Conference 7.286::golf

    Have one of the club makers in this notesfile make you some custom
    clubs..
    
    Jim
    

    
    Hi,
    
    	Is it possible for a shorter person to simply go out and buy
    	whatever woods/irons they like. Then alter the length by
    	cutting the shaft, without causing adverse affects to the
    	balance/weight/etc. of the clubs?
    
    	Thanks,
    
    	Walt

    
    	RE: .2
    
    	Walta,
    
    	If you shorten clubs you will:
    
    	1.) on average lose some distance
    	2.) on average gain some accuracy
    	3.) lighten the swingweight of the club (which can be adjusted)
    
    	Gene

    I'm 5' and use standard length ladies'clubs with no problem. A couple
    of my friends who are even shorter also play a pretty good game with
    standard length clubs.  Your arms can't be that much shorter that you
    need custom clubs. You should be able to adjust your stance
    accordingly. If you shorten the clubs, you will be using a shorter
    lever resulting in less distance. I have Lynx clubs and think they are
    the greatest. Go to a pro shop and ask if they have a demo set of
    ladies metal woods and try them out.
    
    By the way, I should mention that none of us use the driver; all drive
    with a 3 wood and play 3,5, 7 woods from the fairway as needed. Don't
    feel you have to use a driver off the tee. Even men have trouble with a
    driver and more frequently slice with it than not.  When you hit your 3
    wood long and consistently straight, occasionally try the driver and
    see how you do. If you slice it consistently, you may be standing too
    far from the ball or the club may be too long and you don't get the
    face of it around in time to hit the ball squarely. Many of the women
    pros don't even carry a driver, they drive with a 2 or 3 wood. A lot of
    men who can't hit a driver, often give up on woods altogether and drive
    with irons, rather than try a 3 wood. More often than not, it's because
    they start their swing by rolling the right wrist outward as though
    they were swinging a baseball bat instead of starting from the
    shoulders.
    
    Good luck---
    Sharon

    Thanks for all the tips.  
    
    Sharon, you are right about using the standard length clubs.  I went
    to a golf shop last night and got fitted.  It turns out that I am fine
    with standard length and lie.  With my current handicap, I was border
    line but by lowering my handicap by 5 or so, I definitely fell in the
    standard size catagory.  It wouldn't be that difficult to lower my
    handicap by 5 because it is so high right now.  I tried swinging RAM
    tour (I think) and the Taylor Made.  I felt comfortable with both. 
    I really liked the Taylor Made!  
    
    I just can't wait till the warm weather, I couldn't even sleep last night
    thinking about the Taylor Made woods and golfing! 
    
    Eunhwa
    

    Not directly related to the topic under discussion, but: I bought
    a new magazine yesterday for my wife, who's been playing (at) golf
    for a couple of years (more year before last than the past season,
    when she got discouraged early and lost her enthusiasm, which, I'm
    happy to say, seems to have returned) - "Golf For Women" is the
    title, and the March 90 issue is the first one available at news-
    stands. Lots of good info, most of it usable by golfers of either
    gender. Sue (my wife) liked it...
    
    	Frank
    

    Re:               <<< Note 869.6 by HKFINN::F_MCGOWAN "Zoot who?" >>>

    Frank, 
    
    Could you give us  some  subscribing  info  on the magazine?  I would
    like to mention it to my wife and see if she is interested on it.
    
    Tavo

	FWIW, I picked up a copy for my wife and she likes it.  She didn't
	care much for the article on the effects of the menstrual cycle on
	golfers games, but other than that she enjoyed it.

	Larry

    Re. 7
    
    Ola, Tavo...the subscription price for a year ("six big issues")
    is $11.97, compared with the newsstand price of $2.50 per issue.
    The address is "Golf for Women, 1716 Locust St. PO Box 11467,
    Des Moines, IA 50380-1467.
    
		Frank

    Re. 8 - In all honesty, I skipped that article. As I said, *most*
    of the articles were of interest to both genders. I especially liked
    the putting information, since that's always been the worst part
    of my not-very-good game. Letting the pendulum effect work seems
    to help, at least on my "rug putting." Hopefully, the snow will
    go away and I'll be able to try it out for real pretty soon.
    
    	Frank

    	Hi,
    
    	I read the article on the putting, too.  I couldn't understand
    	what they meant by "distance between putter shaft and the hole"
    	when using the plumb bob method to determine the amount of break.
    
    	Frank, could you explain?
    
    	Thanks,
    	Eunhwa
    

    Eunha, I wish I could...unfortunately, whenever I try the plumb
    bob method, all I can ever read is "True Temper" (the name on the
    putter shaft)! What I did get from the article had to do with the
    feel of the stroke as a pendulum motion, rather than one that contained
    any "energy" imposed by the player;  achieving top spin by hitting
    the ball at or just above the equator; and grip pressure ("shake
    hands with a baby" is a great image). It certainly can't hurt my
    putting, which is atrocious.
    
    	Frank

    I'm teaching the basics of the golf swing to a female friend
    of mine but she has been borrowing my clubs up until this time.
    She asked me last night what type of clubs would be right for
    her since she wants to purchase her own set.  I don't know
    much about women's clubs so I thought I'd ask here.
    
    What are the differences between men's and women's clubs?
    
    Any recommondations for a good starter set?
    
    Frank

    
    
    ladies clubs are shorter, lighter, lighter swingweight, smaller
    diameter grips, more flexible shafts, than mens. Speaking in general
    terms of course, because some women are very able to use mens clubs
    due to their size strength and ability.
    
    Give Gimme Golf a call at 603-895-0115, if you are in the New Hampshire
    area, for a good buy on some new ladies clubs.
                                           

    Thanks for the reply.  I don't live in New Hampshire but I'm not
    too far from the border.  At the very least, I could call to get
    some prices.  Any more thoughts on good brand names for ladies
    starter sets?  Also, would it make sense for her to buy a full
    set of clubs or just a half set (3-5-7-9-putter-3wood) as a starter
    and then look for better clubs as her game improves?

    
    
    I have a full set of Lady McGreggors (p-3, 1,3,5 metal woods) that I
    picked up at spags for about $200.  This is my third season with them
    and while I'm starting to think about a new set, I've been pretty happy
    with these.  A girlfriend of mine bought the same set this season for 
    about the same as what I paid.  I think that you should buy the full set, 
    it's surprising how soon you miss the missing clubs.  Especially the 
    wedge and the 5 wood...
    
    -laura
    

    Thanks, maybe I'll take a look at Spags this weekend.  I think you're
    right about the full set.  It probably won't be long before she needs
    the missing clubs.
    
    Frank

Frank re .16

Women's golf clubs are shorter - I would suggest
Wilson Clubs for your friend, then when she decides 
wheter she really like the game or not she can invest
in a more expensive set.  Hope she like the game.

Betty