Some Final Thoughts and Thanks

     I recently had the opportunity to watch the Bobby Jones golf
instruction series. Originally filmed during the 1930's they are
available on tape and are always in demand. Having seen them, 
I can easily understand why. AWESOME!

     Bobby Jones, although an amateur, was arguably the best
golfer to ever pick up a club. To watch him execute a variety of
golf shots through the entire instructional series lends
credibility to that theory.

     Bobby never had a full set of clubs. His sparse bag was
comprised of a hodgepodge of clubs he accumulated through his
career. He would waggle a club a few times, hit a couple shots
and know if the club fit his swing.

     And what a swing! Poetry in motion. Bobby never hit the
ball. He always swung the club. The ball just happened to be in
the swing path. Beautiful shots each time and with hickory
shafted clubs.

     As a Club Maker, I am not surprised that hickory shafts
performed that well. The clubs that we make and sell today are
designed to the same principles as those in use since the turn of
the century. Materials have, admittedly, changed drastically.
Clubs are now lighter and more durable and, more importantly,
they can be manufactured with greater consistency. Were Bobby
Jones still with us he would not have to search for a club that
felt right for his swing. We could design a set to his swing with
full confidence that we could also manufacture that set to meet
his swing requirements.

     Most of what we see available on the club market today are
nothing more than style variations of the same set of design
principles. Cavity backs and airflow contoured heads do look
different from the traditional club when setting on the shelf but
they play just the same and are designed to the same concepts
developed nearly a hundred years ago. The difference is really
between static and dynamic design. Dynamically, that cavity back
still concentrates the head mass behind and below the ball in a
rather small area. Yes, it's still called the "Sweet Spot".

     All the variations in club appearance are necessary for
successful marketing. The American public is susceptible to
effective marketing which requires something new every year. 
How do we take something that works well and make it new? 
We change the look. We hire writers to construct copy that 
excites and motivates us. We sell the advertising. 

	Carsten Soldheim, in Golf Clubs, and Bill Gates, in 
Computer Software, wrote the book on how to do this 
successfully. 

     The point of all this is that newer is not necessarily
better. 

	It's still difficult to give better performance than steel 
shafts can offer. Most touring pros still play steel shafts. 
When they want increased accuracy off the tee they play wood 
head drivers. 

	If there's a lesson in that, it's that we could all get better 
results from the clubs we have if we learned to use them better 
and practiced; even occasionally.

     I think it worth remembering that club manufacturers are
primarily interested in selling clubs; making a profit. They talk
as though they have great concern for and interest in helping you
improve your game but it's at best secondary to profit.

     Now, I must say goodbye. This will be the last article for
this year. I have thoroughly enjoyed talking with you through
these articles and the letters you have sent. 

	I have appreciated all your comments, suggestions and 
even the occasional criticism.

	I am complimented that so many of you took what I 
wrote to heart, tried my methods and gave me feedback on your 
results. 

	My heart has always been with the amateur who strives 
to master and enjoy this silly game that I love so much and owe 
so much to. 

	To all of you, a fond goodbye and good golfing.