Golf Clubs and Grooves - The New Rules

From 1st January 2010 professional golf will be subject to new rules about groove depth and edge sharpness in the design of golf clubs. Rounded groove edges and reduced volume will make a significant difference especially when playing out of the rough.

The makers of this controversial rule change have the future well-being of the game at heart. They want to see a greater emphasis on accuracy rather than sheer power. Inaccurate tee shots into the rough will not always be as easy to recover from as they have in the past. They want to roll back a situation in which technology has to some degree taken over from skill.

Many players think that this is a step in the right direction, even though it means that their equipment will lose a degree of technological sophistication. Others are less convinced.

The UK golf magazine Golf Monthly for January carries a 10-page discussion of the pros and cons of this change. They bring together views from the Royal & Ancient, from 30 players on the European Tour and from club manufacturers.

Their conclusion, after testing clubs with groove configurations compliant with the new rules, and after surveying Golf Monthly readers, is that although top players on tour will in future have to pay more attention to accuracy as against power, the average player will in all probability notice little difference. In any case the rules will not apply to the amateur and club game for several years.

For a detailed look at the facts and the arguments for and against why not subscribe to Golf Monthly? There’s much more in this January issue, and you’ll also have the confidence that you won’t miss an issue in coming months. You’ll be up to date with news, get great training tips and be kept abreast of developments in equipment, as well as being generally well-informed about the world of your favourite sport. What’s more, you get more than 30% discount over buying it from month to month.

Golf News from Around the World

As we start to build the site we’ll be including pages like this from time to time with links to golfing news from around the world. Sometimes these will be accompanied by video clips.

Today we have news of the Asian Tour for 2010, the Chevron World Challenge and a newsy article from the BBC.

Golf365 | Golf News | Asia expand their 2010 Tour

“We are delighted to announce our 2010 Schedule which will include a minimum of 28 tournaments with over US$39 million in prize money, which reaffirms our position as a major international golf Tour,” said Kyi Hla Han, the executive chairman of the Asian Tour. …

Furyk Wins Tiger's Chevron Tournament — Golf FanHouse

Woods, the tournament host, wasn’t around to present the trophy to one of his favorite players on the PGA Tour. He withdrew because of unspecified injuries from his Nov. 27 car accident, yet Woods remained part of every conversation …

BBC - BBC Sport: Iain Carter: Woods is not golf's only talking point

Everyone knows that Tiger boosts viewerships and interest in tournaments so instead of scaring him away from the golf course maybe it would be a positive for the tour if he were to come back sooner rather than later. …

Gifts for a Golfer (UK)

At this time of year many people are scurrying around wondering what to give to a relative or friend. Preferably it should be something they don’t already have, or something that will be of special interest.

So what do you buy for a golfer?

Well Amazon.co.uk have a great range of options. Here is just a small sample of the choice:

• How about a box of golf balls? They’re always getting lost or mislaid. A fresh supply will surely be appreciated.
• Or is your special person still carrying his or her golf bag around on a shoulder? Would a golfing trolley be appreciated?
• Maybe the bag itself is getting worse for wear. Friends on the course will surely admire a smart new golf bag.
• Possibly you have a family member who is just starting out as a golfer. What about a package set of clubs and bag?
• Would a driving or chipping net, or a putting mat be a big help in practice? Such training aids can help make a big difference to a person’s game.
• A gadget enthusiast might like a golf GPS, a laser range finder or a handheld electronic caddy. A golfing gadget might be a hole-in-one for your gift-giving.
• Or if none of these catches your imagination, why not have a look at our display of golf books.

The range of possibilities is enormous. Use your imagination and your choice of gift can be targeted directly on the interests of its recipient.

For more gift ideas take a look at our Golfing Store UK - or Golfing Store USA

Pebble Beach - History of a Golf Course

It is more than twentyfive years since I was staying in the Monterey area on the California coast with members of my family who were privileged to live there in that beautiful area for several years.

One afternoon I was driven out along the coast and admired the spectacular scenery in the are of the Pebble Beach golf course. I have never played golf there, but the memory of the surroundings of this course have often made me think what a marvellous place in which to hit some balls.

Now, Pebble Beach: The Official Golf History by Neal Hotelling has been published, and Amazon have it available at a very substantial reduction. This would make an excellent gift for a golfing enthusiast family member or friend, especially anyone who has played on the California coast..

Click on the image above to buy from Amazon.com, or for an extended view of what to expect why not take a look at the following article from a recent issue of the The Herald of Monterey County.

Historical links: Pebble Beach golf book released

Editor’s note: Triumph Books has released “Pebble Beach: The Official Golf History,” written by historian Neal Hotelling with photography by Joann Dost.

For more golf books click on one of these two links:
Golf Books (UK)
Golf Books (USA)

Eccentric Bra for Golfing Ladies

Putting practice mats come in many shapes and sizes, but here’s one from Japan that beats the lot for being unusual. It doubles as a lady’s bra.

Currently only available in Japan, where the makers say it is targeted on the young female golfing market, you can see it demonstrated on the following ITN film clip.

Golf Bra that turns into golf putting mat