***Official 2025 Golf Thread, tbd*** (2 Viewers)

[Andy Dufresne]

Another added to the Mizuno club club!

 

[Mookie]

Back 9 of our course opened last Friday and played 18 on Friday/Saturday.  Got a little bored playing the same 9, so the golf gods punished my griping with 4 inches of snow Sunday morning - No golf for you! 

 

[TLEF316]

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.

Damn, that's excellent customer service for sure.

I'm liking the Pros. Definitely getting more and more comfortable.  First few rounds were rough, as the ground was REALLY wet (and we had a TON of wind) and I was getting used to the lack of offset...but I've struck the ball really well the past couple of weeks.

The new driver is more of an adjustment. I know what I need to do to hit it straight (Basically swing nice and easy. I dont need to force the turn-over to fight my hard fade like I did with the old one)...but sometimes the old muscle memory kicks in and I pull one left as a result. Its been a struggle, but getting better.

Putting has been a whole other issue. I've basically had the yips on 3 footers (off and on. not every round)  the past couple of weeks. This came to a head on Saturday when my brother and I played our qualifying match for the year-long long 4 ball tournament (we lost in the finals last year). I lipped out/burned the edge of 6 putts inside 4 feet that we NEEDED for net birdies. (or in a couple of cases...just gross pars).  It was absolutely brutal and I just felt absolutely sick about it. Right now we're the last team in the field...but there's still a week left to qualify. So if one more team beats our score (not hard to do...we only shot -1 net as a result my crappy putting) we're out. Praying for rain.......

On the bright side, the 50 degree wedge I picked up (elected to pass on the gap wedge from the iron set I bought) has been a great success. I made sure to get something with a wide sole and a lot of bounce for confidence on full shots...and its been great. Also helping me with low bump and run chips, which have never been a weapon for me. Probably my favorite club in the bag already. Chipped GREAT yesterday.

 

[Hankmoody]

Damn, that's excellent customer service for sure.

I'm liking the Pros. Definitely getting more and more comfortable.  First few rounds were rough, as the ground was REALLY wet (and we had a TON of wind) and I was getting used to the lack of offset...but I've struck the ball really well the past couple of weeks.

They were great when I struck them well, but even then I got pretty inconsistent distances.  I know that's me and being maybe a bit high on this face at times but that just leads back to my original point that I needed a bit more forgiveness.  I hit the most beautiful shots of my life a few times with those things though and they look great standing over them.

 

[Instinctive]

Walked 54 holes this past week. It was awesome. Also played with a friend who is definitely better and more knowledgeable than me (as opposed to those who may hit a bit better but are just as novice as I am). 

I told him the day before we played that I think I've been solving one or two issues a week with the swing, but the last remaining one feels like I'm not doing something with my hips properly. Flash back a month and even on good drives, ~50% of the time my front foot would end up in the air when I finish, which I know is garbage mechanically. So I'm focusing on getting weight forward, which has helped quite a bit with all the clubs...but still something is off and I thought it was getting hips into it. 

We talked after the round and he was like "Yeah you don't get your hips moving AT ALL, EVER.

So now I have a new Youtube rabbit hole to go down: how to get your hips through the golf swing properly. 

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Walked 54 holes this past week. It was awesome. Also played with a friend who is definitely better and more knowledgeable than me (as opposed to those who may hit a bit better but are just as novice as I am). 

I told him the day before we played that I think I've been solving one or two issues a week with the swing, but the last remaining one feels like I'm not doing something with my hips properly. Flash back a month and even on good drives, ~50% of the time my front foot would end up in the air when I finish, which I know is garbage mechanically. So I'm focusing on getting weight forward, which has helped quite a bit with all the clubs...but still something is off and I thought it was getting hips into it. 

We talked after the round and he was like "Yeah you don't get your hips moving AT ALL, EVER.

