Get a Grip

If you can't get the golf ball in the hole, you can't score. And putting it a big reason for that. My putting this season has been very inconsistent; some rounds it's good and some rounds it leaves a lot  to be desired.

Winn Jumbo Lite Grip

I have used two types of putters this year--a Snake Eyes blade putter that I have used for most of the past four seasons and Odyssey Rossie mallet. The one thing that both have in common is a Winn Jumbo Lite grip that I have used for the past couple of years. If you watch professional golf on TV, you will notice that many of the pros have switched to over-sized putter grips, including Phil Mickelson and Jason Dufner. These overs-sized grips are designed to stabilize your putting stroke by minimizing your wrist movement. I know my stroke seems a lot smoother and more comfortable since I switched.

New WinnProX Grip

But lately, I feel like I haven't been putting all that well, so it is time for another adjustment. Last week, I went to Golf Galaxy and had an even larger putter grip installed on an Odyssey White Hot #9 putter, which is a cross between a blade- and a mallet-style putter. The new grip is a WinnProX 1.60, an extreme overs-sized putter that has a 1.60-in diameter. It makes me feel like I can make a better pendulum-like stroke on my putts, which will hopefully result in being better at getting the ball in the hole.

A Late Start

Well, here it is the end of the first week May and I have yet to get to the golf course, let alone the practice range. My season is off to the latest start in recent memory. My first scheduled is in two weeks, so it is time to start earnest preparations. It I can get to the practice range three times--twice to hit balls and once to chip and putt--and get in a practice round next weekend, I could have my game in enough shape to play the scheduled 18 holes with my foursome.

Today, I went through my golf bag, making sure my equipment is ready. I re-gripped an Adams Redline RPM 4-Wood, which is going back into my bag as the only fairway wood. In addition, I added a 20-degree hybrid and 59-degree Solus lob wedge. This means my bag will consist of a Drive, 4-Wood, hybrid, irons (4-GW), sand wedge, lob wedge and putter. I had a great deal of success with a similar set configuration in 2008. I also marked some new golf balls, put three new golf gloves in my bag and re-stocked by supply of energy bars.

The golf season is well under way, but for me it's just beginning. I have a bit of catching up to do, but hopefully it won't take too long before I'm in the swing for 2011.

TaylorMade-adidas Night at Golf Galaxy

Thursday I attended a special TaylorMade-adidas night at the Golf Galaxy store in Mount Laurel, NJ. It was by special invitation-only event for members of Golf Galaxy's Advantage Club. It was the first such event I had attended and it was a blast. Upon entering, each Club member was given a goodie back with a small sleeve of TaylorMade's new Burner TP golf balls, as well as coupons with could be redeemed for Golf Galaxy gift cards based on the amount of TaylorMade-adidas golf equipment or apparel you purchased that evening. You also received a ticket and drawings were held throughout the two-hour event for TaylorMade-adidas gift cards and the grand prize, a golf ball signed by two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw. They also were offering free swing analysis, the opportunity to demo some of TaylorMade's newest clubs, free putter fittings and the chance to buy some TaylorMade clubs--such as the new Burner Tour Irons--that have yet to hit retail stores. While I passed on getting my swing analyzed and didn't try any of the new clubs, I did pick up a "slightly" used Solus 4.1 sand wedge, a TaylorMade Tour Visor, a TaylorMade and adidas golf glove, a sleeve of the new TaylorMade Burner golf balls, two TaylorMade Arrow golf grips and two Golf Pride DD2 grips.

No Golf This Weekend...at Least on the Course

I didn't get out to play this weekend. A family obligation took care of Saturday and the weather, plus not feeling well, took care of today. I did watch the AT&T National and the Senior U.S. Open this afternoon when I wasn't napping. Tonight, I watched a great Golf Channel special, Greg Norman, Tips from the Shark, on The Golf Channel's On Demand programming. The Shark offered some great short tips, especially for chipping and bunker play, which I can't wait to try in practice.

Also, this past Tuesday night, I stopped by the Golfsmith store in Moorestown, NJ. I picked up some lead tape and a few Golf Pride Tour Velvet grips. I put a few strips of the tape on the heel of my hybrid clubs in hopes of promoting a bit more of a draw on my shots. And I like having extra grips on hand in case I decide--or need-- to make a change on one of my clubs.