Golf Exercise – Learning Distance Control

Best Golf Instruction Series 3:

Golf Course Conditions, Adrenaline, and Energy Level

To become a better golfer it is essential to consistently strike shots that travel exact distances.  There are several variables involved in this process including: golf equipment, golf swing techniques, different playing conditions, adrenaline under pressure, and knowing your capabilities on each day.

It’s important to first be fitted with the proper golf equipment, and then to develop a consistent golf swing.  To learn more about these steps for knowing yardages with each golf club, read the first and second articles in this series, Be Fitted with the Proper Golf Equipment, and Swing Tips – Producing a Consistent Golf Swing.

Knowing Golf Course Conditions

Once you have the correct equipment and proper swing techniques the next step to distance control and good shot making is knowing how different conditions will affect how far the golf ball travels.  For example: at sea level with no wind my 8 iron flies 154 yards when the temperature is above 75 degrees. If the temperature is lower than 75 degrees, the ball flies proportionally shorter.  At sea level, in 40 degree temperature the ball will fly 145 yards with no wind. The only way to really learn this invaluable information is to practice in all conditions and elevations. Distance the ball travels is effected by wind, altitude, temperature, humidity, and the condition of the golf ball. Experience is the best teacher and writing down how far each shot flies in practice and during rounds will expedite this learning process.

Adrenaline

Another important factor in distance control is understanding how adrenaline increases under pressure will increase strength and club head speed. During my career I have been in contention to win on several occasions and I know that nerves and adrenaline increase club head speed and cause the ball to travel farther than normal. I allow for five to ten yards more carry on short to mid iron shots and 10 to 20 yards more carry on long iron and tee shots. Know this tendency, and realize this is a good thing because the farther the ball can fly the shorter the course will play. The more you can experience this state of heightened awareness when in contention the more comfortable and effective you will be. This nervous feeling is the reason for playing in competition and should be welcomed because it means you are playing well and getting closer to reaching your potential.  Performing well when you are pressured is essential for any competitive golfer to be their best.

Physical Condition

Finally, the  factor that is different each day is how you are feeling. Some days the strength level is 100%, and other days it may be 50% depending on what you ate, if you are feeling ill, how you slept the night before, or what is going on mentally that could affect your energy level. On the range prior to the round is the time to determine all of these variables that could affect your ability to swing the club consistently. I know on full strength days there is no doubt that I will make full swings as much as possible, but on days when my energy is less than normal I will take more club and swing easier to produce the needed yardage. Again, experience will teach you all of this important on course knowledge that if used properly will improve scoring ability in all conditions.

Interview: PGA TOUR TaylorMade Golf Equipment Representative Paul Loegering

The USGA enforced a new rule, put into effect in January of this year.  The rule puts restrictions on the shape of grooves in irons and wedges for professional competitive golf. Visit the USGA’s website for more details about this rule change. Paul Loegering, a TaylorMade representative for the PGA TOUR discusses the changes in his company’s clubs and gives his opinions on how the golf marketplace will change in response to this new rule.

Q:  How does the new equipment groove rule change effect your company’s production of golf clubs?

A: In reference to general production, it’s like starting over. We have to spend research and development time as well as marketing and production dollars to put a new product in line. March 2009 is when we started making changes. For anything that’s done in reference to changing a product line, the research and development team is working a year to a year and a half before the new products are released.

Q: How are you going to adapt or have already adapted your equipment to the market place and on the professional golf tours?

A: The new groove rule change will be grandfathered in for competitive amateur play in 2014. Since the groove rule change is in place for the professional golf tours this year, selling new grooves in irons is what we’re doing now. We are trying to refit every PGA TOUR player for irons.  That is my goal. We are also selling our new irons, called R-9 to the public beginning in March 2010. Also, we have a great technology in our wedges. They have an interchangeable face, so the face can be taken off just where the grooves are. These new wedges will create less spin.  So to keep grooves fresh when  they wear down, just change the face.  These new irons are in play this week at the Sony Open.

Q: Will golf equipment companies modify equipment for professional golfers only or for the general golfing community also? How will this new groove rule change effect the amateur golfer?

A: It is too soon to tell how the clubs will affect the amateur.  My focus is to make sure PGA TOUR golfers are ready to play products.  Their new products will go into retail stores in March 2010.  We will know then how amateurs will accept the new clubs.

Q: Will golfers have to change golf balls because of the new groove change? Will this effect golf ball sales?

A: From a Taylormade standpoint, yes, golf ball sales will be effected 100% on the pro level.  Within the industry everyone is designing new golf balls to accommodate the less aggressive grooves. TaylorMade’s new ball – Penta – is adapted for the new grooves. Penta stands for five layers.  The cover is softer, and the additional layer underneath the cover is to make the ball softer also.

Q: Does the rule change help or hurt your business?

A: It is a double-edged sword. And it’s too early to tell.  Obviously there are a lot of overhead and research and development costs that go into any new product. Having to change the entire iron line costs a lot of money.

Q: Do you expect any other equipment rule changes in the near future?

A: Like with any governing body the USGA creates the rules. There will definitely be changes. If you go back five years the biggest changes were limiting the rebound affect and Momentum of Intertia (MOI) on drivers, and limiting what technology you can put on the golf ball to create distance. I hope it’s not the case that there will be more changes in the future.