Dean Walker

I obviously meant from the same tee boxes or next to each other on the range for instance.

Thats very true. I think if a 24 handicapper for instance (no disrespect to 24 handicappers) watched me vs my friend, they might notice only a small difference and might not be able to grasp just how much better he is.

I am good friends with a guy who has been on and off the European Tour. And I must say, he is on another level altogether from me and my other pals who are all low handicappers/club pros. The difference is massive...the relentless strike quality, control of flight, accuracy, wedge play is all far superior. I honestly think no matter how much I practice, his current level is unachievable for me to reach. Thats not being self defeating - it just is. And although hes had a couple of nice finishes, he cant keep his card for any length of time which is unfathomable to think when you watch him knock it round in 8 under for fun. Just shows how good the top players are. For the guy who thinks theres only a little bit of difference in every facet between a low handicapper and a tour player, please wake up. Im a decent golfer but I probably wouldnt break 85 from the backs at Augusta. These boys knock around in 65 with the most pressure they might face in a season. Difference is enormous.

Always use a tee because its just what I feel comfortable doing. Theres no real science behind the decision 🙂

This is exactly my view. I switch around premium golf balls all the time (even during rounds) and it doesn't make any difference (well anything I notice). Maybe for people who are more mentally attached to a particular brand, it may affect more. I have even gone from a PRoV1x to a Callaway Chrome soft (which is 30-40% cheaper) and barely noticed a great deal of difference. However, the difference between a premium ball and a cheap rock is very substantial and I think it is under appreciated by lots of golfers who could benefit. For instance, I see 15 handicappers playing with Top Flight stones in the middle of summer, so I think in cases like this, people could benefit paying a bit more.

Driver - Slightly underrated. I think not enough golfers are getting this done when it can make a difference. However, some get so warped on shafts and head designs, they think that's all there is to improving their game, but I think this is more of a minority. Irons - Overrated. Not sure how much difference it actually makes. I go with 2 up and 1/2 degree longer because that's what feels comfortable. 🙂 Wedges - Same as irons. Putter - To be honest - I don't really know the ''ins and outs'' of what's involved in a putter fitting, as I have always just picked a putter on feel and because it's the strongest part of my game, I have never felt the need to go further than that. But going from the opinions on here - my attitude certainly suggests its underrated and I may need to look into it.

Just my opinion, but I think unless you are getting paid or have aspirations of earning a living from this game, then its pretty pointless playing unless your main aim is to enjoy it. After all, it is a hobby for most.

Ok cool, I'll grab a copy and see if it changes my current plan. 🙂

Okey dokey. Thanks for that. Not that it really makes too jots to my game. I just try and improve in all areas the best I can.

Drive for dough, putt for show more like. I know this is a small data point, but I just looked at the average standings for the current top 10 in the world for Strokes gained in putting and driving for 2018: SG OFF THE TEE: Average position for top 10 is 15.9 SG PUTTING: Average position for top 10 is 71.20 Small amount of data, but I think this suggests that saying might be bollocks (for the pro game at least anyway) 🙂

I just don't get this illusion that most golfers believe that a driver or a shaft is the main ingredient to more distance. In the main - the golfers I meet aren't that stupid that they think a club is going to change them from Joe Bloggs to Dustin Johnsen. They realise it may only help a bit, which an upgrade or a properly fitted driver will do (obviously there are some exceptions). I think the problem is, changing ones technique, takes a fair bit of commitment and time which lots of people haven't got. People may disagree, but if you only get one (or less) practice sessions a week then it's going to be tough to see quick substantial improvements in your technique, so this often makes golfers bail out and go for a new club. And in some golfers, a new club can make a big difference, especially if they have been using a club which is 10 years old and setup for someone else. In a perfect world - you're right, focusing on impact factors, strike patterns, is in lots of cases, the optimal thing to do but lots of people haven't got the time to allocate to this and I think this is where the manufacturers win. Some of course are totally warped by equipment, but I don't think this is a high percentage and these guys get on my tits frankly. For the golfers with more time and commitment to put on golf, then I think all bases should be covered. Technique, strike pattern, ways of increasing speed and a properly fitted driver. And it comes down to the what the person specifically needs. If a guy is swinging at 95mph with optimal launch conditions and a good strike pattern, then finding ways of increasing his speed will be something to focus on. If a guy is swinging at 95mph with horrible impact factors and a strike pattern which is littered across the face, then adding more speed probably shouldn't be his main concern.

Couldn't agree more with this one. I use slightly thicker grips (midsize) purely because they feel lovely in my hands not because they'll stop me from hooking the odd shot. Which they don't 🙂

Well that's absurd and I am definitely not suggesting this at all. Ok, maybe not the greatest use of statistics but I was just trying to express the point that a lot of people struggle with anxiety and there maybe quite a few outliers. I cannot comment on whether it directly affects their performance - I can only go by what I have experienced and it really does for me(as you would probably expect) At the moment you have suggested there are two groups. Non-outliers and outliers. But my performance anxiety didn't just happen overnight - it was much slower than that, so I would suggest, its more of a spectrum. Some golfers need no help, some may need a little direction, some may need a lot (outliers). I think the mental game can be the difference between feeling fulfilled by the game and not. I think that makes it quite important. Impossible to make this statement without being inside the outliers body 🙂 I wish I was Charles Howell :) Yes maybe or maybe I am just very open about my issues whereas some golfers who feel the same may not open up as much. We will never fully agree as we are coming from totally different experiences. Its impossible for me to fully see your opinion and vice versa. If I didn't feel nervous in tournaments (which is what you said about yourself) then I would think the mental game is bogus as well. But if you were me, you would find it impossible to feel the way you do about it. Haven't said that I whole heartedly agree, the main premise of the game is physical. I have not once disputed that - I just feel like their is more value to having good mental skills than you are suggesting. :)

I know I am an outlier or a 'headcase' as you politely put it but your total disregard for the mental game is astonishing. And that poll is just poll that most people who voted probably didnt really understand what you meant fully. (And probably didnt give it more than 4 seconds of thought) Peoples actions suggest that they know the physical part is by far and away the most important aspect. Most golfers are on the range having lessons on their swing not visiting their local shrink working on vizualisation. So for you to say that people are more prone to blaming the mental game is horse crap. And I have heard you say before you dont even get nervous in tournaments - well i would say that makes you an outlier. 1/3 people will suffer from an anxiety disorder in their lifetime so there are a lot of outliers going around. On a normal practice round with no nerves, i can comfortably shoot under par. Get me in a tournament with pressure and I can often shoot in the 80's. But hey im a headcase, but i think there are quite a few of us about where a mental coach could make a nice difference to not only our level but our wellbeing as well. And why is it that Faldo says even now that he thinks vizualisation is the most important tool with have? And why does Jack Nicklaus attribute a large amount of his success to vizualisation? And why does Jordan Spieth imagine highlight reels of his best shots? I think there is more in it than you give credit for. Maybe if you suffered with anxiety for more than 5 minutes you might appreciate it a bit more.