The Aldila Voodoo shaft was recently introduced with a bang that is still being felt.  The Voodoo shaft is casting some serious spells and the golfing gods are approving. Let’s look at some features of this hot new shaft.

The Voodoo has become one of the most anticipated shafts in quite some time. And with good reason. Aldila extensively tested this shaft on the major tours to prove its worth. The results have been more than impressive.

At one point this summer, there were 42 players on the PGA and Nationwide tours using the Voodoo shaft. 5 out of the first 20 places at the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills were using the Voodoo. At the recent Ryder Cup, Boo Weekly used the Voodoo shaft and went undefeated to help the U.S. to their first Ryder Cup win in almost 10 years. The longest drives recorded during the 3-day Ryder Cup event? You guessed it, the Voodoo shaft. This past August, the Voodoo shaft garnered 7 tour wins. Make no mistake. The new Voodoo shaft is for real and has hit the ground running, making some big gains with no signs of slowing.

What makes this shaft so special and captivating?

The rave has been the new S-core technology — a patent-pending stabilized core technology. The high modulus S-core has a rib running the length of the shaft which acts as a stabilizer. The technology’s sole purpose is to increase distance and accuracy through stabilizing the shaft’s cross section. The technology has been reported to increase the shaft’s hoop strength by as much as 80% over conventional graphite shafts and as much as 60% over competitors.

The pure stabilization of this shaft significantly reduces the ovaling and deformation. The end result? Maximization of energy transfer. And the rest is history. The Voodoo shaft has become a distance herculean.

In September, Aldila began shipping the Voodoo shaft to their major distribution lines. This means that eager golfers can soon get their hands on this shaft and begin experiencing the Voodoo magic.

If you have been patiently waiting for the Voodoo shaft arrival, it’s upon us. Enjoy this great new shaft and put a few voodoo spells on your buddies this coming season.

Prior to the now popular Cleveland HiBore, Cleveland was known primarily for their wedges. Well, that’s all changed. The HiBore is now considered by many, as the driver of choice for golfers of all levels.

Cleveland has positioned itself rather successfully as the authority of wedges. Recently however, Cleveland has upped the ante by adding the driver to the list of things they do extremely well. The rapid pace of deployment into the premier driver ranks is quite inspiring to say the least. The technology behind the HiBore is nothing short of impressive.

The three main technologies at work behind the Cleveland HiBore driver are Energy Transfer Core, Distance Driven Geometry, and Full Face Performance. A short description of each is warranted to get a good a full depiction of the true performance potential of this driver.

The idea behind Energy Transfer Core is to create an efficient energy transfer that increase ball speeds, all from a system of thin, lightweight titanium spines. The Distance Driven Geometry concept consists of providing optimal launch conditions by moving the weight of the club head lower and deeper, this is called CG or Center of Gravity. And finally Full Face Performance is aligning the “sweet spot” to cover a large area of the club face thus increasing ball speed and distance.

Collectively, these three technologies result in a driver that puts a premium on a high Moment of Inertia (MOI). MOI is the latest buzz in the driver market , and with good reason. It is a fact that high MOI promotes a tighter dispersion of shots, something we all strive for in a driver especially. Cleveland has done a superb job of combining all of these technologies to make a heck of a driver, one that exceeds epectations on MOI.

The HiBore has two models of ancestry starting with the “original” and ending with the XL and XLS. The XLS is considered the more technologically advanced driver of the three and the king of MOI. The XLS offers a Standard, Tour and Draw versions making it even more accessible for all golfers to fit into a HiBore.

Take advantage of a driver that is built around a high MOI. Start throwing darts off the tee box with your new Cleveland HiBore. But best keep it quiet, you don’t want your buddies to find out your secret!

Employ your muscles well and you will do fine in golf and be relaxed too.  Stretching exercises will help you prepare for golf games as well.  Like any game, knowing the rules and having the right equipment will not ensure your success in the game.  It is also important that golf etiquette will not be far away in your mind.

Golf is an old game, it however, will not last that long if players will not follow the rules, employ fairness and play with ethics.

Now, what are the rules and the ethics that need application?

Let us start with the rulesf.  Only one general rule however, that is fairness in all aspect of the game.

Other rules that the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A) establish and enforce include the following:

- Play the ball from the position where it rests after a stroke.

- Do not revise the condition of the ground or any parts of the course to gain an unfair advantage.

- The ball may not be replaced during the game except when the golf ball is proven unplayable or destroyed.

- There is a restriction on pepole who have played golf as a pro to play as an amateur.

The above are general rules and golf associations follow them.  Other golf associations employ minor revisions to the golfing rules but the above rules are always part of them.

The rules however are not enough if you cannot follow the ethical rules on the green.

Golf etiquette

- Respect other players, as you wish to be respected.

- Do not speak too loudly that you may hamper other players’ concentration.

- Be on time, especially for your schedule on the tee.

- Ensure not to get in the way of other players.

- Leave the tee immediately after you have made the shot.

- Do not walk too fast or too slow that you may be far from your flight partner.

- Do not stand too close to the hole even if you are holding the flagstick.

If you notice, the above rules are merely exhibition of common sense.  Just like in playing any game, following the rules and exhibiting ethics may help you play the game properly.  However, this will not ensure that you will play a great game.

Practice will help you improve your game.  Practice and adherence to the rules of the game and the rules of ethics will help you learn as much in the green.  This is because other players around the golf course will not be hesitant giving you useful comment that may help you improve your game.

A person who is ready, willing and able to learn will surely improve from a beginner, amateur and forward into becoming a golf professional.

Mentoring is also important in golf.  If you want to improve your game, find a mentor, golf professional and learn the intricacies of the game.

However, you do not need all the power you have, what you need is practice, follow the rules of the game and the golf etiquette and you will be well on your way to being a good golf player.