By Leonard Finkel
The following information comes from Nick Sherburne, founder and master fitter of Club Champion Golf.
In many of our markets, wintry weather is here and that means your clubs are ready to be packed away. But even in markets where winter isn’t a factor, it’s good to be reminded of the do’s and don’ts of caring for your equipment and preparing for that next round. Here are a few key pointers:
Storage: Always store your equipment in a temperature controlled environment. Heat and cold can break down epoxy strength over time and also create deterioration in graphite shafts, rusting in steel shafts and lead to grips rotting. In terms of your investment in equipment, storing them properly can lead to a longer lifespan.
Loft and Lie Check: It’s a good idea to have your lofts and lies checked on your clubs at least once a year. If you bought them through Club Champion, this service is free. Simply bring them in and they’ll be checked and adjusted if need be. Through hitting balls on many surfaces, metal can expand and retract. It makes sense to ensure that your specs are where they are supposed to be. At Club Champion, we sometimes see loft changes ranging from .5 degrees to 2 degrees necessary. This can be the difference between pushing it right or pulling it left. Incorrect lofts can result in a 3-5-yard change for every degree, so proper gapping and distance control relies heavily on properly lofted clubs.
Grips: Grips are an undervalued component your golf clubs. They are where your hands contact the club. If you don’t have the right size or if they are worn, you might deliver inappropriate grip pressure that can create flaws in your swing and result in improper impact. If your grips look smooth, rotted, worn, cracked, split or oily in any way, they should be replaced. Having them checked and freshened up will lead to better performance.
Off season check-up: The off season can be a perfect time to come in and see your fitters. They will make sure any issues you may have had are resolved and you’re ready for the next round. It’s also a wonderful time to look at making any improvements to your bag. That way you’ll have enough time to work with those changes before the golf season gets rolling. Some golfers think it’s worth waiting until new product comes out, but in today’s product cycle, most, if not all the new equipment is already on the market. A club fitting shouldn’t be based on “todays” swing but the natural swing you have, those tendencies that live with you for your golfing life.
Remember, playing your best golf incorporates many factors, and properly fit equipment is one of those. Changing a couple smalls habits like those above can make a world of difference towards improved play and more enjoyment from the game.
Leonard Finkel is the author of The Secrets to the Game of Golf & Life and former editor in chief of Golf Journeys Magazine. His work has been featured in almost 200 publications including Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Golf Illustrated, Golf Tips and Player Magazine. He has written more than a dozen cover stories for Golf Today Magazine. He has written extensively about golf and travel and has added poker to his writing repertoire. Finkel also works as a marketing and public relations consultant. His specialty niche is writing advertorial copy. Prior to his career in golf, Finkel owned a chain of retail stores and a consulting and import company based in Asia. He attended the University of Utah.