What do Tiger Woods and Joey Sindelar have in common?

They both use older golf equipment and a ball that delivers more spin, decisions that probably cost them a few yards per drive.

Generally, the clubs they're apt to experiment with are specialty clubs; drivers and wedges. But at the core, their sets are very old school.

Why the resistance to change? I think both are so tuned in to their old sticks that they know exactly how those clubs will perform day in and day out.

You don't have to look far to find a lot of disasters from even a little experimentation. It took several years for Steve Stricker to regain his form after switching golf club companies.

Maybe it's coincidence, but a lot of low handicap players I know rarely switch clubs. And more then a couple still use Ping Eye 2 irons, a 25 year old design.

In theory, new technology makes the game a little easier and helps increase consistency from tee to green.

In practice, however, too much tinkering and switching can distract you from what matters most; making good swings and sinking more putts.

Everyone's different, and some players benefit from experimenting with new equipment. Phil Mickelson is a prime example, and started winning majors after a much publicized switch to Callaway golf equipment.

Either way, know which kind of player you are, and if you're comfortable with your current set, resist the temptation to make an equipment change and focus on refining your fundamentals instead.


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