Category: Uncategorized

Kirkland Signature Wedges

On By Menno ZachariasIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

 

Costco, under the brand name Kirkland is edging its way deeper into the golf market.  First, in 2016 there was the Kirkland Signature golf ball, then the KS1 putter that featured a milled face and adjustable weights.

Both the Kirkland golf ball and putter quickly sold out quickly when the arrived at Costco warehouses.

With their success with golf balls and putters it was only a matter of time until Costco delved further into the golf market.

Just recently Kirkland Signature wedges were added to the USGA conforming clubs list, a sure indicator that Kirkland wedges are on the way.

The wedges will be cast, constructed from 8620 (soft) carbon steel. The set of wedges will feature tradition lofts 60 degree (L), 56 degree (S) and 52 degree (G).  They will be 35 inches in length and feature True Temper wedge shafts.  They will not be available in graphite and will only be available in right handed models.  The wedges will feature milled face technology.

It is not known at this time when the wedges will be avaialble but they should be ready for the 2021 golf season.

It is expected that the price will be in the range of $160.00 (USD) for the set.  At $53.00 (USD) each that represents a real discount when compared to wedges produced by major equipment manufactures.

Introducing the “Windcard”

On By Menno ZachariasIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Let me start out by asking a question:  do you ever hit the ball over the back of the green when you are hitting into a strong wind?  Me neither.  There is a reason for that.  Most golfers underestimate the loss of yardage a headwind causes and overestimate the assistance a tailwind provides.

Many studies have been conducted (some more scientific than others) into the effect of wind on the flight of the golf ball.  Some have concluded that for every mile per hour of wind you will gain (or lose) one yard.   Some suggest you should add one club to what you would normally hit for every 10 mph of wind.  Others argue that you should concentrate on changing your swing and hitting knock down shots into the wind to lessen the negative effect.  These suggestions all have some merit.

The problem is that when you are out on the course competing either against your buddies, yourself, or the course, the last thing you want to do is a bunch of calculations.  You’ve got enough on your mind.

After extensive research and hands on testing I have devised an aid for golfers who play in windy conditions.  I’m calling it the ‘Windcard”.   The Windcard provides an estimate of how far a well hit ball will travel both when hitting into a headwind or when assisted by a tailwind.

The first column on the card (in 10 yard increments) represents  the club you would normally hit a specific distance in calm conditions.  So the “100” represents the club you normally hit if you were 100 yards from the pin.   The second column estimates how far the ball will travel if you hit that club into a 10 mph/16 kph headwind; column three a 20 mph/32 kph wind; and column four estimates how far the ball will travel if you hit that club into a 30 mph/48 kph headwind.

The reverse side of the card does the same for shots hit with a tailwind.

Windcard

$3.00

Price includes shipping and handling.

For bulk purchases please contact me directly for pricing.

Cards will be delivered via the postal service, regular letter mail.

Update: Use of the Windcard does not violate the Rules of Golf and is legal for tournament play.

 

Strategy for the older golfer

On By Menno ZachariasIn Playing the Game, Uncategorized4 Comments

Golf is a game of constant striving for improvement.  In my almost daily visits to the local Golf Dome, I frequently walk down the hitting line and talk to golfers, primarily older golfers, and with very few exceptions when asked what they are ‘working on’,  the answers range from:  hitting it longer, hitting it straighter, hitting it more solidly, to getting more spin on the wedges.  They all have something in common, they are trying to improve some aspect of their game.

What does improvement look like for older golfers?

Distance  

Golfers are preoccupied with how far they hit the ball, especially off the tee with a driver.

There is no arguing that distance is an important aspect of the game.  In the minds of many (especially younger players) distance is the most important aspect of the game.

However, distance alone is not all you need if your goal is to lower your scores or  maintain your current scoring level.

As golfers get older, distance decreases more so for some than others.  The question then becomes, how do you maintain a level of play (your handicap) as you get older and the distance inevitably decreases?

Here are some suggestions.

Learn to hit it straighter

Let’s say for the sake of argument you are facing a long par 4, dogleg left.  For those of you who have played Bridges visualize the 6th hole.

Hole_6_15

In order to have a reasonable chance of hitting the green in regulation you will need to hit a drive either down the center or favouring the left side of the fairway just past the dogleg.  If you hit to the left you will either be in the trees or blocked out by the trees in terms of a clear shot at the green.  If you hit it to the right you may have a clear shot at the green but from 230 to 240 yards out.  If you hit it down the middle you may still have a 200 yard shot, but it is a clear shot into the green and you have a chance.

There are many situations we all face on the golf course where if we hit it straight we give ourselves a chance at par or bogey at worst, even on longer difficult holes.

Leave your approach shots in the right place

We hear this every week even on the PGA tour, ‘he (or she) missed it in the ‘right spot’.  If hitting the green in a particular situation is not realistic for you, make sure that your ‘miss’ is to a position where you set yourself up for a good approach shot.  If a green has bunkers on both sides (and you are not a great bunker player) leave your miss short, setting yourself up for a makeable chip and putt for par.  If there are severe slopes on one side of the green make sure your approach shot favours the side where there is a flat landing area.

Learn how to chip and putt

Drives and long approach shots require both distance and precision that may be a challenge for older golfers.  There is, however, no reason why the older golfer cannot learn to pitch, chip and putt like the pros.  It does not require strength and agility, it is something we can all learn.  Yet, when we watch amateurs like us practicing and getting ready to play what do we do?  We head to the driving range and hit drivers.

As our distance decreases with age our biggest return on investment (in terms of practice time) comes from improving our short game.

I’ve watched many older golfers and many who are in their early 80’s hit their drives around 200 yards down the middle, hit their approach shot just short of the green, and chip and one or 2 putt for par or bogie.  At the end of the day these players frequently shoot their age.  The reason, they are never in trouble.

Personal Experience

In October of 2006 I had an acute ascending aortic dissection while playing the 5th hole at the Wildewood Club.

Following 3 surgeries and excellent medical care I recovered and was out on the links on opening day the following year.  There was a difference however.  I had lost a tremendous amount of swing speed and 40-50 yards off the tee.

With  practice and exercise I was able to recover around 20 yards of that.  My handicap however soared and I realized I would need to learn to play a new game that was shorter and more precise.

I concentrated on my short game and within a year or so my handicap returned to its previous level and now more than 10 years later I’ve managed to maintain my handicap at the 2006 level, thanks to an improved short game.