WAM Golf

Forged vs. Die Cast Golf Clubs – Which Is Right for Me?

If you’ve spent time on the golf course then you will have no doubt heard the debate about whether forged or die cast golf clubs offer the best performance on the course and whether either can improve an individual’s game. Both types of golf club heads have their advantages and disadvantages related to performance and costs. Below is an overview of the history and benefits of each type of club head.

Which came first?

The first golf clubs available in metal were forged by blacksmiths in the early 1900s. Although this was a huge leap in golf club manufacturing (previously clubs had been made from wood), forging the metal by hand meant that there were inconsistencies in the shape and detailing in each club and no two club heads were the same.

In the late 1960s, the golf club brand Ping began using die casting methods to manufacture golf club heads and transformed the golfing industry. High pressure die casting, where liquid metal is forced into a mould under high pressure, means the shape of the club head is cast in one go so this includes the head’s grooves, brand name and logo, cavity holes and any other detailing you’d expect to find on a golf club head. The heads are made by injecting metal into a pre-formed die. This produces a non-ferrous metal, which means it doesn’t contain high levels of iron, making it a low weight which is vital for a golf club.

 

Die cast golf club heads

Die casting follows a similar process to making anything in a mould such as ice or jelly where a liquid is poured into the mould and then once set, the mould is removed to reveal the cast item. Die casting uses very hot, liquid metal (usually stainless steel) but essentially the principles are the same - metal is poured into a mould, hardened, cooled and then the mould is removed, leaving the cast item.

The main advantages of die cast golf club heads is that as the heads are mass produced, they are much quicker to manufacture which is reflected in the lower priced golf clubs this manufacturing technique produces.

Although die cast club heads can be made on a large scale, the process of pouring hot metal into a cast can trap minute air bubbles which remain when the metal sets. If you have ever made a model out of Plaster of Paris you will be familiar with this issue. In terms of performance, these tiny bubbles can make the surface of the club head inconsistent so a player could hit a golf ball at exactly the same point with the club but it could produce two very different shots. F                  or most amateur golfers this is unlikely to be a problem, especially for golfers who have never used a forged club and can’t compare the differences.

However, for golfers looking to take their game to the next level, it might be worth trying a forged club.

Forged golf club heads

Forged golf club heads were very expensive until relatively recently as the shape of the head is hand crafted and takes much longer to make. Although they are still made in a similar way, advances in the type of metals available for manufacturing golf clubs and advances in finishing technology means that the process is now faster and prices have come down slightly, although they are still much more expensive than cast clubs.

The key advantage of forged club heads is that the ‘sweet spot’ for hitting the ball is much smaller than on die cast heads but it is much more focused due to the fact that the club is made from one piece of metal which doesn’t have any air bubbles in it. This means that to perform well with a forged club, the golfer needs to have a better aim and a steadier swing but will produced more controlled shots, hence forged clubs are generally associated with more advanced players.

Conclusion

If you’re a golfer with a higher handicap or if you are new to golf, die cast golf heads offer higher levels of consistency and greater forgiveness on miss-hits due to less vibration (again, thanks to the tiny air bubbles which absorb much of the vibration). Die cast clubs are also much more affordable and offer a more sensible investment if you’re new to golf or are in the mid handicap range. Forged golf clubs are a better option for more serious golfers with a lower handicap. If you’re not sure where you fall, try out some forged clubs first before investing in a full set to see if they’re right for you. 

*Guest post by Sarah Stewart

Is MOBITEE The Best Golf App For The iPhone?

I finally broke down and decided to use a golf app for my iPhone. I believe every golfer should be using GPS or a Rangefinder... PGA Tour players have their caddies but the general public was often left to discover yardage markers placed "strategically" throughout the golf course. If Tour players are getting precise yardages before each shot, don't you think it would benefit amateur golfers too?

