Manitoba Golf Guide

06 GOLF GUIDE 2024 M A N I T O B A Only 30 mins from Winnipeg - our 18-hole golf course is fun for all skill levels! Teulon Golf & Country Club 204-886-4653 www.teulongc.com By Todd Lewys I t's that much harder to play well if you're using clubs that date back to the days when Friends was the number one comedy on TV and Whitney Houston was topping the charts, says Darrin Keats, owner of the Caddy Shed. "Some people come in here with clubs so old, it's no wonder they can't hit the ball very well," he says. "If your clubs date back to the 1990's, then it's probably time to update your equipment." Keats adds that upgrading from an ancient set of Jazz Fat Cats to a set of newer, more user-friendly clubs can be done affordably. "For a nice set of older irons – about 10-years-old, or so – we can get you into one for about $250, and then go up from there to $500 and more as the set gets newer." What exactly do golfers stand to get when they go from an ancient set of irons to a name brand set that is 10 years old or less? "Go from a set of old knock offs or TNT irons to a name brand set, you will experience a big jump in playability," he says. "The quality and design of the iron is just that much better, even if the irons are 10, or even 15 years old. An example might be a set of 2009 Taylor Made Burner irons. Their player friendly design makes them way more forgiving than a 30-year-old set." If there's anything that players with handicaps of 15 and up need, it's forgiveness – not just with irons, but other clubs in the bag. With that in mind, Keats suggests replacing three to five irons with hybrids. "Again, with our extensive selection of used stock, we can get you into a good hybrid for anywhere to $40 to $140 for an older model; a newer model will cost more. Those models will include name brands like Ping, Cleveland and Adams and others." Why is a hybrid a better choice than a long iron? "With their sole weighting, they're just easier to get in the air and hit straighter," says Scott Staub, the Caddy Shed's resident clubfitter. "If you did a test to see how many greens you'd hit with a three iron vs. a three hybrid, the hybrid would help you hit more greens." Staub adds that loed woods are an alternative to hybrids. "Like hybrids, they are much easier to hit than long irons. Just look at players on the LPGA Tour. They are great with hybrids, loed seven and nine woods, and wedges. Those are their scoring clubs." Consequently, it's advisable for higher handicap golfers to add a loed wedge to their set. "Like a hybrid, a loed wedge will help you play better. Many golfers just have a pitching wedge and maybe a gap wedge in their bag. So, when they get close to the green, they don't have enough lo for the touch shots you need to hit to save strokes. A 56 or 58 degree wedge will help you score better." He adds that there's one other thing that pretty much every golfer can do to improve their score without spending a ton of money. "If you don't, you really should replace your grips every year or two depending on how much you play. Doing that can make a huge difference. If you're playing with worn out grips, you likely grip the club too hard. And if it twists at impact even one tenth of an inch, the ball won't go straight. Good, tacky grips that are the right size for you can help you play better." The bottom line, says Keats, is that you don't have to spend a fortune to play good golf. "Upgrading to a newer, used set of clubs costs a fraction of buying brand new. Do it, and you'll play better and enjoy playing more without paying thousands of dollars." Add Life to Your Game With Newer Used Equipment Darrin Keats, owner of the Caddy Shed, says high-quality used clubs provide golfers with an affordable way to improve their game. (Photo by Todd Lewys/The Free Press) Continued from Page 04 Mandryk (le) and Kibsey (right) say everything at Southside is done with care and love to provide golfers with a great experience. (Photo by Todd Lewys/The Free Press) condition and are really fun to putt. Put all that together and people want to come back." Today, Southside has the largest women's league in Canada, an incredible driving range and practice facility, a wonderful clubhouse with a fabulous restaurant – and a thoughtfully designed, impeccably maintained golf course that everyone raves about. This all never would have happened were it not for a great financial partner (Niverville Credit Union) and amazing staff, both past and present. "Through thick and thin, we held onto our vision," says Mandryk. "Everyone, past and present, has worked to make the course what it is and take it to the next level. Everyone here has a strong commitment to making it a place people love to come to play golf." Now, it's the next generation's turn to continue that legacy, says Kibsey, "We're getting older, so our vision now is to bring young people like our general manager, Jaclyn Steep, and course superintendent, Evan, on board. They're young, energetic, and innovative. They and our amazing staff will be here to do what we've always done – do everything with care, love, and excellence."

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