How Custom Golf Clubs Can Improve Your Golf Game

Do you love to play golf but are tired of having to visit the golf club repair shop on a regular basis? If this is the case then you are like many other golfers out there who have to deal with golf club repair on a regular basis just to enjoy the game you love so much. But, what if there was an option for you to avoid frequent trips to the golf club repair shop? What if you could finally play a round of golf with a set of golf clubs that really fit your size and swing without worrying about golf club repair? Well, you can and the way you can is with a set of custom golf clubs. Custom golf clubs may seem like a major expense up front, but if you sit down and consider the price of your current set of clubs in addition to all the golf club repair bills then you will see that when you do the math a custom golf club set really is not that expensive. And, the benefits of having custom golf clubs is that you will play better golf than ever and will enjoy the game even more. But, what are the benefits of custom golf clubs and why should you choose custom golf clubs over others? The following information will guide you to all the benefits and information you need to know about custom golf clubs.

All About Custom Golf Clubs

Just to make a point about custom golf clubs take a look around you the next time you are out on the golf course. Is everyone the same height, weight, sex, and age or are there major differences in appearance? Now, check out everyone's golf clubs. Are all of the clubs practically the same with standard grips, lengths, and the like? So, what does this observation mean? It means that standard golf clubs don't fit the majority of golfers. So if you truly want to improve your game you will customize a set of custom golf clubs, just for you. Now, you are probably thinking that custom golf clubs are even more expensive than name brand golf clubs. However, that is not necessarily the case. Not to mention that the fitted custom golf clubs you hear about aren't anything at all like custom golf clubs, they are made from scratch just for you. Don't get confused between fitted custom clubs and custom golf clubs. The fitted custom golf clubs simply start out with the standard set of clubs from any golf manufacturer and then they proceed to make the clubs more suitable to your personal and playing traits. Although the custom fitting doesn't do too much other than cost you money because they are starting with a product that doesn't fit you to begin with!

Why would anyone anticipate that mass produced clubs would help them play golf at their best? The reason is because golfers want to be better and they believe the hype from the golf manufacturers that the "newest" technology will improve their game. Well, the real answer is not in buying mass produced clubs but rather customizing your own golf clubs. Anyone who has ever had a set of custom golf clubs can tell you that finally having a set of clubs that are the right length, with the right grip, will greatly impact what you shoot the next time you are out on the golf course.

It is simply logical to buy custom golf clubs that are made to fit you or customize your own set of golf clubs. That means your golf swing is analyzed as well as your personal characteristics to create a custom golf club set that works with your golf style and not against it. A custom golf club set will allow you to have grips that are the right size for your hands, heads that reflect your skill, and shafts that are the right length and flex.

When you have your first custom golf club set made you may see some big differences from your last set of clubs. Your custom golf clubs may be a different length or the grip may be smaller or bigger. The flex may be different and the head might be different as well. For some people who set out to play with their custom golf clubs the first day they see amazing results. Others will need to make some changes and practice because although the custom golf clubs really fit their personal characteristics it's difficult to change after playing with clubs that don't fit for so long. Just a little practice and patience is all that is needed to see the difference custom golf clubs provide. Not to mention that when you have a custom golf club set made you will have new clubs that won't be in need of golf club repair any time soon! If you really love golf then a custom golf club set is really worth the investment.

Ant Onaf is a content producer in association with EZGolfClubRepair.com (http://www.ezgolfclubrepair.com), the official site of the popular e-book "Golf Club Repair Made Easy" and "The Ultimate Golf Package". Golf club repair is essential for any golfer. EZGolfClubRepair.com teaches you how to create and repair your own custom golf clubs.

Kenyan Golf: The World's 10 Best Kept Kenya Golfing Secrets and Golf Courses

History of Golf in Kenya

The history of golf in Kenya goes back a long way, with one club in Nairobi due to celebrate its centenary in 2006. Locally, the game is thriving as never before. Young and gifted Kenyan golf players are starting to compete internationally at the highest levels.

