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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing everyone a happy new year. Hope that 2009 we all can shave a couple more strokes and lowered down our scores!

To welcome 2009, tomorrow 1st Jan 2009, we will be teeing off at Danau @ 8.30am (not Perangsang as earlier planned)

Time to upgrade my iron set and driver

After being playing for about a year already, I think it is time for me to upgrade my golf gear. I have traded off my forgiving Winston DI7 iron set with Mizuno MP 62 irons (4 – 9.PW) MP62 irons was said to be "2009 Mizuno Equipment" recently launched in UK/US on 9Sep08. http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/Shared/PageTemplates/Article.aspx?id=24114

It really feel good feel when the club strike the ball but I know that I have to go to the driving range often to get use to this new irons set.

Meanwhile, I also got for myself a new driver as my swing speed has increased from 77 mph to about 80 mph. The former super launch Gemini II driver with 14* loft which has tremendously worked well was replaced by another KZG new SPX high launch 12* driver. So far I have played a few rounds with SPX460 driver and found it given me a little extra distance as compared to my 1st driver. (The first driver has given me almost straight line drive…which works well for a new beginner). I am not sure whether to sell it yet but if the price is right, I may consider departing this good driver. What is so wonderful about KZG is that it is a custom fitted, so you can select suitable clubhead and shaft that matches your swing style and speed.

I shall keep my 33” Titleist Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 putter. I think this is so far still the best on the market.

The advantages for a shorter guy or those who prefer a shorter putter length is that you do not need to shorten or modify your putter length if you choose Newport 2 putter has it came with wider range of putter length of 33”, 34” and 35” with different head weight. That is why I love so much about this putter.
(http://www.titleist.com/golfclubs/putters/studiostyle.asp)

Below are some write-up on Scotty Cameron putter, MP62 irons and KZG SPX driver:-

Scotty Cameron Studio Style
By combining the finest milled stainless materials with precision inlay technology, the Studio Style™ line of putters provide superb feel and sound for a soft yet responsive touch. A pure, high grade machined inlay of German Stainless Steel® (GSS) is attached to the precision milled Studio Stainless Steel body through a special vibration pad, and the entire inlay is surrounded by an elastomer cushion to further enhance the soft feel. The Studio Style line features two body styles, the softer flowing lines found in the Newport and Newport 1.5 and the crisp, boxier lines of the Newport 2 and Newport 2.5 models. Two neck variations are available, a square plumbing neck with a full shaft of offset, and a shorter flare neck with only a half shaft of offset.
http://www.titleist.com/golfclubs/putters/studiostyle.asp?bhcp=1

Mizuno MP62 iron
Launch date in US and UK: 09Sep08.

The MP-62 is a Tour-Ready design based on the most requested adjustments and prototypes from Mizuno's Tour Workshops.

Minimal offset and a versatile sole plate inspired by Luke Donald's personal grind ensures crisp ball striking, while the centrally located COG* and consistent sweet spot height dictates a neutral left / right bias.

The Tour-Ready profile is complemented by a Dual Muscle enhanced feel, developed following research into vibration and frequency analysis. Custom set build available from 3-PW.

Tech Spec
-----------
Tour-Ready design: Aggressively cambered mid-sole for crisp ball striking.
Dual Muscle: Places mass behind impact for enhanced feel.
Centrally located COG: Neutral left / right shotmaker's bias.
Grain Flow Forged: 1025E Pure Select mild carbon steel for solid feel and distance control.
Double Nickel Chrome Plated: Polished finish and durability.
Forged U-Grooves: Optimum spin and cont

KZG Introduces SPX Driver
Equipment Review:KZG SPX Driverby Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

We at LondonOntarioGolf.com have a soft spot for North Hollywood, California-headquartered KZG – “the #1 Custom ProLine.” We’ve raved in the past about the Gemini and Gemini II drivers, and their explosive distance. I used the Gemini driver en route to a course-record 62 (-8) at Caradoc Sands Golf Club here in southwestern Ontario.

The latest KZG big dog to make tracks across our editorial desk is the SPX Driver. Chalk up another win for KZG. Listen, this company knows how to manufacture some of the prettiest sticks in the ‘biz, including the always-popular Evolution Irons. But I truly believe, what makes this company stand out amongst the pack in terms of equipment is its line of drivers.

