Tee Off 2014 – Drivers

Posted: May 6, 2014 by KC Golfer Magazine Editor

Grip it and rip it is outdated. In this age of adjustability and drivers with more settings than your old VCR, perhaps the new terminology ought to be Set it, Grip it, and then Rip it. Its been ten years since TaylorMade brought us the R7 with its changeable weights, and just five years since Nike debuted a driver with an adjustable hosel to change lie and face angle.

Today, it seems almost all drivers feature some degree of adjustability, although those that don’t still pack in plenty of technology and features. What follows is a review of some of the top drivers in terms of performance and popularity.

Perhaps the driver receiving the most buzz this year is the TaylorMade SLDR. Their “Loft Up” ads and tagline are the result of the need for golfers to buy a driver with a bit more loft than they are typically used to because of the low and forward center of gravity (CG). TaylorMade set the CG low and foward, as opposed to low and back, to promote low spin off the club face. Low spin, for higher swing speeds and at the right loft, means more distance. The club also features a 20-gram moveable weight mounted on a track along the sole. Moving the weight to the toe promotes a fade while moving it to the heel will help create a draw flight. Added to all this is the Loft-sleeve that has been featured on other TaylorMade models and allows loft and lie adjustments to one of twelve different settings.

Remember the Callaway Big Bertha – the driver that revolutionized metalwoods and started the era of increasing driver head sizes? Well, it’s back. The 2014 version of the Big Bertha is a 460cc version that piles on new technology designed to create a longer, straighter ball flight – something almost all golfers are looking for. The adjustable hosel can add up to two degrees of loft or reduce it by one degree. Along the back of the club is an 8-gram weight that, like TaylorMade’s SLDR, is mounted on a track allowing the weight to be locked in one of multiple positions. Unlike the SLDR, though, the track is along the trailing (back) edge of the sole, placing weight in a more traditional place to promote a higher ball flight. Golfers will need to work with a fitter to get the settings just right for their particular swing speed and shot shape, but once dialed in, the Big Bertha will yield long fairway splitters.

The Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 has perhaps the most unique design of all the drivers this year, representing improvements over the original Covert driver. Like its predecessor, the 2.0 version features a cavity back design with a sizeable wedge removed from the back of the clubhead to position weight at the toe and heel and promote a straighter ball flight from a more stable head through impact. The end result is a very forgiving club that provides a significant amount of forgiveness. While introduced in a striking red finish, Nike recently revealed a matte black version. The hosel allows the club to be adjusted from 8.5 degrees of loft up to 12 degrees.

Ping has a pair of drivers worth noting as well. The Ping G25 and i25 drivers are aimed at different types of golfers and bring a host of features to their respective designs. The G25 is a distance driver with a matte black finish on a slightly elongated head shape. Its a fairly high launching, mid spin driver meant to help golfers launch the ball high and straight and should be very appealing to golfers with slower swing speeds. Its hosel allows a half degree of loft adjustability. The i25 is a very low spin driver that provides a low piercing ball flight with plenty of distance. For its shape and design, its a straight driver that still provides some ability to work the ball left or right, as needed.

These manufacturers have many more options available, as do numerous other clubmakers. The new drivers of 2014 have kept improving on the technology of their predecessors, allowing anyone with the knowledge to dial up their desired ball flight. Just remember to set it – before you grip it and then rip it.

Avoid The Laid Off Backswing

Posted: May 6, 2014 by KC Golfer Magazine Editor

The golf swing is dependent on correctly doing the previous move. Therefore, a solid takeaway promotes setting the club correctly at the top of the backswing, which in turn promotes returning toward impact with the club on the correct plane, path and face angle.

Many players create a poor position at the top of the backswing. While the goal is to set the club correctly at the top of the backswing, many players allow the club to get across the line or laid off at the top. Both positions can lead to undesirable results. The club should point to the target at the top of the backswing.

When the club points to the right of your body and the right of your target the club has come across the line. The prototypical swing positions the club pointing toward the target and parallel to the target line at the top of the backswing. Many players pick the club up too steep during the backswing, resulting in the top position across the line. Blocked shots to the right and hooks are a common result for getting the club across the line at the top of the backswing. The picture to the right demonstrates the club across the line at the top pointing to the right of the target.

Many recreational players allow the club to reach a laid off position at the top of the backswing. The club is laid off when the club points away from the golfer and left of the target line at the top of the backswing.