So now I have a new Youtube rabbit hole to go down: how to get your hips through the golf swing properly. 

pretty cool ...please go to a pro for teaching advice  

 

[Instinctive]

pretty cool ...please go to a pro for teaching advice  

That's the eventual plan. Any idea how to pick someone? Or is it just kind of like "go to close course and get lesson with their pro"?

 

[Binky The Doormat]

That's the eventual plan. Any idea how to pick someone? Or is it just kind of like "go to close course and get lesson with their pro"?

man that's tough ...take a lesson and see if you connect

if you don't connect ...ask the guy what you're looking for and they MAY direct you

I have had some lessons on-and-off over the years ...I'm not a technical swinger - it's feel

so if a guy starts telling me to have my hands "here at this point" ...not happening for me

 

[Gilroy34]

pretty cool ...please go to a pro for teaching advice  

I don't know, I paid $80 for an hour lesson last month and it didn't help me at all.

 

[belljr]

My old pro used to say 

"It's all in the hips, it's all in the hips" over an over

 

[WDIK2]

My old pro used to say 

"It's all in the hips, it's all in the hips" over an over

RIP in peace Chubbs.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Look at me! First real round of the year will be at TPC Twin Cities on Friday!

 

[WDIK2]

Have to give a shout out to callawaypreowned.com.   I told the story of my Petey driver earlier in this thread.  While waiting for the epoxy to cure, they had a discount on the Big Bertha B21 drivers so I bought one in "like new" condition.  You could tell it had been hit a few times, but only a few times.  I put more marks on the face the first time out with it.

I have an old Snake Eyes hybrid, but thought I could use an upgrade.  Again Callaway Preowned happened to have a nice discount on their Apex 21 hybrids. Bought a 4h and 5h in like new condition.  The 4h has been hit, but very little.  I can't see any marks on the 5h even with a magnifying glass.  It's new.   

I'm trying to stay somewhat budget conscious.  As much as I tell myself I'm going to play more this year, I'm not sure that's going to happen.  All 3 of these clubs were significantly less than prices I'm seeing on ebay or 2nd swing in similar conditions.

I've replaced almost every club in my bag (including the bag).  Still have my old 3 and 5 woods, but I'm trying to hold off buying new ones.  Which means I will probably order new ones in the next month if I start playing.

 

[James Bond]

Just got back from a trip to Scotland. I must say, St. Andrews is awesome. So much fun. I had the good fortune to play three rounds, the Eden, the New, and the Old courses. Highly recommended if you can swing it. My dad has been to Scotland three times, St. Andrews twice, and never played. I didn't want to miss the opportunity. Again, so much fun.

 

[3 hour lunch]

Just got back from a trip to Scotland. I must say, St. Andrews is awesome. So much fun. I had the good fortune to play three rounds, the Eden, the New, and the Old courses. Highly recommended if you can swing it. My dad has been to Scotland three times, St. Andrews twice, and never played. I didn't want to miss the opportunity. Again, so much fun.

Sounds awesome. Bucket list for sure. 

 

[3 hour lunch]

Look at me! First real round of the year will be at TPC Twin Cities on Friday!

Fun course, you had a nice day for it today. I was up the road at Majestic hacking it up.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Fun course, you had a nice day for it today. I was up the road at Majestic hacking it up.

We played a 4 person scramble and shot 2 under. I hit a lot of bad shots, but a lot of good ones too. But $200 is far, far too much to pay for a round of golf in Minnesota.

Majestic has decent courses with Signature clearly being the better of the two. 

 

[Da Guru]

Last 2 years been driving the ball better than ever.  Been hitting the fairways and adequate distance.  Of course when that happen another part breaks down.  From 100-140 I i was usually pretty good at hitting greens or at least getting close with a straight 8-9-W.

I don`t know why but now from that distance I am missing left 70% of the time. Never right. If the pin is in the middle I even aim right and still miss to the left. Some misses are 5-10 yards left of the green.   That is not good from shorter range for scoring.

. The ball is not hooking but a dead pull.  Rest of my shots are straight.

