Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2021 - 11

Larry's List
Have a Ball
Get fit for your golf ball and
use it on every round you play.
T
he golf ball is considered our most
important piece of equipment (since
it's used on every shot)-until we find a
different ball in the woods. But 2nd Swing
Master Clubfitter Larry Bobka suggests we
resist the temptation to play whatever ball is
in our bag (or the water) and get fitted for the
right one to improve our game.
" The worst thing amateurs do is play 'the
ball I found' or 'the one my brother-in-law
gave me,' " Bobka says. " They may have played
every round of golf with a different ball. "
" When you make changes to your equipment,
you must make sure that club will
work for you. But if you play a different golf
ball every time, you don't know if the problem
is the club or you. It's the number one
thing: let's get the right golf ball in our hand. "
So, find a golf ball and stick with it-but
how? Bobka says that pro golfers tend to
choose a golf ball by their ability to control it
with wedges first and for distance last. Major
winner Jim Furyk explained his process to
Bobka this way:
" I need to start at 30 yards because I am
not going to hit the par 5's that other players
are. I'm going to leave myself a lot of short
lob shots and wedge shots that I need to get
up and down. I'm going to miss more long
par fours than longer hitters. So, if the golf
ball doesn't work from 30 yards, it's kind of
pointless to use it. "
To a degree, Furyk was describing a lot
of amateur players-even though many are
enamored with more distance. Bobka recommends
a golf ball with great control, which
starts with a soft cover. Two- and three-piece
core construction is for distance, which you
can find in many golf balls on the market; the
key is to find one that offers control around
the greens and putter-feel on them.
* BY JOSEPH OBERLE *
" When you make changes
to your equipment, you
must make sure that club
will work for you. But if
you play a different golf
ball every time, you don't
know if the problem is
the club or you. "
-LARRY BOBKA
A fitting can start with the ball, but if a
golfer likes their existing clubs, Bobka will
find a golf ball to match them.
" They hit different brands and check out
the spin rates with their irons, wedges and off
their driver to see which ball works, " Bobka
says. " There might be an adjustment needed
where they're hitting the irons and wedges
great, but spinning the ball a little bit more
off the driver. If they have an adjustable
driver, let's take it down a degree and see how
it performs. Works great? Done. "
The good news is there are plenty of golf
balls that can maximize distance with soft
covers for around the green (see the sidebar).
According to Bobka, the key is getting
fit to one:
" If you are serious about the game and
knocking strokes off your handicap, you
really have to take a good, hard look at your
golf ball and see if it matches up with your
strengths and weaknesses. "
Larry Bobka is a master clubfitter at 2nd
Swing in Minnetonka. He has 44 years of
experience as a clubmaker, clubfitter and
short game instructor for pros including Tim
Herron and Tiger Woods.
Titleist ProV-1
" The benchmark of
performance golf balls.
Since 2000, it's arguably
been the best golf ball for
distance, control, spin. "
Callaway Chrome Soft X LS
" A new lower-spinning golf
ball. Love that golf ball
for high speed, high spin,
players. "
Bridgestone e6
" For slower-clubhead
speed players. It's got spin,
speed, nice feel and it's
moderately priced. "
mngolf.org
Fall 2021 MINNESOTAGOLFER
11
http://www.mngolf.org

Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2021

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Minnesota Golfer - Fall 2021 - 1
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