If It Has Been Over a Year, It's Been Too Long!

posted by Nicks Golf Palace.


How long has it been since you took a good look at the grips on your golf clubs? The reason I am asking this question is because many people are not aware that their golf grips could be causing them to loose valuable strokes. On average, golfers can be adding 3 to 4 strokes per round to their scores because of worn golf grips!

Go and take a good look at your clubs, putter included. Your grips are the only connection you have with your clubs. If your grips are worn, or even slightly worn, they can cause you to loose slight control and lead to errant shots. And that's what we are trying to eliminate, isn't it? So what should we do? Replace your golf grips! But how often should this be done?

A good rule of thumb: A golfer who plays daily should replace his/her grips 2 to 3 times a year. A weekend golf, at the minimum, should re-grip once a year.

I played golf with a gentlemen who still had the original grips that came with his clubs. He had bought the set 10 years ago! His grips were hard, smooth, and had shrunk. I suggested to him that he should look into getting new grips on his clubs. I'm not sure if he ever did, but I hope so.

I used to change the golf grips for a Pro golfer on the Florida Mini Tours. He changed his grips every couple of weeks! He is now on the Nationwide Tour and I'm sure he is still having his grips changed on a regular basis.

I have mine re-gripped 2 times a year. It makes a huge difference. I just love the feel of new grips. It is probably the cheapest way to keep your clubs feeling brand new and it can boost your confidence.

So, if it has been awhile since you took a good look at your golf grips, take the first opportunity that you can to look them over. If in doubt, replace them, especially if it has been over a year!

Nicks Golf Store

Titleist, Owned by the Acushnet Company

Titleist is a brand name that is owned by the Acushnet Company. Titleist makes golf balls, golf clubs, and other golf accessories. Other primary brands of the Acushnet Company include Footjoy and Cobra, and two sub-brands are Pinnacle and Scotty Cameron.

The Acushnet Company was founded in 1910 by Philip E. "Skipper" Young, along with two college friends. And in the early days this company focused on supplying rubber to industries that needed it, but later on focused it's attention to golf. In 1932, a golf division was created and it gave birth to the Titleist golf ball, which down to this day is it's most successful golf product. It includes the popular Pro V1 ball.

The Pro V1 golf ball made it's first appearance on the PGA Tour October 11, 2000, and was made available to you and I, in December of 2000. The Titleist Pro V1 and the Pro V1x, are still among the most popular balls used on the golf tours, which include the PGA Tour, European Tour, Japanese Tour, LPGA Tour, Asian Tour, and Nationwide Tour.

The headquarters for Acushnet is in Fairhaven, Massachussetts. But they had originally started in Acushnet, Massachussetts. What I found to be of interest is Fairhaven was first settled in 1670 as "Acushnea," and the Acushnet River flows past the city of Fairhaven. The name "Acushnet" comes from the Wampanoag word "Cushnea," meaning "as far as the waters." This term was used to establish the fact that the tribe, who sold the land to the Puritans, originally inhabitated the land leading up to the river. There is also a town called Acushnet. This helps us to understand how they came up with the name for the Acushnet Company.

The evolution of the golf ball is quite remarkable as well. It started in the 15th century with a ball that was made of wood. This ball could only travel about 100 yards or so. Then came the leather balls that were filled with cow hair. A breakthrough in golf ball technology came in 1618 with the "feathery." Next came the Gutta Percha ball, which was made of rubber, easier to produce than the feathery, and much more affordable, but had a tendency to break into pieces in the air. In 1898, a man named Coburn Haskell introduced a ball that had a solid rubber core, which was then  wrapped with rubber thread, and then enclosed with a Gutta Percha covering. Until the early 1900's this ball came to be the standard ball used by most players. But Mr. Young noticed a problem with the manufacturing of these golf balls.They were not precise. The problem was with the way the ball was wound. If wound wrong, the core could end up slightly off-center and would cause the ball to not fly or putt accurately.

In 1930, Young built and patented a machine that could wind string around a rubber core in a uniform manner, which became a "dead center" golf ball that he named Titleist, and the rest is history. Today the company is widely known and carries several mottos, which includes, "The #1 ball in golf", and "Serious clubs for serious golfers"!

My Most Popular Posts

I have recently been using Google Analytics on this site and it has allowed me to see what posts have been the most popular to my readers. So I decided to link to them for my new readers just in case you missed them. Here a number of posts that have been of interest to people visiting Nicks Golf Palace:

Cure Golf Swing Slice. This is an article promoting a useful ebook to help eliminate the dreaded slice.

