muskegman

Rant: Stealing range balls is unethical. It's theft. I really wish people wouldn't do it because it hurts the industry. You steal balls because you don't have any. Go buy your own balls.

Putting is so personal that choosing a putter style (mallet or blade) is up to the individual. More important than the style is the fit. Weight, length, and lie are the most important factors for me. I like a shorter putter so that my arms can hang and I can swing, instead of stab. I also don't like a light putter. I'm sure I just confused you. Make sure you get out and try different putters... especially different lengths.

Here's my opinion and that's just what it is. In regards to the original post, Scotty's putters are far and away better than Spaulding putters (IMHO). There is a vast difference in craftsmanship, balance, and weighting between them. A lot of people are pretty picky when it comes to putters because, as someone pointed out, confidence is needed on putting greens. I recently put my beat up Newport 2 back in the bag and I really have enjoyed it and putted much better with it than my other putter (Yes! Olivia). Distance control has been especially good. As a side note I think that the most important things to consider in putters are: Swingweight, length, loft, and lie. Contorting oneself around a misfit putter is a great way to put more points on the board. There are quite a few great putter makers out there and Scotty is up there at the top somewhere.

Thanks for the kudos Cleveland. We have fun recording it and it's nice to get some positive feedback from time to time!

Nice to meet you J.J.

I'd be there if I could niblick... unfortunately I'm tied up Sunday a.m. Have a great time!

I don't see him jettisoning Williams anytime soon. I'd be surprised if Steve isn't on the bag up to Tiger's retirement. Haney on the other hand... not secure. Having said that, I don't see Tiger dumping Haney for another year. Earliest the end of the 2007 season. Tiger still believes in what they're working on.

As some of you've said, here's a biggie... just hit the ball. Don't try to be careful, don't try to "feel it," just hit the darned ball. You'll play better as a result. Cure: Education at the cash register. It is the responsibility of the course to instruct players. An easy thing to do would be to point to a board, hand out a card, and educate in some way before people head out to the course.

Signed, Jeffrey Smith

What do you all think about this? What would you add to the list below regarding slow play? Causes Too many practice swings. Talking when you should be swinging. Cures Talk when you walk. Play within yourself.

Black except for the occasional espresso. I live in Seattle after all. Golf, play hide and seek or wrestle with my kids, surf the web, occasionally work in the yard, chat with friends over a cold amber, make a nuisance of myself in some fashion, and read great books. I feel that science would support the claim that there is, indeed, water down there.

I'm a pretty darned high handicapper and I do not get to practice much because of my many commitments but for me there is no question what kind of club I want to play. I want a more players club and I've played them all. I've played pure blades and shovels on a stick. I am not the ball striker that I could be and still don't play up to my enormous potential (ha, ha) but I want a blade. My first choice is a cavity back blade like the ones I've got in my bag right now (Titleist 690.CB). There are a few companies that make that kind of club and I love them. WHY? Because they require me to concentrate. I seem to respond better to the requirement for precision. Because they feel so sweet. I don't care what anyone says there is something so nice about a forged cavity back. I can actually feel mis-hits and love the feeling of nutted shots. No comparison. The pros outweigh the cons here. They look better. Yup. I just like they way they look. Slimmer topline, more compact... they just look like an iron should. And for that they are worth playing. I think I've played better golf (which may not be saying a whole lot) since picking up a set like this. I certainly understand my swing a whole lot better. I can correct things that are going wrong mid-round instead of swinging and hoping. If you want the players club get them and know that you'll enjoy the feedback they give you, you'll love the way they look at address, and ultimately they may be a set that you just enjoy more. And that's good enough reason for me to play them. Remember that hybrids are good three- and four-iron replacements too.

Sounds like you're screwed. Not really. You're a 7.0 HC and have an enviable ball flight. Jack Nicklaus collected a bunch of trophies hitting the ball reletively high. Higher ball flight means you can stick slick greens, your long irons stay in the air better, and you hit the ball longer. None of that solves your problem but maybe it frames it a little for you. Ogg's suggestion about flattening your swing out is a place to start after consulting a pro about the pros and cons of changing your swing.

