==================================================== BCC Golf Newsletter - Issue 172 Date 07/17/11 ==================================================== ==================================================== TCT Quick Tip - Buying Used Clubs ==================================================== There's usually noting wrong with used clubs that a new set of grips can't fix, here are a few guidelines for buying. When buying used clubs, a guarantee is only as good as the seller that offers it. Reputable, honest businesses will always stand behind their product no matter what it is. If you're shopping for a used golf club, research the sellers warranty, guarantee, and/or return policy. If their warranty doesn't inspire your confidence, find a seller with a warranty that does. If you are buying off ebay, read the seller feedback thoroughly. Many top brand knockoffs are being made and passed off as real, but experienced sellers can tell if a used golf club is authentic and would never buy or sell a fake. When buying a used golf club, take a minute to learn about the seller. Reputable sellers can not only tell the difference between an authentic club and a knock-off, but will completely guarantee the authenticity of the club you buy. Ask for a certificate of authenticity before you buy a relatively expensive used driver, or ask for the serial number of the club and google it, Callaway, for one, has a website where they list serial numbers of authentic as well as counterfeit clubs. I bought a counterfeit once off ebay, confronted the seller with the information I got off the Callaway website, and promptly got a refund. He claimed he didn't know it wasn't genuine. As always, buyer beware ... if a deal seems to good to be true be a bit suspicious. Enjoy, Tom ==================================================== Golf Tip: Putter Acceleration ==================================================== Regarding accelerating into impact on a putt, there is ample evidence that a slight acceleration from the top of the back swing to impact is very important. When I teach my students - even my better players - I do not emphasize this acceleration. It is almost instinctive and by emphasizing it, I sometimes find a disruption of good rhythm as the student is inclined to start jabbing at the ball, leading to inconsistent results. I want it to feel like it happens naturally as a result of a forward pendulum stroke motion. I do not ever want my students to decelerate into impact, and recommend a thought of a good, smooth and continuous follow through, to prevent deceleration. At impact, the head decelerates, because there is an exchange of momentum while the ball is accelerating to its initial launch speed. Watch closely during TV coverage of a putting stroke in slow motion and you will actually see this momentary slowing of the putter head at impact. So, even though you may think of accelerating through impact, this doesn't really happen but the thought of a follow through helps you maintain good rhythm. Enjoy, Tom ==================================================== A Bit of Humor ==================================================== I get a zillion golf jokes emailed to me but rarely pass them on. This one struck me as too funny to not pass along, enjoy. WIFE AND HUSBAND'S DIARY Wife’s Diary: Tonight, I thought my husband was acting weird. We had made plans to meet at a nice restaurant for dinner. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment on it. Conversation wasn't flowing, so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk. He agreed, but he didn't say much. I asked him what was wrong; He said, 'Nothing.' I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset He said he wasn't upset, that it had nothing to do with me, and not to worry about it. On the way home, I told him that I loved him. He smiled slightly, and kept driving. I can't explain his behavior I don't know why he didn't say, 'I love you, too.' When we got home, I felt as if I had lost him completely, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there quietly, and watched TV. He continued to seem distant and absent. Finally, with silence all around us, I decided to go to bed. About 15 minutes later, he came to bed. But I still felt that he was distracted, and his thoughts were somewhere else. He fell asleep; I cried. I don't know what to do. I'm almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else. My life is a disaster. Scroll down for Husband's Diary Husband's Diary: A four putt; who the hell four putts ?