The SPX Driver had some big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of the Gemini and Gemini II, and the adjustable weight-featured drivers from KZG – the GF 4 and GF 460. The SPX gets two thumbs up from this KZG aficionado.

Here’s the skinny on this new big dog. I tested the SPX 460 LL (Low Loft), 9 degrees, with an extra stiff Aldila NVS 75 graphite shaft aiming to produce a mid-trajectory. First, let me say the shaft and clubhead match are ideal. Combined with the Lamkin CrossLine grip, the club fit my swing and my eye as if it had been in my bag for years.

KZG president Jennifer King says, “The SPX Driver is designed to provide the ideal combination of precision and power. It is preferred by players for its outstanding performance and value.” No doubt, players i.e. skilled, low-handicap golfers will best benefit from this club, but it does provide enough forgiveness for mid-handicap golfers, too. And the key, I think, is the combination of the unique sole design, plus the forged, heat-treated titanium face.

Here’s some advice when teeing up the SPX 460 driver: tee it a bit higher than you normally would. The reason: this aerodynamic club features a raised sole plate. It produces enormous drives, not to mention confidence off the tee. When the pill hits this club, it delivers a dense sound which is pleasing to the ear – it’s not tinny like so many of the square-faced and even traditional 460cc drivers on the market. The other members of your foursome will bend their necks admiring the distance and accuracy of your drives – not the oddness of your driver’s sound – when you hit the SPX 460 driver.

With a MSRP of $329 US, the SPX 460 driver is sure to measure up to many of today’s higher-priced drivers. For better players who can make the ball dance with a face or draw, this driver fits the bill. It’s also one of the prettiest big sticks we’ve tested, too, thanks to the Midnight Black head colour and fine satin sole finish, with brushed satin face. It’s a traditional-looking club with modern technology.




Friday, December 26, 2008

Gof Game this weekends

Yes golf game schedule will be as follows:
27Dec08 Saturday - Monterez
29Dec08 Monday - Kinrara
01Jan09 Thursday - Perangsang ... happy new year fellas!

Let me know who would like to join us in future ... we can form a group of golf kakis okay

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Cameron Highlands Golf Club

This is a public golf course - over weekends and public holidays you need to pay RM84 for an unlimited golf game in a day!!


I had a good game on Sunday 7Dec08 - the first nine course was toughed, recorded 51. The 2nd nine I did much better with total score of 42 so the total score of 93 was recorded. This is my 2nd time breaking 100!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

The Sequence of the Golf Swing

By Jim Woolley

If you have ever played golf you will know that one of the hardest areas of the game to master is the swing, The whole sequence of the golf swing is of vital importance because if you can deliver a consistent swing with every shot then you are well on your way to becoming a decent golfer. So what are the basic components of a solid golf swing sequence?
Well the first part is the set-up. Before you start your swing you need to set yourself up correctly. This means placing your feet about shoulder width apart and parallel to your target at a 90 degree angle. Also your left foot should be pointing at the golf ball, although this last point is often determined by personal preference. Then you need to place the golf club directly behind the ball and point the middle of the head of the club directly at your target.
You are now ready for the next component of the golf swing sequence, the backswing. This should be as smooth as possible. Your arms should be in full extension to start with and then you should rotate your body slightly and bring the golf club smoothly above shoulder height until the club is in full extension.
Then you are ready for the next part of the swing which is the downswing. This needs to be just as smooth as the backswing to ensure that you hit the ball as straight as possible and close to your intended target. This is quite hard to do because it involves shifting your body weight from back to front and while you are doing this there is a lot of movement in your legs and hips. This requires careful control but it becomes a lot easier with practice.
Then the final stage is the actual striking of the ball and the all-important follow-through. You should obviously try and hit the ball in the centre and as you do so you should be transferring your weight to your front foot heel and the inside of your back foot. The follow-through should then be completed as fully and as naturally as possible so the club head finishes over your shoulder in extension.
Obviously a good golf swing requires hours of practice and usually a lot of technical corrections along the way, but hopefully I've given you a basic outline of the overall sequence of a golf swing.

