Category: GOLF
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR GOLF DRIVER
by Mic Walsh, Golf Manager
When it comes to choosing a driver for golf, there are so many choices out there that it can become confusing. Here is a simple guide to help you get the right club for your swing.
Just about every company will do 2 different golf drivers in their range. One for the low handicapper, and one for the high handicapper.
Low handicap golf drivers are designed for shot shaping. They are usually higher in the face and will allow the better player to shape the ball left or right as they see fit. Being higher in the face, they have less width to the head so they are less forgiving.
High handicap golf drivers will be lower in the height of the clubs crown, but wider. This means the ‘sweet spot’ of the club is bigger and the consistency of the drives will be better.
First, choose the driver that you think is right for you. If you just want to hit straight drives, then the wider head club may be for you. If you want to shot shape your drives, the smaller head will help.
Secondly, choose the company you are most confident in. So much of golf is played between the ears, and a confident golfer is usually a good golfer. If you are confident with the company and confident you have the right club in your hands, you will hit better drives.
There are of course subtle differences between all golf drivers. If you need help figuring out which company, which model and which shape you need to buy, visit us in store at Moorabbin and let our golf experts take you through the options. We have a hitting net where we can put you through your paces and get the right driver to suit your swing.
This month we are having a special on re-gripping. Winter is notorious for slippery worn grips, so come in and take advantage of the Winter Special of a standard re-grip for only $5 per club. We also have many more grips to choose from and all prices include fitting.
Happy golfing!
Taylormade R15 driver
2015 WGC WORLD MATCH PLAY
Golf Manager, Michael Walsh
2015 WGC World Match Play, TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, 27 April- 3 May
With the Masters behind us, all eyes turn to San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park golf course for the 2015 World Match play. The top ranked 64 players in the world will do battle and the field will include the likes of Jordan Speith, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and defending Match play champion, Australia’s Jason Day.
This is a very unique tournament in the PGA calendar. There will be 3 days of four man groups playing this long San Francisco TPC course, which hosted the 2009 President’s Cup as well as being the site of the 2020 PGA Championship. It goes without saying that this course is no easy beat, even though it is a public golf course.
At the end of these 3 days, the top 16 players from each of these groups will go into the weekend Match play games. Players will be selected from 3 pools to make up the initial four man groups. The top 16 seeded players in the world plus one player from each of the other 3 pools.
- Pool 1: Players seeded 17-32, Pool 2: 33-48, Pool 3: 49-64.
The current top 16 golf players are: 1.McIlroy, 2.Speith, 3.Stenson, 4.Bubba, 5.Day, 6.Johnson, 7.Scott, 8.Rose, 9.Garcia, 10.Furyk, 11.Walker, 12.Holmes, 13.Fowler, 14.Reed, 15.Matsuyama, 16.Kaymer.
This is the only PGA sanctioned Match play tournament for the year, and with the top players all showing up this year, it promises to be an event to remember. All players will be hoping to play well as the week after will see the Players Championship contested at the world renowned TPC Sawgrass.
This tournament has all the makings of a classic contest, and having played this golf course myself last year, I can tell you it’s long and the rough is absolutely brutal. Being on Lake Merced, there is also some water to contend with. The famous San Francisco weather, which, like Melbourne’s, is unpredictable, is sure to play a part. All things considered, it should be very entertaining.
Follow Sportsmart Golf on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for all the latest news and specials from Sportsmart Golf. These specials are exclusive to followers and are not usually advertised in store.
Happy golfing!
2015 US MASTERS: GET EXCITED! WE’RE CELEBRATING WITH GOLF SPECIALS AT MOORABBIN.
Taylormade R15 Driver
Wilson Feel Plus golf gloves, now just $8!
CELEBRATING 44 YEARS OF SPORTSMART!
To celebrate 44 years of Sportsmart servicing Melbourne’s sporting needs, you can save up to 44% on selected sporting goods! We have a huge list of specials across all of our major categories available in store and online.
