotta let the shoes dry before you run again. You’ve gotta let the glove sweat evaporate before you swing again.
  5. The glove is damaged. If there’s any holes in your glove, you don’t need me to tell you that you need a new one.

Caring For Your Golf Glove

Gloves will wear out over time. You cannot use the same one forever – don’t even try. Appreciate each golf glove for its lifetime, and then retire it to the trash when it no longer serves your game. Here are the best ways to prolong a glove’s lifespan:

  1. Don’t get your glove wet. That means you don’t grab a wet water bottle, don’t hold a wet golf ball, and don’t plunge your hand into any water hazards. Don’t even touch your sweaty face. You ever get a pair of shoes wet and feel like they’re ruined? FUBAR? Same thing with a leather glove.
  2. Be mindful when storing your golf glove. If you crumple the poor thing and stuff it into a pocket, it will harden in that position (yuck). That means your glove will be nice and crispy when you dig it out next time. If you must shrink it down somehow, just fold it in half nicely. Best case scenario, you can store it flat without folding or warping it.

Wondering if you’d benefit from double-glove power? Read Should You Wear Two Golf Gloves.


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Does Mini Golf Help Your Putting?

11 months ago Golf News, ,

mini golf

If you’re a confident golfer, you might be tempted to challenge your friends to a round of putt putt golf. Golfers are great at putt putt, right? You might even begin to wonder – can playing mini golf make you an even better putter?

Mini golf is a popular pastime for many people who have never even picked up a golf club. That doesn’t mean they can sink their ball in one stroke the first time they play on a course. The skills are not exactly parallel. In fact, some golfers might worry that playing can harm their golf game.

How it Hurts

While it seems like good practice, the conditions on a putt putt course are very different from real greens. The speed of fake grass is nothing like actual grass. Don’t be surprised if real putting makes your mini game worse, and vice versa.

In addition, your putter at home will be significantly better quality than the mass-made cheap neon putters used in putt putt. Your putter and the mini golf club are weighted very differently. You’ll have to make some adjustments when you switch between them.

Also note the putt putt balls are not Titleists, or anything close.

To combat these issues, do some practice putts on the practice greens at the course before you play 9 or 18 holes. You should reset your swing to be for your club and for the real grass.

How it Helps

While you might need to make some adjustments to your swing when you switch between golfs, mini golf can teach you some valuable skills that you can apply to your course game.

Playing mini golf requires a lot of strategy, mainly in analyzing the slope of the putt putt course and the obstacles. This can assist you in analyzing the slope of the greens and strategizing for your long game. You will become a better analyst of golf course positioning if you’re used to playing the “mini version.”

If anything, you may find that by practicing regular putting you will get better at mini golf. Ensure that your skills are first and foremost suited for the real golf greens. After that, note how your practice on the course translates. Once you’ve practiced real course putting extensively, invite your friends out to mini golf. You’ll blow them all out of the water.

Playing mini golf is also a great way to get your children to participate in your sport. If you want to raise the next Tiger Woods, read How to Get Your Kids Into Golf.


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The Best Time of Day to Golf

1 year ago Golf News, ,

clock

To be perfectly honest, there isn’t a best time of day to golf. There are pros and cons to each hour from dawn to twilight. Here are the things to consider when booking your tee time during each different time of day.

Early Morning
  • The course is untouched. No feet have trampled on the greens and the course has had the evening to recover and rebound from the previous day’s golfers.
  • Fewer people choose to golf in the wee hours of the morning. Plan on intense levels of quiet and sparse, if any, company on the course.
  • The weather is still cool. If it’s summertime and you’re in a hot location, the early morning may be one of the only times you can escape the heat while outside on the course.
  • The grass will still be dewey. Keep this in mind when you’re putting and playing.
  • Your body won’t be awake and alert yet. Don’t plan on getting your best scores during early morning hours.
Late Morning
  • The weather has warmed up from the early morning – it won’t be freezing. You’ll feel the air get hotter as you play.
  • Your muscles and brain are in peak condition to play. You’ve had time to wake up and you’ll score better now than you would in the early morning or late night.
  • The dew is gone from the evening. The grass is dry and in perfectly playable condition – plus, there hasn’t been a ton of foot traffic (yet).
  • This is a peak time to play. The course will be bustling and crowded. Prepare for wait times.
Midday
  • The weather is at its hottest. If you’re in extremely hot weather conditions, the course may be unplayable. Pack lots of water.
  • The lull at lunchtime can mean daylight hours without the crowds.
  • The sun is directly overhead. While that makes the air hot, it also means you won’t be looking into the sun at all. No sunrise or sunset struggles here.
Early Afternoon
  • Your muscles and brain in peak condition again. After lunch, your body has refueled and is ready to compete. Prepare to get some of your best scores in these early afternoon hours.
  • The weather is going to be at its hottest still, but you can count on the temperatures decreasing instead of increasing. The heat will become more bearable the farther you get.
Late Afternoon
  • Cheaper tee times make all the difference.
  • The weather has cooled by this point. No unbearable sun should stall your game.
  • The course will be less crowded – twilight golf is an underutilized sport.
  • Depending on the direction you face, the sunset may be directly in your eyes. Bring sunglasses and expect the worst.
  • Insects might be extra-present, depending on your region. Bug spray is your friend.