From a laid off position the hands must rotate quickly through impact. Shanks often result when the hands do not rotate quickly enough. A shank results when the hosel of the club head strikes the ball causing it to squirt off to the right. Additionally, players often pull the shot causing the ball to start to the left of the target.

The following tips are designed to get the club set in the proper position at the top of the backswing.

Set up to the ball correctly. Check your alignment and be sure your body is lined up parallel to the target line. If you set up with your body open to the target line it can encourage a laid off position at the top of the backswing. On the other hand, if your body is lined up to the right of the target line it can encourage an across the line position at the top of the backswing. Position your feet, knees, hips and shoulders square to the target line.

The proper take away also helps position the club correctly at the top of the backswing. A flat and inside take away can lead to a laid off backswing. Try to avoid the club head getting behind the hands during the takeaway. Place an object such as a head cover about a foot behind the ball positioned just inside the target line. Take the club head back low to the ground without touching the object behind the ball. Also, avoid the object on the downswing. This drill will help swing the club on a vertical swing plane, rather than a horizontal swing plane. In addition, it will help position the club correctly at the top of your backswing instead of pointed across the line or laid off to the target line. Be sure the club points to your target at the top of your backswing. Practice with a friend standing behind your or in front of a full length mirror to check for the correct position.

Matt Keller is a PGA Golf Professional with over 15 years of experience. Matt is a graduate of the Penn State PGM Program. Throughout his career he has worked at courses in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida and Delaware. Matt has conducted thousands of golf lessons to players of all ages and ability levels. Currently, he is a PGA Professional at Cripple Creek Golf and Country Club located near Bethany Beach, DE.

Liberty Hills – Golf At The Peak

Posted: May 6, 2014 by KC Golfer Magazine Editor

The grand dame of Northland golf, Liberty Hills resides in a comfortable countryside setting five miles north of Liberty. At 6530 yards and playing at par 70, it is one of the shorter courses in the Kansas City area, making it an especially easy course to walk. But don’t mistake the distance for a lack of challenge.

Opened in 1967 as the first country club north of the river, the course features unusually narrow fairways and, resting at the highest point in Clay County, is subjected to more than its fair share of crosswinds. The beautiful greens are protected by numerous pot bunkers with water hazard through the middle of the course.

The combination of challenge and accessibility gives Liberty Hills its charm, while the friendly, community feel of the club brings loyalty from its members.

“The experience my children had in junior golf and swimming was the best,” said Lyle Kraft, a member for over 30 years. “I’m now seeing the same experience with my grandchildren. There’s no question (it’s a family and community experience). It’s a small, niche family setting and it’s still a great course. My kids always loved to come here and roam the whole complex. The staff is willing and excited to have the kids and now I’m watching my grandkids come out and do it.”

“I have played on over 100 golf courses in my life and Liberty is a course that grows on you,” said Carol Travaglione, a member since 2007. “It’s a challenging course and one that many of the members can enjoy being able to walk the course. ”

Members often cite the easy walk-ability of the course as contributing to the tight-knit community experience.

“It’s a very walkable course,” said David Eide, a 15-year member. “Most of the groups walk. I think the pace of play is still pretty quick.”

“It’s a great walking course,” agreed Kraft. “You don’t have to have a cart. You can still get exercise.”

“Number three is an interesting hole,” said Manager Sam Klos. “Our members will play it differently sometimes. People will take chances on it.”While strolling at Liberty Hills, players will find plenty of challenges to suit every type of game, particularly at par 4 number three, a short (342 yards) dogleg right which entices newer players to go for broke. But danger awaits with a slightly misplayed shot in more than a dozen pot bunkers and a sparse fairway.

“I’m not a long hitter, but I come with some people and they’ll take the risk and go for it,” Kraft said. “You can get in trouble pretty quick there.”

The rest of the course presents it’s own challenges.

“There are a lot of people who come out and see that it’s not that long, and they are big hitters, but they find out it’s got pretty tight fairways and small greens,” Kraft said. “Most of the holes, you run out of bounds pretty quick.”

“Hole number six (a par 5 and, at 537 yards, the longest on the course), I think every year it gets narrower and narrower,” laughed Eide. “And more challenging, and that makes it more fun. The whole course is fairly narrow and the rough is tough.”

Number nine (par 4, 392 yards) hooks around to the left over water to the green, requiring an exacting approach shot for a chance at birdie.