The Golf Putting Stroke - 9 Points to Remember

ByLawrence Bredenkamp

Putting is a game within a game and is this article I will cover nine points to bear in mind for the complete putting stroke. I refer occasionally to the "target" and "non-target" sides which simply mean the side of the body closest to or furthest from the target. For a right handed golfer the "target" side would be the left side of your body.
As there are so many different styles of putting and different types of putter the following 9 points apply to the conventional putting stroke. You may need to adapt slightly if you use a broom or belly putter.
  1. Keep Your Head Absolutely Still. Some advocate keeping it still until you hear the ball drop. This is a good idea if you sink the putt but where the ball goes past the hole you should watch it closely as this will tell you your line on the return putt. To keep your head down concentrate on a small mark or grass pigment under the ball.
  2. Use The Large Muscles. In a consistent and smooth putting stroke the larger muscles in the shoulders and arms are used rather than the smaller muscles in the hands and wrists. They are much more reliable for a grooved stroke.
  3. Move Only Your Shoulders. Be conscious of moving only the shoulders. The target shoulder is 'dropped' to take the club away and the non-target shoulder is 'dropped' to seeing it through.
  4. Form A Framework. The shoulders and arms effectively form a framework, which does not change shape throughout the swing. There is also no movement in the legs, hips or wrist.
  5. Low, Slow and Accelerate. Take the putter back from the address position low, slow and smoothly. The forward stroke should be deliberate, controlled and accelerating. Make your follow through about twice as long as your back swing. Brush the ball towards the hole.
  6. Keep a Straight Back and Through Action. Learn to repeat a straight back and through action by keeping the putter blade square to the line for both the backswing and the follow-through. Practice this on short putts - say to 3 or 4 feet. On longer putts there will inevitably be a slight inside movement of the putter face on the backswing, the grooving and continual practice of bringing the putter through square will create the same grooved stroke through the all important striking area for the longer putts as well.
  7. Roll The Ball Towards The Hole. Roll the ball don't hit it. Putting is all about picking the correct line and then stroking the ball on that line at the correct pace. Let the hole get in the way of the ball.
  8. Develop Your Basic Stroke Around One Distance. Practice your basic stroke around one distance - 8 to 10 feet is ideal - before moving on to practice putts of different distances.
  9. Develop A Pre Shot Routine. Stick to the same pre shot routine on every putt. This prepares you both mentally and physically for judging distance and direction. First examine the line of the putt from behind the ball, choosing a mark on the putting surface about 6 - 8 inches in front of the ball on the line you have chosen. Having taken your stance to address the ball, concentrate on rolling the ball over the chosen mark. For very short putts, the hole itself will be visible out of the corner of your target eye, and will be the target when you are concentrating on keeping your head still until the stroke has been completed.


At first glance that may seem like a lot to take in but practice each point until it becomes second nature. If you practice and achieve a consistent golf putting stroke you will soon gain confidence on the greens and start sinking a lot more putts.

A good golf putting stroke will convert to better golf scores.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Some Practical Putting Tips

Written by golf bug on May 18th, 2007 in Improve Your Golf Game.

How often have you been frustratingly close to sinking a putt only to come up short?

Or maybe you have only just missed the hole to see your ball go sailing past adding too much distance for the return putt. A lot of games have been lost on the putting green and in most instances it has been due to the wrong distance, rather than the direction of the ball.

Most beginners quickly get a feel for the direction the ball will travel, even on sloping greens.You’ve probably seen it yourself when a newcomer to the game places the ball within inches of the hole on a sloping green time and time again.

What you won’t see quite so often is the ball stopping a few inches past the hole when they miss.

There are many factors that come into account when determining the distance a ball will travel on the green, from the slope, to the preparation of the green and whether it is wet and slow or dry and fast.It can make a huge difference depending on the time of the day with greens getting faster as they dry off in the afternoon sun.

So reading the distance of a putt is what you really need to concentrate on to get your ball to drop in that hole.

Once again it all comes back to practice and there is no better practice than on the day of the tournament in the conditions that you will be playing in.Always take some time to have a few practice putts before you start play to ‘dial in’ your distance.

One thing you must always remember; the golf ball will never drop if it doesn’t reach the hole.Sounds too obvious to even need mentioning doesn’t it, but more often that not putts will come up short.Always aim for the back of the cup so that, provided you have your direction right, you are going to have a chance of making the putt.

Some Basic Elements of a Good Golf Swing

Written by golf bug on May 5th, 2007 in Free Tips Improve Golf Swing.

