Sabbatini wins Honda Classic with help from TaylorMade?

It is not necessarily because of the TaylorMade R11 white-faced driver that Rory Sabbatini won the PGA Tour Honda Classic but the new golf equipment surely made a positive impact on his game.

 

In addition to the TaylorMade R11 white driver with Adjustable Sole Plate Technology (or ASP), Sabbatini also used Tour Preferred MC forged irons, Burner SuperFast 2.0 TP 3-wood and the TaylorMade Ghost TM 770 tour putter. With this putter, Rory tied for second in the field in putts-per-round!

 

"I've never quite had as much confidence in a new putter as I have in this one. After picking it up last week and hitting a few putts with it, right away it just felt amazing to me. It was probably one of the smartest decisions I've ever made in my golf game," said Sabbatini after his win on the Champion Course at PGA National.

 

Sabbatini changed his golf equipment early in 2011 and has increasingly improved his performance in the last four events he played, including a tie for 5th at the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

 

With his win at the Honda Classic, Sabbatini has skyrocketed by fifty spots to number fifty-two in the World Golf Rankings, enters the top-ten (3rd place) of the FedEx Cup rankings and has also officially grabbed the final spot in the upcoming WGC-Cadillac Championship being held at Doral.

 

So is it the "arrow or the indian"?

 

TaylorMade's 2011 worldwide driver "wins" are at an astounding eight and with Luke Donald, Y.E. Yang and Camilo Villegas also in the field this week, the ninth victory for TaylorMade Golf could be just a swing away.

 

Here are the golf clubs which spurred Rory Sabbatini on to victory at the Honda Classic:

 

In Sabbatini’s Bag

R11 driver 10.5°  

Burner Superfast 2.0 TP fairway 13°

R9 fairway 19° 

Tour Preferred MC, 4-PW 

TP wedge with xFT ZTP 56° and 60°

TaylorMade Ghost TM-770 Tour putter

Penta TP ball

 

 

Image courtesy of TaylorMade Golf

 

Golf for Beginners does not endorse the TaylorMade brand of golf clubs.

 

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Oversimplification of new TaylorMade R11 driver?

The "revolutionary" new TaylorMade R11 driver has been oversimplified in its new ad campaign, introducing the golf club with children singing an old Sesame Street tune. Although VP of brand and product marketing Bob Maggiore said the TaylorMade R11 driver's "stunning design, technology and performance clearly set it apart from the competition," it's hard not to think in black and white instead of 1080i.

The new TaylorMade R11 driver head is white, atypical for the most part but that is not what sets it apart. The R11 can be fine-tuned to the user by changing loft, face angle and flight path. This concept was probably too complicated for the masses, especially when attempting to explain it in a TV commercial. Instead, let's sing a song!

Here is TaylorMade missing the boat in an earlier TV commerical, Transported.

I'm not saying that the ad for the R11 isn't "cute" because it is but... I don't want a cute driver and I don't want a golf club that I picture comes as part of a kids set! I want one that sends my golf ball thirty yards longer so that I can't see where it landed but I know that it landed in the middle of the fairway.

From the time I was able to sit up and focus, Sesame Street was one of the programs regularly watched on the family's enormous antiquated TV tube/stereo combo. Imagine how I felt when I heard the old Sesame Street favorite being linked with the new TaylorMade R11 driver!

Perhaps I can show you how I felt right here. Does the TaylorMade R11 driver - Sesame Street connection work for me? I guess it could if Grover or Kermit the Frog were taking a swing!

For more information on the new TaylorMade R11 driver visit TaylorMadeGolf.com.

Is the new Adidas aG Strike Golf Bag a stand-out?

Considered the "hero" of the 2011 Adidas Golf Bag Collection, the aG Strike Stand Bag is lightweight and durable, loaded with basic comforts and thoughtful details which will please even the most demanding golfer.


I really put this golf bag through its paces (sorry Adidas) hoisting it in and out of my car with the help of the easy-grip handle, but unfortunately it collided bottom first onto the ground a few times.

