Right footwear, longer drives
FootJoy's FJ Performance Fitting System a game-changer for WAGC golfers
With just three swings of his driver at the Orchid Country Club driving range, the FJ Performance Fitting System - a mobile unit comprising a BodiTrak pressure mat and an iPad with FJ's custom app - determined that a structured golf shoe, instead of a mobile one, would better suit executive director Colin Tan.
A structured golf shoe, such as the FJ Pro/SL worn by Adam Scott, provides more stability, while a mobile one, such as the FJ Freestyle, gives golfers more flexibility.
Depending on the golfer's swing, selecting the right footwear can improve club head speed by an average of 5-6kmh, which can equate to more than 10 metres in distance.
A BIG HELP
"This would definitely help us when we compete at the World Amateur Golf Championships (WAGC)," said 49-year-old Tan, who will be one of five golfers representing Singapore in Durban, South Africa, from Oct 22-29.
The WAGC offers different handicap divisions for golfers of varying abilities and is into its 22nd edition this year.
Tan, who plays off a 19.1 handicap index, will play in Division D (15.5-20.4).
The other Singaporean representatives are Erwyn Lam (Division A 0-5.4 handicap index), Melvin Choo (Division B 5.5-10.4), Clara Ang (Division C 10.5-15.4) and Lee Kian (Division E 20.5-25.4).
Last month at the Tanah Merah Country Club's Tampines course, the quintet had won their respective categories in the SPH Golf WAGC presented by Centurion, which owns The Dalat at 1200 Country Club & Private Estate in Vietnam, to earn their tickets to Durban.
On Tuesday, they were made to feel like professionals as they went through a fitting session and their first practice with M Balraj - one of Singapore's top golf instructors.
Besides the golf shoes, FootJoy also provided each Team Singapore member with seven FootJoy golf shirts, six pair of socks, three gloves and a belt.
Titleist will provide a personalised golf bag, two boxes of Pro V golf balls and two caps for each golfer.
Lee, a 54-year-old finance manager who plays off a 25.4 handicap index, said: "The fitting was a great experience and it definitely helps boost our morale and game.
"You can't go wrong with FootJoy and Titleist, which are well-known for their golf products.
"Now, we really look like a team with our matching outfits.
"Balraj also gave me good tips to improve on my swing.
"I have been leaning too much to my left during my swings instead of having the correct balance and weight shift, so he helped make tweaks to my swing, which was useful."
In Durban, Team Singapore will play two practice rounds and four tournament rounds.
They will compete for the team title as well as individual honours in their respective handicap divisions.
The Republic finished second in the past two years.
"This is my first time representing Singapore in golf, so it's very exciting," said Tan.
"Individually, I aim to play within my handicap and, with the great team spirit that we have, I think we are going to have fun and we are looking forward to doing better than previous years."
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