TAKKLE.com-High School Social Network. This is a great network that I found that helps coaches, students, parents, and even scouts to follow their favorite high school athletes from around the country.

Picking the Correct Shaft Length. I outline how to easily get fitted for the correct golf shaft length.

Tiger Woods' Latest Newsletter.

Louisville Golf and the Ryder Cup

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.

Golf Carts Being Targeted

In some areas, their is a growing issue with people driving golf carts on city streets and other areas. For example, in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, police have noticed an increase in people driving on the roads with four wheelers and golf carts. They are receiving a lot of complaints because these vehicles are causing safety issues on the streets. The police officers in Muscle Shoals are beginning to strictly enforce traffic laws related to these vehicles. People are being given a warning the first time they are caught, but if caught again, they are having their carts towed and are having to pay to get them back.

I have noticed the same thing where I live. I live on an island, called Fleming Island, and I've noticed a lot of young kids, sometimes 3 or 4 at a time on one golf cart, scurrying down the road. I have seen them dart across streets in front of cars, and race down side walks. One evening, a group of 3 kids on a golf cart came head on with my wife and I as we were riding our bikes. They missed us and went down into a small ditch area, tearing up the grass.

I'm sure that soon the police in our area will begin to enforce the same laws that Muscle Shoals is enforcing (If they haven't begun to already). Not real sure why their is an increase in this. We have a number of golf courses right here on the island, and maybe people are buying golf carts to save fuel. But I think that when the adults are not using the carts for golf, their kids are out joy riding on them. And this could get real dangerous.

Is this an issue where you are?

Ernie wants Golf in the Olympics

Ernie Els is pushing to have golf included as an Olympic sport.  This is what Els said on his official website: "They could have a men's and women's golf event and maybe take the two top players off the world rankings. Personally, I'd jump at the chance."

 

What do you think? Should golf be included as a sport in the Olympics? I think it would be good, but I would hope they would open the opportunity for amateurs to try out for it as well. I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Tiger Woods Newsletter

I am posting this here at nicksgolfpalace.com just in case you don't get Tiger Woods Newsletter via Email. He sounds like he is recovering well but slowly. Here is the article:

"NEWSLETTER

August 12, 2008

By Tiger Woods

Things are lot better since I last wrote to you. I'm a lot more mobile, which is really nice. I can't catch Sam yet, but I'm getting close. The big thing is I've started my rehab and can ride the bike. I can't ride it hard - just motion - but am getting in two or three sessions a day.

As far as swinging a club, that's not going to happen until next year. I just don't have a choice. We simply don't know what type of swelling there would be or if there would be any residual effects the next day once you start wheeling and dealing on the knee. Everyone's body reacts differently. I could putt right now, but I'm not going to do it.

I don't know what the doctors are going to tell me about playing golf down the road. I'm taking it day-to-day, week-to-week. All I'm doing every day is looking forward to my next day.

A lot of guys have checked in with me to see how I'm doing. It's been an unbelievable response and I really appreciate it.

Initially, I probably lost about 10 pounds because I wasn't working out. All of that was muscle. I've put about two pounds back on, but I'm still pretty light. I'm eating mostly raw and organic foods that provide the most nutrients.

I didn't watch much of the British Open and saw a little bit of the British Senior Open, because my friend John Cook was in contention. I watched some of the PGA Championship and want to congratulate Padraig Harrington on his wins at the British and PGA. As a two-time defending PGA champion, it was a lot more frustrating not to be competing and that hurts the most. I stayed plenty busy with my rehab and watched some of the Olympics on television. I did arrange the menu for the Champions dinner, and it was a combo of American and Swedish food. I want to thank the PGA for organizing that very special evening.

The thing I miss the most about not competing is the fight. I've gone through this experience before, so I knew what I was in for. I know I'm in no condition to beat anybody right now, so I don't have a problem with not being able to compete.

I recently went to Congressional Country Club to meet with the members about hosting the AT&T National from 2012 through 2017. It's a fantastic facility and the Blue Course is one of the best around. Our partnership with Congressional has helped us do some really neat things locally with the military and various charities. It's been a great partnership, and I hope to continue it.

