Smoking Hot: Top Golfball List for 2010 by Golf Digest!

1,051. That's how many models of golf balls are listed on the United States Golf Association's List of Conforming Golf Balls. After some serious analysis and testing, we've helped you narrow your choice to the 30 balls listed here in the 2010 Golf Digest Ball Hot List.
The USGA's engineers take a fairly deliberate approach to determining golf-ball conformance (the Initial Velocity Test, the Overall Distance Standard and the Symmetry Test procedures require 22 pages of explanation). But our process does one thing the USGA's doesn't: We ask real golfers what works in a blind evaluation.

Our panel of players and editors met for four days at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Fla. The goal was to identify the most effective and intriguing golf balls in the game today.

We realize, however, that even a search of 30 balls can be difficult. One thing we've learned in the decades we've been analyzing golf balls is that choosing one ball over another involves some compromise. Whether it's greenside spin, feel off the putterface, carry distance, dispersion control or even the price, every ball requires you to give up something to gain something else.

Sometimes the differences aren't obvious. More than once during our tests with golf pros and low-handicap amateurs, we heard players extol a golf ball as good enough to use in their next tournament--only for them to learn later that the ball they coveted was a bargain two-piece model.

Before choosing a golf ball, ask yourself two questions: (1) How much spin around the green do I want? (2) How much do I want to spend? These answers and a review of the information on the following pages should give you a starting point for your search.

Of course, if the compromises don't make sense to you, or if you can't see the benefits on the golf course, then our advice is to play the least-expensive ball. Still, we believe there's more engineering per cubic centimeter in a golf ball than in any recreational product out there. That engineering can make you a better player. Try a few, and see how much better you might be.

Callaway Ball Warbird Plus Golf Balls $16.86










Over the next few posts we will present the finding of the Golf Digest study. For more information now visit

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equipment/hot-list/2010-06/hotlist2010-golfballs#ixzz0nkp3OK72

Putters never become obsolete....

After making the decision that putters should be exempt from the Obsolete List, we quickly received confirmation that we had made the right call. All it took was listening to Scott Verplank.

"I really don't know much about the technology that went into this club," says Verplank, describing the Ping Anser (circa 1984) putter he has used almost exclusively since swiping it from his college coach at Oklahoma State. "It just works. I've tried a few others, but I always come back to this one. It has a lot of good memories in it."

Five PGA Tour wins for Verplank, and his two times as a member of the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams, serve as evidence. They also support our premise that any putter that gives you confidence on the greens is OK to keep in the bag. Even if the grip is wrapped in gauze tape, like Verplank's.

Nevertheless, Verplank is open to change, just as you should be. "If I find a putter I like better, I'll switch," he says. That statement makes Verplank, who has used a modern putter in competition on occasion, sound more like someone who plays for fun on the weekend than a man who has made almost $25 million playing golf. But it doesn't make him obsolete.

Think of BillyBerue from Caddy Shack!

Read More http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equipment/2010-05/obsolete-list#ixzz0nkm8lHgC

Hybrids: Make the big Leap!

The evolution of the hybrid is similar to that of snowboards: an offbeat, intriguing, even necessary idea with early shortcomings that eventually changed the sport. In 2004, the Darrell Survey Company polled golfers and found that fewer than 1 in 12 carried a hybrid club; but today 1 in 2 golfers carry a hybrid.
Although the first hybrids were admirable as a solution to hard-to-hit long irons, the latest versions have made fundamental advancements in playability. Designers are now able to create a large face and still save weight (about double that of five years ago), which can help position the center of gravity lower and deeper to optimize ball flight. Freeing weight leads to design ideas that couldn't be implemented previously. For example, the soles on early hybrids often were flat and ineffective, but today's leading edges and sole-bounce angles allow the clubs to move through the turf more easily. Another advancement is the ability to individually adjust head shape and size as lofts change. That makes high-lofted hybrids easier to maneuver and low-lofted ones more forgiving.

These improvements have made the hybrid golf's must-have club.

