***Official 2025 Golf Thread,, Gator switches sponsors to Callaway*** (9 Viewers)

[Zow]

Played in a four day tournament the last four days. 80, 80, 81, 77 (bogeyed 3 of the last 4  ). 

On one hand, it's really nice playing consistently. On the other, which have such little variance now relative to my handicap, it makes winning tournaments or big cash games much more difficult. 

 

[mr roboto]

Played in a four day tournament the last four days. 80, 80, 81, 77 (bogeyed 3 of the last 4  ). 

On one hand, it's really nice playing consistently. On the other, which have such little variance now relative to my handicap, it makes winning tournaments or big cash games much more difficult. 

When are you coming back up to Minnesota nice?  I would guess probably not this year.

 

[Hankmoody]

Been playing way more this year due there is really nothing else to do. Had a 43-41 yesterday with a bird for an 84 and that was a solid round for me. Scuffed a couple of chips that cost me a few strokes otherwise did not miss many shots.

The one shot that does me in is when I have a short chip over a bunker with a tight pin.  Seems I chunk it into the trap or blade it through the green.

On another note I probably have 5-6 putters in my garage that I paid over 100 each for. Pings, Odyssey`s..last month I go to a garage sale and bought a old Titleist Dead Center putter for 5 bucks with original grip.  I looked it up online and it was from early 90s.

I have never putted better since I have been using it.  3 putts ways down, distance control much better and draining more 5-6 footers than ever.

Ha I played that for probably close to 30 years.  My brother got busted stealing it from a golf shop when he was 14 and my mom hauled his butt up there to turn himself in and make amends.  He ended up digging postholes all summer for that thing and hated it as a result.  I scored me a new putter!

 

[Zow]

When are you coming back up to Minnesota nice?  I would guess probably not this year.

Nah probably next year (ideally summer) at the earliest. 

 

[Judge Smails]

Played in a four day tournament the last four days. 80, 80, 81, 77 (bogeyed 3 of the last 4  ). 

On one hand, it's really nice playing consistently. On the other, which have such little variance now relative to my handicap, it makes winning tournaments or big cash games much more difficult. 

That is solid playing.....

 

[Zow]

For those familiar with the Vegas courses, that was Bears Best and then the Paiute Sun, Snow, and Wolf in that order. 

Wolf was rated the highest but fairways were a bit wider so I was actually able to hit driver a lot more which seemed to make the course easier. 

 

[CGRdrJoe]

It finally happened, using my old clubs and not having my 3 wood, 3 hybrid and rescue 7 hybrid, I shot an 82. Four doubles, one was a brain fart short putt that I rushed for no reason and the other 3 were all self inflicted mistakes on par 4's after missing the green on my second shot. Went in the water twice and put 3rd shot on the hole for tap ins both times. Knowing that I had a gap that would keep me from reaching par 5's in 2 I played smart giving myself good birdie putts that I didn't capitalize on but I did par all 4 of them. 9 pars and 2 birdies has me already dreaming of being back out on the course come mid September, breaking 80 is oh so close.

 

[gump]

Coming off the biggest period of no-play since i was about 14 (35 years)...playing 1 time in a full year...because of young kids...I played twice last week in my yearly family trip with uncles, cousins to the beach.  All of them are good golfers, uncle is a 2, so it's always super-competitive.

I decided to just focus on tempo, plane, and stance.  I can't believe how solid i hit it (after 50 range balls to get the face hitting the ball first). I've historically played a strong draw, and i was hitting it high and mostly straight.  Really solid, with little spin. Putting was terrible and short game was iffy, not surprising.

Ultimately i've broken down and begun the rebuild of parts of my swing by not playing (plane, stance). I'm so excited to play again.  I was in a rut, and no matter how often i played i was hitting a ceiling. But i had bad habits.  

I assume the best next steps are to hit the range with a camera...and try to ensure i keep the take-away and stance i now have in place. Work on consistency, and short game.  

