Golf Tips-Nicks Golf Palace

Using wood from a stand of cherry trees cleared from the course, Louisville Golf has fashioned cherry putter heads that will be sold exclusively through the PGA merchandise tent, when the Ryder Cup tees off September 16th.

Louisville Golf is a never-give-up company that provides golf fans a piece of history by still offering wood for their golf clubs in a world that has moved onto steel, graphite, and other materials.

This company nearly died out at one point but with only 9 employees left they continue on because they have developed a strong following of golfers who prefer the look, feel, and sound of a persimmon head.

Some just love the feel of persimmon. They love the ability to be able to work the ball left or right. Paul Sheremeta of upstate New York said, "There's a different feel … compared to what you're playing with today. There's a different sensation that goes through the club into your hands, and you know when you hit a wonderful shot with those clubs. I can thank the company for bringing more of the fun of the game back that you don't even realize that you've lost."

Most golfers, including myself, have always assumed that metal clubs will drive a ball farther than a persimmon wood. But in fact, equipped with a modern shaft, there is little or no difference between wood and metal. So are persimmons going to regain their dominance with golfers? Probably not, but many are starting to get interested in them once again. The only problem with these clubs is the price. They are much more expensive than today's clubs, believe it or not.

The Ryder Cup putters, made from the wood at Valhalla, will be available Sept. 13-14 at the Ryder Cup Public Preview.