HOW MUCH LIFE IS LEFT?

There are grades of obsolescence. Our four judges, after consulting with members of our academic and retail panel to help determine what keeps a club relevant, assigned a level of "life remaining" to each club. None of the battery icons is completely full. Only current products might achieve that. Three-quarters full, and you're still OK. Half full means it's time to at least start looking. One-quarter full, and you'd better be buying. The red light on? Don't play with these again. Ever.

By Mike Stachura, Golf Digest April, 2010
Read More http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equipment/2010-05/obsolete-list-hybrids#ixzz0mW5tE000

Fairway Woods: When Are You Loyal to a Fault?

Fairway woods age gracefully. Their slip into obsolescence is quiet. While your eye is always wandering for a new big dog, the fairway wood is a loyal dog. To put it down can break your heart.

But the reality is, over time all dogs lose steps to the pack. Because clubhead crowns can be cast half as thick as they could a decade ago, modern fairway woods are bigger with lower centers of gravity that make it easier to launch the ball for distance (the 1998 Callaway Steelhead was 137 cubic centimeters; today's fairway woods are as big as 200cc). The deep-face woods of the past were effective as driving clubs off the tee, but when used from a tight fairway lie, the ball could balloon significantly, affecting distance. Although modern fairway woods have wider soles, they're made to look pleasing. Designers fiddle with crown curvature and other transitions to make woods play big while maintaining a compact look.

Unlike drivers, only a handful of fairway woods to date have achieved the USGA coefficient of restitution (springlike effect) limit of .83. As designers get better and better, count on a lot more clubs in this category becoming obsolete.

HOW MUCH LIFE IS LEFT?

There are grades of obsolescence. Our four judges, after consulting with members of our academic and retail panel to help determine what keeps a club relevant, assigned a level of "life remaining" to each club. None of the battery icons is completely full. Only current products might achieve that. Three-quarters full, and you're still OK. Half full means it's time to at least start looking. One-quarter full, and you'd better be buying. The red light on? Don't play with these again. Ever.


Article by Max Adler Golf Digest April, 2010
Read More http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equipment/2010-05/obsolete-list-woods#ixzz0mW1nqUFq

Starting the new golf season ...

For most of the golfers in the U.S. it is finally time to get out and play some golf again. The beginning of another golf season will bring the same old challenges as every year. Rusty swings, chunky chip shots, and terrible putts are awaiting us all. Chances are that it will take a dozen rounds or so before the swing and short game come back but there are some steps that can minimize the damage.

Average golfers tend to favor one club at the range, the driver. This is the exact opposite of any decent players. If the entire game of golf is analyzed, it is easy to see that the driver is rarely hit. The majority of shots are played from 100 yards and in. Given this information it does not make much sense to sit on the range and hit drives all day.

Start of the season at the short game practice area. The first trip to the range should consist completely of putts, chips, and pitch shots. Going to the range and shanking a bucket of drivers is not going start the season off in the correct fashion. Practicing the short game for the majority of the range session will improve your game.

In the early season, concentrate on tempo and solid contact. Find drills that address a specific problem in your swing and work on them as much as possible. If help is needed finding drills please comment with the swing or flight path problem and a recommended drill will be given.

Make the most of this season and start it out the right way. Get the short game in order straight away and your golfing buddies will be paying out all the skins.

Source: blog.americangolf.com

Golf Swing Drill: Learn Power and Consistency from the Stack and Tilt

Symptom: Can't seem to hit long irons, knockdown shots, or get yourself to deliver a descending blow to the ball. Or, maybe you can do these things sometimes but not always, and you are not sure how to improve your consistency.

Description: The central tenet of the Stack and Tilt swing is that you "tilt" your spine TOWARDS the target on the backswing, such that you feel almost as if your head is moving AHEAD of the ball. From this position at the top, your downswing will naturally come on an inside path, with a descending blow. Your head will also stay more still, giving you more consistency.

