by Golf Manager, Mic Walsh

Are you thinking about getting into golf? Or wanting to upgrade your equipment? Package deals are a very good way of getting a complete set for a great price. There are many options in package sets, and here is a few tips on getting what you need to suit your game.

The starter set is usually the cheapest deal. It’s great for people who are getting into golf for the first time. So, you’ve been to the range and hit some balls with your friends and are looking to get out on the course. This set is for you. Price wise, about $300-$500 will give you a full set of clubs, putter and bag. The difference in this set compared to the more expensive sets is that the driver will most likely no be titanium. It would be a ‘Ti Matrix’ driver which is only partly titanium, and does not have the power of a full titanium driver. You will get less distance and less forgiveness from this type of driver. The other steel shafts will be of a lesser quality too. This does not mean they will not perform; it just means that they are less consistent than finer quality steel shafts. But, if you just want to go out for a hit from time to time, this package will suit you fine.

When you want to take your game to the next level, you may want to invest in an intermediate set. The individual components of these clubs are of a higher quality. It will usually include a full titanium driver, and with better quality steel and graphite shafts, this type of set gives an intermediate golfer the ability to play to a higher level of consistency. The gapping in distance between the clubs will remain the same and the quality of the graphite shafts in the driver and fairway woods will keep the ball longer and straighter when hit well. This is the set for the person who plays regularly but still does not want to spend a fortune. Price wise $500-$700.

Lastly, there is the premium quality set. This is for seasoned golfers looking for the best quality and best performance. These sets are usually made by the biggest companies in golf. The advantage in buying these sets is that these companies invest millions in R&D every year. They make their equipment to a high standard from a high grade material, so this sort of package will last longer and play better for all types of golfer. Better clubs have the ability to make better golfers. They tend to be more forgiving so they make your bad shots better. The graphite shafts in the woods will resist twisting more and keep the club head straighter through impact, producing straighter shots and less time in the trees. This is not a guarantee, but it will lessen the effect of slicing and hooking just by design. These sets look visually better and usually have a better quality putter and bag. Price point is starting at $800 and going up to over $1000. The big advantage in this sort of set is that, if you were to buy these quality clubs individually, you would be looking at spending up to $2000 or more in a lot of cases, so the saving can be substantial.

Whatever set you are looking for, we can help you choose and take you through the options in store. We can let you hit the options too in our fitting net.

To help you choose, here are 3 packages:

1. Shark Attack XP package, $349 – Perfect for starters
2. Wilson Deep Red package, $599 – The next level set
3. Callaway Warbird package, $999 – Premium quality package

Happy golfing!

Meet our Golf Department Staff

Here at Sportsmart Golf we have a passionate team dedicated to assist you with all your golfing needs and help you select the clubs that will take your game to the next level. Below is our experienced Golf Department team member profiles.

Mark:

Mark is the ‘senior’ member of the Sportsmart Golf Department team who is local & began playing golf as a 13 year old at Cheltenham and Sandringham golf courses. His passion for golf still remains strong & is still keen on pursuing that perfect shot or the holy grail of golf that is the “hole in one”. Mark has been a member of both Keysborough & Rossdale Golf Clubs and these days is a regular guest at Southern, Spring Valley, Kew & Patterson River golf courses. Mark works Mondays and Thursdays afternoons.

Tom:

Tom began playing golf in his mid to late teens as a way of both relaxing and enjoying the competitive side of sport. Throughout his years playing, Tom has tried to fit in as much golf as possible, but with work and university taking much of his time, he manages to get to the driving range 1-2 times a week and play more out on the course during the holiday times. Tom is a keen overseas traveller and although he thought golf was a way of balancing out his other various sporting activities, he has realised that it has become his favourite sport to play. Tom works the cricket department on Fridays and golf on Sunday.

Ben:

Ben is a member of the Yarra Yarra golf club and plays off a handicap of 12. He loves being a member at one of Victoria’s great sand belt courses and considers Victorian golf courses some of the best in the world. He is passionate about playing and watching the game, especially his favourite golfer Phil Mickelson. Being a lefty himself, you can understand why. He is a hard worker that also spends time in the cricket department as well. He has been working at Sportsmart for nearly 3 years. Ben works the Friday afternoon shift as well as some weekend shifts.

Mic:

I am the manager of the Golf Department and have been in golf for about 30 years. From starting out cleaning clubs at Kew GC, I have developed a passion bordering on obsession for the game of golf and especially the equipment side. I have worked at Kingston Heath, Spring Valley, Drummond Golf, Golfworld and most recently Golf Clearance Outlet. I have been fitting golf equipment for the past 15 years and although I’m not a professional golfer, I have a very thorough understanding of the golf swing and am adept to great advice on the swing and the equipment you may need to improve your game. I have conducted many demo days in the past and am happy just to talk to golfers about what they may need. My golfing product knowledge spans across all brands and I try to recommend the best product for your game, not just the ones we want to sell. I am available for fittings or just a chat Tuesday through to Saturday.

Now that you know a little bit more about us, feel free to come in and see what we have to offer your game. We have a special this week on the Nike Slingshot Package, for those looking to get into golf or to update your old equipment, this package will give you the latest in terms of forgiveness as well as being a premium quality set that will last the distance.

Happy golfing!

Mic Walsh

Golf Manager, Mic Walsh

2015 sees The Open return to St Andrews for the 28^th time.

Since 1995, The Open has been hosted at the home of golf every 5 years and is always one to remember. This year will see the new breed of golfers take the stage. All eyes will be on the new young guns of golf to lead the way. Jordan Speith, who has been in hot form winning the Masters, the US Open and the John Deere Classic just this week, and Rickie Fowler who, after his victory at the Players Championship, has just won the Scottish Open. World number 1 Rory McIlroy has withdrawn due to an ankle injury.

Although the new breed of golfer will be the favourites, this tournament is anybody’s to win. The Golf Champion Trophy, or Claret Jug as it is more widely known, has some of the most prestigious names in golf engraved on it. The last 10 winners are all household names: Rory, Phil and Ernie being the last 3. The winner will go down in golfing history with others such as Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, who has been given a special exemption to compete in the Open championship. He has said it will be his last time, but if he wins, he’ll be back for sure.

There has been 4 Australians who have won The Open. Peter Thomson, an amazing 5 times, Kel Nagle, Greg Norman twice and Ian Baker Finch. There are 13 Australians competing in The Open this year, including Jason Day, Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, Marc Leishman and Steven Bowditch. Unlike all the other US Majors, The Open will be on in prime time in Australian homes. Be watching all the action starting 16^th July on Fox Sports to see who comes out on top.

St Andrews is as much of a test of the elements as it is the golf course. With winter well and truly upon us in Melbourne, come in and check out our wet weather apparel to help you get through the rain and cold. Our range includes brands such as Callaway, Proquip, Taylormade, Cross and Niblick.

We have a special this week at Moorabbin on the Niblick Metro Rainsuit (jacket & pants) for $129 and the Nike Lunar Control OC shoe for $110. It’s a 2 year waterproof warranty shoe and comes with a British Open shoe bag for FREE as an added extra.

Happy golfing!