 

[belljr]

Either too fast or too much arms imo

 

[Hankmoody]

Last 2 years been driving the ball better than ever.  Been hitting the fairways and adequate distance.  Of course when that happen another part breaks down.  From 100-140 I i was usually pretty good at hitting greens or at least getting close with a straight 8-9-W.

I don`t know why but now from that distance I am missing left 70% of the time. Never right. If the pin is in the middle I even aim right and still miss to the left. Some misses are 5-10 yards left of the green.   That is not good from shorter range for scoring.

. The ball is not hooking but a dead pull.  Rest of my shots are straight.

I am taking lessons and this is currently my miss.  Mine is from an out-in swing path - put down an alignment stick pointing to your target and then check the direction of the divot.  Is it pointing off to the left?  Mine is from dropping my shoulder at transition so I have nowhere to go but inside.   There are plenty of ways this can happen though and I am a huge proponent of taking lessons - even if just one or two, get with a pro that can explain some swing mechanics to you. 

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Last 2 years been driving the ball better than ever.  Been hitting the fairways and adequate distance.  Of course when that happen another part breaks down.  From 100-140 I i was usually pretty good at hitting greens or at least getting close with a straight 8-9-W.

I don`t know why but now from that distance I am missing left 70% of the time. Never right. If the pin is in the middle I even aim right and still miss to the left. Some misses are 5-10 yards left of the green.   That is not good from shorter range for scoring.

. The ball is not hooking but a dead pull.  Rest of my shots are straight.

this was my miss, i went to a more neutral grip and  now it’s a baby draw or straight vice a hook: only problem post lesson was trusting my shot shape as i’d grown used to hooking with my strong grip and aimed way right like you.

 

[TLEF316]

So my brother and I played our member-member this weekend. 2 day shotgun start...Format was as follows...(all handicapped to various degrees)

Sat- Four ball on the front 9, stableford on the back

Sun- scramble on the front, alternate shot on the back.

We started on the front both days. I think we were -2 on four-ball and -3 on stableford....down 2 shots going into sunday

Went -3 on the scramble, leaving us 1 shot ahead in our flight going into the alternate shot.  Unfortunately, we didn't take care of business (I choked on tee shots on both par 3's and we just put ourselves in a few bad spots and couldn't get up and down). So we missed the shootout.

Either way...we had a lot of fun and played some good golf at times (I chipped in for a birdie/net eagle on the scramble and JUST missed (by like an inch) a 2nd chip in for an eagle/net albatross.  A couple of REAL stinkers though (including BOTH of us missing a hard breaking putt inside 2 feet on the scramble....   )

But the most hilarious part of the weekend was our partners. Some of the more...lets say..."social" members of the club happened to be in our flight. A group of fairly hard drinking high single/low double digit handicaps that generally play together, hang out all day and close down the bar.  They were drinking a decent amount on the course (even at like 10 AM)...which inevitably leads to the need for one to relieve themselves.

Not surprising to see a group of older guys not waiting to get to a bathroom. While I generally try to avoid pissing all over the local foliage, I dont judge anyone for doing so. (although if you're peeing every other hole, I question your medical situation...) But on Sunday, our partners (one of whom I happen to be playing next week in a match play event...) basically gave up on any sort of decorum. We get to the 7th tee (an elevated box to a par 3 that overlooks 2 other holes) and this guy just pulls it out right on the box and lets fly towards the 6th green (where his buddies were about to putt). I couldn't believe it. Dont get me wrong....it was fairly hilarious...but come on......

This same guy and his buddy spent all weekend taking potshots at another member (an Asian guy in the group ahead of us) who apparently ALWAYS shows up to golf with an untucked shirt and some sort of sweat pants (was wearing addidas tear-aways this weekend....).

So pissing right next to the tee box...cool. Untucked shirt.....major problem. Got it.

 

[Zow]

Got my member member next weekend. I think the format is similar. Love those tournaments.  Gotta step my game up though as I agreed to play with my partner in the scratch flight (my client doesn't have too many high plusses) and I'm already warning him that he's going to be carrying me. 