 

[Mookie]

Played in the State Amateur last weekend. Three day stroke play tournament at my home course, but they set it up so hard that it was like playing a whole new course.  Putts were breaking in ways I had never seen and my mantra was only to get it close.  Short putts were so scary.  Played with high school and college kids who could out drive me by 30 yards  ... with an iron - they play a totally different game.  Shot 80 80 75, and managed to finish 29th out of about 85 players.  So much pressure that I was glad when it was over, but it can only help my game.   

 

[Mookie]

Played in a four day tournament the last four days. 80, 80, 81, 77 (bogeyed 3 of the last 4  ). 

On one hand, it's really nice playing consistently. On the other, which have such little variance now relative to my handicap, it makes winning tournaments or big cash games much more difficult. 

So true.  I've found I need to play team events and partner with athletic, erratic, high handicappers.  I take the stress off their game by keeping it in play and then hope they can make a few net birdies/eagles around their blow up holes. 

 

[gump]

What’s the deal with these new multi-material putter shafts? 

 

[belljr]

What’s the deal with these new multi-material putter shafts? 

Gimmick imo.  It's supposed to stop torque

https://mygolfspy.com/tested-breakthrough-golf-technology-stability-shaft-for-putters/

 

[Quint]

i'm in the market for a new driver. current one - Ping G25 - is seven years old and i think i'm probably losing out on some distance or not taking advantage of the better technology out there right now. 

thinking about the G410 Plus for my skill level, and have zero idea about which shaft is the best fit. 

anyone play this club? all feedback welcome. 

 

[CGRdrJoe]

i'm in the market for a new driver. current one - Ping G25 - is seven years old and i think i'm probably losing out on some distance or not taking advantage of the better technology out there right now. 

thinking about the G410 Plus for my skill level, and have zero idea about which shaft is the best fit. 

anyone play this club? all feedback welcome. 

I play the 410 and love it, I need to check my shaft but man I’ve never hit longer straighter drives. I didn’t need to adjust my weight at all but I am tempted to shift it towards a draw just to mess with it on the range a bit. I always worry it will screw up my confidence but f it, next time I’m gonna do it. 

 

[Quint]

I play the 410 and love it, I need to check my shaft but man I’ve never hit longer straighter drives. I didn’t need to adjust my weight at all but I am tempted to shift it towards a draw just to mess with it on the range a bit. I always worry it will screw up my confidence but f it, next time I’m gonna do it. 

right on. i'm gonna ring Golf Mart this AM and see if they're still doing fittings. last time i was in there the launch/video monitors were offline, so this may have to wait. 

 

[Mookie]

right on. i'm gonna ring Golf Mart this AM and see if they're still doing fittings. last time i was in there the launch/video monitors were offline, so this may have to wait. 

I play a Ping G LS Tec driver and love it.  Above all else, get fitted before buying.  For about $50, they can match the driver, loft, and shaft to best suit your swing.  I've had good luck at Golf Galaxy and have also used GolfTec.  Personally, I didn't think the extra $ spent at GolfTec yielded much.     

 

[Quint]

I play a Ping G LS Tec driver and love it.  Above all else, get fitted before buying.  For about $50, they can match the driver, loft, and shaft to best suit your swing.  I've had good luck at Golf Galaxy and have also used GolfTec.  Personally, I didn't think the extra $ spent at GolfTec yielded much.     

thanks for the tips. the nearest GolfGalaxy/GolfTec are an hour plus away, so i'll try to find something closer. if not, then that'll be Option B. 

 

[Mookie]

thanks for the tips. the nearest GolfGalaxy/GolfTec are an hour plus away, so i'll try to find something closer. if not, then that'll be Option B. 

Those are just the fitters I've tried.  Really, it should be a similar process no matter where you go.  I would call ahead and see if you can just pay for the fitting or whether you are obligated to buy.  

