***Official 2025 Golf Thread, tbd*** (5 Viewers)

[Senor Schmutzig]

On the train right now from London to Edinburgh. My flight from Miami was delayed last night so I missed the morning connection. After the agent told me that they couldn't get me to Edinburgh until tomorrow afternoon because all flights were booked solid, I took the situation into my own hands, hopped the Heathrow Express to Paddington, took the tube to Kings Cross and the 12:00p train up to Edinburgh. I'll arrive 6-7 hours later than planned but I sure as hell not missing my tee time tomorrow morning on the Old Course. 

As mentioned before, I'm not a very proficient golfer (although my required handicap card says I'm a 19) but I certainly will enjoy being there and sucking up the history of the place. 

 

[Zow]

Played probably the best/most consistent round of my life yesterday. Shot 74 and could have easily shot 70. Hit 71% of fairway (three misses were because I actually hit balls through the fair on doglegs), 12/18 greens (with 5 of the 6 misses being just a few yards off), and rolled 33 putts (had a bad three putt from 25 feet and missed about four very good birdie looks from ~15 or less). I was also ~210 in on two of the par 5s and made "bad" pars on both (missed the green both times with 7 irons in my hand and didn't execute great chips). Two birdies I had were tap ins (nearly made an ace). Was never in real trouble and the only clear bogey hole was a long par 5 where I intentionally played it as a 3 shot hole and pushed my second shot (was trying to hit a draw and left the face open) into trees and had to punch my third shot out to 100 yards.  

Funny thing? It was a leisure round with my wife for our anniversary and she was totally oblivious to what was happening. I guess when there's nothing on the line and one is just super relaxed the game gets easier.   

 

[Instinctive]

Big stride of improvement today with all the tips and youtube videos on irons. Biggest leak across all swings seemed to be weight not coming forward enough, so the bottom of the swings were coming at the ball. WAY more distance on everything today, to the point that it actually cost me a few strokes. But it was easily the most number of times I've pured irons in a round ever. Got more driver distance too, and even managed a birdie and a few pars. 

For example, on 9 coming back to the clubhouse, I was out ~135, maybe 130. Since I hit everything light like a little girl, I used a 6 iron. But then I got the weight shift and hit the ball coming down pure and blasted it a solid 165 or so, past the clubhouse on the opposite side of the green. I had some similar situations with my 8 twice,  a couple times with the 9 when I could have used a PW, a couple 5s that could have been better as a 6 or 7...it's like a totally different game if I can keep practicing and find consistency in distance, the pure shots just fly. 

 

[WDIK2]

Also found a barely used 2016 Taylormade M2 driver to replace my 2002 Taylormade R540.  Going to take a while to get used to a 460cc head vs the old 350cc head.

And here I thought I was so smart saving a few bucks and buying a used driver on eBay.  Finally made it to the range today.  First swing with the driver and the head flew off.  Got good distance.     Fortunately there were only 2 other people on the range and I knew them both.  Didn't have to dodge any balls going out to retrieve it.

I've contacted the seller.  Looks like the epoxy let go which I can handle repairing myself.  Kind of bummed me out though.

ETA:  You know it's been a long time since I shopped for clubs when I didn't know woods were now adjustable.  I mean, I've glanced at them in sporting goods stores over the years, just never noticed.  Great feature.

ETA2:  I have named this driver Petey.

 

[Gilroy34]

Looking to buy a range finder, preferrably one that you can progran to any course you go to to get accurate yardage.  Any recommendations?

 

[belljr]

Looking to buy a range finder, preferrably one that you can progran to any course you go to to get accurate yardage.  Any recommendations?

You don't program range finders, you just point and shoot 

They are expensive but I have used Leopuld and now Bushnell 

Eta: do you want slope? I don't use slope, I think that's allowed now in local tournaments

 

[belljr]

So I gained about 20 pounds over the winter. Gross.   I have barely got off the couch. I'm very out of shape. The good news is I'm so out of shape I can't over swing. I lost yardage but man I have been consistent.

Had 2 bad shots today, and 2 bad putts. 78 to start the season

 

[RCon]

Looking for advice on overall game and possibly clubs.