Played yesterday and had forty ####### putts (not including two holes where I was putting on the fringe and didn't get up and down) and zero one-putts or less. Terrible. Will be spending a lot of time this week on my putting mat. 

 

[TLEF316]

the shootout was pretty insane. 10 flights.....3 hole alternate shot...cuts after each of the first 2 holes.

So 10 teams played 9.....6 teams played 10...2 teams play 18.

The 2 teams tied 18, so then they go back to 100 yards and play again.....and then 150.....and then 175....and then 200. Yup, they played the hole FIVE times.  Each time, someone either made an up and down from sand or drained a putt outside 10 feet to extend the match. FINALLY ended with an incredible 50 yard shot over the bunker to like 3 feet and a missed downhill putt. The team that lost was 2 older guys (one on whom has won the senior title like 5 times) and the winning team had literally never met before Saturday (one of their partners pulled out with COVID and the other was a late replacement). There were like 100 people sitting around the 18th green watching. It was a lot of fun to watch.

 

[belljr]

I've reached full frustration again. Just playing like crap. Fat shot all over ...... Not even fun.....grrrr

 

[Gilroy34]

I feel like I am getting closer to figuring this out.  However, the inconsistency can be maddening.  Played 9 holes 3 times over the past 3 weeks.  I seem to start out well, usually +1 or +2 after 3 holes and then shaking a drive or approach shot on the following holes.  At times I can drive decently well, hit approach shots decently well, but it just hasn't all come together for 1 round yet.  My chipping is ok not great and putting is my weakest spot, probably because I put more practice into the others.  Shooting 42-47 on 9 holes is my average but it would be nice if everything clicked and I could get 40 or under.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Couldn't help myself...even though I love my Ping G400 Max the local Golf Galaxy had a deal on a nearly new G425 Max. So I had to buy it to at least try it.

My friend who works there says it IS a better club. We'll see.

 

[BeTheMatch]

I've reached full frustration again. Just playing like crap. Fat shot all over ...... Not even fun.....grrrr

Me too. Was supposed to play again today but cancelled. Need a mental break or something.

 

[tuffnutt]

Great weekend planned...  heading to Tulsa in morning. Going to play Woodbine tomorrow. Will be watching PGA Championship Friday at Southern Hills. On Saturday, we are playing Olde Page Belcher.  

 

[Instinctive]

Playing in Scottsdale Fri and Sat this week. Question for you phoenix knowing folks (@Zow?)

1. No way I'm walking Friday with a 1 or 2pm tee time right?

2. Could I get away with it on a 6:30am Saturday tee time? I did just walk 18 in 95 degree heat but I was thiiiiiiiis close to dehydrated/heat exhaustion on the 18th. 4 full bottles of gatorade/water too lol. 

Any general tips for playing in the area?

 

[Da Guru]

Went to an estate sale a couple weeks ago.  Bought a Wilson Fatboy 7 wood for 5 bucks just to see if I liked a 7 wood.  Went to the range and the ball was going around 165-170 with a much higher ball flight than I usually hit.

Have used it now 3-4 times on the course and it has been $$$$ from that range.  Hit a 170 par 3 yesterday with a high ball flight, then twice on long 5s used it for my second shot, straight as an arrow to set me up in the 70-80 yard range.

Might be my favorite club right now. Was going to buy a Calloway 7 for 219.00 but going to stick with my 5 dollar Wilson for awhile.

 

[Zow]

Playing in Scottsdale Fri and Sat this week. Question for you phoenix knowing folks (@Zow?)

1. No way I'm walking Friday with a 1 or 2pm tee time right?

2. Could I get away with it on a 6:30am Saturday tee time? I did just walk 18 in 95 degree heat but I was thiiiiiiiis close to dehydrated/heat exhaustion on the 18th. 4 full bottles of gatorade/water too lol. 

Any general tips for playing in the area?

1. No chance. It's gonna be in the 70s in Flagstaff which means ~100 in Scottsdale. Ride. And drink water. Use an ice towel. Plus the sun is going to be strong. 

