DSH

An opinion was expressed to me today that I should go to a woman pro for lessons rather than a man because "A woman's swing is different from a man's swing." The person professing this knowledge claimed that a woman naturally uses her hips and legs, where she has more power, rather than her shoulders (as a man does). I am rather skeptical, but then again, so much of the input I've had from books and friends has come from men. So -- help me please -- is a woman's swing different from a man's? and should it be? PS I recently did have a lesson with a man and thought it was quite helpful.

Thanks iacas. I just ordered some. Will post after I have had a chance to try them out.

Hi, anyone use Birdieballs for practice? They're polymer cylinders that simulate the sound and performance of a regular ball but go only 40% as far. Would appreciate hearing about anyone's experience with this.

Thanks for the responses. It seems here as in other equipment related matters, what's best is what works.

When I bought my putter what I paid for was the opportunity to try out every putter in the shop, and have tape put on several so I could try them on the green, and play with them for a long time til one of them just seemed the best. I actually feel stupid having paid as much as I did (Odyssey white steel 2-ball). Will not do that for the other clubs. But felt it was really important to get the feeling of the different putters and find the one that was best for me -- that's what I paid for, not the putter.

I took four inches off my Odyssey two ball putter -- it went from 33 to 29 inches. Much better. But I was told that when you shorten a shaft you should weight the head to recover the lost swingweight. There's a page somewhere on line where I read that for every inch shortened, add 4 swingweights, and a swingweight equals 6 grams. So 24 grams -- that's about half a pound! I did put about that much lead across the putter and it seems better than without it but now I'm thinking I should have massed the lead at the toe and heel instead of putting it across. Any thoughts about all this?

Thanks Ttee. You are the voice of reason!

As I'm new to golf I have been reading everything I can get my hands on. Wishon and Pelz were especially helpful as I got a lot of good information on how to build a set of clubs tailored for me, and how to think about golf as a game of strategy as well as skill. But one of my favorite books is John Updike's Golf Dreams. Updike has always been one of my favorite authors and this book really conveys the romance and beauty of playing as well as the challenges, frustrations, highs and lows.

Last night was the third and final group lesson in Golf 101. This was not that useful -- too much info, and too general, coming out of a fire hose, not enough time to "get it" and practice it. After the lesson, was told I could stay in the area and hit balls. Then, the other pro showed up and gave a half hour lesson to two guys who were brand new. I listened to every word and tried to do what he said. He taught classic Hogan. He was technical, crisp, precise, and gave specific information and feedback and drills. After the half-hour lesson, the pro took off and the two students stayed and kept hitting, and whooping and wowing and saying "Can't believe how much time I wasted before this." I went straight from the range to the desk and scheduled my first lesson with this guy for next week.

Ttee, thanks for input on quality of clones. If I'm reading it right, I see you have a set of hybrids (and wedges) and have no conventional irons. How does that work for you? GG has one brand of hybrids in a complete range like the Tour Max -- in fact they look like clones of the Tour Max. So now you have me thinking about those. When I first saw them on the GG web site I wondered if anyone had replaced all irons right down to the 9i with hybrids, and since it looks like you have done just that would really appreciate knowing if you like it and recommend it for a newbie like me. Thanks!

Thanks for all the suggestions! Have been reading everything I can get my hands on online, as well as Pelz, Tiger Woods. Still it seems like after amassing all the data you have to make a decision without complete knowledge. Bought a putter (Odyssey White Steel 2-Ball) at the pro shop because I really wanted to get hands on with as many as I could -- as the feel is so important. But I don't want to pay that kind of premium for every other club. GigaGolf seems to have good prices, a wide range and a good custom fitting model. My clubs will all be .25 inches shorter and with lies adjusted minus two inches -- which makes sense since I am 5'2" and have long arms. The Acer TI is the only driver I found that comes in a 15 degree loft so I will probably go with that. Then, one or two Acer steel woods(5 and may-be 7), two Acer hybrids (5 and 7) and probably Power Max GX920 7,9,PW,SW irons all with graphite ladies flex. I am leaning toward the Winn Arrow grips -- I don't like the tacky feel of the Winn wraps -- prefer the composite and the Arrows are supposed to be fairly soft, though a good composite. Anyone have any experience with the Winn Arrow? I put together the range I thought would cover the lofts with fairly even spacing (the Pelz Short Game Bible has a very good discussion of rejiggering the traditional set and was extremely useful). Then I talked to Bill Baxter at GG who agreed with the club types and spacing but suggested the PowerMax GX920 wide sole irons instead of the Acer High Trajectory as the PowerMax are newer, and will therefore be around longer so I can fill in more irons / LW later if I need to. It is amazing that after paying $170 for just the Odyssey putter, I can get the other 11 pieces for about $400, with graphite, upgraded grips, custom sizing, assembled in the US. (I spotted an Assembled in China sticker on the shaft of a Callaway iron in the pro shop tonight.) Thanks to all your input plus everything I have read I am getting more confident about putting the order in. Thanks again!

Thanks Rafcin. Appreciate your advice. Will try to be patient!

Hi, I'm REALLY new to golf, have had a few group lessons and have been hitting and putting at the driving range almost daily for a couple of weeks. I hit the driver straight but only about 100 yards. I am female, mid fifties, fit, but short. Have been reading around and looking at gear. Have a cart at Gigagolf filled from a 15 degree driver to woods, hybrids, wide sole short irons, but 10 clubs total all with graphite, adjusted for length and lie. (Bought a putter locally). Everything I have read indicates that the maximum game improvement equipment is what I should go for. Some people say "wait", and others say get a range of clubs now so you can get a feel for playing on a course, not just the driving range. I am eager to have my own clubs, and I know that impatience is one of the biggest sins in golf, so what to do? Would much appreciate your thoughts.