My game: I probably play 12-20 times a year, sometimes nine, sometimes 18.  I'm not particularly good.  I struggle to break 100.  I'm very inconsistent with the longer clubs, decent from 140 in to about 25 yards.  Chipping is definitely a weakness and putting is meh.  I tend to go left and right equally, sometimes a lot.  I almost never hit a driver as I have serious problems controlling it.  I'll tee off with a 3-wood most often, which I can get out 250+ when I hit it well, but again, problems left and right.  Started having more problems with control last year than the few years prior, even with the 3-wood.

Current clubs: Nike driver circa 2004, Callaway 3-wood circa 2000, Nike 5-wood circa 2004, TaylorMade Burner 4-P irons circa 2000, and assorted wedges including a Callaway 52 degree that I really like and use from 25-100 yards.

I'm assuming lessons (and practice) are probably the single most useful thing?  Would newer clubs help or does it not really matter at my level?  If updated clubs would help, should I be looking to get fitted at ****'s Sporting Goods or similar?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I'm assuming lessons (and practice) are probably the single most useful thing?  Would newer clubs help or does it not really matter at my level?  If updated clubs would help, should I be looking to get fitted at ****'s Sporting Goods or similar?

There are tons of good YouTube training videos. I watch quite a bit of stuff from Danny Maude.

Updated clubs would help. Newer clubs are so forgiving on mis-hits.

I would suggest getting fitted, yes.

And get hybrids for the longer irons. Like 3-5 and probably even 6. Actually, don't even use a 3 iron or 5 wood...find a 7 wood and split the difference.

I've asked a lot of people about the Ping 400 Max -because I love it and wonder what could possibly be better. And the answer is typically "nothing", at least for the average golfer. Again, it's a very forgiving club. Even the 410 and 425 aren't as highly regarded.

I'm anxious to see what adding more wedges to my bag does. Not having to hit a half or 3/4 swing from inside 100 yards should really help. What I'm saying is to not forget to consider wedges that are a higher loft than the PW.

 

[RCon]

And get hybrids for the longer irons. Like 3-5 and probably even 6. Actually, don't even use a 3 iron or 5 wood...find a 7 wood and split the difference.

Currently, I don't generally use 3-5 irons at all; just don't feel comfortable with them.  Anything longer than 170 out, I just hit a 6-iron.  Have never felt comfortable hitting a wood or hybrid out of the rough either.  I've also never had any newer woods/hybrids.  Might be a mental block on the wood/hybrid getting through the thicker grass?  Think that won't be a problem with something newer?

I've asked a lot of people about the Ping 400 Max -because I love it and wonder what could possibly be better. And the answer is typically "nothing", at least for the average golfer. Again, it's a very forgiving club. Even the 410 and 425 aren't as highly regarded.

This one?  https://ping.com/en-us/clubs/drivers/g400-max

I'm anxious to see what adding more wedges to my bag does. Not having to hit a half or 3/4 swing from inside 100 yards should really help. What I'm saying is to not forget to consider wedges that are a higher loft than the PW.

I have a 56, 60, and even a 65 degree wedge, but don't really use them.  Oddly, probably the one thing I currently do best is partial swing with my 52-degree wedge, anywhere from 25-100 yards.

 

[Zow]

Looking to buy a range finder, preferrably one that you can progran to any course you go to to get accurate yardage.  Any recommendations?

Don't go cheap. I've gone cheap twice now and they break. Crack open the wallet and get a Bushnell. 

 

[Zow]

Currently, I don't generally use 3-5 irons at all; just don't feel comfortable with them.  Anything longer than 170 out, I just hit a 6-iron.  Have never felt comfortable hitting a wood or hybrid out of the rough either.  I've also never had any newer woods/hybrids.  Might be a mental block on the wood/hybrid getting through the thicker grass?  Think that won't be a problem with something newer?

This one?  https://ping.com/en-us/clubs/drivers/g400-max

I have a 56, 60, and even a 65 degree wedge, but don't really use them.  Oddly, probably the one thing I currently do best is partial swing with my 52-degree wedge, anywhere from 25-100 yards.

I didn't know Phil Mickelson (probably the only person in the world who shoot be playing a 65 degree) posted here. 

 

[RCon]

I didn't know Phil Mickelson (probably the only person in the world who shoot be playing a 65 degree) posted here. 

I tried it once.  Didn't work out.

I pick up a lot of used clubs at a big flea market they have here once a year.  $2/club, no matter what condition, what type, how old, etc.  Saw the 65 degree and figured what the hell.  I have a whole trash bucket full of random clubs.  Every once in a while I find one I like, like my current 52 degree wedge.