But it is only comparatively recently that Kenya as a nation has woken up to the fact that its magnificent golfing inheritance is, in fact, a valuable commodity that can and should be marketed overseas. What's more, several of the Kenyan top golf courses have been refurbished or upgraded in recent times.

What Golfing in Kenya offers:

For the lovers of the game, Kenyan Golf offers:

o Un-crowded and mostly well maintained courses.

o Comparatively inexpensive green fees and associated playing costs.

o A perfect climate during Europe's winter months.

o Hotel accommodation of a high standards that is also reasonably priced.

o Frequent flights to Nairobi from Europe and the Far East.

o Manu excellent courses in and around Nairobi, at 100metres above sea level, but even more within two hours' drive of the capital

1. Muthaiga Kenyan Golf Club

Of the nation's 40 or so courses, probably the best known is the Muthaiga Golf Club, home to the Kenya Open and founded in 1913. The Kenyan golf course is popular with the locals at the weekends, but it is comparatively easy to play on weekdays. Muthaiga has recently undergone a major refurbishment to lengthen some holes and tighten other aspects of the golf course.

2. Windsor Kenyan Golf Hotel & Country Club

Other good Kenyan golf courses in the Nairobi area are Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club and the Royal Nairobi. Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club is unique to Kenya. Set amid coffee plantations, it consists of a large luxury hotel overlooking its own golf course. The Kenyan golf course itself has some of the trickiest holes and is not for the faint hearted or those a little wayward off the tee.

As such, Windsor golf course is a stiff test for any golfer. There is plenty of water around, not to mention some blind greens, a do-or-die 14th hole and an 18th hole that is capable of wrecking any card.

Like Muthaiga, the Royal Nairobi Golf Club is a golf course with strong colonial ties. Establishes in 1906, this is Kenya's oldest golf course.

3. Railway Kenyan Golf Club

Along with the Railway Golf Club, it is located right in town. AT 6,600 meters off the back tees, the Royal Nairobi is a testing course. Both the club house and the golf course have been refurbished recently.

Slightly further from Nairobi, but certainly no less interesting, are golf courses such as Karen, Limuru and Sigona.

4. Karen Kenyan Golf Club

The 6,630 meter Karen Golf Club, in the Ngong Hills, proved a worthy alternative venue for the 2004 Kenya Open. This is an admirably maintained course with a well connected membership, strong traditions, high standards and strict dress code.

5. Sigona Kenyan Golf Club

About 40 minutes out of Nairobi, on the Nakuru Road, is the recently upgraded Sigona Golf Club. This course is greatly favoured by local golf players and enjoys a moderate climate. Its par-71, 6015 meter golf course is suitable for players of all levels and its fairways are among the best kept in Kenya.

6. Limuru Kenyan Country Club

Located a similar distance from Nairobi is the par-71, 6,020 metre Limuru Country Club. At 2,330 meters, the Limuru is high above level and receives more rainfall than most other courses. Its greens and fairways are particularly lush, even in the dry season. This well maintained Kenyan golf course is a delight to play, but at this altitude players may need a sweater for early morning and evening rounds.

7. The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort

The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort at Naivasha is about 2,150metres above sea level and consists of a par-72, 6,073 metre course with some of the best views in Kenya. This is not the toughest golf course in the Kenya, but what it lacks in difficulty it more than makes up for by its sheer charm and beauty.

8. Many Other 9 and 18 hole Golf Courses near Nairobi

Apart from those already mentioned, there are nine-hole and 18-hole Kenyan golf courses dotted all around the highland areas above Nairobi. Some are in excellent condition, while others probably require some improvement before it would be worth traveling long distances to play golf.

Golfing at the Kenyan Coast

On the coast, meanwhile, visitors can expect a tropical atmosphere in terms of climate and playing conditions. There is a choice of two fine courses, Leisure Golf Club and the Nyali Golf Club, with rumours of new Kenyan golf courses to come in the area.

