This week's coaching question 

I have been looking online at a set of golfclubs that have great reviews. I am an 18handicapper, and the review said that theyshould be perfect for me. Would you advise meto get these, or get custom fitted properly?

Just as there is no 'average pro', there isno 'average 18 handicapper' - either in terms ofphysique, style of swing or, most importantly,launch conditions. Different golfers - even ifthey seem similar right down to identical ballspeed - can require widely differing clubspecifications. Out of every ten golfers we see,nine will probably need non-standard lie angles;six will need non-standard shaft lengths - maybeas much as two inches extra; while nine willalso be playing the wrong shaft flex - usuallytoo stiff. That's quite apart from theidiosyncrasies of head weight, shaft bendprofile, grip and swing weight specifications.

One of the great attractions of the game of golfis that you and I can play the same courses anduse the same equipment as Tiger Woods and LydiaKo. However, while we can play the same set ofirons, we probably wouldn't have much successusing a set with the same specs as Tiger orLydia. It would be like trying to playbasketball with a pair of Michael Jordan'sshoes. We could probably walk in them, but torun and jump would be difficult.

When a player goes through a club fitting, thefollowing are the variables that need to beconsidered and their effect on ball flight: 

Length 

The length of club a player should use isinfluenced by a combination of a player's heightand the length of a player's arms. The length ofa club has a great deal of influence on howconsistently the player can return the club toimpact. If a player does not have clubs that arethe correct length, it is very difficult to getinto correct posture at address. When a playeris not in correct posture, or balance, theplayer will seek balance during the swing andchange the path of the golf club. 

Shaft Flex 

The shaft is the engine of the golf club. Ashaft is simply a timing device that allows aplayer to square up the club face at impact.When the shaft flex does not match a player'sswing, it will affect both trajectory and thecurvature of the ball. The correct shaft flex ina golf club will maximize distance and tightenshot dispersion. 

Lie Angle 

The lie angle of the club is the angle of theshaft of the club relative to the sole and theground. The lie angle of the club has a hugeinfluence in ball flight. If a club is too"flat," the toe of the club will impact theground and the ball will tend to push to theright (for a right handed player). If the clubis too "upright", the heal of the club willimpact the ground and the ball will tend to pullto the left. 

Loft 

The loft of the club influences the trajectoryof ball flight. Trajectory effects distance. Inirons, lofts are somewhat standard. However,within a set of irons, the loft needs to becalibrated correctly so that the distances fromclub to club are consistent. Loft is extremelyimportant with drivers. If a player is going tooptimize distance, he must have the correct lofton the driver. It is a commonly heldmisconception that less loft equals moredistance. The belief is that if the ball is hitlower it will roll more and go farther. Intruth, with optimal trajectory, the ball carriesfarther, rolls less, but overall distance isgreater. The longest hitters in golf launch theball very high.

Grip Size 

The size of the handle of club affects theamount of hand rotation. Correct grip sizeallows a player to square the club face atimpact. If a grip is too large, it inhibits handrotation and promotes a slice. Grips that aretoo small increase hand action and promote ahook.

Luckily, club fitting has become prevalent inthe last several years. Every major clubmanufacturer offers custom fit clubs and mostgolf professionals are capable of club fitting.Best of all, custom fit clubs are the same priceas "off the rack," clubs. 

If you are thinking of new clubs this spring,take the time to go through a club fitting. Withthe investment that must be made in golf clubstoday, it is foolish not to be fit. Giveyourself the greatest opportunity for success. Clickhere to book a custom fitting session.



David Watts with a score of 38 points won theJohn Champ Christmas Stableford at ColchesterGolf Club's Vets section. The competition marksan end to the Vets' golfing year. It wasinaugurated by, and named after, John Champ thelong time and current Vets' Section HonorarySecretary. The competition is followed by lunchand the presentation. 

Watts' score of 38 from his 15 handicap was justenough to keep him ahead of the pack lead by TomRothery and Mike Carroll. It was Carroll (11)who got the nod ahead of Rothery (7) after acountback after both had returned 37 points.Carroll's card was perfectly balanced with threebogeys and one double on each half whilstRothery's was heavily loaded towards the lastfive holes so losing the countback. 

Rothery had stood on the twelfth tee level parafter paring the previous eleven holes. He thenbogeyed the twelfth followed by a birdie on thethirteenth to stand level par again. To blow thecompetition and his chance of winning it hesadly finished bogey, double bogey, par, bogey,double bogey. 

Taking the fourth spot after a countback wasMichael Horley (15) and in fifth place sharing36 points was Roger Moore (11). None of thismattered to Watts. He was in the first group tofinish and was long settled in the clubhouse andhis two halves of nineteen points each were morethan enough for him to secure the trophy.



Congratulations to our Christmas Draw winnermember Andy Totham. He was the winner of acustom fit set of Srixon irons. Thank you allfor taking part, its much appreciated from us atthe Colchester Golf Academy. 

To see the full list of winners, clickhere.

Last minute Christmas ideas 

-Free FootJoy socks with FootJoy socks

- Buy one get one half price on all logo clubshirts 

- Free Custom Fit with any driver purchase fromin store 

- Free 3-pack of Puma socks with any Puma shoepurchase 

- Ashworth shirts were £44.99 now only£25.00!!! 

- Two Dozen Pro V1 balls only £75.00!!