You know what time you should go, but how about How Often You Should Golf?

 


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How to Get Your Kids Into Golf

1 year ago Golf News,

get kids into golf

You might have been bitten by the golf bug – but it’s not always a family trait. It’s impossible to make your child love a sport. Instead, if you dream of playing golf with your kids as they grow older, you should take steps to help them foster a love for it themselves. Here are some ways to get your kids into golf.

Summer Camps

Whether it’s a golf camp or just a summer camp with golf components, letting your children attend a summer sports camp is a great way to make sure sports are associated with great memories. True camps where you have to pack your weekend bag can be expensive, so don’t forget to look into day camps as a more budget-friendly option. At camp, your kids will be shown golf tips and tricks by pros, and they’ll also be encouraged to build friendships with others who have similar hobbies and interests.

Watch Golf at Home

By creating a dialogue with your kids about your favorite golfers and why you love to watch them, you can inspire your kids to want to watch golf as well. But proceed with caution: having golf channels on 24/7 will make your kids resent golf! Strike a balance between what your kids want to watch and what you want to watch. Put golf on in the background while you do activities together as a family, like cooking, cleaning, or doing a puzzle. Get your kids used to golf lingo through regular exposure.

Golf With Them

One of the best ways to get your kids to love golf is to make it a family activity. Taking your child to the driving range or out for a round is a great way to have bonding time and to teach them some tricks. As they grow older, keep the habit consistent and they’ll always associate golf with family. For example, every Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, do a family round of 9 holes with brunch. Create a tradition that will stick with them.

Spend Time at the Course

If your golf course has other features, like footgolf, disc golf, a restaurant, or regular non-golf events, participate! Getting to the golf course is half of the battle. Once you’re there, it’s easy to say, “Do you want to practice putting?” or “Do you want to share a bucket of balls before we go home?”

Join a Country Club

Joining a country club is a fantastic way to incorporate golf into your family life. Whether you live on the course or are a nonresident member, you will have plentiful golf events and social events that will get you and your kids closer to other golfing families. Country club memberships also include plenty of learning and practice opportunities and discounts on golf costs.

Private Lessons

Once your child has established a fondness for golf, consider offering them private lessons. It’s important that your kid wants to participate in the lessons – and that you aren’t making them go. If they are up for it, private lessons will greatly increase their golf skills and help prepare them for a future in golf, whether it be recreationally or for sports teams at their schools.

Just remember, you can’t make your kids love golf! These suggestions apply to most sports. The best activity for your children is the one they are passionate about and enjoy. Creating a golf-filled environment at home and giving opportunities for athletic growth are your best bet if you want to nurture a love for the sport.

Trying to better your own golf skills? Check out How Often Should You Golf.


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Should You Have Your Wedding at a Golf Course?

1 year ago Golf News,

golf course wedding

Why not get married at one of your favorite golf courses?

If you’re getting married, you’ve probably already had the wedding venue talk: Indoor or Outdoor? Intimate Gathering or Huge Party? Timeless or Modern? All-Inclusive or Bring Your Own Vendors?

Fortunately, golf courses and country clubs offer it all. Here are the Pros and Cons to having your wedding at a golf course.

PROS

Everything is included

We mean everything. Most courses and country clubs have all-inclusive wedding packages that cover food, flowers, table decorations, bridal and groom getting-ready suites, DJs, photo booths, chairs, dance floors, you name it. Buying packages can get you discounts on things that could otherwise cost a fortune if purchased individually. Courses have lists of preferred vendors that they’ve worked with, and will vouch for their awesomeness.

Your pictures will be on stunning, manicured lawns

One of the things golf courses have perfected to a science is keeping their greens, well, very green. Your photographs will have flawless backdrops. Most courses have a variety of natural features such as waterfalls, trees, flowering plants, and sloping landscapes. Plus, a course with a fantastic clubhouse creates all sorts of additional picture opportunities.

There’s staff a-plenty

At a golf course, you’re well-equipped for a seamless event. Depending on the course you choose, you could have coordinators, chefs, valet services, servers and hosts, and event directors all supplied by the course. They’ll be familiar with the property and be held accountable not only by you, but also by the golf course.

CONS

Your wedding is at the mercy of the weather

If you chose a golf course as your venue, it’s probably because you wanted an outdoor ceremony. That means you’ve gotta prepare for possible weather problems. Ensure that your golf course has a backup plan for rainy days and stormy weather.

You might have to share

Ever hear about a stray golf ball flying into a wedding ceremony? It’s more common than you’d think. Try to book a course that can black out your date and keep golfers off the greens during your ceremony time. The last thing you want on your big day is a stray Titleist landing in your wife’s bouquet, or worse, your great-grandmother’s lap.

This ain’t no backyard affair

Golf course weddings are not typically cheap. You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck, but there will definitely be bucks. If you’re looking at country clubs, the cost may be even higher. Golf courses provide convenient, time-tested, reduced-stress ways to have stunning and well-coordinated weddings. That might just be worth the expense.

No wedding in your near future? For more ways to use your home course, read Making the Most of Your Golf Course.

To search for golf course or country club wedding venues in your area, visit Country Club Receptions.


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