9. Leisure Golf Club in the Kenyan South Coast

The unforgiving Leisure Golf Club at Ukunda, on Mombasa's South Coast, has tight fairways, good quality greens and is in good order thanks to some new grass-cutting equipment. The 6,084 metre golf course is open to non- hotel guests and visitors can expect a warm welcome at the club house.

10. Nyali Golf Club in the Kenyan North Coast

North of Mombasa, the Nyali Golf Club offers a more traditional set-up. This Kenyan golf course is a fair test for any golfer, while the club house has a reputation for excellent food.

Better Winter Golfing in Kenya than in Mediterranean

Whatever Kenyan golf course or courses you decide to play in Kenya, you are bound to be pleasantly surprised by what you find. In fact, compared with the Mediterranean in winter, there really is no contest.

Robert is a tour consultant and co-owner of Landmark Safaris Ltd in Kenya. Visit them http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/sports.php to read more on your Golf tour.

All About Golf Shafts

Our Golf Shafts FAQ includes 21 questions answered by Tom Wishon, a noted club designer and developer. You can compare how steel shafts are made with how graphite shafts are made; find out if there are industry standards for shaft flex; and how often your shafts might need replacing.

And plenty more, too. So take a look at the Golf Shafts FAQ.

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What's Your Opinion of Announcerless Golf?

Did you catch any of the Golf Channel's Nationwide Tour Boise Open broadcast on Saturday? If so, what did you think of their experiment with announcerless golf?

My reaction ran about the same as Bubba Watson's, who wrote on Twitter:

"Watching nationwide tour, this is boring without announcers!! We need announcers to tell who is hitting and what the shots are like!!"

On the other hand, I've also been known to hit the mute button when certain announcers start talking.

I kept wondering what someone would think if they stumbled across the broadcast without knowing what the Golf Channel was doing. Probably: Are they having technical problems? Why can't I hear the announcers?

And I kept wondering why nobody thought of this back when Lanny Wadkins was broadcasting.

As a one-time gimmick, this probably will boost the broadcast ratings. As an ongoing effort, I think it would make more people turn off the telecast. But that's just me. What's your opinion?

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Ernie Els Leads Class of 2011 Into Hall of Fame

Ernie Els is a Hall of Famer. Few people would have argued that point yesterday; today, nobody has the option to argue it. Els has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame on the PGA Tour ballot, winning 66-percent of the vote (65-percent is required*) in his first year of eligibility.

Joining Els in the Class of 2011 are Doug Ford and Jock Hutchison, both elected in the Veterans Category; and President George H.W. Bush, elected in the Lifetime Achievement Category.

In a few weeks, one more name will be added to the list from the International Ballot. (Eligible players are listed down below.)

Els has 18 wins on the PGA Tour, including three majors: the 1994 and 1997 U.S. Opens, and the 2002 British Open. He also has 25 European Tour victories, 15 Sunshine Tour wins and a handful of other wins.

Ford was a 19-time winner on the PGA Tour, and that total included two majors: the 1955 PGA Championship and the 1957 Masters. Ford was the Player of the Year in 1955.

Hutchison, a St. Andrews native, played the PGA Tour in its infancy and is credited with 14 wins. He won the 1920 PGA Championship and 1921 British Open (against a playoff foe who had to be talked into showing up), plus the very first Senior PGA Championship in 1937. He also has the distinction of starting (along with Fred McLeod) the tradition of honorary starters at The Masters.

Why President G.H.W. Bush? The World Golf Hall of Fame's announcement details Bush's golf credentials:

President Bush helped raise the profile of the sport of golf considerably during and post his Presidential administration. He has been recognized by the golf community over the years, including receiving the 1997 PGA of America Distinguished Service Award, the USGA's 2008 Bob Jones Award and the 2009 PGA TOUR Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1996, President Bush served as honorary chairman of The Presidents Cup and has since attended every Presidents Cup. He is an honorary member of the PGA, honorary chair of the USGA Museum and Archives President's council and has served as honorary chairman of The First Tee since 1997.