Screen Shot of Mobitee on my iPhone

I took the advice of some of my golf connections and decided to test out the Mobitee Golf App for the iPhone. One of the first thing I noticed was the price. At $24.99, it seemed a bit steep but with a 5-hole free trial, I figured I could take it for a spin before deciding if I was going to buy the app. I decided to give it a try at one of my favorite courses, Seven Oaks in Hamilton, NY. 

Screenshot of the Mobitee App on my iPhone

The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to find the golf course. I clicked "Play Golf" and "Nearby Courses" and it was the first one to come up. For some reason, I wasn't expecting it be that easy but I'm happy it was. The above is from the first hole, where the Google Maps overhead gave an incredibly accurate detail of the hole. I'm happy to report it was accurate all day on every hole. 

The Mobitee Golf App not only offers the overhead view (above), it offers a flyover, range finder scoring, help with club selection and more. I tested the range finder but didn't find much use for it since the Mobitee App was accurate with yardages all day. The flyover is a cool feature as is the scorecard. I'm too old fashioned to keep my score on my phone but I did test it for a few holes and it was easy to use. 

What I Liked About The Mobitee Golf App

When I look back at the handful of rounds I played with the Mobitee Golf App a few things stand out:

• Accuracy: In every round I played the Mobitee was accurate...regardless of the golf course. Whether I was in the woods, in the fairway, or on the tee, I was comfortable with every yardage it provided. Trust in your caddie is important, the same applies here. 

• Easy to Use: I opened the app, clicked play golf, selected a nearby course and was off the races. Every time the course loaded and when I was ready to move on the to the next hole, I simply clicked the arrow and the Mobitee app did the work. I don't have time to fiddle around with an app while I'm playing so this was important to me. 

• Battery Life: I used the Mobitee App for five rounds and my phone lasted the full 18 holes every time. It even left me with enough juice to make calls on the ride home. I've found battery life to be a struggle with some apps. It wasn't a problem on my iPhone. 

• 30,000+ Courses: I didn't count and I have not played them all but the Mobitee website claims to offer more than 30,000 courses around the world. I used the Mobitee in a variety of locations  (Upstate NY, Westchester County, New Jersey) and regardless of where I was, it had the golf course I was playing. The course in New Jersey was private and I was still able to use it.  I've also noticed on their Facebook page they have put out several messages regarding the addition of new courses. 

 

Par 3 on the Mobitee Golf App

 

Overall

With so many golf apps available and surely more on the way, I wondered if the $24.99 was a bit steep. When I told some people to try it, the first thing they commented on was the price. I suggested they compare it to that of a Golf GPS, and not an app from the app store since that was a more fair comparison. A one time payment of $24.99 is worth it and I'll be using my Mobitee for many rounds in the future.

Who: Mobitee Golf Assistant

What: A Mobile Caddie for Golfers

Why: Accurate yardage, didn't kill our iPhone battery, 30,000+ golf courses

Where: Visit The Mobitee Website

Cost: $24.99 

 * Editors Note: We did not mention the Mobitee Golf App is available for Andriod, Windows, Nokia, and Blackberry. We tested the app on the iPhone, which is why we referenced it in the content above. This note was added after the original article was published. 

Ashworth Cardiff Golf Shoes Review

Imagine a golf shoes so comfortable you would actually wear it if you weren’t golfing. A handful of years ago that concept would have been laughed at but with the introduction of the “spikeless” or street golf shoes, it’s happening today.

  (The Ashworth Cardiff Golf Shoes)

Call me a traditionalist or a skeptic but I was not going to wear a spikeless golf shoe. My entire golf career I’ve been wearing golf shoes because they provide me with stability and the ability not to slip during my swing. If spikeless worked, why wouldn’t they have come out with it sooner?

It wasn’t until I saw the Ashworth Cardiff golf shoes that I became tempted to give them a test. Having frequently been asked by golfers if spikeless worked, I felt I owed it to everyone to test them out. With so many spikeless shoes on the market, I picked the one I found most appealing (based on looks) and it turns out, comfort.

Does A Spikeless Golf Shoe Work?

