Every few weeks I get one of my favorite newsletters from Leith Anderson, Golf Labs. The latest one had a discussion of his efforts to work with a new player, someone who had played baseball in the past. One of the things that Leith noted was that he built him a 43 inch driver, 14 degrees of loft, to start with. He said he did this to help him get the ball in the air, and so that he would not have to learn a “driver swing” with the kind of drivers that you buy in stores – usually now at least 45-1/2 inches long or longer. Leith also noted that his first driver was 43 inches long (a couple of years ago!).
This reminded me that there are many, many ways to help nurture “newbee” players who want to get into golf. Some of these are….
1. Much shorter drivers like the 43 inch one Leith built, and enough loft to let the player see the ball getting into the air.
2. Start with the lowest loft fairway wood being say 17 degrees of loft, and if there is to be another one let it be no more than 20 degrees of loft.
3. Particularly for starting players, why not a full bag of hybrid clubs? These are available from a number of sources. For a starter set, start at a 5 hybrid and go through pitching wedge. Certainly easier to hit, maybe they will not stop on greens as easily as regular irons, but for a starter player again seeing the ball fly in the air is a great way to get enjoyment. Be sure these clubs are not too stiff and not too long, and feel good to the players.
4. Great care in the wedges that are chosen for the player. No wedges with “pro grinds” for example. 10 degrees of bounce or more. Maybe a sand wedge just for the sand with a wide sole (again available from a number of sources) and for sure no lob wedges in the bag.
5. Pay a lot of attention to getting the putter to fit the player – right length and lie, correct loft.
6. Get the players to play courses in the range of 6,000 yards or less (less even better) at the start.
7. And hey, so what if the Polara ™ golf ball is not USGA approved (it is designed to slice or hook less) – put this ball in the player’s bag to give him/her get the fun of seeing straight shots (I have a dozen of these ordered to test them……).
If the game is going to grow, it is not likely to grow by throwing players in clubs that are too long for them, with too little loft, and not easy to make contact with.
A number of clubfitters and others had a spirited discussion on this the past few days. All think it is important to get players to have more fun, not get intimidated by courses that are too hard for them and clubs that will not work for them. Amen!
The Fit Is IT!
Tony