New Gear
eBay or in your local golf discount
s h o p. M o s t a r e r e a s o n a b l y
priced. And they beat many of
the cheap starter sets that you
can buy new. As you become
more emotionally invested in the
game, definitely shop for a new, full
set that can help elevate your game to
the next level.
The latest clubs generally perform better
than previous year models, with respect
to ball flight performance, forgiveness,
distance and feel. Engineering has come so
far in the past few years that a swing taken
with a new club will produce wildly better
results than an identical one taken with a
5-year-old model. So generally speaking,
the more recent the model, the more they’ll
help you. And as you increase your playing
frequency, you’d ideally like the latest-
and-greatest clubs to milk the most of
your ability.
GOLF BALLS FOR
BEGINNERS AND SCRATCH
PLAYERS
They’re all the same size and shape, yet
not all golf balls are created equally. Each
model offers unique performance benefits,
leaving many golfers confused regarding
how to buy the best one for their game.
Because it’s easy to become overwhelmed
by ball packaging and marketing claims,
think about what you want from a ball.
More greenside spin? Tee shot distance?
Soft feel? Amateurs typically want high
shots, more length and lots of short-
game backspin.
T h e r e ’s a l w a y s b e e n a d i s t i n c t
performance difference between value
and premium balls, but that line is
blurring. If you’re a beginner, by all means
start out with a low-cost ball. As you
improve, start staying with name-brand
vsga.org
models that you can be confident
are built well and perform
consistently. Then zero in on
what you need most.
If you can’t keep long shots
in the fairway, you may benefit
from distance balls that spin less. If
you bump-and-run most of your short
shots, rather than craft flop shots, you
likely won’t care about high-spin balls. If
you’re solely out to bomb tee shots, play a
distance ball. The ball packaging will tell
you right up front what to expect from that
particular model.
Buy sleeves of three or four models,
then start hitting them from 100 to 150
yards. Watch for feel, sound, accuracy
and how the ball releases when it lands.
Next, lengthen your shots and eliminate
balls that feel or perform harshly. Finally,
putt your final ball selections—they may
very well feel and sound differently on the
green. If you’re still undecided on a winner,
pick the least-expensive ball remaining.
THE FINAL WORD
The bottom line is that if you take the
time to find gear that you feel comfortable
playing, and test it out against other
products to make sure it’s the best for you
personally, you will gain confidence in your
ability to strike the ball consistently.
“Engineering has come so far in the past few years
that a swing taken with a new club will produce
wildly better results than an identical one taken
with a 5-year-old model.”
Don't get overwhelmed
by ball packaging and
marketing lingo. Figure out
what style fits your game
and test out a few sleeves.
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