I’ll make this easy for you, YES!. My main reason for avoiding this technology was fear of slipping. In the four rounds I tested the Ashworth Cardiff Golf Shoes, two were in wet conditions and I slipped once. I can’t blame the shoes, I was standing in a puddle. That being said, my feet were still dry! When it came to functionality, this shoe offered everything any of my previous golf shoes had offer except I could put them on at home and drive to the course in them.

This brings me to comfort. In speaking with people who wear a spikeless golf shoe, the main reason has been comfort. I can't speak for all spikeless shoes but the Ashworth Cardiff shoes are extremely comfortable. So much so I have worn them in non golf situations including once to a meeting. While testing the shoes, I put them on at home, drove to the course, walked my rounds and wore them home. I felt no discomfort and an urge to get them off my feet. They were very comfortable.

Finally, they're fashionable. As soon as I received my shoes I put a picture of them on Facebook and the comments, and likes, started coming in. They are a good looking shoe for golf or not, why else would I have worn them to a meeting? Although a casual shoe, they have a professional look to them. I like the style and with several colors to choose from, you can express yourself too. 

Overall

When I test golf shoes I look for three things: Functionality, Comfort and Fashion. The Ashworth Cardiff Golf Shoe not only passed all three test, it greatly exceeded my expectations. If you're having problems with golf shoe comfort or want a more casual looking shoe, I highly recommend this golf shoe.

Who: Ashworth 

What: Ashworth Cardiff Golf Shoe

Where: Buy it on the Ashworth Website

Why: If you want a good looking golf shoe and improved comfort.

Cost: $120

Website: Ashworth Golf

 

 

 

Axis1 Golf Umbra Putter Review

I was first introduced to the Axis1 Putter at the National Golf Expo in Boston earlier this year. I’ll be the first to admit it, I was skeptical. When I looked at the putter I wondered what made it so great. I even gave it a couple of putts on the mat they had at their booth. There’s no way this could help my putting, if the technology was so great, why wasn’t anyone else using it?

  (View from above of the Axis1 Umbra Putter)

Fortunately I’m mature enough (or I was in desperate need of putting help) to give Axis1 another look. My goal of getting down to a 10 Handicap Index needed a boost and averaging over 34 putts per round wasn’t doing it for me. I needed help on the greens. When the opportunity presented itself to try the newest putter in the Axis1 family, the Umbra, I quickly jumped at it. I couldn’t be happier I did.

The Axis1 Umbra Putter

In sticking with the theme of honesty, the Axis1 Umbra took me about 9 holes to adjust to. It didn’t look like the Ping Ti3 I had been using for the previous four years. Then again, it didn’t look much like any putter I had seen or used in my entire golf career. Fortunately, I’m an open minded person and stuck with it, bringing it from the practice green to the course. The result, 29 putts in my first round, 5 putts less than my 2011 average!

Obviously impressed by the first round, the Axis1 Umbra Putter stayed in my bag for another round. I played a different course this time so I could use it on another set of greens. It was more of the same as I recorded 31 putts, 3 less than my average number of putts per round in 2011. While I was again impressed by the number of putts, I was more impressed with my consistency. 

(My Axis1 Umbra on the practice green at Ridgefield CC)

Technically Speaking

When it comes to the technical aspects of putting (or anything for that matter) I'm not an expert. I understand some of the logistics and in speaking with several professionals, I knew I opened my putter face at impact. What initially drew my interest to Axis1 was the putters ability to stay square at impact. I'm not big on technical jargon but I think this quote from the Axis1 website sums it up:

"Axis1 offers the first 100% perfectly balanced putters in the game. Because Axis1 putters are perfectly balanced, they don't naturally open-up, resulting in more on-line putts and lower scores. We accomplished this special feat by pushing the weight forward with a patented heel counterweight that, for the very first time, places the center of gravity right on the center of the striking face and perfectly aligned with the axis of the shaft. Considering how often you pull out your putter, shouldn't you use the one uniquely engineered to give you the best chance to make each and every putt?"