 

[TLEF316]

Got fit for new irons and a driver on Saturday.  Ended up going with the callaway rogue st pro's. Going from a cavity back game improvement to a "players distance" set will be an adjustment (the heads are smaller for sure) but I need the extra spin.  Pretty much every GI iron is just designed to hit knuckleball bombs. I'm a low spin player to begin with, but the new callaway cavity backs were just absurd. 20 extra yards of distance (i was hitting 7 irons like 182) and like 2300 rpm. Lol...no chance of me stopping anything with those rocket launchers.

Ended up getting the new rogue driver with the draw bias. Tried a few shafts, the first of which was way too whippy. Wad yanking them waaaay left. Went back to a 60 gram, added one degree of loft and it's was nice little draws all day long. Apparently my current driver was really stiff in the tip, which was why I was always fighting a fade.

Fittings really make me so nervous. Started off well and then proceeded to hit like a dozen near shanks WAY in on the heel. Thankfully,  I calmed down and figured it out.  

Excited to get them. They feel and sound great. Hopefully the 5 iron won't cause me trouble (the 7 iron in this new set is just so TINY bit bigger than my current 5-, so there will be an adjustment)

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Currently, I don't generally use 3-5 irons at all; just don't feel comfortable with them.  Anything longer than 170 out, I just hit a 6-iron.  Have never felt comfortable hitting a wood or hybrid out of the rough either.  I've also never had any newer woods/hybrids.  Might be a mental block on the wood/hybrid getting through the thicker grass?  Think that won't be a problem with something newer?

This one?  https://ping.com/en-us/clubs/drivers/g400-max

I have a 56, 60, and even a 65 degree wedge, but don't really use them.  Oddly, probably the one thing I currently do best is partial swing with my 52-degree wedge, anywhere from 25-100 yards.

The trick with hybrids, whether or not from the rough, is to remind yourself you're swinging an iron even though it looks like a wood. They get through the grass just fine when you swing down on the ball and let the loft do the work.

Yes, that's the Ping.

I really don't think the average golfer should be using a wedge higher than 58 degrees and even that's a stretch. 56 is more like it.

 

[Instinctive]

The trick with hybrids, whether or not from the rough, is to remind yourself you're swinging an iron even though it looks like a wood. They get through the grass just fine when you swing down on the ball and let the loft do the work.

Yes, that's the Ping.

I really don't think the average golfer should be using a wedge higher than 58 degrees and even that's a stretch. 56 is more like it.

I hadn't heard that. I've been using my 4H some, basically when I have a long way to go on a Par 4 or 5 but I'm not quite situated nicely enough on the fairway to want to use a 3 or 5 wood. 

As such, I've been imagining "sweeping the ball off the ground" with it, basically never taking a divot. I hit these low line drives that fly pretty far and straight, but very little air under them.

Does that mean I should get better results hitting the ball on the way down like an iron?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I hadn't heard that. I've been using my 4H some, basically when I have a long way to go on a Par 4 or 5 but I'm not quite situated nicely enough on the fairway to want to use a 3 or 5 wood. 

As such, I've been imagining "sweeping the ball off the ground" with it, basically never taking a divot. I hit these low line drives that fly pretty far and straight, but very little air under them.

Does that mean I should get better results hitting the ball on the way down like an iron?

How to hit a hybrid...

"The hybrid is a minor miracle: It’s forgiving, versatile and easy to hit—for most golfers. But if you’re struggling to enjoy its many benefits, you may be swinging it with a sweeping, fairway wood motion. The result? Thin or fat contact. Instead, treat your hybrid more like a 6-iron. Swing it around your body, with enough of a descending blow to clip the ball off the turf. This setup position will help. You’ll soon be hitting a lot more greens (from a lot farther out), and your hybrid will become your favorite club."

 

[belljr]

I dumped my 3&4 iron and 5 wood for 2 hybrids a ways back.

Best thing ever

 

[That one guy]

Anyone ever use Callaway’s sand wedge for dummies the Sure Out?  Been looking at them for years and found a cheap used left handed one on eBay, wonder if any reviews out to see if worth it or gimmick…I suck out of the sand, so sucker for gimmicks there

 

[TLEF316]

Definitely struggling to start the posting season. Little adjustment with the new sticks (the lack of offset was causing a lot of thin, wipey shots, but I think I've got the hang of it) but that wasn't the problem on Saturday. My short game was just terrible. Was barely missing most of the greens and just could not hit a good chip to save my life. Blew a bunch of them by the hole like 6 feet (and couldn't knock down any putts) and then over-adjusted and left several really short. Just a frustrating day. Grinded out an 88 but probably gave away at least 5-6 strokes on chips.