Why it Works: The Stack and Tilt golf swing has been described many times, with much hype, on TV, magazines, with DVDs and training programs you can buy, and so on. The Stack and Tilt Swing doesn't look too different from a regular golf swing, at first glance. There is one key philosophical difference, though, that does distinguish the "Stack and Tilt" philosophy from a more conventional or traditional golf swing.

In the Stack and Tilt is that you try to tilt your spine TOWARD the target on the backswing. This keeps more weight on your front foot than you would otherwise have, prevents you from swaying to the left on the backswing, and perhaps most importantly, ensures that your head stays VERY STILL on the backswing and the downswing.

From this position at the top, you will need to clear your hips very fast, allowing for an inside path on the downswing, giving you that coveted descending blow, and good lag that are mandatory for power and consistency.
Whether you adopt the Stack and Tilt swing for all your shots is up to you. I have found it to be a useful swing thought and practice drill for longer clubs, because it does tend to shorten the backswing and thus prevent over-swinging. This swing thought is also very useful for hitting knockdown or three-quarter shots (as in the five-iron backoff drill). Perhaps most importantly, I have found that the "spine angle towards target" swing was very easy to do -- a couple practice swings and a few shots was all it took for me to start hitting good quality shots in this style.

So give it a try next time you are on the range. You might just find something new and exciting for your game in the Stack and Tilt philosophy.

Posted by GolfTipEditor

How to Beat the Breaks.

This story is for you if...
1. You always read your putts from behind the ball...
2. ...even on severely sloping greens

The Fault
You're missing badly on breaking putts, which leads to fewer birdies and pars and more bogeys. The simple reason for your struggle is poor green-reading technique and alignment.

The Fix
If you want to get a proper read, you need to look at the putt from behind the line you plan to start the ball on, rather than the one that runs directly from the ball to the hole. To do so, pick a spot where you think the apex of the putt (maximum break) will be and examine the putt by looking from behind your ball to that spot. Set the putterhead square to the chosen target line and then walk into your setup, always keeping in mind that your actual target is the apex of the break, not the hole. Stroke the putt to this spot without being distracted by the actual hole. Use this technique consistently, and your green-reading — as well as your results on breaking putts — will improve dramatically.

Align Design
Finding your ball-to-apex line is only half the battle — you must also be able to align your putterface square to it. Any good putter will feature effective aiming lines. If yours doesn't, consider purchasing a new model. I designed a line of Coutour putters with a large arrow on the back end to help you point your putter easily and consistently. For more info, visit coutourgolf.com.

Post by Todd Sones
GolfMagazine.com

Golf Training Aids -- How to Choose the Right Ones.

Deciding which golf instruction book to buy can be very challenging. All seem pricey and you start to see the same material over and over. Some have many pictures, some are all words, some even have diagrams and formulas that you have to figure out. The goal in buying a golf instruction book is to help your game. You must find one that fits your personal needs and reflects directly on your own problems.

I have been around the game of golf for nearly 20 years. Being that I am only 24 this seems like a lifetime of knowledge for me. I have read many instruction books and visited many teachers. I want to help people locate the right books for their needs. Your first step will be to identify the need your golf game has. For example, if you tend to blow up on one or two holes a round maybe you need a mental game book. Or if you seem to three putt every hole maybe you need a book with tips on putting. Trust me whatever your need is, there has been a book written on it.

Your next step, after you have determined which section of books to look in, will be to find one that you understand. If you learn best by seeing then find some that have instructional videos or maybe you learn better by mimicking. If you learn better by mimicking try to find one with lots of pictures. If you have pictures you can use a mirror to copy their moves and feel what it is like to be in the right positions. If you learn by hearing then find some that have audio tapes. These come in handy if you travel a distance to the course, you can pop in the tape on the way to play. I have had great success with these. Whatever the case is for your personal learning experience make sure you get what will work for you!

Finally, do not be fooled by great advertising. Make sure what you buy meets the qualifications you need. If your left handed make sure it has a section dedicated to lefty's. Always make sure what you buy addresses your needs. This way no money spent will be wasted.

