Equipment

Finn Scooters are the latest innovation in transport on the golf course. Your personal scooter, carrying your bag and speeding up play.

Finn scooters provide an on-course 'ride' option to the traditional cart. Because they are single player vehicles (carts normally carrying two players) the rider is able to go straight to their ball and with a top speed of 17 miles per hour their claim of speeding up a round of golf is well founded.

Add to that the fun ride, the low center of gravity for novice riders and a good laugh with your friends and Finn scooters are making a lot of sense.

Yes

Legend David Coulthard and pro-golfer Jake Shepherd set a new world record - farthest golf shot caught in a moving car - with the help of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. The car caught the ball 275 metres away from the tee.

Celebrity Golf Events

Coulthard has taken part in several charity and celebrity golf tournaments, where he showcases his golfing skills alongside other sports personalities.

Ambassador Roles

He has been involved with golf brands and events, promoting the sport through his celebrity status.

The answer is no. Although most professional golfers do wear gloves some of them who don’t were/are: Ben Hogan, Fred Couples, Arron Oberholser, Lucas Glover, and Jonathan Byrd (on occasion).

Golf gloves are not required but are recommended for golfers of all levels.

A right handed golfer usually wears a glove on the left hand.

The main reason for wearing a golf glove is to get a better grip and avoid the club from slipping in your hand.

Why do golfers wear gloves?

You can now buy 2-piece, 3-piece or 4-piece golf balls. Manufacturers have determined they can provide different playability based on how the ball is constructed.

The two-piece modern ball is formed by surrounding a spherical molded core made of rubber or synthetic rubber with a hard covering. The ball is painted, stamped with a logo, given a glossy coat and dried.

Three-piece balls have a core center, a rubber covering of the core and a final coating.

Four-piece balls have another covering over the first covering around the core that's not as hard as the final coating but not as soft as the rubber covering the core.

The more layers, the more expensive the ball, due to complexity in manufacturing.

A dirty golf ball can potentially affect the flight by reducing spin, alter aerodynamics and therefore reduce distance and accuracy.

Reduced spin: When dirt, grass or other debris is stuck to the surface of the ball, it can create a barrier between the clubface and the ball, reducing the amount of spin that the ball can generate. This can result in a lower trajectory and less control over the shot.

Altered aerodynamics: The dimples on a golf ball are designed to create lift and reduce drag, which helps the ball fly through the air. When dirt or other debris accumulates on the surface of the ball, it can disrupt the flow of air over the dimples, altering the ball's aerodynamics and causing it to fly differently than intended.

Reduced distance: A dirty ball may not fly as far as a clean ball due to the increased drag caused by the debris on the surface of the ball. This can result in shots that come up short or don't carry as far as intended.

The first club Karsten Solheim, the founder of PING, created was a putter. Solheim named this club based on the sound he heard as the club struck the ball.

Solheim’s first putter was named the PING 1A. Ground breaking in a number of ways, he attached the shaft to the center of the blade rather than the heel which was the norm of the day.

He also transferred much of the weight of the club head to the perimeter.

Apparently, with the original design, the clubhead, when striking the ball, rang out with the 440 pitch used in tuning pianos. Solheim created six subsequent designs to intentionally muffle the "ping" sound.

The top golf ball manufacturers have online golf ball selectors to help you choose the best golf ball for your game.

Golf ball manufacturers have created online golf ball selectors to help you choose the best golf ball for your game.

The selectors give you a recommendation based on your answers to a range of questions such as:

• Are you more interested in improving control around the green or finding more distance?
• What is your handicap or normal scoring range?
• How many rounds do you play in a year?
• What is your flight trajectory?

Most major brands like offer golf ball selector tools on their websites.

Golf club manufacturers have created online driver selector tools to help you find the best driver for your golf game.

Golf club manufacturers have created online golf driver selectors to help you choose the best driver for your golf game.

The selectors give you a recommendation based on your answers to a range of questions such as:

• How consistent is your shot making with your driver?
• How far do you hit your driver?
• What is your preferred clubhead shape?

You can find driver selectors at:

Titleist Website titleist.com

Callaway Driver Selector https://www.callawaygolf.com/custom-fitting/online-driver-selector/

TaylorMade Driver Selector https://www.taylormadegolf.com/driver-recommender.html

Read about online golf ball selector tools.

Golf club manufacturers have created iron selector tools to help you find the best set of irons for your golf game.

Golf club manufacturers have created online golf iron selectors to help you choose the best irons for your golf game.

The selectors give you a recommendation based on your answers to a range of questions such as:

• What is your preferred look in an iron?
• How far do you hit your 7 iron?
• What type of divot do you normally take?

You can find iron selectors at most all popular bands websites including:

• Titleist Iron Selector
• Mizuno Iron Selector
• Callaway Iron Selector
• TaylorMade Iron Selector

You can use an online putter selector tool to help you find the best putter for your golf game.

Choosing the right putter is arguably the most personal decision in golf, as the club accounts for nearly 40% of your shots. An online putter selector tool, offered by major golf manufacturers, provides a streamlined, data-driven approach to narrow down the overwhelming number of options. These digital fitting quizzes help match key putter characteristics—head shape, neck type, and balance—to the fundamentals of your unique putting stroke, giving you tailored recommendations before you even step onto the putting green.

The first and most critical step in using these tools is accurately identifying your Putting Stroke Path. Most online selectors categorize the path into three types: Straight-Back, Straight-Through (minimal face rotation), Slight Arc (moderate face rotation), or Strong Arc (maximum face rotation). Knowing your path is essential because it determines the putter's balance: a straight stroke typically pairs with a face-balanced putter (minimal toe hang), while an arcing stroke benefits from a toe-hang putter (where the toe points down when balanced on a finger) to help the face open and close naturally.

Next, the tool will ask about your desired Putter Head Shape. You'll typically choose between a classic Blade or a modern Mallet. Blade putters (which often have toe hang) appeal to golfers who value feel and traditional aesthetics, and who tend to strike the ball consistently on the sweet spot. Mallet putters are generally larger, offer much greater Moment of Inertia (MOI) for maximum forgiveness on mishits, and come with extensive alignment aids, making them popular for players seeking stability and visual help.

Following the head shape, you will be prompted to select your preferred Hosel Neck Type (the connection between the shaft and the head). The hosel type directly dictates the putter's toe hang and offset. For instance, a double-bend hosel often creates a face-balanced putter, while a slant neck or plumber's neck creates varying degrees of toe hang. Selectors use your stroke path input to recommend a hosel that either complements your existing face rotation or helps correct common misses, such as pushing or pulling the ball.

Advanced selectors will often require inputs on physical parameters and feel preferences. This includes your typical Putter Length, which is critical for setting up your eye position correctly over the ball. They may also ask about the desired Feel (soft, mid, or firm impact) and Grip Style (standard or oversized). These factors are highly personal: a soft feel often comes from putters with face inserts, while an oversized grip can help quiet hands and wrists, promoting a more stable, square-to-square stroke.

Finally, after submitting your answers, the online selector will present you with tailored putter recommendations. These results are not merely suggestions; they are a short-list of models that are mechanically aligned with your specific putting stroke dynamics. You should use this list to schedule a physical testing session or a professional fitting, where you can validate the recommended specifications—particularly the correct length and lie angle—by hitting putts and assessing the feel and performance firsthand.

In summary, the online putter selector acts as your digital blueprint, transforming abstract concepts like "toe hang" and "MOI" into concrete club recommendations. By accurately answering the questions about your stroke, preferred shape, and feel, you maximize the tool’s value, ensuring your next putter choice is based on objective data designed to improve your consistency and lower your scores on the greens.

Odyssey for example has created an online golf putter selector to help you choose the best putter for your golf game.

The selector gives you a recommendation based on your answers to a range of questions such as:

• What type of feel do you like with your putter?
• What is your putter path?
• What is your preferred club head shape?

Club manufacturers have created wedge selector tools to help you find the best wedge for your golf game.