There are some basic elements of the golf swing that the golfer should use as a mental checklist when taking a shot. The first element is the body’s alignment toward the target. Stand five to ten feet behind the ball, with the ball directly between your body and the desired target. Locate guidance targets on the ground (leaves, blades of grass, dirt, etc.) inches in front and behind the golf ball that should be on a direct line with where you are standing and the target. Keep your eyes on those ground targets as you approach the ball.

Align the clubface behind the ball, with the center of the clubface on a direct line between the two ground targets you have selected. Grip the club with just enough tension to keep it from slipping in your hands throughout the course of the golf swing. Align your feet on a parallel plain with your ground targets, shoulder width apart, and the knees slightly bent. The front foot should be pointed slightly outward, toward the target, to allow your hips to flow freely through the swing.

Tilt your torso slightly towards the ball while keeping your back straight. The arms should now hang freely in front of the body to grip the club. The shoulders should be parallel with the ground targets and the toes, and your head should be tilted downward with your eyes on the ball. These motions described are known as the set-up, or addressing the ball.

You are ready to begin the golf swing. Keeping your back elbow tucked as closely to your ribs as possible, slowly take the club back on a straight line along the plain of the ground targets. Keep your front elbow locked throughout the back swing and never take your eyes off the ball. This motion should naturally tuck your chin into your front shoulder. Hips should remain still and slightly tilted, while the front knee will turn inward. At the apex of the back swing, allow your wrists to break slightly.

Bring the club downward toward the ball, uncoiling the wrists, and shifting your weight onto your front foot. You should attempt to generate force and speed on your down swing, while never take the clubface off of the target line. Upon making contact with the ball, the clubface should strike the ground as it moves through, taking a divot from the ground in the area past where the ball was lying, and through your second ground target.

Finish the golf swing with a nice, high follow through of the club. Your hips should be turned toward the target. Your weight should have shifted, and should now be firmly on your right foot. Smile and watch the ball fly toward the target.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Golf Clothing for a Better Game

Written by golf bug on May 8th, 2007 in golf accessories.

Although the primary concern for a golfer when picking out what to wear is comfort and functionality, golf etiquette asks that golfers dress a certain way. It is generally accepted that a golfer should have a nice appearance on public golf courses; and at private golf courses, following a dress code may actually be required. A man once said, “A round of golf is no day at the beach, so you shouldn’t dress like it is.” The message seems clear, and here are a few things to consider when dressing for golf.

Footwear
Although casual shoes are acceptable, they are not very functional on a golf course. A golfer should choose a pair of golf shoes that are manufactured with soft spikes on the soles to improve footing on the ground. Today, golfers can choose between classic wingtip of saddle shoes, casual or tennis-style golf shoes, or even golf sandals. Golfers should always wear cotton socks, and may want to keep an extra pair inside his or her golf bag.

Pants
A pair of slacks, khakis or cotton blend pants are generally accepted. Only a select few private courses do not allow golfers to wear shorts on the course, so a pair of Bermuda or walking shorts with pockets should be worn. Wearing blue jeans on a golf course is generally considered “bad form”. Some players may choose to wear a classic style of knee-length knickers, but most golfers try not to make a spectacle of themselves with unusual clothing or with bold color designs.

Shirts
A cotton or wool-blend golf shirt is chosen by most golfers, and they can be long- or short-sleeved, depending on the weather. Golf shirts offer the golfer a sense of style and comfort when playing. Again, it is considered “poor form” to wear t-shirts or tank tops, or to not tuck in your shirt, on a golf course.

Headwear
Most forms of headwear are acceptable on a golf course as long as they are not a distraction. Many golfers choose to wear a baseball style cap, a visor or a straw hat. In addition to style, a hat can protect the golfer’s head from being directly under the sun for four to five hours. Additionally, it is nice to have a hat if it begins to rain.
AccessoriesA golfer may want to keep a rain suit in his or her golf bag for rainy days. A golfer should also wear a golf glove on the swing hand to prevent blisters and improve grip throughout the round

