The Golf Slice

Golf Doesn’t Have to Be Exclusive to the Wealthy
The pastime of golf has sometimes been criticized as an elitist sport. With the wide expanses of land, country-club atmosphere, and leisurely pace, golf has even been written off by some critics as more of a status symbol than a proper sports game. For recreation, golf is even seen as part of a luxurious vacation, such as when players stay in elegant Panama hotels. However, in the game of golf, there are a number of skills and lessons that could be universally beneficial to everybody. For instance, for those living in developing countries, a makeshift game of golf could give enthusiastic dreamers the proper motivation to escape from poverty.

Golfing for Cheap
Perhaps the biggest obstacle for bringing golf to a developing country would be the expected costs allocated to playing a proper game. In professional golf, high quality clubs made of expensive materials are the norm. Also, the game is played on endless landscapes of greenery, sand, and water, made specifically for the sport. World-class architects are brought in to design courses and millions of dollars are invested. With these necessities, bringing golf to a developing country could at first seem impossible. However, it is not the details of golf that must be perfectly captured, but the spirit. In developing countries, those interested in playing golf need only to use their imagination. For instance, there are a number of available materials that could be used to make a set of usable golf clubs. Depending on the area, various pipes or sticks could be easily modified to resemble the shape and function of a golf club. Similarly, small rocks or pieces of brick could be sanded into the proper size and shape to resemble golf balls.

Creating a Golf Course
Once a serviceable set of golf equipment has been created, what about those big golf courses with the intricately placed holes? Since this kind of set up will not be available, would-be golfers will once again need to be creative with this sport. Instead of numerous scattered holes, budding golfers could use a single cup, and simply move it around to different lengths and angles. Or, if the land allows it, they could also dig a number of holes to mimic those of a professional golf course. If the space is really cramped, imaginative golfers could also create their own miniature golf-type courses, with a number of obstacles to get around in order to reach the hole.

Playing the Game of Golf in Spirit
While this may not seem to be the optimal way to play golf, the same principles, skills, and lessons apply. Golf is all about patience and concentration. Even without the professional equipment, clothes, and courses, players in developing countries can still experience the true spirit of golf. In fact, deficiencies in a created set of clubs or in a made up golf course could necessitate even more patience and concentration from a player. It is the constant practicing of these very qualities that could help to inspire people out of poverty. In fact, through the experience of golf, players could even become inspired to make other things better, in order to improve their overall way of life.

Nike features drivers used by the greatest golfer in the world, Tiger Woods. They range in price from about $150 to $400. The SQ DYMO STR8-FIT series provides the latest technology in two different drivers. Both drivers in the STR8-FIT series offer the capability to adjust the head of the driver in eight different positions.

The main difference in the two drivers is the shape; one is a square head, the other more rounded. The square head may be better for the less experienced players, or ones that just have trouble keeping their shots off the tee straight. The square head allows greater control, and results in a longer, straighter ball. Both clubs are price right around $400. Nike also offers two drivers in the DYMO series that don’t allow golfers to adjust the club head, but do include the options of either a square or round head. They are the SQ DYMO and SQ DYMO 2, priced around $300.

The previous generation of Nike drivers included three clubs in the SasQuatch SUMO series; the SUMO 2 5900, the SUMO 5000, and the SUMO 2 Tour driver, all are priced around $150. The SUMO 2 5900 is a square head, and the other two are rounded. So, those options may be better for beginning golfers not trying to spend nearly half a grand on a golf club. All Nike’s drivers are designed with the latest technology, and can you really go wrong using the same drivers that Tiger uses?

Winston Churchill once said about Golf: “Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into a even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose.”

As you go to buy a quality set of good ‘ill-designed’ weapons, you may not only agree with the former Prime Minister… you may be absolutely inundated by the sheer number of complicated sets available. You may also be inundated by the exorbitant price tag accompanying those sets.

Don’t fee like paying $400-$4K for a quality play set to join the boys every Saturday? If you keep some very crucial tips in mind, a used golf set may be just the thing you’re looking for. So… what’s the catch? There’s really not one, if you remember that quality and expense are not necessarily synonymous.

Here’s what you need to look for.

#1: Grips. The grips on any used golf club you purchase should be intact, and free of chunking or other tears. If the grip has any damage at all, it’s not only going to affect your swing, but it could actually blister your hands if you’re golfing without gloves.