I'm sure it is a difficult situation for Smith and Mickelson but Mick has done what he felt he needed to. Maybe Mickelson's desire to win majors has finally trumped his need to swing for the fences and "do it my way." I have to think that it's somewhat a psychological decision because the Mickelson-Smith partnership has produced three majors prior to Winged Foot. Maybe their good relationship off the course will make the transition better. There is still some question whether Phil will stick with Harmon long-term. Dethroning Tiger as the best player in the world is a bit far-fetched at this point. Tiger is at 20.16 and Phil at 7.22 currently. That is a huge gulf to cross. I'm thinking Phil wants to take Tiger down head to head in at least one event and it would be better if it were at a major. That is one tall order.

No, but as a sax player and forged iron player I enjoy the feel of the real thing. Actually, the plastic saxophone argument is a great one against game-improvement clubs. For example, every drummer I've played with prefers an acoustic set over an electronic one. I prefer a Selmer saxophone over a "Casio" any day of the week. As a guitarist I much prefer a fine wooden guitar over a composite one because it provides more feel and richer tone. All musicians like instruments that resonate more which is basically what a players club does for you. Brilliant illustration! Having said that, if you enjoy game improvement clubs, keep playing them. You have your reasons, I have mine.

No doubt it's down to poor technique. The equipment argument is hollow. He plays among the best equipment in the history of golf. While I'm not a huge Nike fan, it is solid equipment. His equipment is fitted to his specs, checked, double checked, buffed, and shined. His problem is not his equipment. The head dip or something that causes the dip (as Erik has pointed out) is his problem. He would also be well served to back off a little when he has driver in hand which would help him avoid the death-dip. You don't need to swipe at the ball like a swarm of killer bees to get the ball into good position IMHO.

Welcome Island girl. This game gets its hooks in you and won't let go. Welcome Klew.

Zach Johnson won it outright. He should get the credit. AND The course was brutal. Weather conditions, trees, 500 extra yards, and super fast greens made for the unMasters. It's a shame. You are not alone.

Not the buzz of a Tiger, but it was cool to see him play well down the stretch. I'm very happy for him.

Welcome back rags.

One side of the argument might say that you can learn a lot playing a more difficult set of irons. Plus, when you get to the point where you're swinging half way decent you've got a beautiful set. I'm a fairly high handicap who enjoys playing players clubs. I've got no problem with it at all. Personal preference really. The other side of the coin is that it might make be very frustrating to play a set of muscle-back irons like the MP14's. They are beautiful but some might say they have a sweet spot the size of a neutron.

My top pick is Adam's Idea Pro hybrid. Love the way it looks at address, minimal offset, and the stock shaft is a winner. If my swing is off they are scud-missile launchers: They go a long way, but you aren't sure where they'll land. When my swing is on, tee balls are long and strait. Love that club. Another good one is Nickent's 3DX Ironwood. Very solid. More spring-like face than the Adams. Hits it a long way. Good stock shaft that produces higher flight than the Adams. If Nickent's new hybrid offering is anything like the 3DX it's a winner too. Hybrids are awesome.

I've got no criticism for Phil in this regard. Admitting Tiger is better than everyone else is akin to admitting oxygen is necessary for life. Go to the World Golf Rankings and see for yourself. Check out his major wins, career wins, winning percentage, and average score. Watch his determination, focus, and results and decide for yourself if he's better. Sure, every other professional will strive to win, they won't "give up," they won't back down, they'll seek to be Tom Watson to Jack Nicklaus but they also shouldn't ignore the facts. Tiger is good and to give him credit shows any player has chosen not to bury his head in the sand. I don't think admitting Tiger is better implies Phil (or any other player) should be any less determined to beat his arse. They certainly shouldn't add fuel to the fire by saying Tiger is a weekend hack who mistakenly wins every tournament he enters. Jeff's thoughts: worth exactly what you paid for it.

Welcome OnePuttGal. Yeah, good way to put it. His childishness has definitely warn through. Spitting in the cup is uncalled for. Yuck.

I'd definitely buy the Callaway. The FT-3 and FT-5 are great clubs. Long and forgiving. Getting fit for loft and shaft is important. Just my personal preference.