These are a few rules that I go by when purchasing a new instructional book. As stated before the market is full of books, videos, and gadgets to help your golf game. Everyone needs help every now and then so make sure when you are in a time of need that you purchase a product that will really help you and your golf game.

Pure Point Golf Book $47.00

Perfecting the Pitch and Run Or Bump and Run Golf Shot in Your Golf Game.

One technique which you need to include in your short game arsenal is the 'pitch and run' or 'bump and run' which is designed to keep your ball low and run in onto the green in windy conditions.

As with all shots the first thing you need to do is to select the right club and most golfers will tell you that the ideal club for the 'pitch and run' is a 7 iron or, if you need a little less loft and more distance because you are still a long way from the green (say more than 150 feet), a 5 iron.


Now the choice of clubs is always something of a thorny subject so here is my advice. Do not worry about what the experts say and, whatever shot you are trying to make, take the club which you are most comfortable with and in which you have the most confidence. Practice with all of the clubs in your bag in a wide variety of different situations and then choose whichever club works best for you in each case.

Once you have chosen your club position yourself to take your shot just as you would for any normal pitch shot. Remember that you want to address the ball so that your front foot is at a 45 degree angle to the target line and your shoulders and body are open and almost facing the target. The ball should also be positioned in the middle of your stance.

When it comes to taking your swing imagine that you are looking at a large clock face straight in front of you. Now the arc of your swing will depend upon the distance you want your ball to fly, remembering that you want your ball to land in front of the green so that it can then run up onto the putting surface.

To begin practicing this shot you should aim to take your club back to no farther than 4 o'clock on your imaginary clock face and then follow through to no more than 7 o'clock. You can then adjust this arc to suit your own style of play and will find that the farther back you take the club the farther your ball will fly. The secret however is to keep the arc as small as possible.

Two other things to remember. First, you must ensure that the arc of your swing, on the back swing, down swing and follow through, remains on your target line throughout. Second, your swing must be relaxed and fluid and you must not slow the club head as it strikes through the ball.

As with all golf shots the 'pitch and run' is something which you must practice over a range of distances and in differing wind conditions. The secret however is to choose the right club for you, stick to the simple rules of the shot and, above all, relax, swing naturally and let your club do the work.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Saunders

Golf Tips: How to Improve Your Irons Golf Game.

One complaint I hear a lot from golfers is that they have no power with their irons. Their approach shots balloon weakly to the right and fall short.

That high-right miss comes from trying to help the ball in the air -- exactly what many people think they have to do. Their instincts are to hang back on the right foot and scoop the ball. The left wrist bends backward or cups, which adds loft, turning an 8-iron, for example, into a 9-iron or wedge. And there's that weak shot they hate.

To be a good iron player, you must hit down and through the ball without trying to help it up. Here are two good swing thoughts: (1) Keep everything moving forward through impact -- your weight, your hands and arms, the grip end of the club; (2) hit with the back of your left hand facing the target. Feel as if you're backhanding the ball at impact. You'll deliver the club with the correct loft, so an 8-iron behaves like an 8-iron, and you'll hit more greens.

Butch Harmon
Golf Digest, November 2009

Golf Tips: Grip Down on Short Irons to Improve Your Accuracy.

Think of your 8-iron, 9-iron and pitching wedge as pure accuracy clubs. If you want to hit the ball close consistently with these short irons, grip down about an inch. In most situations, you don't want your short irons to fly too high and balloon -- typically a result of overswinging and trying to hit them too hard. This makes it difficult to control their carry distance, particularly in windy conditions.

Gripping down not only helps you make a compact swing, it allows you to better control the trajectory -- you want your short irons to pierce the air. Be sure you can see a piece of the butt end of the grip (right), and focus on swinging through smoothly.

David Leadbetter
GolfDIgest.com, November 2009

Golf Tips: How to Escape the Rough.

If you shoot about 100, your best bet is to pitch out and set up your next shot. To get better out of the rough, try this drill: Drop a golf ball in long grass, then place a second golf ball a foot behind it and practice hitting out without touching the second golf ball. Play the ball back in your stance, lean on your front foot, and hit down hard.

