John Lucas

I would like to talk about equipment this week. This article is directed to 90 percent of the golfers on this planet. The other highly skilled 10 percent know any shortcomings they have and generally know what to do about them.

 

My first topic is your clubs. Most players do not need a 3-, 4- or a 5-iron in their bag. They are difficult at best to strike with any consistency. The hybrids are the clubs of the future, much more forgiving and playable. They are available with lofts up to 38 degrees now.

 

The 38-degree club is a very versatile club for approaches, chipping, fairway bunkers and the rough. Golfsmith has an excellent one, Stock #ccse3903, on its website. I have a slightly older model of the same club and you are welcome to try it out.

 

Lofts on standard 3-, 4- and 5-irons are 19, 23 and 27 degrees. All are replaceable with hybrid clubs. Sets of irons now come graduated with hybrids in place of the long irons and graduating to normal irons in the sets. Also 60-degree lob wedges really are for the most skilled player as the mistakes made by miss hits are magnified.

 

Now a way to help pay for new clubs. The $4 golf balls (Titleist ProV) are just a waste of money. I have proved this to many medium and higher handicappers by taking them out on the course with these balls and some of the lesser-priced Pinnacles and Top Flight balls. Those regularly sell for about a buck a ball at Costco, Big Five and Walmart. I promise you, your score won’t know the difference.

Rules teaser:
In stroke play, a player asks a fellow player to mark his ball and lift it, since he thinks it may interfere. The fellow player refuses. Ruling?

Answer to last column’s teaser:
A player looking for his ball exceeded the five-minute time limit. He couldn’t find it because another player had played it. Ruling? The player must consider his a lost ball and accordingly must follow rules for a lost ball.

John Lucas is the professional at SkyRidge Golf Course and can be reached at john98382@olypen.com.