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Over the coming months we will review some of the latest golf products on the market.
Please contact us if there are any products you would like to see reviewed or if you are interested in reviewing any new products you have bought.

Product reviews:

Junior Golf Clubs:
LongDogJNR Golf Clubs

Game Improvement:
Pathfinder

Books:
Tiger Woods - How I Play Golf
The Young Golfer
The Encyclopedia of Golf
Junior Golf
Learn Golf In A Weekend
Winning The Open: How We Did It.
The Golf Rules Dictionary

The Mudsweeper cleaning brush

Mini Golf PC game.

Grips

Gazelle Golf Towel

Thanks to Gavin Potts for the following review:





Tiger Woods - How I Play Golf





This is a book that I got as a Xmas present and have quite simply not been able to put it down. This book is very informative about the golf swing, Tiger style and everyone can learn from it. Tiger talks about shot making, drills to help you improve and also talks about fitness and health and the importance of it for golf, amongst a whole lot more. This book's rrp is £25.00 but it is worth it. To fully understand what Tiger is saying about the golf swing I would say this book is better for a golfer of high school age, yet would it would only appeal to a younger golfer not an older adult such as your dad or uncle. This book is simply superb.

Many thanks to Max Gott from Newcastle. Max is a member of Parkland Golf Club and was our first product reviewer.
We gave Max a copy of the golf book,The Young Golfer by Richard Simmons and PC golf game Mini Golf by egames to review.






The Young Golfer By Richard Simmons

Reviewed by Max Gott.






This book is great for young golfers.
Young golfer is mainly about how to putt, chip and swing correctly. It would be perfect for a birthday or Christmas present.
If I were starting from scratch I could learn a lot from this book.
I give it nine out of ten an excellent book for all keen, young golfers.

Ultimate Golf Techniques -

Malcolm Campbell



The book contains chapters on fitness, basic technique, all aspects of the game from Driving down to putting and also includes a very useful and informative section on how to "work the ball" hitting left to right and right to left.

The most interesting part of the book is under a section labelled "Playing to your strengths" It includes the left handed Phil Mickleson and the short stocky Ian Woosnam. The main purpose of the section is to show that no matter what shape or size, anyone can play the game of golf Tom Weiskopf at 6ft 3" is one of the tallest to win the British Open however, at only 5ft 4" Ian Woosnam is also a player of great prowess.

One touching story is of a gentleman named Ed Furgol who with only one arm managed to win the 1954 US Open at one of the worlds toughest courses Baltusrol I think that this is an invaluable book for all ages and abilities, everyone can find something here to interest, and help them.


Reviewed by Rachel Bewley.

Many thanks to Rachel Bewley for reviewing the following book:
Rachel is the NJGA (Northumberland Junior Golf Association) captain and also captains the Northumberland Junior Ladies side.


"The Encyclopedia of Golf" by Malcolm Campbell £29.99

Reviewed by Rachel Bewley.


The book contains general and detailed information on the history of golf, championship courses, and great players.
This is a great reference book and is full of intriguing facts on the game of golf.
It is probably best for the more mature reader, however I'm sure that anyone from the age of 15 + would find it useful for learning about their favourite player or championship course.
It is also fantastic for those of you who enjoy entering competitions as it is jammed full of facts and figures, and contains records going back to 1860!
So if you ever need to know who won the US Open in 1923 (It was Bobby Jones by the way!) then this most definitely is the book for you.
If anyone is struggling to think of what to buy for a Christmas/birthday present for a parent or grandparent then this would be a good choice although it is a little pricey.

LEARN GOLF IN A WEEKEND -
PETER BALLINGALL



Priced at a very reasonable £6.99 this book is excellent for beginners or for those of you who like to "get back to basics" when your game goes wrong!

The book includes advice on clubs, tees, balls, bags and even clothes as well as the excellent exercises and drills which I think everyone who plays golf could benefit from.

The clear, easy to follow instructions are followed up with close up photos which are particularly useful.
The book also includes advice on getting a handicap, filling in a scorecard (correctly!) and a few of the most important rules and etiquette, overall a good buy.

Review: Rachel Bewley.

Junior Golf by Nick Wright £12.99



Junior Golf is a great read for juniors of all ages and abilities. Featuring an Introduction to Golf and sections on equipment, rules, advice and tips and a golf quiz everything you need to know is included in Nick Wrights book.

