Crosshair Golf Blog
August 17, 2010
July 21, 2010
Clone Golf Clubs. Do They Play as well as Brand Name Clubs?
This is a good question. The simple answer is, Yes. But it goes beyond that. Clone golf clubs of today are much different from the clones of yesteryear.
When clone golf clubs first came on the market, companies tried to “Copy” the brand name golf clubs. Companies that produced clone golf clubs spent their money trying to confuse the public into believing they were buying the Brand name club. As time went on Clone Golf Clubs began to take on a life of their own.
As clones began to gain in popularity, companies that manufactured these clubs either sank or swam. The swimmers were the ones that realized that clone golf clubs were here to stay and they need to stand on their own merits. Most clones today do just that, they stand on their own merits. Today, club-makers that produce Clones take inspiration from band name clubs, they do not copy them.
Nowadays, top golf club designers work for Clone Golf manufacturers. Most of the clone clubs designed today perform as well as any expensive brand name club on the market. Some of these clubs Outperform these same clubs.
Do Clone Golf Clubs play as well as brand name golf clubs? You bet they do.
July 2, 2010
There Is More To Life Than Playing Golf
Or is there? Lets take a serious look at the question “Is there more to life than playing Golf?”
First, we have to eat and drink. I have yet to go to a golf club that does not have a restaurant or at least a vending machine. We can fulfill all our nutritional requirements at most golf courses.
Second, we need sleep. Have you ever tried, or know someone who has tried to get onto Bethpage Black Course. Where do they sleep, in their cars, that’s where. So let me ask you this. Why can’t you sleep in your car at any golf course in the country.
Third, we have family obligations. Well, this is easy. Most golf courses are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas anyway. And, if you have the resources a private country club has some great amenities that can keep the family entertained for a few hours.
Fourth, we have to work. Have you ever heard of vacation and sick time. Also, you will have to “entertain” clients from time to time. It is not written anywhere that your golf buddies can not also be clients. Use your head.
Like I said, there is more to life than playing golf. There is planning, a couple of holidays, and you might even be down for 3 days while your clubs get re-gripped.
Remember. Golf is Serious, life is a game.
Clone Golf Clubs, What are they
Clone Golf Clubs emerged on the Golf Club scene back in the 1980’s. When they first appeared they tended to be blatant copies of the more popular brand name clubs. More than a few of these copy-cat companies ended up in litigation due to copyright violations. These lawsuits, while detrimental to this emerging industry, had some positive effects. The more reputable manufacturers of “Clone Golf Clubs” rose to the top and the unscrupulous ones went by the wayside. Today you will find that the term Clone Golf Clubs is a term that has stuck with our industry, but our golf clubs are far from clones. Our clubs stand on their own merits. We use the same technologies and talented designers as the brand name manufacturers. We do not seek to copy we seek inspiration.
Today, Clone Golf Clubs is just a moniker that our industry has adopted. Our products are not clones of anything, they stand on their own merits. When you look at Clone Golf Clubs what you are looking at are Golf Clubs that meet the same stringent standards as a Brand Named Club.
A fine line separates a brand name golf club and a Clone Golf Club. The difference has nothing to do with craftsmanship, design, quality, or any of the other features that make you go “WOW” when you see that new Golf Driver. The only differences are cost and why the costs are so high for brand name clubs.
Brand name golf clubs have huge advertising budgets along with huge endorsement contracts with golf pro’s. How much do you think Tiger Woods gets paid from Nike or Phil Mickelson and his Callaway deal. I would venture a guess that these deals alone are worth Millions of dollars. Take a look in any golf magazine and you will see ads with Pro after Pro hawking their “Favorite” Golf Clubs.
Clone Golf Club companies do not have to worry about those costs and can therefore, pass those savings onto you the consumer.
One final thought. Just do the math. A Brand Name Golf Driver costs upwards of $500.00 and a Clone Golf Driver costs around $89.00 at about $35.00 for a round of golf you save 12 rounds of golf. Clone Golf Clubs, Heavy on Style, Heavy on Quality, Light on the wallet.
June 30, 2010
Favorite Time to Play Golf
What is your Favorite time to play a round of golf.
My friend likes to get up early on a Saturday or Sunday with a tee time around 6:30. He can play golf and be home before noon so he can “Work” around the house. I personally think it is the only time he can sneak out of the house.
I, on the other hand, like to play late in the afternoon on Sunday. My wife and I get to the course around 4pm, no crowds, no waiting. We can have a nice walk in a beautiful setting and not feel rushed. Early in the summer it is OK because we have daylight until 8:30, but as the summer wears on we finish earlier and earlier.
