Callaway Golf Clubs

While playing golf with my own three boys since they were 5 years old (they’re all teenagers now), I experienced my share of funny, sad and rewarding moments with them on the golf course. From watching them enjoy the thrill of hitting great shots to teaching them not to throw golf balls at each other, it’s been a wild, wonderful ride. I’m really glad I discovered golf just as I was becoming a father for the first time, at the ripe old age of 31. Its been a fun way to spend time with my kids and help them learn how to cope with the successes and failures that inevitably occur during a round of golf. If I had it to do all over again, here are 15 recommendations I would make to those lucky enough to get the opportunity to go golfing with their kids.

1. Call ahead for the best times for juniors to play and special rates.
   
2. Take a camera to record the fun - digital pictures make great screensavers or wallpaper on home PC’s!
   
3. Set up junior’s bag with balls, tees, ball markers and a water bottle.
   
4. On the way to the course, let your junior know you will be teeing off from the tee box, then they will tee off from a closer “kid’s tee” about 100 to 150 yards away from the green.
   
5. Get yourself in the right frame of mind for what is about to occur. Your child is depending on you to have an infinite amount of patience and understanding. It will be difficult to show either if you are carrying concerns about other “less fun” aspects of your life. Make a conscious effort to HAVE FUN by considering yourself to be the luckiest person on earth to get the opportunity to teach a great sport to a great kid in a great place. Of all the things to do on earth and places to be, which could be better?
   
6. Try to rent a cart to make it like Disneyland…kids LOVE to ride in golf carts!
   
7. Before your first tee shot, teach your junior how to wait until the one farthest from the green hits first and to never hit if anyone is in front of you. Demonstrate by standing to the side then standing ahead of them, so they get a clear picture of what you mean.
   
8. When you arrive at the “kid’s tee” location, let them tee up a ball and hit. It’s OK to give them two or three tries, remind them you are not keeping score and are just here to practice. Try to use “expendable” golf balls so if they go into the woods or lake it won’t be of much concern.
   
9. When you reach the green, let your junior know it is not OK to run on the greens. Also, remind them the “farthest away shoots first” rule still applies and to be still while other people are putting.
   
10. One of the more difficult concepts for kids to learn is how to avoid walking on other player’s putting lines, so don’t be surprised if you have to remind them several times. It’s best to show them how to draw invisible lines to each ball, and how easy it is to avoid walking on putting lines by walking around behind the other players.
    
11. Regardless of what they have seen on TV, it’s not OK to throw clubs or balls. It can happen, but a reminder about how you don’t like to play golf with people like that can go a long way.
    
12. Teach your junior how to consider those behind and that it’s OK to pick up in order to keep up (their place on the course is behind the group in front). You will have to use your judgment when to pick up on any given hole, but if you pay attention to the group behind and pick up when you see them waiting, everything should go smoothly. If there is no one behind the group behind you, it’s OK to step to the side of the fairway and wave them through.
    
13. When the ball goes into the water or into the woods, it’s best to look for a short time, take the drop and hit right away. Trying to keep up with the group ahead while teaching a child to play golf is tough enough without adding time to look for lost golf balls!
    
14. It’s OK to quit when attention fades or if things just aren’t going well. If you get off the course before the child gets too whiny or upset, the chances are much higher they will look forward to coming back.
    
15. On the way home from the course, ask your child what they liked about golfing and what they didn’t like. You may be surprised at their answers! Make plans to try to fix the things they didn’t like and do more of what they did like next time. After a few trips, you will be absolutely amazed at how automatic the little things will become and how you can then devote complete attention to enjoying the great game of golf together!

Rick Fletcher
All Kids Golf Clubs - Built to Fit Right!
http://www.allkidsgolfclubs.com
888-221-9941

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These six factors must be taken into consideration so that you make an informed choice of putter type and to make sure that it feels as it should be.

1. The lie angle. It is an angle between the shaft and the ground. This factor determines if the putter head is sitting perfectly flat on the ground when you are putting. Get one that lets the head of the club rest squarely on the ground when you take your stance.

2. The length of the putter. The standard length for a putter is 35 inches. The right length for you depends on how you stand when you address the ball. A longer putter is better if you like to stand upright. A shorter putter is better if you prefer to bend over and be closer to the ground.

3. The total weight of the putter. Get one that does not feel too heavy. In general, use a lighter putter if you play on fast greens. A heavier putter may give you better results if you play on slow greens.

4. The size and shape of the head. A perimeter-weighted putter is the best. This type of putter has a recess in the middle of the head, with most of the weight distributed on the heel and toe. This will provide you with more solid putts on off-center hits.

5. The head material. This factor is often overlooked when choosing a good putter. Typically the cheaper putters will have heads made of PCS plastic, Aluminum or Zinc. Because the head material is light, you will be required to hit the ball harder to get it to go the same distance as you would if your club-head was made from a more expensive material. Generally, these putters cannot be adjusted for lie, loft angle or other variables.

On the other hand, the more expensive putters often use stainless steel, brass, titanium, wood or a mixture of these. You can find special displays of these putters with different lie angles and lengths already built in. These putters will feel more solid when you strike the ball, look much better at address and perform more consistently over time.

6. The grip type and size. Putters come with standard-size grips installed. This is not ideal for everyone. The larger your hands, the larger the width of the grip should be and, conversely, you should have a smaller diameter grip if your hands are small.

Alex Fir shares a wealth of information on his website Free Golf Tips. To read more about golf putters visit Free Golf Tips today.

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This article dwells into the importance of the golf
club shaft in the game, and lists the most important
considerations.

Steel or Graphite Golf Club Shaft?

The two most important parts of the golf club which
can spell the difference between winning and losing
are the head and the shaft. The shaft of the golf club
connects the grip to the head. Most modern golf club
shafts are made of either steel or graphite.

Most manufacturers rate their shafts in one of six
degrees of stiffness. From least to most stiff these
are: Ladies (L); Seniors (A); Regular (R); Firm (F);
Extra Firm (X); and Stiff (S).

Most golfers prefer a shaft that is stiffer, and
manufacturers can only oblige. If you make the shaft
super stiff, however, you can begin to affect distance
and strength negatively.

Then there’s the difference between steel and graphite
golf shafts. Generally, if you have back problems or
not very confident with the strength of your swing or
drive, you should stick with the graphite variety.

Graphite golf club shafts reduce the weight of your
club (you can really feel the difference if you’ve
used steel shafts before). They weigh between 50-85
grams, while their steel counterparts generally start
at 120 grams. Graphite shafts reduce the shock at
impact. They also allow for longer clubs. But
remember, longer clubs are good for distance, not for
control.

Aldila graphite shafts are highly recommended. Their
durability is proven. If you’re the type who prefers
steel shafts, the most reliable brands are FM
Precision, True Temper and Apollo. They are proven
toughies in their class.

For more more information about golf club shafts please visit http://www.golfschooltips.net

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