Golf club designers today are making Hybrid golf clubs available with loft degrees ranging from 14 to 60 degrees.

Thomas Golf from Charlotte, North Carolina says that hybrids are their most versatile golf clubs.

They note, “hybrids combine the play-ability of a fairway wood with the accuracy of an iron.”

Hybrids have grown very popular over the past few years with recreational golfers.

Thomas Golf noted, “in fact hybrid golf clubs have proven to be so beneficial, they even are making their way into the bags of many touring professionals.”

Regarding the Thomas Golf hybrid clubs the company said, “These clubs are made to be a direct replacement to the standard irons, in head weight, loft, lie, shaft and grip.”

Hybrid clubs rose to popularity as a replacement for hard to hit long irons many golfers dread swinging.

Hybrid golf clubs are favored by many who say they are easier to hit, they send the ball higher and longer, with a forgiving club face for those occasional mis-hits.

Thomas Golf says, “We’ve pushed the boundaries and now provide a hybrid to replace every golf club in the golf bag, from a 16-degree # 1 hybrid to the 55 degree sand wedge hybrid.”

The theory behind Thomas Golf thinking is they believe, “you should have the option to choose the look and feel that you prefer, and not have to settle for a hybrid golf club that doesn't give you the confidence you need.”

Thomas Golf makes it very clear that they give golfers the freedom by offering both a AT-705 and AT-725 line of hybrid golf clubs. These two lines offer different types of club-head shapes, a traditional pear-shaped head and a square head.

Both these hybrid designs feature Thomas Golf's unique flat-top plane, providing extra strength to the upper face area. The flat top plane also provides the correct geometry to ensure the alignment indicator bar is parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the score lines, to provide perfect target alignment.

Interesting to note that in addition to the full line of hybrid golf club sets, Thomas Golf also offers custom hybrid chippers for recovery around the green.

More and more golfers we have seen on the golf course and many golfers we talk to each week have tried or have hybrid golf clubs in their bag. Injured golfers who have switched to a full set of hybrids say they love them.

Hybrid custom-fitted golf clubs have become popular .

Additional information is available by going online at www.ThomasGolf.com

Ed’s Outlook

The Catskill Women’s Team championship tournament will be held August 15 at the Villa Roma Country Club, Callicoon, NY.

The two-women, better ball tournament has tee times starting at 11:30 a.m.

The competition field is open to all amateur women golfers.

The entry fee is $90 per player ($180 per team), and the fee includes the cost of green fees, cart fee, trophies/awards and dinner reception.

The tournament will feature two-women teams, 18 holes, better ball style, gross and net divisions and players must have a certified USGA handicap or league handicap.

Mail payment with entry form to: Villa Roma Country Club, 356 Villa Roma Road, Callicoon, NY 12723....attention of Matthew Kleiner.

Golf Tip

By Robert Menges

Get your mind in the game.

We all have different ways of doing things on the golf course which is why one technique or strategy might work for one person but not another.

For example, some of us will visualize the shot we want to hit in our mind, because it helps us execute the shot. For others, they have to experience the shot.

With that said (or written in this case) it never hurts to try something new.

So here are several “pep talks” you can create to help build your confidence for the next round.

After each round of golf, take 60 seconds to sit quietly and replay three best shots of the round. Visualize them in slow motion and lock every detail into your memory. They'll come back to cheer you on in the future.

Tell someone about your best shot of the day, but never talk about your worst shots. Professionals can usually remember every shot during a tournament, but there is one shot they “just don't recall”.....it’s their worst shot. Let the bad shots go, and never ever talk about them.

After every shot, remember to say, “great shot” and mean it when you say it.....the results may not be exactly what you wanted, but the ball went where you hit it. So go do it again.

Breathe before every shot or putt, remember to breathe deeply and softly. It will relax your body and allow you to focus on the task at hand.

Make it a part of your pre-shot routine to consciously expect a great shot. As you pull the club from your bag, smile. As you look down the fairway or line up your putt, smile. As you stand over the ball, smile. Expect the best.

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, have fun out there. Golf is a game. Yes, it can be very challenging and frustrating at times, but it is intended to be a form of enjoyment. Enjoy the day, the weather and the time with friends. Chances are, you'll enjoy the wonderful game of golf as well.

Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and, if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or via email at bobmenges22@gmail.com.

The Putting Tip

By Geoff Walsh

Your opportunities will come for a ‘green light,’ a realistic one putt attempt.

Meanwhile, stay calm and patient, be reasonable, steady, conservative, get your solid 2 putts, and then when the time is right, the distance, the undulation manageable, you feel comfortable and most positive.

Then you strike, like a cat on the prowl, stalking her prey while lurking in the shadows for that opportunity.

For that opportunity that you knew was coming and you begin sinking those one putt shots.

Geoff Walsh is a Class A PGA Professional at the Tarry Brae Golf Course and is available for private lessons at 387 Pleasant Valley Road, South Fallsburg. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-434-2620.

Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the Sport of Golf and brings over 60-years of sports journalism experience writing and compiling the information for this column. If you have league or tournament information, score a hole-in-one or score your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email to bghtnews@aol.com. View this column and Ed’s photos at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

Twin Village

Monday Mens

1. Husson & Husson 134.5
2. Brock & Brock 118.5
3. Reed & Odell 114.0
4. Templin & Lee 113.0
5. Thomas & Hendrickson 112.5
6. Harris & Spalding 104.0
7. Rampe & Clancy 102.5
8. Bennett & Rowan 102.0
9. Green & Glantzis 101.5
10. Tallman & Ackerly 101.0
11. Madera & Diaz 101.0
12. Haas & France 100.5
13. Darbee & France 98.0
14. Clark & Mooney 97.5
15. Tucker & Smith 96.5
16. Ryder & Ryder 95.5
17. Murphy & Townsend 89.5
18. Wood & Brosius 81.0

Tuesday Ladies

1. A. Husson & B. Ackerly 83.5
2. Y. Rowan & T. Stark 77.5
3. C. Bowers & S. Feeney 71.5
4. L. Hendrickson & M. Ross 70.5
5. E. Casey & E. Carlson 69.0
6. D. Tallman & C. Routledge 64.0
7. S. Ferber & J. Husson 56.5
8. S. Clark & K. Ahart 50.0
9. K. Harris & S. Green 32.5

Tarry Brae

Tuesday Mens

1. Delacruz & Garcia
2. Diffenderfer & Fleischman
3. Schneider & Garber
4. Pollock & Carey
5. Yaun & Gilmore
6. Johnson & Johnson
7. Bonasick & Cassaveh
8. Flores & Kukas
9. Simpson & Wolcott
10. Collette & Iqbal
11. Kawauchi & Altbach
12. Kurshetsky & Hinkley
13. Sauchuk & Martin
14. Rohrback & Jester
15. Felter & Ward
16. Goldberg & Klugman

SWAN LAKE

Tuesday Night Birdie Division

1. P. Clifford & A. Hauser 88.5
2. M. Welsh & S. Duquette 88.0
3. T. Ditmar & N. Rusin 87.0
4. D. Luczynski & M. Garigliano 85.0
5. H. Keherley & J. Rhupert 77.5
6. D. Byrne & T. Byrne 75.0
7. Todd & Taylor VanKeuren 72.5
8. J. Merklin & W. Huebner 70.0
9. K. Torrens & M. Lagatutta 70.0
10. C. Hicks & B. Garber 68.0
11. N. Bell & M. Freaney 67.0
12. N. Huggler & M. Murphy 64.5
13. A. Atkins & R. Festa 56.0
14. T. Merklin & S. Austin 50.0
15. T. Osterhout & B. Meyer 48.5
16. M. Williams & D. Divita 44.5

Tuesday Night Par Division

1. C. Roth & C. Roth 84.0
2. C. Schadt & W. Mall 78.0
3. K. Wheeler & S. Hamlin 76.5
4. E. O’Malley & T. Ellison 74.0
5. J. Finn & J. Russell 73.5
6. T. Gallo & C. Roth 73.0
7. J. Rusin & R. Ellison 69.5
8. J. Sazoff & S. Ottino 69.5
9. J. J. VanKeuren & T. Nieman 62.5
10. J. Tanous & J. Wilhelm 59.0
11. J. Frankie & R. Frankie 55.5
12. Walter & Quitin Herzog 54.5
13. K. Clifford & B. Menges 54.0
14. P. Fanning & A. Marciano 54.0
15. M. Diehl & A. Bradley 47.5
16. P. Donovan & K. Scheibe 44.0

Wednesday Night

1. R. Schmidt & B. Russell 102.0
2. E. Stratton & M. Brand 97.5
3. F. Barrett & D. Hendrickson 85.0
4. D. Kuebler & R. O’Mara 80.0
5. T. Martin & T. Martin Jr. 79.5
6. W. Mall & F. Stabbert 75.0
7. J. Hinkley & P. Alden 73.5
8. R. Heyman & J. Weinstein 70.0
9. R. Meihoffer & T. Doughty 69.0
10. D. Immoor & H. Tighe 67.0
11. P. Wegman & R. Lennon 66.5
12. J. Fink & J. Graham 59.0
13. G. Ziegler & J. Wunder 52.0
14. R. Espsito & D. Hoskings 44.5

Tennanah Lake

Thursday Mens Palmer Div

1. Bowers & Edwards 110.5
2. Walsh & Simpson 104.0
3. Mershon & DeVantier 102.5
4. Haas & Tucker 102.0
5. Reimer & Tesseyman 97.5
6. Parucki & Fedun 96.5
7. Taggert & Taggert 94.5
8. Stock & Wolcott 93.0
9. Bowers & Green 88.5
10. Cassevah & Bridges 88.5
11. Leewe & Diehl 87.0
12. Calkin & Schumacker 85.5
13. Roseo & Tallman 82.5
14. McGreevy & Estabrook 82.5
15. Seibert & Bury 77.5
16. Strauss & Sager 72.5
17. Giordano & Nogin 71.0
18. Mershon & Panagakos 70.0