Manufacturers finding size doesn't matter

      In the past few years, the industry trend among golf club manufacturers has been "bigger is better."
      A good example is Callaway Golf's introduction of the Big Bertha, then the Great Big Bertha, and most recently the Biggest Big Bertha.
      While at the Las Vegas Chapter PGA Championship sponsored by Callaway, I had a sneak peek at Callaway's newest club line, the Steelhead. This line is a scaled down version of the original Big Bertha metal woods.
      Callaway is not the only company offering clubs that are a bit smaller than the recent oversized or midsized models.
      Adams Golf's Tightlies and Trimetal from Orlimar have hit the golf community with great success. These brands offer a smaller head and are designed with the center of gravity toward the bottom of the club.
      With a heavier club bottom, it is easier for players to get the ball in the air. One problem with the oversized clubs is as the club head grew, the center of gravity became too high and it was more difficult to get the ball airborne.
      Golf equipment trends are constantly changing and it is often a game of follow the leader. When woods were made of wood, they were all similar in size and shape and the only difference would be the finished color or possibly a different type of insert.
      Now, clubs are still offered in different colors and metals to catch the buyer's eye, but I think we may see a shift toward smaller club heads with a more conventional size.
      High tech materials have definitely replaced wood and steel in club manufacturing for now, but expect to see clubs that look similar to those of an era gone by.
      The iron market is another that seems to be coming full circle. Traditional blades, once used only by better players, were replaced by cavity-back irons which made it easier for players on off-center shots.
      Today, almost all club manufacturers are offering a product line geared toward the "better player."
      Mizuno, Zevo, Titleist and even Maxfli are just a few of the companies offering a line of traditional blades for the better player. Many of today's top professionals as well as college and amateur players use this type of club.
      These products may not be for everyone, but they offer a better feel and enable the player to work the ball better than with cavity-back game-improvement clubs.
      The key is to work closely with your local professional to determine the best type of club for your skill level. I have seen many players struggle with blades when they would be better off using a cavity-back club or one that is just a little more forgiving on those off-center shots.
      Many courses have demonstration sets available so players can try different club styles and see how each type fits their game.
      With the introduction of new product lines at this month's PGA Merchandise Show, there are even more styles from which to choose.
      Shop around and feel free to consult your local PGA professional. He or she will be able to offer some good advice if the subject of club purchasing should come up.
      Question: I keep hitting my fairway bunker shots behind the ball. Is there a way to keep from doing this?
      Answer: Make sure to play the ball toward the front of your stance. This will cause the club to catch the ball on an upwards swing instead of a descending path.
      Also when you dig your feet into the sand, grip down on the club the same amount as your feet dug in. For example, if you dug your feet in an inch, grip down on the club that same inch.
      Finally, try to keep your lower body movement minimized during this swing. Too many moving parts will decrease your chances of hitting the ball cleanly from fairway bunkers.
     
     Jon Spatz is the head golf professional at Desert Willow Golf Course at Sun City MacDonald Ranch. He can be reached at Jon Spatz, c/o Desert Willow Golf Course, Sun City MacDonald Ranch, 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Henderson, NV, 89012, at spatzjo@delwebb.com or by calling 263-GOLF.