==================================================== Newsletter - Issue 50 Date 04/09/08 ==================================================== =================================================== TCT Quick Tips - Practice Swings ==================================================== Take more practice swings the nearer you get to the hole. ==================================================== Golf Tip : Q&A Spend Wisely ==================================================== If anyone has a golf question that they would like answered, please email your question to: teachingpro@bataviacc.com and I'll do my best to answer it in an upcoming newsletter. Q: Dick emailed this question: I'm sure you agree with :" You can't buy a game in a golf store", meaning, of course, the $500 one would spend on a new driver, only to gain 20 yards [for the average golfer] would be better spent other places, like a teaching pro, teaching videos, etc.. Lets say the you only had $100 or even $50 to spend, what's the best we can do with that $$ ?? New wedge, putter...........??? A: Hi Dick, I hope this doesn't sound too self serving - here's the honest answer: What good is a tool (club) if you don't know how to use it correctly? Initially, spend the money on lessons, books, or good golf teaching dvds. Good books and teaching dvds are excellent for experienced middle to low handicap golfers, beginners and high handicap golfers would benefit more from a private or group lesson first to learn the fundamentals. After lessons, it will be easier to integrate the information in books and dvd's into your own swing. Then you can get the right equipment for you based on the recommendations your teacher provides, and you won't be wasting money on equipment that doesn't suit your swing. Most of the time, unless you are moving from an old antique wooden head persimmon driver to a newer 460 cc titanium driver, the net gain you could expect would be closer to 5 yards, not 20 yards. I hate to admit it, but I'd spend $500 in a heartbeat if I could really believe that a new driver would yield 20 more yards off the tee for me. Actually, I'd probably wait a year and get the same club new for around $300 after the next new longer driver comes out.