June 14th, 2010
You know those automatic ball return gadgets, the kind you set down on the carpet in the living room?
The RoboCup is not like that at all!
The RoboCup Ball Return Robot is a small, circular device that fits down inside the cup on a real practice putting green. When you make a putt, a lever springs up and tosses your golf ball back to you, up to a distance of 14 feet.
What if you miss your putt? The RoboCup comes with a collar, a sort of backstop called the “Caddy Cord” that is placed behind and around the sides of the cup. When your ball misses the cup, the collar corrals it into the hole, where the RoboCup springs into action.
The RoboCup works on four AA batteries. Its makers, Fine Tune Golf, say one set of batteries should last around 15,000 returns.
The RoboCup retails for $49.95. Visit www.finetunegolf.com for more info.
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June 9th, 2010
Some days you might rush to the course to get to your tee-time on time. We all do some days. But if you can, work in some time before your tee-time so you can warm up – your swing will thank you.
Begin warming up on the putting green. Putting is 43-percent of golf and the putting stroke is the slowest and smoothest of all strokes in golf. By spending time warming up on the green first, you will not only be prepared for the speed of the greens but you will also be starting the day with smooth, deliberate tempo.
Spend some time hitting chips around the green with a tee as a target. To determine how much the ball will roll you must test the firmness of the greens. On hard greens the ball tends to roll more than on soft greens.
Spend some time at the driving range. This will warm up your swing so you’re ready for that first drive – Make it count!
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June 5th, 2010
Some months are just so incredibly busy, you might not get the chance to play as many rounds as you’d like. But, you don’t want your game to suffer by not playing for a long time. Try getting out to the driving range in between your rounds of golf. Hitting a bucket of balls will freshen up your swing as well as help ease some of your stress, too!
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June 4th, 2010
The LA Times Reported yesterday that Tiger Woods is being featured in a new television commercial, and this one isn’t going to create the uproar his last one did.
A new EA Sports spot with Woods takes a much lighter approach than the Nike ad that aired during his return to the Masters.
The latest commercial was posted on the Internet by EA Sports on June 3, the beginning of a major ad campaign for its Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 video game. The commercial is scheduled to air in prime-time Sunday during Game 2 of the NBA finals on ABC.
The ad is filled with humorous references to football and other team sports, an attempt to market the game’s new Ryder Cup team mode. The commercial features Woods and other professional golfers, including Rickie Fowler, Ian Poulter and Edoardo Molinari.
There also is a pep talk by former NFL coach Mike Ditka before Woods sinks a putt, followed by a flyover by jets and an ovation by cheerleaders.
EA Sports, with a much younger audience, clearly wanted to take a different approach.
The Times states that “This is the latest attempt for Woods to regain his footing in the corporate world.”
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June 3rd, 2010
I was recently at a golf shop and they were marketing the new 2011 clubs – Are the new “bigger and better” clubs really worth it? Not really. Perhaps if you’ve had the same clubs for 15 years, you should consider buying new clubs, but here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re considering replacing your old clubs:
Identify Your Needs
You’re about to spend hundreds of dollars. The most important thing when replacing an old set of golf clubs with a new set is to be honest about the state of your game, and your dedication to the game. How much money and what level of equipment do you feel is justified by your game and your dedication to it?
Consider Changes in Your Game
Do I need a different type club because of changes in my game? For example, if your handicap index has shot up because you don’t play as frequently, you might want to replace those muscleback blades with cavitybacks. Or, if you’ve shown improvement, perhaps you’re willing to consider moving up in class to clubs geared for better players.
Should You Change Shafts?
The older we get, the more likely it is we need a softer flex on our golf shafts. Be honest about your swing. Should you be playing a softer flex? Likewise, players with slower or weaker swings generally benefit from graphite shafts. If you’re playing steel but your swing has slowed, give graphite some consideration.
Custom Clubfitting
The safest way to answer the question about shafts is to get a custom clubfitting. Taking a few measurements, answering a few questions about distances – can be done at golf shops. But an in-depth clubfitting lasting 30-45 minutes with a teaching pro is the best way to ensure that the equipment you’re about to purchase matches your swing and your body. Golf Professionals at The Hanrahan Golf School can provide this service.
