TourSpoon

Ok, it's been a while, but I finally got the 18th hole! It was the only one left over from last year and it took 14 months, but I got it today. It is a slight dogleg right, plays 425 up to an elevated green into the prevailing wind. Playing slightly up, I hit driver and had about 160 into the green. Hit 6 iron to 4 feet and with a straight uphill putt made it center cut! Now I can stop thinking about that hole! All I have left this year is 5, 15, and 17. Let's Go!

1. Good company - luckily I have a lot of people to play golf with and its not that hard to find. But nothing is worse than playing with bad company. 2. Pace of play - This can really get me if its too slow. I don't necessarily rush, but an average 4some at my club can play their matches in 3:45-4:00. Occasionally we do 3somes in 3:30 or less, but the 4 hour mark makes for the pace not to be an issue especially at a resort course. 3. Conditions - I like decent greens. I can accept some other places being unkept, but the greens really can make or break it for me.

First birdie of the year.... Par 5 - Hole 4 - Driver to fairway, 6 iron lay up, 54 degree from 100 into wind 10 feet past hole - spin, slope and wind helped it spin back to leave an easy 3 foot up hill putt. Let's Go!

Fair point, Maybe I should have said more consistent and reliable results, but I think most would understand the point I was making.

I grew up in South Florida and drove a CJ5 with a bikini top for years in high school and college. I was outside constantly windsurfing, scuba diving, three wheeling, beaching, and playing sports. Sundown sunblock came out as a thing when I was 17 and I used when I was near the water but I was really tan but the damage was done. I have had 30+ stitches (driver's side of face) and you can't really tell unless I point it out to treat basal cell carcinoma starting at 40 years old. I am now on a 6 month derm check and use sunblock (mostly face) every time I play golf. I have had the Mohs procedure 3 or 4 times and its not that bad if the skin cancer is caught early. I had an LPGA friend who had to have her nose reconstructed but she wasn't getting checked regularly. That was an ordeal for her as the cancer had spread and the recovery was involved. The point is early screening is key. Now, I will tell you when the doctor says you have a spot that is cancerous you want to treat it immediately and you really don't want to wait. With Mohs its days later and they cut those cells out and then look at the margins to make sure its done. The down time is minimal but the relief knowing its gone is priceless.

This question came up in my office yesterday as a legit topic for a gift for a 20 handicap who plays once a month who most likely is playing a bargain starter set and is happy not keeping score. I said a general fitting would be enough (ie: length, lie, grip size etc). Anything beyond the basics is generally not needed and is certainly not a value until the golfer plays on a regular basis, has a repeatable swing, and cares enough to want to really get into it to spend the money and move from basic equipment to more premium components. Once a player gets to that point, then equipment can mean more, but it still has a small return over an actual improvement strategy. But hey, you got cash, you can spend it anyway you want. There is nothing wrong with having some great sticks in your bag.

Update: The move has been amazing! I love the country club life. As soon as I got here, I went into speed training mode and sometime in June, injured my thumb which took me out for 6 weeks. I climbed back on the horse and was cruising along nicely when I decided to go down the yoga/mobility path and pulled some tiny little something in my hip joint which sidelined me for 2 weeks. Anyway, I am -19 on the Birdie challenge (17 birdies, 2 eagles) and need 1 more birdie to complete. I am back to playing regularly and hope to get in another 5 rounds before the new year. 1. SS is about the same @ 103 range. 2. Handicap has varied from 4.1 to 6.0. 3. Greens are elusive but still around 7-8 per round. 4. Scrambling about the same at 33/50.

Birdie watch for 18.... Last night I hit a pully heater that just missed the tree on the left but ended up cutting off the corner of the dogleg and had 135 into the wind. Hit 9 iron to 12 feet with an uphill Right to Left putt. Lipped out!!! Ugggg. The struggle is real!

I have had a slew of birdies lately but 18 still eludes me. Yesterday it was playing 425 into the wind and hit driver 6 iron to 15 feet above the hole. This is a severe downslope and greens are tens so I literally hit a 2 foot putt that just missed! Easy par, but man I need me a birdie to wrap this up!

I have the Titleist Players 4 stand and the Titleist cart 14. I do prefer the Players 4 (at the moment) even though I ride and live on course. I find myself taking my bag off quite often at the range and for away games and its just a super easy bag to navigate with. I do miss having a putter well though.

I have never been so uninterested in something and couldn't get past the thumbnail to even open the video.

I thought it was a little premature in the messaging to be preaching the dangers of gambling. I agree with the premise of the content and it is surely a problem for him and his family. Maybe they didn't lose a house or whatever but there has to be a psychological and emotional toll on his family. But lets see you not bet more than one day in a row before you get on the bandwagon. I like Phil as a player/personality, but this just rubbed me the wrong way. I don't think he should get the pats on the back for doing the right thing just yet. Put a track record together, help some people out, and let someone else bring the attention to the situation.

That is a serious slice! 🤣

Make sure to use complimentary phrases like, "You da Man" or "Get in the Hole" especially on the first few shots so they know you are a true golf fan. If a player hits less than driver and gets into trouble make sure to say, "Good thing you used the fairway finder!" Or just don't be an asshole.

Yah, I know what my swing looks like and it is not that. Getting feedback is fine. I do it every so often from a professional or trusted expert. What I find is that the theme is pretty much the same, just my understanding or ability to address the issue may changed over time so I need the reminder. Interesting take. Not sure I am going to agree but I am sure viewing either could be really disappointing. 🤣