I know the good scores are coming (the new driver definitely feels better after some initial growing pains on the range. I can totally feel how I was FIGHTING the big fade/slice with my old shaft. Can just make nice, easy swings with the new one) but just sucks when you have a couple of weeks of not so great play.

 

[Gilroy34]

Finally broke down and ordered new set of Ping clubs including the 425 Max driver.  Supposed to get them in a few weeks. 

 

[CGRdrJoe]

i hate golf, the better i get at it the more it tortures me. i’ve noticed that when i start to get sloppy with my irons that just hitting a full 56 helps reset me. i pay to play; so staying happy and not getting frustrated helps me to avoid over swinging which usually helps keep me in front of the hole with the ability to get up and down for bogey. 

 

[Zow]

I dumped my 3&4 iron and 5 wood for 2 hybrids a ways back.

Best thing ever

Same. Resulted from my fitting a couple of years ago. 

I actually found that I hit the five wood the best. But, probably was that the distance dispersions with the 5 wood didn't work out proportionately to my 3 wood and 4 iron/hybrid so had to go hybrids. 

 

[Zow]

Starting a 5 day match play tournament tomorrow. Currently playing the best golf of my life and since handicaps locked in on 4/1 I'm saving a stroke and a half.   

Wheels may fall off, but I'm hoping to nonetheless enjoy the ride. 

 

[belljr]

i hate golf, the better i get at it the more it tortures me. i’ve noticed that when i start to get sloppy with my irons that just hitting a full 56 helps reset me. i pay to play; so staying happy and not getting frustrated helps me to avoid over swinging which usually helps keep me in front of the hole with the ability to get up and down for bogey. 

Welcome to the dark side...buwahhahwahhahahahaaaa

 

[Hankmoody]

Looking to buy a range finder, preferrably one that you can progran to any course you go to to get accurate yardage.  Any recommendations?

https://smile.amazon.com/Callaway-Laser-Rangefinder-Slope-Measurement/dp/B01KP195PY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=OL0QZWA1XOWA&keywords=callaway+rangefinder&qid=1650400095&sprefix=calloway+range+fin%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-3

 

[Hankmoody]

Got fit for new irons and a driver on Saturday.  Ended up going with the callaway rogue st pro's. Going from a cavity back game improvement to a "players distance" set will be an adjustment (the heads are smaller for sure) but I need the extra spin.  Pretty much every GI iron is just designed to hit knuckleball bombs. I'm a low spin player to begin with, but the new callaway cavity backs were just absurd. 20 extra yards of distance (i was hitting 7 irons like 182) and like 2300 rpm. Lol...no chance of me stopping anything with those rocket launchers.

Ended up getting the new rogue driver with the draw bias. Tried a few shafts, the first of which was way too whippy. Wad yanking them waaaay left. Went back to a 60 gram, added one degree of loft and it's was nice little draws all day long. Apparently my current driver was really stiff in the tip, which was why I was always fighting a fade.

Fittings really make me so nervous. Started off well and then proceeded to hit like a dozen near shanks WAY in on the heel. Thankfully,  I calmed down and figured it out.  

Excited to get them. They feel and sound great. Hopefully the 5 iron won't cause me trouble (the 7 iron in this new set is just so TINY bit bigger than my current 5-, so there will be an adjustment)

I got the same clubs from my fitting.  Love them when I strike it pure.  I find your comments interesting though because as a player with super high spin, I found these to have a much lower result.  2300 isn't an iron spin rate, that's a low driver.  My 7 iron at fitting was around 7k but the ST's got me down to 6300.  I also went with the Project X LS to lower the launch angle and spin rate a touch more.  I hit rainbows and just get killed by wind.

I'm also taking lessons and he's changed pretty much everything about my stroke.  Going to be a big adjustment but when I get it grooved they are a thing of beauty.  As stated before I was hitting everything very high and with a lot of spin - much of this was due to my setup with (I couldn't detect) an open face and weak grip - caused a lot of ballooning with fade spin that just got knocked out of the sky.