I tried to be gentle with my new stand bag but happy that Adidas had me in mind when they constructed the aG Stand Bag with double-stitched seams and strong binding on the base cuff of the bag. The sturdy non-slip rubber grips on the bottom of the arms and the crush-resistance of the bag are also appreciated!

From a woman's perspective, the lighter weight (4.3 lbs) and not-too bulky anti-fatigue straps really make a difference carrying the bag as well as putting it on/taking it off during the round. The six-way compressed nylon top, four-way full-length dividers were useful in minimizing contact between my clubs although I found that, when my round goes awry, I don't really pay much attention where that 7-iron goes...one of my mental errors which I am constantly working to improve!


Colorful and stylish, the new Adidas aG Strike Golf Bag will not disappoint the golf fashionista! Although my choice of color was the red/charcoal/gray combo (red for the Tiger Woods in me), there are other great combinations to match your outfits (and your grips): Black/Charcoal/Blue, Black/White.


There are also external slots for pen and umbrella, an insulated water bottle sleeve, an in-pocket hook for your keys, large pocket for your sweater when the temperature rises and even pull cords for every zipper making it easy to open and close each pocket. Seven pockets in total with plenty of places to store your golf accessories including a velour-lined space for your valuables.


Speaking of pocket fillers, the folks at Adidas Golf were really thinking of the consumer when they came up with the new FAS-TEK system (Fast Action Snap Technology.) Instead of fumbling through your pants pockets searching for GPS and/or cell phone, you can attach your goodies directly to the golf bag and have your GPS at your fingertips! Although sold separately, this is one innovative way that Adidas can help you "trick-out" your golf bag.


One of the niftiest items attached to my new Adidas aG Strike Stand Bag, in my opinion, is a ball marker with cut-outs of a star, line and circle. Several smiley faces adorn my golf ball so, as you can see, this added touch on the Adidas golf bag caught the eye of this female golfer!


Of course the Adidas Golf aG Strike Stand Bag is a stand-out for the most discerning male or female golf enthusiast and, believe me when I say, women make the toughest critics!


Here is more information on the TaylorMade/Adidas aG Strike Stand Bag:

Price on TaylorMade Golf Website: $139.99

Features & Specs:

• Convenient and sturdy top handle
• EVA Foam ergonomically correct shoulder straps with velour lining
• 7 Total Pockets
• Insulated water bottle sleeve
• Velour Lind valuables pouch with internal key clip
• Foam padded hip pad with Air Flow channel for maximum comfort
• Anit-Slip Actuator on base of bag for increased stability
• Umbrella slot
• External pen slot
• Three FAS-TEK receivers

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TaylorMade Golf Consumer Demo Experience for New Burner 2.0 Irons

"Unstoppable 8" Taylor Made Golf Demo Tour Offers Consumers a Unique Opportunity to try Burner 2.0 irons and other TaylorMade Products, Compete in Contests and Win Prizes!

 TaylorMade Golf Company captivated a global audience by unveiling the next-generation Burner 2.0 irons via worldwide webcast on September 9. A month later, TaylorMade Golf is presenting consumers in eight cities across the country with a unique opportunity to experience the performance of the Burner 2.0.



Called the "Unstoppable 8 Tour," each event is designed to offer golfers a venue where they can try for themselves the Burner 2.0 irons as well as other TaylorMade equipment.

"Unstoppable 8" refers to a set of Burner 2.0, eight clubs designed to promote tremendous distance.

"All you need to know about the Burner 2.0 irons is that they're long, really long," said Mike Ferris, vice president of the Burner product category.

"We want to players of all levels with the opportunity to experience it, so we devised the Unstoppable 8 Demo Tour, which is a new way for us to introduce golfers to our products and engaging them with our brand. Each of the eight Unstoppable 8 events is a major production unto itself, and we've devoted a lot of time, effort and resources to ensure that attending an Unstoppable 8 event will be fun, informative and memorable."

