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Golf Equipment Demonstration Days - A Few Words of Warning

By Steve Lee

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Published: 23Jul2009
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If you are a keen golfer you have probably attended a golf demonstration day at some point during your golfing 'career'. If you are considering going to one soon, then you really should read what follows because you need to, 'Beware of the demonstration day - you could well learn something to your disadvantage".

Until a few years ago, these simply consisted of a manufacturer or manufacturers turning up with a few bags of their latest clubs for us to try out on the driving range in the hope that we would be tempted to part with our hard-earned cash. If you are anything like me, you go through as many clubs as the time allows, or until you discover the one (which, in my case, was invariably there) that you just know will take your golf game to a whole new level

From the very first moment I held that shiny new driver I just knew this was the one; the Holy Grail of golf clubs that I'd been searching for all my golfing life; and not only that, the proof of its power was there for all to see as I nailed every drive straight and true towards the end of the range, leaving me wondering what to do next; hit another screaming drive or reach for my credit card.

Having bought the club, at the very moment I used it 'in anger' for the first time, I was subjected to what remains to me one of the Great Mysteries Of The Universe. It didn't work anymore. It was as if its power had suddenly drained away.

With the passing of time and the advance of new technology, however, not only do we see bags full of golf clubs nowadays, but also an array of laptops perched on lecterns, with strange looking boxes sitting ominously adjacent to the spot from where we hit the ball. The first time I saw all this paraphernalia, I was convinced it had been invented for the sole purpose of solving the aforementioned 'Great Mystery'.

I recently went to one of these 'demo' days with a pro friend who plays on one of the minor tours, and as well as three or four major club companies, there was one demonstrating their golf balls.

My friend always uses what is probably the best-known and most played ball on tour, but is always open to try anything which might save him a shot or so a round.

We called in on the 'golf ball guy', he asked my friend what ball he normally played, handed three to him and told him to hit driver into the net. Whilst my friend was getting prepared (he had his own driver with him), the 'golf ball guy' started fiddling with his laptop and once he was ready the three shots were hit.

After a short appraisal of the results, the guy said he was playing the wrong ball and to try the one made by his company.

Another tweak of the laptop, another three shots and another appraisal but this time, miraculously, the ball was perfect. More distance, straighter, better ball flight, less backspin, sidespin and so on.

My friend was staggered but I was not quite so excited and while they were discussing his performance I retrieved all six balls from the net, suggesting he hit them all again in no particular order.

The 'golf ball guy' was not happy, particularly when the new set of results revealed that the ball my friend normally used had now significantly outperformed his own company's ball.

We then moved to another bay where a major club manufacturer had a launch monitor installed.

After another computer setting-up process, my friend hit three range balls dead straight into the distance with his own driver. We were both convinced each ball had carried the 250 yard marker comfortably, which was pretty much in line with his average driver carry distance of around 275 yards.

Unfortunately the launch monitor showed a different story; according to it, the carry distance was 234 yards with an overall 'shot efficiency' of only 65% taking such things as launch angle and spin rates as well as distance and direction into account.

After another tweak of the computer, my friend was handed the company's latest driver; another three good shots which appeared little different from those with his own club and another appraisal.

This time the results were far better; more distance, more accuracy, better spin rates and an overall shot efficiency of around 90%!

When we queried these results with what can best be described as very probing questions, the guy finally conceded that it looked as if his launch monitor was "wrong" and "must have been affected by the sun"!

Whether or not in the two cases above the equipment was wrong I shall leave for you to judge. The point is, enjoy your 'Demo Day' but beware, you could well learn something to your disadvantage.

Steve's expertise in golf club technology has, over the years, brought him into contact with golfers of all abilities - from beginners to tour pros - and he wants to share this experience with his readers. Some of the ideas he has gathered are radical, outside the box, or just plain controversial. He has put together a complimentary 25 page report containing some innovative concepts which you can access at: http://www.golfadvicedetective.com

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