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.

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 golf 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.

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.

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.

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

What is the course and slope rating?  The short answer is that the U.S.G.A. course and slope rating is the number of strokes it will take a golfer to finish the round.  The course rating is the number for a scratch golfer and the slope is the number for a bogey golfer.  A bogey golfer is considered someone with a handicap between 17.5 to 22.4 and hits his drives 200 yards, and a female golfer with a handicap of 21.5 to 26.4 who hits her drives 150 yards.  There are other factors that go into the rating and slope and we will discuss this in a future post, for now these are just the basics.

So, why is this important to a golfer?  It is important because it tells us what our “expected” score for 9 or 18 holes will be from the different tee’s.  The rating also plays a part in figuring our handicap. For example, if 2 golfers consistently score 92′s at their respective courses, but 1 golfers slope is 91 and the others is 102, the golfer who plays at the course with a slope of 91 will have a higher handicap than the one with the slope of 102.

The course rating and slope will be on the scorecard if the course you are playing at has had the course rated.  You can also access the course rating data base at the U.S.G.A. website.

Based on your handicap, course rating, slope, and course yardage you should tee off from the appropriate tees.  Using the appropriate tees will go a long way in your scoring, and enjoyment of the round.  Do not feel compelled to tee off at the blue tees if your game puts you at the white tees. 

Have fun, get a handicap and use the tools offered to play better and have more fun.

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