The warm weather we enjoyed this Month has golfers excited to play their first round of golf. Most golfers simply dust off their clubs and head to the first tee. However, reviewing a simple pre season golf checklist could help make 2010 your best ever golf season.

EQUIPMENT
The first and most important thing you should do this spring is inspect all of your equipment. This inspection will make your first rounds at the course a breeze and may lead to you shooting lower scores.

SPIKES: The frequency that you should change your spikes depends on how many rounds you play. For avid golfers (20-30 Rounds Per Year), I suggest changing your spikes once a year. Having a spike with adequate tread will help you keep your balance while swinging. Also, worn spikes can be a safety issue when walking up and down wet hills. Gorham CC stocks a variety of soft spikes and will change your spikes for a very reasonable fee.

GRIPS: Maintaining grips is one of the least expensive things a golfer can do to help them shoot lower scores. A dry and worn grip will cause you to grip the club tightly and will prevent you from making a full release. Not releasing the club leads to the dreaded BANANA BALL! I suggest avid golfers change their grips once per year. I regrip my full set yearly and change my wedge grips multiple times. If you put your hands on one your clubs and it feels smooth and slick it is time for new grips. Gorham CC provides a full grip installation service. CLICK HERE FOR GRIP OPTIONS AND PRICING.

GROOVES: I suggest checking the grooves on your wedges. The grooves in your wedges help to create spin and give the ball check when it hits the green. Dull and worn grooves will not only reduce spin but could cost you strokes. There are a few options available when your wedge has worn grooves. You can either purchase a new wedge or get your wedges regrooved. A simple Google search will help you find a club repair business that regrooves wedges. If you are in the market for new wedges, please stop by the GCC pro shop. We stock Titliest Vokey, Taylormade, Cobra and Mizuno wedges.

Checking your equipment each spring will help you shoot lower scores and make your early season rounds enjoyable. Please feel free to contact me, Rick Altham (rickaltham@pga.com), with any questions about this month’s tip. I hope we have great golf weather this season and everyone shoots a career low round!