Well here we are still, it has got to the stage where not only have I cleaned my clubs (not that I let them get too dirty in the first place, but more on that later), but I have also cleaned my old clubs, golf bag, trundler, golf shoes, practice balls (honestly, but there was method to my madness) and the kids clubs as well - the next time you see me on the course, be sure to bring your sunglasses. We have also spent far too much time in front of our screens, and herein lies a trap for us golfers. There are a gazillion articles out there for the keen golfer, ranging from analytical to tuitional to entertaining. The trick would appear to be knowing which ones to avoid, and it is here that I am happy to help through being a proverbial guinea pig for you all, before transmogrifying into the metaphorical canary in the coalmine. Last Lockdown, I watched a number of tutorial videos by former Major Champion Padraig Harrington which were great, albeit I did end up in the trees a fair few times as a result (the one on tee heights was the one that seemed to cause the most problems). This time I have been reading more articles around kit - hence the clean balls. First though, with regards to cleaning your clubs, I have never understood why people don't - the face of the club is where all the action takes place, and why you would want a bit of dirt to get between the face and ball is beyond me. The grip is the bit that connects us to the club (compare it to the tyres of your car being the only point of contact with the road - there's a reason that they should be constantly checked) and if they are not cleaned regularly then they will become slippery and waxy. I will always remember the first time I cleaned the grips of my clubs when I was a teenager, still using an old set of irons that used to belong to my Dad (who most definitely cannot be bothered to clean them). I just used a nail brush and a bit of soap, and within seconds, the lather was black from the natural oils and dirt that had accumulated on the grips over the years. By the time I was done, they were like new, and felt so much more secure in my hands. Now, back to the balls - I recently read a piece on how often you should change the ball that you are playing with, and when it is clear that they are no longer of use depending on the level of damage sustained through the course of everyday play. It came off the back of a pro using the same ball for 4 rounds of a tournament. Now I have heard of pros who only use a ball for 5 holes maximum before changing them, but for us mere mortals, at about $8 a ball for a premium ball, that starts to get very expensive very quick. So, I was intrigued to hear about using slightly damaged balls, as this would mean I wouldn't have to throw them away (my wife has accused me of being a bit of a hoarder in the past, and while I may not admit to it, there might be some truth in thinking that I hate throwing stuff away). Apparently, the measure of when to consign your ball to the practice bag is if the ball is distorted, cut or if any scuff damage is larger than about a US Dime (about the size of a NZ 10 cent piece). Using this measure, 14 scrubbed balls that were consigned to the practice bag have made it back into my bag saving me over $100 - I really need to get out more. Of course, this whole exercise is based on the assumption that you are able to keep the ball in question for a protracted period of time - easy enough for players like Dexter, Merv and Danny who can't seem to lose balls even when they try really hard to - it would be a bit harder for those like, Crusher or, Jimmy, who send their balls willy-nilly for a dip in the pond, where they wait patiently for someone to go in and get them. Stay safe, stay sane, and I look forward to seeing you out there soon Steve |