Get Linked In: The Latest Trends in Golf

Alright, so here we are. It’s finally July, and for the most part we’ve had a solid month of decent weather to attempt brushing the rust off of our golf swings. No matter how corrosive your chop swing may be, the thought that passes through all of our minds eventually is ‘what club should I grab next’ when looking to upgrade your gear. I stopped into Rick’s Golf World over in Olean, NY to pick their brains on this very question.

Operator Pete Lisi was able to take time out of a busy day to chat with me about my situation. We immediately walked to the rear of their new location (228 N. Union Street, Olean) to check out the crown jewel of their operation. Nestled in the back corner of the shop is the Accusport Vector Launch Monitor, a daunting looking computer program at first glance. The premise behind this set-up is simple: every golfer has a unique (and in MY case inconsistent) swing, which ultimately needs to be broken down in order to fit you with a proper club. The Vector system is perfect for this. A small floor unit is placed on the hitting mat, you choose the type of club you’re looking to try, and then swing away into the netting. The camera is activated by impact noise, and virtually instantly a report is displayed on the large monitor above the computer workstation. Club head speed, ball speed, back-spin, top-spin - just to name a few categories - are all analyzed and compared amongst your other swings, to come up with a perfect blend of shaft stiffness and club head that is appropriate for your game. Pete recommends calling ahead to schedule a fitting due to their busy schedule, but cautions it only takes 20-30 minutes to get pointed in the right direction.

Along with having a gleaming new weapon that is way beyond my ability, I also realize the next most important thing about golf … and that is if you can’t play good, you’d damn well better be dressing good. Good news is, Rick’s has you covered. To compliment the traditional clothing offerings from brands like Footjoy and Callaway, Rick’s also has an impressive offering from Puma. Puma has gained some momentum over the years with their bold color schemes, most notably rocked by young PGA Tour ace Rickie Fowler, who recently took a championship wearing nothing but bright orange. Rick’s also has a wide variety of Footwear from Footjoy, with shoes ranging from the casual once a week walker, to a multiple rounds per week enthusiast who demands top performance.

So, the next time you’re cruising through Olean, make sure you stop into Rick’s Golf World to check out their vast selection including brands like Titleist, Cobra, Ping, Odyssey, Callaway, and Taylor Made just to name a few. Rick’s will be featuring storewide sales on iron sets for the summer, with deals up to $100 off full sets. For more information, or to schedule a fitting, give them a shout at 716-373-6400.