Attendees of Unstoppable 8 Demo Tour events will have the opportunity to:

• Try the new Burner 2.0 irons
• Participate in the Unstoppable 8 Demo Challenge
• Meet members of TaylorMade's R&D and Product Development teams – the people responsible for the creation of Burner 2.0
• Win "on-the-spot" prizes
• Enter a sweepstakes to win a set of Burner 2.0 irons and other prizes
• Pre-register at TaylorMadeGolf.com/Burner for a free gift when you attend

The Unstoppable 8 Tour is scheduled to visit eight key Sun Belt markets; the public is invited and admission is free. The date of the first event, October 9 in San Diego, is the day after the Burner 2.0 becomes available at retail nationwide. The complete list of Unstoppable 8 dates and locations:

• October 8 — San Diego, CA — Encinitas Ranch Golf Course
• October 23 — Houston, TX — Golf Advantage School at the Clubs of Kingwood
• November 6 — Palm Springs, CA — Marriott Shadowridge
• November 6 — Orlando, FL — The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club
• November 13 — Phoenix, AZ — TPC Scottsdale
• November 13 — Tampa Bay, FL — Legacy Golf Club
• November 20 — Miami, FL — Doral Resort
• December 5 — West Palm Beach, FL — PGA National Resort & Spa

TaylorMade Burner 2.0 irons say that they are ideal for any player who wants an easy-to-launch, distance-enhancing iron that also offers excellent feel and playability. With the Burner 2.0, TaylorMade has created eight individually engineered irons designed to be even better than their predecessor, the enormously popular first-generation Burner irons.


For more information on the Burner 2.0 irons or the Unstoppable 8 Tour, visit www.taylormadegolf.com/burner. Consumers who pre-register online for the event in their market will receive a free sleeve of Burner golf balls upon arrival to the event!


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Can TaylorMade Burner Irons 2.0 Really Add Distance and Improve Your Accuracy?

TaylorMade makes a bold statement: they contend that the new 2.0 Burner Irons will add distance and improve your accuracy and feel on the golf course...but can they?

The TaylorMade Burner 2.0 Irons were "engineered to combine legendary Burner distance plus more feel and playability." The design has been enhanced to be more durable and to resist glare with a "two-toned "Burner Black PVD finish" but that hardly improves a golfer's accuracy.  Let's read on...

Improved Weight Distribution to Optimize Ball Flight in Short-, Middle- and Long-Irons
Weight distribution varies in every Burner 2.0 clubhead to improve long-, middle- and short-iron ball flight. In the long-irons, weight has been shifted toward the back of the head, to promote easy launch, and toward the toe and heel, to promote greater stability and forgiveness. In the middle-irons, weight is distributed more evenly and slightly higher to promote workability while still providing forgiveness. In the short-irons, weight is positioned even higher, to promote a lower, more controllable ball flight, and centered, to promote increased clubhead control. Additionally, the CG in the short-irons is closer to the face, similar to a blade, to increase feel and to promote lower flight.

Yes, improving the ball flight will increase carry and ultimately distance.

Differing Face Thickness in Every Iron to Promote More Speed and Distance in the Long-irons, More Feel and Control in the Short-irons
Every individual Burner 2.0 iron boasts a different face thickness. The thinnest and fastest faces are in the long-irons, with the face in each successive iron growing thicker down through the middle- and short-irons. The thinner face, the higher the COR to promote more ball speed and distance; the thicker the face, the greater the feel.

A thicker face for the shorter irons to promote better feel and thinner face for longer irons to improve distance. The ability to add a few yards and touch from 100 yards and in seems to have been covered by the engineers but consistent solid contact with the golf ball is key...

