Westwood impressed by his first show

Lee Westwood at the London Golf Show

Revealing that the London Golf Show was the first consumer golf exhibition he'd ever attended, Ryder Cup and European Tour star Lee Westwood told Golfmagic that visitors should take every opportunity to try new equipment before they committed themselves to buying it.

There were dozens of opportunities to get the feel of the latest drivers, irons and putters at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in Docklands and Westwood, who opened the show in traditional 'Black Rod' style by banging on the shutters with a driver to demand they open, recommended that youngsters, especially, should try before they buy.

Paul Hurrion

"And it's not a good idea for youngsters to use cut-down clubs when they first take up the game," Westwood warned. "The heads and shafts are too heavy. Best to get a lightweight junior set to help get the feel of your swing.

"My first round, I remember, I shot about 180 and only got the ball in the air once. But I worked hard at it and was down to scratch in a couple of years."

He also revealed that as well as being loyal to the Ping brand since the start of his professional career, he has always used regular shafts.

Lots of chances to win prizes at the show

"My putting is very sporadic, so I've been having some sessions with Paul. I putted well at Augusta which was very encouraging," said Westwood who was impressed by the many and varied stands.

Hurrion himself was on the GEL putter stand, for whom he has been designing a new range of horizontal face-groove putters - centre-shafted Rego and Scindo and the heel-toe weighted Sedo and Sedo II.

He told Golfmagic: "I'm working almost non-stop with Padraig Harrington, who is the first player to head the putting stats on both the US and European Tours. With Padraig it's all about posture, repeatability and consistency with his putting stroke. Quality of strike is very important.

Putter testing at the American Golf store

I asked him who was the best putter he'd worked with and his answer came as something of a surprise.

"I'd have to say David Howell. When he was playing well [beating Tiger Woods in China] he was exceptional."

And the best putter of all time?

"Probably Ben Crenshaw."

Ian Poulter Design stand

There was a constant queue at the check-outs as well as busy lines of customers anxious to try their new driver and fairway metal purchases at a handful of practice nets.

Among the manufacturers offering equipment to try on the indoor range were Cleveland, Wilson Staff and Nike while competition prizes were offered for the longest drive on a simulator and the chance to hole a 100-foot putt to win a holiday break.

At least one roar went up on Friday which would have done justice to a Tiger Woods eagle at Augusta National!

Clothing was also a big draw at the show - with dozens of fashion-conscious golfers thronging the various stands including Trendy golf, Whiteley headwear and Ian Poulter Design.

If you were at the show, give us your thoughts on the forum.