Bush is the grandson of George Herbert Walker, founder of the Walker Cup.

The induction ceremony for the class of 2011 takes place on May 9, 2011, at the start of tournament week for The Players Championship.

Here are the voting results from the PGA Tour ballot (number is the percentage of ballots on which the individual was named):

Ernie Els, 66
Doug Ford, 50
Fred Couples, 32
Mark O'Meara, 29
Davis Love III, 27
Macdonald Smith, 23
Ken Venturi, 20
Fuzzy Zoeller, 18
Tony Lema, 14
Dave Stockton, 12
Don January, 10
Miller Barber, 9
Harold "Jug" McSpaden, 7
Kenny Perry, 2
Jay Haas, 2

I'd like to hear the reasoning of the 2-percent of voters who cast ballots for Jay Haas.

As noted, one more name will be added to the Class of 2011 when the inductee from the International Ballot is announced. The players whose names appeared on that ballot are:

Peter Alliss
Darren Clarke
Max Faulkner
Retief Goosen
Sandy Lyle
Graham Marsh
Colin Montgomerie
Norman Von Nida
Jumbo Ozaki
Ian Woosnam

(*Unless nobody gets 65-percent of the vote, in which case the golfer with the most votes gets in so long as he was named on at least 50-percent of the ballots.)

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What If They Televised a Golf Tournament and Nobody Showed Up to Announce It?

On Saturday, for its broadcast of the Nationwide Tour Albertsons Boise Open, the Golf Channel is trying something new: It's broadcasting the round without any announcers.

Oh, there'll be a few interviewers on hand. But there will be no play-by-play announcer, no analyst, nobody in the tower over at the 17th hole, no on-course reporters trailing groups and calling the action.

The network is calling it "announcer lite." Jerry Foltz will introduce the broadcast, then he and Curt Byrum will focus on tweeting and emailing with viewers. Kay Cockerill, Stephanie Sparks and Phil Parkin will conduct interviews with players.

But nobody will be calling the action. Instead, what viewers will predominantly hear are the sounds of the game: Player-caddie chatter, the whoosh and thwack of clubs, crowd reactions. The network's graphics department will get a serious workout helping explain what's happening through onscreen info.

It's an interesting experiment. And as a one-time thing, it will almost certainly boost ratings as golfers tune in to see what an announcerless golf broadcast sounds like.

This has been done before in other sports. I recall an NFL game from the early 1980s. Dolphins ... on NBC, I think. I remember it being quite boring.

Sports viewers love to hate the announcers. Even more, we love to think we could do a better job. But the Golf Channel's Saturday experiment is likely to make most viewers, I'm guessing, appreciate the broadcasters who actually explain what's happening, and who fill all the time when nothing is happening.

The Nationwide Tour Albertsons Boise Open - sans announcers - airs Saturday on the Golf Channel from 4:30-7 p.m. Eastern time.

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This Week: Tour Championship

The Tour Championship wraps up the FedEx Cup this week in Atlanta, then after that it's on to the Ryder Cup.

The winner of the Tour Championship stands a good chance of winning the FedEx Cup - is guaranteed to win the FedEx Cup if he's in the Top 5 right now (which means Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Charley Hoffman, Steve Stricker and Paul Casey) - and the winner might also determine the PGA Tour's Player of the Year race.

And it's possible that Charley Hoffman, a guy who failed to qualify for a single major in 2010, could walk away as FedEx Cup champ. Is that a bad thing? Is that a sign of major problems in the FedEx Cup structure?

Well, they do call these "playoffs," and odd things happen in playoffs sometimes. Favorites get knocked out, lower-ranked players force their way into the conversation.