Set a Budget
Once you’ve identified the current state of your game and your future goals, it’s time to consider how much you’re willing to spend.
Read Golf Club Reviews
Reviews can sometimes be as confusing as they can be helpful, given that different “experts” sometimes offer different conclusions about the same product. But reading reviews can help you get a sense of what’s out there in your price range and what matches your game.
Seek Out Opinions
Get the opinions of friends, golf pros and even of salespeople in pro shops. Different people can provide different insight.
Shop Around
Spend some time looking around and comparing prices. Inventory and prices can vary from store to store. Have fun!
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May 31st, 2010
In Extraordinary Golf, an educational organization publication dedicated to golf instruction, Fred Shoemaker describes a study illustrating the difference between trying too hard and not trying at all. In the study, they compare the golf swings of top professional golfers with the swings of average golfers.
The study shows three different rows of golfers, detailing their golf swings. In the top row is a professional golfer. In the second row is an average golfer hitting a golf ball. In the third row is an average golfer swinging when there is no ball.
The study found that when an average golfer is not trying to hit a golf ball, his or her swing more closely resembles the swing of a professional golfer. When an average golfer is actually trying to hit a golf ball, his or her swing changes for the worse, illustrating that as soon as an average golfer places a ball on the tee, he or she immediately exerts more energy and unnecessary effort. This added effort gets in the way of the natural feeling and fluid motions that cause a golfer to more effectively swing a club.
This study is important for those of you who want to become better golfers because it reminds us that we need to relax and let our innate knowledge of the game take over our tension. Less striving, less trying, less racing, less pushing can lead to surprisingly better results.
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February 4th, 2010
Callaway Golf Company announced the winners of the Company’s eighth annual Club Fitter of the Year Awards – John Hanrahan and the Hanrahan Golf School was named the Northwest Regional Club Fitter of the Year!
The recipients of the Callaway Golf 2009 Club Fitter of the Year Awards are being honored for their exceptional achievements using a Callaway Golf Custom Fitting cart at their facilities. Each of the winners has shown outstanding support for the Company’s club fitting programs while providing a valuable service to their customers. The winners were chosen using a variety of criteria, including personal nominations from the sales force, sales data, and the use of innovative and unique methods to support Callaway Golf and its Custom Fitting programs.
The Northwest region consists of the following: Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado, as well as parts of Nevada, California, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Out of over 300 accounts in this region,we are proud John and the Hanrahan Golf school was named best!
“From my over 20 years teaching students as a golf pro, I take pride in offering students unique tips and training techniques while custom fitting their clubs,” said John Hanrahan. “I am thrilled to be recognized by Callaway both my staff and I will continue to lead our region with our leading custom fitting program.”
For more information about the award, visit www.callawaygolf.com.
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January 28th, 2010
In the current issue of Golf Digest, an article details 50 tips from 50 of the greatest teachers – The No. 1 teacher is said to be Butch Harmon, teacher of Phil Michelson, Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Natalie Gulbis, Stewart Cink and Nick Watney.
Harmon explains how to fix driving problems: “Fix it from the finish back.”
1. Your right shoulder should be closer to the target than your left shoulder, which shows that you kept rotating through the shot.
2. Almost all of your weight should be on your front foot, to the point where you can easily lift your back foot without repositioning.
3. The shaft should be angled diagonally across the back of your head/neck, not hanging down your back or sticking up.
4. You should be able to hold your finish – try posing until the ball lands to make sure you’ve swung at a speed you can support.
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January 26th, 2010
The LPGA is committed to making a difference – it has been raising money for Haiti earthquake victims since the quakes hit Jan. 12. It is so great to see when people and an organization of influence team together during a time of crisis to help out. For more info on how the LPGA is raising money for Haiti, visit http://www.lpga.com/content_1.aspx?pid=22900&mid=1
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January 18th, 2010
Most golfers wear one golf glove during play. Typically worn on the leading hand, the golf glove combined with the bare skin on the other hand provides grip while allowing the golfer to maintain a soft hold on the golf club at the same time.
While playing in a colder climate, all weather gloves could be a great addition to your gear. All weather golf gloves are made 100% from synthetic material to provide a firm grip whatever the weather on the golf course.
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