April 23, 2002

Welcome to The No B.S. Golf Newsletter

Would like to welcome all of our new subscribers. If I can answer any questions please email me Richard@thinkandreachpar.com

Like to remind everyone of the new pro shop that has been added to www.thinkandreachpar. This is one of the largest golf pro shops on the internet, and it does have good prices. Check it out when you get a chance.

TIRED OF FRIENDS LAUGHING AT YOU?? \"Tao of Golf\"
video will teach you the pro\'s secrets. Eliminate your swing
flaws, learn the secret to accuracy and ball control. Increase
flexibility, strength, health, and perfect your swing...all in
one video!!! Eliminate your slice for good. Just 3 minutes
per day!! GUARANTEED
Go to www.thinkandreachpar.com/tarp/tao.htm


Had a subscriber ask the question on choosing the right club a few weeks ago, so I asked Ken Black, www.golfrevelations.com to address this question for us. Ken has many years experience in club building and selection, and is no double an authority on this subject. Here is Ken\'s reply:

What club a person chooses for certain distances, relates to how fast they swing a club (club head speed). For example, I may swing a driver at 90 miles per hour and hit the ball 260 yards, while Tom Kite swings at 110 m.p.h. and hits it 290 yards, and then Tiger Woods swings at 130 m.p.h. and hits a good drive 330 yards or more.

There are a few things that influence club head speed, and they include :

* The strength of the player.
* The length of their arc (eg. a tall person with a wide swing path can generate more speed and hit it farther - usually)
* The total weight of the club. That\'s why many people use graphite shafts - because they lower the total weight of the club and increase speed, and distance.
* How good the person\'s swing is - the more you hit the ball on the centre of the face (center of gravity/sweetspot), the more your distance will be maximized.
* The length of the club - for every 1 inch longer a club is from standard specifications, you\'ll gain about 9 yards in distance, but, you may lose some accuracy.

However, the average golfer (using an R-regular/medium flex shaft) who swings a driver at between 80 and 90 m.p.h, should be able to carry the ball (doesn\'t include roll) as follows :

Club
MEN - Yards
Driver
230 and up
3-wood
210-230
4-wood
190-210
5-wood
170-190
7-wood
160-170
2-iron
170-190
3-iron
160-180
4-iron
150-170
5-iron
140-160
6-iron
130-150
7-iron
120-140
8-iron
110-130
9-iron
100-120
pitching wedge
90-110


sand wedge
up to 100
60 degree wedge
up to 60


Also, if a golfer hits their driver straight, they are likely swinging at the following speeds, depending on what shaft flex they have in their driver :
* 60 - 70 mph = L flex
* 70 - 80 mph = A flex
* 80 - 90 mph = R flex
* 90 - 100 mph = S flex
* 100 mph + = X flex
Of course, a golfer can lose distance without knowing it :

* if the person slices the ball,
* if they\'re using a shaft flex that is too stiff,
* if they use a golf ball with a balata cover,
* if they use irons with too much perimeter weighting (extra large cavity in the head),
* if they use irons or woods made out of less expensive Zinc or aluminum (instead of Steel or Titanium)
* if they use clubs that are too short for them,
* or, if the shafts in their clubs have a low flex point (where shaft bends the most during the swing), instead of the normal mid to high flex point in the premium types of golf clubs (Hogan, Ping, Taylor Made, Titleist etc.).

So, how far a person is supposed to hit a ball, or can hit a shot, is influenced by a variety of factors.

If anyone wants to hit their shots farther, best to play lighter clubs (eg. with high quality graphite shafts), possibly longer clubs (eg. 1/2 to 1 inch longer), better quality materials in the heads, and a better golf ball that suits them. A two piece golf ball with a surlyn or surlyn mix cover is better (eg. Titleist HP distance, Bridgestone Precept, most Nike balls etc.). If by chance a golfer is swinging slowly (eg. under 80 m.p.h. with a driver) and they try a ball with a lower compression, like 80 instead of 90 compression, they\'ll also hit it further.



For every 8 to 10 mp.h. of wind against you, it should mean 1 extra club (eg. use a 7 iron, instead of the 8).

If it\'s cold, more club should be used, since it\'s harder to swing at normal speed and because it\'s harder to compress the ball. For example, if it\'s 45-50 degrees, you might want to use as much as 2 clubs more on each shot.

Hope that helps.

Ken Black
www.golfreveloutions.com

Thanks for your information Ken.



Now here was a question for Sensei Mark Anthony.


I am a 65 year old/young lady who learned how to play golf about 2 years ago. My biggest problem is that I don\'t get distance with my clubs. I do okay with my driver but still don\'t get the distance like I should. What am I doing wrong? and should I take up bowling?

Thank you for your help, have passed your email address on to quite a few of the golfers in my ladies golf club.


Sensei Mark\'s reply:



Dear Corry,
Thanks for writing.
Here\'s something that I think will help you.
It\'s a drill from my video Tao of Golf.
Walk-through swings.
This drill can be used on the golf course as well as the range. Just get used to it first. This drill is also a guaranteed slice-buster.

Start with a club you\'re comfortable with. Again, I used a seven-iron the first time I tried it. Place a ball in the set-up position. (The middle in case you forgot already) Swing the club.

Yes, in case you were wondering, I have another monkey wrench for you. As you finish your swing, take a step directly at your target as you finish nice and high. One step is all you\'ll need. Gary Player, the Senior PGA Champion and Hall-of-Famer from South Africa has been swinging like this his whole life. Watch him on TV. You\'ll see for your self. This was one of drills that permanently erased my slice in a matter of minutes. Do this off the tee with the big-dog and watch your buddies turn greener than the fairway with envy when they see your distance and accuracy.
I hope that helps you Corry.
Get back to me and tell me how it worked for you.
Mark Anthony

Learn how I VAPORIZED my chronic slice in one FIVE MINUTE
lesson. Learn the Little-Known Secret to smashing drives down
the middle and nailing greens like a dart board! Learn how I went
from hacker to teacher and took 40 STROKES off my game in
ONE SEASON! Tao of Golf did it for me and can do it for you!
Go to www.thinkandreachpar.com/tarp/tao.htm


IF YOU LIKED THIS ISSUE
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right now, just forward a copy to one or two of your golfing
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Hope this issue has been information for you. If you have any questions or problems that you need Sensei Mark to answer, please send them to me.

Until later in the week, good golfing.

Richard Myers
www.thinkandreachpar.com