2. Possibly, but I wouldn't run past 10 AM. I wouldn't walk though and I doubt you see other walkers. 

Which courses are you playing? Scottsdale is a pretty big place. 

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I think I'd like a 7 wood to replace the 5 hybrid/3 rescue clubs I have currently. But I really like those clubs too.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Couldn't help myself...even though I love my Ping G400 Max the local Golf Galaxy had a deal on a nearly new G425 Max. So I had to buy it to at least try it.

My friend who works there says it IS a better club. We'll see.

Report: After a few cuts on the range...Love it. Might be a placebo effect but it definitely feels like it has more juice, more "pop", than the old club. And the control is terrific. Can't wait to take it out on the course.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Couldn't help myself...even though I love my Ping G400 Max the local Golf Galaxy had a deal on a nearly new G425 Max. So I had to buy it to at least try it.

My friend who works there says it IS a better club. We'll see.

Report: After a few cuts on the range...Love it. Might be a placebo effect but it definitely feels like it has more juice, more "pop", than the old club. And the control is terrific. Can't wait to take it out on the course.

Report 2: The thing is awesome. I hit it longer and had so much more control I honestly felt like I was cheating a bit. I hit more fairways than ever before which led to a significant increase in GIRs.

The putter let me down a bit but I still scored 45/41...not bad for the second full round of the year.

 

[Orange&Blue]

Played for the first time in over 10 years last weekend.  Haven't even touched a club except to put some new grips on.  Decided it was best to leave the driver in the bag. Managed to get 3 pars and score a 104, granted it was an easy course (Lake Arlington). Felt nice and look forward to going again next weekend. 

 

[Zow]

Some times the stars align. I shot 70, on my own ball, yesterday and my partner (he’s a plus) and I shot 74 in pure alternate shot today in 40 mph winds today. 
 

We are leading our club’s member member by multiple strokes both gross and net. 
 

I’m currently listening to Rocky and Karate Kid theme songs on repeat. 

 

[Judge Smails]

Walked 54 holes this past week. It was awesome. Also played with a friend who is definitely better and more knowledgeable than me (as opposed to those who may hit a bit better but are just as novice as I am). 

I told him the day before we played that I think I've been solving one or two issues a week with the swing, but the last remaining one feels like I'm not doing something with my hips properly. Flash back a month and even on good drives, ~50% of the time my front foot would end up in the air when I finish, which I know is garbage mechanically. So I'm focusing on getting weight forward, which has helped quite a bit with all the clubs...but still something is off and I thought it was getting hips into it. 

We talked after the round and he was like "Yeah you don't get your hips moving AT ALL, EVER.

So now I have a new Youtube rabbit hole to go down: how to get your hips through the golf swing properly. 

Well - if you’re front foot is in the air it’s a big problem. Means you are hanging back vs getting to your left side. Impossible to compress the ball. As for as hips - 2 ways to go about it. You can just concentrate on turning your belt buckle to the target through your down swing. Your hips will clear by doing that. Or a drill my instructor did was start the downswing by getting weight pressing down in front foot and then when the club gets parallel with the ground on the way down rotate hard. I found that effective to feel but hard to time. I was hitting the ball solid but missing to the left and right. So I think belt buckle 

 

[Judge Smails]

Leave tomorrow for the 29th year of our tourney. 24 guys in La Quinta. Playing lots of great tracks like PGA West (Stadium and Nicklause courses), La Quinta Resort Mountain course, Desert Willow 36. Male bonding at its finest. 12 on 12 Ryder Cup on Thursday and Friday. 2 man scramble, 2 man alternate shot then Singles. Bookended with 2 tournament rounds. Low Gross/Low Net champions, skins, CTP’s, LD’s. Dinners, poker, concert from our own band (great musicians) + all forms of debauchery. Glorious. Plus we take over all 24 rooms at the Chateau at Lake La Quinta so we own the joint. Highly recommend

 

[3 hour lunch]

