Featured Article Big Bertha Irons - A Brief History Author: Jonathan Blaze Big Bertha. In the world of golf, this is a name that is synonymous with forgiveness, feel, and performance. Introduced by Callaway Golf in 1994, the Big Bertha Irons began a revolution with an iron designed to push weight to the edge of the club. This unique design became the foundation upon which Callaway would continue to improve, amazing us with each and every new model. In 1996, Callaway released an updated version of the original Big Bertha Irons with a few modifications. In the new model, designers used the size of the club head and the volume of the cavity to push weight farther out to the edges of the club head. A Bore-through hosel which actually extends through the club shaft providing more stability and the feel that is expected of all Callaway products. The Sole was modified slightly model to allow for the club to pass through poor lies with even less friction than the before. Callaway also introduced the Big Bertha Gold Series Iron in 1996. Using the prototype of the original Big Bertha Iron, designers repositioned the sweet spot, added a new contoured sole and redistributed the weight in the head. The Big Bertha Gold Series has a RCH Series 96 shaft and are manufactured from an aluminum bronze alloy for a softer feel. The Gold Series Iron retained the original's 360-degree undercut channel and the consistently thin face. The Great Big Bertha Tungsten Titanium Iron hit the course in 1997. In this design, Callaway used Titanium with a Tungsten insert to create a club head that was perfect for use in just about all conditions. The Insert represents only 15 percent of the club head volume but accounts for 40 percent of the weight, keeping the size perfect and the center of gravity exactly where it should be. The Big Bertha X-12 Irons and X-12 Pro Series Irons followed in 1998. Featuring a lower center of gravity than the original Big Bertha Irons, the X-12 was designed to help golfers get the ball airborne. The X-12's retained the 360-degree undercut channel, Callaway's patented S2H2 and Tru-Bore Technologies. The Pro-Series was designed for lower handicap golfers and featured the Less-Offset design which enables the more experienced golfer the ability to work the ball more easily. Also featured are the 360-degree undercut channel, the S2H2 and Tru-Bore Technologies. The X-12 Irons were the first Stainless Steel Irons introduced by Callaway and many believe it was this iron that set the standard for high performance irons to follow. The Steelhead X-14 Irons followed the X-12 in 2000 and quickly became the best-selling Iron in Callaway history. Also offered in a Pro-Series, the X-14 featured stainless steel construction and Callaway's Variable Face Thickness (VFT) Technology that ensured a perfectly located center of gravity (COG). Optimized in the long, mid and the short iron, the Face Thickness tapered from top to bottom and heel to toe. The Pro-Series designed for the advanced golfer was designed with Less-Offset than the regular X-14 Callaway's original Big Bertha Irons were upgraded once more in 2002. In this iron set, Callaway added all of it's latest technologies which retaining the original and very popular appearance and shape the Big Bertha Irons were known for. These technologies took the game of the golfer using them to a whole new level with increased forgiveness and maximum performance. Also introduced in 2002 was the Hawk Eye VFT Irons. Quite simply, in this set, Callaway simply used all of their design knowledge and added the titanium package. The most popular addition to the Hawk Eye VFT irons, however, was the internal weight pocket that allowed designers to position the mass deep and low across the clubface. This design provides for unequaled trajectory without sacrificing forgiveness or feel. The following year, Callaway went back to the drawing board to create the new Steelhead X-16 and the Steelhead X-16 Pro-Series. Changes included a shorter blade length and wider topline plus the addition of Callaway's latest technology, Notch Weighting. The X-16 features included a low center of gravity, a cambered sole, and a satin finish. The Pro-Series were given a more blade-like design, Less-Offset, a thinner topline, narrower sole, and a straighter leading edge. In 2004 and 2006, Callaway added two more models to the original Big Bertha Irons as and in 2005, introduced the X-18, the X-18 Pro-Series, the X-Tour Irons and the Big Bertha Fusion Irons. Proving once more than theirs is not a company to rest on it's laurels. Known today as the leader and trendsetter in game improvement, Callaway Golf continues to do it's best to make us better on the course.