Check out some of our specials below:
– Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13 mens and womens running shoes was $219 now $122 save 44%
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13 mens
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13 womens
– 44% off all full price Under Armour (image for illustration purposes only)
– 44% off all Ali boxing products
Ali boxing gloves
– Head TI S2 tennis racquet was $199 now $111.44 save 44%
Head Ti S2 tennis racquet
– Nike Tiempo Technique soccer ball was $24.99 now $14 save 44%
Nike Tiempo Technique soccer ball
For our full list of specials, click here.
Be quick! Sale ends 20th Oct 2013.
THE PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF PLAYING GOLF
A golfer is doing more than just playing a leisurely game while enjoying the outdoor surroundings. Golfers know the sport can provide an all-body workout, ranging from a solid cardiovascular workout to muscle strengthening and better balance.
The typical 18 hole golf course is about 8km. 8km can be used to strengthen one’s body core (arms , legs and shoulders) while also improving overall health operations. Golf uses the entire body. The more the golfer uses their body instead of relying on aids such as caddies and carts, the more health benefits are obtained. Golf movements consist of walking, swinging, squatting, bending and lifting.
As a form of physical exercise, golf can provide an individual with benefits ranging from improved circulation to improved flexibility. A good cardiovascular workout occurs when walking the entire course. Pain levels can be decreased by playing golf because the joints and muscles will be moving. Arthritis can be helped because golf loosens stiff joints.
Believe it or not, golfers experience better sleep. Golfers also improve their strength, mobility, hand-eye coordination and range of motion. Golf is also good for weight control.
The golf swing and stance play a major role in improving one’s posture, overall balance and muscular coordination. By having these health promoting factors, an individual experiences less pain and discomfort. Golf can be played at any age and families can all play together.
As in all types and levels of physical exercise, check with your medical provider to be certain golf is an appropriate activity for you to engage in. Also, if you are a beginner, start slowly and progressively increase the level of exercise obtained. This is to avoid potential injuries.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR GOLF SHOES
Most good quality golf shoes are made of full-grain leather. Golfers require optimum support and comfort from their shoes and need to understand how to take care of their shoes to get the most out of them and keep them looking their best.
Keep your golf shoes clean and free of dirt and pesticides by using a clean, soft towel to wipe them down after each round. Wiping your shoes after each use will help to keep them free of moisture if you play during or after a rainfall.
It is also important to replace your spikes when they begin to wear down. Check the bottom of your golf shoes after each use for loose or warn spikes. Twist the old spike out by turning it counter clockwise and set a new one in its place with clockwise turns.
Clean the bottom of your shoes after you wear them. Rub a hand bristled brush back and forth along the bottom. Make sure that you clean in between each spike so that you remove dirt and debris.
Finally, apply a leather balm or leather protector to your shoes. Read the instructions on the packaging to ensure that you are doing it correctly and re-apply when needed.
HOW TO ELIMINATE A GOLF SLICE
In golf, a slice is a ball that spins clockwise and trails off to the right after the driver makes contact with it. For left handed golfers, the ball spins clockwise and trails off to the left. Every golfer wants to eliminate their golf slice. The main reason for this is that the face of the club is not square to the ball at contact. A few adjustments to your grip, positioning and swing path will help to correct this problem.
Get out your club and get into the correct ‘driver’ stance position. Bend your knees slightly and grip the club firmly, but not too hard. A weak grip can cause slices, but gripping the handle too hard will give you cramps and cause the ball to curve to the left or ‘hook’.
Rotate your wrists a few degrees to the right if you are right handed. You should be able to look straight down at your thumb. This grip will allow you to have greater control over the club. You will now need to adjust your stance so that your feet are shoulder width apart. The tee must be straight out in front of your left foot and your feet should be parallel to the place where you want your ball to land.
Try to visualise a straight line from the ball to where you would like the ball to land, point your club face towards this. Raise your club straight up behind you, without curving it left or right and raise your club higher than usual to get more speed behind it. Hit the ball with a quick swing; make sure that the ‘sweet spot’ face of the club lands squarely on the ball. Finally, watch the ball follow through.
