| Golf Equipment:
Clubs:
The number and characteristics of clubs are defined by the golf rules. According to these rules, a player can carry not more than 14 clubs. Each club is meant for the execution of a specific hit. Clubs can be divided into groups. The first hits should take the ball a maximum distance and therefore, the “woods” of club group are used for this purpose. The translation of name from the English language means that these clubs have wooden heads though heads of modern clubs, mainly, are made of metal alloys on have a titanium base.
Special clubs are manufactured for women and children, which differ on the rigidity of the shaft with respect to the grasping circumference of the handle grip and other parameters.
Balls:
Golf balls should have a diameter of not less than 4.27cm. The weight of balls varies between the limits 41-46gms. The surface of the ball has dimples. They improve the airflow of the ball in flight, reduce air resistance and ensure a long range of hit. Manufacturers experiment with the shape and quantity of the dimples. The amount of dimples on balls from different manufacturers varies from 300 to 500. The rules say: the more number of dimples the higher the ball flies. As a result, a ball with many dimples flies too high to the detriment of the length of the hit. After the hit the initial speed of the ball can reach 200 km/hr.
The elasticity of the balls is characterized by the “compression” indicator. Its conventional value varies from 0 to 200. If the ball does not get compressed during the hit, then its compression is accepted equal to 200; if it is compressed by 2/10 inches (5 mm) or more, its compression is accepted equal to 0. The majority of balls have a compression within 80-100 limits, i.e., the balls get compressed by 2-3 mm during a hit. If balls do not meet these requirements, then they belong to the group of non-standard balls - the name in English is “X-outs”.
With respect to their inner arrangement, balls can consist of single, double, triple and more component- layers.
Two-layer balls consist of a solid nucleus and a thin rigid cover. They combine low cost, durability and flight range and therefore are preferred by the majority of golf players. Such balls do not rotate during flight because the balls do not take the unintended spin shots and their flight trajectory is quite straight.
Three-layer balls have an elastic thread winding over elastic or jelly-like cores. Such balls give a soft sensation during a hit and can be spin a lot. Thanks to this, experienced golf players can give a curved shaped flight trajectory to evade the obstacles.
The four-layer ball is a newer version of the three-layer balls. To full scope, their properties can be assessed and utilized by professionals. Balls have an intermediate layer found between the braid and cover.
Single-layered training balls (practice balls) consist of a homogeneous material. Owing to their low cost, they perfectly suit in developing the skills of a beginner. They can weigh two to four times less than the balls described above and therefore, the flight range of these balls is two to three times less.
Hollow training balls with holes. Hollow balls are called “wiffle balls”, under the name of the firm Wiffle Ball Inc, which possesses the trade mark. Wiffle balls are much lighter than the regular balls and flight range is considerably less - they go up to 10-20 m.
What occurs to the balls during a game?
During the first shot the ball is placed on a special tiny stub (tee) at a height of 0.5-1.5 cm from the ground. The ball, which was hit, should be found within five minutes and hit from the location in which it was found and you are not allowed to handle the ball with your hands. If the ball is not found, continue the game with a new ball by recording the penalty point for the lost ball. For example, if the ball falls very close to a tree trunk, it is permissible to declare a “unplayable” ball and throw the ball nearby by taking your hand to your side and up to shoulder height and drop the ball onto the ground. Amateur golf players can use a single ball for several months or even for years. Its surface becomes covered with scratches, the core material “deteriorates” and also its elasticity varies. Used balls are put on sale in golf clubs as cheap training balls. Near the hole, if the ball of one player obstructs the shot of a second player, then the place is marked and the ball is removed from the place and a flat marking, for example, a coin is placed at the marked site temporarily. In competitions the ball color is white and training balls can be of any color.
List of items, required for golf:
Balls;
Gloves;
Clubs;
Bag;
Trolley;
Umbrella;
Tees;
Repair tools |
Critiques please!