 

[Hankmoody]

100% on the fitting.  The club is mostly irrelevant, they can all do the same thing these days, but the shaft is the transmission that powers the swing.  Make sure that matches up with your transition and swing speed.  Fade/draw bias and loft do matter, but nothing like the shaft which can have drastic impact on your contact.

I'm on my 3rd driver head on the same Rogue Silver 110 shaft I've played for years.  I'm looking at upgrading to a 917 as the new gen are driving prices down.

 

[belljr]

thanks for the tips. the nearest GolfGalaxy/GolfTec are an hour plus away, so i'll try to find something closer. if not, then that'll be Option B. 

****'s owns golf galaxy so their stores should have one person qualified depending on what day it is.

 

[Zow]

100% on the fitting.  The club is mostly irrelevant, they can all do the same thing these days, but the shaft is the transmission that powers the swing.  Make sure that matches up with your transition and swing speed.  Fade/draw bias and loft do matter, but nothing like the shaft which can have drastic impact on your contact.

I'm on my 3rd driver head on the same Rogue Silver 110 shaft I've played for years.  I'm looking at upgrading to a 917 as the new gen are driving prices down.

I agree with you that shaft and fitting are more important, but when I did my fitting it was still quite a major difference between similarly priced/quality club heads with the otherwise same shaft and specs. For instance, my natural swing apparently generates a ton of spin. I went into the fitting blind but also thinking I'd fit to something more "popular" like the AP2, Rogues, or PXG. Turns out they would have been poor choices for me due to spin rate. 

 

[Zow]

Shot a 77 yesterday at Forest Highlands Canyon Course (possibly the nicest course I've ever played) from 7k yards. +1 on the front but ended up playing the last three holes at four over. 

I need to learn how to finish these rounds. That's twice in a row where I was near even halfway through the back and choked away a really good round. 

 

[Cowboysfan8]

Shot a 77 yesterday at Forest Highlands Canyon Course (possibly the nicest course I've ever played) from 7k yards. +1 on the front but ended up playing the last three holes at four over. 

I need to learn how to finish these rounds. That's twice in a row where I was near even halfway through the back and choked away a really good round. 

Did you know your score going into 15-16?

 

[Zow]

Did you know your score going into 15-16?

Yeah I have an app on my phone that I use. I don't look at the total after every hole, but it's hard not to have a pretty good idea of what it is. 

 

[Cowboysfan8]

Yeah I have an app on my phone that I use. I don't look at the total after every hole, but it's hard not to have a pretty good idea of what it is. 

I’ve noticed that if I have a good rd going I’ll look at the card and think “if I can go 1 over over the last 3 holes I’ll shoot ‘blank’”.

Then I go bogey double double. 

I try to not know my exact score but you’re right  it is tough especially if using a scoring app on my phone 

 

[Zow]

I’ve noticed that if I have a good rd going I’ll look at the card and think “if I can go 1 over over the last 3 holes I’ll shoot ‘blank’”.

Then I go bogey double double. 

I try to not know my exact score but you’re right  it is tough especially if using a scoring app on my phone 

Yeah I don't know how to avoid it or not think about it. While not even trying I generally have a pretty good idea (within a stroke or two) of where I'm at in relation to par. 

It's funny - as my handicap as decreased I'm making less birdies now than when I was a double digit. But, I now make very few doubles (maybe 1 per round) and don't remember my last triple. So, it's easy to know your score when it's just pars and bogeys. 

 

[E-Z Glider]

Weirdest round (9-holes) ever in league last night for me.

3 birdies, 5 bogeys, and 1 triple bogey (drive went OB).

Not a single par.

 

[Dark Matter]

Yeah I don't know how to avoid it or not think about it. While not even trying I generally have a pretty good idea (within a stroke or two) of where I'm at in relation to par. 

It's funny - as my handicap as decreased I'm making less birdies now than when I was a double digit. But, I now make very few doubles (maybe 1 per round) and don't remember my last triple. So, it's easy to know your score when it's just pars and bogeys. 

