Golf Equipment Innovations in 2015

Golf Master Tips, Golf Equipment Innovations in 2015 - By all indications it looks as though innovations in golf equipment for 2015 will look a lot like those of 2014, especially with golf drivers. Over the last year there have been at least 15 adjustable drivers that have been introduced, and that seems to be the theme as we move ahead. So let's take a look at the world of adjustable drivers and what they can and can't do for the normal amateur golfer.

Adjustable drivers are designed to be able to manually change the club's loft, lie and face angle with a simple adjustment on the driver head. An adjustment would affect the launch angle, direction and spin rate in order to maximize distance and reduce swing faults. 

Golf Equipment Innovations in 2015

The make and model of these drivers offers different advantages, but they can allow you to create several things, such as the center of gravity. For instance, if you are having problems with a slice more weight can be shifted toward the heel, making it easier to close the club head at impact.

There is a lot of evidence that says that these clubs can actually help most amateur golfers. A recent Golf Digest study said that 70% of low to mid handicap golfers are using the wrong loft. Actually, most golfers need more loft than they typically use. 

Rather than going out and buying a new driver, these clubs merely allow for an adjustment in the loft, and this allows for greater experimentation. Another research study on the golfers launch angle can vary as much as 1 ½° from round to round, and if the golfer can determine this he can make the easy adjustments.

So should all golfers get on this "new driver" bandwagon? It probably depends on your point of view. Certainly technology has made golf a lot easier, even though scores really haven't dropped as significantly as the technology has risen.

I suppose I'm kind of old-school on this, but I have always thought part of the game was actually making swing adjustments to get different and better shots, not just merely changing clubs. Making those swing adjustments sort of goes with the unwritten rules of the game. However, I am not averse to using hybrid clubs, which certainly are considered newer technology.

So if you're looking at this from the standpoint of getting clubs that fix a bad swing, your first thought should be to learn how to swing better. Plus throwing adjustable clubs into very inconsistent swings adds a multiple of variables to getting things right. But if you really believe that any new technology is fair when trying to beat a golf course, they'll be even more options for you in 2015.

Practicing with a wedge can be a quicker way to making improvements is many aspects of your golf game, such as avoiding hitting the ball fat. The wedge has many purposes for your total golf game, and you should spend ample time practicing with it. Sean O'Kelly is an avid golfer and writer living in Chicago. (Sean O'Kelly)