by Golf Manager, Mic Walsh

Golf equipment is being made to exact measurements, and balances better and better all the time. The putter is no different. The new styles of putters are more balanced than ever. Counter balancing in the handle has added a new dimension, and larger grips are very helpful for people that have trouble over short putts. They cut down wrist movement and keep the blade of the putter online longer through the stroke.

Odyssey Works Versa 9 Putter

So, what kind of putter do you need? There are 3 different variations of putter head.

The first style is the blade putter. The blade is a heavy toe weighted style with limited alignment. This means it is suitable for the better putter. The heavier toe is to prevent the blade from closing too much at impact and pulling putts.

The second style is the mallet. Mallet putters are like a blade in the way they are weighted, but are broader and have a little more alignment to them. This tends to help the person who putts well, but misses a few more short putts than they should.

The last style is the alignment putter. Alignment putters are the most advanced putter style in terms of their ability to be balanced. They are large in the head, long in the alignment lines and usually weighted to correct imbalances in putting strokes. This is the style of putter you should look at buying if your putting is not as good as it should be.

The style to suit you might not be the style you want to use, but that’s okay. There really is no right and wrong with putters. They are as individual as the people who swing them. The whole idea is to find one you love and that gives you the confidence to sink putts. After all, putting makes up about 40% of most golfers’ total score. It pays to get it right.

For more advice on putters and putting, we have a practice putting green in store, so you try before you buy and get expert advice to help get the right putter into your bag.

Don’t forget to enter the US Open staff bag give away. You could win an awesome Bridgestone staff bag just by following our Sportsmart Golf Instagram account. Search Sportsmart_Golf on Instagram for all the details.

Happy golfing!

Golf Manager, Mic Walsh

Different golf balls are made very different ways to do very different things.

The basic golf ball on the market is a two piece distance ball. This is basically a hard centre and a hard cover. The idea behind the distance ball is to create as little spin as possible and cover as much distance as possible. This golf ball, being harder, jumps off the clubface very quickly so has less time on the grooves to impart spin. The result is a straighter longer flight that has trouble stopping around the greens. Best suited to the 25+ handicap.

The next type of golf ball is the low compression ball. These golf balls are designed to go further for a slower swing. The ball will compress more and actually spring off the clubface more. It therefore creates more speed off the clubface and flies longer. Best suited to slow swing speeds.

Then we have our intermediate golf ball. These are a combination of the distance ball and the tour ball. There is usually a hard core to the ball that creates higher ball speed off the clubface, but at the same time the manufacturers create a softer cover so it spends a little more time on the clubface generating spin. Best suited to the 14-24 handicap.

Last but not least there is the tour ball. The tour ball has the most technology put into it as it is usually used by the professionals on tour.  They try to create the softest cover on the outside of the ball. This makes the ball spend more time on the clubface and travel up the club on contact to generate as much spin as possible. It will create more spin, but not always good spin. More backspin is what people are after, but if it is not hit correctly; more side spin will also be made, sending your golf ball off into the trees. Best suited to the scratch-13 handicap.

If you are after a recommendation on a good golf ball that suits just about every golfer, the new Callaway Chrome Soft is a great place to start. It offers something to just about every type of golfer. Great low spin off the tee, low compression for extra distance, and a tour soft cover for incredible spin and control around the greens.

Normally $49.99 at most retail outlets, we are selling this amazing golf ball at $44 a dozen, $42 for Smart Card members.

Callaway Chrome Soft golf balls

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook for your chance to win the limited edition Bridgestone US Open Staff Bag.  More details can be found on all Sportsmart Golf’s social media pages.

Happy golfing!