Golf Shop - Where To?

There are people who never changed their equipment and there are folks who are always changing equipment. For those who do not change, they could be very good players who could handle anything, they could even putt with a broomstick and they are so comfortable with their swing they do not need to. Then there are those who should but they kept hanging on to clubs that should be consigned to the dust bin. They way they go about it all golf manufacturers would go bankrupt and the world economy would go into recession.

At the other end, there are those who kept changing but do not have a clue about it so they often end up with ill-suited clubs and then there is me who love experimenting so that one day I could discover my own freaking Frankenstein. Now there are golf shops everywhere but not all are the same and not many would appeal to me for different reasons. They may not stock enough brands or models or they could not explain to me sufficiently on some technical aspects. Some offer custom-fitting which is very good yet others offer testing at the range. I wanted to put these things into perspective because there is a clear and present danger of a threat from the Internet that will change the the face of businesses here.

Internet shopping and illegal downloads and various changes to MP3 music have caused big music stores to close. Even for books where recently a big one got into trouble. With a generation of savvy people more are buying through the Internet which was the reason why PayPal has come aboard to set up shop. While this cannot be prevented, businesses here have to compete not just among themselves but to see if they could stand the test of time. What kind of experience are you giving your customers? For me, there is nothing like seeing, touching, trying the real things. Buying a book is different as there is nothing to experience. Getting the "Hard Truths" is the same at the book store or the Internet. So golf retail has to compete on giving a great experience, good advice and competitive pricing not too far off to narrow the gap. Let me give you an example of a good golf shop - Golf House.

Golf House has the widest range of products - all things golf. Just for clubs alone, they have the widest range of top brands under one roof - Adams, Callaway, Cobra, Mizuno, Ping, TaylorMade and Wilson.

Even for each brand they have a wide range of models. Not every shop does this. They have the Super Game Improvement (SPI) category for high handicappers like full hybrid sets, Game Improvement (GI) for mid-handicappers and then the Players' clubs for low handicappers or Pros. For Ping alone, they have in that order the K15 (SPI), G15 (GI), i15 and Anser forged (low handicap) and the S-56 (Pros) with the whole works of drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putters. S-56: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMQWzuyRw14

It is the same for the other brands and the standard offer of clothes line, balls, shoes, gloves, bags and many other accessories.

The whole range of TaylorMade clubs are available. Those of you who are mighty good players should check out this Adams Idea Pro CB 1. I like the looks of the CB 2 too as I feel it could be a very good set for aspiring golfers transitioning and aspiring from mid to low handicap. I think Adams will win many new admirers this year with their irons. Watch them. The CB 1 forged from Adams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIo2BvfJRCM and the CB 2 if are are progressing to single digit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp493HfUSEg

Take a look at this latest Mizuno MP-53 if you have an "A" game. Otherwise if you are aspiring to go into low score mode check out Mizuno's JPX800 Pro. Take a look at the Mizuno MP-53 with Diamond back below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4EmWL-in10 & the JPX 800 Pro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZlLQBYDVyI and if you want it a bit friendlier, try out the JPX800. JPX is replacing the MX series and JPX 800 Pro also known as JPX 800 Forged is bridging the Game Improvement and Players" Category.

The whole range of putters available.




















Out of 3 pairs of colourful Callaway shoes, 2 are bursting at the seams. We have to watch out for those power jets that we use to blow at the shoes after a game. It will split up the joint where the sole is glued. I was recommended Footjoy Sports after all Footjoy are the shoes people.

Look at these high end shafts from Mitsubishi which can cost you the price of a driver!!




















Now you can build the most beautiful airport but you need people to run it. You can have the best clubs and shafts but it is best to consider fitting and a very good consultant to do it. Look at this one.

Jef Goh is a top club fitter, a consultant. There are less than 10 Class A club makers in Singapore today. Why is Jef different? Look here - it says "Professional" Class A Club-maker.

If only I have Jef Goh's credentials I would be the gurus' guru and living in the mountains and play golf around the high plains by digging up 18 holes, no need to pay green fees. Here's looking at you kid. From left to right the 3 Pros - Kevin, I called him a Pro because I have never seen anyone hit a 2-iron off the tee to the distance of a driver. Jef Goh the Professional Class A club-fitting consultant and last but not least the Pro-blem, Guru-me.

I am considering to be professionally fitted for a set of great irons but first I have to start saving. Kevin is of the opinion that I should play with a sharper set of irons as my ball striking is good enough and as I plod along I will get adjusted to it and therefore, play even better. I do not really buy that but with such flattery, my ego is getting inflated like inflation in the economy. When it eventually happens, it will be the first time I will not tell my preference but just let the fitting do its works for the most suitable shaft, lie angle, club head, less or more offset.

There is nothing not to like about Jef Goh and Golf House. Just by talking to Jef and you will learn much. Not sure about the prices yet but they are at Suntec City, a major shopping centre. Given good service and the best fitting assured, look no further. Adding a range to such extensive equipment list and fitting professionals would put the icing on the cake. Besides the computer and technology, some people just need to see how their balls fly and land.

Shaft Optimizer

The only thing you really need is a good golf swing but your golf swing is purely yours. If you were to be corrected in just one aspect the whole swing can go awry. Technically speaking, there is no better way than to have clubs that completely matched to your swing. Mizuno has the state-of-the-art "Shaft Optimizer" that measures every aspect of your swing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRtKvglfkPE

The shaft optimizer is a computerised device that help to match the right shaft to your swing. In turn it gives you better feel, preferred ball flight, correct trajectory, better control and greater distance and it takes away the trial and error and guess work of old. In a few swings, your swing DNA will be recorded for: (1) Club Head Speed (How fast the club head and shaft move during your swing), (2) Tempo (How quick is your transition from back to down swing), (3) Shaft Toe Down (How far the shaft bends downward during downswing), (4) Shaft Kick Angle (How far the shaft bends forward during downswing), (5) Release Factor (When the club head and shaft are released during downswing). Jef does not just have the Shaft optimizer for the irons. He's even got one for the driver.

Meantime I am moving from Callaway to Footjoy for shoes. I hope my feet will feel the joy which may mean better golf. Making changes and decisions in golf is the same as in life.

I must thank some friends like Francis and Larry for their contributions. There are quite a few others so forgive me if you did not get a mention here because they normally only name the main sponsors. You can if you want to. I can still give naming rights to my driver, each iron, putter, wedges and hybrids. You are welcome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQdiZ-WNmsc




















May be this will put the screws on my game!

Golf as in life, play as it lies.