Many thanks to Gavin Potts for the following review:



Winning the Open: How We Did It The Caddies' Stories




Norman Dabell Winning the Open: How We Did It The Caddies' Stories from the Open Championships

I have really enjoyed reading this book. It is written in such a way that as the reader you feel as if you were there during those certain 4 days of the open, for the wins of many different players. The stories range from the excitement of Seve's first win as a youngster in 1979 to a very touching tribute by Nick Price, winner in 1994, to the late Jeff "Squeeky" Medlen. My only disappointment was no tale from Tiger's caddy Steve Williams. I would recommend this book for an older person, aged 15 or older and it would make a good gift for a Dad or Uncle who would enjoy recalling memories of those past Opens that they grew up watching. The book is quite pricey at £15.00 but is a very good read and you learn things and events that you would otherwise never have known.


Many thanks to Katherine Hill for the following review:

The book is made up of short stories written by the Caddies of the Open Champions.
It starts in 1979 at Royal Lytham and St. Anne's, where Seve Ballesteros with the help of his caddie Dave Musgrove won his first Open Championship. It was known as the 'Car Park Open' because Seve, on the 16th drove his ball onto the car park and played his second shot within 20ft of the hole, then holed his putt for birdie.
The book finishes in 1999 at Carnoustie where Paddy Byrne Helped Paul Lawrie win his first Open Championship. This he did after four rounds and a play-off between himself, Jean Van de Velde and Justin Leonard. the atmosphere of this event was captured well.
My favourite story is the 1984 Open Championship at St Andrew's where, Seve again became the Open Champion but this time with the help of his new caddie, Nick de Paul. The author really captures the intense atmosphere and excitement, so much so I actually cried. I think that this is a really great book and would definitely recommend it to people of all ages.

I would recommend it to older junior golfers for themselves or as a present for their parents.

The Golf Rules Dictionary
£16.99
No longer do you have to search through the various sections of a rules book to find a ruling.
The Golf Rules Dictionary is an alphabetical listing, explaining golf rules in an easy to understand way.
A book that all golfers, male and female and all abilities will read and use both on and off the course.

The Mudweeper shoe cleaning brush.


The mudsweeper looks like no other cleaning brush, with two spikes to remove
stones and solid mud plus a brush to remove loose mud it really works well.

Costing just £5, you can add your name for a small extra charge.

Contact Hymax Products at www.hymax.co.uk or 0191 491 1138.

Mini Golf by egames


Reviewed by Max Gott.




Mini Golf is a great game.
The graphics, sound and playability are good. It has 37 holes, three styles of gameplay and realistic sound, on top of all that the graphics are very bright and smooth. It is not just for golfers, this game could be enjoyed by just about anyone. You would probably have to be at least six years old to understand and enjoy this game fully.
I give it an 8 out of ten, a fantastic game for anyone.

Get a Grip!!!
Believe it or not there are a number of things to consider when looking at you grips.

Grip size, age and material will all effect the way you play.

Grips size is important because grip pressure will affect the shot you play. If your grip is too small you may overuse your hands when swinging, often causing a hook. A grip that is too large causes you to under-use your hands, often causing a slice.

Age is important because grips become worn causing the club to twist in your hands. Different grip materials will become worn at different speeds when your grips start to feel different between clubs they will start to play different.

Grip Types:
Leather - provide the best feel and grip but will wear out very quickly.
Synthetic Rubber - wear very well giving consistent feel for longer.
Rubber - Most popular grip type although they need to be kept dry whilst you are playing.

Synthetic and standard rubber grips can be bought with cotton cord added over half (half cord) or all the grip (full cord) this provides extra grip with your hands.

Looking after your grips.
Grips should be changed every 75-100 rounds and cleaned every 6 -7 rounds.

BluWhale.com offer a product to keep your grips in tiptop condition all season long.
Clean & Tacky costs £9.99

Rubber is a natural product and therefore has to be looked after to remain effective. Soap and water are not enough! Using soap leaves a residue on your grip which over time will clog the pores in the rubber resulting in slick grips.
Clean & Tacky Revitalising solution removes the build up of dirt, sweat and grime from your grips allowing the pores to breath. Complete with an easy to use brush the Clean & Tacky system will clean your whole set of clubs in minutes. For use with rubber and cord grips only.
Replacement 4-oz bottles of cleaning fluid cost just £4.99 each.

New grips and fitting can cost between £2.50 and £7.50 per club! A lot of money for a full set but if your grips have become very worn it is money well spent.

Reviewed by Mark at Rookiegolf



In the past few weeks of constant rain the Gazelle Golf chamois has been a blessing.
No longer do I have to keep my towel hidden away in my golf bag to ensure it stays dry in the rain. The waterproof backing on the chamois ensures it stays dry.
Should the weather ever remain dry, you can wet-down the chamois to clean your clubs, whilst the towel remains dry.
A quick release clasp makes it easy to remove the towel from your bag and take onto the green.

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