Later this month, we're going to launch our new video game: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09. We've made some exciting changes, like the new "true one-to-one golf swing," that I really think you're going to like. In fact, the game just recently won the Best Sports Game of E3 2008 for the Wii.

I've also been working with Gatorade on a new fitness drink. They have been so helpful during my rehab, trying to think of ways to expedite my recovery process. It's been a pleasure to join forces with them.

I'm also overseeing my golf course design projects in Dubai and North Carolina, and I'm really enjoying the work. Both projects are coming along nicely. I have eight holes rough shaped in Dubai, and we are hoping to start construction later this year in North Carolina.

I will definitely watch some of the Ryder Cup Matches and will be pulling hard for the American Team. I wish I could do more than root!

That's all for now. Enjoy the rest of your summer and I'll talk to you soon.

Tiger



TIGER'S TIP

By Tiger Woods, Golf Digest Playing Editor, Edited By Pete McDaniel and Mark Soltau

Hitting Greens From the Sand

Under normal circumstances I aim for the middle of the green from fairway bunkers. There are times, though, when I have to go for the flag, and that requires knowing how to shape a shot out of the sand.

The key, of course, is the lie. It helps if the stance is fairly level, with the ball sitting cleanly. The latter is critical to imparting spin on the ball to curve it. If it's a green-light lie, then I approach the shot like I would a normal fairway bunker shot, except I rehearse my intended release before I step into the sand.

Once in the bunker, I play the ball toward the middle of my stance to promote ball-first contact. For that same reason, I grip down the same amount as I dig my feet into the sand, maybe an inch or half inch. I set my feet slightly open for a cut shot or slightly closed for a draw. Then I swing along my stance line. Here's where the proper release comes in. If I want to fade it to a pin tucked on the right portion of the green, I hold off the release a millisecond. To hit a draw, I release the club naturally."

webmaster@tigerwoods.com

The PGA Champion Needs To Improve!

Padraig Harrington is renowned for his workaholic approach to the game of golf. But does he need to make improvements, now that he has won 3 of the last six majors? He thinks so.

 "Do I believe I can improve as a player? Yes," the 36-year-old Irishman told reporters on Monday after winning the U.S. PGA Championship by 2 strokes at Oakland Hills on Sunday.

 Padraig realizes that he can't just coast along. He has to continue to make improvements in his game in order for him to become number one in the world.

"It is a long way to catch Tiger at the top but I know the only way of focusing on doing that is focusing on me, what I'm doing, controlling what I can do. I can't control Tiger or Phil."

Over the years Padraig has been doing something that I believe a lot of the Pros are not doing, but should be. His desire to win is coupled with learning from the times when he has failed to win.

"I've always been that sort of guy that I've got to put myself in the position and learn from it and understand it before I actually go and do it...and that's what I did."

 I have noticed a big change in Padraig. He seems more determined, but not out of control. He doesn't allow a bad shot to rattle him, but rather it makes him more focused. The way he putted during the last few holes at Oakland Hills, I think, proves my point. I think that he may have found the secret that Tiger possesses. The art of constantly improving! What comes with knowing that art and applying it? Winning!

Golfing Tips

Reprinted by nicksgolfpalace.com

Author: David Wilson

Article:
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They have powerful and useful tips to improving your golf
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About the author:
David Wilson writes regularly about entertainment related
topics. I hope you enjoy this article.

SportsBunch.com

I have come across another sport community that promotes local teams and athletes. It is called SportsBunch.com.

At SportsBunch.com you can join as a fan, a player, coach, or as a parent of an athlete. You will find sports blogs, news involving sports, you can chat about your favorite sport, you will find stats, schedules and more. This is another fun sports community, so go check them out.

TAKKLE.com-High School Social Network

TAKKLE.com is a social network for high school sports. Athletes, High School Coaches, College Requiters, and fans can use this site for multiple reasons.

Athletes can check their practice schedules, they can post videos and photos. They can even check their rankings with other high school athletes across the country.

High School Coaches can use the site to organize games and practice schedules. They can also keep up communication with team members, and provide valuable information for scouts, and college coaches.

College Recruiters are always looking for great athletes, so they can use this site to keep up with athletes and their stats from all over the country.

And fans, friends, and families of high school athletes can keep up with their favorite athlete(s) as well.

I went over to TAKKLE.com and was very impressed with awesome site. They have a really cool feature, they have a throw downs. They show 2 separate video's and you can vote on which one is better. It is really cool! Check them out, TAKKLE.com.