About my 10 year hiatus from golf....

Irons:  1996 Titliest DCI's

3 wood: 1998 TaylorMade Ti Bubble 2  (R-80 shaft)

Putter:  Ping JB5

In 1997, I bought a used set of cavity-backed Titliest DCI's (2-PW) irons from a friend.   ($300)

I also bought a 3-wood TaylorMade Ti Bubble 2  somewhere around 1999.    ($250 new)

I loved this club as well, as it was the first 3W I could consistently hit!

I also had a Ping putter.

I played a lot from 1997-2001.    These clubs were respectable back in the day.

I loved these clubs, and used them in my journey to getting down to about a 12-13 handicap.

I stayed at that level for a season or two, and was happy with it, and then slowly lost interest.

I was not interested in trying to get to single digits, as that would have involved a quantum leap of investment of time and effort (true work)

Life happened, I stopped playing golf for 10 years, and explored and experienced and focused on many other things outside of golf in those 10 years.

For some reason, I started playing again this week, and the clubs are as good as ever.

I have no interest in trying to get back to where I was.

I will not be joining a private club, and will walk the muni for $30.

In fact, it's been so long, I actually find it strange that I know how to play golf.

I shot 52 in 9 on my first day.  I shot 48 in 9 on my second day.

I will play a few more times this summer, while the interest is there.

When I tire of it, I will stop and go back to my life.

I think these DCI's are the last set of clubs I will ever buy/use.

Same with the 3-wood.  If I'm not hitting it well, it's b/c my swing has issues.

If the swing is on, the club can strike the ball pure and send it where it needs to go.

If I want my score to improve, I need to take more lessons, play more, and practice more.

A good set of clubs will last 15 years (or a lifetime)

I think it's just silly how people constantly buy new clubs/equipment.

Who here has been playing the same equipment for over a decade?

I'm just wondering if anyone else here shares my general attitude.....

I used to play:

Irons:  1996 Titliest DCI's

3 wood: 1998 TaylorMade Ti Bubble 2  (R-80 shaft)

Putter:  Ping JB5

I played a lot from 1997-2001. These clubs were very respectable back in the day. I used them in my journey to getting down to about a 12-13 handicap. I stayed at that peak level for a season or two, and was happy with it, and then slowly lost interest. I was not interested in trying to get to single digits, as that would have involved a quantum leap of investment of time and effort (true work) Life happened, I stopped playing golf for 10 years, and explored and experienced and focused on many other things outside of golf in those 10 years.

For some reason, I started playing again this week. I have no interest in trying to get back to where I was. No practice.  No putting green.  No driving range.  Whatever. Just walking the front 9 at the local municipal for $30. I shot 52 in 9 on my first day.  I shot 48 in 9 on my second day. In fact, it's been so long, I actually find it strange that I know how to play half-decent bogey golf.

A par round for the OP thread

I put this out there elsewhere,  but this year began my "back from Hiatus"  journey as well.

I was about a 4 handicap at the peak,  got up to 8 or so when I found less-and-less time to play,  and then I stopped the game completely due to life/kids/traveling/work/whatever.

I didn't take off from the game nearly that long  (3 years)  but my return back had me shooting in the high 40's/right at 50  for 9 initially,  and I'm already pretty consistently in the lower 40's now....  I too was surprised at how quickly it came back.

I carry Titleist 990b irons,  and the only thing I decided I wanted  (due to how cheap it was!)  was a new driver,  and honestly I think the 15 year old  Hawkeye VFT or whatever it was that I carried for all those years was serving me just as well as the new one I got,  but I'm still adjusting to it,  so I'm still carrying the new one in the bag.

Welcome back to the game.

One other thing I noted,  was despite shooting much higher scores,  I find myself enjoying the game even more  (or at least much more grateful that I can even get out there and play it! )

When you aren't practicing and playing a lot, your expectations are level.

So far, I am quite happy to play a side of 9 and have at least

one good tee-shot,

one good putt,

one good approach/iron (hit the green)

one good sand shot.

With no practice, I am just impressed I even know how to golf.

I am going to play about 5 rounds and see how much nuance starts to come back.

(flop shot, bump&run;, punch out, course management, uneven lies, etc)

With a 4 handicap, you were shooting mid 70s on a decent day

With an 8 handicap, you were shooting low 80s on a decent day  (this is low 40s per side)

So, with only a few rounds it seems like you're already back to 8-10 handicap caliber. (low 40s)

Low 40's  being  43-44  (I'll call them low!)     Much more than an 8-10 right now.