GOLFING HIGHLIGHTS COLUMN

  The One Iron Golf System

  In recent weeks we have talked about illegal drivers and clone golf clubs so this week we decided to step it up and talk about a company  which has the sole intent of producing a set of clubs designed to lower your score and actually make golf fun.
  David Lake, president of 1 Iron Golf, Inc. says that the simplicity of using just one swing, one ball position, and one set-up  at address for every shot "virtually eliminates miss-hits from your game."
  Dave points out that "just this fact alone will lower your average scoring by 5 to 10 strokes per round.
  This company's belief is that 1-iron golf clubs will help a golf increase his or her's distance and accuracy because as your single swing becomes more and more ingrained your confidence level and power soars.
  Lake's company philosophy says, "the end result is that you will find yourself playing golf at a level you never thought possible."
  Lake points out that he has been asked many times over the past 17 years how he came up with the concept of single-length golf clubs and he boldly states "the fact is that I did not come up with the concept at all since at one time it was the standard in the golf industry."
  He tells the story that he first became acquainted with the idea through an elderly gentelman whose father was in charge of MacGregor Golf Company's design team back in the 1920s and 1930s.
  This gentleman explained to Dave that all sets of golf clubs were custom built to the same club lengths (irons all the same length and fairway type woods all the same length) prior to the introduction of steel shafts (invented in 1910 and legalized in 1926.)
  Prior to that time hickory shafts were the norm and golf clubs were custom fitted/built to a single length within  a set based upon the static measurements of the individual golfer (wrist-to-floor measurement.)
  The production and tuning of hickory shafts as well as the rest of the club-making process was very time consuming and demanded the skills of highly experienced club makers.
  Obviously, this was an expensive process and could only be afforded by the wealthy which is why golf originally got the reputation as being a sport for the very rich and affluent members of society.
  The advent of the steel shaft changed al of this since sets of golf clubs could not be mass produced very cheaply in factories using unskilled workers.
  Dave points out that that "the only stumbling block was that golf club manufacturers could not mass produce sets while providing single-length custom fitting for each individual customer and the solution came when it was decided to abandon customer fitting entirely and instead incorporate a 1/2 inch incremental club length and lie angle progression between successive irons and woods."
  In 1998 David Lake published the results of of tests he had made in his book "One Iron Golf....the common sense approach to better golf", which sparked interest in the concept of single-length golf equipment throughout the golf industry. His 1 Iron line of golf clubs continues to be the largest selling single-length set of clubs in the world.
  The One Iron Golf System  is indeed  very interesting as golfers are always seeking information on how to improve their game.

Ed's Outlook

  We talked a week ago about golf courses promoting special events to bring golfers back to the game and in a conversation with Twin Village Golf Club treasurer Chuck Husson he noted that the Roscoe based course has special green fees and cart fees and their big weekday golf special (Monday-Thursday) is 18 holes of golf for two with a cart for $35. If golfers want to walk they can play for $10 on weekdays and $12 on  weekend.  The phone number at the Twin Village is 607-498-5829.
  The popular four-person best ball Twin Village Golf Club Memorial Tournament sponsoring scholarships will be held July 19. There are morning and afternoon tee times and information is available by calling Husson at 607-498-5557.
  A redesigned golf course will force the closing of the Monster Golf Course at the former Concord resort for the 2016 golf season.
  Golf Professional Mike Stoltz noted this week that possibly by this fall only nine holes will be available but that definitely the whole course will be closed in 2016.
  Golf Course architect Rees Jones is redesigning the Monster course and the new facility should be available with the opening of the new casino in 2017.
  Mike Stolz is available at 845-794-9700.
  The Country Club at Woodloch Springs is holding their 7th annual Pinstripes Classic on Monday June 15. This event features the diamond meeting the "back nine" and its an opportunity to golf with the coaching staff and future big-leaguers of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders organization (triple A team of the NY Yankees). It's a day filled with stories, delicious ballpark snacks, beer tasting, dinner, prizes and more. For information call 570-685-8102.

  Golf Tip
  By Robert Menges

  In the ever-changing golf game, most players are under the influence that if they hit the ball longer they will play better.
  Even though technology has increased how far the ball will travel, the scores are about the same. There is no doubt that if you hit the ball longer you should have less club to the green and be able to get the ball closer to the hole and make more putts.
  I believe this to be true, but you better be able to hit the shots on the green close to the pin.
  To do this it's important to carry three wedges in your golf bag. Most golfers have a pitching wedge with 47-49 degrees of loft.
  You have a choice to make for the other two wedges. A gap wedge comes with about 50-53 degrees of loft and a lob wedge is about 60-64 degrees of loft. I would choose between these two clubs depending on how far you hit the ball.
  A lob wedge will save you shots around the green and a gap wedge will help with the in between yardages in the fairway.
  You should always carry a sand wedge that has 54-57 degrees of loft.
  The next time you play a round of golf, count how many shots you take from 100 yards to the hole. I think you will find that this will total 60 percent of your score.
  When you are trying to improve your score, it is important to lower the number of shots you take close to the green. I think having three wedges in your bag will help you accomplish a lower score.
  Robert Menges is the golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, Ed can be reached at 845-292-0323 or by email at menges@hughes.net

Putting Tip
By Joe Bermel Jr.

  Confidence in your putting ability is a huge key.
  Here is a good four-step process.
  1. Motivation to improve.
  2. Practicing the correct elements of putting including 4 putting drills.
  3. Quality, diligent practice putting sessions will bring good results.
  4. Good results will give the golfer the confidence to continue the practice and building of putting skills over time.
  Joe Bermel Jr. is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows/tournaments. His special edition DVD  'How To Putt Well" and his Putting Tip Of the Month Calendar are available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com