 Article Page Main Golf Articles Golf Sites Featured Article Are Ladies Golf Clubs All That Different From Mens Clubs ? Author: Len McGrane Around 22 percent of the country's 26 million adult golfers are women. That's a lot of ladies playing a game they were once locked out of -- 5.7 million to be exact. And with the likes of young wonder golfer, Michelle Wei, making an impact, more women can be expected to be seen in the years to come swinging their special ladies golf clubs on the fairways and greens you play on. There are some distinct differences between ladies golf clubs and those men use. There have to be, of course. A woman has wider hips and more mass and weight in the chest, so her swing is going to be different. Also, women are generally weaker, so their clubs need to be lighter with heads that allow for the difference. And so on. Here's a list of the differences you will notice (or not see, because it's hidden in the design and materials) between the clubs of the two sexes. Ladies golf clubs: - are made of graphite and therefore have more flex, which helps them to get more power onto the ball at impact
- will have a larger sweet spot and a lower center of gravity, to help get the ball in the air
- may be shorter by one inch or even one and a half inches, although height (only) determines the length of the shaft, not the gender of the player, so really a lady's club does not have to be shorter
- are lighter
- have smaller heads
- have less club speed
- come in feminine colors like red, gold, pastel, pink, beige and so on
- have shorter grips because a woman's hands are almost always finer and smaller than a man's
It was not always like this. Golf can be said to date from the time of Julius Caesar, when wooden branches were shaped for the clubs and only men played. And there were no women's clubs when the first woman known to have played the game, the lively, Mary Queen of Scots, played in the 1550s. (As a side note, it's from Mary we seem to have got the name 'caddie', and in her day the magnificent course at St Andrews was built. I'm not sure if she ever played there, but if not, then no woman did until the man-only course opened to lady golfers almost 400 years later.) Women began playing in their own golf tournaments in the UK in 1893, and in the US and Australia the following year, and with this rise in women playing it is probable that shorter and more stylish clubs were being made for them. It is no secret that today clubs for women are a major part of all the big brand companies' inventories and sales.
 Article Page Main Golf Articles Golf Sites Featured Article Discount Golf Clubs - Brand Name Clubs At An Affordable Price Author: Tim Gorman Every person is happy when they hear the word discount. Discount means that the object they are buying is not going to cost full price, so they in turn get a price that saves them money. Discount golf clubs can be very important to a golfer. Some golf club sets can cost a few hundred dollars, and with the right discount in place a person can save a great deal of money. So how can a person find discounts? Well, there are a number of ways to get discounts. One place you may look, is in your local paper for coupons that will give you discounts on golf clubs. This method however can be limited on your location and the possibility that you have no sports stores and such. Another popular way is to look for online coupons codes and promotions for golf clubs that the retailer might have. Some coupons might be "Get 20% off on all Callaway golf clubs this week", and others could be "Buy a Wilson Driver and get a complimentary Putter". Using search engines to find discounts has become quite popular also. You can type in a phrase and a list of matches will come up. Try "reduced price golf clubs" in yahoo search and you will notice 576,000 matches. Out of 576 thousand matches you are bound to find at least 1 discount offer that will make you smile. Usually, the higher the price the larger the discount. A store will not often sell a set of clubs that is already cheap, at a cheaper price. The most common way to find discounts is probably the "walk-in". This refers to when you got to a store to buy some golf clubs and then suddenly you notice a discount sign. The discount sign then reinforces your confidence to buy the set. This, however, may sometimes be a clever trick. It is true that there are many different types of discounts, but many of them can be fake. A fake discount is a discount that really does not save you money, but creates the illusion of it. Some are familiar with this technique, while others have no idea it exists. This is usually not done among large retailers as it would be bad for business, because they are so widely known. A smaller golf store will sometimes put up a discount sign, along with stickers on all the objects just to make them seem like they are offering a good deal. For example, "Wilson Drivers marked down from $89.99 to $59.99", although they have always been $59.99. This will create the illusion that if the customer doesn't get it now it may not be available at that price again. This is also done online, but in a more sneaky manner. An online retailer may offer a great price on a set of clubs that seems dramatically reduced in price, but they can make that up in the shipping price. As we all know, shipping price varies from place to place and the weight of the package. Most customer are not certified postal workers (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc.), so they will have no clue if they are being ripped of on the price or not. Of course there are signs of this, but the websites, that know what they are doing, will not be easy to spot. So instead of going out and buying the first discounted set of golf clubs you see, take some time with your purchase. Ask the cashier questions and find out everything you can, they probably aren't fond of questioning, but that's their job. A number of websites will tell you where to get good deals, on the golf club set you are going to buy, so don't hesitate to use the World Wide Web, its there to help. Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Golf-Swing-Improvement.com. He provides more golf swing tips, putting tips and discount golf clubs that you can research in your pajamas on his website. |
