This week we answer questions about golf balls -

Q : Do golf balls detiorate over time and use ?

The shelf life of a golf ball depends on the type:
Balata - the rubber windings will lose some tension and compression over 2-3 years
Surlyn-Wound - may lose compression though slower than Balata
Surlyn-TwoPiece - longest shelf life

Q : Are there different types of golf balls ?

There are several elements in the manufacture and design of golf balls which can be bourne in mind when buying golf balls, however at the end of the day, the type of ball you play best with is down to personal preference.

Although there is no connection between the compression of a golf ball and the distance over which it will travel, the compression of a ball will affect how the ball feels when hit. Most ball compressions are rated between 80 and 100. The most common compression ball is 90, the higher the compression the harder the ball will feel when you hit it. A 100 compression ball has a much more "solid" feel when hit than an 80 compression. However, it is down to personal preference as to what you feel most comfortable with.

Q : What are the different types of ball coverings ?

Surlyn	Balata
Manufacture: Comprised of solid core and surlyn cover (man made uncuttable substance).	Manufacture: Comprised of liquid filled core, wound with rubber, covered with balata (soft cover which develops nicks and cuts).
Features: - scuff/cut resistant - less spin - good distance - long life - less expensive	Features: - spin / backspin achievable - allows more control of ball - cuts easily - short life - higher cost

Q : How long do golf balls last ?

Golf balls do not last forever. A balata covered ball will lose tension in the rubber windings and also compression over 2-3 years. A surlyn covered ball will also lose compression, but not as quickly, two-piece surlyn balls have the longest shelf life.

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Q : What is the difference between men's and women's golf clubs ?

Womens clubs are shorter and therefore lighter. The grips are also smaller and the shafts more flexible.

Q : How do you decide whether to purchase graphite or steel golf club shafts ?

It all depends on your swing speed and tempo, graphite is normally for a slower swing speed so you get more flex out of your shafts on the down swing. Steel is a lot cheaper and a lot more durable than graphite, and the advantages of graphite are pretty minimal. Steel shafts are also much more consistently manufactured, so you're more likely to get a consistent variation between adjacent clubs than with graphite. They also twist less under torque than even the best of graphite shafts. This means implies that you will probably get more consistent iron shots with steel than with graphite.

Graphite shafts are lighter, so in principle a player should be able to generate a little higher clubhead speed with a graphite shaft. Also graphite absorbs vibration better, so if you have sore hands it is said that it is a little more pleasant to play with graphite.

Q :  What is the usual cause for hitting the ball off the toe of the club and what is a good drill to correct this ?

Coming over the top is the cause of this problem. When the club approaches the ball from outside the ball-to-target line it will travel too much to the inside after impact. This is called an out-to-in swing path and is also at the same time very steep. The only part of the clubface that can contact the ball is the toe end. This happens all too often when a player uses his bigger muscles (especially the shoulders) and swings too hard at the ball causing an in-to-out path. 

To correct this problem and shallow out the plane. Stand with your feet together and make shorter swings (7 iron) with mostly the arms and make sure that you hinge your wrists in the back and through swings. This will give you a better feel for he clubhead and teach you how to swing the clubhead through the ball rather than hitting at it. You will be very surprised how far you can hit the ball with this drill and how much easier it is to hit the middle of the club. Effortless power is the secret and not powerless effort!!!

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Q. Keeping your head down improves your swing.

 

False . Contrary to popular belief, your head should rotate in your backswing and release with the rest of your body as you make contact with the ball.

The worst thing you can do either at address or during your backswing is tuck your chin down into your chest.

If your head is pinned down and remains frozen, your posture will be out of balance and your swing will be rigid and inhibited.

As for keeping your head down past impact, that, too, is a golf-swing killer.

If you don't release your head with your body, it will prevent rotation and weight transfer to an athletic finish position, and worse, it will prevent your club from squaring up at impact.

The result? Short, weak shots to the right (for a right-handed player).

 

Q. A bigger backswing leads to a bigger shot.

 

False. The key to good golf is swinging forward with speed and power toward your target. Your backswing needs to be balanced and athletic to give you a chance to do that.

So many golfers I see are lifting or turning too much, which makes it nearly impossible to move forward properly. If you want to play better golf, control your backswing and focus more on getting to a finish position.

 

Q. Graphite is whippier than steel.

 

False. A quality graphite shaft that's fitted for you can really help you get a few extra yards off the tee.

 

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Q.Golfers with faster swing speeds get disproportionately greater distance benefits from new golf balls that have been introduced after 2000.

False. Physics, scientific tests, and actual results on the PGA Tour all confirm that faster swinging players have not gained a disproportionate amount of distance from modern golf balls. An example: Corey Pavin, the shortest hitter in 2000, gained about the same amount of distance from 2000 to 2005 (7.4 yards) as the longest (John Daly at 8.7 yards).

Q. Golf ball distance is not currently limited.

False. Golf ball distance has been regulated since 1976 and golf ball rebound characteristics have been regulated since the 1940s. In 2004, the USGA updated its testing methodology to more closely reflect the athleticism and clubs of today's Tour pros. All golf balls played on Tour and the vast majority of golf balls sold have passed the USGA’s distance limit test.

Q. Driving distance on Tour is increasing rapidly

False. While average PGA Tour driving distance significantly increased over the past 10 years, it has leveled off during the past three. The average increase since the level of 2003 to the current level in 2006 is only about 1 yard per year.

Q. The longest hitters on the PGA Tour finish higher on the money list.

False. While some long-driving professionals have been very successful, on average, the top 10 driving distance players have actually been falling down on the money list in recent years. From 1980-85 the average rank was 64.2; in 2000-2005 it was 77.1. The second worst single year average rank on the money list of the longest 10 drivers was in 2004 with an average rank of 103.3.

Q. Most of the PGA Tour professionals swing at 120 mph or more.

False. The average swing speed on the PGA Tour is approximately 113 mph. There are some who swing at or higher than 120 mph, but they are clearly in the minority.

Q. The USGA ball test doesn't control ball distance well enough because actual pro golfer swings are different than the test method.

False. The test method employed by the USGA, using a 120 mph swing speed, is representative of the swing conditions used by the longer PGA Tour professionals. The USGA tests balls like the PGA Tour pros hit balls.

Q. The average distance for 5-irons on Tour is more than 200 yards.

False. The PGA Tour Shotlink system, which records virtually all shots throughout the season, shows that the average 5-iron shot from fairway to green is approximately 185 yards. From the tee on par threes, the average 5-iron distance is about 197 yards.

Q. You get more distance when you put topspin on a drive.

False. Every normally struck drive has backspin. Backspin generates lift and keeps the ball in the air. You can put topspin on a ball – but only when you 'top' the ball. It will go a very short distance and dive into the ground.

Q. Accuracy off the tee isn’t as important as it used to be on the PGA Tour.

That’s no myth, it’s true. During the '80s driving accuracy was almost as strong a predictor of money-winning as putting. Today it has fallen to the lowest level ever.

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