If you have knowledge of any "myths" that I haven't mentioned, please email me and I'll include them in the next newsletter.

MYTH #1: Golf Ball Distance doesn't vary much with Temperature

Golf ball distance depends on air temperature as well as golf ball and club temperature. Once in flight, the air density determines how much air friction resists the ball flight. Air density decreases as temperature rises. In fact, you'll realize about 2 yards more for every 10 degree Farhrenheit increase in temperature. The difference between 50 and 80 degrees is about 6 yards; that's a at least half a club. Longer ball hitters will notice a more significant difference. The carry distances in the table below are in yards.

The difference in distance also depends on the trajectory of the shot, so the various different lofted irons are affected differently. I can calculate your own unique distances using my mathematical golf ball projectile model. Take a look HERE.

When the ball and club are colder, they both compress differently than when warm. The resulting COR is less when cold and there is a higher energy loss in the collision. The result is less ball speed and thus less distance. When playing in cold weather, try to keep your golf balls warm (keep three in your pocket and alternate them between holes).

MYTH #2: Longer Golf Shafts produce more distance.

As I've discussed in two previous newsletters (including the last one, newsletter here ), the length of the shaft does not make a significant difference to clubhead speed. For instance, a Driver that is 1 inch longer might give you 1% more clubhead speed (depends how your swing is affected by the increased length), but you'll also increase the likelihood of missing the sweetspot. Missing the sweetspot by a mere 1/4 inch will cause you a much larger loss in distance than a 1% increase in clubhead speed. You can learn much more about new club technology HERE.

MYTH #3: Iron grooves greatly influence the amount of backspin.

Can't back it up on the green?. Think those "square grooves" will enable you to do so. Sorry. It's clubhead speed and angle of attack (Hit Down on the Ball Dammit) that makes the most difference.. The loft of the club and the roughness of the face produce the spin on the ball.  Studies over the last 25 years using identically lofted clubheads, with and without grooves, produced the same relative amount of backspin.   It should be noted, at very slow clubhead speeds, such as those generated by a short pitch shot, it is possible for grooves (in particular square grooves) to generate a noticeable amount of backspin over the same club without grooves.  At the slower speed of a short pitch shot the ball slides so little up the face that it can be grabbed by the edges of the grooves.  So keep your clubs clean and the faces rough. Oh, and make sure your clubs are dry; water greatly reduces backspin.

MYTH #4: Clubhead speed is the sole determiner of Driver distance.

Driver distance is dependent upon clubhead speed, loft, angle of descent/ascent of club, location of the club's center of mass and the golf ball. Yes, more clubhead speed with a given club and ball will yield more distance. But to optimize distance, there is an ideal combination of all these factors for your clubhead speed. Lower speed swings need a higher loft to maximize distance. Ideally, the club should contact the ball at the bottom of its arc or on the upswing. To determine your optimum combination, you need to get yourself tested with a launch monitor trying different drivers.

MYTH #5: PGA Tour Pros sink 80% of their 6 foot putts.

PGA Tour Pros only sink less than 60% of their 6 foot putts. Why does it seem they sink so many more? Because ususally the ones you're watching on TV are the leaders, and they're sinking a higher percentage of their putts; that's why they're the leaders. Click HERE for a graph of percentage putting.

The major cause of missed putts amongst amateurs is alignment. Amateurs don't align their putter faces properly. They either aim a little left or right. Angling the face 1 degree left or right will result in a missed putt unless the stroke compensates. Practice your alignment to improve your putting.

Laser Putting Device

There are other laser putting devices out there that cost over $100. I use the one above, itworks great and is only $50.

Here are some stats on the number of putts in an average round. Just think how many strokes you'd shave off your score if you improved your short putt percentage by a mere 10%. You can do so. It's within your reach. All amateurs can significantly improve their putting.

The above stats are compliments of SHOT by SHOT.

If you want to track your full game, there's a great golf statistics analysis software called SHOT BY SHOT. I've made arrangements for a $34 discount off the annual subscription rate. And, you can try out the software first if you like. What I like so much about this software is that it compares your game to a huge database of other golfers (over 35 000 rounds).

Click here to learn more and/or order: SHOT BY SHOT Full Game Analysis

 Great Golf Game Analysis