The challenges of Liberty Hills has helped produce a number of fine golfers, including Kearney’s Ryan Zech, who won All-State honors in Missouri for three years and was named the 2011 Kansas City Metro Player of the Year before becoming one of the Missouri Tigers best performers.

“Don’t miss this unique opportunity to play one of the most prestigious semi-private courses in Kansas City,” invites General Manager Megan Marshall. “The course offers multiple tee-box options as well as a golf course that presents tree-lined fairways and expansive greens that provide a true roll. Come experience an enjoyable round of golf that does not take five hours to play.”

“It’s a beautiful layout with sand traps, lakes and greens that compare to some of the five-star country clubs in the metropolitan area,” Travaglione said. “It’s a great place to unwind and relax.”

While some golfers come for the beautiful course and unique challenges of play, many simply enjoy the unhurried countryside atmosphere.

“I’m primarily at the club for golf and to socialize,” Eide said. “It’s a very sociable atmosphere and a friendly staff. I’ve actually met more people from other clubs at Liberty Hills, intermingling and socializing.”

“It’s a neighborhood course and I have made a lot of really great friends playing golf at Liberty,” Travaglione said.

Liberty Hills has just put the finishing touches on re-sodding the back nine with Zoysia grass, to match the front nine and replacing the old blue grass. While it will take time for it to come completely into full growth, it is already becoming lush and beautiful.

Re-sodding is the primary improvement made since Great Life purchased the course in April, 2013, and Marshall believes their efforts have been well received.

“I think (members’ response has been) good,” she said. “I think they’re pleased with the price and care of the course. The initial reaction (when we bought it) was ‘oh, great, here’s somebody else coming in’, but I think we’re showing we care about the members, about moving forward and taking steps to bettering the course. I think we’ve had good reactions.”

“The new owners have made a genuine effort,” agreed Travaglione, “to involve the members in creating a fun golfing experience for everyone.”

The course became available to Great Life after it sat mostly dormant for part of two years following a January, 2012, fire which destroyed the clubhouse. The club has since struggled to restore its membership ranks to a level needed to rebuild the clubhouse. It had reached a nadir when Great Life’s Rick Farrant and Doug Albers became co-owners, but they have already begun to turn it around.

“We thought that it was close to Staley (Farms) and a nice perk to have and be able to play, that’s where the intention was (behind the purchase),” Marshall said. “The price and location were good and it would help build the Great Life brand in Kansas City.”

However, Marshall cautions that they are still trying to recover some of the original Liberty Hills glory.

“We’ve only owned the course for a year and we’re still trying to get it out of bankruptcy,” she said. “The fire was a big deal to overcome. These things don’t happen over night.”

With approximately 350 current members, Liberty Hills hopes to continue adding to their rolls before taking on the next challenge. New members joining now would have an opportunity to help restore the club and get in on the ground floor of a newly rebuilt clubhouse experience.

“We’d like to get to the 400 number,” Marshall said. “That’s the sweet spot before we can move forward (with a new clubhouse). We already have renderings and ideas about what we want to do. Pretty much everything is set in place.”

Once they reach the magic number, the clubhouse can be constructed in “eight to 12 months,” according to Marshall, but even then ownership will remain committed to the Great Life ideal of affordable family-style memberships.

“That’s the Great Life model,” she said. “Affordable costs for every family type. We don’t plan on doing outrageous memberships. We’re not going to go really high. We hope to keep the same exact price. And a nice thing about Great Life membership is the opportunity to play other courses.”

In the meantime, the golf course, the driving range and the swimming pool (which opens Memorial Day weekend) are all available to members, and as part of the Great Life association, members can also take advantage of amenities at other area courses, such as the workout facility at Staley Farms. Liberty Hills’ pavilion is also available for outdoor events, such as graduations and wedding. The club will continue to host popular men’s and women’s leagues, and a variety of entertaining events for members.

The total package at Liberty Hills makes for a great value.

You don’t have to convince the members, who Marshall says “are our best advocates.”

“Liberty Hills was recommended by many of our close friends,” said Kathy Steward of their relocation three years ago, when they were looking for a residential and golfing community with a championship course to match their previous lifestyle in Wichita. “We found that Liberty Hills met all our golfing needs, such as ease of accessibility for tee times, friendly staff and practice facilities. We have played many courses in and around the Kansas City area. Liberty Hills rates up there as one of our top picks of courses in and around Kansas City.

“We would recommend golf on ‘The Hill’ to anyone wishing to enjoy a nice round of golf in the country air.”