 Article Page Main Golf Articles Golf Sites Featured Article Discount Golf Clubs VS Branded Golf Clubs Author: David Faulkner If you are in need of new golf clubs, and you are not quite sure of what kind you want to buy, then it is a good idea to read through this article first before making your decision. With a mere few minutes of reading, we might be able to save you a lot of unnecessary spending. Everyone on the course is talking about the new model of golf clubs that just came out in the market. If you buy that set, you will most certainly be the envy of your friends, and you will be walking proudly on the golf course, brandishing your luxurious new clubs. On the other hand, there are several discount golf clubs that are being sold in the golf supplies store. Buying those discount golf clubs will not give you more prestige on the course, but you will definitely be saving a lot of your hard-earned cash. The novelty of having classy golf clubs will fade in time, and by then, will your game have improved because of the expensive clubs? It's possible, but to do that, you would have to practice almost everyday. If you are the typical working individual who just likes to golf on the weekends, let's face it an expensive golf club will not do much to enhance your game. Discount golf clubs may not be as impressive, but you can still do a lot with them, especially if you find a set that is quite good. Discount golf clubs are not necessarily substandard. You just have to look with a discriminating eye. You might even find secondhand discount golf clubs that are actually branded. Many stores will sell you an entire set of discount golf clubs at a price equal to the cost of just one of the more expensive golf clubs. If you're lucky, the store owner may even give you a golf bag at no additional cost. Of course, discount golf clubs are not as perfect as those used by professional golfers. But who would really notice? Other golfers on the course will probably not even be interested in what kind of golf clubs you use. The more important thing is how you play, and whether you are having fun on the links. Unless you are trying for the professional ranks, discount golf clubs will do just fine for your weekend golf sessions. Many recreational golfers are lured into buying expensive golf clubs in the hopes of playing a better game. But you know better. Playing a good game with discount golf clubs is definitely better than executing poor shots with a more recent but inferior model.
 Article Page Main Golf Articles Golf Sites Featured Article Discount Golf Clubs VS Branded Golf Clubs Author: David Faulkner If you are in need of new golf clubs, and you are not quite sure of what kind you want to buy, then it is a good idea to read through this article first before making your decision. With a mere few minutes of reading, we might be able to save you a lot of unnecessary spending. Everyone on the course is talking about the new model of golf clubs that just came out in the market. If you buy that set, you will most certainly be the envy of your friends, and you will be walking proudly on the golf course, brandishing your luxurious new clubs. On the other hand, there are several discount golf clubs that are being sold in the golf supplies store. Buying those discount golf clubs will not give you more prestige on the course, but you will definitely be saving a lot of your hard-earned cash. The novelty of having classy golf clubs will fade in time, and by then, will your game have improved because of the expensive clubs? It's possible, but to do that, you would have to practice almost everyday. If you are the typical working individual who just likes to golf on the weekends, let's face it an expensive golf club will not do much to enhance your game. Discount golf clubs may not be as impressive, but you can still do a lot with them, especially if you find a set that is quite good. Discount golf clubs are not necessarily substandard. You just have to look with a discriminating eye. You might even find secondhand discount golf clubs that are actually branded. Many stores will sell you an entire set of discount golf clubs at a price equal to the cost of just one of the more expensive golf clubs. If you're lucky, the store owner may even give you a golf bag at no additional cost. Of course, discount golf clubs are not as perfect as those used by professional golfers. But who would really notice? Other golfers on the course will probably not even be interested in what kind of golf clubs you use. The more important thing is how you play, and whether you are having fun on the links. Unless you are trying for the professional ranks, discount golf clubs will do just fine for your weekend golf sessions. Many recreational golfers are lured into buying expensive golf clubs in the hopes of playing a better game. But you know better. Playing a good game with discount golf clubs is definitely better than executing poor shots with a more recent but inferior model.