-- Dave Maga
Golf Digest Schools Instructor

How to Correct a Golf Slice -- Golf Training Aid

The golfers slice has more than one cause, and if you want to know how to cure a slice in golf you need to identify what is causing you to slice. In general terms, the problem could be an incorrect grip, the body alignment could be wrong, the ball position in the setup might be wrong as well, so might the angle of the club face.

In view of these many factors coming in to play, your job is to find what is making you slice, by eliminating each one of these causes.

The golfers slice is a common fault among handicap golfers, and can be very destructive if left uncorrected. When you play holes with an out of bounds on the right, or a selection of hazards down the right fairway, you will soon see what I mean. It is not only the trouble the shot puts you in, but it takes a lot of length off your shots as well.

Bear in mind that the slice in golf can be caused when the swing is in progress, rather than have its cause in the setup. This cure for the golf slice deals with the address position only.

1. Do not grip the club too tightly as this can prevent you from pivoting fully. What happens next is the hands and arms pull the club across the ball from an outside to in swing plane. The result is a sliced golf shot.

2. Make sure the club head is square to the ball at the address. It is easy for the novice golfer to inadvertently open the club face at the setup, and from there it is likely to stay open through the rest of the swing.

If you do not know what a square position for the club face looks like, stand opposite someone who does, then go grip the club from them , without moving the club. You might be in for a surprise when you try this.

3. Your body must be aligned square to the intended target. That means you shoulders, hips and feet must be square to the chosen line of flight. If the stance is open or closed, your body will try to compensate for this during the swing, and the shot will be sliced.

4. Ball position. You must know the correct ball position for each of the clubs in your bag. If the ball position with the driver, for instance, is too far forward, the impact is delayed and the swing path is to the inside track. The club face is no longer square to the line of flight, rather it is travelling to the left as the club face passes from the outside to in, causing a slice.

I hope this article helps you in some way to cure your golf slice.

For more golf swing tips and advice on how to improve your golf game, visit: How To Be Better At Golf, or see http://i-golfswingtips.blogspot.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Woodrow

Choosing the Correct Golf Training Aid to Improve Your Golf Swing.

Choosing the correct golf aid to help you improve your swing comes down to choice. You can either hire a pro golf instructor or try a golf trainer. New gold aids such as a dual hinged golf clubs are unique in that they enable you to master correct timing and tempo and ensure that your swing in falling into the correct plane.

Another unique feature is their ability to provide instant feedback if you hit outside the parameters just mentioned. The design and the way that a dual hinge golf trainer works is very interesting. If you swing out of tempo, or without correct timing, or are swinging outside the correct swing plane, the dual hinge opens and the club instantly breaks at the hinge. Therefore, if you have a flaw in your swing, either on the take away, back swing, down swing or follow through, the golf trainer instantly recognizes this and breaks at the hinge to provide you with instant feedback. This is great as it allows you to know exactly where your flaw is and what to work on, on your very next swing. Learning to hit with the club without breaking it is the correct way to ensure you are on your way to a better shot.

The tightness of the dual hinge on the golf swing trainer is adjustable and therefore the sensitivity can be decreased or increased based on skill level. These golf aids are therefore ideal for beginners and professionals alike and a great way to improve your game.

Weighted golf clubs are also great tools to help you swing better. These clubs are scientifically designed and engineered to fall into the correct plane each time you swing them, teaching you correct timing and tempo. By practicing with these clubs you train your muscles and ingrain good technique into your muscle memory that carries over to the course. The next time you want to improve your golf game consider golf aids like swing trainers to help you do it!

Learn more about Golf aids and golf swing trainers and how they can instantly help improve your golf swing!

John spends most of his time traveling to the very best golf destinations playing on and reviewing golf courses and the latest golf products.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Senaca

Golf Equipment: Selecting The Right Golf Putter For Your Golf Game.

