Welcome to my new look newsletter! I started producing these newsletters in 2008 and haven't missed a single week in all that time and allowing for a two week break at Christmas, I reckon this must be my 400th newsletter so what a good time to launch a new format.
Of course all I need to do now is find the old ones on the internet, copy and paste the articles I write which will save me about 4 hours a week for the next 8 years! Simple.
Luke is away on his PGA residential course next week. Congratulations are due as he just got the results from his latest assignment in which he was awarded a Merit. He had got in touch with 'industry heavyweight' club designer Tom Wishon in Colorado, who provided him lots of help with the topic of how iron designs have changed since the 1960's.
Tom is a very interesting guy; he was the drummer with Steve Miller Band and played here at Brocton Hall with me in 2009. He told me he had fond memories of the club - including wearing white ankle socks which are not the usual thing back home. "I can see a whole lotta white from here!" he'd say as he was putting.
I've been busy in the workshop this week. Here's a Titleist Vokey wedge which I'm part way through grinding to prevent digging in and fluffing the shot. The new Vokey wedges are due in next week as well.
That's not the only thing we saw in the pro shop. We also had somebody bring in a much older club. This is a Slazenger Jack Nicklaus PING Anser Putter and is worth around £1,500!
Old vs. New
Last week on Twitter Brooks Koepka and Gary Woodland's posted pictures (below) of how an old 1980's driver faired in comparison with new 2014 models. The pictures were posted to show how much further modern drivers hit the ball; with the results showing an extra 48 yards:
But they also tell another tale. Have you heard of the term 'Smash Factor'? It's a way of measuring the efficiency of the strike and is basically the speed of the ball divided by the speed of the clubhead. The legal limit of driver designs means that a perfectly hit drive will have a smash factor of 1.50 (hit the ball at 100mph and the ball will take off at 150mph).
So, consider that technology has changed so dramatically in 40 years; we've had steel heads, then titanium heads, then multi material heads all designed to have more of a 'trampoline' effect and rebound the ball quicker. Yet if we work out the smash factor with these two clubs:
That equates to only about 9 extra yards through smash factor which still leaves another 39 yards between the clubs.
Consider also that in recent years golf manufacturers have moved the weight backwards, downwards, outwards (square heads), upwards and now forwards in order to reduce the backspin. Yet here again we've got:
Modern driver - 2926rpm
Old driver - 3097rpm.
Let me tell you, 170 rpm difference is nothing in terms of distance, that's like hitting the edge of a dimple or a dimple square on!
So where's the big difference? Well, the modern driver will have a 2" longer shaft (mind you, not the 4" longer that you can get off the shelf) and it will be about 80 grams lighter due to the graphite shaft. This enabled the pro's to swing quicker and 13mph faster clubhead speed equates to about 40 more yards.
I had a presentation from golf company last week and with their new driver they said the 'shaft has been designed to specifically match the driver head' which I find a bit odd. I like to get a shaft that 'will specifically match the golfer'!
Of course you know where this is leading now - finding the right shaft and length for YOU is down to custom fitting to produce your best drive. It's not about getting latest flash club that looks good in the bag.
New Products in the Shop
New PING Karsten putters with the face lines grooved into the head.
Pros Fiddle Results from Saturday:
Colin Evans and Bill Lakin 39 points. £22 each
Peter Bright and Peter Bright 39 points. £18 each
Anthony Dell and Pete Hughes 39 points. £15 each
Ian Ashton and Ian Thornton, 38 points
Mark Wheatley and Dave Hughes, 38 points
Two's - Ian Thornton, Chris Perks, Phil Birch, David Allen, Paul Lythgoe, Ian Gibson - £9.66 each
The hollow timing process has gone well and we may even see growing conditions this week! Golf season just around the corner? Let's hope so. My advice is to get planning your diary early, factor in when your first competitions are, then start getting your kit and your game ready for then. We often see golfers rushing in last minute to replace items they've lost or worn out and without having tee times there's sometimes a clamber to get on the course. Of course, that's what we're here for in some ways but remember the old adage: "fail to prepare and prepare to fail". Some golfers are already on their 3rd Academy lesson of the year and we've been busy re-gripping clubs and re-spiking shoes, just think how prepared these golfers will be if you meet them in the first round of the match play?!
Speaking of match play, don't forget the Men's Summer Knockout entry sheet is up in the pro shop so get your name down if you want to be in it.
I received an email off Tom Wishon after I told him about Luke's results, here was his reply:
"I hope the rains have stopped so your wonderful golf course can dry out and your members can get out there to enjoy it! (as long as they wear long socks, right?!) #sockgate"