So guys like Hoffman, Martin Laird and Kevin Streelman are at the Tour Championship, while guys like Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, Stewart Cink, Ian Poulter, J.B. Holmes - and some guy named Tiger - aren't.

View the Tour Championship tournament page for the list of past champions and more event info.

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New Equipment: TM Burner 2.0 Irons; Adams, Tour Edge, more

The TaylorMade Burner 2.0 irons lead off our latest roundup of new golf equipment coming to pro shops.

TaylorMade also has a couple new Burner-branded golf balls. The roundup includes hybrid iron sets from both Adams and Tour Edge, plus an ultra-premium shaft. There are also accessories, and a golf glove that tells you when you're gripping too tightly.

View the new equipment

See also:

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Review: 'My Personal Golf Trainer' For Wii

This title for Wii game consoles isn't a game at all, it's robust golf instruction software.

It features one of the two or three most high-profile instructors around, David Leadbetter, and Leadbetter demonstrates swing concepts and proper techniques. Then, using the Wii MotionPlus controller and Wii Balance Board, the golfer gives it a go. My Personal Golf Trainer analyzes the results, suggests drills for improvement, and tracks your progress over time.

But how well does it do all that? Is it worth having? Read the review.

Wanted: Your Reviews

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LPGA Q-School Sectional Under Way

One of the more prominent players in the LPGA Q-School sectional qualifier that started on Tuesday in California is Jessica Korda. An amateur star, a member of the American Curtis Cup team, Korda is 17 years old. If she makes it through Q-School, she'll turn pro and become just the latest teenager to join the LPGA Tour. If she doesn't, she'll likely still turn pro and play the Duramed Futures Tour in 2011, or, less likely, go to college.

That's the familiar scene in women's golf these days: Teen phenoms bypassing school to turn pro. Some (Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel) meet with big success. Others don't. That's the topic that Beth Ann Baldry covers in the current Golfweek. The article is a superb look at women's golf, the lure of paydays to talented teens, and the realities of the road. Realities such as $60,000 in annual expenses, shrinking tournament opportunities, and almost no lucrative endorsement deals. Give it a read.

Afterward, you might even have a greater appreciation for the unique path traveled by Michelle Wie, who is managing to balance heavy course loads in difficult subjects at a top university with success on the LPGA Tour.

But back to Q-School: The four-round tournament that teed off today at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., is the first of two sectional qualifiers. (The second in is Florida, Sept. 28-Oct. 1).

Some familiar names are in the field. Among the top contenders: Former LPGA players: Sophia Sheridan, Nicole Perrot, Virada Nirapathpongporn, Charlotte Mayorkas Current LET players: Henni Zuel, Christel Boeljon Big Breakers: Carling Coffing, Bri Vega, Blair O'Neal, Elena Robles, Sara Brown, Seema Sadekar, Lili Alvarez Amateur/college stars: Kimberly Kim, Jessica Korda, Sydnee Michaels, Danielle McVeigh, Jennifer Johnson, Belen Mozo, Caroline Hedwall

Scores will be posted on LPGA.com at the conclusion of each round.

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Create a Caption: Arnie and Hope

(Keystone / Getty Images)

You can run across some odd scenes searching photo archives - something I have occasion to do looking for golf pics. I'll be sharing some of those pics from time to time and asking you to write captions for the photos.

Like the one above. That's Arnold Palmer and Bob Hope, and a driver that appears worse for the wear.

Here's the real caption:

Arnold Palmer (left) and Bob Hope examine a bent driver during the filming of the Hope movie Call Me Bwana at Denham, West London, in 1962.

Now, write your own caption - something funny, something clever, something silly, something ridiculous - in comments.

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Wanna Bet? Share Your Group's Favorite Games

Have you ever put the Hammer down? One of our readers posted details of "Hammer," a betting game his group plays - similar to a Nassau, but with some twists.

What side games and bets are taking place when your group gets together for a round of golf? Name your game.

See also:

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