 Article Page Main Golf Articles Golf Sites Featured Article Used Golf Clubs - Check Your Used Golf Clubs Whip And Twist Author: Martin Haworth What might look the used golf club bargain deal of the month to you, as it stares out appealingly to you from the golf shop display, might not be all it seems. One pitfall for buyers of used golf clubs, especially if they are a bit inexperienced, is to be seduced by looks rather than the technical aspects of the clubs. So, it is always important to understand whether they will be suitable for you and your capabilities and style of play. Because what looks a bargain, may not always be as it seems. It is worth checking for more. Used Golf Clubs - Do The Twist! The 'twist' in a set of used golf clubs is a measure of how good you will have to be to get the best out of them. How can that be, the clubs are dictating to me that I have to be of a certain standard before I can use them then? Yes, that's right! The whip is where there is movement between the grip of the club and the head. By holding the grip in one hand and the head in the other, you can see just how much twist there is in the club. Generally the twist in one club in a set is similar. When you buy a set of used golf clubs, it's important to check this 'twist' effect out. The more the twist between the head of the club and the shaft (of which you are holding the grip), the greater the possibility there is to hit the ball out of line as the head hits the ball. If there is less twist, then you are more likely to have a better chance to hit the ball straight. Used Golf Clubs - How Much Whip Is Good? There is yet another thing you need to check on when buying a set of used golf clubs. Some clubs have a built in problem that makes them quite challenging to use. If you take hold of the grip of the club and waggle it quickly and sharply backwards and forwards, you will be able to see just how much the club head moves differently from the grip end. If there is a lot of 'whip', then you can imagine how difficult it can be to control. Sometimes you might be very interested in a set of used golf clubs, with large heads at the end of the shaft. With these clubs with the heavy head, you might think that will be a benefit. The problem is that these clubs can be more difficult to control and can be quite unforgiving if you are slightly off line. It's worth paying attention to this possible variation in the used golf clubs you might be thinking of buying, because, whatever the bargain, if you are not ready yet in terms of your capability, you might find you play even worse than you did with your older, much more controllable clubs.
 Article Page Main Golf Articles Golf Sites Featured Article Interested in Titleist Golf Clubs - Save Over $500 on Titleist Clone Golf Clubs Author: Dave Demink Introduction Various options are available for the individuals in regard to clone golf clubs. This is due to the fact that Titleist continues to be the most popular manufacturers of golf clubs in the globe. They also have huge advertising budgets. On account of these reasons, the clone golf clubs carry high amount of value with them. Purchasing The purchase of the clone golf clubs from an online seller, who has no professional staff, no retailing outlets and no huge advertising budgets, heightens the chances of the average golfers of taking advantage of the great value and, the power of golfing with the greatest of technologies. Many of the golfers do not have access for trying the expensive and branded golf clubs. But now, they have the option of trying the new technology by purchasing the less expensive clone golf clubs and save money. Information The individuals can access heaps of information about the clone golf clubs from various sources, by comparing them with there counterparts that are the clones . Some of the aspirants will find the products better and some will find the clone golf clubs having greater value. The information about the clone golf clubs is found in plenty in the markets, on account of the high prices of the name brand products in the current scenario. Information about all types of clone golf clubs, including those by name brand companies can also be sought from friends already into golfing. Want more information on Titleist clone golf clubs? Then visit our web site!