I'm shanking a ton too on the range but that's likely due to all the changes at once being a lot for me to process and I expect that will work its way out.  Last range session I hit a couple buckets and was awful, clanking and shanking everything.  At the end as I was packing up I was like "nope, f that" and went and got 2 more buckets.  5 swings in and I had felt something I was doing wrong and all of a sudden I had a free release and was hitting beauties.  Left most of those balls for the next guy.

 

[TLEF316]

I got the same clubs from my fitting.  Love them when I strike it pure.  I find your comments interesting though because as a player with super high spin, I found these to have a much lower result.  2300 isn't an iron spin rate, that's a low driver.  

Tell me about it. I was shocked when I saw the numbers with the regular rogue ST. Just long knuckleballs with no chance of stopping. 

With the pros, I was generally up around 5500 on good strikes.(7 iron)  I've seen good results so far on the course (holding a couple of greens that I generally roll off of). But thats not really proof, as it has been pretty wet.

I like the clubs so far. Adjustment for sure but the contact feels GREAT on proper strikes and I haven't noticed any less forgiveness compared to my old clubs. 

 

[Instinctive]

Tell me about it. I was shocked when I saw the numbers with the regular rogue ST. Just long knuckleballs with no chance of stopping. 

With the pros, I was generally up around 5500 on good strikes.(7 iron)  I've seen good results so far on the course (holding a couple of greens that I generally roll off of). But thats not really proof, as it has been pretty wet.

I like the clubs so far. Adjustment for sure but the contact feels GREAT on proper strikes and I haven't noticed any less forgiveness compared to my old clubs. 

Don't I kind of want everything except my wedges to roll?

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Don't I kind of want everything except my wedges to roll?

unless you're purposefully hitting a "runner" for some reason ...no

anything you're hitting into the green you typically want to stop fairly quickly so you can control the distance to the flag.  

 

[Hankmoody]

Don't I kind of want everything except my wedges to roll?

Depends on your play style and swing.  I hit it high and get a lot of spin so can check a 4 iron dead.  That helps getting predictable distances with each club.  If you're running everything up there ends up being a lot more variation on that so you have to guess a lot more.

 

[Instinctive]

Got like 150 balls and some time on driving range to work on two things: fix the power leak someone above mentioned on driver, and work on hitting down with irons. 

I gotta keep figuring it out on the irons piece. Felt like only 1/5 were pure, or remotely close to pure. And much better with the 7 than, say, 5 or 9 for some reason.

The driver though...just by working on that weight shift I think I added like 40+ yards of carry. And without losing control of direction either. I still hit kind of a line drive, but it's a line drive 200+ instead of like 160+ which was just kind of sad I think.

 

[Da Guru]

Kirkland putters 40.00 off at Costco.  99.00 bucks.  Used my buddies for a round last year and liked it. 

Don`t like it take it back.  Wish all clubs had that option.

 

[BeTheMatch]

Kirkland putters 40.00 off at Costco.  99.00 bucks.  Used my buddies for a round last year and liked it. 

Don`t like it take it back.  Wish all clubs had that option.

I have one. Used it as is for first year-plus but just recently used the weight kit to add extra weight in the head and the shaft. I saw an immediate improvement. To be fair, it would've been hard for me to get worse. 

 

[Gilroy34]

Finally broke down and ordered new set of Ping clubs including the 425 Max driver.  Supposed to get them in a few weeks. 

Got a call yesterday the Ping 425 Max SFT driver came in so I went a picked it up today and hit the range.  I slice a rediculous amount, enough so I stopped using my driver 15 years ago and used a 2 iron.  I figured it was time to circle back to a driver.  First thing I noticed is I seemed to hit it pure on most swings.  It was overcast and I couldn't pick up the ball on most swings but most drives felt very solid.  I just need to practice a lot on the range but this driver seems great so far.

 

[TLEF316]

Depends on your play style and swing.  I hit it high and get a lot of spin so can check a 4 iron dead.  That helps getting predictable distances with each club.  If you're running everything up there ends up being a lot more variation on that so you have to guess a lot more.

Pretty much. My dad is a 70 year old 11 handicap who gets it around but needs every bit of distance he can get. He also happens to belong to a course that doesn't have very many raised greens. So spin just isn't that important to him...since he's often hitting longer clubs (he has like 4 hybrids in his bag) that he can bounce up to greens.  The only clubs he needs to STOP are wedges.