Golf club manufacturers have created online wedge selectors to help you choose the best wedge for your golf game.

The selectors give you a recommendation based on your answers to a range of questions such as:

• What is the highest loft wedge you’re comfortable hitting?
• What do you most need from your wedge; eg. spin, control, forgiveness?
• What are your normal playing conditions eg. soft / normal / firm?

You can find wedge selectors at:

Vokey Wedge Selector https://www.vokey.com/tools/wedge-selector-tool.aspx

Cleveland Golf Wedge Selector https://www.clevelandgolf.com/us/golf-wedge-selector-fitting.html

Callaway Wedge Selector https://www.callawaygolf.com/custom-fitting/online-wedge-selector/

TaylorMade Wedge Selector https://www.taylormadegolf.com/golf-wedge-selector.html

Read about online golf ball selector tools.

Some of the data available suggest that Jack Nicklaus’ average driving distance was 276 yards (252 metres) in 1967 and in 1980 it was around 269 yards (245 metres).

Jack Nicklaus won a long drive contest at the 1963 PGA Championship with a drive that travelled 341 yards (311 metres).

“If we had (the new) golf ball in my day, the best of us would have hit it 300 yards and Jack Nicklaus would have hit it 360.” Lee Trevino told USA Today in 2007.

How many Majors has Jack Nicklaus won?

The maximum speed for long drive competitors is around 210 MPH (338 KM/H).

The average amateur golfer has a ball speed around 150 MPH (240 KM/H).

PGA Tour Professionals are hitting the ball somewhere between 160-190 MPH (258-305 KM/H).

The speed at which a golf ball travels depends on a number of factors, including the club used, the golf ball design and the swing speed of the golfer.

You are allowed a reasonable time to reach the hole and then a further 10 seconds to wait and see.

• Specifically, this is rule 13.3
• If the ball drops into the hole but the 10 seconds of waiting has passed you are required to add one penalty stroke to your score.
• The video below is a great example of how the rule can be bent by a slow walk, a stare, a slow process of taking a stance. Note, in our eyes Zach J. was not intentionally bending the rules but his actions may have broken them. The commentators talk of applying a penalty but we're not clear on the final outcome.

Most golf balls have between 300-500 dimples.

The average depth of a dimple is about 0.010 inches.

The lift and drag forces on a golf ball are very sensitive to dimple depth.

A change of 0.001 inch in depth can produce a radical change to the ball's trajectory and the overall distance a ball can fly.

Dimples are traditionally shaped spherical.

Some golf ball manufacturers use hexagon shaped dimples.

The first golf balls from the 14th Century were made out of wood, specifically beech.

In the 1800s, Robert Adams Paterson made the first molded ball out of the sap from a sapodilla tree, native to Malaysia.

On 11th April 1899, the American businessman and inventor Coburn Haskell got a patent from the United States Patent Office for the rubber-wound golf ball.

This ball is widely regarded as the first modern golf ball. It was made of a solid rubber-wound core that was covered by guttapercha.

You can read more about why golf balls have dimples here Why do golf balls have dimples?

According to the rules of golf, a golfer is allowed to carry a maximum of 14 golf clubs in their bag during a round of golf.

This rule is enforced by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), which are the governing bodies of golf.

The 14-club limit includes all types of clubs, such as drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters.

If a golfer is found to be carrying more than 14 clubs during a round of golf, they will be penalized with a two-stroke penalty for each hole where the breach occurred, up to a maximum of four strokes.

Golfers are not required to carry 14 clubs, and many golfers choose to carry fewer clubs depending on their individual preferences and playing style.

Why Are Only 14 Clubs Allowed in a Golf Bag?

In his final round of the 2001 British Open Ian Woosnam had 15 clubs in his bag. What was the additional club?

The weight of a golf ball must be no more than 1.62 ounces or 45.95 grams.

According to the Rules of Golf, in order to compete in a tournament, a golf ball must not weigh more than 1.62 ounces or 45.95 grams.

Golf balls also must have a diameter not less than 1.680 inches (42.7 mm). They also must perform within specified velocity, distance, and symmetry limits.

Initially the rules were not the same between the R&A and USGA. It was not until 1990 the two agreed to standardise the size and weight of golf balls.

According to various resources a golf glove will usually last around 10 rounds before you need to replace it.

Most commonly golf gloves are made of leather with precisely-placed seams for maximum feel and performance.

How long a golf glove lasts can also depend on how well you take care of your glove, what type of glove it is, and how many rounds you play and practice.

Some of the actions which might cause your glove to wear are holding the club too close to the but of the grip, using a leather glove in the rain, if the glove is too tight or too loose, keeping the glove on too long when sweating, playing with worn grips, using low quality golf gloves or taking the glove on and off too often.

Why do golfers wear gloves?

Do all professional golfers wear gloves?

According to golfpride.com as an overall rule it’s recommended that you change your grips once a year. If you play more than 40 rounds a year or hit the range a few times a week, you may need to replace grips more often.

Golf grips wear down over time due to sweat and oils from your hand, dirt, UV rays and weather conditions.

Once golf grips are worn down they feel slick and lose traction.

There is no penalty and the ball must be played from the new spot (Rule 9.3). This is unless the ball has been previously marked and replaced. In this case the exception in Rule 13.1d applies and the ball is replaced on its original spot.

Another way to remember this rule is to remember that on the putting green, your ball “owns the spot” after you lift it until you play your next stroke.

This approach represents a change from the rule as set out in Decision 18-1/12 on the Rules of Golf that applied before January 2019.

Some of the greats in golf who have played Slazenger Golf clubs are Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Watson and Johnny Miller.

Slazenger is one of the longest established sporting brands in the world with almost 150 years history on playing fields and major sporting arenas across the world in tennis, cricket, hockey, swimming and golf.

Slazenger was orginally established in 1881.

In 1902 Slazenger was appointed the official tennis ball supplier for Wimbledon, a partnership that is now in its 113th year and is the longest running sporting sponsorship in history.

In 2004 Cinven sold Dunlop Slazenger to Sports Direct International for a reported £40 million. They in turn sold the rights to the Slazenger Golf brand in Europe to JJB Sports.

Wedge grind is the manipulation or removal of material from the sole of the club, helping to improve contact with the turf. Different grinds allow for more creativity and consistency around the green, letting you play with ball spin, flight, power, and other factors.

The variety of Vokey grinds give players the versatility to hit any wedge shot.

F Grind: All purpose wedge grind for full wedge shots

M Grind: Multi purpose wedge grind for versatility

S Grind: Narrow and versatile wedge grind

D Grind: The player’s high bounce grind

K Grind: The ultimate bunker club

L Grind: Precision for skilled shotmakers

Read more at www.vokey.com

The Sugar golf ball is a premium 3-piece urethane golf balls, manufactured at the same factories as the big brands.

Sugar golf balls are:

• Designed to compete directly with Titleist ProV1 and other major 3-piece urethane tour balls.
• Manufactured to maximize your control and feel, all without sacrificing distance.
• 27 balls for the lowest all-in price-per-ball in its product category.

And, according to the data available, they appear to be a great value ball for the average golfer.

Check them out! https://sugar.golf/

The Titleist Pro V1 (and Pro V1x) are the most popular on the PGA tour

Titleist has dominated the PGA tour for years, but Taylor Made has started to make strides with their TP5 and TP5x balls.

The Callaway Chrome Softx has recently started to land professional players, and a few have recently moved to a Srixon ball as well.

The best ball for you does depend on your game, but if you want to play the balls played by professionals, you may want to stick with Titleist, Taylor Made, or Callaway.

Bryson DeChambeau’s driver is a Cobra Golf, KING SPEEDZONE DRIVER with 5.5 degrees of loft and LAGP BAD Prototype 60x, 45.5 inch shaft.

Bryson DeChambeau, also konwn as The Mad Scientist of Golf, is always trying out something new.

The 5.5 degree driver head is a Bryson-only design.

Ben Schomin, Cobra tour rep: “Hitting a 5 degree driver at 200 mile-per-hour ball speed presents some very different ball/club dynamics than our engineering team is typically designing for.”