Progressive Topline Thickness, Improved Multi-Functional Sole and TaylorMade's Renowned Inverted Cone Technology
Toplines in the Burner 2.0 irons are substantial and strong in the long-irons, and grow progressively thinner down through the middle- and short-irons. The multi-functional sole, introduced in the original Burner iron, has been improved by recessing the heel and toe and beveling the rear, all to reduce drag and make it easier to make clean, solid contact. On the rear side of the clubface, TaylorMade's patented Inverted Cone Technology has been reconfigured and sized and positioned strategically in each individual iron to promote faster ball speed on off-center hits for more consistent distance from shot to shot.

Longer, Easier to Hit Long-irons
Burner 2.0 long-irons combine an ultra-thin clubface for higher COR (1.8 mm in the 4-iron) with higher MOI. Relief at the rear of the sole allows the sole to play narrower. All of the above promotes more distance in the Burner 2.0 long-irons while making them significantly easier to hit and more playable.

Improved Vibration-Management System
"Golfers who play the current Burner iron will notice a difference in the sound and feel, which is significantly softer and more satisfying in the Burner 2.0," said Bazzel. "We put in a lot of effort to refine and improve the vibration-management system in the cavity in order to reach our target for sound and feel."

New Flight-Control Shaft Design and "Burner Black" Finish
Burner 2.0 irons are equipped with a new, flight-control shaft design in 85-gram steel or 65-gram graphite for longer, higher long-irons and quick-stopping short-irons that inspire confidence to attack the pin. The Women's Burner 2.0 is equipped with a graphite RE*AX® SuperFast 55-gram shaft.

Bret Wahl, senior director of research and development for irons, wedges and putters states,

"We've succeeded at creating a better-performing iron with the Burner 2.0, which is just as long, easier to play and more refined in its feel and sound. Every Burner 2.0 iron is better than its predecessor and, when compared against the longest, best-selling iron we've ever made, that says something truly significant." 

Where it is evident that TaylorMade has made substantial changes in their Burner Irons the proof still lies in the testing and I suggest that you take more than a few swings before you purchase, although many larger stores will allow you to "test drive" golf clubs for 30 days.

Burner 2.0 irons are offered in four shaft flexes – S, R, M, L. Ladies' flex shafts will be offered in the 5-iron through pitching wedge, attack wedge and sand wedge. The standard Burner 2.0 set includes eight irons offered at a street price of $699 with steel shafts in the irons and $899 with graphite shaft in the irons. Availability begins at retail on Friday, October 8.

Read more golf equipment and travel reviews on Golf for Beginners and follow us on Twitter!

Mingle with PGA Tour Golfers and Wives at Green Carpet Event

The PGA Tour Wives Association has partnered with Sentient Jet and the Bergen County's Children's Aid & Family Services for a charity "Green Carpet Affair" tomorrow.

This exclusive invitation-only cocktail party is scheduled to have about thirty PGA Tour players and their wives in attendance at a private home in Saddle River, NJ on Tuesday, August 24th from 6:30 - 9:30. I understand that "lavish" hors d'oeuvres and cocktails will be served.

There will also be a silent auction of "experience" items such as a Ryder Cup flag signed by the entire winning team.

Additional auction items include:

• a day of golf with Dustin Johnson in Myrtle Beach
• a weekend with Sandy & Kenny Perry in Kentucky with 2 rounds of golf with Kenny and a lesson from his coach
• VIP tickets to Tory Burch's Fashion Week show including a meet & greet with Tory and the models backstage
• a Bobbi Brown makeup experience
• the naming of a character in a Harlan Coben novel
• a wine experience in Tuscany
• a day at The Kingdom from Taylormade.

Tickets start at a very reasonable $275 and I understand that there are a few still available for purchase!


Visit www.cafsnj.org for more details.

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Too harsh a golf lesson for Yuko Mitsuka of the JLPGA?

I rarely play a round of golf on the weekends. I'm tired of the 'Sunday drivers' and slow players who search for their brand new, once-hit TaylorMade golf balls while laying tracks on freshly seeded fairways.

There usually is no penalty handed out by the rangers other than a stiff and formal "move it along" with a retort coming from the foursome something like, "it's the guys in front of us slowing down play." The golfers are probably right as the publinks often send out way too many golfers in an effort to collect as much seasonal income as possible. Either way, slow play makes it impossible to enjoy a day on the links.