Leave tomorrow for the 29th year of our tourney. 24 guys in La Quinta. Playing lots of great tracks like PGA West (Stadium and Nicklause courses), La Quinta Resort Mountain course, Desert Willow 36. Male bonding at its finest. 12 on 12 Ryder Cup on Thursday and Friday. 2 man scramble, 2 man alternate shot then Singles. Bookended with 2 tournament rounds. Low Gross/Low Net champions, skins, CTP’s, LD’s. Dinners, poker, concert from our own band (great musicians) + all forms of debauchery. Glorious. Plus we take over all 24 rooms at the Chateau at Lake La Quinta so we own the joint. Highly recommend

Sounds awesome. I’ve played a few of those

 

[3 hour lunch]

Some times the stars align. I shot 70, on my own ball, yesterday and my partner (he’s a plus) and I shot 74 in pure alternate shot today in 40 mph winds today. 
 

We are leading our club’s member member by multiple strokes both gross and net. 
 

I’m currently listening to Rocky and Karate Kid theme songs on repeat. 

Shooting under par is quite an accomplishment (not sure if it’s your first time). Once in a while the game doesn’t feel hard but it’s oh so fleeting…..

 

[3 hour lunch]

Whistling Straits was pretty great last week, got some calm conditions and we were the last group on the course. So quiet and peaceful as the sun set. Played my only good 9 of the trip on the back to break 80. Hit the green on all 4 par 3s on the lake. Super fun course. I wasn’t as impressed with Irish or Blackwolf Run but weather wasn’t as good and neither was my game so that doesn’t usually combine to form great memories….

 

[belljr]

My average score is up 5 shots this year.   If not for a bladed flop shot I played real well Sunday.  Came home double double : to shoot 80.   I'm taking a break for a few weeks for my sanity and also busy month coming

 

[TLEF316]

Played 36 holes in one day for the first time yesterday. 9AM at my club and then a 4PM at a local nicer public track.  Definetely a little sore this morning (although we rode in the afternoon)

Shot 2 pretty good scores for me (83 and 86) but had some weird moments. Got a case of the shanks on the back 9 during the morning round (probably cost me 3 shots), which left me with zero confidence in the afternoon (causing me to play like crap on the front 9). Got it together on the back but man....it was so frustrating. 

Happens to me occasionally on the range, but on the course? (shanking 7 and 8 irons) That was a new one.  No idea what was causing it.

Creeping back down towards single digits after a rough start to the posting season. 2 more rounds in the 82 range should get me there.  New driver has really helped me off the tee as long as I'm concentrating and dont overswing.

 

[BeTheMatch]

Played a few days ago, and after a little bit of a slow start, parred the last five holes on the front for a 42 (+5). My ultimate goal is to break 80. Haven't done it.

Got some bad luck on 10 and figured that was it and put it out of my mind.

But then got hot again and parred another five in a row. Checked my card and was sitting on 75 heading into the par-5 18th.

Make birdie and I can die a happy man.

It's a shortish par 5 with a slight dog-leg right and sand everywhere around a pretty tight green.

Hit a perfect fade off the tee to give myself the ideal angle to the green for my second shot. And I'm sitting 235 out, which is pretty much my number for my 3 iron.

So I face a dilemma. Risk a full 3 into a narrow green with sand all over but if I pull it off, I've got two putts? Or "lay up" and play safe and give myself a short wedge in but then have to make a putt?

Well, my wedges suck. So screw it. I get all juiced up, pull my 3 iron out... and absolutely chunk it.

Neat.

So now I'm sitting in the fairway about 155 yards out. Easy 9 iron. No problem. And I yank it left of the traps.

So 79 is out. I chip on over the sand but it runs down the slope and now I've got 20 feet to save par and an 80. Left it two inches short, dead-center of the cup.

I hate this game. That may be my last shot at the 70s. 

Tough to play golf with both hands around your neck.

 

[Zow]

Some times the stars align. I shot 70, on my own ball, yesterday and my partner (he’s a plus) and I shot 74 in pure alternate shot today in 40 mph winds today. 
 

