next step ?

Question
Thanks a million for the timely response; I have a couple of questions for you.  While I am new to the sport, I try to learn everything I can...

1- I see "flex" ratings all over the place, and while I understand the physics and application, what do the identifying letters actually mean to a new golfer ?  I have even seen "mid flex".  I know that as your flex increases you will be more prone to inaccuracy in your trajectory, but I gues what I am saying is are there "numbers" that are used as a guideline for flex rating?

2- I have been reading up and watching the amatuer tournaments in my area, and I have noticed that some of the players are recording "below par" scores.  Are these real time scores or are they handicap adjusted?  I understand that there are some really good amatuer golfers out there; however, I am curious as to how this works.  I had one club owner tell me that if my handicap was 14 and the course was 72, then my course par would be 86.  I can understand this as far as "leveling the playing field"; but does it pertain to actual USGA events?

Again thanks for yoru time; it is very much appreciated.  In fact I also am listed on allexperts under manufacturing and manufacturing operations/maintenance.  So I really value your efforts

thanks,
Charles
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Thanks Eddie for your time; Let me give you the basics first: male 55 years old / 5'6" 240 / pretty good upper body and forearm strength (many years doing manual labor) / 14 handicap / drives average 210-240........I have only been playing for a couple of years, however I take my game seriously, I would like to play some amatuer tournaments in 2007.

I have a somewhat "light" grip on clubs due to breaking my hand several years ago; but I believe this light grip can be worked to my benefit, instead of a death grip on the club.  Am I correct in this, or do I need to work on increasing my grip strength.

Another thing I have concentrated on is consistency first, and once I reach a plateau, then get a little more aggresive to try to move forward. (in other words, I prefer an accurate 200 yard drive over a 240 that is out of line)  Am I working on the right track ?

At this stage in my game, I have not really noticed any dramatic difference in balls; I have tried several different ones, with no real advantage seen.  Can I assume that at my level of ability, I cannot "make" the ball perform like it is "advertised".  Right now I use a set of Topflite clubs ( that play pretty consistent for off the shelf clubs ) and switch back and forth between pinnacle and nike for ball usage.

I do know that over the winter, I will get fitted for clubs in anticipation of next year; without asking you to commit to a certain brand, I would ask that "what should I look for in custom clubs?"  Callaway, Taylormade, Cleveland, etc. There are a lot of good products out there, but at 12-1500 for a new set of clubs, I don't want to end up with the wrong clubs for me.


-----Answer-----
Hi Charles,

No a light grip is great, a loose grip is not.  As long as you have a hold of the club, you should be good to go.  I wouldn't "hold back" until you think you have gotten consistent.  I can appreciate practicing at say 70-80% to work on some things, but a golf swing is a golf swing.  You need to be taught the correct fundamentals of getting the clubface square as you swing.  The speed that it takes to hit a ball 210 versus 240 is next to nothing.  I would coach you to develop a swing speed that is as fast as you can make it while not losing your balance.  If you have directional problems, go get some help to fix the problem.  Don't slow down to avoid something, in the end it's not worth it.  I'm 5'2" tall Charles and weight about 145 and hit it about 270, so whatever you do, don't slow down to try to be "consistent"  Why not learn it correctly and be consistent at 270?  As you start to get better, try to get away from real hard balls such as Pinnacle and Top Flites.  Start playing good balls, which it seems all the companies are putting out now.  Off the top of my head, the Titleist NXT, the Callaway Hex, the Nike balls are good and Bridgestone has a good one out now as well.  Check for the deals at your local shop and get a good ball without spending an arm and a leg.  As for your clubs, I would highly urge you to get upgraded to today's technology.  You can't imagine how they can help you.  Your 55 now and not getting younger.  It's one thing to lose weight, get more flexible, stay strong and practice.  It's another to try to get older model Top Flites that were off the shelf to perform.  Equipment today can really help, and I will lay a bet that if you were custom fit properly, you would get at least 20 yards on the tee ball just because of the club.  The most important part of the club is the shaft.  Please get professionally fit.  You must be able to hit clubs and watch the ball fly.  I would wait until spring to purchase them, because I believe you have to feel what the shaft does and then you have to see what the ball does.  Hitting into a net or relying on a computer is not reliable enough.  Do some leg work through the winter, ask questions, and even swing something, but if it's only into a net, don't buy yet.  If you can't use them until spring anyway, just wait until you can and get them ordered.  As far as brands go, all the top manuafacturers are great.  All the equipment is good.  The positive result will come from the fitting, not the equipment.  Be sure to see a professional, and that does not mean a kid working his winter job at a retail golf store.  (I think you know what I mean).  The investment in clubs is a big one, however, properly done, you will have those clubs for a few years and get lots of good shots out of them.  Hope this helps Charles and if you need some advice along the way, write me.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member

Answer
Hello Charles:
Flex points on shafts are exactly that.  Basic guidelines are as follows:  L is for a ladies flex (generally much softer and whippier than men's), Senior flex, R is for Men's Regular, S is for Men's Stiff, XS is for Men's Extra Stiff.  The softer (more flexible)the shaft, the more the flex point is at the bottom towards the head.  And you're right, more control problems.  The more the flex point moves up the shaft towards the grip, the stiffer the shaft gets.  If you hit a club that is too stiff for you, you will hit it very low, off to the right and it will feel like a board.  Those are general guidelines for shafts.  As I read your stats, I would think you would be between a Men's Regular, Senior shaft, or a Men's Stiff.  Again, the only way to know is to get professional help and hit them.  As far as Amatuer events go, most of the scores you read in the paper are adjusted after handicaps.  Unless you are reading about the State Amateur Championship or the United States Amateur Championship or something as highly skilled as that, you are probably reading about scores that are adjusted.  A handicap allows golfers of all abilities to compete against each other.  So if you are playing in your club event, there is always a "Gross" score:  what you actually shot, and a "Net" score:  what your score is after the handicap has been taken off.  As for your use now, you will establish a handicap at a golf course and you will always be dealing with gross and net scores.  Good questions Charles.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member