In the case of Japanese golfer Yuko Mitsuka, there were no excuses given when the JLPGA invoked a two-stroke pace-of-play penalty last week at the World Ladies Championship.

Okay, so Yuko didn't at first bow and willingly accept her punishment.

When first hearing of her incurred two-stroke penalty, Mituska acted like any teed off golfer who just hit a grounder and angrily dropped her golf clubs and walked off the course.

Because Mitsuka quit halfway through the event, a fine imposed by the JLPGA of two million yen (about $21K US dollars) added insult to injury.

Realizing that her behavior was more befitting of John Daly than of a young lady from Japan, Mitsukla accepted the punishment and voluntarily withdrew from a total of eleven events as a sign of self-reproach.

Is this a smart move for Yuko or is she cutting her nose to spite her face, opting out of a few of the larger pursed tournaments to make a point?

On the PGA Tour, $20,000 fines called "The Prize", have also been "awarded" in the past for slow play but "nobody ever does anything about it," chides Rory Sabbatini.

Are "shot clocks" and "ready golf" the best way to move golf along at a more rapid pace or are stroke penalties and dollar assessments more effective for both betting foursomes and professionals?

Although Yuko Mitsuka took her medicine, was the JLPGA too strict in its punishment? Not from the JLPGA's standpoint!

"This will be a lesson to other golfers," said JLPGA chief Hisako Higuchi. "She has to take responsibility for her actions."

Higuchi may be right. How many women golfers in future JLPGA events will consider walking off the course because a penalty was placed on them?

Does TaylorMade, Dick's Sporting Goods TV spot help identify their brands?

TaylorMade and Dick's Sporting Goods are joining forces to help sell more product in the nationwide chain of stores. Will this new TV Spot, "Transported", help to develop both companies' "brand"?

If you cannot see this commercial, click here.

As for the tagline "Victory Lives Here", meant to bridge the identity of each campaign, I feel it misses the mark for TaylorMade but works well for Dick's Sporting Goods, a self-proclaimed "leader" in golf club sales.

Although it was mentioned in a PR piece by Michelle Edelman, president of NYCA (the ad company that created the TV Spot) that TaylorMade is "number one in drivers and number one in irons" this point was not convincingly conveyed in the commercial.

Should Rory Sabbatini have been chosen as a TaylorMade 'face'? He is hardly a positive role model. Just search his name on Google and you will find that Sabbatini is called everything from the "tour jackass of the week" to a "complainer". Do I like him? I met him briefly in Puerto Rico and I shall reserve comment.

Women were also left out of the loop. How about some representation by LPGA stars and TaylorMade Tour Staff pros Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer or Nicole Castrale? TaylorMade has a women's section on their website and Dick's Sporting Goods certainly sells women's golf clubs so why the lack of visibility?

The 30 second spot, which will appear on The Golf Channel and ESPN, is an enterprising decision between Dick's Sporting Goods Store and TaylorMade Golf but needs a bit more tweaking to ensure long-lasting positive results.

Are TaylorMade and Callaway making conventional golf clubs a thing of the past? Also, techniques to improve ball striking and course management

Click here to listen.

The new ruling handed down by the USGA allowing golfers to interchange shafts and clubheads prior to a game depending on course (and human) conditions have clubmakers Callaway and TaylorMade quickly putting out new technology.

Callaway's I-MIX adjustable FT-5 driver and TaylorMade's Tour Van in a Box interchange shafts and clubheads with the golfer optimizing the driver to his or her own comfort level. For example, as Jeff Colton, Sr. VP of Research and Design for Callaway states, "if they're feeling a little weak that morning, play a lighter shaft, or if it's been raining that week, drop some loft on a clubhead using your normal shaft."

I say, "Huh?"