We are leading our club’s member member by multiple strokes both gross and net. 
 

I’m currently listening to Rocky and Karate Kid theme songs on repeat. 

Took it home today easily. I shot 78 with a double when we had it all but locked. Partner shot 71 (best ball format today). 
 

First time winning a tournament gross ever. 

 

[Zow]

Shooting under par is quite an accomplishment (not sure if it’s your first time). Once in a while the game doesn’t feel hard but it’s oh so fleeting…..

First time for me. Shot 72 before. 

 

[3 hour lunch]

Played a few days ago, and after a little bit of a slow start, parred the last five holes on the front for a 42 (+5). My ultimate goal is to break 80. Haven't done it.

Got some bad luck on 10 and figured that was it and put it out of my mind.

But then got hot again and parred another five in a row. Checked my card and was sitting on 75 heading into the par-5 18th.

Make birdie and I can die a happy man.

It's a shortish par 5 with a slight dog-leg right and sand everywhere around a pretty tight green.

Hit a perfect fade off the tee to give myself the ideal angle to the green for my second shot. And I'm sitting 235 out, which is pretty much my number for my 3 iron.

So I face a dilemma. Risk a full 3 into a narrow green with sand all over but if I pull it off, I've got two putts? Or "lay up" and play safe and give myself a short wedge in but then have to make a putt?

Well, my wedges suck. So screw it. I get all juiced up, pull my 3 iron out... and absolutely chunk it.

Neat.

So now I'm sitting in the fairway about 155 yards out. Easy 9 iron. No problem. And I yank it left of the traps.

So 79 is out. I chip on over the sand but it runs down the slope and now I've got 20 feet to save par and an 80. Left it two inches short, dead-center of the cup.

I hate this game. That may be my last shot at the 70s. 

Tough to play golf with both hands around your neck.

Good round anyway. Hard to believe someone with 2 5-par steaks in a round would never had a chance at breaking 80. Maybe a quick lesson focusing on your wedges? A friend of mine couldn’t break 80 forever, doing stuff like finishing triple-double to shoot 80, etc. when he finally did it, he did it like 5 times that year. Keep up the good fight…..

 

[belljr]

Played a few days ago, and after a little bit of a slow start, parred the last five holes on the front for a 42 (+5). My ultimate goal is to break 80. Haven't done it.

Got some bad luck on 10 and figured that was it and put it out of my mind.

But then got hot again and parred another five in a row. Checked my card and was sitting on 75 heading into the par-5 18th.

Make birdie and I can die a happy man.

It's a shortish par 5 with a slight dog-leg right and sand everywhere around a pretty tight green.

Hit a perfect fade off the tee to give myself the ideal angle to the green for my second shot. And I'm sitting 235 out, which is pretty much my number for my 3 iron.

So I face a dilemma. Risk a full 3 into a narrow green with sand all over but if I pull it off, I've got two putts? Or "lay up" and play safe and give myself a short wedge in but then have to make a putt?

Well, my wedges suck. So screw it. I get all juiced up, pull my 3 iron out... and absolutely chunk it.

Neat.

So now I'm sitting in the fairway about 155 yards out. Easy 9 iron. No problem. And I yank it left of the traps.

So 79 is out. I chip on over the sand but it runs down the slope and now I've got 20 feet to save par and an 80. Left it two inches short, dead-center of the cup.

I hate this game. That may be my last shot at the 70s. 

Tough to play golf with both hands around your neck.

You'll get there. Cripes you hit a 3 iron 235. 

But it's funny for me it's a no brainer if it's only bunkers I'm worrying about.  I'm usually a strong bunker player

 

[BeTheMatch]

You'll get there. Cripes you hit a 3 iron 235. 

But it's funny for me it's a no brainer if it's only bunkers I'm worrying about.  I'm usually a strong bunker player

Distance, yes. Accuracy, no. Which is why I shouldn't have hit it.

I'm horrific out of the sand. The bunkers at my club aren't that great, so I'll blame that.