On any used set you get, you can reasonably expect the engraved pattern in the grip to be faded or worn. As long as the actual grip itself isn’t damaged, this is okay, and frankly, to be expected.

#2: The Shaft. The shaft should be sturdy and act according to its make. (Steel shafts are fairly rigid with no real flex; graphite flexes to varying degrees depending on the composite materials involved in the graphite itself.)

Unlike the head, which we will discuss in a minute, shafts should not have scratches. Only two types of players scratch shafts; careless ones or angry ones. Dents are an utter no-no, as this will greatly effect the club’s impact on the ball.

#3: The Club Head. The club head will more than likely have at least a few scratches as it is the most commonly impacted section of the entire club. If you see dirt or dry mud caked in the crevices of the head, think again about purchasing it, as it was probably owned by a careless player before.

If you take care to remember the above tips, you can obtain quality clubs and second-hand prices. Just remember; though the weapons are ill-suited, it’s still the soldier’s job to choose the best one for war. See you on the green, soldier.

Not a good enough golfer to justify spending thousands on a brand new set of Ping golf clubs? Buy them used. A used set of Ping golf clubs will have a bigger positive impact on your game than a brand new set of golf clubs by just about any other manufacturer. Why? Because Ping golf clubs are designed better. Ping golf clubs are designed for you.

Ping has a unique fitting system which allows you to get the most out of the golf club. Ping has made slight variations in the same club design that enables you to get a more consistent performance from a Ping golf club than you would from any other golf club on the market.

Ping has designed the club head to work with your body. The lie, or angle, of the club is the key to hitting a more consistently straight golf shot. Ping uses a unique color coding system to determine the club lie that works best for you. It is based primarily on your height. You can find out the color code that works best for you by visiting any golf pro shop that is an authorized Ping dealer. The fitting is free. If you would rather not visit a pro shop, you can visit the Ping website and go through an easy and fast online fitting.

Once you know what color is best for you, keep an eye out for someone selling a set in your color code. Don’t worry about when they were made or how old the clubs are. The most important thing to consider is the color code. If you have preference for blades, Ping manufactures this style of club and there are plenty of used sets available. If your personal tastes are for hollow back irons, you will find plenty of those too.

Whether you have been playing golf for years or are just starting out, and investment in a used set of Ping golf clubs is the smartest move you can make. You will play a better round of golf with 20 or 30 year old set of Ping golf clubs than you will with a brand new set of golf clubs by almost any other manufacturer. Best of all, you will save a ton of money while reducing your handicap.

Still not convinced? Next time you are at the driving range, ask anybody swinging a Ping golf club how it compares to the club they used to play with.

Eventually every new golfer is going to want to buy their own set of clubs. There are very few golf courses left that will let you share a bag of clubs with someone because of the way it slows down play, and there’s really just nothing like having your own clubs to care for and use when you’re out for 18 holes. But should you spring the money for an expensive used set of golf clubs, or would you be better off buying used? It’s a decision that a beginner golfer is usually going to agonize over, but you should pretty much never buy a new set of golf clubs if you’re just in the learning phase. One of the most important factors in choosing clubs is choosing clubs that are right for you, and help you compensate for the specific flaws in your swing and stance. In an early stage of the game where you’re still learning what those flaws are, you’re not going to know what that is yet. It is far better for you (and your pocketbook) to buy a good set of used clubs.

Because you want your clubs to match your swing and body mechanics, the best way to make your decision on which set to get is to physically pick them up and feel them in your hands, give them a few practice swings. At this point you cn also rely on the advice of your friends or acquaintances who play golf, perhaps someone at the shop where you’re searching. They may not know which clubs will work the best for you, but they’ll be able to explain to you a lot of the things you may be unfamiliar with, like the range that is typical for each club, the difference between an iron and a wood, and what clubs you need at a minimum to have a playable set.

Another excellent source of information is to read different reviews of the various brands and types of golf clubs. This won’t tell you how they feel in your hands, but you’ll be able to get information on durability, whether you’re getting a fair price, and what other people have thought of the clubs. Reviews are an excellent way to learn the differences between the brands, and knowing when you’re getting a good deal on your money.

Used golf clubs are the best way for the beginning golfer to get into the game and finally own their first set of clubs. Just make sure to pick the ones that are right for you, and you’ll be on the green and trying for birdies in no time.