Am I the type of person who will constantly interchange shafts and heads depending on if I'm hitting a fade or draw that day? I can't even hit a fade or draw on purpose most days and am extremely happy when my drive propels 200 yards straight down the fairway.


Callaway I-MIX Interchangeable golf clubs


Adding or subtracting weights or switching out heads with Callaway's "revolutionary system" doesn't suit the average amateur golfer but would be an innovation for club fitters and for those low handicappers who wish to "tweak" their club.

Unfortunately, the average golfer needs more tweaking with their swing and should send a message to these clubmakers that, for $350 for a driver head and yet another $350 to be shelled out for the interchangeable driver shaft, this marketing strategy will be a dud.


TaylorMade Tour Van in a Box



Manufacturers at the PGA Show forum lauded the new club innovation stating that the next step are the ability to change grip, loft, lie and bounce. Golf Channel's Chief Technical Advisor, Frank Thomas advises that, "the USGA is opening a can of worms that will soon get out of hand and be difficult to monitor."

This week, Golf for Beginners discusses the pros and cons of this new convertible technology and it's impact on the masses.

We also offer up a few easy drills and golf tips designed to improve ball striking. Jim Flick's discussion about "risk-reward" taken from Golf Digest Magazine is also analyzed. Sam Snead shaved strokes off of his game by using this technique and we show you how in our weekly golf podcast!


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Will Tiger Woods Play the Champions Tour?

Golf for Beginners Podcast number fifteen looks at both the serious and silly sides of golf.

Before we begin, please make sure that you tune in to our podcast next week as there is something happening to both Barry and I as well as Golf for Beginners that is going to change our future and we want our listeners to celebrate along with us!

Now, on to the podcast!

There is plenty of news this week beginning with the first LPGA event of the year, the SBS Open which took place in at the Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii. This is the same resort which hosts the Big Break V:Hawaii and the thrills are equally as great.

Korean rookie Joo Mi Kim grabbed the first place check of $150,000 from opponents Lorena Ochoa and Soo Young Moon in an unlikely playoff. The good news is that Kim WON the event with a birdie in the second playoff hole as opposed to the other two handing her the trophy.

Morgan Pressel displayed her skills admirably in her first professional event. Morgan shared fifth place with Natalie Gulbis. Paula Creamer didn't fare as well, unable to stay in the top-ten but give her time. She wasn't handed her first official tour trophy until the Sybase Classic and then she just couldn't be stopped!

These ladies all have one thing in common, namely, big business is standing behind them, offering contracts for all kinds of sporting goods.

USA Today writes about the marketability of these young superstars. General manager of Nike Golf USA, Cindy Davis states, "We believe these players can create brand awareness. There has been an evolution of women in sports in general. Their acceptance has changed dramatically in the last 20 years."

Twenty years ago the ladies in the LPGA were hard-pressed to find sponsors. Today, the younger, attractive stars are naming their own ticket.

Morgan Pressel represents Callaway Golf and Paula Creamer has six contracts from big names such as Bridgestone and TaylorMade-Adidas.

Q-School medalist Ai Miyazato has really hit the big time in Japan. She is such a larger-than-life superstar that she can't go outside without being chased down the street for an autograph. She's bigger than Hideki Matsui, has eleven different sponsors and is a television star to boot! When she is exxpected to play in a JLPGA tournament, ticket sales triple!

Michelle Wie is a prominent example of the new breed of woman golfer. Her combined $10 million Sony/Nike deal exemplifies capitalism to a "tee". A large, golden tee, that is.

These days it's no longer just about a win on the LPGA Tour. If a girl is marketable, she'll be brought along and has a good chance of retiring with a golden parachute.

In Champions Tour news, Loren Roberts secured both his third trophy and a place in history this week at the ACE Classic. Roberts is the only senior tour player who has achieved this feat and he did so in exciting fashion.

And would someone please purchase an umbrella for Tiger Woods! With flu-like symptoms, Tiger had to withdraw on Saturday after being drenched after a rainstorm at the Nissan Open. This is the only tournament which Woods has played in more than three times that he has not won (at least once). His record remains unbroken.

