From tee to green

Has the game of golf improved since the days of wooden clubs, hickory shafts and feather filled balls? The answer depends on whom you talk to about the changes.

The most significant changes have occurred in how far the ball flies off the clubface, and this is a combination of lighter-weight, thinner metals, graphite shafts and newly designed balls.

Terms like coefficient of restitution, moment of inertia, launch angle, groove configuration, spin rates, aerodynamics, and 460 cc. max, kick point, torque limits, swing speed and other scientific terms have entered the golf world.

The United States Golf Association has found themselves in the middle of the controversy over what should be allowed and banned in equipment for golfers. They have instituted numerous new limits on ball flight, club-head size and length, and they are working with ball manufacturers to regulate the composition of the golf ball.

Technology certainly helps us maximize our potential, but so far we aren't able to buy a swing. The added athleticism of today's golfers, when matched with the right-fitted equipment, produces some phenomenal results.

The goal of the USGA is too ensure that advancements on technology do not diminish the skill necessary to play the game. Given the fact that the average handicap for both men and women has changed very little in the past several years would lead us to think not much has really changed.

The reality is that with a new larger head, high-tech driver, when hit up to one inch off the center of the clubface, may be only 10 yards shorter than a center-of-face contact. These forgiving clubs have enabled the best golfers to swing away with less danger of off-line shots.

Moment of inertia is a measure of the club-head forgiveness, and the higher the MOI number, the better the result from off-center hits.

Add to the new distance the fact that the modern irons have improved parameter weight, groove configuration and surface treatments that likewise minimize off line hits. The new surfaces, especially on wedges, enable accomplished players to recover from deep rough that used to considered nearly impossible to control the ball or impart spin.

With the number drives over 320 yards on the pro circuit now averaging over 11 percent of the field, courses are forced to keep building longer tracks for the major competitions. If baseball allowed titanium bats, how long would centerfield have to be from home plate?

What all this means to the average golfer is, in order to play your best golf, you may need to have a club-fitting that matches the shaft, club head, swing speed, type of ball and tee (yes even tee manufacturers make claims about ball flight) to your physical attributes.

The professional staff will use a launch monitor that will measure the angle, speed, spin, acceleration and point of impact for the best club ball combination for your particular skill set. Certain swing speeds require different types of golf balls to maximize length and control.

So, see your local golf professional and ask him/her if the aerodynamics of the improved three-piece ball, when contacted by your 460 cubic inch, 93 coefficient of restitution, high rated 5,900 gm/cm2 MOI, with low-torque and high kick-point shaft, will create a significantly improved ball flight with your 84 mph swing speed. My head is spinning, and I still can't make a four-foot putt.

Bulldog Open

A few spots are still available for teams to play in this year's Bulldog Open on June 18.

This great fund-raiser for Whitefish Junior Golf includes prizes for various flights, drawings, closest to winners and great food for lunch and dinner all included in the entry price of $55 per person.

Gather three more players and get your entry form at the Golf Shop for a Father's Day full of fun, food and golf.

Handicap maintenance

If you plan to maintain a handicap at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club, you need to pay the Montana State Golf Association's annual handicap fee. Scores must be entered into the computer for all rounds played to establish and maintain a handicap.

Remember, juniors do not need to pay the handicap fee.