Choosing the Best Golf Clubs for a Particular Game

Written by golf bug on April 30th, 2007 in Golf Clubs

The most important part of playing a game of golf is choosing the right club. Even if your stroke technique leaves something to be desired, if you choose the right club you can often compensate for this. There are many things you have to decide on when you are choosing golf clubs, but once you start to see the patterns emerging you will be able to always choose the right one without even thinking about it too much. This is the mark of a truly skilled golfer, and it is the one way that you can start improving in a very quick and noticeable way. So read on to find out about what you need to look for and do.
People who don’t golf often have a hard time believing that all 14 clubs in a golfer’s bag will come in handy at some point. However, as you golf more and more you will see that there is a distinct situation in which every one will come in handy. When you start, your golf bag should be made up of drivers, wedges, putters, and irons. Each of them is used several times throughout every game, and most are made to correct strokes that aren’t made perfectly. All beginning clubs are designed this way – this is why it is not a good idea to choose clubs that are outside of your skill level, since they will be less forgiving when you make a mistake.
The handicap of a golfer will play a huge role in determining what kinds of clubs he carries. If you usually score around 10 strokes over par, your bag will look significantly different than someone who scores over 100 strokes over par (which, despite sounding ridiculous, is usually fairly standard for those who are new to the game). Golfers in this category will usually have a bag that reflects a preference for woods rather than irons, because of the heightened levels of accuracy that woods provide. The golfers with a higher skill level will have clubs that are less able to correct mistakes, and more likely to just send the ball rocketing in whatever direction it is sent in. This is why they take a higher skill level to master.
Hybrid clubs or adjustable clubs are also very valuable for beginners who have not yet gotten a grasp on their own playing style. Hybrid golf clubs are somewhere in between woods and irons. They provide accuracy due to their relatively short lengths, and they provide sheer distance with their specially designed heads that are usually very light and hollow. They are very unique and take some getting used to, but if you can try one out at the store before you buy it, you may discover that it adds a whole new element to your game.
All of these golf clubs play a very important part from getting you down the fairway right to the green and into the hole. Without one of them, you would have to use a different club to do something it wasn’t meant to. Therefore you should pay plenty of attention to all of the things that I have stated so far, and you will find that golf becomes a much more enjoyable sport to you.

USGA Golf Rule: Effective Jan 01, 2008

Golf is gentlemen game. You play with integrity, so need to learn some of the golf rules.

Better still if you can master the golf rule ....here compliments from "USGA" in pdf format.

Advise:
Don't cheat your score - be honest and truthfull. Your true character will be display when you play this golf game!!!

Better Golf: A balance Approach

Written by golf bug on May 15th, 2007 in Improve your Golf Game

Golf is all about balance.
You need to get the right balance on your feet, in the movement of your body, in the swing of the clubs and so on. Balance goes further than just the body however. You need a balanced approach to the game with your mind in sync with your body.
You need to only consider the one stroke that you are playing and not let other holes impact on your balance. When we get golf lessons we’re taught about the distribution of weight on our feet and the weight distribution when we swing to strike the ball.
Many of the techniques seem foreign to the beginner but it is all about training the player to find balance in their game so the actions are effortless and natural. Our balance should flow through with the movement of the swing in one fluid action to the striking of the ball and even after the ball has been hit with a balanced follow through.
It is a natural feeling that will become second nature with practice.
It is through finding balance in your mind and body that you will start hitting consistently good shots.Without this it will be very difficult to find any consistency in your game. Once you get your upper body correctly positioned behind the ball, you will find that you are naturally placing more weight on the back foot.
Try it next time you have a practice swing.
Stand balanced on your feet with no more pressure on the front of the foot than the back.Position yourself behind the ball and gently swing through without making any effort to concentrate on the distribution of the weight on you feet.
You will find that this will come naturally with no effort at all and that is precisely how you should feel when you are striking the ball.

Basic You Need to Know about Golf Clubs

This article was published in US

Basics You Need to Know about Golf Clubs
Written by golf bug on May 3rd, 2007 in Golf clubs.

