Most golfers nowadays don’t think twice about having their golf clubs custom fitted, yet many are still basing their choice of golf ball on word of mouth or familiarity, rather than the best ball for their game.

Things are starting to change as golfers, who understand the importance of spin rates to the ball’s flight and distance, are looking more closely at how the ball they play can make a difference to their long and short games.

There are big differences between various types of golf ball and, while it is tempting to pick up the same ball used by the world’s best players, you will benefit by using a ball that best suits your game.

Different golfers will benefit from different golf balls depending on their swing and game. The key is to understanding what is the best ball for your game.  For this feature we have listed some of the best balls on the market below however we would recommend you drop by pro shop sometime and we’ll be happy to take you through the best golf product for your game.

Penta TP is the first five-layer tour ball. Engineered with levels of performance to enhance all five shot categories – driver, long irons, mid irons, shot irons and wedges.

A Urethane cover provides softer feel and higher spin rate on critical wedge shots within 100 yards. An outer mantle delivers optimum spin off short irons to stop the ball quickly on the green without sacrificing distance.

The Middle Mantle increases control with mid-irons and prevents up shooting , ballooning and falling short of the target, while the inner mantle promotes soft feel, high launch and low spin off the long irons for incredible distance.

The core produces faster ball speed , high launch and low spin off the driver for maximum carry and extreme distance.

For more information on the Taylormade Penta TP ball please click here.

A golf ball so soft, and with so much feel, shouldn’t be able to go so far. The new High-Resiliency core is not only soft, but also fast, which means you’ll never sacrifice distance for soft feel.

Plus, this golf ball’s unique low spin properties mean that players who impart too much spin off the driver will see more distance and less severe hooks and slices.

The Big Bertha Diablo Golf Ball offers lower driver spin and softer feel than most golf balls on the market for superior accuracy off the tee and better feel on every shot.

3 Pack SSP: £5
Dozen Pack SSP: £18

For more information on the Callaway Diablo ball please click here.

Golfing in the wind can be an extremely frustrating affair – holding the ball up, blowing it beyond your target or pushing the ball wide of the green.

Just by looking at professional tournaments played in the wind you can see that scores are generally a little higher.

But by following these simple tips you’ll be able to tame the wind and limit any damage to your scorecard.

When playing into the wind try to employ the punch shot that will result in a lower trajectory, keeping the ball low and nullifying the effects of the wind.

The punch shot:• The ball should be further back in your stance• Place slightly more weight on your front foot• Choke down on the club to gain more control and keep your hands ahead of the ball at address and impact• Your swing should be shorter, about three-quarters, with less wrist break• Club selection is vital - anything below a 7-iron or thereabouts simply has too much loft and will climb too high in the air.

Playing with the wind will give the opportunity to hit the ball further from the tee, but could result in you overshooting the green the closer you get.

From the tee, tee the ball up a bit higher and move it forward in your stance.

When shooting for the green, plan for the extra carry and roll.

If you would like to discuss any part of your game please drop by the proshop to book a lesson time.

Flop shot

The flop shot is best to use when you need to get the ball up high over a hazard but with little green to aim at.

• Use your most lofted wedge• Hold down the grip an extra inch for control• Move the ball forward in your stance, just inside your left heel• Don’t push your hands in front of the ball or you’ll de-loft the club• Hinge your wrists as soon as you start the backswing, creating a 90 degree angle between the club and your left arm• Execute a long and lazy swing and accelerate through the ball to a full finish.

Welcome to the Fantasy Race to Dubai 2010 game - offering you a chance to select a team of your favourite 15 golfers on the European Tour, enter our TGI Golf League and win some fantastic prizes in the process.

This is free to enter, is run by the European Tour and at the same time as competing for prizes in the our competition, you can also win prizes in the Official 2010 Fantasy Race to Dubai.

To enter please click here and register with the 2010 Fantasy Race to Dubai website, select your team and then join our private league which is TGI Golf 2010 PIN: 298

Please include your Golf Club Name with your Team Name.

We will publish the TGI Golf 2010 leaderboard every month so you can keep an eye on how your team is performing.

Towards the end of last year the 3rd green was redesigned.  On January 1st Brendan Smyth stepped into Davy Bairds wellies as the new Greens Convenor.   I have asked the Brendan a few questions.

A "Why did the 3rd green need changed?"

B "It had to be changed due to the lack of pin positions, during busy periods the green was being badly worn in the high use areas."

A "How is the green progressing?"

B "Remarkably well inspite of the terrible weather conditions.  The new turf has knitted together remarkably well."

A "When can we hope to be back playing on the 3rd?"

B "We are hoping towards the start of the new seasonif the weather is favourable."

A "Many thanks Brendan"

Who will win this years majors?  Will it be Rory, Tiger, Phil.  Email your thoughts to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and i'll post them on next months enews.

CLUB NEWS & DATES

Don't forget to enter this years indoor putting competition.
Barbara is in charge, and she's looking for entries.

It's a five-person Team, £20 pound entry fee per team. Teams will qualify from one Qualifying round.

Qualifying rounds are on 19 Feb. and  26 Feb. with the final on Fri. 5th March.

Please contact Barbara in the bar

Golf Lessons ABC
¦A) Stephanie Clarke was taking her first golfing lesson.

'Is the word spelt p-u-t or p-u-t-t?' she asked her instructor.

'P-u-t-t is correct,' he replied. 'Put means to place a thing where you want it. Putt means merely a vain attempt to do the same thing.'

B) Now', said the golf pro, 'suppose you just go through the motions without hitting the ball.'

'But that's precisely the difficulty I'm trying to overcome', said Stephanie.

C) The only problem with golf is that the slow people are always in front of you and the fast people always end up behind you.