 Overall

As I mentioned above, the look too me a little while to get over but I'm sure at first most great inventions were looked at in an odd way. If you try it, you will adjust.

(This sums it up. The Axis1 Umbra Putter will be staying in my bag)

The Axis1 Umbra Putter follows through on its word. The balance and weight has allowed me to be more consistent in my putting and reduced my putts per round. I find my "mishits" are even more accurate than before which has contributed to me three putting less. If you're looking for a solution on the green, I recommend trying the Axis1 Umbra Putter. 

Who: Axis1 Golf

What: The Axis1 Umbra Putter

Where: HQ in Massachusetts

Why: To improve your putting

Cost: $299

Website: Axis1 Golf

SkyCaddie SGX Review

If PGA TOUR players have caddies to help them with yardage, why I don't I have help? I looked back at my rounds over the past couple of seasons and realized when I use a GPS (if it comes with the cart) my rounds have been lower. It makes perfect sense. 

(Hole view on the SkyCaddie SGX)

The easy part was deciding I need one, the tough part was choosing which one I would use. I'm fortunate enough to spend part of my time at the New York Golf Center where could handle the all the GPS devices and talk with the reps for each company. After talking with the people who make the SkyCaddie SGX, it was a no brainer. 

The SkyCaddie SGX

There are so many features I'm sure I have not had the chance to play with them all. The most important thing for me is ease of use and accuracy. In talking with the people at SkyGolf I found out they spend millions of dollars each year walking golf courses to make sure everything is accurate. As far as I could tell it works. On several occasions and on several courses I walked off distances from sprinkler heads or yardage markers, each time it was spot on. I've spoken with several people in the golf industry about this device (none affiliated with the SkyCaddie) and they have said it's the most accurate GPS device available. 

 It seems like the biggest request in a GPS is touch screen. The introduction of smartphones and iPads have made everyone accustomed to it. The SkyCaddie SGX is NOT a touch screen device. It has an easy to use "joystick" to help you navigate along with a few buttons to exit a screen, turn on, or get you back to the main menu. Despite using a iPhone everyday, I actually enjoyed the simplicity of it not being a touch screen. The joystick is responsive and easy to use. It has a "click" feature so after you highlight something, you can click the joystick down and it's selected, it's that easy. After handling many of the devices, I didn't find touch screen to be that great of a feature. 

(A view of the green on the SkyCaddie SGX)

Additional Information About The SkyCaddie SGX

I'll get this part out of the way, there is an annual fee. The SkyCaddie offers three (four if you count the register only option) plans for you to chose from: Birdie, Eagle, and Double Eagle. There is an annual subscription with each of these and they range from $29.95 (Birdie) to $59.95 (Double Eagle). Depending where you're using your SkyCaddie SGX, you can decide on which plan is best for you. 

The SkyCaddie SGX comes with 30,000 golf courses preloaded but it's best if you download a course to your device before you play. Downloading, or syncing, your device with a course before you play will give you more accuracy and let you know what features are available such as: IntelliGreen, Fairway Targets, HoleVue and more. The device also lets you track your score as well as stats after each hole is complete. The best part is, they keep it simple.

(Easy to use Scorecard on the SkyCaddie SGX)

Overall

The only negative thing I have heard from others about the SkyCaddie SGX is paying the annual fee. While no one wants to pay more money, when you break down the cost of your annual fee it comes out to as little as $1 per round of golf and in most cases, even less. I am happy to pay $1 per round to have accurate yardages and a device that works. 

After using the SkyCaddie SGX, I'm happy to recommend it to anyone looking to purchase a GPS device. The ease of use, accuracy and additional features make it worth the cost and something you're playing partners will thank you for... if you decide to share it with them.

Who: SkyGolf

What: The SkyCaddie SGX

Why: Accurate yardages from tee to green

Where: Anywhere Golf GPS devices are sold but I recommend New York Golf Center

Cost: $299.99

Website: SkyGolf Website