A good set of golf clubs is the weapon of choice for the advanced golfer. A complete set of clubs consists of woods, irons and a putter. According to the rules of golf, as set forth by the United States Golf Association (USGA), a golfer’s bag may hold 14 clubs. Most golfers will carry a driver, two fairway woods, 7 irons, 3 wedges and the putter.
A driver is a long-shafted club with a full head used to strike the ball that is set upon a tee. The club head does not have much lift to it, to achieve maximum distance off the tee. The fairway woods have club heads that are slightly more lofted than the driver, and are used for long shots when the ball is lying on the ground. Most brand name drivers cost between $200 and $400. Fairway woods normally retail from $150 to $300.
Golf irons are the essence of a set of golf clubs. Two thirds of the shots in a normal round of golf will utilize an iron. Irons are used to hit the golf ball off the ground from distances of 125 yards to 225 yards. Each iron is assigned a number based upon the loft angle of the club head. The 9-iron has the most loft, and is used to hit short, high shots. A 2-iron has very little loft, and is used to hit low, long shorts.
Wedges are normally included in the purchase of a set of irons. The most common wedges are the pitching wedge, the sand wedge and the lob wedge. These golf clubs are used for short, controlled shots, normally very close to the putting green. Some golfers may choose to remove one of the wedges in lieu of a 2-iron. Also worth noting, there are two primary types of irons available. Forged irons are precision clubs that can give experienced golfers a greater ability to shape their shots. Cavity-back irons are considered to be more forgiving, with a larger sweet spot and primarily for golfers who want to focus on hitting straight shots. A set of 10 irons can range in price from as little as $250, to as much as $1,500.
The final and perhaps most important golf club, is the putter. The putter is also known as the “money club” because it is the club used to tap the ball into the hole. The purpose of the putter is to roll the ball, so there is no loft on the club head. There are many varieties of putters in all shapes and sizes. Some of the putter shafts are so short that the golfer grips it near his knees, and some are so long that they are gripped at the golfer’s chest. Many golfers spend their entire lives changing putters to find the one that feels right for them. Simple putters can cost as little as $20 but some of the more exotic putters can cost as much as $300.

How to choose your Golf Clubs for Beginner Golfers - David Negovt

Our Recommendations
by Frank J. Peter

As a Beginner you probably have a hard time making consistent contact with the ball. Hitting it with the heel and toe of the club, topping the ball or hitting the ground first (fat shots) will be your challenge. [Note: as you may have realized, I use 'challenge' (which is a 'positive word') rather than 'problem' (which is a 'negative word') - maybe you want to adopt that in your thinking.] As beginner you may also have trouble getting the clubhead to the ball in a square position. This means your clubhead generally approaches the ball from outside of the target line (out-to-in) and at a steep angle. This results in your typical shot shape being a slice - a shot that curves right. [Another note: proper clubs will help a lot, and for additional insights on how to cure a slice you may want to consult David Nevogt's eBook on The Perfect Golf Swing.] In short, you have a problem hitting the ball with the center of the clubface. Your swing speed is slow due to lack of experience with proper swing mechanics. Generally, for women and juniors, clubhead speed is slow due to lack of strength, causing difficulty in getting the ball up in the air, and a lack of distance.

Our recommendation: The Beginners Ideal Set
The ideal set for a beginner would be one that takes into account the swing/hit issues mentioned above. Maximum forgiveness is the goal. To help with inconsistent contact an oversized clubhead will help. An oversized club has a larger hitting area so there will be fewer mishits. For irons, perimeter weighting will help to make those mishits go a little straighter. You're shots off the heel and toe will be more solid. A wide sole will slide through the turf easier and get the ball up higher. Slightly shorter clubs will make accurate club-to-ball contact a higher possibility. To help with that out-to-in swing path, an offset clubhead will get the clubface back to the ball a little later. That means the clubface will be more square to the target and not open. This will also keep the hands a little bit in front of the clubhead, which in turn will also help with those fat shots. For long shots from the fairway or rough a beginner should choose woods and hybrid clubs with the most loft possible, together with a low center of gravity. More loft means it will be easier to get the ball in the air, and it will likely go a little farther as well. In addition it will create more backspin which will counteract the side spin of shots and keep them from curving as much. As a combined result your shots will be a little bit straighter. A beginner's driver should have a larger head (over 430cc) to increase the size of the hitting area. Additional loft (12-15 degrees) will get the ball in the air. Added loft once again will increase backspin and make those left to right curves less of a head ache. Putting is something that, with practice, will get better (although sometimes hard to believe). It's true, it doesn't take great athletic ability to be a decent putter. Yet again, it's still hard for a beginner to judge distances so 3 putts are still common. Besides keeping your head directly over the ball a good alignment system will also help getting over your inconsistency.