"Mr. Gilmore, I'm your caddy."

Prior to the 2021 Masters Adam Sandler tweeted a picture of Happy Gilmore’s Caddy and Will Zalatoris to his 2.8 million followers. The tweet said “Have fun today young man. Mr. Gilmore is watching you and very proud.”

Will Zalatoris explained on social media that he was “embracing” the comparisons as “a lot of people think I look like Mr. Gilmore’s caddie", so he put that on his wedge.

Happy Gilmore was released in 1996. Adam Sandler plays a rejected hockey player who transfers his skills to the golf course to save his grandmother's house.

The caddy role in Happy Gilmore was played by Jared Van Snellenberg, who now works professionally in psychiatry.

At the time of writing 401 independent Amazon customers gave Vice balls an average of 4.6 out of 5. The 2020 best golf balls review by Golf Digest gave the vice tour golf ball five out of 5 for both 'Performance' and 'Innovation'. Golf Digest scored the Vice Pro golf ball 4.5 out of 5 for 'Feel'.

• VICE provides a good summary of their ball options at vicegolf.com.
• The people at Independent Golf Reviews compared VICE balls to the Titleist Pro V1with a FlightScope monitor.Read review

Read more: When and where was VICE Golf founded?

The numbers on the golf balls do not indicate anything. The purpose of the number is to be able to identify the golf ball.

Most golf balls have a single digit number on them right next to the brand name.

The main reason that manufacturers put numbers on golf balls is to help golfers properly identify their ball while on the golf course.

Playing the wrong golf ball during a stroke, par or stableford competition results in a two-stroke penalty for the golfer who struck the wrong ball.

Bounce on a golf wedge refers to the angle between the leading edge of the club's sole (the bottom part that interacts with the ground) and the lowest point of the club's sole or trailing edge.

The bounce plays a crucial role in how the club interacts with the turf, sand, or rough during different types of shots.

High bounce is useful when the ground is soft or wet, as it prevents the club from digging in and getting stuck in the ground.

On firmer surfaces, a lower bounce angle can be more effective as it allows the leading edge to engage the ground more effectively, promoting cleaner contact and better control.

A chipper is essentially a putter with 37 degrees of club face loft.

Chippers are designed to function like an approach putter, providing an easy-to-hit option that plays perfectly between a putter and a wedge for those tricky shots around the greens.

You will rarely ever find the leading edge of a chipper digging into the turf.

Chippers are played like putters. The ball will even pop out of deeper lies due to the hybrid-like base.

Perfect for golfers who struggle to use their irons around the greens.

A driving range is a facility where golfers can practice their golf swing hitting golf balls onto a wide open area.

A golf driving range should be at least 300 yards long.

Golfers pay for buckets full of golf balls and hit at their leisure.

In most cases driving ranges also offer lessons from PGA professional golf coaches.

Most of the golf courses have a driving range attached as well.

Especially in urban areas driving ranges are also found as stand alone facilities.

A-Wedge stands for Approach Wedge which is another name for Gap Wedge (GW).

An A-Wedge or Gap Wedge is a golf club with a loft between a Pitching Wedge (PW) and Sand Wedge (SW).

A-Wedges have a loft around the 50 to 52-degree range.

A-wedges are versatile golf clubs that can be used in a lot of different situations like approach shots, chips or bunker shots.

Swing weight refers to the amount of weight in the bottom two thirds of a golf club compared to the top third. It matters because it reflects the feel of a golf club to the player, more so than a club's total weight. This is important to match all the clubs within your set.

Swing weight is measured using a balance scale that was patented by clubmaker Robert Adams in 1934. The scale goes from A0-G9 with the greater the letter and number, the heavier the swing weight. An average men’s golf club would have a swing weight of D2 whilst a ladies club would be C6.

It can be influenced by:

1. The weight of the clubhead (2 grams will change the swingweight by 1)
2. The weight of the grip (5 grams to have the same effect)
3. The weight of the shaft
4. The length of the club (altering the length by half an inch will change the swing weight by 3).

What is your ideal swing weight? The answer lies in experimentation.

Forged irons are shaped from a solid piece of steel. For cast irons a mould is made of the shape of the head and molten metal is poured in to the cast.

• When forging a clubhead the solid piece of metal is hammered or pressed into shape using several tons of pressure.
• A forged iron may need the above process repeated several times before being ready as opposed to a cast iron which is ready for assembly once it comes out of the mould.
• Further, a forged head requires grinding and buffing before it can be shafted.
• This explains the more labor intensive approach for forged irons and helps explain the difference in pricing.
• For most of us there is little difference in the utility of the end product but the greater flexibility possible with forged irons does mean they become more important in circumstances such as a markedly upright or flat lie angle.
• The video below gives us sneak peak at the forged iron manufacturing process at Mizuno.

More about Forged Irons

Characteristics

Feel and Feedback: Forged irons typically provide a softer, more responsive feel at impact compared to cast irons. This enhanced feedback can help better players discern the quality of their strikes.

Workability: The solid metal construction of forged heads often allows for easier shot shaping and trajectory control. This can be beneficial for players who like to manipulate ball flight.

Consistency: Forged irons tend to offer more consistent distance control and performance, especially on well-struck shots.

Potential Benefits for Your Game

Given your description as a skilled player with a fast swing speed and ability to shape shots, forged irons could offer:

More precise feedback on strike quality

Enhanced ability to work the ball and control trajectory

Potentially tighter dispersion on well-struck shots

Considerations

Distance: You may experience a slight decrease in distance compared to your cavity back irons, as forged clubs often have less perimeter weighting.

Forgiveness: Mishits will likely be more penalized with forged irons compared to cavity backs.

Adjustability: Forged heads are generally easier to bend for lie and loft adjustments.

More about Cast Iron Heads

Forgiveness and Performance

Larger clubheads: Cast irons typically feature wider soles, thicker top lines, and larger overall heads, providing more forgiveness on off-center hits.

Perimeter weighting: The casting process allows for more precise weight placement around the clubhead's perimeter, enhancing stability and forgiveness.

Cavity back designs: Many cast irons incorporate cavity back structures, which can improve performance for mid to high handicap players.

Technology Integration

Cast clubheads often feature:

Multi-material construction: Manufacturers can incorporate different materials or inserts to enhance feel and performance.

Vibration dampening: Some cast irons include polymer injections or special plates to improve feel and sound at impact.

Considerations

Feel: While historically considered less responsive, modern cast irons have significantly improved in terms of feel and feedback.

Consistency: Cast irons may offer slightly less consistent distance control compared to forged irons, but provide better results on mishits.

Adjustability: Cast clubheads are generally less amenable to post-purchase

The Taylormade TP5x is lower spinning than the TP5 golf ball.

The TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x golf balls are both premium, tour-level golf balls designed for golfers seeking exceptional performance and control.

Golf Ball Construction:

TP5: The TP5 is a 5-layer golf ball. It features a Tri-Fast Core with dual-spin cover, which combines to provide good distance and control around the greens. This ball is known for its softer feel.

TP5x: The TP5x is also a 5-layer golf ball but is designed for higher swing speeds. It has a stiffer outer layer, which results in less spin off the driver but higher launch. It's designed for golfers who want a more penetrating ball flight.

Golf Ball Spin and Trajectory:

TP5: The TP5 typically generates more spin, particularly on approach shots and around the green. It's a good choice for golfers who prefer a softer feel and want more control on their short game.

TP5x: The TP5x produces lower spin, especially off the tee. It offers a penetrating ball flight and is generally preferred by golfers with faster swing speeds and those looking for more distance.

Golf Ball Feel:

TP5: Golfers often describe the TP5 as having a softer feel off the clubface. This is due to its construction and the materials used in its design.

TP5x: The TP5x, while still considered a premium ball, may feel slightly firmer off the clubface, which some golfers prefer.

Golf Ball Performance:

TP5: The TP5 is designed for a balance of distance, control, and spin. It's suitable for a wide range of golfers.

