Has Equipment Ruined Golf?

Share Your Opinion: Has Equipment Ruined Golf?

Posted by: *Walt Goshert via LinkedIn.com

“For you tennis fans and historians, remember the classic Borg v. McEnroe, Borg v. Connors, Connors v McEnroe era? Look at the little old wood frame rackets those guys were using!”(“well, except for Connors Wilson T2000″)

“For me, with the new high-tech rackets that Federer and Nadal use, the game of tennis lacks interest. These guys are too good. They make the game look too easy.”

“Tennis popularity during the Borg, McEnroe, Connors era was huge. Then it died and never really recovered.”

“Is golf headed down the same path?”

My Response:

I think today’s equipment with all the technology has helped all golfers of all abilities. But I think the driver shaft length for beginners and high digit players is a challenge.

The Driver

The average driver length on the PGA TOUR the past two years has been 44.5 inches. Tom Wishon, a 34 golf equipment industry veteran says, “If those guys can’t hit a longer driver as well as one that is shorter, what’s that tell you and your weekend foursome?” The average driver shaft length is 45″ – 45.5 ” for “off-the-rack” clubs (the clubs in stores via the original equipment manufacture).

I advise/coach my students to grip their 45″ driver down a 1/2” to 1″ for longer tee shots and better control. The golf ball will always fly farther when struck on the center of the club-face. Have you noticed PGA TOUR star Anthony Kim? He grips down almost two inches and averages 284 yards. When he needs more, he can blast well over 300 yards with a 43″ driver.

Golf Instruction

As a professional golf instructor/coach, I keep abreast of all the above. But with all of the information that is available, I find golfers are still in need of help.

One week golfers are trying the latest tip from ‘Golf XYZ Magazine’ that said, “To Hit Longer Shots: You should swing your golf club while keeping your balance on a skateboard with an egg on your head.” The next week golfers may watch an infomercial on the Golf Channel about a new swing training aide, which will cut 6 – 8 strokes per round. And, what about your golf buddy who tried the above golf tip and bought the swing training aide, who swears he can help you.

Final Thought

If golfers just learn how to “swing the club” as it was designed to be used built by the original equipment manufacturer, which maybe custom fitted for the golfer – you will see more golfers playing better, playing more, and spending more money to play the game. If that were to happen, the whole golf industry will win.

For help with your golf game, call Rob Camacho’s Arizona Golf Lessons at 602-828-GOLF. And, if you are coming to Arizona for business, or vacation and you are thinking about taking golf lessons in Phoeniz, Arizona, email me your golf questions at rcamacho@azgolfinstructor.com. I will respond via email within 24 hours. Also, you can following me on www.twitter.com/robbiecamacho.

Note: All golf lessons by “Arizona Golf Instructor” are taught by Rob Camacho at Rio Salado Golf Course in Tempe, Arizona. I can help your golf game in Arizona away from the golf course as well. Please call for more information about golf lessons at your home or office anywhere in the Phoenix, Arziona metro area.

*Walt Gosher – “The Marketing Caddy”

http://themarketingcaddy.com