JoeCanuck

If you want your shots long and straight, try the Adams. I have A3OS 3, 4, 5 hybrids and, basically, if I hit the ball with them, the ball goes long and straight...no fade, draw, hook, slice...nothing but straight. One day I may want to curve a ball around a tree but for now, the ball goes exactly where I aim it and that's a very good thing. Good luck in your quest.

I swear to the golf gods that these things feel like slippers on my feet, yet snug...not too loose. I'm almost considering buying another pair, taking out the spikes for some every day, walking around shoes. I usually walk my rounds so comfortable shoes are a must. They claim waterproof and breathable...we'll have to see about that. they're part of the Footjoy Athletics collection. Maybe I'll change my mind after I've played in them a few times but for now, I recommend them...a lot.

I got the Datrek Vapor this spring and I`ve been very happy with it; light, easy to carry, lots of pockets, and 14 full length club sleeves.

These are a great deal...very affordable and comfortable.

Hands up everybody that plays with bamboo shafts, wound balls and wood drivers. That's real golf tradition. I think it's just fine for anyone to play or not with any legal piece of equipment, as they choose. Golf tech has come a long way and everybody has benefited. The average shmoos I play with, don't have a caddie and can't count on the range markers. I don't see why anybody who can get perfect yardage by asking a caddie, would frown on someone asking a gps for the same info. What's the most common question on the course? I'd say that it's; "how far is that?". I'm in the market for a gps at this very moment. Lots of folks don't need or want one. That's cool. I think it'll add to my enjoyment. That's cool too, I reckon. It may not improve my score but it may increase my pleasure. Good enough reason for me.

My brother and I are merciless with each other. I couldn't handle the mocking if I tried to take a mulligan. That being said, I'm not my brothers keeper; I write down whatever score the other players give themselves...doesn't mean they don't get mocked, though.

I think your attire speaks very little about a person. Hygiene says a lot more. Judging a person based on what they wear says more about you than them. Until recently, orange plaid and canary yellow double knit polyester was acceptable on the golf course. It hasn't been that long since blacks weren't allowed. So much for the noble and honourable traditions of golf. Wear whatever the course allows, which is the same policy for restaurants or any other establishment. It's up to the course or whatever, to set their minimum standards. As long as you're within those standards, what's the problem?

One area where clubs differ greatly is feel. This spring, I decided I wanted a new set of clubs replacing my decade old Fazer set. I spent hours in the shop bashing a bunch of different sticks. I ended up buying the Adams A3OS steel shaft set...based entirely on feel. I reckon that the clubs that feel the best to me, will encourage me to play more which will improve my game more than any specific set of clubs ever could. Get the clubs that feel the best then play a lot. At the very least, that will give you maximum enjoyment of this game.

I went for years playing only with irons. I had an old driver set which I'd occasionally try out but I sucked so bad with them I took them out of my bag. While I was content hitting my irons, a person just can't help wanting to hit that damned ball a ton down the fairway. Regardless if it just the "for show" part of the game, it's arguably the most fun. Accuracy is a necessary skill but unloading a cannon really does put a smile on your face. My opinion is to get a driver. This year, I finally went for a new driver...about 5 generations newer than my last one...a Big Bertha 460. I love the thing...regular shaft, 13* loft. I chose this one by trying out a ton of drivers. With the help of a Vector machine, I narrowed it down to a couple that performed the best for me and took them to the range. I chose the one that feels and performs best for me. It's not the longest, (though almost), but it's the straightest. After all, shorter fairway drives score better than longer drives into the trees. It's up to you to decide what you want from your golf game. If you want to become the best player you can be, (or even just a better player), get lessons. Your pro will help you decided on what equipment is best for you. If you don't want lessons, practice a lot. This year, I'm planning on golfing a ton so I finally got fitted with good clubs and have a membership at a local course where they offer lessons. I'm going to try and knock down my score a bit this year. Either way, if you plan on playing quite a bit, you will enjoy the game more if you are getting better. Having a driver in your bag, sitting there taunting you, will give you more incentive to get better with it. I'd say at this stage, buy your clubs locally where you can try them out and/or possibly even return them if they are killing your game. Hit a lot of clubs...on a monitor of some sort or at least the range. Whatever you decide, good luck and have fun.

I am planning to elope with my BB460 13*, regular shaft. I love the thing. I can't miss with it...and I suck at drives, or at least I used to. It's my first driver of the 21st century. It doesn't slice or hook unless I do something so horribly wrong I hear my vertebrae crack. It won't fade or draw...it only goes a ton down the fareway and arrow straight...damn...that sucks, eh...? I love the loft, the balance, the sound...even the way it looks. I whacked a bunch of new clubs on the launch monitor, with a variety of lofts and shafts. This is the one that gave me the most consistent, longest and straightest shot in the shop. The results of this experimentation have been born out on the course. It may turn on me in the future but, for now, the honeymoon is still on.

A nifty new one will have to really be special to beat my Acushnet Bullseye.

My bag won't say a thing if it knows what's good for it...

Datrek Vapor...full length individual pockets...among other features. I like it.

Getting fitted is why I went with a local shop as opposed to online/ebay. They are changing the shaft angle, grips and lengthening the shafts. To have this done after the fact would have significantly boosted the price of less expensive clubs. My thought was that if I was going to get an all new set, I wanted them to be exactly right for me. Going with the local folks can also buy you much better after sales service. If they need to be fine tuned, that's a piece of cake as well. My local dealer has been great. I'll pay something extra for good service any day. Sometimes cheaper ain't always better.

I use my 56 degree sand wedge all the time...everything from 50 yards out to the edge of the green. It's an ancient Spalding thing from the cretaceous but seems to work for me. I'm thinking of getting a gap wedge. 60-80 yards is a bit of a dead spot for me. It's either that or learn how to golf...that's not likely so it's off to the shop for me.