“Exceptional people really do come to believe that the journey is more important than the destination.” 
― Bob Rotella, How Champions Think: In Sports and in Life

“I think having faith and believing that things are ultimately in God’s hands is very close to trusting your ability in sports such as golf. When a golfer is in the right frame of mind, he’s confident that he can produce the shot he sees with his mind’s eye. He trusts that the skills he has ingrained through practice are going to work for him if he just lets them and doesn’t try to guide or steer the ball. But at the same time, part of his thinking is acceptance of whatever happens to the golf ball once he hits it. He knows that because he’s a human being, not every shot will come off the way he intends it. He knows that because golf can be a capricious game, his ball is sometimes going to take a weird hop into the woods. He knows he can only do his best and wait to see what the outcome is.” 
― Bob Rotella, How Champions Think: In Sports and in Life

Someone asked for book recommendations, anything from Bob Rotella is worth the read, IMO. It really takes practice to NOT think about score especially when you write the score down after every hole. Focus on target, pre-shot routine, shot execution the same on hole #1 as you do on hole #18. Good to hear the improvements you are making, GB! Cheers!!

 

[RUSF18]

Looking for some advice...over the last few years the number of rounds I've been able to play has dropped considerably. Probably from 15-20 rounds a season down to maybe 3 if I'm lucky (family responsibilities).

I've been very lucky that my game didn't really suffer with the big drop in being able to play. Swing still feels natural. Some things got better actually but probably thanks to upgrading a few clubs.

However, my putting is just an absolute disaster. I was always above average compared to the guys I played with but now I'm a mess. It's like I have no feel at all for how to hit the ball. The club feels awkward when I pull it back, I have no feel for how much power to apply, and I'm just not striking smoothly. No change in the putter BTW. 

What's going on here? Is it a mental thing? Should I start watching introductory putting videos on YouTube as if I've never picked up a putter before? Strip it down and build it back up?

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Looking for some advice...over the last few years the number of rounds I've been able to play has dropped considerably. Probably from 15-20 rounds a season down to maybe 3 if I'm lucky (family responsibilities).

I've been very lucky that my game didn't really suffer with the big drop in being able to play. Swing still feels natural. Some things got better actually but probably thanks to upgrading a few clubs.

However, my putting is just an absolute disaster. I was always above average compared to the guys I played with but now I'm a mess. It's like I have no feel at all for how to hit the ball. The club feels awkward when I pull it back, I have no feel for how much power to apply, and I'm just not striking smoothly. No change in the putter BTW. 

What's going on here? Is it a mental thing? Should I start watching introductory putting videos on YouTube as if I've never picked up a putter before? Strip it down and build it back up?

Between the ears, my new thing for putting chipping is to just roll out a few balls onto the green underhand. Then I try and roll it the same distance with my putter and it helps me with the feel for power. Then on the green for putts over 8 feet I think about how much power I’d use if i was rolling it down like a bowling ball. My putting is insane right now and I think that plays a big part, plus I’m on a few Vicodin and whatever was in my IV so maybe it’s not all making sense. 

 

[Quint]

Looking for some advice...over the last few years the number of rounds I've been able to play has dropped considerably. Probably from 15-20 rounds a season down to maybe 3 if I'm lucky (family responsibilities).

I've been very lucky that my game didn't really suffer with the big drop in being able to play. Swing still feels natural. Some things got better actually but probably thanks to upgrading a few clubs.

However, my putting is just an absolute disaster. I was always above average compared to the guys I played with but now I'm a mess. It's like I have no feel at all for how to hit the ball. The club feels awkward when I pull it back, I have no feel for how much power to apply, and I'm just not striking smoothly. No change in the putter BTW. 

What's going on here? Is it a mental thing? Should I start watching introductory putting videos on YouTube as if I've never picked up a putter before? Strip it down and build it back up?