TP5x: The TP5x is geared more towards distance and a penetrating ball flight, making it an excellent choice for players with higher swing speeds.

The AVX has the lowest ball flight, softest feel, and lowest long game spin. The Pro V1x will fly higher than the Pro V1 which results in greater carry distance, a steeper angle of descent. The AVX gets slightly more distance than the other two.

Titleist golf balls are the most used by the top 100 PGA Tour pros.

Titleist offers a range of golf balls, each with distinct characteristics tailored to different player preferences and playing styles.

Titleist AVX:

Construction: The Titleist AVX is a three-piece golf ball.

Performance: The AVX is designed for golfers who prioritize distance and a softer feel. It typically generates lower spin and a more penetrating ball flight, which can result in added distance, particularly off the tee.

Feel: The AVX offers a softer feel compared to the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, making it popular among golfers who prefer a softer touch on their short game shots.

Spin: It generates lower spin on full shots and less spin on short game shots, making it suitable for players who want more control on the greens.

Titleist Pro V1:

Construction: The Pro V1 is a three-piece golf ball with a urethane cover.

Performance: The Pro V1 is renowned for its balance of distance, spin, and control. It provides exceptional performance in all areas of the game, making it a popular choice for a wide range of golfers, including many professionals.

Feel: It offers a soft feel, making it ideal for golfers who appreciate responsiveness on short game shots.

Spin: The Pro V1 offers a combination of distance and greenside control, with a good amount of spin for stopping power on approach and short game shots.

Titleist Pro V1x:

Construction: The Pro V1x is a four-piece golf ball with a urethane cover.

Performance: The Pro V1x is designed for golfers who prioritize distance and a more penetrating ball flight. It typically generates lower spin off the driver and long irons, resulting in a higher launch and more distance. It's a favorite among golfers with faster swing speeds.

Feel: The Pro V1x has a slightly firmer feel compared to the Pro V1, which can be appealing to golfers who like a firmer touch on full shots.

Spin: While it offers slightly less spin than the Pro V1 on short game shots, the Pro V1x still provides excellent greenside control.

Wilson Staff are their premium clubs designed for professional and top amateur golfers. The Wilson Golf range provides great value quality clubs for the rest of us.

Wilson is a sports equipment brand that produces a wide range of products for various sports, including tennis, basketball, football, golf, and more.

Within the golf category, Wilson produces golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags, and other golf accessories. Wilson golf products are often designed for a broad range of golfers, including beginners and recreational players. The range caters to a diverse audience, including both beginners and more experienced players.

Wilson Staff is a premium line within the Wilson brand specifically focused on golf equipment. It is known for producing high-quality and professional-grade golf clubs, golf balls, and accessories.

Wilson Staff's golf product line is often tailored for serious and advanced golfers. This includes forged irons, high-performance drivers, tour-level golf balls, and other equipment designed to meet the needs of skilled players. The range is targeted at more experienced and skilled golfers who prioritise performance and precision in their equipment.

The highest lofted lob wedge we found in our research is the Dr Knockdown 80 degree wedge.

The highest lofted wedge most professionals golfers would normally play is 60 degrees.

Phil Mickelson is playing a slightly higher 64 degree lob wedge.

Especially for amateur golfers, higher lofted wedges are generally harder to play.

The maximum legal driver club head size is 460cc.

The COR (coefficient of restitution) rating also has to be under .830.

The maximum driver club head size which players are allowed to use in tournaments is determined by the USGA.

Drivers not allowed by the USGA can have a size up to 750cc, or more.

Larger driver head sizes seem to give players a little more distance and also seem to be more forgiving.

Originally driver heads were made out of wood.

In 1979 TaylorMade introduced the first steelhead driver into the market.

Titanium driver heads have been around since the early 1990s.

Komperdell Golf

The passionate golfer, Erich Roiser, who started the Golf division of the company said: “Our already existing ski-pole factory offered important advantages because there we already processed 500.000 graphite tubes in various qualities. The know-how we had in this field was the decisive factor to start the production of golf-clubs.”

Product Range

Komperdell Golf offers a comprehensive selection of golf equipment, including:

• Golf clubs
• Putters
• Golf cars
• Golf bags
• Complete package sets

The company prides itself on providing equipment for all areas of golf, catering to both men and women12.

Key Features

Customization: Komperdell Golf offers customized golf clubs with a free 48-hour service, allowing golfers to tailor their equipment to their specific needs1.

Quality: Their products are made in Austria, emphasizing the company's commitment to quality and craftsmanship1.

Accessibility: Komperdell Golf products are available through various channels, including their official website and authorized retailers like Golf House12.

For Beginners

Komperdell Golf also caters to newcomers in the sport. They offer complete golf sets designed for beginners, which can be customized to fit the golfer's size and playing style. These sets typically include high-quality K4 100% graphite shafts, providing a good starting point for those new to golf4.

Komperdell Golf has established itself as a reputable brand in the golfing industry, offering a wide range of products to suit various skill levels and preferences. Their commitment to customization and quality has helped them maintain a strong presence in the golf equipment market.

Komperdell Golf

Karsten Solheim came up with a unique way to reward tour professionals for winning tournaments using ping putters. Each victory is commemorated by creating two gold plated replicas of the winning putter. One of them is given to the winning champion and the other one is kept at Ping's headquarters in Phoenix.

Both putters are engraved with the player's name and the tournament he or she won.

There are now close to 3,000 putters stored in the ping “Gold Putter Vault”. Putters are now added to the collection almost on a weekly basis.

The oldest putter dates back to 1962 when John Barnum won the Cajun Classic with a Ping model 69.

There are also more than 100 Major championship winning putters in the collection.

Over 500 of all the putters are the Ping Anser model.

According to a test conducted by Rick Shiels a wedge with grooves creates 12,000rpm and a grooveless wedge creates 6,000rpm of spin.

Check out the German club manufacturer, Bagger Vance's, grooveless irons and wedges.

30 of the top 100 PGA Tour Players used an Odyssey putter and 30 used a Scotty Cameron putter.

PING and TaylorMade putters were used by 15% and 14% of the top 100 players.

In 2021 65% of the top 100 PGA Tour players used a mallet putter and the other 35% were using blade putters.

How do I use an online putter selector to choose the best putter for my golf game?

When did Scotty Cameron start his company Cameron Golf International?

Who founded Odyssey Golf and when was the first Odyssey putter released?

Which putter did Tiger Woods use to win 14 of his 15 major titles?

In 2021 Tiger Woods’ backup putter from 2002 sold at auction. How much did it sell for?

What is the Ping Gold Putter Vault?

Who invented the first Ping putter and revolutionized how we look at putter design?

Closest to today’s 9 iron was the Niblick.

The Niblick is a type of golf club that was commonly used before the 1930s. It is known for having a high-lofted, short-shafted design, which made it ideal for short, delicate shots around the green, such as chipping and pitching, as well as for getting out of bunkers and other difficult lies. The name "Niblick" comes from the Scottish dialect, where "nib" means "little" and "lick" means "hit."

Collectors and vintage golf enthusiasts often seek out Niblicks for their historical value and craftsmanship.

• While close to the 9 iron it is also, logically, similar to our modern day pitching wedge.
• The Historical Dictionary of Golfing Terms tells us the origin of the term is Scottish and likely a diminutive of nib = ‘nose’. Original niblicks were much shorter in the nose than other wooden clubs, hence ‘short-nose’ or ‘niblick’.
• According to a newspaper clipping from 1858 the niblick was most useful when the ball was in a cart-rut, horseshoe print or a round deep hollow. It seems golf was a little more difficult back in 1858!
• Apparently in 1858, while Musselburgh golfers used the term niblick, St. Andrews golfers called their version of the club a track-iron, likely a reference to cart tracks.
• If you want one you can buy one. The beautifully refurbished niblick in the image above is available for sale at St Andrews Golf Co
• Wikipedia has a summary of olden day golf clubs if you'd like a quick read.

