golf5218

Monday, January 28, 2008

Secrets that Golf Ball Manufacturers Don't Want You to Know

You have probably seen and heard advertisements from several different manufacturers claiming that their ball is the best. Hey, they can't all be the best...or can they? Since there are rules that limit a ball's initial velocity, it stands to reason that all the major golf ball makers are already pushing those limits. If they wanted to, they could probably make a ball that goes much further, but it would be illegal. Some pros are under contract to play the ball brand of their various sponsors, but they probably would do just as well playing a different brand, so it is not likely that these balls can be all that different.

That means if the average golfer wants more distance, any of the major brands will be OK. Some balls claim to have "high spin". Sounds cool, but if that is true, you can expect to increase your slice or hook, which negates the value of being able to stop the ball on the green more easily. Trying to spin the ball on "public" greens may be futile, because those greens are usually not as soft as the greens on plush private courses, so the extra spin might not be of any benefit to the average golfer anyway. If you really really like spin, use a ball with a cut or scrape on it (just kidding). If you like more distance, line up the seam of the ball vertically along the target line (not kidding, this supposedly also promotes a better roll for putting).

Some people claim they can feel a difference in the "softness" of the ball when they hit it. Don't be fooled by this. Any ball will feel softer if you hit it on the sweet spot of the club, and the same ball will feel hard if you fail to strike the ball on the sweet spot. Some people say they can tell by the sound; gimme a break, does it go "doink" or "squish"? If you think any of these balls are soft, allow me to bounce one of them off your head, and then you can tell me how soft it feels. They used to say hard swingers were supposed to use harder higher compression balls, yet the lower compression Lady Precept has changed this way of thinking, and now all the major brands are making balls with specs similar to the Lady Precept.

So the bottom line is this: Unless you are a low handicap golfer, it probably makes little difference which ball is better for you. The marketing hype is just playing on your mind. For the average golfer, brand guchi-fufu will probably get no better scores than Brand A or B or X. However, the mind is a very powerful thing, so if you feel more confident by playing an expensive ball, then go for it, a positive attitude will probably help you.

So without further ado, here is my "meticulous scientific" and most fiscally responsible method of choosing a golf ball. Use whatever the ball retriever can dredge up from the nearest ponds, and put the money saved to better use, like maybe for some extra beers at the 19th hole, or better yet, use it for some of the golf swing improvement DVDs mentioned in our web site!

Need help with your golf or just want to make guaranteed improvements? Visit Think and Reach Par for more great free golfing tips and advice, or maybe treat yourself or the golfer in your life to a golf gift to improve your stance, swing and grip like the body Golf Powersteps DVD.

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Minnesota Golf Courses in the City of Rochester

Minnesota golf courses come in a wide variety, from 9-hole mom and pop operations to 54-hole resort complexes and we have been discussing different destinations in this series of articles. Today we will highlight the city of rochester in the southeastern portion of the state. rochester is located approximately 85 miles southeast of the Twin Cities on Hwy. 52. rochester is known worldwide as the home of the Mayo Clinic. There are plenty of places to stay and other activities to participate in while in rochester when you are done golfing. A good reference site is www.rochestercvb.org, which is the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau, but we are here to primarily discuss the golf opportunities that rochester has to offer.

The golf courses in rochester and telephone numbers are:

Eastwood Golf club 1-507-281-6173
Maple Valley Golf & Country club 1-507-285-9100
Meadow Lakes Golf club 1-507-285-1190
Northern Hills Golf club 1-507-281-6170
Oak Summit Golf Course 1-507-252-1808
rochester Golf & Country club 1-507-282-3170
Soldiers Memorial Field Golf Course 1-507-281-6176
Willow Creek Golf Course 1-507-285-0305

As you can see there are plenty of opportunities to play golf in rochester. You can either come for a weekend or stay for a week and never have to play the same golf course twice.