I have decent (not great, so I do leave myself some mid-irons) length  and play a course with very few (basically none) "run up" greens. So I have to fly pretty much everything there and hope to stop it.

 

[Hankmoody]

I'm a golf ball ho.  I'm constantly dipping into the woods to do a quick scan, and carry my retriever near any water or thick bush area.  A typical day can net me anywhere from 12-100 balls.  If we're first out I generally minimize my efforts so we can finish in 3.5 hours, but on slower days or when we play 36 (frequent) I can easily get 80-100.  I live near-ish to a local course and I'll sometimes take the dog out in the late evening to walk the boundaries there too.

I then take them home, dump them in the slop sink, and scrub them up.  Dial anti-bacterial soap (orange) is AMAZING for cleaning golf balls.  I don't spend a lot of time per individual ball, but I do find it cathartic to do for an hour after a rough day.  I sort them into "perfect" and "when in doubt or worse" condition, pop them into egg cartons, and post them on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.  $6 and $3 a dozen respectively.  I've had to raise prices twice because I sell so fast.  You would be amazed how many people buy golf balls for the express purpose of losing them, thus the lower tier for crap balls.  Over 1/2 of what I've sold (and thought to ask/converse about their intentions) end up being "oh yeah I hit them into the field across the road from me" or "taking them camping to hit into the woods". 

I started hardcore billy-goating (term my friends use as I scale the cliffs to grab "just one more"" before moving on) on a golf trip to Ogelbay in 2014 and in recent years it had paid for:

Push cart - got a steal on Amazon for $150

Rangefinder - this is a great bargain too

A Cleveland CBX 48 degree wedge

Next up is a personal launch monitor - I'm at $149 so far this year so hoping to get that done this season.

 

[Gilroy34]

Got a call yesterday the Ping 425 Max SFT driver came in so I went a picked it up today and hit the range.  I slice a rediculous amount, enough so I stopped using my driver 15 years ago and used a 2 iron.  I figured it was time to circle back to a driver.  First thing I noticed is I seemed to hit it pure on most swings.  It was overcast and I couldn't pick up the ball on most swings but most drives felt very solid.  I just need to practice a lot on the range but this driver seems great so far.

Played 9 holes today with the new driver, very pleased.  Still have a lot of room for improvement but hit several drives long and straight mixed with a few slices.  The added distance allowed me to hit some greens in regulation resulting in pars.  Shot 9 over 45 but that was with 2 three putts and a few chunked approach shots.  Overall excited for next time.  I used to be able to get on in 2 on some par 5's every once in awhile and I think that will be possible again.

 

[Instinctive]

You would be amazed how many people buy golf balls for the express purpose of losing them, thus the lower tier for crap balls.  Over 1/2 of what I've sold (and thought to ask/converse about their intentions) end up being "oh yeah I hit them into the field across the road from me" or "taking them camping to hit into the woods". 

I'm surprised by this, but wasn't surprised by the first sentence. I'm only this year getting to a point where I no longer am counting for "Did I use fewer than 10 balls or not"" as my win condition.

 

[belljr]

So I start the year off great. The second round was awful. Everything was fat.

Yesterday started the same way. Was beyond frustrated. I was hitting some great flops.  I just felt like I was guiding everything.

Finally it clicked and I was back to hitting solid shots.  I didn't score great but felt good to getting back to hitting shots. I really need to hit a range.

My putting was awful for me yesterday. I missed so many 4-6 footers which is my bread and butter. And my lag putt was awful, usually my strength. One of those days

 

[Hankmoody]

I'm 54 years old, took a lesson (two actually) for the first time in my life.

I've played as low as a 7.2 before, I'm closer to a 14 right now, so I've never really thought I needed that much work.  My biggest issue was my ball striking - I miss a lot of greens, mostly right/short.  I hit the ball very high with a ton of spin and wind just eats me up.  I've got a good short game so cover for it frequently and do a very good job of managing my misses so that I'm not dropping penalty shots, but it's always something that bugged me.  I used to keep full statistics and for about 4 years I would average maybe 8 GIR.  2017 = 5.3 GIR, 2016 = 6.33 GIR.  Almost never in double-digits.  Pretty sad considering par 5's are pretty trivial and 4 times you're putting it on a peg so little excuse to miss those as well.  So I went in wanting to address my ball striking.

Wow, was my swing jacked up. 