GOLF BALLS TO CUSTOMISE YOUR DISTANCE
Sportsmart Golf Manager and golfing professional, Ashley Grant
Q. Can the right golf ball help me to get maximum distance for my swing?
Yes, if you choose the right ball it can help to maximise distance performance for your swing. The new scientifically engineered Bridgestone e+ series allows you to choose the ball that optimises the trajectory and distance of your tee shots, while providing soft feel and control around the green.
Q. How do I know which e+ model is best for me?
Here is a brief description of the features of the e+ models:
e5+
Designed for players that have a low ball flight and need an optimum trajectory for more distance.
e6+
Designed for players that slice or hook the ball and need a straighter ball flight for more distance.
e7+
Designed for players that have a high to medium ball flight and need a more penetrating trajectory for increased distance.
Q. Where should I go for more advice?
You can be fitted for all golf balls at Sportsmart’s Moorabbin store. For more information, contact Ashley Grant (03) 9553 3011.
GOLF TRAINING TIP: CORE WORK
A player’s core/trunk is incredibly important during the game of golf. A player can be out on the tee for a long period of time, and if their core is weak then this can impact on posture and swinging technique, therefore causing earlier onset of fatigue and an overall poorer performance.
The trunk can generate up to 60% of a body’s power, as well as transferring energy from the large to the small body parts during activities. It is therefore essential to concentrate on developing the core strength, which can be achieved through the following exercises:
• Prone bridge – Lie face down but elevated off the ground by balancing on your elbows and toes, ensuring that your entire body is flat and resembles a plank. Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Lateral bridge – This is similar to the prone bridge, but you are positioned on your side. Ensure the entire body is in line. Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute for each side.
• Pelvic thrust – Lie on your back with your legs up in the air. Lift through your hips so that your bottom comes slightly off the ground, causing the legs to lift up into the air. Repeat 20 times.
• Teacups – Lie on your back, lifting your back to a 45-degree angle. Lift your feet off the ground. Keep your core strong and point your arms forward, moving both hands from side to side. Repeat 30 times.
• Crunch and twist – Start in a basic sit-up position, crunch up and twist to the left, back to the centre and then back down. Alternate between both sides. Repeat 20 times.
• Toe crunches – Lie on your back with legs straight up in the air. Reach up so that your hands touch your toes then rest back down. Repeat 20 times.
• Ab cycle – Lie on your back and lift your shoulders and feet off the ground. In a cycle movement bring one knee in, while the opposite shoulder twists towards it, so that the rhythm become opposite knee to elbow. Repeat 30 times.
• Ankle touches – Lie flat on your back with your feet together. Lift your shoulders off the ground and twist so that your hands are coming around the side of the body trying to touch your ankles.
It is a good idea to complete these exercises at the end of a training session, because doing it at the start will only fatigue your core and therefore increase risk of injury. Always remember to keep your stomach strong by pulling your bellybutton in towards your spine and keeping your hips neutral. By doing this you are contracting your muscles at all time, thus supporting your body and working the abdominal muscles. This is a fantastic way of strengthening your entire core.
Personal trainer, Tavia Ambler
(www.taviastraining.com.au)
HOW TO: PERFECT YOUR PUTTING
I find that about 90% of golfers think that the putting line is straight back from the target and straight through to the target. This method is not always consistent.
The putter face should fan open on the way back and closed on the way through, with a half-moon effect. Great putters who use this technique include Aaron Baddeley, Tiger Woods, Brad Faxon and Mike Weir. Watching these players putting and studying their technique will help to improve your own.
Other ways to improve your putting technique include:
• Practice reading greens (all putts are straight – this is why reading greens is so important)
• Distance control putting:
– Place tees at 3, 6, 9 and 12-foot intervals from the hole
– Hit 10 balls from each tee
– Don’t move to the next tee until you have holed all 10 balls in a row
• Lastly… practice, practice, practice!
Sportsmart Golf Manager and golfing professional, Ashley Grant
blog.sportsmart.com.au 