7 SHOTS BETTER
YOUR QUESTIONS
19 METERS FURTHER
1M+ PLAYERS IMPROVED
HAVING A BALL Fred Couples found power and control with a ball change.
GAIN DISTANCE & DIAL IN ACCURACY SWING EVALUATION FEATURING OPTIMOTION
Q: I’M PLANNING TO BUY A SET OF WOODS ONLINE. HOW CAN I TELL IF THEY’RE AUTHENTIC? “Buying online” can mean a lot of things. There are reputable sites like Golf Galaxy and PGA Tour Superstore, then there are massive auction sites like eBay. Most sellers are legit, but the in- ternet is a haven for counterfeiters tar- geting people who buy on faith. First, look at the product photos and the seller profile. If the seller is offering multiples of one item and the images look like glam shots, that’s a caution flag, especially with a new model. It’s strange if someone is trying to dump current models at a steep discount. Let’s say you bought a club and aren’t sure. Here are a few things you can do to see if you’ve been duped. Check the font of the manufacturer’s logo and compare it to a logo from the company website. Counterfeit fonts often are slightly off, usually darker or thicker. If the club is supposed to have a car- bon crown, tap a coin on it (above). If it rings like a bell, you’ve been had. Only titanium or stainless steel will ring. If the seller says the club is titanium and a magnet clings to it, it’s a fake. Magnets don’t stick to titanium. Finally, smell the grip: Counterfeiters often use cheap rubber that has a pungent odour. Bottom line: Stick with an authorised dealer. It simply isn’t worth the risk. Answers by Golf Digest equipment editors Mike Stachura, E Michael Johnson and Jonathan Wall
How to Keep Your Distance When You Lose Speed
THE WORLD LEADER IN GOLF INSTRUCTION
IS THERE EQUIP- MENT THAT CAN HELP ME REGAIN DISTANCE? I’M 62 AND 20 YARDS SHORTER THAN 10 YEARS AGO. There are few scenarios in golf more dejecting than no longer being able to carry that bunker at the corner of the dogleg or having to go up two clubs on your favourite par 3. Although equip- ment by itself probably won’t erase a 20-yard loss, optimising your launch and spin conditions is a great place to start. As swing speed drops, launch con- ditions are likely to change. If you’re launching the ball too low or spinning it too much, try adjusting loft. You can fiddle with driver settings, but it’s better to see a clubfitter. At least use a launch monitor to compare results. Rapsodo’s MLM2Pro, which we use at our Hot List testing, is reliable and portable. You also should consider a lighter shaft. That can increase swing speed, Q:
but it might not produce a better strike. A lighter club can lead to wild golf swings, but see if it works for you. With the irons, if you’re still swinging heavy steel shafts, a lightweight steel or graphite option could help. Also, a number of today’s irons have springier clubfaces. In wedges, a cavity-back head style and lighter shaft might be easier to hit than traditional muscle- back wedges. Don’t forget your golf ball. You can customise it for a more efficient flight. For example, you can’t hit Bridges- tone’s Tour B X with medium speed and expect much distance. Just ask Fred Couples. “At this point in my ca- reer, the Tour B RX (for swings under 105 mph) fits me best,” Couples says. “I can swing smooth and get the distance and control I want.” In short, there’s no silver bullet. Add up a few small gains, and you’ll see a difference. Are you going to find 20 yards? With the driver, it’s possible. The best approach is to check for deficien- cies with your current equipment.
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98 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
MARCH/APRIL 2026
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