Nike stopped making golf clubs in 2016.

• 1984 Nike launched its first golf shoe.
• 1996 Tiger Woods signed a five year $40 million endorsement deal with Nike.
• 1997 Tiger Woods won the Masters wearing what would become his signature red Nike shirt.
• 1998 Nike introduced its first line of golf balls.
• 2002 Nike launched its first line of golf clubs. Forged irons, wedges and a titanium driver.
• 2016 Nike announced that it will no longer produce golf clubs, balls or bags.

Why did Nike stop making golf clubs?

Bridgestone was founded in Japan in 1931 and first produced golf balls in 1935

Shōjirō Ishibashi, a Japanese businessman, founded the Bridgestone Corporation in 1931 in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.

Bridgestone first produced golf balls in 1935. It was not until 1972 that the company's involvement in golf expanded into the manufacture of clubs.

In 1972 Bridgestone reached an agreement with the American sporting goods manufacturer Spalding to form Bridgestone Spalding Co., Ltd.

In 1982 Bridgestone introduced its two-piece Altus golf ball. It was similar to Spalding’s Top-Flite and marketed to the amateur golfer looking for distance and durability.

In 1990 Bridgestone released new golf balls under the brand name Precept.

In 1992 Nick Faldo scored a breakthrough win for Bridgestone by capturing the Open Championship at Muirfield with a Precept Tour Double Cover.

In early 2018 Bridgestone scored a major deal when Tiger Woods signed to play with Bridgestone golf balls.

GolfrCo was founded in June 2020 in Sydney, NSW.

GolfrCo was founded to provide customers with sophisticated and simple golf apparel at competitive prices. The Golfr logo was created to emphasise the simpleness of a golfers follow through and provides a point of difference on their apparel.

Golfr wants to be with you for every emotion golf brings. From hitting a pure driver off the tee to making a 4-foot left to right slider on the greens, Golfr wants to be a part of your golfing experience.

The Golfr brand wants to encapsulate what golf means to every individual playing this great game. It wants to show that each one of us is capable of pulling off the extraordinary on any given day on the golf course and we want to be there for that emotional ride.

Lamkin Golf Grips was founded by Elver Lamkin in 1925 in the garage of his home in Chicago.

Lamkin first began crafting premium leather grips.

In the 1960’s Elver’s son Robert Lamkin started manufacturing leather and rubber hybrid grips and eventually also synthetic rubber grips.

Bob Lamkin, Elver’s grandson has continued the legacy.

Lamkin now includes customers and factories around the world.

Lamkin manufactures both swinging and putter grips.

Some of the tour players playing Lamkin grips are Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Matt Kuchar, Tony Finau and more.

Miura golf was founded in 1957 in Himeji, Japan by master craftsman Katsuhiro Miura.

Miura is well known for making one of the world’s finest forged golf clubs.

Each golf club is individually made using Miura’s patented forging process.

To this day Miura-san continues to work in the factory with his sons, Shinei and Yoshitaka.

Miura also manufactures the Nicklaus-Miura Commemorative Irons. The idea was to unite the legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus with the legendary club maker Katsuhiro Miura.

Miura Golf

How many Majors has Jack Nicklaus won?

Vice Golf (Vice Sporting Goods GmbH) was founded in Germany in 2012 by Ingo Duellmann and Rainer Stoeckl.

Founded by German law students Ingo Duellmann and Rainer Stoekl in 2012 Vice started selling the highest-quality golf balls first in Germany, expanded into other parts of Europe, and entered the U.S. market in 2015.

Vice was founded on the belief that highly excellent golf balls must be available at a lower price point.

The brand focuses on direct-to-consumer sales, leveraging the internet to reach customers without the traditional retail markup. Orders are taken over the internet and the balls are shipped, directly from the manufacturer, to the consumer’s front door.

The prices are cheap, the golf balls aren’t. Vice Golf balls cost less than half as much as comparable products from other manufacturers of premium balls. In fact, one new, top-quality Vice Golf ball costs about the same as a used ball purchased through normal channels in America.

Unique Design Approach

Vice Golf differentiates itself by utilizing a data-driven process in the design of its golf balls. The company has collected 15 years of fitting data from regular golfers to inform the development of its products. This approach aims to create golf balls that cater to the needs and preferences of everyday players rather than just professional golfers. Their latest offerings include three urethane balls with distinct performance profiles, designed to provide better separation in performance compared to previous models.

Product Range

The product lineup includes various types of golf balls, such as the Vice Pro, Vice Tour, and Vice Drive, each designed for different playing styles and preferences. The Vice Pro, for instance, is aimed at players seeking a premium feel and performance, while the Vice Tour is marketed as a lower-priced option that still delivers good distance and playability.

Market Position

Vice Golf positions itself as a challenger to established brands by offering high-quality products at competitive prices. This pricing strategy, combined with their unique design philosophy, has helped Vice Golf carve out a niche in the crowded golf equipment market.

www.vicegolf.com

According to the Rules of Golf you are only allowed to clean the golf ball: 1) On the putting green 2) Between the play of two holes and 3) Whenever you are taking free relief or a penalty drop.

Cleaning it when you are not allowed to do so will result in a penalty, usually 1 stroke.

A golfer is not allowed to clean their ball in any other situation, including when the ball is in the fairway, when the ball is in the rough, when the ball is in a bunker, to see if it is cut or cracked (and therefore can be removed from play) or to identify it or to see if the ball is in a position where relief is allowed.

Bob Vokey join Titleist in 1996.

Bob Vokey was born in Canada in 1939. His father was a golfer and precision tool maker. At a young age Bob did not share his father's passion.

After leaving Canada, at the age of 25, he was living near a golf course and started playing competitively. Eventually he developed a passion for tinkering with golf clubs.

In 1976 Bob opened a Custom Golf Shop and also created a name for himself as a personal clubmaster for some of the biggest names in professional golf.

He closed his shop to work for TaylorMade in 1986. In 1996 Bob joined Titleist where his first project was finalising the specifications of the Titleist Titanium 975 driver.

Since then he has been specialising in wedges.

Mizuno started manufacturing golf clubs in 1933.

After watching his first baseball game, Rihachi Mizuno from Osaka Japan and his younger brother opened their own baseball equipment shop in 1906. Originally they sold western products.

In 1913 they began to manufacture their own baseball equipment to improve quality and performance.

The first golf products in 1933 were named Starline.

The products were originally manufactured in a small factory near Osaka, Japan.

In the 1970s’ Mizuno started to export its golf clubs to Europe.

Mizuno is one of the world's leading golf iron forgers.

In 1992 he created his company Cameron Golf International.

Scotty Cameron was born in Glendale, California and grew up in Huntington Beach.

Inspired by his father, who had a handicap of 2, Scotty started creating putters in the family garage in the 1960s.

In 1991 he designed putters for selected equipment manufacturers including Maxfli, Cleveland and Mizuno.

In 1992 he started his own company Cameron Golf International. For the next year or so he travelled to PGA Tour events and tried to convince players to use his putters.

His big break came when Bernhard Langer won the 1993 Masters with a Scotty Cameron putter.

Tiger Woods used a Scotty Cameron Putter for every one of his Major victories.

Other players who use his putters include Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.

Scotty is now, arguably, one of the biggest names in putter design and manufacturing.

scottycameron.com

Spalding made their last golf club in 2002.

Spalding was a prominent golf club manufacturer for many years before eventually discontinuing their golf club manufacturing operations in 2002.

Spalding was founded by Albert Spalding in Chicago in 1876.

Spalding started manufacturing golf clubs around 1920.

Its golf operations included the Top-Flite, Ben Hogan and Strata brands.

Around 2003 Callaway bought the Top-Flite and Ben Hogan brands.

The Titleist's Pro V1 was first used on the PGA Tour in October 2000 at the Invensys Classic at Las Vegas.

The tournament was played at the TPC Summerlin. Billy Andrade won the tournament using the new Titleist Pro V1 ball. Runner up was Phil Mickelson.

