This Week at WorldGolf.com: Jan. 22, 2008

Adjustable golf clubs hit the PGA Show: Will golfers follow the carrot?

So what was the big buzz at the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show?

Aside from Golfweek's scandalous cover shot that dominated headlines and show floor gossip, it was adjustable golf clubs. They were approved by an expert panel to be allowed by the USGA, so long as not adjusted during the round.

The obvious question: Wasn't allowing 14 clubs in your bag long ago the original "adjustable club" ruling?

"The significance of the adjustable club ruling is that it gives the average player a chance to enjoy the same benefits as the Tour players enjoy," said the USGA's Dick Rugge last week at a symposium.

What is perplexing is who this ruling really benefits. Considering most tour players have equipment sponsors in their back pocket, they could just keep 20 drivers and a dozen sets of irons in their trunk.

On the other end of the spectrum, the vast majority of amateur golfers still have horrific slices, can't make four-footers consistently and don't even sniff 100. Metal woods, cavity backs, titanium and lower MOI's haven't changed that one bit. Now adjustable clubs are the answer?

It seems adjustable clubs will help the microscopic percentage of golfers who are good enough to perceive a benefit to slightly altering their clubs based on conditions, but are not good enough to get club sponsorships.

That is, unless the manufacturers can fool the consumer into believing that they need to change out their clubs based on conditions. But golf will remain a mysterious game played between the ears, and adjustable clubs will only cloud most players' quest more.

The honest truth is that the golf industry has run out of ideas for the time being. Last year the "buzz" was square drivers - which seem to be failing. Apparently few of us like hitting a club that looks like a brick and sounds like a cow bell.

So we'll see if the golfing public follows the adjustable club carrot that will surely be dangled in front of us during every commercial break of a PGA Tour event soon.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Nike Golf's IC 20-20 Putter: The most stable mallet going

The Nike IC 20-20 Putter will make some converts of die-hard blade fans, Equipment Editor Kiel Christianson writes. It's simply less distracting, great for alignment and back-friendly, too.

Also: Reader club reviews at WorldGolf.com's Equipment Room

Hills Course at Palmetto Hall Plantation Club a Hilton Head Island, S.C. favorite

The Arthur Hills Course at Palmetto Hall Plantation Club is no slouch, Brandon Tucker writes. This Hilton Head Island gem plays a manageable 6,900 yards from the championship tees, though its tight fairways and hazards still pose as a formidable challenge.

Also: YOU review Palmetto Hall Plantation's Hills Course

Tip: Looking to get more power on your golf swing? Here's how

You've heard that a golf-specific workout will help you get more distance, so you're pumping iron but you still haven't gained any distance off the tee. What's the deal? Karen Palacios-Jansen will be the first to tell you that a golf-specific exercise program will help you gain distance, but you also need to have good swing technique to take advantage of your strength and flexibility.

Video Tip: Joe Beck explains the punch shot