 Article Page Main Golf Articles Golf Sites Featured Article Best Golf Clubs - Do You Really Need the Best Golf Clubs to Play Well? Or Is It All In Your Author: Art Turner The number of different golf club models available today is almost mind-boggling. The variety of designs and materials make finding the best golf clubs like searching for a needle in a stack of needles. Every golf club manufacturer promises that their clubs will turn you into the golfer that you dream of becoming. Are the best golf clubs really about exotic metals and leading-edge design? Or is the critical factor in performance on the course more about your belief in the clubs and what they can do? If you buy a starter set of clubs that you're not really happy with, you may translate that dissatisfaction into weak playing on the golf course. Instead of buying less-expensive new clubs, you might think about shopping for premium golf clubs on the second-hand market. Brands that many people consider to be among the best golf clubs can be found for sale at your local golf shop, through classified ads in your local newspaper, or through online sources like Craigslist and eBay. Diligent searching and an understanding of the value of good golf clubs could help you walk away with a great set of clubs for a fraction of their original cost. Is there a golf course nearby that might have a professional on staff? How about a golf coach at a local school? These individuals would be excellent sources of information and recommendations on the best golf clubs. Not only do they have personal knowledge about how different club designs perform, they also have the advantage of teaching students who probably have golf clubs from many different manufacturers. Leverage their experience to find out which clubs might be the best golf clubs for you. Plus, they may be able to give you some leads on good used clubs. Even with reviews and recommendations, there's really no way to discover the best golf clubs for yourself without trying them out. Clubs that work well for some people might not perform at all for others. Differences in your body size, your physical shape, even idiosyncrasies in your style of play will all determine which clubs are the best golf clubs for your game. You may be anxious to get started with the game, but don't buy clubs today that you'll regret later. To win the mental game of golf, you need to have total confidence in your clubs. So start out with the best golf clubs you can afford.
 Article Page Main Golf Articles Golf Sites Featured Article Golf Club - Which Golf Clubs Can Improve Your Game Overnight Author: Michael Kohler The game of golf requires that you use a variety of different clubs. These clubs are known as woods, irons, and punters. Each one of them is used for driving the ball down the fairway, and inevitably into the hole on the green. The use of each one is actually an art in itself. Knowing more about each one of the clubs is key to understanding how to play the game at either a basic level or a professional level. Here are a few tips on using each one of the different clubs and how to use each one effectively as you play the game of golf. These tips are for professionals or knitters alike because they apply across the board for all kinds of different players. Not too long ago, there were only a few kinds of clubs available. With all the amazing golf club technology available on the market now, perhaps it is time you invested in a new club to help you take the next step in your game. No matter what your budget, there are golf clubs to suit your needs. If you are looking for a new golf club, there here are some examples of the best around to help you improve your game. While there is no replacement for raw talent and experience, a new golf club can help you gain the edge you need to win. Whether you want improved control or increased distance, today's modern clubs can give you the performance you want. The first club to consider is called the wood. It is called this for obvious reasons due to the fact that the end of the club is made of wood. Woods are the clubs you use for long distance shots and driving off the tee. Finding a good wood or driver is one of the most important aspects of the game of golf. If you don't have a good club for hitting your tee shots then you will be behind before you have even started. The most popular material for club heads these days is titanium. Although quite expensive, a driver like this will help you to make the most of your tee shots. You will probably need a number of wood clubs, including a driver and a fairway wood for long shots away from the tee. Look for clubs with a good combination of distance and accuracy. The next kind of club is called an iron. Irons are your main clubs, and are what you use for virtually all shots between tee shot and putting, apart from long fairway shots and bunker shots. With irons giving players great distance than ever before, many professionals are now using irons even more regularly, as they can get more control with an iron than with a wood club for even fairly long shots. Your best bet with irons is to buy a set of irons in one go from the same make. This will give you a nice consistent set of golf clubs that you can use to make all the shots in the game. Let's move on to the very last kind of club that you will use in order to finally get your ball into the hole on the green. The putter is one of the most basic clubs but is also the most essential club for finally getting your ball into the hole. You need a putter that you feel comfortable with and will allow you to get consistent shots in on the green. Perhaps the one golf club that really makes a difference to your game is your putter. Without the right putter, all your work in other shots will be wasted. If you have any doubts about a club, then leave it and come back to look at it another time. You want your golf club set to be perfect for you, so only buy those items that you feel totally comfortable with. The only way to pick the right putter, or any club for that matter, is to have some swings with it and see if it is really right for you. Make sure that you have the feel you want and that the grip and weight of the club is comfortable. The best solution for improving your game is of course to practice on a regular basis. Unfortunately, if you begin practicing with inferior clubs, it may have a terrible effect on your level of improvement in the game of golf. Having the best wood, iron, and putter golf clubs that money can buy may not make you a pro, but it will surely help you improve your game to a level of proficiency that you can be happy with. The best recommendation is to save money for at least a medium value golf club set that will ensure that your golf game will begin to develop at a very rapid pace through consistent practice. After time, and if you have the ability, you may improve your game with just a few weeks of practice with a quality wood, iron, and putter golf set.