New Titleist® Pro V1® offers total performance and features longer distance, very low long game spin, penetrating flight, even more Drop-and-Stop™ greenside control and softer feel. - Titleist

Yamaha first started making golf carts in 1978.

Yamaha was founded in 1887 by Torakusu Yamaha. The Yamaha headquarters are in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.

Yamaha’s product range now includes motorcycles, outboard engines, watercraft, golf carts, musical instruments and more.

The golf cart range includes electric, petrol and utility versions.

Bettinardi was founded in 1998 by Robert J. Bettinardi in America.

Bettinardi Golf produces a wide range of golf equipment like putters, wedges, golf bags and clothing.

Bettinardi Golf headquarters are in Tinley Park, Illinois.

Bettinardi products are now available in more than 40 countries around the world.

Tour professionals including Matt Kuchar, Jim Herman, Jason Kokrak, Hall of Famer Fred Couples are using Bettinardi Golf clubs.

Roger Cleveland founded Cleveland Golf in 1979.

Cleveland Golf is a brand owned by SRI Sports Limited which is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

The headquarters are in Huntington Beach, California.

Cleveland Golf was first known for manufacturing replicas of classic golf clubs.

The Cleveland 588 wedge is one of the best selling golf clubs of all time.

Some of the tour professional golfers playing Cleveland golf clubs include Keegan Bradley, Graeme McDowell, Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka.

Ian Poulter Design (IJP Design) was launched in 2007.

"Renowned for his iconic tartan trousers on golf’s biggest stages, IJP Design follows Poulter’s mantra of ‘look good, play great’, combining style and functionality to create contemporary collections that perform to the highest standards and stand out on the golf course.

Over the years IJP Design has established a unique and exciting golf and lifestyle brand with a fashionable edge. The brand philosophy is to ‘lead with the legs’ by designing the trousers first and then coordinating the rest of the outfit around them." - Quote: https://www.ijpdesign.com/

Srixon Sports Asia was established by SRI in 1996 as a sales and distribution affiliate in Southeast Asia.

Srixon is owned by SRI Sports Limited, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. also owns Dunlop Sport.

In 1930, Dunlop started making golf and tennis balls. Five years later in 1935 the popular Dunlop 65 golf ball was released. Today Srixon offers a full range of golf clubs, golf balls, and accessories.

Srixon's stated mission "OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE YOU BETTER. ONE SHOT, ONE ROUND, ONE WEEKEND AT A TIME. WE CAN'T PROMISE IT WILL BE OVERNIGHT. NO ONE CAN. BUT WE CAN SAY WE'LL BE THERE. WITH MEANINGFUL INNOVATIONS THAT START IN THE LAB, NOT THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT. WE'RE HERE TO PLAY, TO CHALLENGE, TO COMPETE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. WE ARE HERE FOR THE JOURNEY, THE JOURNEY TO BETTER."

You can read more about the Srixon 'Journey to Better' at srixon.com

Major winners Vijay Singh, Laura Davies, Keegan Bradley, and Graeme McDowell all play the Srixon Z-Star ball.

TaylorMade Golf was founded in 1979.

In 1979 golf equipment salesman Gary Adams took out a $24,000 loan on his home and founded the TaylorMade Golf Company.

He originally only sold one item, his newly invented and innovative product, a 12-degree driver cast of stainless steel.

Now the company focuses on the golf equipment market in general, producing golf clubs, balls, and clothing. Starting with $47,000 in sales in 1979, TaylorMade eventually reached its first billion dollars in revenue in 2006.

The same values singled out 30 years ago by Gary Adams are still revered and practiced today at TaylorMade as they continue to deliver products that help players of all skill levels reach their potential.

Titleist was founded in 1930 by Philip E. Young.

Philip Young, a dedicated amateur golfer, was the owner of a precision moulded rubber company.

When playing around with his friend, a dentist, Young missed a perfectly struck putt in the match. He was convinced that the ball itself was at fault and not his putting stroke.

After the game he asked his friend to X-ray the ball and the result showed that the rubber core was off-center. Young kept sampling more and more golf balls and found that most of them were poorly constructed.

With this knowledge in mind Young persuaded Freed Bommer, a rubber specialist and passionate golfer, to head up the Acushnet Golf Division.

The aim was to develop the highest quality and best performing golf ball of the world.

It took them three years to perfect the Titleist golf ball. But when it came out in 1935 it was introduced to club professionals and amateur golfers as the best ball ever made.

Here are some key aspects of Titleist:

Golf Balls: Titleist is renowned for producing the #1 golf ball in the world, trusted by a majority of professional players. Their product line includes various models designed for different playing styles and conditions, focusing on performance attributes like spin, distance, and feel.

Clubs and Equipment: Titleist offers a wide range of golf clubs, including drivers, irons, wedges, and putters. Their clubs are designed with advanced technology to enhance performance, providing options for both amateur and professional golfers.

Custom Fitting: Titleist emphasizes the importance of custom fitting for clubs and balls to optimize performance. They provide fitting services to help golfers select the right equipment tailored to their individual swing characteristics and playing style.

Innovation: The brand is committed to continuous improvement and innovation, utilizing cutting-edge technology in the design and manufacturing of their products. This includes advancements in materials and engineering to enhance the overall golfing experience.

Tour Presence: Titleist has a strong presence on professional tours, with many top players using their equipment. This endorsement reinforces the brand's reputation for quality and performance.

The rest is history! www.titleist.com

Takomo golf clubs are manufactured in southeast Asia and shipping comes from the company's warehouse in Hong Kong.

Takomo golf manufactures Irons, Drivers, Woods, Utility Irons, Wedges and accessories like bags.

The clubs are sold directly to the customer which cuts costs.

The Takomo Manufacturing Co Ltd Headquarters are located in Finland.

The Callaway headquarters are located at 2180 Rutherford Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008, United States.

Callaway was founded in 1982 by Ely Reeves Callaway, Jr. an American entrepreneur, winemaker and vintner.

Callaway Golf sells golf clubs and golf balls as well as apparel and footwear and is one of the largest golf equipment companies in the world.

In 2020, Callaway Golf had net sales amounting to around 1.7 billion US dollars.

Callaway mission statement

Callaway Golf Company is a premium golf equipment and active lifestyle company with a portfolio of global brands, including Callaway Golf, Odyssey, OGIO, TravisMathew and Jack Wolfskin. Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, we manufacture and sell premium golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags and golf accessories as well as active lifestyle apparel, footwear, backpacks, sport and travel bags, and other active lifestyle equipment and accessories.

Source: https://www.callawaygolf.com/

The Ping headquarters are located at 2201 W Peoria Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029, United States.

Ping was founded in 1959 by Karsten Solheim who started making putters in his garage in California.

Ping focuses on golf equipment producing golf clubs and golf bags.

Ping's total revenue for the full year 2020 was $243.6 million.

Company website: https://ping.com/

The Titleist headquarters are located at 333 Bridge Street Fairhaven, Massachusetts.

Titleist was established in 1932 by Phillip E. Young focusing on golf balls and clubs.

The brand Titleist is produced by the Acushnet Company.

Acushnet employs around 3000 people in Massachusetts, making it one of the largest employers in the region.

In 2002 Titleist reached the $1 billion mark in annual revenues.

AcushnetC mission statement:

We are the global leader in the design, development, manufacture and distribution of performance-driven golf products, which are widely recognized for their quality excellence. Driven by our focus on dedicated and discerning golfers and the golf shops that serve them, we believe we are the most authentic and enduring company in the golf industry. Our mission - to be the performance and quality leader in every golf product category in which we compete - has remained consistent since we entered the golf ball business in 1932. Today, we are the steward of two of the most revered brands in golf – Titleist, one of golf’s leading performance equipment brands, and FootJoy, one of golf’s leading performance wear brands.

Source: https://www.acushnetholdingscorp.com/

The parent company, Wilson Sporting Goods, is headquartered in Chicago Illinois.

Wilson Sporting Goods was founded in 1914 and manufacture a range of sporting goods and sportswear including for golf, tennis, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, football.