Take this with a grain of salt since I missed 3 birdie putts inside of 10’ on Tuesday (all short btw): 

when warming up I take a few putts one-handed (with each hand) to get a feel for the club hitting the ball square. it makes me concentrate a bit more to hit the ball cleanly, and then going to 2 hands it seems a lot easier to make good contact. That and trying to remember to hold the club lightly instead of the death-grip I’ve been known to apply. 

 

[[scooter]]

Any advice on how to deal with a playing partner who is always miscounting his strokes? Here's an example from yesterday:

Me (at conclusion of hole): Okay, that's a 5 for me, 7 for Joe, and 6 for Steve.
Steve: No, I got a 5. We tied.
Me: How do you figure that?
Steve: (getting a little testy) You saw me two-putt! That's a 5.
Me: I also saw you flub a shot in the fairway. Are you sure you're not forgetting that shot?
Steve: (raising his voice) But then I hit the green and two putted! Give me a 5.
Me: Okay, let's just recount the entire hole, alright? Your drive went about 250, right?
Steve: Yes.
Me: Your 2nd hit a tree and only went about 50 yards, right?
Steve: Yes.
Me: Okay, so now you're 200 yards out. Did you hit the middle of the green from 200 yards out?
Steve: (angrily) YES!!!!
Me: What about that putt we just saw you take from 5-yards off the green -- the one that ended up in the middle of the green?
Steve: (thinking) Oh, yeah......
Me: And you two-putted from there, right?
Steve: (softly) Yeah.
Me: So that would be a 6, wouldn't it?
Steve: Yeah, I got a 6.

And it's the same routine on practically EVERY hole. He defiantly insists that he got a lower score, then finally concedes to the correct score. And there's never any hint of self awareness, nor does he ever apologize for being wrong. Not once has it ever even occurred to him that his prior history of miscounting could be a factor in his latest calculation. We'll even say to him, "Steve, you've been wrong so many times before....don't you think that maybe, just maybe, you might be wrong again this time?" And his response is always a defiant "No way!" (until we painstakingly go through the play-by-play with him yet again).

It was kind of funny the first 20 times this happened, but it's getting on our nerves now.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Any advice on how to deal with a playing partner who is always miscounting his strokes? Here's an example from yesterday:

Me (at conclusion of hole): Okay, that's a 5 for me, 7 for Joe, and 6 for Steve.
Steve: No, I got a 5. We tied.
Me: How do you figure that?
Steve: (getting a little testy) You saw me two-putt! That's a 5.
Me: I also saw you flub a shot in the fairway. Are you sure you're not forgetting that shot?
Steve: (raising his voice) But then I hit the green and two putted! Give me a 5.
Me: Okay, let's just recount the entire hole, alright? Your drive went about 250, right?
Steve: Yes.
Me: Your 2nd hit a tree and only went about 50 yards, right?
Steve: Yes.
Me: Okay, so now you're 200 yards out. Did you hit the middle of the green from 200 yards out?
Steve: (angrily) YES!!!!
Me: What about that putt we just saw you take from 5-yards off the green -- the one that ended up in the middle of the green?
Steve: (thinking) Oh, yeah......
Me: And you two-putted from there, right?
Steve: (softly) Yeah.
Me: So that would be a 6, wouldn't it?
Steve: Yeah, I got a 6.

And it's the same routine on practically EVERY hole. He defiantly insists that he got a lower score, then finally concedes to the correct score. And there's never any hint of self awareness, nor does he ever apologize for being wrong. Not once has it ever even occurred to him that his prior history of miscounting could be a factor in his latest calculation. We'll even say to him, "Steve, you've been wrong so many times before....don't you think that maybe, just maybe, you might be wrong again this time?" And his response is always a defiant "No way!" (until we painstakingly go through the play-by-play with him yet again).

It was kind of funny the first 20 times this happened, but it's getting on our nerves now.

