Age, the COVID 30#, and Distance Loss

[DrvFrShow]

It's emotionally painful. Last season I was hitting my 7i past the 150 yd marker at the driving range. It was reliable on 160 yd par 3s. This year I'm not even getting close to that 150 yd marker. It sucks. I know... post a swing video... lol. But I've had to face the facts. I'm aging and gained unwanted pounds. And we're headed back to "Phase 1" where I live just when I was about to hit the gym again. But fret not. I did a little research and made a remarkable discovery. My 7i is 30 degrees. Ping now makes a hybrid that's 30 degrees. They made one last year that was 30 degrees, but no one has it in stock. So I went down and tried the G425s, and lo and behold... 155 yds to that green every single time.... and more reliable than my 6i. So... add a 30 degree hybrid. In fact, why not check out adding a 26 degree hybrid? Now there's a gapping problem. This is where they get you... so a new set of G425 hybrids. 22, 26, and 30. 

The nice thing about these is that you can flatten the lie 1 - 1.5 degrees to counter the hybrid hook. I may add the 34 degree hybrid before the end of the season. I know... it's for old people. But I'm not young. If it makes it easier to play the game, I'll play it. I now have to give up either a wedge or 3W. I'm thinking 3W. So top of the bag = D, 5W, 7W

[ncates00]

1 hour ago, DrvFrShow said:

And we're headed back to "Phase 1" where I live just when I was about to hit the gym again.

Work out at home. I’ve had dumbbells, resistance bands, pull-up bars, and yoga mats at home for a decade. I bought my own power rack about 4 years ago. It’s the way to go. 
 

As to the distance part, maybe look into getting a good launch monitor. You can keep an eye on your ball speed and club head speed and try to work on it. Sounds like you went the “buy new clubs” route, but it’s nice being able to quantify what you’re doing. Knowing what you’re doing is half the battle. Then you can work to fix it. 

[onthehunt526]

On 4/26/2021 at 4:28 PM, DrvFrShow said:

It's emotionally painful. Last season I was hitting my 7i past the 150 yd marker at the driving range. It was reliable on 160 yd par 3s. This year I'm not even getting close to that 150 yd marker. It sucks. I know... post a swing video... lol. But I've had to face the facts. I'm aging and gained unwanted pounds. And we're headed back to "Phase 1" where I live just when I was about to hit the gym again. But fret not. I did a little research and made a remarkable discovery. My 7i is 30 degrees. Ping now makes a hybrid that's 30 degrees. They made one last year that was 30 degrees, but no one has it in stock. So I went down and tried the G425s, and lo and behold... 155 yds to that green every single time.... and more reliable than my 6i. So... add a 30 degree hybrid. In fact, why not check out adding a 26 degree hybrid? Now there's a gapping problem. This is where they get you... so a new set of G425 hybrids. 22, 26, and 30. 

The nice thing about these is that you can flatten the lie 1 - 1.5 degrees to counter the hybrid hook. I may add the 34 degree hybrid before the end of the season. I know... it's for old people. But I'm not young. If it makes it easier to play the game, I'll play it. I now have to give up either a wedge or 3W. I'm thinking 3W. So top of the bag = D, 5W, 7W

Why is Washington going back to Phase 1? Not enough people vaccinated? That’s off topic PM me that answer.

If you’re having difficulty getting the distance that you want, hybrids may be the way to go. Even I have gone the hybrid route, even though I don’t hit them well. Basically Julia what it boils down to is you may need to “Call The Zoo”.

[DrvFrShow]

Turns out it was a "threat."

I went the hybrid route because I'm 68 now. It's not going to get better. I'm not proud. Heck, I might add the 34 before the end of the season. Pros say a lot of us amateurs especially those of us with mid-high HCs should be playing these anyway. The Ping G425s are really nice and I'll have them for years.

Found out they have TopTracer at the range and I need to schedule a session or two.

Edited May 2, 2021 by DrvFrShow

[BHI 99]

I picked my clubs back up after a pretty long layoff from golf and have nowhere near the swing speed I used to. Or ability for that matter! 

I figure I’ll take the “me” I have now and rebuild my bag around it. I’ve decided the most important thing body-wise is to maintain flexibility, cardio, and a healthy lifestyle. I’ll just be an old guy swinging like an old guy. 

[onthehunt526]

On 5/2/2021 at 6:59 PM, DrvFrShow said:

Turns out it was a "threat."

I went the hybrid route because I'm 68 now. It's not going to get better. I'm not proud. Heck, I might add the 34 before the end of the season. Pros say a lot of us amateurs especially those of us with mid-high HCs should be playing these anyway. The Ping G425s are really nice and I'll have them for years.

Found out they have TopTracer at the range and I need to schedule a session or two.

Ping makes an 8-hybrid? What? In the G425? I didn’t know that you could flatten the lie of a hybrid... I wish I’d known that when I got my ZX hybrids.

[DrvFrShow]

They call it a 7 hybrid. lol. It's based off standard club loft. In the G425 line.