First lesson was 4 weeks ago.  So, so many changes.  My head was swimming.  Left foot open, right foot up, shoulders level, hands lower/closer, toe of the club off the ground, right hand strong, face square - all in 45 minutes.  I'm also a very cerebral golfer, I always have a ton going through my mind as I set up, so it's overload right now.  I went home and watched some Dell Championship and was amazed just how in close to their bodies the pros set up with their hands, hanging down straight from their shoulders.  I'm more amazed I never noticed it before and realized just how much I was extending my arms - I was probably at a 30 degree extension which was the litmus of all the other things that crept in.

When I went to check out (Golf Galaxy) the pro rang me up and pointed to the rate sheet and asked "how many lessons you going to get?".  Before I could answer 3/$69.99 each, he said "if you go with 10, you only pay for each lesson individually and if you don't complete them no obligation".  I glance at the rate sheet and see $39.99.  "So you're telling me I can pay 70 bucks today or I can pay 40 bucks today, my choice?"  Yep, I'll take 40 thanks.  He's a great golf guy but not so much a business guy   I'll take it.

Second lesson was two weeks ago, more of the same but really focusing on getting my arms to hang free and getting the correct stance angle - I had been letting my weight drift back onto my heels on setup which caused a correction mid-swing that resulted in shanks - I was shanking close to 50% of them at times.  Still a very busy mind and it's easy to miss one or two details at times.  Heck one thing I didn't even notice last night was the pullover I was wearing was a bit tight through the shoulders, constricting my swing.  Once I took it off I was instantly striking the ball way better.  Note to self, looser clothing.

I missed my chance to schedule lesson #3 today, I booked one for tomorrow.  I was at the range last night and once I got everything into the correct routine I was hitting beauties but it's all left - sometimes maybe 10-20 feet left of alignment and dead straight, which I can live with but would like to fix, but others start there and then have some draw to them and go screaming left - those will miss greens and maybe even fairways if not corrected.  That's next.  Haven't addressed tee shots yet, may just keep grinding out $40 lessons.

If you are spending more than $300 a year golfing, do yourself a favor and go take lessons.  I'm stunned just how well and quickly this guy addresses some issues for me and now I get to spend the rest of my days regretting not doing it 30 years ago.

 

[identikit]

Just finished watching the 30 for 30 'Shark' about Greg Norman's career.

Riveting stuff.

Gotta applaud him for reliving a lot of his rounds.

 

[Phil Elliott]

Looking to buy a range finder, preferrably one that you can progran to any course you go to to get accurate yardage.  Any recommendations?

FWIW - I got this one about four months ago and really like it:

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/rangefinders/coolshot-proii-stabilized.html

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Played my first 9 today at a little par 3. Chipped in from 20 yards for birdie on the first hole (Yes, that means I missed the green).

The remaining 8 weren't quite as good.

But the new wedges and the practicing I've done in the basement this winter seem like they'll pay dividends.

 

[WDIK2]

Played my first 9 today at a little par 3. Chipped in from 20 yards for birdie on the first hole (Yes, that means I missed the green).

The remaining 8 weren't quite as good.

But the new wedges and the practicing I've done in the basement this winter seem like they'll pay dividends.

At least you got out to play.  Yesterday was close to 80 degrees in NE Nebraska.    Accompanied by sustained 35 mph winds with gusts into the 60s.  :(   I used to play in all kinds of crap weather when I was younger.  Doesn't seem like as much fun now.  I've still only had a chance to hit my new irons once since I got them.

The wind is howling again today.

I'm thinking about investing in a mat and net.

 

[Judge Smails]

Wow - what a roller coaster in our member guest. Almost wasn’t going to play as I tore my rotator cuff and labrum.  But I was able to swing and just managed it. We played great going 3-0-2 in our 5 matches. One match we were down 3 with 3 to play and one them all to get a tie. That was huge as scoring is 1 point for a win, -1 for a loss. 0 for a tie. You also get positive or negative .1 for the spread of a match. We won one 9 hole match +6, another +4 and the other +3. Won our flight which was $400 or so plus day money. But - I choked in the championship horse race. So pissed. Got through first hole and I was driving on the 2nd. Water on the left and I just got a little quick. Ball trickled into the water on last roll.  Sucks. Oh well - had backup bet on the winning team. 

I played great under pressure for 2 days but I guess it’s different with 140 people watching your shot while they see drinking and betting. Learning experience. 