Curious, how old? 
 

My problem buddy is a Steve also. He just started a year ago and is getting better but grounds his club in the sand, picks his ball out of the deep rough to improve his lie, moves out from behind a tree and when OB thinks he’s dropping and hitting his next stroke without a penalty. It didn’t bother me before but now we will have a close 9 and he’ll start to get excited and try busting my balls that he is catching up to me even though we are playing 2 very different golf games. I’ve told him as much but he’s a 46 year old ex marine and they don’t make a golf for marine’s book, the golf for dummies is too advanced. 

 

[[scooter]]

Curious, how old? 
 

My problem buddy is a Steve also. He just started a year ago and is getting better but grounds his club in the sand, picks his ball out of the deep rough to improve his lie, moves out from behind a tree and when OB thinks he’s dropping and hitting his next stroke without a penalty. It didn’t bother me before but now we will have a close 9 and he’ll start to get excited and try busting my balls that he is catching up to me even though we are playing 2 very different golf games. I’ve told him as much but he’s a 46 year old ex marine and they don’t make a golf for marine’s book, the golf for dummies is too advanced. 

He's about the same age and is also somewhat inexperienced -- he works next to a driving range, so he's been a range warrior for 10 years but has only been playing golf for 3. We're not rules sticklers so we don't worry about grounding club or improving the lie a bit, but he's clueless when it comes to penalty strokes. If he hits a ball into the water, you can absolutely guarantee that he will unintentionally shave 1-2 strokes off his score.

I wouldn't mind so much if the guy would show some humility every time we go through the play-by-play to correct the score. It's the constant routine of MISCALCULATION/DEFIANCE/FORGET THE PAST which has become maddening.

 

[belljr]

You guys playing for money?

 

[Da Guru]

Any advice on how to deal with a playing partner who is always miscounting his strokes? Here's an example from yesterday:

Me (at conclusion of hole): Okay, that's a 5 for me, 7 for Joe, and 6 for Steve.
Steve: No, I got a 5. We tied.
Me: How do you figure that?
Steve: (getting a little testy) You saw me two-putt! That's a 5.
Me: I also saw you flub a shot in the fairway. Are you sure you're not forgetting that shot?
Steve: (raising his voice) But then I hit the green and two putted! Give me a 5.
Me: Okay, let's just recount the entire hole, alright? Your drive went about 250, right?
Steve: Yes.
Me: Your 2nd hit a tree and only went about 50 yards, right?
Steve: Yes.
Me: Okay, so now you're 200 yards out. Did you hit the middle of the green from 200 yards out?
Steve: (angrily) YES!!!!
Me: What about that putt we just saw you take from 5-yards off the green -- the one that ended up in the middle of the green?
Steve: (thinking) Oh, yeah......
Me: And you two-putted from there, right?
Steve: (softly) Yeah.
Me: So that would be a 6, wouldn't it?
Steve: Yeah, I got a 6.

And it's the same routine on practically EVERY hole. He defiantly insists that he got a lower score, then finally concedes to the correct score. And there's never any hint of self awareness, nor does he ever apologize for being wrong. Not once has it ever even occurred to him that his prior history of miscounting could be a factor in his latest calculation. We'll even say to him, "Steve, you've been wrong so many times before....don't you think that maybe, just maybe, you might be wrong again this time?" And his response is always a defiant "No way!" (until we painstakingly go through the play-by-play with him yet again).

It was kind of funny the first 20 times this happened, but it's getting on our nerves now.

My friend is a CPA and does the same thing.   I said you take care of peoples business affairs and deal with numbers all day yet you can`t count the number of shots you take on a given hole?

When we "used" to play together in a group he would always keep score.  The group would announce our scores after a hole but he never said what he got.  Then we get done and he has an 88 on the card when I know it is a 94-95.  Plus he never loses a ball. I birdie #1 handicap hole at U-M golf course.   Long Par 4 I hit a rescue from 180 and made a 25 ft birdie putt.  I know his drive went OB, then in a fairway trap then whatever.  After the rd I look at the card and he put a bogey down for his score.

