Mechanics | Golf Ball Driver

How to Find the Right Golf Shoes

August 4th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks

Having the right pair of golf shoes impacts much more than your comfort level. If you’re wearing the wrong shoes or if they do not fit properly, this can effect your swing and as such, your entire game. Most of us don’t pay attention to our feet in golf, but they are incredibly important. If your method of shoe shopping to this point has been to find the coolest designs, this may be keeping you from perfecting your game. Let’s look at some tips to help you find the perfect pair of golf shoes.

First, let’s look at materials and overall weight of the shoe. There are thousands of choices on the market, but you’ll need to find the right match for you. If you have problems with your hips, knees or sciatica, a heavy shoe is a big mistake. Look for lightweight shoes, ideally with soft spikes. This will cut down on the stress that your legs are feeling and help open up your swing.

The material should be breathable, especially if you live in a hot climate. Look for a mesh shoe if you have problems with hot feet, but in most cases, real leather will be your best option. No matter which type of material you select, you must have the shoes properly waterproofed. While some are already done for you, you will need to double check this. There is nothing worse than walking around a course with wet feet.

One important point that is often overlooked is the impact that golf course chemical practices can have on your feet. If you are allergic to dies, or pesticides and herbicides you will need to find a shoe that is completely sealed. Your feet can absorb these materials, especially if they get wet and you may get sick. While some courses use safe practices when it comes to treating their fairways and greens, you cannot rely on this 100%. Take these precautions and you’ll be a lot happier and healthier.

Now, let’s move onto the actual mechanics of a shoe. You’ll want to make sure that it is well balanced, and addresses any existing condition you may have. For example, if you under pronate, which means that your feet tend to slope in towards one another, you may have issues with your swing. Likewise, over pronating can affect your stance and swing as well. Find out if you have undiagnosed foot problems and get the shoes that will correct that for you.

Your golf shoes need to be functional first and foremost, and although they can be expensive, getting the right pair will impact your game. If you have consistently found that you cannot improve your score, the problem may be right under you. Visit a shoe store that specializes in fitting golf shoes and try out a couple of different pairs until you find the right match. It’s well worth the time and the effort, as well as the money, considering how it will effect your game.

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Swing Machine Golf: The Fastest Way to a Consistent Swing by Paul Wilson with Ken Steven

June 27th, 2008 — Book Review

This is a book that has been the subject of countless discussions and although it's lack of availability has hurt its success (it's available only from the publisher, Storytrend and not in bookstores) it is still an interesting read that is well worth the time it takes to get a copy. Although it is incredibly expensive at $60, this may be a book you want to save up for. Countless books are written every year about the myth of the perfect swing and a lot of them are nothing but meaningless drivel. This book however takes a different angle and gets into the technical aspects of what makes a swing great.

For those that are constantly trying to figure out how to improve their game, this is a definite must read. Instead of focusing on players like Tiger Woods or those who are thought to have the "perfect swing," the author looked at actual machines to discern the elements that make up this technique. By taking the human element out of it, the author hoped to break down the mechanics of a swing so that every player can duplicate it.

The book is filled with helpful diagrams and illustrations that break apart how a machine swings and what we can learn from it. Unfortunately, we are not machines and although we may have a great swing on the first tee, it's hard to keep consistent. This book strives to help golfers discover how to get into their own groove and become a bit like a machine when it comes to hitting the ball.

That's very hard to do for many people, since there is a lot of mental activity going on when you play golf. It's difficult to focus on those individual components that make up a great swing when you're focusing on avoiding the bunker, paying your bills and what you'll be having for dinner that night. However, with time, by employing these methods most players should begin to see a change in their swing. Soon, becoming a machine will seem like second nature and that swing that many thought was unattainable will become ingrained into your being.

This is a book that we highly recommend, simply because it has a completely different approach. This isn't a hype book that offers no real useful information. It's definitely on the scholarly side but the author managed to keep it readable by everyone and it's actually quite fun to go through. If you're looking for real advice that you can put into action, no matter how new you are to the game or how good you think you may be, this is a book that is well worth the investment.

Overall, while the price and availability hurt the title, golfers should at least consider adding this title to their libraries. There is no silver bullet that will magically transform your swing, but this advice comes pretty close.