 Article Page Main Golf Articles Golf Sites Featured Article Golf Clubs - Finding the Best Set of Golf Clubs Author: Martin Haworth Having the right set of golf clubs can be critical to your personal performance on the golf course. The right set of golf clubs can give you the confidence and the capability to perform at the top of your game. New golfers who are looking for a starter set of golf clubs should consider purchasing good-quality clubs on the resale market rather than settling for cheap new clubs. It would also be a good idea to get suggestions from a golf coach or golf professional. But even after you've gotten advice and considered all the golf club reviews, there are several personal factors to think about. Your own size, shape, strength and style of play should be taken into account when choosing golf clubs. A standard set of golf clubs includes irons, woods and a putter. Irons are numbered from two through nine. The faces of the irons are set at an angle to provide lift. A number two iron has a lift angle of 18°, and the angle increases four degrees for every successive iron. The golf club shaft also gets shorter as the numbers go up; that is, the shaft of a two iron is longer than the shaft of a nine iron. Woods are numbered from one through five. The general rule is that lower numbered clubs hit the ball farther, but not as high. In addition to extra lift, higher numbered clubs also give the ball more backspin. Irons Let's talk about the irons. Traditional irons have the club's weight concentrated behind the middle of the head. This design creates what is known as the sweet spot, the perfect place on the club to make contact with the ball. Traditional irons are preferred by many golf pros because of their great precision and control. However, if you don't make contact with the golf ball precisely on the sweet spot, these golf clubs are simply unforgiving. It's now also possible to get irons with a peripheral weight design. These are also known as cavity-backed or game improvement golf clubs. The weight is more evenly distributed around the edges, which is like expanding the sweet spot of the golf club. Cavity-backed golf clubs are much friendlier to new players. They are mainly intended for beginners or inconsistent players. However, cavity-backed clubs can also be found on the pro golf circuits as well. So if this design really works well for you, don't let the name "game improvement" club scare you away. Woods Woods are so named because they were traditionally constructed of wood. Teeing off and long fairway shots are both situations that call for woods. Traditional wooden drivers are still favored by many golf pros. Alas, much like traditional irons, these woods are merciless if your contact with the ball isn't perfect. For this reason, woods made of metal now rule the amateur game. Today's woods are constructed with hollow shells that offer greater distribution of weight. The only drawback of these new designs is that it may be more complicated to shape or control the ball. Graphite heads offer the best performance, but also have the highest price. The shafts of golf clubs come in different degrees of flex: soft, regular and stiff. In general, stronger players who are more proficient at the sport should opt for stiffer shafts. Most golf club shafts are constructed of steel or graphite. Putters Putters are, for many players, the most personal item in the bag of golf clubs. Putters range from very basic to exotic designs. If you purchase a complete set of golf clubs, it will probably include a basic putter. Eventually, you should probably change a standard putter with a design that's more compatible with your playing style. This is something that may take some trial and error. But after playing a few rounds and spending time in practice, you should be able to find one that works for you. You could take a lifetime deciding on the optimum set of golf clubs to give you the best performance. It's far better to stop dwelling on how much better you might be and get out there developing your skills with a 'best effort' in choosing your golf clubs.
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