Many of professional golfers have used Wilson equipment, including Gene Sarazen.

Kirkland golf balls are available for purchase at Costco Warehouse stores.

Costco is a membership-based warehouse retailer.

You might also find Kirkland golf balls listed for sale on the Costco website.

Kirkland golf balls are known for their quality and value.

Who makes Kirkland golf balls for Costco?

According to Sarazen’s daughter, when the plane took off Sarazen noted the flaps on the wings come down and he envisaged a flange he could add to a club to help it slide through the sand.

• Howard Hughes himself was a scratch golfer and he and Sarazen were apparently good friends.
• Before Sarazen's invention there were a number of "spoon" clubs with varying degrees of loft being used in sand traps - many of these clubs did not conform with USGA or R&A.
• After Sarazen designed the new club he sent the prototype to Wilson where the first mass produced sand wedges were manufactured.
• This is the golf.com article re-telling the interview with Mary Ann Sarazen.

Golf wedges have continued to evolve sine the Sarazen creation. They are specialized clubs designed for short-range shots, and they vary in loft and distance. Here is a breakdown of the common types of wedges and their typical ranges:

Pitching Wedge (PW):

Loft: 44-48 degrees

Distance: 90-125 yards for average golfers.

Gap Wedge (GW):

Loft: 49-53 degrees

Distance: 80-110 yards.

Sand Wedge (SW):

Loft: 54-58 degrees

Distance: 65-95 yards.

Lob Wedge (LW):

Loft: 58-60 degrees

Distance: 60-80 yards.

The loft of a wedge affects its trajectory and distance, with higher lofts resulting in higher trajectories and shorter distances. The choice of wedge depends on the specific shot requirements and the golfer's personal preference.

The Christmas Island golf course.

• Christmas Island is 2,600 kms north north west of Perth, Western Australia
• The golf course is 9 holes with a par of 32.
• Green fees are $15 for 9 holes. Or, if you want to play 18, it’s still just $15!
• It’s the ‘robber’ crab, the world’s largest land crab, that is the cause of the local rule.
• Try something different and register for the annual Christmas Island Open.
• The video below shows a course without too much in the way of hazards (when the crabs aren’t out) but a beautiful and peaceful environment for a fun day out.

Overview

Location: Situated 2,600 kilometres northwest of Perth, Western Australia, Christmas Island is known for its stunning natural beauty and tropical climate.

History: Established in 1955, the course has a rich history and is notable for its distinctive local rules, including one that addresses the playful land crabs that may take your golf ball.

Course Features

Course Type: The golf course is set atop a volcanic sea mount, providing breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and lush surroundings.

Wildlife: The course is home to unique wildlife, including nesting Christmas Island Frigate Birds and the famous red crabs, which add an exotic twist to the golfing experience.

Events and Community

Weekly Events: The golf club hosts regular events such as Ladies Golf on Wednesdays and Men’s Scroungers on Fridays, fostering a welcoming community atmosphere.

Christmas Island Golf Open: This annual tournament takes place in May and attracts golfers from around Australia and beyond. The next event is scheduled for May 17-19, 2024, featuring various competitions and social activities.

The five founding clubs of the USGA are Chicago Golf Club, The Country Club, Newport Country Club, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and Saint Andrew's Golf Club.

In 1894 the five clubs got together to create the United States Golf Association (USGA).

Chicago Golf Club is located in Wheaton, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, and was founded in 1892.

The Country Club is located in Brookline, Massachusetts and was founded in 1882.

Newport Country Club is located In Newport, Rhode Island and was founded in 1893.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is located in Southampton, New York, on Long Island and was founded in 1891.

Saint Andrew's Golf Club is located in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York and was founded in 1888.

Top of the list names include Rahm, Schauffele, Mickelson, Leishman, Francesco Molinari, Danny Willett, Thomas Detry, Min Woo Lee, Carlota Ciganda, Sandra Gal, and Georgia Hall.

There are champions, seasoned professionals and upcomers on all major tours playing Callaway golf clubs. As well as those mentioned above we include Sam Burns, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Kevin Na, Branden Grace, Dylan Frittelli, Jim Furyk, Talor Gooch, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, and Marcus Armitage. Women professionals include Madalene Sagstrom, Andrea Lee, Anne Van Dam, Laura Davies, and Morgan Pressel.

Read the complete list on the Callaway site.

Club designer Thomas Crow founded Cobra golf in 1973.

Tom Crow was a former Australian Amateur champion and course-record-holder at Royal Melbourne’s West Course - the number one ranked golf course in Australia.

He was also a pioneer in the equipment industry. In 1975 Tom developed the "Baffler" first utility wood. The Baffler has a patented sole-plate design that's effective from various lies.

Later in 1979 he introduced the extended-length driver, a 46-inch driver with a graphite head and shaft.

Tom Crow died in January 2020 at the age of 88.

In April 2010, PUMA AG purchased Cobra Golf and created a new company, COBRA-PUMA GOLF.

www.cobragolf.com.au

Odyssey Golf was founded by Michael Magerman who created his first putter in 1991.

The first Odyssey putters were one-piece mallet putters with Stronomic metal.

After the first PGA tour victory with an Odyssey putter, Odyssey set the standard for putters in the golf industry.

Odyssey quickly expanded its range of models and design. In 1997 the company established itself as the number one putter in golf.

In July 1997, Callaway Golf purchased Odyssey for $130 million, which was nearly four times the company's annual sales of $35 million at the time.

Marcus Armitage ("the Bullet") set a new record in April 2021 when he hit a golf ball 303 yards into the back of a BMW M8 driven by British race car driver Paul O'Neill.

Marcus Armitage turned professional in 2008. He rejoined the European Tour in 2020. His best finish to date was a win in the Porsche European Open in June 2021.

Paul O'Neill competed in the British Touring Car Championship from 2001 to 2013, finishing 4th overall in 2003 and the British GT Championship in 2007, 2008 and 2014.

Karsten Solheim designed the first PING putter, known as the PING 1A, in his garage in 1959 before founding Karsten Manufacturing, manufacturer of all PING product.

• Karsten Solheim took up the game at the age of 42 but struggled with his putting. This led him to create his then revolutionary design attaching the shaft to the head of the putter in the center rather than at the heel.
• As a mechanical engineer he brought his approach to science to the process of putter design.
• The first PGA tour victory with a PING putter came quickly – in 1962. The first Major won with a PING putter was the 1969 Masters won by George Archer.
• Solheim was the driving force behind the Solheim Cup, the professional women’s teams biennial event.
• Listen to the distinctive PING that gave the brand it’s name in this 4 second video.

More about PING

Company Growth

The company moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1961, where it continued to grow. PING was the first manufacturer to offer factory fitting for golf clubs, which revolutionized how equipment was tailored to individual players.

Products

Golf Clubs: PING produces a wide range of golf clubs, including drivers, irons, wedges, and putters. Their products are known for their performance, customization options, and innovative technology. For instance, the G430 MAX driver is noted for its high moment of inertia (MOI), making it one of the most forgiving drivers available.

Custom Fitting: PING emphasizes custom fitting, allowing golfers to select clubs that match their specific physical characteristics and playing style. This fitting process is supported by a comprehensive checklist of player data.

Started by Ely Reeves Callaway Jr in 1982, Callaway Golf is one part of the Callaway Family interests.

The Callaway Golf Company was founded by Ely Callaway Jr.

Callaway had been successful in both the textile and wine industries and, after selling his vineyards, he bought half of Hickory Sticks USA. The company was renamed Callaway Hickory Stick USA and so started Callaway Golf.

The members of the Callaway Family certainly know how to create and run a business. Other business interests include:

• Callaway Arts & Entertainment
• Callaway Gardens
• Callaway Cars
• Callaway Engineering
• Callaway C-Projects
• Callaway Competition
• Callaway Carbon

Read more about the Callaway Family interests.

The Kirkland golf balls are made by Qingdao SM Parker in China.