Buying a golf putter that’s right for you isn’t easy. You need to do your homework to find one that fits both your golf budget and your golf game, which means learning the different types of golf putters and golf clubheads available and their advantages. But doing your homework is worth it because having a good golf putter, as I often say in my golf lessons, shaves strokes off your golf handicap.

The key considerations when looking for a golf putter are price, quality, type, golf clubhead, and alignment system. Face insert, loft, and hosel are additional considerations. I’ve talked about these considerations in my golf tips, but here’s some additional information about them.

Price/Quality

Prices for golf putters range from $30 to $250 or more. Usually, the higher the price, the better the quality. While buying quality is nice, you don’t have to overspend to find the right golf putter. Consider putters from all price ranges before investing, but look for one that feels right to you and fits your budget. That can take time, but if you look hard enough, you just might find a good but inexpensive golf putter that will work as well as an expensive one.

Type

Golf putter types include traditional, belly, and long. Most players use a traditional golf putter, which allows for the best blend of feel and mechanical precision. Traditional putters demand “quiet” wrists, a big hurdle for some. They also affect golfers with bad backs. Hence, the increased use of the belly and the long putters. Nevertheless, they’re easier to master than the belly or long putters, which is why I cover them in my golf lessons.

The belly golf putter provides a third point of contact - the abdomen— between the putter and the player, the other two being your hands. This golf putter adds stability and balance to your golf stroke. The belly putter enables a golfer to control his wrist action and assume a near perfect position for golf putting, but the club’s longer shaft and generally thicker grip inhibits feel and feed back. Distance control is also a problem.

Long golf putters provide a stroke with a true pendulum arc, are great for players with bad backs, and completely eliminate wrist action, but they inhibit feel, feed back, and distance control even more than belly putters. Many players consider them the “last refuge” for players with highly active wrists, but you’ll often see them used by pros on the tour who are having trouble with their golf putting.

Clubhead

Golf putters come with blade, cavity back, and mallet clubheads. A blade has the clubhead’s weight distributed to the heel or bottom of the putter, leaving a thin top line to view when addressing the ball. It is harder to control than a cavity back or a mallet. A cavity back features a hollow area in the middle of the club- the golf clubhead’s back, creating a larger sweet spot. A golf mallet putter is bigger than traditional putter’s clubhead but its shape varies widely. Also check out the face-balanced and the heel-toe-weighted mallets, which promote a straight stroke and minimize mishits.

Alignment System

Aligning the golf putter to the hole is critical to sinking the putt, as I emphasize in my golf lessons. If the putter isn’t lined up properly, the ball won’t go in regardless of how well it’s hit. Try finding a golf putter with a visual aid to help you line up the club with the hole, one that you feel comfortable and confident with. There’s no research showing that one alignment system is better than another, so choose one that feels right to you. But make sure you buy a golf putter that has one.

Additional Considerations

Face inserts are available in a variety of materials including metal, rubber, ceramic, plastic, glass, and wood. They provide more feel and feedback, better define a club’s sweet spot, and increase heel-toe weighting. They are nice but not necessary, which I’ve often mentioned in my golf tips.

Believe it or not, golf putters come with about 4 degrees of loft, which keeps the golf ball from bouncing when struck. Most golfers use a putter with standard loft because their hands are vertical to the ball at impact. Loft can be added or taken away depending on where your hands are when you hit the ball.

A golf putter with an offset shaft or hosel appeals to many recreational golfers. The offset helps them address the ball with their forward eye over the ball and a good line of sight to the hole. More importantly, the offset helps them keep their hands ahead of the ball when putting, increasing accuracy.

Golf instruction aside, a good golf putter is critical to improving your golf handicap. But choosing a putter is mostly a matter of feel, so look for one that feels comfortable. If you find a golf putter you think fits your game, try it before purchasing it. Some golf stores have small putting greens that allow you to test a putter. Others will let you take the putter home to test. By all means, do so. It’s the only way to really know.

Putting Secrets Revealed $37.00

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

Article Source: Adapted from http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Moorehouse