I stopped playing with him years ago.

 

[belljr]

If you're playing for money I'd call him out every ####### hole

 

[[scooter]]

If you're playing for money I'd call him out every ####### hole

3-way skins game, with winner getting his round paid by the other two. Not the most money in the world, but enough for me to speak up.

I don't think the guy is intentionally cheating.......I just think that he has a weird psychological tic preventing him from admitting that he's not as good as he thinks he is. Guy can drive it 300 yards but is a total disaster within a 100-yard radius of the green.

 

[belljr]

3-way skins game, with winner getting his round paid by the other two. Not the most money in the world, but enough for me to speak up.

I don't think the guy is intentionally cheating.......I just think that he has a weird psychological tic preventing him from admitting that he's not as good as he thinks he is. Guy can drive it 300 yards but is a total disaster within a 100-yard radius of the green.

I'd refuse to pay until he stopped.  We removed a guy from our group because he would take 5 footers all the time

 

[encaitar]

Honestly?   I wouldn't play with him.  I have too many golf buddies to consistently play with a cheater.  And that's what he is.  He's NOT forgetting to count that duff, he's trying to cheat.  He knows it and thinks he can sneak it by you, or you won't be brave enough to speak up.  I have called out multiple people at my home course while golfing with them and let them know that if they continued trying to cheat it would be the last time we played together....  somehow they magically learned how to count.

 

[Quint]

You guys playing for money?

^^this^^

 

[Hankmoody]

I'd tell him the first time we have to correct your score you aren't eligible for getting your round paid for and then you can card whatever you want to the rest of the day.

 

[Da Guru]

Shot a 39 in my league last night.  Would have been my best round ever.  Was 1 over after 8 with one birdie and one double and 6 pars.  Last hole I hit a perfect drive was 100 out in the middle.  Green slopes heavily back to front.   In my mind I am thinking leave it below the hole and get a decent birdie putt for a possible 36 which I have never done for 9. 

Of course I skull my wedge through the  green to the back trap, hit the lip and barely get out and it trickles just on the green.  Now I have a 15 ft downhill bender for par.  I just get it rolling and miss the hole and goes about 20ft past. 2 putt for a double.   Amazing how fast it gets away.

 

[Mr.Pack]

Curious, how old? 
 

My problem buddy is a Steve also. He just started a year ago and is getting better but grounds his club in the sand, picks his ball out of the deep rough to improve his lie, moves out from behind a tree and when OB thinks he’s dropping and hitting his next stroke without a penalty. It didn’t bother me before but now we will have a close 9 and he’ll start to get excited and try busting my balls that he is catching up to me even though we are playing 2 very different golf games. I’ve told him as much but he’s a 46 year old ex marine and they don’t make a golf for marine’s book, the golf for dummies is too advanced. 

All Steve's aren't problem scorers ya know  <_<

Get them one of these

 

[Mookie]

Shot a 39 in my league last night.  Would have been my best round ever.  Was 1 over after 8 with one birdie and one double and 6 pars.  Last hole I hit a perfect drive was 100 out in the middle.  Green slopes heavily back to front.   In my mind I am thinking leave it below the hole and get a decent birdie putt for a possible 36 which I have never done for 9. 

Of course I skull my wedge through the  green to the back trap, hit the lip and barely get out and it trickles just on the green.  Now I have a 15 ft downhill bender for par.  I just get it rolling and miss the hole and goes about 20ft past. 2 putt for a double.   Amazing how fast it gets away.

Club championship last year.  I'm up by a shot on final hole.  Just need a par on unreachable par 5.  Nice drive.  Lay up to 100 yards, which is my go to shot,  Hit it squarely in the forehead and over the green into the hazard that nobody ever hits it into.  Drop and hit 5th, hit a great flop to 20 feet and miss putt for 6.  Make putt for 7 to lose by 1.  What a fun game. 