Let's look in detail at some Beginner set configurations:

Super Game Improvement (SGI) irons are the choice for maximum forgiveness. SGI clubs will offer maximum perimeter weighting, larger offset, a wide sole, and low center of gravity. Club choices can be 6 iron through pitching wedge or 6-sand wedge. The sand wedge selection should offer extra "bounce". Bounce is the feature on the sole of the club that helps it easily glide through sand or rough. While you are allowed to carry 14 clubs you actually don't need them. The first clubs to leave out are the long irons (3, 4). Your iron set should start with the 5 or 6 iron and go up to the sand wedge (SW). For longer shots use lofted woods (5, 7, 9) and hybrid clubs (3, 4, 5). You may find you still hit them all about the same distance, so if you can experiment, test them all to see which ones feel the best. Don't take the ones that you don't hit well and leave them at home. You should still buy them because you will get better and need them later. The right set also depends on swing speed. Swing speeds between 65-80 mph (women, juniors and some seniors) will need more woods and hybrid clubs and generally more loft to help get the ball up in the air. Average male swing speeds of 80-90 mph can begin to add a few more irons (5-6), but you still want to use hybrids and lofted woods instead of long irons. Woods are always easier to hit for beginners. Their larger heads and flat soles compared to irons create more confidence. Slightly shortened versions of 3, 5, and 7 woods (-.5") are highly recommended for all beginners regardless of swing speed. The driver should have a 440-460 cc titanium head. The new large headed drivers are easier to hit, no second thoughts about it. Make sure you have extra loft to increase accuracy and distance. If you find you still have problems hitting it accurately, try choking up an inch or so. For a putter, you want one of the new large headed mallet putters. These new putters have greater MOI (they don't twist on mishits) and their alignment aids make short putts much easier. Your set configuration should be: Woods (1, 5, 7), Hybrids (4, 5), Irons (Super Game Improvement) (6-SW), Putter (Mallet)

I am new - what should I buy?

I know for sure all golfer got to go thru' this problem when for they decided to buy their own golf set. What to buy? The golf set is not that cheap and cheap set will not last that long (not many months) because you tend to upgrade it once you have improved your game. So what is the best deal for me then???

My advice is you get a moderate price iron set, don't go for a very expensive set but surely, not the one that you pay about RM1,000-RM1,200 for the whole set (irons, driver and putter + bag). The later will only satisfy you for next 6 months, okay.

So how?

Iron Set
Get an iron set that is forgiving (high handicap iron) and look for the one in the ranges of RM2,000, just be moderate not necessary go for expensive brand yet.

If you can get a 2nd hand set that will be good - the price range should be below RM1,000.

Get your iron set first. Practise our golf swings at driving range. Better if you enrol with the golf pro to show you the correct golf swings (RM500 - 700 for 5 to 8 lessons). Give yourself about 3 - 5 months at driving range before indulge to golf course proper.

Putter
Between that period, read on Golf related matters thru' Internet, watch golf channel at Astro, Golf Magazine etc... read on golf putter.

Better get the right putter for the very first time. It is not cheap and better do it right. I think it is a good investment to buy expensive one. Putter is very personal you need to get the feel using it, so choose the right one is very pertinent. The top putter brand name that I like are Odessy and Titleliest. You can fork about RM500+ for one putter.

Driver and Wood
The driver would be the last piece that you add to your golf bag. So no hurry to get one. Good lag time is about 6 - 8 months of gaining some experience before you make your move to get your golf driver.

I would like to say that Wood is one on the most important piece. Traditionally, it was wood 3, 5 and 7 were mostly found in the golf bag of the old timers. As for me, Wood is very important integral composition of golf clubs and I would recommend that you go for Wood 4 (17 degree loft) - easy to launch than wood 3.

I hope that I will be able to post articles on golf related matters so that have we can have informed knowledge before we make our purchase. Last advise, don't waste your money unnecessarily. Any saving can be use at golf course!

Breaking your 110 score for 5 games direct

We always see on TV how those professional played their games. They made it looks real easy.

My first 3 months on driving range and the next 3 months on the golf course with score above 120, that was year 2007.

Year 2008, the game slightly improve scoring between 110 - 120. To shave just 10 points seems to be quite challenging.

I am determining to break 110 score as my target by mid 2008 and shave another 10 points by end of 2008. I hope this is achievable and that's my aim for now