However, even with the sniffles, Tiger can drive the ball farther than most professional golfers today. His average drive for two days at the Nissan Open was over 300 yards which put him in ninth place in driving distance. But how will Tiger fare playing golf with the seniors?

In our Blogger Weekly section we pit Vijay Singh against Phil Mickelson in a Celebrity Deathmatch. Vijay just doesn't know when to give up! He's now two-for-two in calling officials over to check Mickelson's equipment and he loses each battle.

Also, eatgolf.com is convinced that food and water are overpriced at the Riviera Country Club. We don't agree. Notoriously, sporting events charge exorbitant prices because they can get away with it.

We also talk about the importance of a good golf instructor. These professional instructors are invaluable if you are serious about your game.

Most importantly, Barry and I have BIG NEWS heading our way. We are thrilled and excited all at once. Keep listening for all of the details!

For questions and comments please feel free to write to us at golfforbeginners@aol.com. We'll discuss your email in our podcast.

Review: TaylorMade R5 Driver

Hello golfers. My husband Barry went through a big selection process in order to find the driver of his dreams so I asked him how he finally selected the TaylorMade R5 Driver and if he would share it with our audience. It was harrowing, what with the huge selection of drivers, offsets, shafts and all the salespeople that are intent upon selling you golf clubs TODAY!

We hope this might help those of you who are a little intimidated by going shopping a few times and picking the brains of the sales staff at your local store but I promise, when you have done both your homework and tried out a few clubs (making sure you have tried the same golf club more than once), you will appreciate the time and information you spent just to get the right golf club or set of clubs.

And a tip for the ladies out there.

On one hand I wanted to go with Barry to make sure he would get just the driver that he wanted but it was a LONG process and a bit boring. I mean, how many hours can you play with the new putters on tour? At some point even watching golf at the store seems a bit cumbersome. But remember, it's all for your man. Barry really appreciated the fact that I helped him by questioning him and making sure that he wasn't lulling himself into a false sense of security at the store. They have these simulators which can really make you think you're hitting the golf club like a professional. The trouble starts when you get the golf club home and realize it isn't the stick but the golfer behind the stick. The good news is that some of these stores offer return policies. Make sure that you ask about your store's policies before you finalize your purchase.

At this point I'm turning our blog over to Barry. If any of our readers have any questions about how to properly select a golf club that will last you a few years, please feel free to contact us at golfforbeginners@aol.com.

Editorial by: Barry Solomon

Stacy misplaced my original blog on how I purchased my new TaylorMade R5 driver. When I first wrote the article I was very excited about my purchase. It was magic. I drove further and straighter than ever before. That was four months ago. So I guess I should start at the beginning.

I visited my local Golfsmith store because they have two great computerized hitting booths. You see I don't buy new clubs very often and I wanted to be as certain as I could that the club I chose would be best suited for me.

The booth is a great tool. It measures spin rate, ball speed, ball launch angle and much more. I would recommend anyone buying new clubs use a booth to make their purchase.

I spent three hours hitting many different drivers, I narrowed it down to three. The Cleveland Launcher, the TaylorMade R5 Type "N" and the Adams Redline RPM.

I compared all three with similar shafts and tip kick. It became a close race between the Cleveland Launcher and the TaylorMade R5. My final decision was based on the lower spin rate. I purchased the magical R5 with a standard shaft, stiff tip, no offset [neutral] and 9.5 degree of loft (and it's got a 450cc clubhead for that "substantial look that promotes confidence") but the specifications allow for any number of "tweakings" for a proper fit. You can even compare the new R7's to the R5's at TaylorMade's website.

TaylorMade offers a Type "D" (meaning draw) but I can make the ball draw on my own and am not trying to "cure" a slice.

I love my driver. I wow the people in my foursome with 275-300 yard playable drives. Even my bad hits are playable and 250 yards long. But the magic in the club is gone. It's all up me now, and I think I like it that way.