 

[Zow]

So played in my BIL's member guest last week. Such an amazing tournament. 5 days of golf. First day practice round, then three days of round robin match play, then either the championship or third place game against the opposing pod in your flight with the bottom two from each pod playing in a partners best ball game the morning of the final day. No ties allowed. Oh, and in the event we were not in the championship match, we had a charity scramble to play with our wives the final day afternoon at a different course. 

Totals for the 5 days of golf: 

Holes played = 114 (6 full rounds plus a total of 8 playoff holes)

Drinks consumed = 80+

Birdies made = 12

Eagles made = 1 (also nearly made a hole in one - was sitting on the lip)

Balls lost = 1

Advil taken = not enough

We wound up in a three team playoff for the flight. We had lost one match on the second playoff hole, won another convincingly, and won a two hole playoff on the final day to make it after opponents had battled back from four down early. Other four guys from the two teams were actually all members and have been club legends for years (and were the two teams we had been in the previous playoffs with). One guy has shot his age over 100 times.  Probably 100+ guys watching it all unfold. I made a bendy 5 footer to push with my partner in his pocket on a hole. Finally on the 4th playoff hole a few of us (not my partner) got strokes. I hit my drive 100 yards farther than the other two guys with strokes but into a fairway bunker about 80 yards out. They of course, as they had been all week, hit the green with their respective 7 woods or whatever and canned the putts (one from ~45 feet above the hole). I miss my 25 footer and off to the losers round we went.  

We then went and won the scramble tournament with our wives as teammates. Though I have little to no memory of it. 

Fun game. 

 

[Instinctive]

Walked 18 this afternoon as a single. Man that was nice. Except a couple groups that were so slow...in my head I was like "Do all 4 of you have to watch his shot, watch it land, and then 3 of you have a conversation about who should hit next?" I was taught to play ready golf. Not ready for you to golf, then I should wander back to my cart to get clubs because it's my turn we've decided...

I keep a completely honest score, which means on the 2-3 holes that go really bad, my scorecard blows up. But I made a couple pars and had a bunch of great shots...just have to string more of them together consistently on holes. Hit a ton of fairways off the tee too, although still without a ton of power (like 200 yards?).

My short game is definitely where I shine. I need to find a way to get into some scrambles, because I have really good putting and chipping most of the time. Someone just needs to get me to the greenside lol.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Played from the tips yesterday 6900 yards and was finally playing the proper golf shot an 86 with a 45 in a 41 and that included two doubles and a triple. golf is fun again when i can shake off the bad holes but i need a new 60 as the grooves are worn out

 

[Hankmoody]

So I bailed on the Rogue ST Pro's.  Too unforgiving for me and I was getting absolutely PUNISHED on mis-hits.  I knew if I kept at it I'd get more used to them and get more consistent but just decided I didn't want to live through that learning curve.  We get long winters in Ohio so can go 2-3 months with only swinging the club a few times so every year will be the same start.

Went back to Golf Galaxy that I got them from and they totally hooked me up.  The guy re-did my fitting with JPX 921 Hot Metal Pros and got me into a similar shaft (Project X LX, sweet blackout color) and they felt great.  During the fitting we looked at the face strikes and I was all over the face, as expected, but even those went mostly straight and within 10 or so yards of expected distance.  I can handle dumping one into the short right bunker, I can't play from the woods or water.  With the Rogue Pro my mi####s on say a 5 iron went 150 yards and probably 30 degress offline.  I expected to take a decent hit on a trade-in and was just hoping it wasn't like $500 or something.

Get to the register and the guy issues me a full freaking refund on the Rogues even though I had played them a couple rounds and hit a few hundo balls on the range with them.  And not just store credit, he actually refunded the initial purchase against my card.  I didn't expect it but he said "we fit you wrong, we'll make it right".  Wow.  I fully thought I was going to take a 10-20% hit minimum on a "trade-in" on them.  Even let me use the store credit I had earned from buying the Rogue set!  And he let me return the GW that comes with the set since I play a Cleveland 48 and didn't need it.

All told I ended up saving over $550.  And I got a better set for my game.  I'm not one to spend $500 on a club and I do not fall for the fallacy of playing with house money but I want to hook that guy up so I may just consider getting a driver with the savings.  I'm in a Titleist 917 so that's coming up on 6 years now, a technology refresh would probably be noticeable at this point.