Published: May 10, 2008 07:00 pm            

KEN RUGGIERO: Decent clubs make a decent game

Great to be with you this morning. Today, I’ll advise on the topic of golf club purchase and give out a tip that is sure to improve your abilities on the course. Let’s get started.

To buy, or not to buy

I spent a good portion of this winter providing golf lessons to numerous novice hopefuls. Most of them really have the golf bug and most of them do not own a set of clubs. Inevitably, I am asked where and what to buy.

Here are the facts. Golf clubs are moderately important to very good players. As a player decreases in ability, golf clubs diminish in significance while golf lessons intensify in importance. That said, all players deserve clubs that augment their competence.

Generally, I would not recommend garage sale clubs for two reasons: The clubs won’t be as appealing as a new set and two, they are liable not to possess the latest technology that most of us enjoy. If you know for a fact that a used set is only a few years old, buy them if the price is right.

An inexpensive set of new clubs at any local retailer is sufficient for inexperienced players during their first years learning on the links. One could go to the next level and purchase from a discount golf shop. If you do this, I would suggest getting two hybrid clubs instead of those awkward three and four irons. These hybrids feel like irons, but due to their chunky appearance, hit more like a wood.

I wouldn’t advise spending more than 100 to 150 dollars on a complete set, including a putter unless, of course, you’re just rolling in dough.

To play better, get a grip

The only connection that we have with our golf clubs is our grip. Yet, many poor to average players take this linkage between golfer and club for granted. There are three common faults that will surely reek havoc on your swing results.

The first flaw is the grip itself. You should begin your grip by placing your left hand on the club (opposite for right-handers). This hand should be completely on the club, with no part of the left hand off the club. When you look down at your left hand at your belt buckle, you should be able to see two knuckles besides your thumb. If you don’t see any, then your grip is considered weak. If you see three or four knuckles, your grip is too strong.

Your left hand should also feel as though it is “shaking hands” with your grip. Be sure not to allow your club to dissect your palm at the lifeline. The club should cross your left palm diagonally. The right hand basically mirrors the positioning of the left so as not to compete with it. I suggest that you interlock or overlap the pinky of your right hand into the left hand. This provides more unity in the hands and allows them to function as one.

The second mistake involves grip pressure. Most novice players grip too tightly. I advise my learners to place just enough pressure in your grip so as not to allow the club to fly away as you swing. Light grip pressure keeps tension out of the forearms and allows the smaller muscles in your wrists and hands to remain active and productive. (Note: be careful not to begin with a light grip, only to “grab” the club at the top of your backswing.)

And finally, the third and least-talked-about gaffe in the grip occurs when a player lets loose of the left hand grip at the top of the backswing in a futile effort to lengthen their backswing. This common error breaks down everything you’ve built to that point. The left hand must maintain its original position at address throughout the swing.

If you want to be good, really good, you must begin with grip basics.

Until next week, let’s keep it in the fairway.

Ken Ruggiero is a local golf instructor and has been writing this column for the past 19 seasons. Write to him at radiomaniac1949@yahoo.com.

        

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