We all have different times we like to play a game of golf. I told you my “favorite” time. But, as long as I am with good friends anytime is a good time to play golf
June 23, 2010
May 19, 2010
Olympic Golf 2016 “No Caddy’s”
Golf Should be in the 2016 Olympics. I have some thoughts on the rules that should be applied to this event.
Today I will talk about caddy’s, or should I say No Caddy’s. That is right. Golf in the Olympics should be the players only. The players will have to walk the course themselves, keep track of yardages and scores themselves.
I would allow golfers to have bag carriers, but they will be assigned at the beginning of each round, or they could use push carts, it will be up to the player. The only advise that a golfer would be able to get would be from the coach, but he or she would be busy with other team members that might be on a different course.
I want to see these World Class Golfers earn their medals on their own. We might see some higher scores and much frustration, but we will see some real golf
May 10, 2010
The Rhythm of the Game
I never really thought about how the Rhythm of the Game of golf could affect my score until I read an article about Skeet and Trap Shooting that involves the rhythm of the match.
When I talk about rhythm I am not talking about waiting, we wait for everything. Think about waiting for a moment. If you come to a four-way intersection and you are 20 cars back, you have to wait your turn. If all goes the way it should, one car at a time from each road goes in turn, you have rhythm. When this occurs you do not feel the wait, but let one person jump the gun and throw off the rhythm of traffic and you are now frustrated. These waiting/rhythm situations occur time and time again in daily life.
What about the rhythm in a game of golf. Here is an example. I was playing a round with some friends. We were waiting to tee off. Groups were teeing off at regular intervals, we were all behind schedule a few minutes but it did not matter as there was a steady flow, there was rhythm. Then behind us came a group, and one woman was complaining so much we let them tee off ahead of us, the first miss-beat in our rhythm. Then, this same woman on the second hole, parked the cart on the cart path, walked across the fairway to her ball walked back to the cart to get her golf club, then walked back across the fairway to play her ball. This totally threw off the rhythm of the game and our scores were not for the record books.
So remember, it is not the waiting, it is the rhythm. As long as you keep a steady rhythm to your game your scores will reflect it. Rhythm is not a fast game or a slow game, it is a steady flowing game of golf.
March 14, 2010
Change your clock for more Golf
It is Sunday 3/14/2010 did you move your clock ahead one hour.
Remember what it means, an extra hour of golf every day until November.
March 3, 2010
Tip #2 For the Beginner Golfer…Get on the Golf Course
Get on the Golf Course
I don’t think I am good enough to get out on the golf course. I might embarrass myself. I might slow everyone down. Does this sound familiar. How many of us have said this in the past and how many of you are saying this now. Remember, golf is a game that you play against yourself, so try not to worry about everyone else.
The golf course is full of players from high handicappers to scratch golfers. Every person you meet on the golf course fought with these thoughts before you, and more will torment themselves in the future.
If you have done everything you should have, then lets get ready to play. You have a few lessons under your belt, you spend some time at the local driving range and practice your chipping in your back yard. What else is left but to get out on the golf course and play a round. Here are a few things you can do to get ready.
First, you might want to make your first outing at a 9 hole course. You can get through a 9 hole course in about 2 hours.
Second, go to the course and see if they have a driving range, hit a bucket of balls. Then go over to the putting green and putt for a while. Just get comfortable in the environment. try and do this late in the afternoon, then ask if you can walk the course. This is a good way to see what you are up against.
Third, have a drink at the 19th hole. Meet some people, you will probably be surprised to find that there are alot of people there at your level of play.
Fourth, find out what the dress code is so you do not feel embarrassed when you show up to play.
Fifth, Play your first round late in the afternoon on a Sunday, and only play with one other person. Play with someone you are comfortable with, your best friend or spouse is a good choice. Playing this way there will be no pressure and you can laugh off the bad shots. Playing late in the afternoon on a Sunday gives you the advantage of slow play. If you hit a bad shot, put another ball down and hit it again, hell, put 2 or 3 down and practice. If you do not finish the round, who cares, you are building confidence.
Sixth, Get your butt out there and play!!
Dustin Johnson at the PGA
Dustin Johnson lost the PGA because of a rule at Whistling Straights that states all bunkers are hazards. One interpretation stated that if there was sand, then it was a bunker.
Some Golf Rules make me sick. It is fine to have rules and to follow rules, but this is ridiculous. If there are hazards on a golf course, great. They make the game interesting and players learn how to avoid them. But if you ask me, if golf officials at any tournament allow spectators to stand anywhere, then automatically that area can not be considered a hazard. Dustin Johnson’s mistake is proof positive.
If golf officials had not allowed spectators to spectate from that sandy spot then there would be no question as to what it was. Maybe, if golf officials allow spectators to stand in certain areas and ruin the appearance of the area, then it is up to them to immediately identify the lie as being in a hazard or not.
A fine golfer loses a tournament because some golf officials are not qualified for the job.