| Golf, like a number of other activities, is a scalable | | | | about six inches tall by about 2 inches wide with a |
| game. What do I mean by that? Well, you can | | | | hook on top to attach it to your bag. All you do is |
| get away with buying a half set of clubs, a bag, | | | | turn a plastic wheel that clicks into place and it is |
| glove, a few balls, tees and you are away. Or you | | | | job done. However, I would suggest a slight |
| can spend a fortune on the best kit and buy | | | | customisation. The counters have a plastic |
| numerous useful (and some useless) accessories | | | | moulded hoof at the top and a loop to attach to |
| to "help" you on your rounds. When Christmas | | | | your golf bag. These hooks are very fragile and |
| comes around each year, just have a look in your | | | | can break easily. I would suggest drilling a small |
| local golf shop or in any golf magazines and you | | | | hole in the bottom of the counter and putting |
| will see loads of things that you "need" and you | | | | through a small cable-tie. The cable ties come in |
| will start wondering how you ever managed to | | | | various sizes, but you only need a small one. I |
| get around a golf course without them. | | | | attach this to my bag by using a ski pass holder - |
| Don't let me put you off accessories as, being a | | | | the type that you clip to your ski suit with an |
| bloke, I love them and have to rein myself in | | | | elasticated cord. It sounds a bit convoluted, but |
| sometimes. But I do happen to have a couple of | | | | works a treat. |
| suggestions that I think are worth looking into. | | | | I would strongly recommend buying a ball marking |
| Firstly, although not strictly accessories, are | | | | kit. Again, these cost so little, it is well worth the |
| step-tees or graduated tees. These are the tees | | | | money. The kit contains a template that looks like |
| that are shaped a bit like rook or castle on a | | | | a mini-baseball cap that fit nicely over the ball. |
| chess board and have a wide base to stop you | | | | There are two reason to mark the ball. The first |
| pushing them in the ground all the way. Because | | | | is to be able to identify it as it is inevitable that at |
| of their shape, they will always give a consistent | | | | some point you will be playing someone with the |
| tee height. The different height tees are different | | | | same make of ball. The second reason is to put a |
| colours so they are easy to pull out and use the | | | | straight line to aid putting. When you are on the |
| correct one for the club you use at the tee. Yes, | | | | green, you can pick up the ball and position the |
| I know you have the versatility of using a long | | | | ball so that the line you have drawn is in line with |
| tee pushed a little bit in the ground for your driver | | | | the direction you are putting. |
| and pushed further in the ground when you use a | | | | The final thing to have is a small 3-in-1 club cleaner |
| wood or hybrid, but the step tees will always give | | | | that fit in your pocket nicely. The "three" in this |
| you the same height each time and take one | | | | are a small wire brush, a nylon brush and a small |
| variable out of the equation. Also, if you happen | | | | pointed spike tool for cleaning the grooves of |
| to be teeing off hard ground, it is a lot easier | | | | your clubs. A towel will get the worst off, but this |
| putting in a small step tee that trying to push in a | | | | is a handy tool for cleaning up. |
| long driver tee. | | | | None of these accessories are expensive and |
| Secondly, get yourself a shot counter. Not an | | | | although they won't know shots off your game, I |
| electronic one - a plain simple plastic job. They are | | | | think you will find them useful. |