Eastwood Golf club: Eastwood Golf club is city owned golf course that is located in the southeastern part of the city. This facility is an 18-hole course that plays 6,205 yards from the back tee markers. Par at Eastwood Golf club is 70. The course rating is 69.6 and the slope index is 121. The green fee for 18-holes is $26.75 and golf cart rentals are available for $24.00 for 18-holes. If you have a group outing planned in the rochester area you can rent the entire golf course for half or full day. Contact the golf course management staff for more details.

Maple Valley Golf & Country club: Maple Valley is a par 71, 18-hole golf course. The course plays at 5,916 yards from the back tee markers with a course rating of 68.1 and a slope index of 108. Maple Valley Golf Course is located approximately 15 minutes south of the city of rochester in the beautiful Root River bluff country. Elevation changes in this area of the state are quite dramatic so dont let the yardage of this course deceive you. Weekend 18-hole rates are $31.00 plus tax. A power cart can be rented for $14.00 per person plus tax.

Meadow Lakes Golf club: Meadow Lakes Golf club is an 18-hole par 71 links style course and has water hazards on 15 of the 18 holes. There are two island greens featured at Meadow Lakes. There are four sets of tee markers to choose from to challenge golfers of all abilities. Power carts are also available for rent. After your round of golf, dont forget to stop in the lounge for cold refreshments.

Northern Hills Golf club: Northern Hills Golf club is a city owned golf course that is located in the northwestern part of the city. Northern Hills Golf club is an 18-hole facility that plays 6,335 yards from the back tee markers with a course rating of 70.9 and a slope index of 129. Green fee for 18-holes is $26.75 and golf cart rentals are available for $24.00 for 18-holes. If you have a group outing planned in the rochester area you can rent the entire golf course for half or full day. Contact the golf course management staff for more details.

Oak Summit Golf Course: Oak Summit Golf Course is located five miles south of the city of rochester and just mile west of the rochester Municipal Airport. Oak Summit Golf Course is an 18-hole par 70 facility that features 4 sets of tee markers. The course plays 6,434 yards from the back tees with a course rating of 71.0 and a slope index of 118. The cost to play at Oak Summit Golf Course is $25.00 for 18-holes with power cart rental available for $14.00 per person additional.

rochester Golf & Country club: rochester Golf & Country club is a private members-owned club located on the western edge of the city. You will have to be a guest of a member to play here or if you are moving to the rochester area you can apply for membership. There are also non-resident memberships available if you live 40 miles away from rochester. The rochester Golf & Country club features four sets of tee markers, the course plays at 6,469 from the back tees with a course rating of 71.4 and a slope index of 131. If you are in the area and have the ability to get in a round, it certainly will be an adventure for you to experience the history of this club that dates back to 1915.

Soldiers Memorial Field Golf Course: Soldiers Memorial Field Golf Course is a city owned course that is located in the center of the city that was built in 1927 and the Zumbro River runs through the course. The course plays just 5,706 yards from the back tees with a course rating of 66.8 and a slope index of 116. Strategy and ball placement are vital to scoring well as the Zumbro River comes into play on several holes. Green fee for 18-holes is $26.75 and golf cart rentals are available for $24.00 for 18-holes. If you have a group outing planned in the rochester area you can rent the entire golf course for half or full day. Contact the golf course management staff for more details.

Willow Creek Golf Course: Willow Creek Golf Course is an 18-hole par 70 course that plays 6,053 yards from the back tees. There is also Little Willow 9-hole executive course that plays 1,434 located on the property. The weekend rate to play 18-holes is $26.00. There are also power carts for rent at Willow Creek. After your round of golf dont forget to stop by the 19th Hole Lounge for a cold beverage and a sandwich from the daily menu.

The rochester area is filled with variety, not only in the choices of golf courses but also in accommodations and other points of interest in the area. Whether you decide to stay for a weekend or a week, and choose to stay in a Bed & Breakfast or a luxury hotel, rochester has something for everyone. When making plans for your summer vacation make it a Minnesota rural golf vacation!

Copyright 2006 Dana Buttenhoff

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