 

[Judge Smails]

Club championship last year.  I'm up by a shot on final hole.  Just need a par on unreachable par 5.  Nice drive.  Lay up to 100 yards, which is my go to shot,  Hit it squarely in the forehead and over the green into the hazard that nobody ever hits it into.  Drop and hit 5th, hit a great flop to 20 feet and miss putt for 6.  Make putt for 7 to lose by 1.  What a fun game. 

Nerves. Has happened to us all. We had a 3 handicapper in a chip off to win the member guest fluff it a foot to the fringe. He didn’t know his partner put it within a foot so all he needed to do was get it anywhere on the green. Hit the worst decelerating chunk of his life with 100+ people watching. 

 

[Grahamburn]

Pencil whippers are the worst.  They aren't cheating anyone but themselves.  These are also the people who will never truly improve their game.  Breaking 100, 90, 80, 70.  It's meaningless unless you play the game the way it's supposed to be played. 

 

[Cowboysfan8]

Played yesterday for the first time in 2+ months. The last 2 times I was out were not good at all.

43-42 yesterday with 3 doubles 

had a blast    

 

[Hankmoody]

So a local course here has a range membership for $200 a year.  I hem'd and haw'd all year about it and finally we played there on the 4th of July and I got there early and inquired about the membership.  Completely unlimited, any time any day, just walk in and help yourself to tokensa nd they pro-rated me for 1/2 the year since it's already July.  So for $100 I figure why not.

39 days later I've hit 49 buckets of balls so I think I got my money's worth   I've spent a TON of time on my high irons since I can't hit a 4 iron to save my life and I have discovered a number of little things I had fallen into bad habits on.  As I corrected those the 4 and 5 irons were absolutely stunning at the range.  High, straight, working the ball a little bit, and L-O-N-G.  Like raining a 5 iron down on the stake at 205 long.  Now it's hard to tell at a driving range with driving range balls just how accurate that is so yesterday was the first time I've really had the chance to test it out.  #5 is a downhill 520 par 5 so I'm licking my chops on the tee box.  Pound one down the right side and catch some help from the downhill/hardpack ground and have 218 to the tucked right pin.  Ok lie, not really rough but it's that hard ground by the cart path with wispy grass that's definitely going to get between my club and the ball.  Ball isn't sitting up enough to get fully under it so it's gonna be that clanker that comes out low with zero spin.  Pin is tucked right side behind a bunker so it's a no-go.  Front of the green is approach-friendly so I take out 5 iron and figure I'll land it in front and try to roll it on the front of the green.

Hit a laser, get some decent elevation but as expected can't get elevation or any spin.  Land 10 feet on the green but proceed to roll through and to the back fringe.  My buddies are amazed at 5 iron from there.  Even down hill that's way out of my previous range.  That would be a hybrid all day long 2 weeks ago.  I'm 52 years old, even my fish tales didn't have me hitting 5 iron from there.

I proceeded to 3 putt and stink up the entire front 9 with three doubles for 46 but that shot is all we talked about the rest of the day.  Damn game.

 

[MAC_32]

Between a birdie-birdie start (knocked it stiff on each) and salvaging what I could on the 3 holes I could have made a mess out of made it around in 36 yesterday. I was blocked by trees off the tee on 3, but just pitched out to 160 rather than try to do something dumb and played for bogey. The next hole I was so far wayward off the tee I was able to play up another hole to get a look at the green - and played for another bogey. I dumped it in the drink on the par 3 8th, but because I played to the fat of the green I was able to drop green side rather than needing to re-tee. 

That's the second time I've gone sub 40 this year after only doing it only once since I was a teenager - and the other was 34. With fall sports hanging in the balance and my ability to run still limited maybe this will be the year I finally make this game a habit again. It's a lot of fun when you don't suck outloud.