Kirkland golf balls are sold exclusively at Costco stores.

Costco’s Kirkland Signature golf balls are premium balls with high performance. They are offered at a much lower price than other products on the market.

About Qingdao SM Parker the manufacturer of Kirkland Golf Balls.

Qingdao Dongsung Golf Co Ltd was founded in 1994 and is located in China. The company's line of business includes the manufacturing of sporting and athletic goods including Golf Balls for Costco.

Kirkland Signature golf ball design

The golf ball is made as a three-piece ball with a 338-dimple, injected urethane cover.

In terms of design, it’s often compared to the Titleist Pro VI, Mizuno RB Tour, and the Volvik S4.

If you've been on the fence about trying them out, it might be worth giving them a shot.

Kirkland Performance+ Signature Golf Balls Review

According to Rick Shiels the Kirkland 3 piece golf ball:

• Feels similar to a Pro V1.
• With a 56 degree wedge, the spin rate is similar to a Pro V1.
• With a 7 iron the carry distance is similar but the spin rate is slightly lower than a Pro V1.
• With a driver the distance was down by 10 yards compared to a Pro V1.
• Durability: It wears quicker than a Pro V1.

Costco offers a range of Kirkland golf balls:

• The Kirkland Signature Tour Performance.
• The Kirkland Performance+
• The Kirkland Signature Distance.

Overall, Kirkland golf balls are a great option for golfers who want a high-quality ball at an affordable price.

Fila Korea owns the Titleist golf company after buying it from Fortune Brands in 2011

Titleist as a brand started with a golf ball created by Philip E. Young and manufactured by his company, Acushnet.

Fortune Brands bought Acushnet in 1976 and held it until 2011 when it sold Acushnet, including the Titleist golf manufacturing division, to Fila Korea for $1.23 billion.

XXIO is a Japanese premium golf brand which is a part of Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd. owned by SRI (Sumitomo Rubber Industries).

XXIO was introduced in 2000 by Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd.

The brand was introduced as a separate entity from Dunlop with a specific focus on producing golf clubs that catered to golfers seeking increased distance, forgiveness, and ease of use.

In 2007, XXIO became a part of the Srixon Sports Group, a global golf company renowned for its high-quality golf balls and equipment. This collaboration further strengthened XXIO's position in the golf industry.

XXIO has developed a reputation for producing high-quality golf clubs that provide golfers with a premium experience. It is the number 1 selling brand in golf in Japan.

Professional golfers who play using Wilson Staff golf clubs include Gary Woodland, Kevin Tway, Brendan Steele, Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie, and Kevin Streelman.

You can find the full, current list of professional golfers who play Wilson Staff clubs at www.wilson.com.

Maybe even more interesting is the long list of past players- some of the best in the world - that have played Wilson Staff in the past. Wilson Staff irons have been used to win a massive 62 Majors by players including Payne Stewart, John Daly, Bernhard Langer, Arnold Palmer, and Gene Sarazen.

You can review the complete list of Majors won with Wilson Staff, and the players at Wikipedia

At the end of 1936 the USGA and R&A announced a 14 club limit to take effect in 1938. No one really knows why the number 14 was chosen. The most likely answer is because of the standardization of golf clubs at the time. A set of golf clubs typically comprised of nine irons, a putter and four woods.

The USGA had three main reasons for introducing the rule:

• “De-skilling” the game.
• Inequality between wealthy golfers, who could afford many clubs, and average players who couldn’t.
• Caddies, who were having to carry bags that weighed in excess of 35 pounds.

Prior to that rule golfers were allowed to bring as many clubs as they liked. A field survey at the 1935 US Open and Amateur found that the average number of clubs carried by a single player that day was 18. It simply became too much for the caddies.

The highest total number of 35 clubs, a player carried, was recorded in 1935. He had a full set of left- and right-handed clubs in the same bag. His feeling was, ‘If my ball comes to rest against a tree, why should I be disadvantaged?’ It was around this time everyone decided things were out of control.”

Historical Context

The introduction of the 14-club limit was influenced by the evolution of golf equipment. In the early 20th century, the shift from manufacturing hickory to steel-shafted clubs led to an increase in the number of clubs players carried.

Reasons for the Limit

Skill Development: Limiting the number of clubs encourages golfers to develop their skills with a smaller selection, fostering creativity and adaptability on the course. Players must learn to execute a wider variety of shots with fewer options.

Pace of Play: Fewer clubs streamline decision-making during play, reducing indecisiveness and helping maintain a faster pace on the course.

Accessibility: By restricting the number of clubs, golf becomes more accessible and less intimidating for beginners. New players are less likely to feel overwhelmed by choices and can focus on learning the game without needing an extensive collection of clubs.

Fairness: The rule aims to level the playing field by preventing disparities that could arise from different financial capabilities. It ensures that skill remains a significant factor in performance rather than an advantage gained through having more equipment.

Penalties for Violation

If a player exceeds the limit of 14 clubs, they incur a penalty of two strokes for each hole played with extra clubs. If they continue using these excess clubs after being informed of the violation, disqualification may follow.

Official rule at: www.randa.org

Nike stopped making golf clubs due to declining sales of golf equipment and an increasingly competitive market dominated by companies such as Callaway, TaylorMade, and Titleist.

In August 2016 Nike announced that it would stop making golf clubs, bags, and balls to focus more on golf apparel and footwear.

Selling golf clubs just was not profitable enough for the company to continue making them.

Despite having high-profile players such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as endorsers, Nike was not able to achieve the same level of success in golf equipment as it had in other areas of the sports apparel industry.

Nike continues to sponsor professional golfers and produce golf apparel and accessories.

What year did Nike stop making golf clubs?

The dimples ensure the air follows a little more around the back of a ball in flight than it would if the ball had no dimples. This reduces the size of the 'wake' behind the ball and the ball goes further.

A golf ball with dimples will travel through the air approximately twice as far as a totally smooth golf ball.

What’s the science behind it?

• Air presents a barrier as a golf ball moves forward. This barrier is what ultimately slows the ball and, with gravity doing its job, brings the ball to ground.
• Dimples help the air attach or ‘stick to’ the ball a little more and because the air is sticking to the back part of the ball as it flies through the air the drag on the ball is reduced.

You’ll hit your longest drives on golf courses in high altitude locations. That’s because the air is thinner and the drag is reduced even more. So, go find yourself a high altitude golf course and test it out!

Golf balls mainly travel further in summer because there is less air density in warmer weather for the golf ball to fight against.

Golf balls also fly further in high altitudes mainly due to the change in air density, which decreases as elevation increases.

When the golf ball and golf club are colder, the transfer of energy is not as efficient, so the ball speed will be less.

Colder air is more dense than warm air, so there is more friction and drag.

Also human muscles are more flexible and responsive when the temperature is warm which helps the efficiency of the golf swing.

Most golfers believe they have better feel for the putter and better touch with bare hands rather than with a glove in between flesh and grip.

Putting on golf greens is more about touch and feel and less about strength and/or speed. A 'light' grip on the putter is generally seen as preferable and, for most golfers, a light touch and sensitive feel is best found without any material between their hand and the putter grip. For this reason most golfers remove their glove.

Why do golfers wear gloves?

Golfers wear golf gloves to prevent the grip from slipping in their hands.

Especially when your hands start to sweat the grip becomes more slippery.

Golf gloves are meant to create more friction than the bare hand.

There are even special wet weather gloves for rainy conditions.

Golf gloves are not required but they are recommended for golfers of all levels.

A right-handed golfer would usually wear a golf glove on the left hand as this is the lead hand; left handed golfers, leading with their right hand, would wear a glove on their right.

Why do golfers take their glove off to putt?

The word Titleist was based on the idea of 'holding the Title'. A Champion holds the Title. Champions use Titleist balls.

The first Titleist golf balls were produced by Acushnet in 1935. The ball had been carefully and thoughtfully designed to do away with many of the imperfections of previous golf ball manufacturing processes and the executives involved in the development wanted a word - a product name at the time - that represented the very best.