Columnist Peter Benton: Equipment can make difference

Peter Benton'sgolf column appears Wednesday.

Most avid golfers read or peruse golf advertisements in newspapers and various magazines, plus watch those which appear on TV.

We dream of how good our game would be if only we had these new titanium shafted woods, those "guaranteed-not-to-slice-irons," or the latest in putters.

Let's face it, if the latest in equipment technology can change the fortunes of top professionals, could it not also make a big difference to our game?

Two things are all but certain: Even if new clubs are purchased they will certainly take some time getting used to. What most of us will experience with change of equipment is that our game will undoubtedly go downhill before we see any noticeable improvement. Perseverance is the key.

No professional worth his salt will sell equipment not suited to the player or that he cannot use.

PGA pros have all been taught the mechanics of the golf swing, and their experience and schooling enable them to look at and scrutinize our individual swings, and thus determine what will best suit our game.

It may be suggested that a new set of clubs would be beneficial to your game, but it is just as likely that you will be shown how to use what you now have to greater effect.

Either way, wouldn't it be great if we could look forward to the new spring season knowing that our game has been overhauled and improved?

* MONEY BAGS: Greg Norman, with PGA Tour career earnings of $11,936,443, is on the verge of becoming the Tour's first $12 million man. Norman also was the first player to surpass the $10- and $11-million plateaus.

Fred Couples ($10,535,876), Tom Kite ($10,447,472), Mark O'Meara ($10,293,473) and Davis Love III (10,012,134) have the potential to join Norman in the $11-million club.

Four players -- Nick Price ($9,813,834), Payne Stewart ($9,690,558), Tom Watson ($9,283,862) and Scott Hoch ($9,166,303) -- have surpassed $9 million in career earnings, as has Mark Calcavecchia, who won $21,300 at last week's Phoenix Open to lift his earnings to $9,001,485.

* HALE YES: Two-time defending Las Vegas Senior Classic champion Hale Irwin has committed for this year's event, scheduled May 13-16 over the TPC at Summerlin and the TPC at the Canyons.

Irwin joins Larry Nelson, Dave Stockton, Bruce Summerhays, Jose Maria Canizares, Vincente Fernandez and Hugh Baiocchi as confirmed entries.

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