Improvisation

[Hacker James]

One can spend hundreds of dollars on little practice items, accessories, when you more than likely have exactly what you need laying about the house.  To wit: I have a practice drive mat made out of artificial turf. The kind that is course enough to hold a regular tee, and simulates real turf to a great degree.  I had been wanting to buy some of those mat tees but never got around to it and the price was generally around $5.00, they are prone to cracking e.t.c.   I found a plastic tee that looked almost identical to what is commercially sold, I think it may have come off an old pull cart or something. I drilled a hole in the mat and stuck it up through from the bottom in between the mat and the plywood base. Only problem was it was a little short. I then found an old piece of black tubing which was probably off the lawn soaker hose. The diameter was such that it would slip over the plastic tee and down into the hole and fit snug enough. Now I cut off the length(s) I need, slip them over the tee and voila!  Instant interchangeable golf tees on my practice mat.  Want to practice hitting a one iron?  No problem.  Lofted fairway wood? No problem. For pitches and chips, remove the tee and hit directly off the mat making sure I am standing on another the same height. No divot, but it is plush enough to accomplish pretty much the same thing as real turf.  Being a "cheap skate" has its rewards.

[Hacker James]

I just can't stop tinkering.....I now have an eight foot putting range in the bedroom (Carpet runner and a coffee mug that has an arch you putt through with no room for error; a 45 foot pitching/chipping/driving range with target backdrop stolen from the commercial hitting cage; hitting cage with area rug suspended between the stays that used to hold the stolen target backdrop ; driving mat with interchangeable rubber tees; camera and tripod.  All I need now is find a bean bag chair to use as a smash bag. Its off to the local swap meet one of these days. And one day a sports sensor to measure swing speed.  I am becoming a "practiceaholic". (but still manage to play some)  Oh, and a 3 gallon ceramic water cooler complete with spigot. Fill with ice cubes and water (or Margaritas). Patio furniture too.  C'mon over !!